re: How do you feel about the defense now?

With the BYEd getting some guys rest and healthy I think the defense will be up for the task of taking down Freeman and the Bucs. I still have faith in this team to pull through and make the playoffs especially with Brees under center. They will need a lot of luck and for key players to stay healthy.

I feel like we are trying to move from a defense with the potential to be dominant once the offense has provided a nice lead (i.e., once opposing offenses are forced to become one-dimensional). Spags is trying to turn the corner to a well-rounded defense that might be able to win games in its own right.

It just takes time to break the players from their old habits (gambling for the hard hit instead of proper tackling). Spags will have a well-deserved long leash with the Saints. I think his scheme will eventually prove itself as it has in other programs.

Yeah that is another issue with Jenkins, not only is he slow covering space and in getting up the field in run support, he misses a ton of tackles. I think he missed 4 alone in the Chargers game.

I'm willing to give Spags the year to get things worked out. The players have had to learn a new scheme so it takes a while to get positioning, assignments and angles nailed down.

That said, he already seems to be getting some things turned around. I love the pressure we got in the 4th quarter last week with our down 4-that looked like signature Spags. But we're still getting torched on the edges with the run and too often the DB's are near the ball but not making plays. Still work to do, but I'm cautiously optimistic.

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I think I hate Malcolm Jenkins more than I ever could hate Roman Harper.

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Jenkins needs to maintain discipline in his assignments. He seriously needs to stop jumping routes & leaving areas of the field open when he is responsible for that territory. Its almost becoming a weekly occurrence with him. If he starts doing so, the interception opportunities will come as QB's may try to force some throws in tight windows. Jenkins catching those passes is another story though. He also needs to start wrapping up better on tackles instead of going for the kill shot all the time.

The problem with Jenkins is that he's a CB. He isn't a big hitter. When he does try to tackle, he does this weird dive with no arms extended and throw your back into the guy move that always ends up in him getting smoked.

Most of the defensive line trouble is personnel. Will Smith is not good. Sed Ellis is not good. These two seemingly have just dissolved away into nonfactors.

You can pretty much bet money that Ellis will end up 5 yards backward off the line and Will Smith will do this thing he always does where the bum rushes, throws his arm up like he's being held, and won't sniff the QB. Y'all know the move.

The LB's can hardly be blamed for the lack of a defensive line. Same for the corners. However, they aren't getting jams at the line, either, and Jenkins is playing the pass about as poorly as ever. Harper is having a solid year, but he's more feared as LB/blitz type player and I like the combo of him at nickel LB and Quddus at safety.

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A lot of our problems is just Harper and Jenkins getting out of position or getting crossed up.

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They have to stop the run a lot. I wouldn't be in position as much either on receivers if i had to constantly be worrying about someone breaking a 20 yard run every hand off.

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i don't know if it's spags changing up somethings, or the personell is starting to understand wtf they're supposed to be doing but, i think it's comming together a little at a time

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was that supposed to rhyme?

But, but , but if the Saints had LSUs defense they'd beat everyone!!!

I think Galette and Wilsons progression under Spags tutelage will go a very long way in determining whether we go pass rusher with our first pick this year. If they develop enough, id like to take someone like Star Litueli (sp?) to make Ellis expendable. If not, I wouldn't mind grabbing another corner since our depth there always seems to be tested year after year. I think Robinson will be a very good one with more progression, but Greer is getting older and I sure don't want White as our consistent #2.

Another reason I really liked when Harper dropped to LB and Quddus came in and the SS