Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half

Attached Thumbnails · 08-10-2018, 05:35 AM

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.

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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Barry from MS · 08-10-2018, 07:16 AM

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.

73Saint · 08-10-2018, 10:05 AM

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.

K Major · 08-10-2018, 10:13 AM

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.

Papa Voodoo · 08-10-2018, 10:38 AM

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.

Thirty3 · 08-10-2018, 10:40 AM

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

Thirty3 · 08-10-2018, 10:41 AM

Hey, we even won. lol

RailBoss · 08-10-2018, 11:43 AM

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

AsylumGuido · 08-10-2018, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by RailBoss

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

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

The Dude · 08-10-2018, 03:10 PM

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.

08-10-2018, 05:35 AM	#1
Threaded by SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,201 Blog Entries: 29 Rating: (0 votes - average) 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. 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." read more on NOLA Attached Thumbnails
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08-10-2018, 10:05 AM	#3
73Saint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NOLA Posts: 2,336	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.

08-10-2018, 10:38 AM	#5
Papa Voodoo 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,634	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.

08-10-2018, 10:40 AM	#6
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255	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 Barry from MS likes this.
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255

08-10-2018, 10:41 AM	#7
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255	Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half Hey, we even won. lol Rugby Saint II likes this.
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255

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08-10-2018, 07:16 AM	#2
Barry from MS Site Donor 2014 Join Date: May 2007 Location: TEMPO VC Okefenokee Swamp Posts: 1,985 Blog Entries: 2	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. jnormand likes this.

08-10-2018, 10:13 AM	#4
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,622 Blog Entries: 3	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. jnormand, Barry from MS, Papa Voodoo and 4 others like this.

08-10-2018, 11:43 AM	#8
RailBoss 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Of The Mason Dixon Line Posts: 7,113	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

08-10-2018, 01:44 PM	#9
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: Saints defense disappointed after 'unacceptable' first half Originally Posted by RailBoss 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 I've been seeing the Jags ranked #2 in the preseason power ranking in some listings. Rugby Saint II likes this.

08-10-2018, 03:10 PM	#10
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,050	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.
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,050