Saints Must Look to Regain 2009 Defensive Form vs. Cardinals

seems to be the key. The Saints scored on their first posession like dang near every time up until the Miami game last year, and frequently storme dout the second half with a scoring drive. Just seems like if you can get some kind of lead it forces the other team to get more aggressive, to throw more, and to make more mistakes, leading to turnovers.
But I sure can’t say that it is only because of not striking early on offense. I haven’t seen QB’s under a whole lot of pressure, and flaping ducks in the air as a helmet errr shoulder pummels their blindside…..but hey we be on this years wagon, and the band is playing, and I will be hollering for the BOYS IN BLACK AND GOLD!!!!!!!

Don’t get me wrong, we can and should still be aggressive. We can and should still get turnovers. But, last year was a little freaky as far as what the defense accomplished and to plan on that, as a defensive coordinator, would probably be folly for GW. In lieu of that, I think they have taken steps to be a little more consistent and sturdy vs the run which is a very good approach IMO.

This year’s defense has been a little less risky in its approach. Obviously a lot of that had to do with injuries. But what I am saying is that this defense has now evolved to be more multi-faceted instead of just one approach (i.e Minnesota game- rushing 3 lineman and being aggressive with defensive backs).

I think the model for this year’s defense is the Pittsburgh or Baltimore’s defense. I am not saying they ARE the Pittsburgh/Baltimore defense, but I am saying they aspire to be more like that. I don’t think last year’s defense, as successful as it was in many ways, was that much like those defenses. I am guessing, but I think the mindset is that since we have such a potent offense, a more complimentary defense in the long run is one that stops the run and gets more three and outs. Takeaways are great and no one should ever pass up a chance for one. But to rely on them like last year’s defense did is a philosophy you only do when you have to.

The Cardinals currently are averaging 5.4 yards per carry, but you have to wonder why that is when they have fewer carries, total, through four games, than any other team. If they’re that good at running the ball, why don’t they do it more often?

Two facts explain practically everything. First, the Cardinals lost in two blowout games to Atlanta and San Diego, by a total of 82-17. They were striving mightily to catch up in those games, and abandoned the run early.

Second, their per-rush stat is inflated because they gained good yardage against two weak teams—St. Louis and Oakland—and had a monstrous 9.1 average against Atlanta due solely to Hightower’s 80-yard run (other than that run, they had virtually the same average—3.4—that they had against the Chargers).

So how do the Saints compare? First, Oakland is worst in the league in rush defense based on per-carry average (5.3). St. Louis isn’t much better, at 25th (4.6). Unfortunately…the Saints aren’t much better, either: they’re at 24th, with a 4.5 average. (Strangely enough, Atlanta is tied with St. Louis, yet did a significantly better job of stopping Arizona on the ground…if you discount that long run, that is.)

It would seem that the key to this game, defensively, will be getting a big lead early. You don’t necessarily stop the Cardinals’ rushing attack, so much as you force them to abandon it. Even if the Saints give up 5 yards a pop on the ground, it won’t matter if the Cardinals are passing four downs out of five in a desperate attempt to make up a large deficit.

And how likely is that? Well, the Cardinals are currently 22nd in the league in pass defense (yards per game: 233.2). That’s worse than any team we’ve played so far. They’re remarkably consistent, too: Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers didn’t do any better, yard-wise, than Sam Bradford and Bruce Gradkowski did. In fact, they both did marginally worse. But they also combined for 5 touchdowns and no interceptions, while Bradford and Gradkowski threw only 2 TDs and had 4 picks. If Drew plays his typical game, he’ll throw for around 280 yards, with a 75% completion average, and 3 TDs. And that should be enough.

and i really hope this is the game they drop a 40 burger… in which case turn up the volume on your tv, cause the late game who dat chants you will hear in the background will have started with none other than DBMC and his merry band of a**holes.

God, I love seeing pictures of 25 year old rookie QBs wearing a crib sheet in college. If you can’t wrap your head around something as elementary as a spread offense, how successful are you going to be in the pros? David Klingler, Ty Detmer, Chris Weinke, Kliff Kingsbury, Timmy Chang, Alex Smith, Colt Brennan, John Beck … I can’t wait until Sunday.

I expect 2-3 turnovers

the defense looks better “points prevention wise” is because of the lack of offense productivity. I.E. The more the offense scores, the more the other team gets the ball back.

I am a Falcon fan (yeah..BOO!).

Second, y’all will kill the Cardinals. The Falcons absolutely annihilated them, with Arizona’s only score coming on a busted, 80-yard run by Hightower.

While it was in limited action, Max Hall entered the game late and was promptly picked off.

The Saints will go up big, forcing Max Hall to throw and throw and throw. Thus, I see many INTs, and at least one pick-six.

In fact, I am so confident in the Saints defense, I dropped my very own Falcons D for the Saints D in fantasy football. And we’re facing Delhomme! Yeesh.