Saints Defense, A defense barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild it... Bigger, Stronger, Faster (1 Viewer)

[SebaSaint]

5 Additions and 5 Subtractions to the Saints Defense showing we are getting younger, bigger and faster. This doesn't include the exciting UDFA prospects that may potentially fill in some of these roles on defense. Admittedly, these are based on college scouting numbers so most of our subtractions are probably bigger and slower nowadays.

Subtractions
Defensive Line:
Sedrick Ellis, 2008 NFL Draft, 6'1" 307lbs 5.30sec 40yd dash - You never heard his name on game day and he had 12.5 sacks in his 5 years here, 0.5 in 2011 and none last year; that's not nearly good enough.

Turk McBride, 2007 NFL Draft, 6'2" 278lbs 4.82sec 40yd dash - A JAG if there ever was one.

Linebackers:
Scott Shanle, 2003 NFL Draft, 6'2" 245lbs 4.72sec 40yd dash - I'll thank Scott here for his hardwork and dedication to the team. He's just one of those guys who kept plugging away despite everybody wishing and hoping we would replace him with someone bigger and faster but to his credit, he kept winning the starting job. That day of replacement has finally come.

Jon Casillas, Undrafted 2009, 6'1" 227lbs 4.50sec 40yd dash - Jon was a decent fringe starter. He made more of an impact at Special Teams than he ever did as a starter. Good luck with the Bucs, I hope you become a starter for them.

Secondary:
Johnny Patrick, 2011 NFL Draft, 5'11" 191lbs 4.60sec 40yd dash - I had high hopes for Johnny to step in and start showing potential but he never really did push for a starters role and wasn't a contributor on special teams.

Additions
Defensive Line:
John Jenkins, 2013 NFL Draft, 6'4" 346lbs 5.20sec 40yd dash - This guy eats Sedrick Ellis' lunch for breakfast.... that didn't even make sense, but with the switch to a 3-4 defensive alignment, Ellis no longer has a place on this roster and we've replaced him with a mammoth.

Linebackers:
Victor Butler, 2009 NFL Draft, 6'2" 248lbs 4.67sec 40yd dash - By all accounts, Butler is a starter at OLB on day one and his familiarity with Rob Ryan's defense will only bolster his case. PFF had this guy rated at 7.2+ by their metrics, he just needed the opportunity to start and that opportunity comes in black and gold.

Rufus Johnson, 2013 NFL Draft, 6'5" 242lbs 4.70sec 40yd dash - this guy intrigued the Saints enough to draft him in the sixth round. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. We've hit on small school prospects before and far be it from me to second guess the Saints brain trust. Some more info on him: http://saintsreport.com/forums/5028991-post5.html

Secondary:
Keenan Lewis, 2009 NFL Draft, 6'1" 208lbs 4.47sec 40yd dash - This guy was one of the top Free Agent cornerbacks for a reason. By all accounts this was a great get by the Saints and he'll fit our new system perfectly. Don't discount "fit" when it comes to personnel moves, remember Jason David? Hopefully this one turns out to be the opposite of that move.

Kenny (aka Johnny) Vaccaro, 2013 NFL Draft, 6'1" 218lbs 4.59sec 40yd dash - We've all read up a ton of stuff on this kid since the Saints picked him in the 1st round. The more I read, the more I like. If anything, he certainly gives the Saints more flexibility to field the best 11 guys on Defense.

Notes, the Saints claim to fame has been offense, but in recent years we have lived and died by the play of our defense. It has been the focus of the last few drafts and off seasons so the move to get bigger and faster isn't exactly a surprise but I just wanted to summarize it a little more.

Bigger and Faster and Younger: Cameron Jordan 6'4" 287lbs, Akiem Hicks 6'5" 324lbs, Martez Wilson 6'4" 252lbs, and Junior Galette 6'2" 258lbs. I think we'll certainly have growing pains but I really like how this defense is shaping up.

 

[the-commish]

I think you are correct. The fact that Loomis didn't go high for either a DE or LB in this draft proves to me the Saints were basically satisfied with what they had, and figured they could get good value in late rounds or UDFAs (which apparently happened).

 

[Joodas Avila]

I think you are correct. The fact that Loomis didn't go high for either a DE or LB in this draft proves to me the Saints were basically satisfied with what they had, and figured they could get good value in late rounds or UDFAs (which apparently happened).

Totally agree. It speaks volumes on what we may already have in house. I'm really excited to see what Victor Butler has. From face value, it appears that his signing, was the answer to our pass rusher problem.

 

[JvilleJoe]

We have to see how quickly the new guys mesh with each other and how fast the entire defense learns Ryans scheme, but I do like the potential that we have. We are going to see real fast week one when we face Ryan and his 'vaunted' receivers, along with a pounder in Jackson!

 

[Saint Kamara]

Very good post, OP.

We are definitely younger. Something to build upon.

Just got to be coached up.

If we were still in a 4-3, I would not be very excited about our opportunity to get any better this season on defense. But the 3-4 has me intrigued, and if Rob Ryan can't get you motivated, then there is something wrong with you as a player.

With all the talk about the front 7, the pass rush specialists, etc, I think it still comes down to what we do on the backend. If we are just as bad as last year with the corners and nickel not covering, then the pass rush won't factor in very much and we will be just as abysmal. Lewis has to come in and kill it. Greer needs to stay healthy and Vaccaro needs to make an immediate impact. We need to utilize Harper smartly (see 2009 season), as well as FS Jenkins. If all of that comes together, this can be a top 10 defense. Which means Super Bowl contender, automatically.

 

[SebaSaint]

With all the talk about the front 7, the pass rush specialists, etc, I think it still comes down to what we do on the backend. If we are just as bad as last year with the corners and nickel not covering, then the pass rush won't factor in very much and we will be just as abysmal. Lewis has to come in and kill it. Greer needs to stay healthy and Vaccaro needs to make an immediate impact. We need to utilize Harper smartly (see 2009 season), as well as FS Jenkins.

I'm actually cautiously optimistic about the backend of this defense. I think we played more zone last year and our personnel favors man coverage:

Excels at man coverage:
Lewis
Greer
Robinson
Jenkins
Vaccaro

doesn't excel at man coverage:
Harper

 

[saintfan4rea!]

One thing I can say they are going after size across the DL 6'4-6'5 instead of 6'2-6'4. I like that ! Plus with all these linebackers, special teams should be a lot better.

 

[Goatman Saint]

I am too. The defense wasn't that bad under Williams and if anything Ryan is more creative coaching wise than he is. Also, if the players come in and can do what we hope they can do, safety coverage should be better, line backing play should be better also. The only thing I hope is a change of defensive philosophy from going for the big knockout hit to solid tackling. I am so disgusted by the laying the big hit that misses and the guy goes for another 15-20.

 

[Bigeasy75]

5 Additions and 5 Subtractions to the Saints Defense showing we are getting younger, bigger and faster. This doesn't include the exciting UDFA prospects that may potentially fill in some of these roles on defense. Admittedly, these are based on college scouting numbers so most of our subtractions are probably bigger and slower nowadays.

Subtractions
Defensive Line:
Sedrick Ellis, 2008 NFL Draft, 6'1" 307lbs 5.30sec 40yd dash - You never heard his name on game day and he had 12.5 sacks in his 5 years here, 0.5 in 2011 and none last year; that's not nearly good enough.

Turk McBride, 2007 NFL Draft, 6'2" 278lbs 4.82sec 40yd dash - A JAG if there ever was one.

Linebackers:
Scott Shanle, 2003 NFL Draft, 6'2" 245lbs 4.72sec 40yd dash - I'll thank Scott here for his hardwork and dedication to the team. He's just one of those guys who kept plugging away despite everybody wishing and hoping we would replace him with someone bigger and faster but to his credit, he kept winning the starting job. That day of replacement has finally come.

Jon Casillas, Undrafted 2009, 6'1" 227lbs 4.50sec 40yd dash - Jon was a decent fringe starter. He made more of an impact at Special Teams than he ever did as a starter. Good luck with the Bucs, I hope you become a starter for them.

Secondary:
Johnny Patrick, 2011 NFL Draft, 5'11" 191lbs 4.60sec 40yd dash - I had high hopes for Johnny to step in and start showing potential but he never really did push for a starters role and wasn't a contributor on special teams.

Additions
Defensive Line:
John Jenkins, 2013 NFL Draft, 6'4" 346lbs 5.20sec 40yd dash - This guy eats Sedrick Ellis' lunch for breakfast.... that didn't even make sense, but with the switch to a 3-4 defensive alignment, Ellis no longer has a place on this roster and we've replaced him with a mammoth.

Linebackers:
Victor Butler, 2009 NFL Draft, 6'2" 248lbs 4.67sec 40yd dash - By all accounts, Butler is a starter at OLB on day one and his familiarity with Rob Ryan's defense will only bolster his case. PFF had this guy rated at 7.2+ by their metrics, he just needed the opportunity to start and that opportunity comes in black and gold.

Rufus Johnson, 2013 NFL Draft, 6'5" 242lbs 4.70sec 40yd dash - this guy intrigued the Saints enough to draft him in the sixth round. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. We've hit on small school prospects before and far be it from me to second guess the Saints brain trust. Some more info on him: http://saintsreport.com/forums/5028991-post5.html

Secondary:
Keenan Lewis, 2009 NFL Draft, 6'1" 208lbs 4.47sec 40yd dash - This guy was one of the top Free Agent cornerbacks for a reason. By all accounts this was a great get by the Saints and he'll fit our new system perfectly. Don't discount "fit" when it comes to personnel moves, remember Jason David? Hopefully this one turns out to be the opposite of that move.

Kenny (aka Johnny) Vaccaro, 2013 NFL Draft, 6'1" 218lbs 4.59sec 40yd dash - We've all read up a ton of stuff on this kid since the Saints picked him in the 1st round. The more I read, the more I like. If anything, he certainly gives the Saints more flexibility to field the best 11 guys on Defense.

Notes, the Saints claim to fame has been offense, but in recent years we have lived and died by the play of our defense. It has been the focus of the last few drafts and off seasons so the move to get bigger and faster isn't exactly a surprise but I just wanted to summarize it a little more.

Bigger and Faster and Younger: Cameron Jordan 6'4" 287lbs, Akiem Hicks 6'5" 324lbs, Martez Wilson 6'4" 252lbs, and Junior Galette 6'2" 258lbs. I think we'll certainly have growing pains but I really like how this defense is shaping up.

Good stuff here...totally agree....bigger and faster is better! We may have some growing pains at first and may continue to struggle against some of the elite offenses but I feel we have ability now to MAKE PLAYS with Ryan's aggressive style and the addition of guys like Lewis and Vaccaro in secondary-hopefully their coverage skills can afford us more pressure and in turn create more turnovers. We don't have to become a top 10 defense overnight but with our offense is we could get near top half of defensive rankings we will be dangerous again.

 

[bigknock]

the saints have not drafted a good defensive player in like 5 years. what makes you think any of these kids are going to start.

 

[head trauma]

what about the secondary. we don't have enough dept there

 

[SebaSaint]

the saints have not drafted a good defensive player in like 5 years. what makes you think any of these kids are going to start.

Last time I checked, these guys were all pretty good. Jenkins and Robinson have flashed and just need consistency

2012
Akiem Hicks
Corey White

2011
Cameron Jordan
Martez Wilson

2010
Patrick Robinson

2009
Malcolm Jenkins

2008
Tracy Porter

 

[SaintsFan83]

what about the secondary. we don't have enough dept there

New Orleans Saints | Roster

Likely on the team this year:

Keenan Lewis
Malcolm Jenkins
Jabari Greer
Patrick Robinson
Corey White
Kenny Vacarro
Roman Harper
Rafael Bush
Isa Abdul-Quddus

Maybe (in case of injury dept issues)
Elbert Mack (UFA)

Long Shots (camp bodies)
Dion Turner
Ryan Steed
AJ Davis
Jim Leonhard
Jerico Nelson

You can only have so many...

 

[Swimmer]

One of the wonderful benefits of the draft, "Hope springs eternal," until September.

 

[Muncie]

In Loomis and Payton we trust.