Important of Defense

[perrykemp]

The Saints ended the season with the 25th ranked defense as measured by yards allowed per game and the 20th ranked defense as measured by points per game.

The Cowboys ended up in the top 5 in both of those categories. On paper the Dallas defense was vastly superior statistically - except for one key stat -- turnovers. The Saints forced 39 turnovers and the Cowboys forced 21.

I am trying decide in my own mind what kind of defense I prefer. A fundamentally sound defense like the Cowboys that is average in the turn-over department or a defense like New Orlean's or Green Bay's that isn't is fundamentally sound but takes it away 39 or 40 times (in Green Bay's case).

I lean towards a ball hawking defense -- take-over are essentially body-blows to the offense -- and I'm not sure the "I'm going to play great fundamental defense and make you punt" approach works as well in the NFL today.

Thoughts?

 

[Doomsday101]

The Saints ended the season with the 25th ranked defense as measured by yards allowed per game and the 20th ranked defense as measured by points per game.

The Cowboys ended up in the top 5 in both of those categories. On paper the Dallas defense was vastly superior statistically - except for one key stat -- turnovers. The Saints forced 39 turnovers and the Cowboys forced 21.

I am trying decide in my own mind what kind of defense I prefer. A fundamentally sound defense like the Cowboys that is average in the turn-over department or a defense like New Orlean's or Green Bay's that isn't is fundamentally sound but takes it away 39 or 40 times (in Green Bay's case).

I lean towards a ball hawking defense -- take-over are essentially body-blows to the offense -- and I'm not sure the "I'm going to play great fundamental defense and make you punt" approach works as well in the NFL today.

Thoughts?

I love our defense but would like to see us get more turn overs. I want both and know that can be done, having a top ranked defense who can create the turnovers as well.

 

[perrykemp]

I love our defense but would like to see us get more turn overs. I want both and know that can be done, having a top ranked defense who can create the turnovers as well.

I do think it comes down the the types of players you place on the defense. Take Darren Sharper for example -- if he wasn't generating high numbers of turn-overs would he be starting? He's way past his prime -- the Packers cut him 4 years ago because he had gotten too slow.

Up here in Wisconsin I'd say the the Packers safety Nick Collins fits in that category. He is far from fundamentally sound, however, he has gone to the pro-bowl the last two seasons based on turn-overs.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

You just have to shake your head at anyone who says they'd prefer that Green Bay defense that set a record for playoff futility just a few weeks after giving up half a thousand yards to Ben Roethlisberger.

I think it's obvious to most people that the Saints defense was an average unit that was only good enough to win the Superbowl because it was carried by the number one offense in the league.

 

[Doomsday101]

I do think it comes down the the types of players you place on the defense. Take Darren Sharper for example -- if he wasn't generating high numbers of turn-overs would he be starting? He's way past his prime -- the Packers cut him 4 years ago because he had gotten too slow.

Up here in Wisconsin I'd say the the Packers safety Nick Collins fits in that category. He is far from fundamentally sound, however, he has gone to the pro-bowl the last two seasons based on turn-overs.

Ravens and Pitt have shown you can do both other Cowboys defense who have won rings have shown you can do both. Dallas can and will have to do a better job of creating turnovers I don't think GB or NO is a defense I want to model our defense after

 

[CF74]

I gotta admit every time Jenkins got a pick I danced a jig...

 

[Rampage]

I like our defense and think it can lead to super things. they took a big step forward this past season and now they have to take another step forward next season and force more turnovers.

 

[Dodger]

I'll take the defense that's stingy with yards and points AND produces turnovers. If we can find a couple of safeties that play the ball well, I see no reason why we can't have both.

 

[The Realist]

Build towards having both.

And I would argue that it's easier to add the take away element to a stout fundamentally sound D than visa versa.

Saints probably take a lot more chances on D because they know they have to.

 

[Rampage]

Build towards having both.

And I would argue that it's easier to add the take away element to a stout fundamentally sound D than visa versa.

Saints probably take a lot more chances on D because they know they have to.

trade down

 

[tyke1doe]

I like our defense and think it can lead to super things. they took a big step forward this past season and now they have to take another step forward next season and force more turnovers.

I'm interested to see what the Williams boys (Jason and Brandon) can do for our defense. We have the components for a very, very good defense capable of forcing turnovers.

 

[Rampage]

I'm interested to see what the Williams boys (Jason and Brandon) can do for our defense. We have the components for a very, very good defense capable of forcing turnovers.

I was really disapointed when Brandon went down for the year. I'm excited about Jason's athletic ability so I hope he learned some things this past season.

 

[The Realist]

trade down

Unless a legit playmaker is there.

Absolutely.

And I'm not afraid to trade down after trading down.

 

[CATCH17]

The Saints may have won the Superbowl but they are far from the most complete team in this league.

Things just unfolded their way. Congrats to them.

But i'd rather have a team built like ours than a team built like theirs.

I still think the Cowboys and Vikings are better than the Saints but things went the Saints way and them getting themselves homefield advantage went a long ways too.

But if the Saints are the leagues best team how far we behind from being the best? Not very far.

 

[Hostile]

I gotta admit every time Jenkins got a pick I danced a jig...

Ugly image stuck in head...must get it out.

 

[Rampage]

Unless a legit playmaker is there.

Absolutely.

And I'm not afraid to trade down after trading down.

oh I believe you:laugh2:

 

[Doomsday101]

The Saints may have won the Superbowl but they are far from the most complete team in this league.

Things just unfolded their way. Congrats to them.

But i'd rather have a team built like ours than a team built like theirs.

I still think the Cowboys and Vikings are better than the Saints but things went the Saints way and them getting themselves homefield advantage went a long ways too.

But if the Saints are the leagues best team how far we behind from being the best? Not very far.

I agree. I think it will also be interesting to see how the Saints do next season. I think Carolina with Matt Moore and their running game could be much tougher I also think Alanta will be a much improved team with another season under Matt Ryans belt. Right now no question the Saints will be favored in their division but I think it will be a much harder road for them next season.

 

[CF74]

Ugly image stuck in head...must get it out.

[youtube]gsz9YgZBx1o[/youtube]

LOL!! Not literally, just a line from a Bruce Willis movie I like to quote...

 

[burmafrd]

Its always tough when you are the defending Champs. The saints D is good enough as long as the offense keeps it up- but they will never be a D that can carry a team. Our D has already done that.

 

[dbair1967]

You just have to shake your head at anyone who says they'd prefer that Green Bay defense that set a record for playoff futility just a few weeks after giving up half a thousand yards to Ben Roethlisberger.

I think it's obvious to most people that the Saints defense was an average unit that was only good enough to win the Superbowl because it was carried by the number one offense in the league.

They did force alot of turnovers, which is why they ended up in the Super Bowl in the first place. Without all 5 of those turnovers they got vs Minny, they probably lose.

And I think the stat shown yesterday was 10 defensive touchdowns this season, which is amazing.