New Orleans Saints Defensive and Special Teams Player Grades @ Jaguars
by Andrew Juge on Oct 4, 2011 11:01 AM CDT
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The Saints defense did a fantastic job in this game, no question about it. Still, it's hard to get too excited about the performance when you consider the Jaguars actually improved their points per game average on the season with a ten point output (that's no joke).
The Jaguars offense is it's own biggest enemy, and I'm not the least bit sold on Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert was grossly inaccurate in this game, especially as it progressed, and I seriously wonder if this guy has what it takes to be a long term starting quarterback in the NFL.
More than anything, I have to question how serious the Jaguars were about winning this game when they gave Maurice Jones-Drew twelve touches. They have a rookie quarterback who is struggling mightily, few players on offense doing anything positive all season and they barely give the ball to one of the best running backs in the league? I'm not a Jags fan, but if I was I'd be calling for the play caller's head after this one. That is inexcusable.
Anyway, as a Saints fan, I never really felt the outcome of this game was at risk because the defense wasn't going to let the Jags score. The most important part of this performance was the three and out stop that yielded a field goal before halftime in the red zone following the first Drew Brees interception. If the Jags score there, it's 14-14. Instead, the Saints D made it clear they weren't going to give up anymore points in this game.
Will Smith: B+ (3.33) He wasn't as big of a disruptive force in this game against the run because there was almost no need to be. Despite being an offense built around the run, the Jags passed 42 times and ran 17 times. What's wrong with that picture? Smith did a great job rushing the passer and finished with 2 sacks. He also knocked down Gabbert another time. His return to the lineup has been huge.
Turk McBride: C (2.33) He didn't do much and finished with no tackles, but deserves a lot of credit in a 3 man rush for somehow getting to the quarterback and hitting Gabbert as he threw it. He showed great speed around the edge on that play. When you've got 5 blockers and 3 rushers that should never happen, but McBride has been a good rusher for the Saints this year.
Cameron Jordan: C+ (2.25) He finished with two tackles, and was robbed of a sack (chasing Gabbert out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage) due to a defensive penalty. You just sense this kid is close to having a breakout game. Great effort and potential was evident, but he's yet to really excel yet.
Aubrayo Franklin: D+ (1.67) Despite just 17 carries, the Jaguars still rushed for 104 yards. Franklin didn't do an effective job in the trenches and he tackled poorly. Twice players slipped easily out of his grasp. He finished with 1 tackle. When is this guy supposed to show up?
Shaun Rogers: C- (1.75) He also had a whooping 1 tackle, granted it was a decent one. Praised as a "disruptive force" in teh backfield when he was signed, I've yet to see it. Granted, he's not even really getting on the field enough to impress or depress anyone all that much.
Sedrick Ellis: C- (2.09) He finished with 1 tackle and tipped a pass. Like his other trench mates, he didn't get enough penetration and wasn't making a difference against the run. Not a great day for any of those guys.
Scott Shanle: D+ (1.75) Shanle was beaten badly by Jones-Drew on an out pass but luckily for him Jones-Drew bobbled the ball and Shanle alertly shoved him to force the pass incomplete. I couldn't believe Gabbert didn't exploit that matchup more often, and I'm surprised the Saints were content to leave Shanle on him in passing situations. Shanle was again slow to the play and running after the play most often. He finished with 4 tackles, including a nice one in the backfield. He actually did ok in coverage. The main reason for the really bad grade is he gave the Jaguars 1st downs on two 3rd down plays that were stopped dead in their tracks. The Jags were set to punt on both and instead he kept the drive alive giving them a new set of downs. The penalties were defensive holding, and a facemask. Why help out an offense that's already so pathetic on it's own? Not impressive.
Jonathan Vilma: B- (2.00) Nothing special, but he did his thing out there. He finished with 5 tackles, most well past the line of scrimmage, and he broke up the final Gabbert pass on 4th down to end the game. He played fine and it was nice to have him back.
Jo-Lonn Dunbar: C (2.89) Finished with 2 tackles and as a reminder, I love his physical presence in between the sticks. He was fortunate his spotty coverage wasn't victimized thanks to facing a highly inaccurate quarterback.
Jonathan Casillas: C (2.25) He didn't do much and didn't get a chance to play many reps, but the one notable play was a blitz where he came in and rushed Gabbert, putting a little hit on him. Love the blitzing dimension he offers.
Jabari Greer: B+ (2.83) He gave up a few plays early in the game and he was fortunate that his receiver had a couple drops. He was also flagged early in the game for pass interference. As the game wore on, though, his coverage got better and better. By the end he was reading Gabbert like a book and jumping all his reads. He came very close to getting a pick. He also had a fabulous break up on a long ball to Zach Miller, running step for step the whole way with him. Another solid performance in coverage. He also tackled well. He finished with 5 tackles and 3 defended passes.
Tracy Porter: B (2.67) Porter has been out for a couple weeks with a calf issue, but he showed no evidence of that problem as he chased down Mike Thomas on a bubble screen that broke free. That play was going for a touchdown and Porter showed oustanding speed to run him down. Porter also came very close to an interception, tackled well, and looked good in coverage. He finished with 2 tackles, one for a loss, and a defended pass.
Patrick Robinson: B+ (2.25) He registered the first pick of his career and did a great job on that play of baiting Gabbert into that throw. His Reggie Bush-esque attempt after the pick needs serious work, though. He also did a great job making a tackle behind the line of scrimmage on a screen pass. He was credited as defending two passes and covered well. The only negative was on that big screen play to Thomas where he didn't run up to the play and try to make a tackle.
Leigh Torrence: C+ (2.92) He had just one tackle but he covered pretty well and his special teams play was useful.
Malcolm Jenkins: C+ (2.33) He had 3 tackles and was physical. I'm still waiting for him to make a play though. When he is going to get his team the football with a takeaway? I think we've all been waiting for that truly special season from him this year and it's yet to happen.
Roman Harper: B (2.09) He was all over the field, led the team in tackles with 8, had a sack, and hit Gabbert another time. Most importantly, the poor tackling that plagued the team earlier in the year seems at least partially fixed and that's in large part due to Harper correcting his miscues. He did give up a couple pass plays including the touchdown pass to Zach Miller, but overall I thought he played well.
John Kasay: C+ (3.17) I never expected Kasay to drill 50 yarders by any means, but his two misses weren't pretty. The first was close, but the kick had weird rotation and seemed clubbed. His second 50 yard attempt was missed by a mile. I really don't feel comfortable with the Saints trotting him out there with kicks outside of 45 yards. He did make all three of his attempts inside 40 yards, though. Hard to blame him for his misses, he is older than 40 and those were long kicks outdoors. I feel like he did what was expected for the most part.
Thomas Morstead: A (3.75) His lone punt was a 58 yard blast returned only 4 yards. He got plenty of touchbacks and the ones the Jags returned were harmless. He was pretty much perfect once again.
Isa Abdul-Quddus: B- (2.33) Yet another special teams tackle for this him. Every game it makes sense why this guy made the team.
My Defensive Player of the Game: Jabari Greer
My Special Teams Player of the Game: Thomas Morstead
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I would give the unit
as a whole a B because they scrapped as a unit to make up for their individual shortcomings. They seemed to pick each other up…and in any event, they made a couple of key plays that blunted any hope by Jax of gaining momentum.
Poor Shanle, he is eroding before our eyes.
"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx
Shanle has always been fair at the Position
Now though it is evident age is catching up with him and as poor as he has been in coverage historically, his slowing down is only going to make it worse. I’m not even seeing the same player against the run or pressuring the QB. Maybe he will hold up for the season. I hope so because there isn’t a lot of other options.
INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012
by cajuncommando58 on Oct 4, 2011 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry, but I’ve always considered Shanle to be a less than average linebacker. He has no change of direction and little athleticism. He’s always someone I’ve viewed as a person who could be a good special teamer or backup in a pinch but never a starting quality LB. Frankly I think his play over the last 4 years or so backs up my point more than solidifying his as a starter in this league.
"Winter is coming"
Wasn't arguing with you
Was merely saying that he was only fair to begin with and now that he is slowing down he is losing that ranking. Also the problem is we have no one better on the roster. Definitely what we need to address in the draft next year. As well as a DT and a later round DE. Then I also have Safety concerns because we haven’t got the depth.
INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012
by cajuncommando58 on Oct 4, 2011 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions
We did draft a guy in the third round that a lot of people had a second round grade on in Wilson. He is hurt…maybe we’ll get lucky and the kid will come around. I admit I’m not holding my breath, however.
"Winter is coming"
yeah
what I’ve seen from Martez so far doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Too bad they passed on Foster. He’s doing pretty well.
Didn’t pass on Foster…we didn’t have a pick in the second round because we nabbed Ingram. Plus he would have been selected before our second round pick anyway. But yea…I liked Foster a lot more coming out and he’s proven to be a good pick for TB so far. Their line’s coming around too. McCoy had a monster game last night…Clayborn’s making some plays. The defense has the potential to become really scare in another year or two.
"Winter is coming"
they did pass on him
Foster was taken 84th overall in the 3rd round. The Saints took Wilson 72nd with the first of two 3rd round picks. I had to look up the exact numbers, but I remember after the draft Foster making some comments about making sure the Saints would regret that decision.
You’re right about that Tampa defense. They are starting to look really good. Probably the best defense in the NFCS. And with as young as they are, they probably will be for a while.
Interesting...could swear he went to them in the second...but then again that's where they drafted Bowers.
My Mistake. Somehow this doesn’t surprise me though as lately it would appear the front office couldn’t spot a good linebacker if Willis came up and smacked them in the face.
"Winter is coming"
Thomas Morstead … was pretty much perfect once again.
So why doesn’t he get a A+?
Kasay should have a higher grade as well considering his performance in kickoff duties. Six for six in the endzone, and only one returned past the 20.
I thought
Morstead took care of kickoff duties.
This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
He does
This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
ESPN was claiming it was Kasay…that’s all I know. I wasn’t in the 1 square mile of the US that got the game televised.
"Winter is coming"
That's three square miles
just sayin’
This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
esp who?
INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012
by cajuncommando58 on Oct 4, 2011 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm just going off of this.
Thomas Morstead: A (3.75) His lone punt was a 58 yard blast returned only 4 yards. He got plenty of touchbacks and the ones the Jags returned were harmless. He was pretty much perfect once again.
This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
I missed a fair bit of the game
so I was going from the official play-by-play. Come to think of it, though, the kickoffs I did see looked more line-drive style than I remember from Morstead.
I never miss any part of any game.
My biggest problem is I’m usually so intoxicated by the time the game starts that I can’t remember any of it. Good thing I have CSC.
This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
not last year…
there were many times that many of us were saying “Why the hell isn’t Morstead kicking off!!?!?!”
FORGET THE HOMEPAGE... CSC Archives Rule!!
He was hurt last year.
You tell em, tommy!
This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
Morstead was hurt?
So he punted while hurt, but couldn’t kickoff?
Sounds fishy…
FORGET THE HOMEPAGE... CSC Archives Rule!!
I thought he blew out his shoulder trying to make a tackle so they fired him from kickoffs
Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features, it doesn't mean that we too can't not die in a freak gasoline fight accident.
by Fat Punk Kicker on Oct 4, 2011 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions
The FPK is correct.
This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
Kasey should have gotten an F+
Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features, it doesn't mean that we too can't not die in a freak gasoline fight accident.
by Fat Punk Kicker on Oct 4, 2011 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
You still have next year, buddy.
HAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!
This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
HMMMMMMMM CHOCO HMMMMMMMMMM
Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features, it doesn't mean that we too can't not die in a freak gasoline fight accident.
by Fat Punk Kicker on Oct 4, 2011 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Fine +
gotcha, I’ll rec the Fine +
INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012
by cajuncommando58 on Oct 4, 2011 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
The + is because I am being nice today
Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features, it doesn't mean that we too can't not die in a freak gasoline fight accident.
by Fat Punk Kicker on Oct 4, 2011 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Anybody else feel like the front 4 pressure is so bad....
That it makes the secondary look bad. I know Franklin and Rogers are (supposed to be and I stress supposed to be) run stoppers, but aside from the Fresh Prince, I don’t see anyone from the line able to get pressure on the QB. Also, I love Harper and Shanle and think they would make excellent back-ups, but don’t want em starting!!!!
"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups." Bum Phillips
I’ve felt that way for years. Disagree on Harper as a starter though. I think he’s fine, he’s just limited in coverage. The problem with Harper is the era in which he was drafted and came out. Much like Williams from Dallas (remember him) at the time strong safeties were box only safeties and it was that way for years. Unfortunately for those two the game adapted after they were drafted and before you know it strong safeties were becoming essential in coverage duty. Anymore you need both of your safeties to be interchangeable in capabilities….Harper never fit that mold unfortunately. But GW still attempts to use him at his best and succeeds a fair amount of the time.
"Winter is coming"
I keep hearing this about the D-line
but I’m not buying it. From what I’ve seen, they consistently push the opposing line off the snap and often force early/errant throws from the QB. Just because they’re not lighting up the stat lines doesn’t mean they’re not doing their dob. If anything, the fact that the DBs are not press coverage guys and nearly always allow quick slants, outs and underneath routes is hurting the d-line. If a QB can get a 5-10 yard completion in under 3 seconds, it’s nearly impossible to get a sack. The flip side is what they did to Chicago, where Cutler waits forever for his WRs to break on their routes.
i'm seeing some of the same things.. the front push and overall play of the front D-line..
has gotten fairly good.. no warren sapp stats to show for, but the effects of the disrruption are showing.. also quietly the saints have improved against the run.. one breake-away run by jones-drew tilted the stats.. but overall the run-D is holding RBs to less than 100 yards..
i’m having a little trouble understanding the GW thinking with his multi-package deals.. why is shanle in on an obvious passing down @ 3rd & 20..?
sure he’s covering the “junk” TE, but why is he even in..? we bluff pressure then drop to zone.. but shanle has HIS guy man-2-man..?
i would understand on the base defense giving him the running back as long as his name ain’t rice or bush.. cause they will be more than likely dump-off passes but in a 3rd & very long?
by the 9th plague on Oct 4, 2011 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Anytime you have 1,2,or more players on offense or defense not performing good at their position,
it will take toll on the rest. You have your own job to do, plus help out the rest of your team anyway you can. But if one’s slacking and not doing his job, that makes it double or tripple worse on his teamates always trying to cover for him. So yes, it does make the secondary look bad. The secondary has to concentrate on receivers and at the same time be ready for someone busting through the Saints front line and Linebackers.
Dunbar
should get a D or F. He is garbage
by touchdown my pants on Oct 4, 2011 2:06 PM CDT reply actions
Curve
It seems that we are grading with a curve (bias) these days. I didn’t think Greer played all that well. I’m also seeing a disturbing trend with Vilma (a 2010 Brees-type year perhaps?). Lineman are making him disappear this year. He is not getting off of blocks. As noted, he made tackles, but they were too far down field. I’m hoping he is not fighting (known and unknown) injuries all year long.
As a unit, we only gave up 10 points. So, all is not lost.
Kinda hard on Greer....
Greer’s defense is why the jaguars scored only 10 pts… The pass he broke up to Miller was a TD pass attempt not to mention jumping in front other passes as well and more importantly wrapping up. I think he should get at least -A
Also I agree w/HB-NOLA
The way our CBs line up so far back, any vet or Cam would nickel & dime us all day! Watching that TB game was kinda educational. Freeman made his money all night throwing 5-7yd passes in the middle in the 2nd half and thats what killed Indy. On their(TB) last drive they did that play 5 times in a row. Not making adjustments defensively is what killed us against GB which makes me sick when the sports media drool over Rodgers. If we would have made that adjustment in the 2nd half of that game, Rodgers would’ve been running for his life cuz he would’ve had to hold onto the ball longer than he wanted to.
just to be clear
I don’t want our DBs playing press coverage. I don’t think they would be particularly good at it, because of both size and speed mismatches. Can you imagine Greer trying to play bump and run with Andre or Calvin or Brandon? It would be a nightmare. Even when he got the interception last week, Greer started about 7 yards off the line and undercut the route.
I do think they could play a little tighter, though. With Robinson, he’s probably been instructed to play further off because of his lack of reps – it gives him a bigger cushion against bad mistakes. As far as I can tell, the others changes it up based on the scheme, playing further off in zone coverage.
I have to concur on Gabbert
He was throwing terrible passes and the pressure wasn’t even that intense. Like, to fairly open receivers. This guy won’t make it in the NFL.
Voted Greer, Will Smith was close
Greer still can close ground pretty well, and he and Jenkins seem to wrap up on tackles the best.
You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever, will.-Jim Mora Sr.
I understand ....nothing.-Michael Scott
The Future is Unwritten.-Joe Strummer
There are no disgruntled employees, they're all extremely gruntled.-Michael Scott
Its about picking your battles...
I agree that against the larger WRs we shouldn’t press all the time but with all sports, its about technique. The idea is to take a second or two off their routes/timing without losing ground. Speed without technique can get you but so far in today’s NFL. Thats why that CB/Saftey from Miami Dolphins got cut after the first game of the season. Against GB 3rd & 3 on the 7 and our CB is lined up in the endzone. We tightened it up against Chi and came out victorious not to mention 5 sacks! You telling me we can’t do that to Steve Smith?
this is my second in a week saying that...
greer is having a sick year, he is breaking up passes left and right. I know he has been beaten some but its almost always the other teams #1 reciever hes dealing with. will be interesting to see him matched up with steve smith. Hes clearly been our brightest spot this year on D.
he's been on a clear curve up.. true..
i’m disappointed with jenkin’s play.. he does not seem to be “lurking” around the ball.. he plays way deep.. sure, nothing get passed him but i don’t see that “nose” for the crucial pick..
on some 3rd & long opportunities.. you expect or you want you safety to “guess” right & double or undercut their go-to-guy.. get in the mix at the moment of a pass break-up..
i don’t think GW let’s him freelance his covering.. he stays within the scheme, i suppose..
by the 9th plague on Oct 5, 2011 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions
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