jeanpierre

I'd disagree with this...the real problem is a lack of pass rush from the front four and good deep safety play...

Blitz packages are designed to force errors, interceptions, forced fumbles or at the least forgo deep passing routes, not to be relied upon for some pass rush when there's none...

When you're blitzing as much as we are, by the second half of games, opposing quarterbacks had adapted and could make the deep throws against suspect coverage (Browner)...

On paper going into this season, the results remain to be seen, we have a nucleus of seven defensive linemen with the versatility to be moved along the front and create mismatches...

During the Superbowl run we had an underrated mix that of Will Smith, Remi Ayodele, Anthony Hargrove, Bobby McCray with the liability of Sed Ellis in the middle...

2013, our last good defensive effort, Rob Ryan's first season, we featured a 3-4 front rotation of Cam Jordan, Brodrick Bunkley, John Jenkins, Tom Johnson, Akiem Hicks, Tyrunn Walker, Glenn Foster with Junior Gallette coming from the Jack LBer position; that was abandoned between Galette's unraveling, Payton's desire to mimic Seattle and allowing Malcolm Jenkins to walk by overpaying for Byrd...

I'd say this year's group is comparable to 2013 having a rotation of Cam Jordan, Nick Fairley, Sheldon Rankins, John Jenkins, Tyeler Davison, Bobby Richardson, Kasim Edebali; and that's without knowing if Rankins can be as effective in the NFL and not knowing what Onyemata will be able to contribute immediately; losing Kikaha from the edge is gonna hurt, but Edebali, Tull, Gwachum have an opportunity to step up...

Plus you now have probably the smartest middle linebacker to make field adjustments in the Payton tenure with Laurinaitis - if he can physically return to some form and an excellent 1a type backup in Craig Robertson who can definitey run then you have a guy who can line the guys up for mismatches...

It's all about the front four and base pass rush...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

Utah_Saint

There are idiots everywhere unfortunately. But if Allen significantly improves this defense, the vast majority of Saints fans won't really care how he did it.

SaintFanInATLHELL

Agreed. And if the defense is really improved. the results show quickly. In the last 4 seasons the Saints defense has finished with 350 points or less (2009,2010,2011,2013) each squad won at least 5 of their first 8 games.

The defense helps with a fast start out the gate. And fans love that fast start.

SFIAH

FinSaint

Kudos for spelling the guy's name correctly... I mean he was instrumental in winning the SB, but still people keep misspelling his name.

Danno

Thomas Morstead agrees Fin...

QBREES9

Hope, I don't want HOPE, I want it fixed.

hagan714

Coming out of the gate I would be expecting at or above a 25th ranked defense is a solid goal in year 1.

A 16th ranked defense in DA first year would be huge. we are talking division title and playoff type of huge.

K Major

If this team goes from #32 to 16 on D ... deep playoff run.

CheramieIII

We can beat Atlanta and Tampa Bay and we were close to beating the Panthers. I say we take the division anyway and if the defense is 10-15 we get a first round bye.

Rugby Saint II

Teams who have talent and do the basics well should be competitive. Add in good position coaches and good coordinators who know how to get the most out of a player through scheme and it's a good recipe for success.

DA will blitz. He won't be blitz happy but he will bring the pressure.

The difference this year will be Lewis returning to form and the development of last years rookie corners for quality coverage across from Breaux. The line backers will now be lead by Laurinitis that I have extremely high hopes for. Anthony is going to be turned loose at his new position. When Ellerbe is healthy he's a force when he's not we now have Robertson to step in without missing a beat.

The free safeties look good with the addition of our new rookie so if Byrd goes down we should be fine and able to run a single high safety look effectively. If Byrd plays well then we can run a three safety set and get back to doing that again.

I believe Jordan, Fairley, Rankins, Davison, Onyemata, Richardson, Edibali and Tull can actually pressure the QB taking the pressure off the secondary so they can become opportunistic again. Hit the pocket and collapse it. That is the defensive lines job. No more wait and see.

This new defensive philosophy has me excited about the future for our defense. No more wait and see then react. Balls to the wall baby!