Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

The New Orleans Saints won their preseason opener on Thursday night, but coach Sean Payton was not pleased with the team's performance, particularly when the starters were in the game in the first half.

"I thought it was rough in a lot of areas, honestly," Payton said after the Saints beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 24-20, at TIAA Bank Field.

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The Jaguars opened the game with a 79-yard touchdown drive, scoring on a 2-yard run by quarterback Blake Bortles, and with how dominant the Saints defense has been at times during training camp, this was a disappointing first display.

"We had a lot of confidence by the way we've been practicing, so to come out here and allow them to drive like they did was unacceptable," defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said.


The Saints offense, with Tom Savage starting at quarterback instead of Drew Brees, mustered just 106 yards in the first half.

"Early in the game, offensively and defensively, we struggled. Honestly, I don't know when we forced the first punt. And then offensively, we didn't generate much of anything. ... Look, there will be a lot we have to get cleaned up."

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Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

Yeah, our front 7 got mashed on those 1st two drives. The DTs were stable in the middle but all the DEs failed. Our LBs were out-of-sorts with diagnosing plays & reacting.

Nice wake-up call. They ate that cheese & drunk that Kool-aid too early. They still have work to do.

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

I'm not too surprised. They know every single play our offense runs, so as camp has progressed and the theme has been how-good-our-D-looks... I took all of that with a grain of salt.

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

I need to see the replay but I really like what I see from Arthur Maulet at corner. He is developing nicely. I know he's an under sized guy but he could make a push for the #4 spot.

Not sure what was going on with our linebackers last night. It's early but those guys (Davis/Klein) will need to step it up a notch... especially AJ Klein. Another poor game for him last night.

P Rob is really going to help us in the slot. He's a much improved vet. T Rex (Hendrickson) had a lot of good moments.

No need to keep DeVante "Aggie" Harris around. He's scary lost in coverage. Kikaha ... looks slightly larger & is slow. I don't think he makes the final 53.

Still a ton of work to do on our 3rd down defense. Get back in that film room & study. Lots to "clean up" as SP would say.

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

Yep, Harris stunk it up again. Maulet did make a great play on the ball. Jayrone Elliott was tearing around the LT and chopping that ball. He was playing lights out.

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

No pass rush. No starting DE no surprise. It’s the first preseason game. Lot of players will not be on the team in regular season. Liked what Boston, TreQuan, Hill, Williams, Clapp and some others showed

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

Hey, we even won. lol

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

Jags are a improved team, no cakewalk for the Saints for the 1st. game.
2017 10-6-0 1st -- AFC South
2-1 - Lost Conference Championship

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

I've been seeing the Jags ranked #2 in the preseason power ranking in some listings.

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

Preseason 1. If they are still having problems game 3 it’s worry time but not now. I’m just glad the season started, no injury, and another week of camp.

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

well all the preseason hype is just that, hype; practice against drew brees and mark ingram and the cast of wr's and the rest running the same plays over and over and you know the exact patch of grass hes going to run on and u pound that patch and the tackle is all world to fans and reporters and its just that practice, go to Jacksonville and its a strange team different player's ,plays and that patch of turf thats ahhh not the same and it makes the defense look holely. it will get better i promise.

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

Sorry, had to edit my thread to point on the defense. We had a few key starters out & for the most part the defense was vanilla. I think Coach Allen is experimenting with things (specifically on the D line and at LB). Hopefully AJ Klein plays better & our run D has improved from last season. IMO the defensive talent on this 2018 is very good and we'll be fine by Game #1 vs Pirates.

Side note - I'll be zoned in on punt return/special teams pre season #2.

Huff
Tate
Boston
Jamerson

Who will emerge?

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

Last year I thought that AJ Klein played well before he was injured. Looking back at film I now realize that he can't tackle worth a ****! He may be the worst tackler on the team!:argue:

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

hmm

I wouldn't say worst, but he is certainly no better than average. It's clear to me that we have better talent on the team and he shouldn't be starting.

Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half
 

I'll never treat PFF ratings as the gospel, however AJ rated as the worst linebacker on our current LB roster. His performance vs the Jags in pre season was pretty bad & I agree he should't be starting.

He has work to do.