You've got to compete with the "Big Boys" if..

SaintFanInATLHELL · 01-28-2005, 07:22 AM

Billy,

Very close to the mark here. We must all realize that Benson and his business brain trust doesn\'t necessarily have a goal of winning the SB. OTOH the Saints are in the top 10 in the NFL in salary IIRC.

All Benson really needs to do to keep the fan base is make a bit of progress. Fundamentally if they can get the team to 10 wins, into the playoffs, and winning a playoff game every year, the number of completely dissatisfied fans will drop dramatically.

That can be done on the cheap.

Two pretty simple observations pointing to the SB:

1) The best defenses are always sniffing the SB.

2) The best defenses are a combination of good (not necessarily great) players combined with great coaching and schemes (see Jim Johnson and Romeo Crennel in this year\'s SB as examples)

We saw a whiff of that the last 4 games of this year. Our defense held 4 teams below 21 points. We won all 4 games. The Saints are 16-6 in the last 3 years when the defense holds teams to under 21 points.

Defense wins NFL games consistently.

Our defense was 32nd out of 32 teams in the NFL last season in total defense. Because of the last 4 games we moved out of the last spot in most of the other statistical categories (scoring, passing, rushing) but were in the bottom 5-10 in those too.

So Benson\'s brain trust would be well served to spend on good defensive players and outstanding defensive coaching.

I think the player side is making progress. McKenzie was a definite upgrade. The defensive ends, all three of them, can be Pro Bowl caliber.

As usual up the middle we still have holes. We need a dominant defensive tackle (no lazy Sullies should apply), an elite MLB, and some clear direction on the safeties (possibly through the draft).

But more importantly than all of that we need an outstanding DC. Venturi is the biggest liability to the defense as a whole. We need that Johnson, Crennel, LeBeau, Kiffen type guy that has a scheme and knows how to work it.

We don\'t. And until we do, it won\'t matter how much money gets spent on players.

SFIAH

01-28-2005, 07:22 AM	#21
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,783	You've got to compete with the "Big Boys" if.. Billy, Very close to the mark here. We must all realize that Benson and his business brain trust doesn\'t necessarily have a goal of winning the SB. OTOH the Saints are in the top 10 in the NFL in salary IIRC. All Benson really needs to do to keep the fan base is make a bit of progress. Fundamentally if they can get the team to 10 wins, into the playoffs, and winning a playoff game every year, the number of completely dissatisfied fans will drop dramatically. That can be done on the cheap. Two pretty simple observations pointing to the SB: 1) The best defenses are always sniffing the SB. 2) The best defenses are a combination of good (not necessarily great) players combined with great coaching and schemes (see Jim Johnson and Romeo Crennel in this year\'s SB as examples) We saw a whiff of that the last 4 games of this year. Our defense held 4 teams below 21 points. We won all 4 games. The Saints are 16-6 in the last 3 years when the defense holds teams to under 21 points. Defense wins NFL games consistently. Our defense was 32nd out of 32 teams in the NFL last season in total defense. Because of the last 4 games we moved out of the last spot in most of the other statistical categories (scoring, passing, rushing) but were in the bottom 5-10 in those too. So Benson\'s brain trust would be well served to spend on good defensive players and outstanding defensive coaching. I think the player side is making progress. McKenzie was a definite upgrade. The defensive ends, all three of them, can be Pro Bowl caliber. As usual up the middle we still have holes. We need a dominant defensive tackle (no lazy Sullies should apply), an elite MLB, and some clear direction on the safeties (possibly through the draft). But more importantly than all of that we need an outstanding DC. Venturi is the biggest liability to the defense as a whole. We need that Johnson, Crennel, LeBeau, Kiffen type guy that has a scheme and knows how to work it. We don\'t. And until we do, it won\'t matter how much money gets spent on players. SFIAH
	Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.