Gary Gibbs has sold his soul to the devil. (1 Viewer)

[SaintJ]

There is no other possible explanation for this group of defensive players not just playing well this season, but continuing to improve as the season has gone on. It's not like this is a particularly young defense, as more than a few of the regulars are seasoned vets, and only a couple of guys (Shanle, Leisle, Bullocks) had fewer than two years of real experience. You'd think young guys would improve as they got more PT, but these are vets all reaching new heights at once, and playing as a team. They're not the Ravens, or the 85 Bears, but they are becoming a joy to watch, and are the reason I think we are now the best team in the NFC with no reason to fear any team.

Here are the players, IMO, he is coaxing career years out of, and not just individually, but within the scheme:

McKenzie
W. Smith
Fujita
Shanle
H.Thomas

and guys he's getting great production from:

Grant
F. Thomas
and everybody else he now puts out there.

Yeah, yeah, I know the Giants essentially quit yesterday, but you know, we gave them a reason to. What was Dallas's excuse? Frank Gore's? The Falcons (twice this year)?

Certainly, Payton and Doug Marrone are doing a wonderful job, particularly in making this into a great-yet-improving OL.

But this defense is keeping us in games until we get untracked and spend a couple of series jabbing and probing, and then getting enough three-and-outs for us to take over the game.

Gibbs is still not getting enough credit. Here's hoping he's our version of Eagles DC Jim Johnson for the next 10 years!

 

[Guitarzan]

I dunno about the devil. The sum of those parts is greater than the added total. TEAM is the correct solution

 

[CHEF]

You're right about Gibbs. All we've heard all year long is how poorly the defense has played. About how vulnerable we are against the run. About the big plays we give up. This defense has steadily improved throughout the year. The last 5 weeks, the Saints D has ranked among the league's best against some pretty potent offenses. Still not garnering the respect of the media, they are gradually getting attention.

 

[dninc]

I'll take a Young, Slowly put together, well disciplined, well taught, eventually Elite Defense over a quick,expensive, instant star studded Defense that will eventually get old, get stupid and big headed and more expenisve over time anytime.

 

[ndcc]

Strongly disagree with your THREAD title; but I get your point.

Agree with you that Gibbs has this defense not afraid of anyone ...and at the right time.

 

[Guitarzan]

someone is having more fun than is humanly natural with a cowbell

 

[beachbum]

its really to bad the pro bowl was picked, a few more of these tough players could have been picked, any team that holds there opponent to no plays on there side of the field, six first downs, and under two hundred yards at there home field is flat out awesome, and the d has been playing tough for some games now, no better time than the end of the season with the playoffs coming, gotta love it, gooo saintsss take the cats down

 

[Stephen]

It's amazing how we've become so accustomed to bad coaching that the only we can make sense of a good coach is by assume he's made some sort of unholy pact with the Prince of Darkness . . .

 

[Goats]

If his "Deal with the Devil" wins us a SuperBowl. I will go to hell with him.


/notgoodtosayonchristmas

 

[desmondskiggers]

After this week, 11th in Total Defense, 11th in scoring defense. Correct me if I'm wrong, have not given up 20 since the Bengals game? Unbelievable. Impressive. Please keep it up.

 

[Damian]

My favorite part is we have coaches that are able to make adjustments during the game that work! A team, for the most part of our schedule, may be able to have a good drive or two, but we just end up disrupting their game plan and keep them out of the endzone. I love it! Who Dat!!!

 

[4saintspirit]

so will the retunr of Thomas help the chemistry or hurt it

 

[Pbody]

You're right about Gibbs. All we've heard all year long is how poorly the defense has played. About how vulnerable we are against the run. About the big plays we give up. This defense has steadily improved throughout the year. The last 5 weeks, the Saints D has ranked among the league's best against some pretty potent offenses. Still not garnering the respect of the media, they are gradually getting attention.

Two things. I agree.
1. I have to know where the Cowbell guy comes from cause i swear back in the early eighties i partied with him.
2. We give up a score quickly but like a scrapping old dog if we get our teeth in you we won't let go. We wrangle and bite, turn and twist, stunt and push, and then we just plain come after you cause the O has got us up by two plus scores and we are now going to come after you like hells teeth.

 

[CCL36]

The Devil is overated lets hope not.