Defensive Adjustments That Would Help

JKool · 10-12-2004, 11:08 AM

It was asked in an earlier thred, what could help this defense barring a coaching change. Below was my response. Since I got no thoughts on the matter, I thought I' repost it and see if anyone had any other suggestions.

Here are my suggestions to improve the current defense (if simply getting better coaching and game planning is off the table):

1. Give up on Watson being the full time starter (I think he is great, but he is still raw - he backs into coverage too quickly). Ruff should play in all obvious rushing situations and Watson in all others.

2. Get a good corner. Oh wait, we just got MM. This will help, since it will allow us to bring T-buck closer to the line. Currently, he is playing deep to make up for Thomas' small stature and Ambrose's lack of speed.

3. Do not run stunts on the ends. Our guys are just not getting it done that way. On a related note, Grant and Howard should not play every down like it is a passing down. Howard needs to work harder on his read and react rather than his overwhelming instinct to simply kill the signal caller.

4. Young is way too small. From what I've seen, he just gets pushed around. He will be great on passing downs when he isn't required to the job of the guy standing next to him. If Sully suddenly shows up, Young will be solid, until then the fact that whoever is on the inside next to him is going to be purely mediocre (at least so far) and Young will be neutralized. Thus, I think we'd do just as well with two middle to low talent big bodies than poor Young who is getting his ass kicked because he isn't getting any help inside.

5. I think we should run blitz a little more, but not a lot more. People keep saying "let's blitz more"; we're not disrupting the play in the backfield, and I agree, but blitzing is a little more complicated that people make it out to be. Angles, gaps, and positional blitzes are determined by what the goal of the blitz is. Our guys seem to pass blitz all the time. It would be good to see a few more people come every once in awhile, but I'd like to see a few shallower paths to the ball carrier and fewer delayed blitzes (i.e. more quick fire rushes) - this will stop the run better, even if they are less likely to get to the QB.

Anyway, that is my five step proposal for fixing the Defense - if we're not simply allowed to fire the coaches.

What do you guys think?

Cheers.

dberce1 · 10-12-2004, 11:18 AM

The D should carry mace and stun guns.

WhoDat · 10-12-2004, 12:36 PM

Ruff should play in all obvious rushing situations and Watson in all others.

Ruff is the reason a TE went down the middle of the field so wide open Aaron Brooks could have hit him on the deep route. As far as I\'m concerned, Orlando Ruff should only see the field from the stands.

As to your other four points... I guess. I honestly don\'t think much can be done for our defense other than a new coach and new players at (sound familiar???) DT, LB, and CB. I\'ve never seen a Saints defense this bad.

broadmoorintheatl · 10-12-2004, 12:44 PM

I THINK THE ONE THING THAT WOULD GET ALL THOSE HIGH DRAFT PICKS AND GREAT ADDITION FREE AGENTS TO START DOING SIMPLE THINGS LIKE STAYING ON-SIDES AND TACKLING WOULD BE TO START FINING THEM FOR THE INFRACTIONS! WE WORK FOR A LIVING,TOO,AND IF WE ARE NOT PERFORMING UP TO REQUIRED EXPECTATIONS-WE GET WRITTEN UP,SUSPENDED,EVEN TERMINATED! YOU WORK BETTER(PERFORM)WHEN YOU STAND TO LOSE SOMETHING AND IF THE COACHES CAN\'T MOTIVATE THEM OTHERWISE... TOO MANY DROPPED PASSES,FALSE STARTS,ETC. HIT EM\' IN THEIR POCKETS,BET YOU\'LL SEE A DIFFERENT RESULT!!!!!!!!!!

10-12-2004, 11:08 AM	#1
JKool 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,423	Defensive Adjustments That Would Help It was asked in an earlier thred, what could help this defense barring a coaching change. Below was my response. Since I got no thoughts on the matter, I thought I' repost it and see if anyone had any other suggestions. Here are my suggestions to improve the current defense (if simply getting better coaching and game planning is off the table): 1. Give up on Watson being the full time starter (I think he is great, but he is still raw - he backs into coverage too quickly). Ruff should play in all obvious rushing situations and Watson in all others. 2. Get a good corner. Oh wait, we just got MM. This will help, since it will allow us to bring T-buck closer to the line. Currently, he is playing deep to make up for Thomas' small stature and Ambrose's lack of speed. 3. Do not run stunts on the ends. Our guys are just not getting it done that way. On a related note, Grant and Howard should not play every down like it is a passing down. Howard needs to work harder on his read and react rather than his overwhelming instinct to simply kill the signal caller. 4. Young is way too small. From what I've seen, he just gets pushed around. He will be great on passing downs when he isn't required to the job of the guy standing next to him. If Sully suddenly shows up, Young will be solid, until then the fact that whoever is on the inside next to him is going to be purely mediocre (at least so far) and Young will be neutralized. Thus, I think we'd do just as well with two middle to low talent big bodies than poor Young who is getting his ass kicked because he isn't getting any help inside. 5. I think we should run blitz a little more, but not a lot more. People keep saying "let's blitz more"; we're not disrupting the play in the backfield, and I agree, but blitzing is a little more complicated that people make it out to be. Angles, gaps, and positional blitzes are determined by what the goal of the blitz is. Our guys seem to pass blitz all the time. It would be good to see a few more people come every once in awhile, but I'd like to see a few shallower paths to the ball carrier and fewer delayed blitzes (i.e. more quick fire rushes) - this will stop the run better, even if they are less likely to get to the QB. Anyway, that is my five step proposal for fixing the Defense - if we're not simply allowed to fire the coaches. What do you guys think? Cheers.

10-12-2004, 11:18 AM	#2
dberce1 Chuck Liddells Right Hand Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Prairieville, Louisiana Posts: 1,227	Defensive Adjustments That Would Help The D should carry mace and stun guns.

10-12-2004, 12:36 PM	#3
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	Defensive Adjustments That Would Help Ruff should play in all obvious rushing situations and Watson in all others. Ruff is the reason a TE went down the middle of the field so wide open Aaron Brooks could have hit him on the deep route. As far as I\'m concerned, Orlando Ruff should only see the field from the stands. As to your other four points... I guess. I honestly don\'t think much can be done for our defense other than a new coach and new players at (sound familiar???) DT, LB, and CB. I\'ve never seen a Saints defense this bad.
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631

10-12-2004, 12:44 PM	#4
broadmoorintheatl Rookie Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 23	Defensive Adjustments That Would Help I THINK THE ONE THING THAT WOULD GET ALL THOSE HIGH DRAFT PICKS AND GREAT ADDITION FREE AGENTS TO START DOING SIMPLE THINGS LIKE STAYING ON-SIDES AND TACKLING WOULD BE TO START FINING THEM FOR THE INFRACTIONS! WE WORK FOR A LIVING,TOO,AND IF WE ARE NOT PERFORMING UP TO REQUIRED EXPECTATIONS-WE GET WRITTEN UP,SUSPENDED,EVEN TERMINATED! YOU WORK BETTER(PERFORM)WHEN YOU STAND TO LOSE SOMETHING AND IF THE COACHES CAN\'T MOTIVATE THEM OTHERWISE... TOO MANY DROPPED PASSES,FALSE STARTS,ETC. HIT EM\' IN THEIR POCKETS,BET YOU\'LL SEE A DIFFERENT RESULT!!!!!!!!!!
broadmoorintheatl Rookie Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 23

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