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

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

DEFENSE

DE (2) 94 - Cameron Jordan, 91 - Trey Hendrickson, 90 - George Johnson (FA 2018), 70 - Mitchell Loewen

DT (2) 98 - Sheldon Rankins, 93 - David Onyemata, 68 – Devaroe Lawrence, 62 - Henry Mondeaux (UDFA)

NT (2) 95 - Tyeler Davison, 99 - Jay Bromley (FA 2018), 96 - Woodrow Hamilton, 76 - Taylor Stallworth (UDFA)

DE (2) 92 - Marcus Davenport (R1, #14), 97 - Al-Quadin Muhammad, 57 - Alex Okafor (FA 2018), 44 - Hau'oli Kikaha


**Note: 69 DE Alex Jenkins (NFL IPPP) roster spot is exempt in the team total players per NFL Int'l Player Pathway Program

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

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

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

TrueDat, But even if we come back with what we had last year at the end of the season, assuming reports are truthful re: Okafor's recovery, it's already a solid group,...

But if Davenport is even "okay" for a first round pick and Hendrickson progresses in his second season - this unit will definitely be a Top 10 Pass Rush, and that's before you make the synergy factor of a more experienced, solid secondary...

And don't forget, Loewen was really showing some good stuff at Strongside Defensive End and DT3, if he can get healthy, wow...

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

Davenport and Bromley are the keys.

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

Getting pressure from both sides is the key

Jordan is going to be scary

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

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

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

If and when Okafor is ready to comeback and play at a high level, Saints are WAY better at DE.

JORDAN, DAVENPORT, TREY & OKAFOR ... that's solid.

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

As it is with all 32 teams.

Apples to apples, this is the best d-line we've had going into a season in a very long time.

It might also be the best OL, WR, LB, CB, S and RB's we've had in years

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

Maybe.... maybe not.

Is this the best boxer of all time too?

https://media.giphy.com/media/1vBxThylWFl3W/giphy.gif

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

Does he have the talent to be?

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

He is giving those three men everything he's got! He's no Mike Tyson but he's got heart!:duel:

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

They are going to take the double off him and that's going to open a bunch of holes for Jordan to come with it.

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

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

I don't know about that jp. Rankins missed half his first year and played a lot of DE last year. Neilsen should help him take that leap in his third year where he can concentrate on DT. At least that's what I'm hoping for......that and continued growth from Onyamata.

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

Davenport better be as good as his pick #'s was. Or they all better step up. We definately need a spark in that middle.

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

Who dat say Dey gonna beat dem saints? Who dat!

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

See, I've read the opposite. Rankins hasn't posted numbers but he IS drawing attention away from Jordan. Just ask Jordan.

Personally, I'm looking for more from the other side - Onyemata, Davison, (now Bromley) and the DE rotation.

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

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

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
 

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
 

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

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
 

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

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
 

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.

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

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

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

Over the last few seasons, I've taken PFF grades with a grain of salt. If a player lets a guy go by him instead of blocking him, but was supposed to, then PFF is wrong to downgrade him for doing his job. That's the problem with grading without knowing what he's supposed to be doing. Analytics work well in baseball because it's one slugger vs the defense. IMO it doesn't translate as well in football.

Is PFF credible in football? ... maybe. Gospel? Certainly not.

Just my .02.

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

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

I'm secretly very excited about Jay Bromley. He looks like another under the radar signing that may have an impact.

Man....we miss Fairley. Rankins and Fairley had such great potential to do great things. Especially with our current secondary in place and an improved LB'er core.

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

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

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

Possibly his asking price. I don't see a whole lot of teams that will be willing to cough over 8, 9M per season + he's hasn't been the most healthy guy either.

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

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