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Re: Saints could have deepest defensive line they've had in years if everything pans out

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmashMouth (Post 803214)

It's all talk until the pads come on...

https://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/...ld-be-fine.png

Re: Saints could have deepest defensive line they've had in years if everything pans out

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 804892)

Two sacks? You'd expect Rankins to get more than just two (2) sacks...

Jordan is going to have his boy's back.

When Rankins is double-teamed, he's getting rolled up, not holding are pushing the point of attack...

Believe that was the reason D.A. went with the larger, stronger Onyemata and moved Rankins to defense end to get some production out of him...

While it's not the Holy Grail, Rankins was even graded by PFF behind not only Onyemata, but Davison as well - ouch...

Am with y'all and hoping Nielsen can somehow turn this coal into a diamond...

Good point. My argument is Rankins was never MEANT to be the guy who powers through double teams. He was SUPPOSEDLY to have Fairly beside him.

Rookie season w Fairly - 4 sacks in 9 games.
Soph season w/o Fairly - 2 sacks full season.

But get him in a one on one and he’ll create way more pressures.

Re: Saints could have deepest defensive line they've had in years if everything pans out

Rankins played a lot of DE or 3 tech (outside G) towards the end of the season due to injuries. Puts his head down and goes after it. Just because he doesn't put up "All Pro stats" after year 2, doesn't mean he hasn't been effective.

Plug in tape. He's only going to get better. Wait and see on Sheldon.

Re: Saints could have deepest defensive line they've had in years if everything pans out

Until the production improves, Rankins is looking like Sedrick Ellis 2.0...

That said, I still like this line as the best in the Sean Payton era - look at this:

2009/10 Superbowl Championship Team vs 2018 Training Camp Roster

'09 DE 93 - Bobby McCray, 96 - Paul Spicer
'18 DE 94 - Cameron Jordan, 90 - George Johnson/70 - Mitchell Loewen

'09 DT 98 - Sedrick Ellis, 69 - Tony Hargrove
'18 DT 98 - Sheldon Rankins, 93 - David Onyemata

'09 NT 92 - Remi Ayodele, 90 - DeMario Pressley
'18 NT 95 - Tyeler Davison, 99 - Jay Bromley/96 - Woodrow Hamilton

'09 DE 91 - Will Smith, 97 - Jeff Charleston
'18 DE 92 - Marcus Davenport, 57 - Alex Okafor/91 - Trey Hendrickson/97 - Al-Quadin Muhammad

Re: Saints could have deepest defensive line they've had in years if everything pans out

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 804915)

Until the production improves, Rankins is looking like Sedrick Ellis 2.0...

Have you watched Deuce Windham's film study & breakdown of Rankins in 2017 by chance? The guy is hardly Sedrick Ellis.

Re: Saints could have deepest defensive line they've had in years if everything pans out

That’s harsh JP. And inaccurate my man.

Re: Saints could have deepest defensive line they've had in years if everything pans out

Quote:

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 (Post 804918)

That’s harsh JP. And inaccurate my man.

Proof's in the production and so far, it's just not there...

Re: Saints could have deepest defensive line they've had in years if everything pans out

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 804920)

Proof's in the production and so far, it's just not there...

Define “production”. You’re equating sacks and pressures alone and I’m saying it’s not that cut and dry.

However Sed did get 6 sacks in year three but never played DE

Re: Saints could have deepest defensive line they've had in years if everything pans out

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 804892)

While it's not the Holy Grail, Rankins was even graded by PFF behind not only Onyemata, but Davison as well - ouch...

Ouch? PFF graded him at 80.7. As a frame of reference PFF ranked Dontari Poe in their top 20 free agents this year and he graded 81.5. Just my opinion but that sounds a lot better than "struggling".

They also graded him as an above average DT. Sheldon Richardson also got graded as an above average DT. Maybe it's just me but that doesn't sound like a lump of coal.

While, I'm not saying he never got rolled or couldn't hold the line but I don't remember it happening very often and I do remember him getting doubled teamed a lot.

And, I think, DA moved him to DE to try to find someone that could set the edge after all the injuries. Allen had had the luxury of having a couple DTs capable of holding the middle. Rankins even dropped into coverage a few times last season.

Even though 2 sacks is pretty meager, he also got 9 qb hits (tied for second on the team with Okafor), 24 qb pressures, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 sack in the playoffs, a forced fumble and an interception. He started off last season slowly but it seams like most of the team did.

He's only played a season and a half, I don't see any reason why he won't keep getting better.

Re: Saints could have deepest defensive line they've had in years if everything pans out

I guess we can look @ grades, stats & in some instances film study by our resident "experts" but Coach Dennis Allen, Nielson & Sean P have a much better handle on an ascending player such as Rankins.

That's enough for me :smokin:. Training camp awaits.