Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

The Saints’ defense showed great improvement in most areas in Week 3. But in order to get their first road win of the season Sunday night at Dallas, they must figure out how to start forcing turnovers.

The Saints (1-2) have now gone 11 quarters without a takeaway. And they have just five over their past 14 games.

Turnovers were the Saints’ No. 1 priority in the offseason. They signed ball-hawking safety Jairus Byrd to a $54 million contract. And they emphasized turnovers relentlessly in practices.

What’s especially head-scratching is that New Orleans has an excellent pass rush, led by Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette. But even when the defense has played great (last week against Minnesota and most of last season), the turnovers haven’t come.

“That goes with population to the ball. That goes with the pass rush. There’s so many things that can go into that, that I don’t think you can just hand out a tip sheet and say, ‘We need more takeaways,’” Saints coach Sean Payton said.

The Cowboys should provide an opportunity. They’re tied for fourth in the NFL with seven giveaways, and Tony Romo is tied for first with four interceptions.

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Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

Why do people keep talking about making turnovers? I feel like I'm on crazy pills. How about we just start tackling and covering better??? Is that just too simple an idea?

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

every time the turn over battle becomes the battle cry the defense goes down the tubes.

sloppy tackling going after the ball
trying to anticipate throws and blowing coverage
reckless pass rush to pressure the QB and get sacks leaves escape lanes all over the place.

play solid defense and the turnovers will come.
play over aggressive and a good QB will make you pay all game long.

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

Yeah I with you guys on this... you play good/great D and the turnovers will happen.

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

You can swat at the ball all you like but you must bring down the ball carrier......and not ten yards down the field.

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

Tackle better, cover better and the turnovers will come, especially since we have better hands in the secondary.

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

That is one of the things I love most about TR.

And, the reason I mention a desire for takeaways is because when the turnover ratio is in your favor -- teams have a dramatically better chance of winning. And, when we win, I feel happy.

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

Tony Romo is tied for first with four interceptions. This is great news!

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

Gang tackling ,putting big hits on opponents,Blanket coverage,QB hurries hiding coverages and turnovers happen

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

If they don't get a single turnover, but hold Dallas to FG's, it should easily be enough.

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

I would be happy if we just learned how to tackle.
When other teams punt, I count those as turnovers.

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

Isn't a 3-out a turnover?

Stupid is...

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

Last year we had so many 3 and outs it was hard to get turnovers

Our pass rush is weak and contain on the corners is not there
I would trade a few less sacks for keeping things in front of us

Please go to press coverage
Not this 15 yards back soft zone

Dont try to be Seattle

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

If the secondary gets in the right positions with the right communication with a decent pass rush, we should get the INTs. We haven't gotten an INT since our final regular season game last year against Napoleon Dynamite, and have ONE turnover in 12 quarters this year.

But I'm scratching my head with our inability of forcing turnovers not being that big of a deal in an NFL football game, though. I've harped my concern with this inability in numerous posts, but maybe I'm missing something? I reckon if we win out without forcing another turnover, I'll just shut it right on up...

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

Doesn't Seattle play a ton of "press coverage?"

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

Have you heard the name 'Richard Sherman'?

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

Just me, but I'd rather just the defense focus on making tackles and tight coverage than swiping at balls and gambling all the time. Turnovers should come as a result of good fundamental defense, not as a result of abandoning what made us a good defense in the first place.

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

They play mostly a cover-3 zone, with occasional man-to-man.

Re: Mike Triplett: What the Saints must fix
 

No, I'm with you...I'd rather have a defense that's fundamentally sound than a gambling one that is overcompensating for lack of talent and fundamentals. A by-product of a fundamentally sound defense has got to be forced turnovers, and considering our talent on the defensive side of the ball, we should be creating those turnovers. So are we talented but not fundamentally sound? I'd have to say yes, hence the 1 forced turnover this year against pedestrian offenses...yes, the Fail Clowns included. Ain't giving them credit for nothing.