Do you deny that there have been major changes to improve the defense this off-season? Talk may be cheap to you, but this is a drastically different defense than has been fielded for the last few years. Even the players are aware of that fact and they seem to be more excited than they have been over the last few years.

Well, we'll see? Every NFL D changes, draft, FA, veterans return. Still have to know what to do with what you have. So far under Allen nothing has changed, 7-9 seasons because of the D. Any improvement would be better than what we have had.

I listened to an interview Mike Triplett yesterday on NFL Radio. I feel he is far and away the most knowledgeable writer when it come to the Saints. When asked about the 7-9 seasons he said that while the records were the same the way they were arrived at were completely different. He said the first year the Saints just couldn't hold on. He said they were in every game but couldn't hold on. That was all on the performance of the defense. I put that on Ryan's scheme.

He said the next year was all about a rebuild. A turnover from veteran players to youth. At this point he mentioned having five different DC's as a factor, as well. The lack of continuity.

Then he said last year was of course impacted by injuries, but the Saints still had many games that were decided by one or two points and that the team was better than their record showed.

He also said that while the loss of Fairley was a blow, there were young DT's that he felt should be able to step up.

Under Ryan we were 13-3 then 7-9, under Allens 1 1/2 year reign 7-9 even though he was a dc whatever you want to call that exaggerated title they give him before Ryan got fired and Payton decided to run a 4-3 (again), then set Allen up with players for the D. When was the last time Payton has bent over backwards for any DC under his tender to go this far as drafting this many players for the D (top picks) and getting in FA that could fit the bill? He's bending over backwards for Allen. Allens D's better produce good this season, if he don't he should endure the same fate as multiple DC's have faced. Without a D we're 7-9 to 9-7 if lucky, with a good D we're contenders. Now we get to sit back and watch?