The defense is reminding me of 2011 (1 Viewer)

[rsmith2783]

Let me start off my listing the common sayings that will come up:

• It's only the first game
• Give them time
• We have new players
• We have a new coach
• (and if this was a preseason game) - We were running vanilla with candy coated sprinkles

While there is truth in most of these statements, at this moment I am not finding comfort in any of these reasons. What I will say is that the 2017 defense started off funky until KV had a team meeting and convinced the coaches to revert back to their preseason defense.

I knew coming into the game yesterday that defense would struggle to an extent because of playing Mariota and how there's not much film on him & ATL's offense just yet. However, what bothers me is not only the run defense (which we were excellent at in recent years), but the coverage that I saw from the corners. We were known for playing excellent Man to Man defense, but in most cases we were giving the corners almost 10yrds worth of space.
This reminds me a lot of what we saw in 2011. It was ok because our offense was lights out and the most we could ask is that our defense come up with a few stops. I would like to think that this was a one time thing but if I remember correctly, I saw the same in preseason.

Coming into the season we've all heard how the defense is going to be elite, our talent, etc. There's no doubt that the defense has been the MVP unit since 2017, and if we're going to have any success this year, it's going to be because of them. However, I really hope they get it together, because TB is going to easily pick apart the zone just like Mariota did.

 

[Lafexpress]

Let me start off my listing the common sayings that will come up:

• It's only the first game
• Give them time
• We have new players
• We have a new coach
• (and if this was a preseason game) - We were running vanilla with candy coated sprinkles

While there is truth in most of these statements, at this moment I am not finding comfort in any of these reasons. What I will say is that the 2017 defense started off funky until KV had a team meeting and convinced the coaches to revert back to their preseason defense.

I knew coming into the game yesterday that defense would struggle to an extent because of playing Mariota and how there's not much film on him & ATL's offense just yet. However, what bothers me is not only the run defense (which we were excellent at in recent years), but the coverage that I saw from the corners. We were known for playing excellent Man to Man defense, but in most cases we were giving the corners almost 10yrds worth of space.
This reminds me a lot of what we saw in 2011. It was ok because our offense was lights out and the most we could ask is that our defense come up with a few stops. I would like to think that this was a one time thing but if I remember correctly, I saw the same in preseason.

Coming into the season we've all heard how the defense is going to be elite, our talent, etc. There's no doubt that the defense has been the MVP unit since 2017, and if we're going to have any success this year, it's going to be because of them. However, I really hope they get it together, because TB is going to easily pick apart the zone just like Mariota did.

The defense was weak, especially in the middle, falclowns were gouging the center, and guard positions with their offensive guards, then on sweeps during the first three quarters, Patterson (6'3" 240# monster to tackle) was getting past the d line often for large chunks of yardage (much like his career with Bears), this had to stop to have any chance of winning this game.....Saints will face another great runner in TB, must be ready to "stop' the run....as they will attack the middle of the Saints D early and often.

 

[rsmith2783]

The defense was weak, especially in the middle, falclowns were gouging the center, and guard positions with their offensive guards, then on sweeps during the first three quarters, Patterson (6'3" 240# monster to tackle) was getting past the d line often for large chunks of yardage (much like his career with Bears), this had to stop to have any chance of winning this game.....Saints will face another great runner in TB, must be ready to "stop' the run....as they will attack the middle of the Saints D early and often.

Exactly. This is the first time in years that i've seen our run defense perform like this. We need an answer to this soon!

 

[No2DC]

RPO

 

[Mamba]

I’m not concerned. This was a Week 1 game with unique circumstances. I do think there are things we need to improve. I’d begin to worry if this became a trend.

Next week against the Bucs will tell us much more.

 

[HoustonSaint68]

It's...one...game.

 

[dutar76]

RPO

RPO and missing a few key members of last year's secondary. The talent level is still there. But for the first time in a few seasons, it's going to take a little time for the players to get on the same page. I'm not worried about our defense, I expect they'll clean all that up.

And this was the Falcons, they build their team to beat us. Just like we're designed to beat the Bucs. When is the last time anyone seen a NO/ATL blowout either way? Even in our best years Atlanta played us tough and even stole some wins. It was their house and they had their crowd sound generator machine turned up all the way. It'll be different when they come to our house.

 

[DavidM]

Exactly. This is the first time in years that i've seen our run defense perform like this. We need an answer to this soon!

It was a poor defensive performance yesterday but we gave up more rushing yards to the Eagles in 2021 (242) and 2020 (246).

The trend indicates this defense struggles against the RPO.

 

[blackadder]

Let me start off my listing the common sayings that will come up:

• It's only the first game
• Give them time
• We have new players
• We have a new coach
• (and if this was a preseason game) - We were running vanilla with candy coated sprinkles

While there is truth in most of these statements, at this moment I am not finding comfort in any of these reasons. What I will say is that the 2017 defense started off funky until KV had a team meeting and convinced the coaches to revert back to their preseason defense.

I knew coming into the game yesterday that defense would struggle to an extent because of playing Mariota and how there's not much film on him & ATL's offense just yet. However, what bothers me is not only the run defense (which we were excellent at in recent years), but the coverage that I saw from the corners. We were known for playing excellent Man to Man defense, but in most cases we were giving the corners almost 10yrds worth of space.
This reminds me a lot of what we saw in 2011. It was ok because our offense was lights out and the most we could ask is that our defense come up with a few stops. I would like to think that this was a one time thing but if I remember correctly, I saw the same in preseason.

Coming into the season we've all heard how the defense is going to be elite, our talent, etc. There's no doubt that the defense has been the MVP unit since 2017, and if we're going to have any success this year, it's going to be because of them. However, I really hope they get it together, because TB is going to easily pick apart the zone just like Mariota did.

But even 2009 and 2010 defenses were not great. Top of the bottom third. But got turnovers.

We needed better in Brees Prime.

 

[BelowZero]

• It's only the first game
• Give them time
• We have new players
• We have a new coach
• (and if this was a preseason game) - We were running vanilla with candy coated sprinkles

- It's only the first game. Against an offense and defense they have absolutely zero film on.
- Dennis Allen defenses typically start slow. Expect 20+ scores from opposing teams until week 5 or so. History backs this.
- You have two new safeties and a new nickel DB + one out with injury, communication is obviously going to take a hit. Especially against an offense that they'd hadn't seen before.
- We do. This team currently has a ton of moving parts, a clear lack of chemistry via injuries and new players, and simply the overall identity of the team.
- Weeks 1 - 4 are basically an extended preseason for most teams. Real football starts after that.

 

[Clintonrebel]

You lost me at “let me start off my listing”….you know this is the 64 bit generation right?

As for 2011, I would hate to play D for that team, the O scored so much and so fast that the other team was playing desperation football in the first quarter.

 

[los226]

It’s really like you guys missed the last two games against Hurts and the Eagles.

 

[Domeination]

If it was 2011, Atlanta would have scored on their final drive.

 

[Complex Kid]

RPO

Which shouldn’t be a problem this week. If it is we have much bigger problems.

 

[Dallas_Saint73]

Which shouldn’t be a problem this week. If it is we have much bigger problems.

Not RPO, but I would expect TB to run LF7 like crazy as ATL had lots of success with the run. It was semi-apparent in preseason that stopping the run could be an issue going into the regular season. Really hoping that we shore this up soon.