RockyMountainSaint

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Dannell Ellerbe flipped his hips, turned and ran at full tilt, trailing Willie Snead by a half step with no safety in sight over the top.

Back in the pocket, Drew Brees saw a quarterback’s dream: a linebacker covering a wide receiver deep down the field. Brees wound up and let it fly.

But this time, the linebacker was up to the challenge. Ellerbe, racing underneath Snead’s route, leapt into the air and batted the ball away for a harmless incompletion, the kind of play that has become almost routine for the Saints’ linebackers at this training camp.

“I take a lot of pride in that,” Ellerbe said. “Being a linebacker, they see us as a mismatch, a linebacker on a receiver or a tight end. When you’re able to go out there and, I won’t say be lockdown, but do your job, it’s a plus.”


Improved coverage from Saints' linebackers is giving Dennis Allen freedom | Saints | theadvocate.com

When reached for comment, Rob Ryan said, between massive platters of Buffalo Wings:
"NOM NOM NOM. Sean always liked Dennis best. NOM NOM NOM. Just like Daddy and Rex. NOM NOM NOM."

I'm no one.
Who are you?

halloween 65

When he's healthy I think he is one of the best all round lb'ers in the league.

nola_swammi

Pack some robitussin and keep this guy off IR

cars4dylan

lol

"Rub some 'tussin on it boy!"

Rugby Saint II

There is no doubt that the Saints are a much better defense when Ellerbe is on the field. When he's healthy he's a play maker. He flows smoothly in coverage and is a thing of beauty to watch. Ellerbe is possibly the most impactful defender we have.

Danno

We're better at every level on defense.
Our DE/DT group is way better than years past
Our LB's are faster and better in coverage.
Our CB's may be the best young group we've had in years
Our safeties are very deep with talent.

And its not just a coincidence that Dennis Allen became a DC, then a head coach just barely out of diapers.

I think we now have a solid disciplined coaching staff that at worst will be NFL average, and likely better.

I need some more sunscreen!!!

RockyMountainSaint

We need a sticky Sunshiners thread, and a sticky Moonshiners thread.
After all, this is an election year.
We need to know where y'all really stand!
As if it weren't obvious already.

Casting my vote for Sunshiners!

RMS, Pumping BnG Sunshine since '88!

RockyMountainSaint

Btw, I still miss Billy.
That dude was a hoot, even though he was "Nucking Futs!".
Those were the wild west days on this board.

jnormand

Didn't he argue with everyone all the time? I'm trying to remember him.

darstep

Average defense wouldn't be bad at all.
Average gets us off the field on 3rd-and-17 and most 3rd-and-8s.
I think this group will be much better on the run.
That should give us predictable 3rd and long situations.
Blitz's, sacks, fumbles, picks...all that good stuff that's been missing for a while.
Not to mention just getting the ball back more often.
I think I could learn to like seeing the offense on the field for 14 plays
and the defense for 6-7.