K Major

Agreed. The defense has been anemic, historically bad over the last two years.

RaginCajun83

you aren't wrong, it seems more and more I cringe most times Brees drops back to pass because he's about to take an unnecessary hit because this offensive line can't pass protect like it did in year's past. Hope this year Peat beats out Strief and they strike gold with one or two of these UDFAs they signed on the offensive line

halloween 65

O-line could use an up-grade at T and G. Got to agree about the D being FUBAR

Euphoria

If they can establish the run takes care of everything!!!

SaintFanInATLHELL

This is the same discussion I have with my brother. I'll say here the same thing I say to him:

It's a waste of time.

Payton has been HC going on 10 years. He was an OC before then. He has never run the ball with any real consistency. And frankly, between he and Brees, they never ever will. For those of you who are not clued in, the Saints offense always comes to the line with two called plays, typically a run and a pass. Brees switches to the other play by calling "Kill! Kill!". Observe how many times he changes the play to a pass and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

It may be forgotten that Payton had his playcalling duties taken away from him in Dallas by Parcells because he didn't run the ball consistently.


The only time the Saints have run the ball consistently in the last 10 years is late in the game with a lead.

The last two years with the terrible defense, those opportunities are few and far between.

If you want a more consistent running game, then set up a defense that can hold a lead. Otherwise, forget it.

And BTW my opinion is that while running the ball effectively may make the offense more explosive, due to more effective play action, that it really doesn't make the Saints' offense too much more efficient. In today's NFL more yards and more efficiency comes from the passing game. Over the last 10 years Brees has averaged 7.7 yards per attempt. That the average of all passes both complete and incomplete along with interceptions. The highest career running back yards per carry is 5.5 with Jamaal Charles of KC. What exactly is the fixation on running the ball when you can get nearly double the number of yards each time you try to throw it?

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.

WillSaints81

I just remember us being up 14-0 on Carolina, got back to back stops early against Detroit, held eagles to 13 points in their place in the first half, the defense did not break until after the offense did in these games. How does an improved defense help us score 20 points in Houston, 27 points against Dallas, avoiding what happened to Brees against TB, and the choke against Tennessee(come on you really think we were gonna shut them out?)? We had good first q defenses last year outside of NYG and Was, fluke starts against Az and Hou, but the offenses were poor and led the defense to collapse.

ScottF

Team Quarterback Sacked Per Game: 2015 NFL Season

and FYI- this asinine article isn't about the strength of our line, it's about building a line from the center out, and how we supposedly only employ short guards and centers because Brees can't see over them.

ChrisXVI

This might be a good place for this article... Let's just say maybe the players aren't the problem:

Dan Roushar giving Saints offensive line new life after disappointing year | NOLA.com

WillSaints81

^Saw that on the other forum. More secrets. I remember when Streif said last year there was no magic formula after being 0-2. I guess he was referring to the oline.

How similar is Roushar to Kromer?

WillSaints81

Are we expecting a defense that can play a whole half constantly on the field non-stop with no breaks in between?