Underhill -- Saints defense has performed well the last 4 weeks, but Carolina could test the progress (1 Viewer)

[Dan in Lafayette]

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Saints defense has performed well the last 4 weeks, but Carolina could test the progress

By Nick Underhill -- Advocate


The Saints defense of the past four weeks hasn’t been the same defense of the past three seasons.

Suddenly, there’s been a pass rush. Points haven’t been going up as frequently. The passing defense has been acceptable. Even card-carrying members of the Same-Old-Saints crew have to admit that things have been a little better the past few weeks.

The team has allowed an average of 377 yards, including 281 passing and 95 rushing, the past four weeks. Taking away the points surrendered by the offense, the defense has allowed 19.75 points per game over that span.

Sure, the quality of opponent has to be considered. The 49ers aren’t exactly lighting things up, the Saints saw a banged up version of Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, and the Denver Broncos don’t exactly scare people, but the numbers of late have been considerably better than they have been. Taking the whole season into account, New Orleans is allowing 400.6 yards and 29.2 points per game.

For a team that has struggled more often than not the past three seasons, the progress is notable.

MORE -- Advocate

 

[superstar7th]

The defense has been better overall. I still don't like allen's 8 man blitzes . They are the same blitzes from week 2 and they still don't get there and he always run it on 3rd and less than 8 yards and gives the opposing qbs lanes to complete passes. Our front 4 is getting pressure use them since our back end is no ready.

 

[El Caliente]

Week 1-3
Total Yards: 488.33 ypg
Pass Def 299 ypg
Rush Def 149 ypg
Score Def 27 ppg
Takeaway 1 pg
Sacks 1.6 pg

Week 4-6
Total Yards 349.33 YPG
Pass Def 275 ypg
Rush Def 84 ypg
Score Def 30 ppg
Takeaway 1.6 pg
Sacks 1.6 pg

Week 7-9
Total Yards 394 ypg
Pass Def 306 ypg
Rush Def 90 ypg
Score Def 19.6
Takeaway 2.33 pg
Sacks 2.6 pg

So we are giving up more yards, but we are making more splash plays, and are a top 10 scoring defense. Rushing defense would qualify for 7th best rush defense. Pass defense is still dead last (and not even close).

 

[LAhotsauce]

There is still too much confusion on pass plays with the back 7. WRs & TEs running wide open. Can't cover RBs out of the backfield to save their lives. I'm talking very basic, simple 5 yard routes turning into 25 yard gains because somebody is covering the wrong space.

They've made up for it by having more takeaways lately but the problems from the last few years in coverage continue.

 

[ndcc]

A win at Carolina (which would be the first SWEEP since '11) would do wonders for the mindset of our defense, and could very well propel them into a furious run at the finish line. The season-ending game at Atlanta could be for all the marbles in the NFC South, or (worst case scenario) a possible Wild Card (playoff) berth.

 

[St. Geezy]

I have never been more confident in a 4-5 team before in my life. This team truly has the foundation to become "that team" that suddenly catches fire. Time is running short though.

The Giants won a Super Bowl just 5 short years ago with a 9-7 record. And just last season, we watched a 1-5 Chiefs team finish the year 11-5 with a playoff win.

 

[saints28]

This is the same defense that started the season. Cam will have a field day with all the missed assignment. This defense hasn't improved just played poor offensive teams. Just as they haven't correct problems on special teams that have plagued them since the start of the season. It will end just like so many others that shouldn't end with a HOF QB. No accountability and no real change.

 

[SoggyBottomBoy]

This is the same defense that started the season. Cam will have a field day with all the missed assignment. This defense hasn't improved just played poor offensive teams. Just as they haven't correct problems on special teams that have plagued them since the start of the season. It will end just like so many others that shouldn't end with a HOF QB. No accountability and no real change.

And their feet smell!

 

[insidejob]

Week 1-3
Total Yards: 488.33 ypg
Pass Def 299 ypg
Rush Def 149 ypg
Score Def 27 ppg
Takeaway 1 pg
Sacks 1.6 pg

Week 4-6
Total Yards 349.33 YPG
Pass Def 275 ypg
Rush Def 84 ypg
Score Def 30 ppg
Takeaway 1.6 pg
Sacks 1.6 pg

Week 7-9
Total Yards 394 ypg
Pass Def 306 ypg
Rush Def 90 ypg
Score Def 19.6
Takeaway 2.33 pg
Sacks 2.6 pg

So we are giving up more yards, but we are making more splash plays, and are a top 10 scoring defense. Rushing defense would qualify for 7th best rush defense. Pass defense is still dead last (and not even close).

This is the same defense that started the season. Cam will have a field day with all the missed assignment. This defense hasn't improved just played poor offensive teams. Just as they haven't correct problems on special teams that have plagued them since the start of the season. It will end just like so many others that shouldn't end with a HOF QB. No accountability and no real change.

Sure looks like improvement to me.

 

[Suavecito8]

Am I missing something or is the panthers and camtrum lighting up the league? Why would this team impede the defense?

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

I think Underhill points out that we haven't really been trumped by the deep ball. It's the horizontal passes, crossing patters, YAC that have burned us.

This is your LB's/CB's releasing and picking up the wrong receivers at the wrong times + Not having enough team speed to cover up when it does happen.

When you play zone, you need speed or everyone on the same page. Can't be missing both.

You look at other teams and it almost seems like the moment the ball hits a receiver/TE's hands hes got someone on him. You see a WR catch the ball in the middle of the field with us and no one is around him for 3 or 4 yards almost every time.

Now does that mean its a bad scheme?

No..the most glaring issue is were still not a smart situational team unless its an obvious situation like 3rd down and long. Which relies more on the coach seeing the right thing and making the right call.

1st and 2nd or 3rd and moderate allow for too many options and If guys all aren't on the same accord with what may be coming...they will play it differently.


Seriously the prime example of that was the TD robertson gave up over the middle to the chargers TE. ( I Think) Where we ran a 3 man rush(4man front) with the NT dropping out into coverage. The NT was to spot drop to the spot where the MLB was and the MLB was to carry the TE in cover 2 up the middle.

Instead of doing what he was supposed to do Robertson bit on a run fake and didn't get back fast enough and the TE went wide open for the TD. He didn't play the situation. Got caught up in what his eyes saw and was fooled.

Alas it takes a while to attain the chemistry that a team like the Seahawks have in a zone heavy scheme.


The reason a team like say the Broncos doesn't have those gaffes is because they play primary Man. Mono e Mono... 1 on 1. When they play zone...and it was pointed out in our game...they look lost. Yet they play man so well because they have the CB's to play it and the passrush to make it work. Zone is played when you've only got a moderate passrush and it allows you to give them extra time to get to the QB.


Its interesting because everyone thought that SP set RR up to fail by hiring DA but he thought it would be a good match. RR would handle the blitzes and the fancy stuff he likes to do with Fronts and DA would build sound coverages behind it.

RR just wasn't a great playcaller and his system works better with veterans that can adjust in game. Its why you saw a small uptick in improvement when DA took over becauses he's just a better situational play caller.