Defensive scheme. Tell me why?

WhoDat · 02-19-2005, 02:52 PM

Show me the light. Tell me why I shouldn\'t be optimistic about the defense?

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.

02-19-2005, 02:52 PM	#11
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	Defensive scheme. Tell me why? Show me the light. Tell me why I shouldn\'t be optimistic about the defense? 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.
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. ThatÃ¢Â€Â™s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans SaintsÃ¢Â€Â™ 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.\"