Improved coverage from Saints' linebackers is giving Dennis Allen freedom (1 Viewer)

[Dan in Lafayette]

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Improved coverage from Saints' linebackers is giving Dennis Allen freedom

By Joel Erickson -- Advocate


WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Dannell Ellerbe flipped his hips, turned and ran at full tilt, trailing Willie Snead by a half step with no safety in sight over the top.

Back in the pocket, Drew Brees saw a quarterback’s dream: a linebacker covering a wide receiver deep down the field. Brees wound up and let it fly.

But this time, the linebacker was up to the challenge. Ellerbe, racing underneath Snead’s route, leapt into the air and batted the ball away for a harmless incompletion, the kind of play that has become almost routine for the Saints’ linebackers at this training camp.

“I take a lot of pride in that,” Ellerbe said. “Being a linebacker, they see us as a mismatch, a linebacker on a receiver or a tight end. When you’re able to go out there and, I won’t say be lock-down, but do your job, it’s a plus.”

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[Slaw]

Here's to hoping Ellerbe finally stays healthy for 16 games. Would help us tremendously.

 

[DABOOT162]

Here's to hoping Ellerbe finally stays healthy for 16 games. Would help us tremendously.

Here Here


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[Outbackjack]

Blessed to see another day

 

[Whodatcolston]

I'm pretty sure we won every game that Ellerbe was healthy for.. Maybe a coincidence, but the black and gold glasses say no. Here's hoping he stays healthy for 16 games! lus-un2:

 

[KCWhoDat]

Nice article finally about one of our worst weaknesses on Defense...thanks

 

[English]

Here's to hoping Ellerbe finally stays healthy for 16 games. Would help us tremendously.

I'll drink to that......

 

[Saints 318]

Coverage Linebackers makes a defense alot better

 

[Hotdog_Skin]

So pumped to have ellerbe healthy.

But.....

Craig Robertson is playing lights out right now. That dude is gonna lock **** down for us.

 

[Sazed]

Very happy with the play at LB this year. So far it looks to be a vast improvement from years past. That being said I will lose my mind if I see a LB lined up against a WR in a game situation without safety help.

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[SaintStephen1]

Let's just hope it's not the lack of speed at slot WR that makes these guys look better in coverage than they are. Certainly they should be better than Lofton, Hawthorne and Humber.

 

[Igordão]

Let's just hope it's not the lack of speed at slot WR that makes these guys look better in coverage than they are. Certainly they should be better than Lofton, Hawthorne and Humber.

I dont think the saints lack speed at slot WR at all. Also, they did a good job covering against the pats too.

 

[bobad]

If we can get Robertson, Anthony, and Bee on the field at the same time, our pass defense is on another level.

 

[Kris]

We have linebackers?? Nice change!

Kris

 

[DoMePaTrolleR]

If our LBs can stay healthy our defense will be fine this year. This group is hands down the most talented we have seen since the dome patrol. I think this will be an area of strength for many years to come. It is now not an immediate need for the next few years allowing us to stock up through the draft and let players develop. If Ellerbe can stay healthy then he needs to be a priority for this team to bring back. This years defense will be good but after another draft and a big FA we can really turn this defense into one of the best in the league.