Our Defense
 

Just confessing that I have not been a buyer of our defense and hoping for a heaping helping of crow for my indiscretions (Tabasco please).

They're starting to come around. I'm not sure if adding Apple was the key or if it has just taken some time to gel or if it's a combination of those things or if there are other ingredients in the defensive gumbo, but they're sure playing better and better as we go.

Have to believe we'll go as far as the defense will take us as I don't see anyone shutting down our offense.

:bng:

Re: Our Defense
 

I think Apple helps but I think a lot is due to the CBs playing better as a whole, communicating better, etc. it also seems they are putting players in their more natural position that gives them the best opportunity to succeed. I don’t think it’s coincidence that our TO,s have gone up since they settled Anzalone in at MLB. Less of the moving players around. PJ is a lot better suited for the slot and getting better every week. May be off here but my 2 cents. Defense won that game tonight.

Re: Our Defense
 

I think Apple has caused Lattimore and others to communicate much better.
What is scary is we're creating turnovers on a regular basis, and especially in key situations.

What's even scarier - in 2009 we created turnovers when the team was down by a lot of points and we'd pull out some nail biters. Redskins, Dolphins...etc.

I know our offense line was about 85% tonight, we were starting our youngest WR's and the UDFA's, and at no point was this game even close.
Our Defense is getting to the opponents QB's more and more and more, week after week.

Re: Our Defense
 

I think they are really starting to feed off how the offence is playing. Imagine being a member of the D and seeing the offence score nearly every drive. You would just want to get out there when it’s your chance and play like a mad pack to get the offence back out there and to not fail them. The D is only just warming up imo. There are going to be some scared offences facing them for the rest of the season.

This is a whole unit playing as one at the moment. It’s beautiful to watch!

Re: Our Defense
 

Winning in general lends to an overall confidence boost. Does anyone happen to know on average the amount of time the defense is on the field per game?

Re: Our Defense
 

Re: Our Defense
 

If I am reading the chart right the Saints defense ToP/G per game is 27:29.

National Football League Stats - by Team Category | NFL.com

Re: Our Defense
 

The interior has been stout since training camp so there's that.

Guys are thinking less & reacting more. I'm specifically speaking of Alex Anzalone(see helicopter hit on Julio & fumble) & AJ Klein. Their play the last 3 weeks has been stellar.

Hiring Ryan Nielsen & Mike Nolan was HUGE. Coaching matters.

Re: Our Defense
 

I just think about 1979 or 1970 or 1967 and smile because we are at least winning consistently and if you were a fan back then you never though it would ever happen. YOU GEAUX BOYS! WHO DAT!

Re: Our Defense
 

Big key is the Saints made ATL very one dimensional. Take away two QB scrambles and ATL gained 10 yds on 14 running plays.

Re: Our Defense
 

The transformation at LB has been remarkable. Demario Davis is simply amazing. He’s been one of my absolute favorite FA acquisitions that we’ve made in years. Combine that with Anzalone finding a home at Mike has rendered Manti Te’o expendable. AJ Klein’s playing his natural position at Sam and the whole thing is just a well-oiled machine now.

Re: Our Defense
 

Their timing and situational awareness is coming around, you can tell they are not having to think as much. This isn’t power football anymore, it’s closer to arena ball where fractions of seconds make a big difference.

The biggest thing Apple brought to the table is the absence of Pass Interferance calls. He is a little better in coverage then Crawly, but most importantly the allows receivers the opportunity to drop balls.

He did a fair job against Julio last night so I should give him a little credit for his performance.

Re: Our Defense
 

Our defense isn't great, but its good enough. We did hold Atlanta to a TD under their average.

Our defense is 13th best in PPG. Thats a lot better than I thought and easily enough to help win it all.

Re: Our Defense
 

Iv'e been yelling for a speedy, sideline to sideline LB since we passed on Clay Matthews

Re: Our Defense
 

The D as a whole is a bit above average, statistically. That said, the D line is a dominant force against the run with a pass rush that is quickly becoming legendary. Get ready, these guys are young and hungry.

Next week’s game should be interesting as they get another chance to shut down a premier running back.

Re: Our Defense
 

Gotta consider that some of the TDs were garbage points.

Re: Our Defense
 

Demario Davis was money well spent this offseason. He's been as good as advertised.

Re: Our Defense
 

We’ve said for a few seasons now - all we need is the defense to hold teams to under 20pts. Our average now - 19.1 and we’re 10-1

Re: Our Defense
 

Turnovers were huge this week it seems; kept us out of a shootout which could have gone either way!

Re: Our Defense
 

Re: Our Defense
 

Secondary still a liability though. Getting better. I don’t care if they give up 500 yds a game if we keep taking it away in the red zone.

Re: Our Defense
 

As poorly as ATL played last night, they are still one of the better/high flying offenses in the league. Giving up 300+ yards to team when you've made em one dimensional ... I'll live with that.

Falcons are going to get yards on 90% of the defenses out there.

Re: Our Defense
 

^^^ yes, but totally undisciplined in the red zone. They can play injuries this year all they want, but they dropped the ball in the red zone 4X

Re: Our Defense
 

My question is; who is the "Field General" now that has replaced Vilma.
I'm thinking Cam Jordan is moving the D but still not sure.

https://www.neworleanssaints.com/vid...w-it-is-a-race

Re: Our Defense
 

P.J. Williams has really improved.

Re: Our Defense
 

Cameron Jordan now up to 8 sacks.

Captain "Shimmy" Sheldon Rankins is at 7 (5 sacks in 5 games). IMO he's shaping to become the best 3 tech we've seen in NO since L Glover. 5 games remaining and I think they both end up with DOUBLE digits before the season is over.

Footnote on "Shimmy" Rankins ... -- > 3rd most sacks of any DT in the NFL (tied with Geno Atkins). He's having a phenomenal season. He's not in Aaron Donald's league (actually no one is), but he's been very disruptive & facilitating sacks for others to eat.

Re: Our Defense
 

The secondary is one of the better ones in the league today. Atlanta still has a top ten QB and three very good WR's. They also have a capable pass catching RB and fairly decent TE's. There isn't a team in the league that could keep them from racking up yardage once they have been forced to totally give up on the run game and start going for it on 4th downs.

Given the circumstances I feel the secondary performed quite well.

Re: Our Defense
 

One could make a case Aaron Donald has faced inferior competition vs whom Rankins has faced. Also, Lambs have a perceived dream team on defense, yet don't perform anywhere near like a dream team.

Re: Our Defense
 

The thing that I've noticed is that when holding a lead (excepting Rams game) DA has allowed teams to score a 4th qtr TD.
The coverages he's called though aren't "prevent".
They are slightly more aggressive than that.
Sure, a team scores, but the drives have been lengthy and burn enough clock that it makes them basically useless.
A six minute TD drive in the 4th qtr when you are down by more than two scores?
By all means, have at it.

Re: Our Defense
 

Very true. This game should’ve been much much closer

Re: Our Defense
 

They’re bending but not breaking. I love it.

Re: Our Defense
 

and on top of that, they're making plays when they NEED to. Timely sacks. Strip fumbles. Batted passes. Passes defensed. They're doing it all.

Re: Our Defense
 

Historically, most passing records are set by losing teams. When you’re down 24-3 midway through the 3rd Q, and averaging less than 2 yards per carry on the ground, you’re only option is to throw, throw, throw. The problem is it’s not a secret. The result is 6 sacks, 2 QB fumbles, 1 pick and another game in the loss column.

Re: Our Defense
 

Atlanta struck me as a poorly coached team. Their clock mgmt Suuucked. When a veteran QB is behind 31-10 with 9:27 to play and your not running a 2 minute offense, something’s seriously wrong.

Re: Our Defense
 

True, but it looked like Dennis Allen was trying to keep everything in front, not a prevent but soft enough to give up short range plays and force them to eat clock.

Anyone else notice our offense is constantly waiting until the play clock is near zero before we snap the ball.

Our TOP must be great.

Re: Our Defense
 

Yes I watched it close this week. Even when the clocks not running. They seem to be trying hard to be consistent with that. Timing was perfect this time.

Re: Our Defense
 

Cam Jordan said Sheldon Rankins makes all the calls on the Dline. They call him "Mastermind."
https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orle...922627cc2.html

Re: Our Defense
 

Yes. Even when the clocks not running. They seem to be trying hard to be consistent with that. Timing was perfect this time.