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Saints looking to rediscover big-play defense. 'It's going to come'

By Luke Johnson, NOLA.com
The Times-Picayune

As the New Orleans Saints have seen some big numbers being posted against them this season in the score and yardage columns of the box score, one figure has been noticeably absent through three games.

After forcing 25 turnovers a year ago, the Saints have forced just one so far in 2018.



"We've got to get back to it, take the ball away and set the offense up for great field position," said safety Vonn Bell.

The big turnover numbers last year allowed New Orleans to finish in the top 10 in scoring defense despite being ranked in the middle of the road in a number of other categories. Getting back to that style of defensive football has been a point of emphasis this week.

One of the biggest challenges is that taking the ball away from the opponent is often a matter of taking advantage of an opportunity, and those have been rare for the Saints this season, particularly when it comes to interceptions.

The Saints have just seven passes defended through three games, and three of those were credited to defensive linemen Cam Jordan and Marcus Davenport. While opposing quarterbacks have been on their game against the Saints this season, they have also had open receivers to throw to too often.

Saints corner Marshon Lattimore did not get into specifics, but said opposing teams have had well-designed schemes against some of the coverages New Orleans likes to run, and the defenders have often not been in position to make a play.

Combine that with the Saints not consistently getting home on the pass rush, and it makes the interceptions hard to come by. The Saints hope to counter that with their own game-planning this week.

"We go out there, read the formation, know the down and distance, know their staple plays and just go out there and react and make plays on the ball," Bell said.

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