New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Article Where Saints Defense Stands

New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com (https://blackandgold.com/community/)

- Saints (https://blackandgold.com/saints/)

- - Article: Where Saints Defense Stands (https://blackandgold.com/saints/71749-where-saints-defense-stands.html)

Where Saints Defense Stands

Wow, need a safety anyone???

Agree with Triplett - DE is definite area of need along with some athleticism at the OLB/ILB positions

Where Saints roster stands: Defense/special teams - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

DEFENSE:

DE -- Akiem Hicks, Glenn Foster

DE -- Cameron Jordan, Glenn Foster

NT -- Brodrick Bunkley, John Jenkins, Lawrence Virgil

OLB -- Junior Galette, Kasim Edebali

OLB -- Parys Haralson, Ronald Powell

ILB -- David Hawthorne, Ramon Humber

ILB -- Dannell Ellerbe, Kyle Knox, Jerry Franklin

CB -- Keenan Lewis, Terrence Frederick, Delvin Breaux

CB -- Brandon Browner, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Brian Dixon

SS -- Kenny Vaccaro, Jamarca Sanford, Vinnie Sunseri, Marcus Ball

FS -- Jairus Byrd, Rafael Bush, Pierre Warren, Kenny Phillips, Ty Zimmerman

SPECIAL TEAMS:

P -- Thomas Morstead

K -- Shayne Graham, Dustin Hopkins

LS -- Justin Drescher

H -- Luke McCown

PR -- Brandin Cooks, Jalen Saunders

KR -- Jalen Saunders

Quote:

Thoughts: The first two things that jump out are how loaded the Saints are at safety and how thin they are at defensive end.

Safety is the one position the Saints can probably ignore in the draft (unless they fall in love with a specific prospect). They loaded up on safeties last year because of injuries, and now they’ve got one of those “good problems.” The battle for backup jobs will be interesting in camp.

Every other position is fair game in the draft.

Coach Sean Payton said last week that the Saints need to draft at least one or two outside linebacker/defensive end pass-rush types. A second edge rusher to complement Galette might rank as New Orleans' No. 1 need overall -- especially with those early draft picks since it's hard to find dynamic pass-rushers late in the draft or in free agency.

Defensive end stands out as the thinnest position in terms of total bodies on the roster (regardless of whether you put the Saints in a 3-4 front or a 4-3 front). Starters Jordan and Hicks are excellent. But they’ll need more young backups to supplement Foster.

The Saints also need to get younger at inside linebacker behind veterans Ellerbe, Hawthorne, Haralson and Humber.

The Saints do have several young candidates for the nickel cornerback job -- but no proven ones. So an early draft pick or even a cheap free-agent addition might be a consideration.

As for special teams, the only position I’d expect the Saints to possibly target in the draft is a kickoff returner -- though Saunders showed some nice potential when he joined the Saints in the middle of last season.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

I wouldn't call Akiem Hicks excellent after last years performance

I really wouldn't call anyone excellent on our D after last year, not even Keenan Lewis.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzle88 (Post 648477)

I wouldn't call Akiem Hicks excellent after last years performance

I really wouldn't call anyone excellent on our D after last year, not even Keenan Lewis.

Season one was a surprise. Season two was the result of not having stronger CB, S and LB play.

I think Hicks will be fine. So will Cam Jordan.

Don't forget Cam and Jr actually lead the league in QB hurries at one point

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Hicks looks like Tarzan plays like Jane. (most of the time) Still waiting for some consistency.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

dline got after passer in 13, in 14 they didn't

our lb's do not impress me, at all

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Quote:

Originally Posted by spkb25 (Post 648497)

dline got after passer in 13, in 14 they didn't

our lb's do not impress me, at all

I really hope LB gets addressed in the draft. First or second round.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

I thought we got rid of Bunkley.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

I'm not gonna lie... Our front seven on defense looks awful.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnormand (Post 648506)

I really hope LB gets addressed in the draft. First or second round.

me too, bro

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlboro Man (Post 648508)

I thought we got rid of Bunkley.

dude took a pay cut, don't think keeping him was bad considering what we're paying. Someone might be able to put more to that though

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

based on that depth, Vaccaro and Bush look like trade bait
Zimmerman? he'll be blowin' in the wind

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Bush could be part of the draft day trade.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Jahri better do something or he's gonna find himself suiting it up for someone else

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Too many safeties ... time to cut slackers by the end of camp.
I would prefer better depth at the linebacker position.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

I really wish we could trade up for Feast Mode. If we can throw in late pick with 13th.

YouTube (Short URL)

Someone posted this video on another thread, looks insane.

Then Wake Forest corner at the end of the First. Or benardrick mckinney somewhere in there. (Go Dawgs!)

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Last year they were often standing as the ball carrier ran by them...

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

as the NT goes in a 34 so do the DE

when your NT can get man handles by the center alone the DE do not stand a chance.

LMAO S a pleasant problem? we got issues there to. they all took turns stinking the place up.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

I don't want to move up...........for anyone except Shelton. :smile:

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Nasty.

He would look very good in black & gold between Hick and Jordan

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Quote:

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 648532)

Too many safeties ... time to cut slackers by the end of camp.
I would prefer better depth at the linebacker position.

I thought we were running the 5 safety defense? :confused:

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 648549)

I don't want to move up...........for anyone except Shelton. :smile:

RSII I thought about it and have come to the conclusion that the Saints should stay put at 13. The last time we traded (NE) up for a nose take, we selected Sedric Ellis & the Pats ended up with Jerod Mayo :-?.

We need to make every pick count.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Mitch| (Post 648568)

https://twitter.com/nick_underhill/s...17030807179264

Owamagbe Odighizuwa || UCLA Highlights - YouTube

Gotta love him on the name alone ;)

I do like the size, speed and strength. Medical history red flag ?
He could be a diamond in the rough :bng:

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Quote:

Owa Odighizuwa, 3-4OLB, UCLA
Height: 6-3. Weight: 267.
40 Time: 4.62.
Projected Round (2015): 1-2.
3/7/15: Odighizuwa has a nice skill set of size, speed and athleticism. That was apparent with his impressive performance at the Combine. He also showed the agility and flexibility to move as a standup outside linebacker. Odighizuwa would need some development for that role, but he has the potential to do it.

At the Senior Bowl, Odighizuwa had a quality week and did well in the one-on-ones. He looks like a solid base end for a 4-3 defense. Odighizuwa totaled 61 tackles with 11.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks and five passes batted in 2014, He was phenomenal against Virginia in the season opener and was far more disruptive than the numbers indicate during the season. Odighizuwa also had a good game against Washington with a ton of heat on the quarterback.

Odighizuwa missed the 2013 season with an injury and was a backup in in 2012. He totaled 44 tackles and a sack as a backup. Odighizuwa hasn't played a lot of football for a senior and has upside to develop in the NFL.

...

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Owa Odighizuwa?

oh yeah he could be the #1 player in the draft that teams wish they would have taken the medical risk on in the draft.

Two surgeries on his hip. it is not so much two becuase they were back to back. it the fact they worked on the hip itself

if the medical team believes he is good to go and we pick him it will be an enjoyable yet tense experience for all us hoping it holds up.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Ellerbe will move to the other OLB position and we will draft a couple of ILB's, 1 OLB, 1 DE, 1 DT, 1 CB and a couple of offensive lineman.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Mitch| (Post 648568)

https://twitter.com/nick_underhill/s...17030807179264

Owamagbe Odighizuwa || UCLA Highlights - YouTube

A great name Buddy D and Bobby Hebert would proud of!

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

Quote:

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 648565)

When u put it like that I almost never want us to draft again.

Re: Where Saints Defense Stands

I hate to say it, but what I really think the Saints defense needs is a new coordinator. I have no faith in Ryan. His defenses have usually been average at best, and many times much worse.