I said this, months ago
 

Huge problem in this game, IMO. All offseason it was turnover this, turnover that. Strip fumble this, interception that.

We didn't play fundamentally sound defense. How many missed tackles did we see, how many plays did we give up an extra 5, 6, or 10 yards because our guys were chasing and swatting at the ball instead of actually, you know, tackling?

I hate this because I saw it coming from a mile away. Anytime and everytime I've ever heard any NFL team preach about creating turnovers, this crap always happens.

Need to get back to basics. Cover, tackle, rush the passer. Screw the turnovers. The defense got embarrassed today all the way around.

Re: I said this, months ago
 

I really didn't see too many missed tackles due to "swatting" for the ball. Most of the missed tackles were because they would be out of position or take the wrong angle to the ball carrier or not be fast enough to get there...

Re: I said this, months ago
 

Maybe so Jack, tackling was pretty bad.

Re: I said this, months ago
 

2nd quarter, about 4 minutes left. Had them on a 3rd and 12 deep in our own territory, could've forced a field goal. Falcons RB #24 catches a pass in the flats. Keenan Lewis is in perfect position, but instead of wrapping up and taking him down 5 yards short of the first down, he sticks his hand in and tries to knock the ball out. Falcons RB gets 13 yards and a first and goal. Falcons go on to score a TD.

4th quarter, 3 minutes left. Again, Falcons deep in Saints territory. Ryan hands off to Jacquizz Rodgers. Vacarro is there to make the play, again goes in with the arm swinging. Doesn't even attempt to wrap up. Rodgers easily spins away from the half-ass "tackle" attempt goes into the end zone with the go ahead TD.

Two pretty egregious examples, and that's just from the few clips on the nfl.com recap. You can watch them here. Watch New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons [09/07/2014] - NFL.com

Re: I said this, months ago
 

The more I think about it the more I think you have a valid point. We focused so much on forcing turnovers we neglected fundamental tackling techniques.

The good news is I think we get back to teaching tackling.

Re: I said this, months ago
 

Missed tackles against Atlanta = 23
Missed tackles in the entire 2013 regular season = 77 total

Re: I said this, months ago
 

Most of the big runs I remember, there were bad angles.

Re: I said this, months ago
 

Wow, that is amazing.

Heres another one...
2012 Defense 440.2 yards per game (worst in NFL history)

2014 vs ATL 568 yards

Matt Ryan threw the ball 43 times
Saints Defense -
1 Sack,
2 PD,
1 FF,
0 TFL,
0 QB Hits

Re: I said this, months ago
 

This loss falls on the players but it also falls on the coaches. Rob Ryan outsmarted himself. He used the same scheme that Spagnolo used in 2012 and it didn't work. What a surprise!!!!! He should have stayed in his comfort zone. Too much thinking and not enough reacting. Was the same problem in 2012. It also resulted in missed tackles and blown assignments. It didn't work in 2012: why in the world would he think it would work now.

Re: I said this, months ago
 

We played soft. KLew on a few tackle tries looked like Deion Sanders. Lofton was the only thumper who stood out to me at all. Matt Ryan looked like Randal Cunningham. Even if we would have won in overtime the sense of a tired defense came about.

Anyway, on to Cleveland....