Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute

Things looked different during each glimpse provided to outside eyes during the New Orleans Saints’ three organized team activities open to the media during the past month.

One safety, two safeties, three safeties. The defensive line going from four men to three and back again. The defense was doing all kinds of different things, never once settling into something that provided a sure glimpse of how things will look this season.

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Maybe that’s the point. The team tried a lot of different things last year during OTAs, and it wasn’t until training camp that it became clear the Saints were going to be predominantly a single-high-safety team.

But it also doesn’t sound like Dennis Allen, in his first full season as defensive coordinator after taking over for Rob Ryan midway through last year, wants to be classified as being any one thing. He wants to be considered multiple.

“I don’t put a lot of stock in, ‘Are you going to be 4-3, 3-4?’ ” Allen said. “We’re going to be multiple. We’re going to have some 4-3 defenses. We’re going to have some 3-4 defenses. What we do best, that’s what we’re going to major in.”

All of that was true during OTAs. During the first two sessions open to the media, the Saints predominately operated with a four-man front. Then, during the third session, they ran a package with three down defensive linemen and six defensive backs.

If things go as planned, this is how the defense will operate throughout the season. It wants to be able to throw all kinds of different looks and make it difficult for the offense to identify what is happening.

Some of this started happening last season. Allen historically has been an aggressive blitzer who likes to disguise things. He could only get so far last season, but his stamp started showing as soon as he took over.

There were a lot of instances when the Saints made it look like pressure was coming from one side, only to bring it from somewhere else.

Another thing the team did was hide its coverages right up until the ball was snapped. One way they did that was by using an inverted Cover 2, where the safeties come down and pick up the receiver at the line of scrimmage and the cornerback drops back into a deep zone.
Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Thanks Hagan.
Simpler and easy to execute.
Hmmmmm..........
Sounds like a recipe for success with a young, athletic defense.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

So just like we have Rob Ryan again, "it's going to get weird"!

I don't feel very good about this. It makes it seem like we have to keep shuffling personnel because our defensive players aren't good enough. It can't be a confidence builder for the players.

It would be nice if we could stay in an aggressive 4-3 most of the game like Seattle, Minnesota or Oakland.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Smash...damn...just damn, Smash...

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

I see more Greg Williams in this than Rob. Remember Greg was Allens mentor in many ways.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

If it's not effective it won't matter how multiple and easy it is.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

An attacking style of defense? LB play will be critical.

Really sounds like Greg Williams 2.0.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Just as long, as the can stop the other team.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

I like the Cover 2 Invert. It always throws people off.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

It does, but I'd imagine it will be more disciplined under Allen.

The only downside to the attacking scheme is that it results in more frequent big plays.

If you attack and don't get there in time, it can leave DB's or LB's in coverage way too long. (think Malcolm Jenkins on Vernon Davis).

But I think the upside outweighs the downside. Plus its more exciting than read/react, which often results in the boring bend but don't break defense.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

One of my main concerns running the 4-2-5, if teams run the ball they usually run it down our throats and we get eaten alive by TE's. That is alot of space for 2 lb.'ers to try to cover and if they can't it's 6+ yards gained.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Sounds like we're really embracing Seattle's defensive philosophy.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

This reminds me of our defense the past 2 years.

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Hopefully we moved up to this...

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The kind of take over defense we need.

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Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

As long as it's no longer like this.
Also, Did you play for me in Dallas?
You're in!!!!
No more Ms Mae's booze stench in the meeting room.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

I really dont think scheme or even players were the problem. I think the main problem was that RR was just a terrible teacher and communicator. I dont have any hard evidence, but just listening to his buffoonary on the news and in print leads me to believe so.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

And Saints fans just hope to see any defense.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Dennis Allen could turn this into the #1 defense this year; the first play where they do something wrong. Fans will call for his head.

Gregg Williams blitzed too much and RR didn't blitz enough...

Huge improvement or not; you're damned if you do and damned if you don't...

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

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

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

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...

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

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.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

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! :bng:

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

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

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

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.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

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

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

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.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

So they will tackle things this year? errr I mean like other teams guys with the ball ? Not eachother...

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

I think that is a great idea. What I've been saying all along. Play to the players strengths. We don't have the personnel to run a pure 4-3 or 3-4 but we do have the guys who can line up either way depending on the situation.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

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

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Thomas Morstead agrees Fin...

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Gregg Williams, like Rob Ryan, were both, one year wonders. Williams had the fortunate timing that won us a Super Bowl in his one year that his defense was good. The next 2 years were not good years. Same with Rob Ryan. His first year he had the #4 defense but had the misfortune to have so many defensive players hurt that we were unable to win in the playoffs and get to another Super Bowl. Without those injuries, who knows what could have happened in his first year. Problem is, like Williams his next two defensive teams were subpar to be polite.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Subpar? That's not being polite that's being absurd. His next 2 defensive teams were garbage. At least in 2010 Gregg Williams defense was ranked what 10th even though they were inconsistent. But Ryan's last 2 defenses were just trash. Hate to put that way but I have to call it the way I ssee it.

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Hand the man a ceegar! That's it exactly. While the scheme's important and talent's good to have, it don't mean squat if the players aren't well coached. It's pretty hard to argue that our defensive players have been even mediocrely coached the past few years.

Mediocrely :-)

Re: Saints hope to design a defense that’s multiple and easy to execute
 

Greg Williams D's did not regress like RR's. If you don't believe me go view stats