SmashMouth

One of the most demoralizing things for a defense is watching a team run all over them.

It's a helpless feeling. It sets a tone for the game. It's painful for the players to experience.

So, the Saints were often crestfallen last season after allowing 4.9 yards per carry. Put another way that figure was the equivalent of having Le'Veon Bell (4.9 yards per carry) or Todd Gurley (4.8) carry the ball each time it was on the ground last season.



Getting better up the middle was one of the main goals for the Saints this offseason. They improved at three-technique defensive tackle by signing Nick Fairley and Sheldon Rankins, which should help some against the run, and provide a better interior pass rush. The nose tackle position was left alone, but it now appears that Tyeler Davison has a shot to emerge at the position.

“He’s been doing well. He’s been winning the get-off," coach Sean Payton said. "He’s someone that is exceptionally quick, and I think the nature of how he plays—even when we saw him on college film — I think that pad level and that get-off, for him, in this defense has helped him. He’s done a few things that have stood out.”

Davison has certainly stood out. His play over the first few days of camp elevated him into the starting rotation, in place of incumbent nose tackle John Jenkins. Since then, he's routinely blown up runs and has recorded a few pressures. The good news is that Jenkins has continued to perform well with the second-team defense and has picked up two sacks during team drills this week.

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