Insight into Spagnuolo's Defense

[Boondock]

Ive just been doing some research on my own lately. Ive been thinking about how much more effective our defense will be with SpagNOLA in charge of our defense. So, I found this article on Pro Football Focus that talks about defensive backs and how efficiently they are at rushing the quarterback. What I found was interesting. I know SpagNOLA wasnt the defensive coordinator in St. Louis, but Im going to assume that he had a lot of input. However, Ken Flajole, was the d-coordinator for the Rams and Ken Flajole followed Spags here to New Orleans. One of Ken Flajole's DB's in St. Louis was Darian Stewart. Darian Stewart was a strong safety drafted out of South Carolina in 2010. According to the stats, on PFF, Stewart played almost the exact same role that Roman Harper has played for us in the past. So, it got me thinking... Maybe Roman Harper will continue the same roll and in the same capacity that he did under Gregg Williams' scheme. Perhaps, Darian Stewart, only played such a significant pass rushing role, because of injuries to the St. Louis secondary. My question is, will SpagNOLA deploy Harper the same way he used Stewart?

2011 Pass Rushing Productivity: Defensive Backs | ProFootballFocus.com

[*_deuce_*]

He`ll put Harper wherever he`s gonna be most effective in the new scheme.

[rickyjones]

The defense doesn't need to be great. Just tell them to not allow teams to eat up the clock and hold the other team to under 31 points. If this happens we go 12-4 or better.

The signing of Bunkley and Lofton make this a likely possibility.

[the-commish]

How else can Roman Harper be used but as an in the box safety? Coverage is not his strong suit, and I'm sure Spags knows that. The opposing teams will try to isolate Harper in coverage if they're smart; the Saints will try to keep him in run support; blitz him; or maybe even remove him on obvious passing downs, and replace him with a dime CB, or a faster safety who has better coverage skills.

[mony_b22]

Ill go on how he used Butler when they won in NY. Yes he did some blitzing but it was almost perfect timing the way they would show one look and right at the snap the dummy blitzer would bail and they would be coming from the other side. It was amazing the timing that they had when they would blitz. You will see something similar here imo. To say they isolate Harper is nothing that about 25 other teams would do against most SS. Coverage may not be his strong suit, however i do think that Harper can cover at times. Just like most athletic TE'swould give anybody fits and unfortunately that is the league today. This is not saying that he is good at coverage either. But we will see how a new scheme will help him out.

[bornnraisedwhodat]

Harper will be in the box, where he is the best.

[nolaskinsfan]

See NY Giants.

[meily]

Harper will continue to be used the same way.

[GasBag]

Defensive end.

[JackDiesel]

The problem is he can't use Harper exclusively in the box. Correct me if I'm wrong but in press coverage don't the safeties usually play back because if one of the CB's get beat off the line, the safety is there to pick them up. It's a shame we already committed Jenkins to FS because with his size and game he would have made the perfect CB in Spag's scheme.

[TheBushPusher]

maybe since jenkins is a jack of all trades, we'll use him ala woodson for green bay, and have quddus be the fs in obvious passing downs? that hit quddus gave nicks in the giants game last season makes me see a lot of potential in him

[Blessedog]

Harper can cover effectively but he will be sent on a blitz from time to time to keep the defense honest because he excels blitzing and being in the box. Harper is a complete safety.

[Scottfree504]

^^^^^^^this is so true!!! I dnt understand what ppl want from a strong safety

[krushing]

Originally Posted by Blessedog

Harper can cover effectively but he will be sent on a blitz from time to time to keep the defense honest because he excels blitzing and being in the box. Harper is a complete safety.

I wouldn't call him a complete safety. He is a huge liability against athletic tight ends but most run-stopping safeties are. Problem is, offenses are putting wide receivers in the TE position and creating huge mis-matches. All Defenses are still trying to figure out how to deal with it.

[Vacherie Saint]

He gets a little bit of a bad rap. The SS is usually going to be your weakest coverage guy in the back 4, but he's not as bad as people here make him out to be. There are way worse coverage safeties out there. Plus, his value blitzing and making tackles near the line are underappreciated.