Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs, and more First-and-10 tidbits

By Larry Holder, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

The legions of New Orleans Saints fans begging and screaming for linebacker Stephone Anthony to find more playing time could receive their wish Sunday.

Middle linebacker Craig Robertson missed his second straight day of practice Thursday with a shoulder injury. It seems like Anthony would start Sunday in Tampa Bay if Robertson can't play.

http://image.nola.com/home/nola-medi...f1d75d2f26.JPG

Robertson left the Lions game in the fourth quarter last Sunday. The injury pushed Anthony, the Saints' second first-round pick from 2015, into the game for a regular role for the first time since last season. Anthony played eight defensive snaps against the Lions.

The curiosity in me wants to see how Anthony will respond if he starts at Tampa Bay on Sunday. The team's leading tackler last season has only played on 67 defensive snaps in 2016.

And it's not because he's been injured.

Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen moved Anthony from middle linebacker to strongside linebacker admittedly because Anthony couldn't fully comprehend the defense. Moving to strongside linebacker was basically a demotion given how little the Sam plays with defenses playing so much nickel coverage.

The Saints started with James Laurinaitis to replace Anthony. Then they moved to Robertson in the middle rather than Anthony when Laurinaitis wasn't cutting it anymore.

Then Anthony fell even farther down the depth chart when Michael Mauti jumped him on the Sam depth chart earlier this season. The former Clemson standout looked lost in the few snaps he did play in the last couple of months, including a Theo Riddick 1-yard touchdown reception last week.
Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs, and more First-and-10 tidbits | NOLA.com

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

Robertson has been a stud for us this year. I really like Anthony but it's still up in the air whether he can adjust to a 4-3 scheme

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Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

That's as much coaching as it is the player...

This kid was outstanding as a Rookie; he scored the first defensive 2pt conversion in the NFL...

Terrific range and athleticism; we've got a first round pick and the trade for Jimmy Graham attached to him...

I just don't get bending over backwards to make Fleener work here and just letting this kid fall by the wayside...

We lose him or trade him, then that's as much a failure on Payton and DA as it is on Anthony...

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

That picture sold me on the problem.

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

reaction not instincts was Anthony s mental knock and was the reason he never should of been in round 1

athleticism is the reason he went in round 1 and was to be the make up factor for the lack of instincts.

works in a 34 but not so much in a 43.

If it does not click look for teams running a 34 to be calling

Here we sit waiting for a draft loaded with 34 talent grrrr

hope wing and a prayer that the light clicks.

If a trade was to happen I look at the Pats. basic deal could be a 2nd and Anthony for the pats 1st.

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

I hope they keep him and fire the entire D staff and bring in a 3-4 scheme coaching staff. Wouldn't take much. Then draft the S from Michigan.

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

So we'd trade Anthony and a early/mid second round pick for an end-of-the-first-round-pick where Anthony was selected previously?!?

No, that won't happen; Jeff Ireland would have to resign in protest than allow his name to be attached to that deal...

These Saints reporters need to quit playing nice and get after the organization and find out what's going on with Anthony...

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

Why would the Pats trade anything worthwhile for a LB who can't even get playing time on one of the worst defenses and worst LB corps in the entire NFL?

I just don't get it.


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Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

I seem to be missing it as well.

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

Quite a few analysts saw Stephone as a player on the rise and more than a few (myself included) were puzzled when we brought in Laurinitus. I'm still perplexed as to what happened. Football IQ? Attitude concerns? It doesn't appear that SA an Dennis Allen are on the same page however you should still give your 1st round MLB another year to grow especially considering the mess we had with Rob Ryan. His rookie campaign was promising and I saw raw flashes and potential.

Not sure what's going on with LB talent evaluations. The Saints can draft talent on the D line and secondary however a total whiff drafting LB's or UDFA we bring in :rolleyes:.

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

Maybe a clue.......
Joe Vitt
Assistant Head Coach / Linebackers

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

Well looks like he might get a shot today. Hope he doesn't lay an egg.

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

How did he do, did he play. I wasn't able to watch the game.

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

I didn't see the game either, had to work.

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

He didnt look that great was a non factor. He was like the rest of the team . He did have one good play on the goal line run play for a loss. I think needs better coaching these bums that we have only stunts his growrh as a player however he needs to stop sulking and man up and be the player he wants to be despite the coaches

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

Was this indicative of his play today?

http://i.imgur.com/iKqniWo.gif

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

Short yardage guy but still a liability in coverage.

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

I would love to see him get the time to learn

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

And the coaching. Joe Vitt is a total liability and Payton is handicapping this team with his stubborn refusal to admit and realize this...

Dennis Allen has earned some cred this season and needs to step in and take over the Anthony reclamation...

Don't tell me this kid can't play after the rookie season he had...

In the NFL for only one season and gets a coordinator and scheme change?

Mike LBers are the quarterbacks on defense; so why a different standard for the QBs on offense getting a different scheme, coordinator?

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

I think he plays the run pretty well and I agree he is a liability in coverage. Ryan drafted him to play the middle in a 3-4 which I think he would be great, less field to cover and could be our thumper in the middle. I never liked the pick but his rookie season he did way more than I expected. Allen and his entire D staff need to go before they ruin anymore of our young players with their piss poor coaching. I also saw a TE take Jordan out of a play yesterday he could have mowed down that TE to make the play but played tiddlywinks with him instead. Him and Vaccarro should be up on that tradeing block for picks.

Re: Second chance for Saints' Stephone Anthony could come vs. Bucs
 

Him and every other LB not named Stupar...