GumboBC

Here's something I've been wanting to dive into. I just haven't done it yet because I know how this is going to go. Never-the-less, I'm going to give it a shot...

For 12-weeks the defense played horrible against the run. And it wasn't only the "elite" backs who were able to have their way against our defense.

Take a look at what these runningbacks were able to do in the first 12-weeks!

K. Barlow 20 114 2 60
E. Smith 21 127 1 29
M. Moore 15 109 0 20
N. Goings 36 122 1 19

Starting to get the picture? In case you don't fully understand ... Our defense couldn't stop ANYONE!

But, "something" happend over the last 4-games.

All of a sudden "nobody" could run the ball against our defense.

Consider this:

J. Jones 23 88 1 15
W. Dunn 18 52 1 16
N. Goings 13 46 0 11

Now, some of you might want to say that the only reason for the improvement was because those guys weren't "elite" running backs. But, all of those runningbacks were regularly rushing for 100+ yards against other teams. And, for the first 12 weeks, we couldn't stop ANYONE!

Was this just luck? Perhaps!

But, I don't think so.

It was clear to anyone who has followed the Saints' defense that something changed. The "scheme" was changed drastically over the final 4-games. All of a sudden, our defense was a stong suit!!

I believe because we've suffered through 4 long years of terrible defesne that fans simply believe our defense is going to be bad no matter what.

I believe Haslett finally got tired of what Venturi was doing and took over. His hiring of Willy Robinson on defense is further proof of that to me.

While some fans might not be looking foward to seeing the defense next year ... I am!! Even if we don't pick up ONE player on defense, I beleive we will be much improved.

Not saying we're going to be top 10. But I think we'll be much better.

And of course, I do think we'll add someone to help the defense.





[Edited on 12/2/2005 by GumboBC]