Triplett says Saints Interest in Chris "Beanie" Wells is "Bona Fide"
Our defense cannot finish games, It wouldn't matter even if we had Jacobs.If we cant get a critical stop to close out the game for the win we are screwed.
Good point. However, there are times when your defense wouldn't have to finish games if your offense can run out the clock. A lot of people like to say we lost the Minnesota and Denver games because of Grammatica missing those FGs. But even if he nails them, each team would have had time left on the clock to try to win the game. If we are able to pick up a first down in that game against Denver--even acknowledging the blown offsides call--then you have a chance not only to get a closer try at a FG but also to milk the clock more so that the Bronos are not left with any time to mount a comeback. Same deal against Minnesota. Even in the game against Carolina, we scored to quickly. If we are able to milk the clock more, we would not have had to endure watching Steve Smith beat our guys over-the-top on a busted play.
Even the best defenses in the world will not always be able to bail you out just as the best offense/strongest run game won't be able to bail you. The hope is that you are able have a healthy balance. I think we have taken strides to address our defensive woes. Our problem was we were torched time and time again on the back end. Our poor safety play was exposed all season, particularly against Minnesota, Carolina and Chicago. I think Darren Sharper solidifies us there though he's clearly not a long-term answer given his age. At the same time, you have to recognize that unless you're adding Malcolm Jenkins to the puzzle, there won't be any safeties you can take in the first round who actually carry a first round grade. The hope is that the defense continues to get better and gets addressed. At the same time, to me, the ultimate goal is getting better as a team. I think Wells helps us to do that even if he does not play defense. We have proven we can score quickly and in bunches. Now, we must add a player who can give us the opportunity to run the football when it counts and close out games that we all too often have been forced to watch at the end with our defense always on the field. That could be Wells or it may not be if we are able to land Jenkins. But if it ends up being Wells, I am not upset because I think he's going to be an impact player who only allows our offense to add dimension.
At the end of the day, Drew Brees is our best player. You build around your best player and give him the full arsenal he needs to be successful. You add Wells and all of a sudden, sans a move maybe at C, your offense really does not have a single flaw. There is nothing you cannot do to beat another team. If you need to go high-powered, you can. If you need to be methodical, you can. If you need a little of both, you can do that as well, which means you are much harder to defend and much more capable of giving your defense a chance to rest, which is the very reason why a lesser--talented defense in 2006 ranked #11 overall despite having guys like Simoneau, Thomas and Bullocks, amongst others.