spkb25

Careful boss, you've been discussing getting rid of Drew for like three years now especially in chat when he throws an INt during the game. I am not saying you're not intelligent, but getting rid of Rankins for lack of production verse calling for Drew's head for a few years now.....lets evaluate that

spkb25

And this is my point, we should see his production move to another player. Onye had an okay season and I definitely agree there were gains. I am just not so sure those gains were enough to attribute them to Rankins play along the front. Maybe our LB's got free more due to Rankins. That's possible, but when you have someone eating doubles someone else should be getting to the QB and I didn't see that happen. So I am not even saying I am right, I leave open the possibility I am wrong. I am a fan and I am going to miss some nuances people who have played the sport to this level are able to see. We all are. That said, right now I am not sold on him, but that is with the caveat that it is always better to be wrong when it benefits the team. I am not routing against him, but you can't complain about Ellis being a bust while also celebrating less production. That's my opinion.

Your team stinks

spkb25

Our defense was better, absolutely and we have some really good pieces to be excited about, but we need help on the front. I don't think that can be argued with. We add a piece or two up front and look out, this d will be deadly

darksoul35

Agreed. I just would love to have seen Fairley on this defense.

jeanpierre

So he's a two gap nose tackle? That's not what I remember reading when we drafted him...

Look I think it's way too soon to cut bait with him, but he's not splitting double teams as advertised...

Cruize

The saints need an upgrade at WR, TE, LB and NT. If they can hit on two of the four, next season will be fun. Oh. And you keep Armstead and Rankins.

AsylumGuido

It's not what WE thought he is or was supposed to be that's important. It's whether he is what the team feels he is that's important.

Check out this article. It points out his importance.

Sheldon Rankins is 'Chris Paul' of Saints defense

“It definitely pisses me off sometimes in a competitive way, just because I want to be able to make a lot of plays," Rankins told NOLA.com.

But Rankins said he “definitely” takes pride in the job he has been doing this year, which includes switching positions to defensive end when needed and taking on double-teams to help set up teammates such as Pro Bowl DE Cameron Jordan, who has 12 sacks this year.

“Oh, he knows he owes me so much. So much. And I won’t ever let him forget it,” Rankins said. “I definitely take pride in being able to set my teammates up to make plays for this defense and put us in position to be where we are now, competing for a division championship. But at the end of the day, I definitely want to make those plays as well.”

.....

And he has been a disruptive pass-rusher, even though it hasn't amounted to many sacks. Rankins is tied for second on the team, with nine quarterback hits. Rankins has been credited with between 32-40 pressures this season, according to various analysts.

.....

Teammates and coaches have also praised Rankins for being a cerebral leader who gets guys lined up and makes adjustments before the snap. Add all of that together, and he has been a successful first-round pick so far, adding to the spectacular run the Saints have had in the draft for two years with guys such as Rankins, Michael Thomas and Vonn Bell last year and Marshon Lattimore, Alvin Kamara, Ryan Ramczyk and Marcus Williams this year, among others.

“He’s having a great year for us,” Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said of Rankins. “He’s been very disruptive inside. You don’t always receive credit when you create disruption, which allows other people to make plays.

“His versatility of being able to play inside and play outside, intelligence of knowing exactly what to expect, helping us to get things set up on the defensive line, as far as some different things that we’re trying to do up front, has been really good for us.”

Saints linebacker Manti Te’o explained that Rankins “plays horizontal well” -- not just vertical -- which opens some gaps for the guys behind him.

“And he can hold double-teams,” Te’o said. “He has a strong anchor where he can hold double-teams and hold 'em at that point and not get blown back.”

Saints coach Sean Payton said Rankins is a good example of a team-first guy.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

ScottF

so he knows his role

“Oh, he knows he owes me so much. So much. And I won’t ever let him forget it,” Rankins said. “I definitely take pride in being able to set my teammates up to make plays for this defense and put us in position to be where we are now, competing for a division championship. But at the end of the day, I definitely want to make those plays as well.”