Who was the key to our run defense?

Once upon a time, our New Orleans Saints had a great run defense. We would give running teams like the Falcons and Vikings serious fits because they just could not get past the first line of defense. Of course, when they did getpast that line, 100% of the time they would either break it for a ridiculous homerun touchdown, or get stopped just shy of that homerun by a lucky defensive back. What I'm trying to say is that when it comes to stopping the run, we're either pitching a no-hitter, or we're giving up runs left and right.

However, I will say that on occasion, when the run defense absolutely had to step up, they certainly did, but if they would just play to the same level the whole time, maybe they wouldn't have to play inspired football. They keys to our run defense are a couple of guys who will surprise you very much (or maybe not), so just bear with me until I can state the point. The two key guys to our great run defense are... Kendrick Clancy and Charles Grant? Exactly.

via cm1.theinsider.com      via upload.wikimedia.org

Let me start by defending Clancy. I have always been a fan of this guy. He came to this team, seemingly out of nowhere, and became a starter. In 2008, when he got to showcase his true skills as a run stuffer, he performed exceedingly well. Now, I'm not saying he made TFLs on every snap, but he did his job and then some on virtually every down. What Clancy does is the most vital and important part of what goes down when stopping the run. He plays the nose tackle position, and his job is to anchor down and contain the double team, while the other DT applies pressure from the middle and potentially gets a sack or TFL. This is the formula you need in order to have a good defensive line in a 4-3 set, at least in terms of stopping the run. When Clancy went down with injuries, the run defense was struggling mightily trying to find someone else on the roster or in free agency who could anchor down the middle, the problem was that no one was there, so the Saints had to live with it, basically playing with 3 men in a 4 man front. We have to face it, Sedrick Ellis cannot reach his potential as a player without a big, anchoring nose tackle next to him, so I believe the Saints will find a way to get the big man they need to fill that hole, by way of the draft. I would bring Clancy back however, not to be a starter, because he's too old and injury prone, but to be a rotational guy that can stop the run.

Now for the part about Grant. While he doesn't do much about runs up the gut, he was Scott Shanle's best friend when guys ran to his side. Grant, while he doesn't provide much in the pass rush area, is a beast when it comes to stopping the run. While I think his size and talents would suit better as an end in a 3-4 defense, he's stuck in a 4-3 (maybe not for much longer though). Grant was superb at fighting off of blocks and getting to the outside runner, and on occasion he would get a TFL. He's a very stout and wide player, but he isn't fast or explosive enough to be the pass rusher which his contract would indicate, however when he is not in the lineup, the opposing teams' rushing offense tends to be up much higher for several reasons. First, Bobby McCray is a fine back-up and situational pass rusher, but is not an every down player, and certainly a liability in the run defense department, and when he was asked to fill in for Grant, he didn't really do much of anything. Secondly, when runners should get past McCray or whoever was filling in for the injured Grant, Scott Shanle was found way out of his element. While Shanle is among the best cover linebackers in the league, he does not have the instincts and ability to come off blocks in order to be a run stopper. He was a huge reason why we saw so many runs get busted for long gains and touchdowns. Shanle would too many times get lost in the sea of blockers and allow the runner to get through an ailing defensive line, past his ineffective linebacking defense, and to an unsuspecting secondary that has trouble stopping the run.

So, believe it or not, our run defense is at its best when two unheralded players are out there on the field. Let the opinions fly!