triman

Here we are in the doldrums of football fans year. I thought I would start a thread about the state of our defense
Starting with DL
DE Cam Jordan is possibly the most complete defender on our team and crucial part of our team
DT Sheldon Rankins injury leaves a large hole to fill Mario Edwards and Malcolm Brown were signed in FA to fill that hole and will have a great deal to do with the Saints success or failure
DT. David Onyamata is an ascendant player and my only concern is the impending suspension for weed
DE Marcus Davenport is expected to fill the crucial pass rusher position opposite Cam Jordan his health and improvement are of paramount importance .
Training camp will provide with the answer to the question of who will be the backup and depth on the
DL

LB Corps

The coaching staff tends move the LBs around mixing and matching in different schemes
Alex Anzalone MLB
Damario Davis WLB
AJ Klein SLB

These starting three were the most effective group that we have had in recent history Davis was a star last year. Anzalone made a bunch of big plays and should only improve with more experience
Klein was solid if not spectacular last year and I Sept more of the same
Craig Robertson is a solid backup and contributing player

Several new players and practice squad player will be in for
interesting camp battles to provide depth
Imagine what
DB
CB Marshon Lattimore is our best coverage player that needs to return DROY form after a slight regression in his second year
FS Marcus Williams also suffered a sophomore slump and did not improve in his second year I look for marked improvement this season


SS Von Bell stepped up his game last year and I expect the same this season
CB Eli Apple was traded for to fill the spot vacated by Crawley and injured FA Robinson he had a rough time early but progressed well as the season moved on. He also should benefit from a full training camp and a year in our system
Nickel back PRob was a FA brought in to fix the slot CB position . Injured early on we relyed on PJ Williams who did good if uneven job I look for PROB to excel at slot corner this giving our secondary a big boost

We brought in two draft picks and added veteran and UDFA players that should should insure heavy competition for DB spots.

I did not go into new players much because I think that it will be hard for any of these players to break into the starting lineup. Now I know that injuries and breakouts by players will alter this lineup but I feel that this group is a solid group capable of playoff caliber play Thoughts ,Ideas, Opinions?

The Dude

I think we will see less shuffling around among the Lb corps. I do remember them moving those guys around a lot last year especially early on.

Jordon is Jordon and there is no argument about who our best defensive player is. If MD stays healthy like you said the two of them are going to make our secondary look all the better.
I’m not worried about the secondary. We finally have some really good players back there. If Marcus Williams can do half of what he did last preseason I will be happy. I really don’t see him going anywhere but up.
I’m excited to see what it’s going to look like with Prob back there. Hopefully they can all get on the same page because there was some miscommunication between him and others early on.
I’m pretty optimistic.
I think the biggest question mark is on the offensive side of the ball for the first time in history. If our offensive line does their job we will be a team that can beat you BADLY on both sides of the ball. Other teams won’t know what to fear the most, our offense or defense.
In a nutshell I just want camp to be here. I thought I would be working overseas and would have to miss the season so I’m just happy I’m here .I have a cruise next week which will help get me through the next few brutal weeks.
It will be all Saints talk throughout the city when I get back.

"Where life had no value, death, sometimes, had its price. That is why the bounty killers appeared."

Rugby Saint II

Well done triman. I agree with your write up and wonder why you don't apply for a job covering the Saints?

K Major

Bump ...

K Major

Eli Apple - IMO he did a really good job in NO in year #1 opposite Lattimore. He'll get to start a FULL season in Allen's defense for 2019. Granted he gave up some plays, he also made some big plays.

Expect him to see a lot of targets (most QB's simply aren't going to throw in Latt's zip code) this season, and he'll also have the opportunity to make a lot of plays as well.

Remember the Saints declined his 5th year option, meaning Apple can become a Free Agent after the 2019 season.

Good luck to him.