Our run defense continues to fly under the radar (1 Viewer)

[superchuck500]

It really is amazing. For the most part, this season, we've all seen the Saints give up yardage to opposing running backs. The national analysts continue to squawk that our run defense is our achilles heel- our weakness.

But we all know that is deceiving. Yes, the Saints have given up yards on the ground, but a significant portion of them have been on big plays. Julius Jones, Willie Parker, etc. And again in the playoffs- Westbrook gained 116 yards, but with 62 on one play.

The reality is that aside from a big play once every four or five quarters, the Saints run defense is very solid. And the Saints potent offense more than offsets the chance that we'll give up one long run for 6 points every four or five quarters. It all comes down to per play averages. If you give up 6 yards a carry all night, you're in trouble. But if you give up 6 points on one play, and then less than 4 ypc on the rest of the game, you only need one touchdown to offset the entire game's worth of run defense.

With this offense- I'll take that deal every week.

Whodat.

 

[Deuuuuce]

I love how our defense plays fast and aggresively to stop the run.

I think we'll shut down Thomas Jones and Benson next week no problem. I'm more worried about big plays coming from the Bear's passing game. Grossman loves to go down the field, and our defense is suspect when it comes to defending deep passing plays. Hopfully our defensive ends can get up the field and disrupt Grossman's timing with pressures and sacks.

 

[srenner]

our ends pursue so much that this is going to continue to happen until we either A: get another really good LB or B: get Roman Harper back

 

[realitybias]

The biggest problem with our defense is that we give up the big play, both on the ground and in the air. There is always a cheapie touchdown that the other team gets due to Thomas messing up, and there is always a problem with our run defense due to a lucky block. That's GOOD though, because take out "The big play" and we are really freaking good on defense. Also, because we give up the big play, if we are going to give up ANY points, I'd rather it be on big plays rather than long, sustained drives. That's our offenses specialty. It gives us time to ALWAYS be in the game.

 

[superchuck500]

The biggest problem with our defense is that we give up the big play, both on the ground and in the air. There is always a cheapie touchdown that the other team gets due to Thomas messing up, and there is always a problem with our run defense due to a lucky block. That's GOOD though, because take out "The big play" and we are really freaking good on defense. Also, because we give up the big play, if we are going to give up ANY points, I'd rather it be on big plays rather than long, sustained drives. That's our offenses specialty. It gives us time to ALWAYS be in the game.

exactly. two big plays and 3 field goals is 23 points.

we score more than 23 points.

 

[realitybias]

And the greatest thing is, big plays do NOT demoralize us, they pump us up! We've seen it time and time agian, we give up the big play, and the Saints come back with a GRINDING drive!