jeanpierre

So some time has elapsed and players are starting to settle in to their roles...

A year ago it seemed clearly the Saints definitely were the big winners as C Max Unger was holding together the Saints' interior offensive line and Clemson LB Stephone Anthony stepped into the MIKE Linebacker and was leading the team and league rookies in tackles...

Seattle fans had breakfast cereal with images of Jimmy Graham on their milk cartons; and the Seahawks packaged that Saints' fourth round pick (112th) with their 2015 third, fifth and sixth round selections (95th, 167th, & 181st) to get Washington's No. 69 pick and select Kansas State WR Tyler Lockett, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie kicking game returner...

Now, Unger is playing well for the Saints while Stephone Anthony has regressed with injury and not fitting in to Dennis Allen's proforma defensive scheme; and the Coach Allen seems unlikely (or incapable) of amending his scheme to feature the former first round pick...

In Seattle, Lockett has also been dealing with injuries and has been limited to only a few long passing plays that is the signature play of running quarterback Russell Wilson; however, Jimmy Graham has found his "sea" legs and has quietly started to return to form in the run-first Seattle offense...

What a difference a year in the NFL makes...

Other thoughts on the trade...

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

VegasSaint9

Hard to believe he cant amend a scheme that has given up on average 30+ points per game

MatthewT

If he doesn't then he will be fired like the others...

SaintFanInATLHELL

I'm not sure the average tells the entire story. Defensive scoring has been trending down over the last month:

38, 27 (including a pick-6), 20 (including a scoop and score for 6)

The defense hasn't given up more than 20 points in the last two games.

The tanker seems to be turning in the right direction. Hopefully playing SF will accelerate the pace of progress.

SFIAH

jeanpierre

You're right in that it's a slow turn to get thing flowing in the right direction...

And we do have good players starting at cornerback, but these guys are castoffs of other teams; and they're not helped by a pedestrian pass rush...

But the mis-tackles, missed coverage assignments, exchanges (specifically J Byrd), ball awareness are players still thinking, watching rather than playing with instincts, reacting - and we're still giving up big plays, late in games...

SmashMouth

The Saints should be charged for grand theft auto for that trade. Stephone will be fine.

Halo

Something I rarely say but it was one of the best free agent trades our front office ever pulled off.

The Dude

If DA can't get the Saints first round draft pick on the field and continues to put out a crappy defense he won't last another year.

WillSaints81

He's not a 4-3 LB.

jeanpierre

This guy is really calling it out...