Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

As we present to you the 4th installment of our Big Easy Believer mini-series “Fixing the Saints”, we come to the one position that I believe is the most often “over-looked” problem with the Saints’ disappointing 7-9 finish in 2014.

Specifically, the lack of a “push” in the middle / interior of the Defensive Line; and even more specifically, at the spot of Defensive Tackle (a.k.a., the ‘Nose Tackle’).

Getting that “push” up the gut was what allowed the Saints and their pass rush to be successful on the defensive side of the football in 2013. However, that clearly wasn’t the case in 2014.

A lack of a true pass rush absolutely KILLED this football team in 2014. They tallied only 34 sacks, which ranked 25th overall in the League; after putting up 49 of them back in 2013 (fourth best in the NFL that year).

Fixing The Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

I agree with article completely. Dt is definitely a need but not as critical as ILB, G or CB. I was happy that the article discussed more than just the NT position.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

How about Jordan Phillips of Oklahoma? 6'6" 334 lbs Projected by CBS Sports as a 2nd round pick.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

I want to see Aikem Hicks at NT.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

ILB followed by a stud 3/4 NT in the draft is the way I would go.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

This is exactly who I want 3/4 ready.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

Suh is 6'2" and 305
Hicks is 6'4" and 345

The ideal NT is probably 6 foot but Hicks has tremendous upper body strength perfect for that position.

I'll bet Tyrunn Walker is read to be a starting DE opposite Cam Jordan.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

John Jenkins was playing with a torn pectoral muscle, if recovered with Hicks in rotation, we'll have a good foundation...

I'd rather spend the early picks on elite linebackers, perhaps an elite cornerback...

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

I thought Hicks was very disappointing this year. He was a big part of the "no push" in the middle problem, so I dont think he is the solution.

I personally think getting major upgrades at the DT/NT position is the best way to improve the D. Gallete had a good year rushing the passer with the most pressures in the league. Cam couldn't win the 1v1 battles and isn't worth a big contract, even with that said we had zero pressure from the middle, QBs could step up all day and wait for coverage to break down.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

Galette's pass rush numbers were stacked, and they came against reserves...

His best year was the 2013 season and he's done nothing to impress me this past season...

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

Gallete played well particularly when you consider he had zero help around him. You only game-planned for Gallete because no one else scares you on that line. Yes, 2013 was a good year for him and everyone else on the D, but there was 2 pivotal people we lost which contributed in a major way.

The loss of Tom Johnson and Glenn Foster was huge. Johnson should have been re-signed as he had a great year rushing the passer from the DT spot. In 2013 we had a good push in the middle, and a large part of that was due to these guys playing well and keeping Hicks/Jenkins/Walker fresh.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

I forgot, add John Jenkins to the list of players who took a step or two backwards this season. He was supposed to be that big body brawler in the middle.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

Wasn't he battling injuries early in the year? I can't remember

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

Yep, tore a pec, and played badly down the stretch. Hopefully we see a much better version next year.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

his back still bothers him. i expect he might drop in the draft so a late round risk with short term expectation is acceptable

Dan Williams Cardinals NT 6-2, 327

that is my top FA signing at say $6 million a year

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

Don't know about Tom Johnson, but definitely spot-on that we missed Glenn Foster and his pass rush situations...

Having to shut down Jenkins, Bunkley at the nose was a big part of what happened...

As far as Galette not having help, sorry, I can't buy that as I saw too many one-on-one blocks on him and it seemed he had the same move out of the same stance all year long; no variety whatsoever...

He's done a great job of parlaying his opportunity into where he is, but there's no ****ing way I'd paid him that much in that way...

Want to see us move to a true 3-4 base package with true 3-4 linebackers; we're now in year 3 of this transition and it's taking way too long because of salary cap and poor draft management...

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

Tom Johnson had 6.5 sacks this season in a situational role

We were paying him league minimum while he was here and all he did was produce whenever he was in the game

A damn sight better than our current D lineman

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

Gallete did well with the most QB pressures, more than JJ Watt.

I don't think he should have been compensated the way we was considering he was still under contract for 2 years.

100% agree on the true 3-4... I still don't know what our base package is. The only ones confused by this seem to be our defense.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

Hard to say why, but yes I was disappointed with his overall performance as well.

That doesn't mean he couldn't line up over a center and win one-on-one. Do you recall seeing him absolutely steamroll a few centers this year? I do!

Look, I'm not saying he's our one and only 3 down NT but if we have guys better suited to be DEs than NTs then let's put the big man in there during camp like they did his rookie season and see what he can do.

Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line
 

Hicks is a DE, I don't think he's better suited for the NT position.
He can probably play it, but DE is his best spot.