Saints-Falcons review: A look at how New Orleans was beat on the ground -- Underhill (1 Viewer)

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Saints-Falcons review: A look at how New Orleans was beat on the ground

By Nick Underhill -- Advocate



For the players who were on the field, the Saints have no excuses for how the defense performed against Atlanta’s rushing attack.

Some people have blamed the scheme or lack of preparation for the Falcons running backs during Monday’s 45-32 loss. Atlanta did a good job of setting up some things in the passing game by playing off the run. But many of the issues against the running game stemmed from a lack of execution.

The scheme or preparation had nothing to do with Devonta Freeman ripping off a 36-yard gain on a zone-stretch play in the second quarter. It didn’t stop defensive end Paul Kruger from failing to get off a block by tight end Levine Toilolo. It didn’t make safety Jairus Byrd slip in the open field. And it didn’t make linebacker Stephone Anthony take a poor angle to the play.

Maybe the coaching staff will review the game and see things it can do differently to protect against some of the outside runs before playing the Falcons again, but the Saints knew what to expect from this offense and couldn't stop it.

“They have a good scheme,” linebacker Craig Robertson said, adding that the Falcons didn't surprise them. “They’ve been running their scheme well for years now. Kyle Shanahan, the offensive coordinator — he’s been doing the same scheme for years, and it’s been successful.”

MORE -- Advocate
 
We don't have any players left. We might have decent scheme, but who knows? We don't have the guys who can physically execute it. Every year it seems something is bringing us to new lows on defense and this year, I have to say it's injuries. You can't remove that many pieces and expect to be able to execute an NFL level defensive scheme against an NFL offense.
 
If you can't set the edge and if you can't get off a block, you are going to suck at run defense.
 
Paul Kruger is slowly falling into the fitting a square peg into a round hole category. I'm hoping it's just a case of him still learning the scheme and not another blunder by the FO.
 
Edge not the main issue. It is and always has been the gaping cutback and lack of backside pursuit

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Edge not the main issue. It is and always has been the gaping cutback and lack of backside pursuit

Surely that kind of language should be kept BTL... :mwink:

Over-pursuit is another massive problem, which usually leads to those cutback lanes being wide open.

In essence we lack discipline in every area of run defense; we often struggle to set the edge, overrun the play and leave massive cutback lanes open.
 
looks at the previous four years of Saints defense

The issues stopping the run in 2012... those exact same issues exist in 2016.

I don't buy for one second Vitt and Johnson have a clue how to fix it.
 

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