Register All Albums FAQ Community Experience
Go Back   New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com > Main > Saints

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

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; 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. ...

Like Tree15Likes

Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-11-2015, 01:19 PM   #1
10000 POST CLUB
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Shreveport,Louisiana
Posts: 16,062
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

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."
WhoDat!656 is offline  
Old 01-11-2015, 02:53 PM   #2
Bounty Money $$$
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA.
Posts: 24,073
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.
MarchingOn likes this.
Rugby Saint II is offline  
Old 01-11-2015, 03:29 PM   #3
500th Post
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 951
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.
halloween 65 likes this.
jcp026 is offline  
Old 01-11-2015, 08:10 PM   #4
10000 POST CLUB
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 10,846
Blog Entries: 3
Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line

I want to see Aikem Hicks at NT.
DrewDat and ChrisXVI like this.
saintsfan1976 is offline  
Old 01-11-2015, 08:46 PM   #5
5000 POSTS! +
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana
Posts: 5,893
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.
jcp026 likes this.
halloween 65 is offline  
Old 01-11-2015, 08:52 PM   #6
5000 POSTS! +
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana
Posts: 5,893
Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line

Originally Posted by jcp026 View Post
How about Jordan Phillips of Oklahoma? 6'6" 334 lbs Projected by CBS Sports as a 2nd round pick.
This is exactly who I want 3/4 ready.
jcp026 likes this.
halloween 65 is offline  
Old 01-11-2015, 08:53 PM   #7
10000 POST CLUB
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 10,846
Blog Entries: 3
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.
saintsfan1976 is offline  
Old 01-11-2015, 10:41 PM   #8
Site Donor 2018
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Thibodaux
Posts: 43,543
Blog Entries: 39
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...
jeanpierre is offline  
Old 01-11-2015, 11:20 PM   #9
1000 Posts +
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,422
Re: Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 View Post
I want to see Aikem Hicks at NT.
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.
blackangold is offline  
Old 01-12-2015, 12:41 PM   #10
Site Donor 2018
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Thibodaux
Posts: 43,543
Blog Entries: 39
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...
K Major and brees84 like this.
jeanpierre is offline  
Closed Thread


Posting Rules

LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: https://blackandgold.com/saints/70565-fixing-saints-part-4-big-body-brawler-d-line.html
Posted By For Type Date Hits
Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line This thread Refback 01-11-2015 02:02 PM 9
The Latest New Orleans Saints News | SportSpyder This thread Refback 01-11-2015 01:51 PM 7


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:42 AM.


Copyright 1997 - 2020 - BlackandGold.com
no new posts