WhoDat

1) Saints Defensive Rank: 32nd.

I guess it depends on what you mean by \"optimistic.\" If you mean that the defense should get better in \'05 - I can\'t argue, but then how could they not? If you mean the defense will be good, I suggest that you look at the team\'s stats, factor in the LBs, DT, Safeties, the fact that if McKenzie gets hurt our secondary is back to being flat terrible, the defense\'s average rank around 25th in the league since Venturi took over... etc. etc. etc.

2) End of season trends may not be all they\'re sold to be - at least not when it comes to the Saints.

Last 4 games of 2001: 0-4
First 8 of 2002: 6-2

Last 8 games of 2003: 5-3
First 12 of 2004: 4-8

Point? How we played at the end of the \'04 season means absolutely nothing when the \'05 season starts. However, if the Saints history tell us anything, it would at least suggest that our strong finish in \'04 means we\'re more likely to start poorly than well in \'05.

\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. That’s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans Saints’ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse


\"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"

GumboBC

WhoDat --

I don\'t pay much attention to how many games we won at the end of the season. Doesn\'t mean much.

But, at least I saw a change in the defensive scheme. Nobody can deny that. And I don\'t think anyone can deny that we\'ve got enough talent on defense to finish at least in the middle of the pack. That would be a HUGE improvement.

I don\'t think it\'s realistic to expect to be one of the top defenses next year. But, I am VERY OPTIMISTIC that we\'ve seen the last of the \"read and react\" scheme of Venturi. Maybe not, but that\'s the indication I got from watching the last 4 games. And it\'s also the indication I\'ve gotten from reading what Haslett has said.

Say what ya want. Point to the past mistakes made by Haslett. I\'m not sold. I\'m just optimistic...

CHACHING

Hey WHODAT I think that you\'re missing the point.
We did do better at the end of the season when Haslet took over or started having more input on the defense......
Also, we brought in an assistant to \"help\" Venturi....RIGHT!
I think Vent is on his way out so your \"average\" of our defense the past few years no longer applies......
holla....

FireVenturi

He should have made \"changes\" after the minnesota game