Triplett says Saints Interest in Chris "Beanie" Wells is "Bona Fide"

diat150 said
if that was the case we would have been in the playoffs when deuce was in his prime, but we lacked a defense then also. our defense was decent in 2006. it got worse the last two years.

I would not argue that the offense revolved around Deuce. However, your suggestion here is a little off too since Deuce's prime years came under the direction of a different regime that had a host of problems including inconsistent play-calling and play from the QB position. We had talent but a lot of immaturity. I like Aaron Brooks. He's a friend, good guy. But he regressed over the years and that did as much to hurt our opportunities than poor play on the defensive side of the ball. Deuce helped us finish games. Pierre Thomas has the ability but you have to be honest about his ability to shoulder the load game in, game out.

mister pc said
i think that can mostly be attributed to these two guys. check out the sack totals for our starting DE:

Charles Grant
2006 - 6
2007 - 2.5
2008 - 3

Will Smith
2006 - 10.5
2007 - 7
2008 - 3

both Grant and Smith had more sacks in the 06 season than they did in 07 + 08 combined. DE production has significantly declined the last couple years.

Maybe it is not either/or but both/and. The defense played better, but the defense was fresher in 2006 than the last two years when we failed to have a solid, consistent rushing attack.

diat150 said
also, david played terribly in 2007 and wasnt helped out much by the safeties or the line.

to say that deuce was the main reason we made the playoffs in 2006 is just slightly absurd.

Jason David did play poorly in 2007. But let's not forget the reason why David was brought here in the first place. Fred Thomas played poorly as well and so I think it is a tad shortsighte to assume that the defense was the only reason we did not succeed the last two years. Obviously, the offense has been light years ahead of the defense and so there are legitimate concerns about our defense. At the same time, that does not mean that we ignore the need for a replacement to Deuce.

Anyway, we will see what happens.