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Brandon Staley's defense

Posted on 12/31/25 at 11:44 am
Posted by Snipe
Member since Nov 2015
15950 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 11:44 am
Is working much better than I expected in year 1 with not many of "his" players for the system.

The Saints finished 2024 with the 30th ranked defense (total)

With 1 game left to plat Staley has them running 9th overall (total)

36 year old Demario Davis having a career year and 36 year old Cam Jordan back from life support leading the team with 9.5 sacks.

3 of 5 starting DBs have less than 1 1/2" seasons of starting experience and they are playing at a high level.

Staley looks to have cracked the code to unlocking Chase Young as well.
Posted by lsudave1
Baton Metairie
Member since Jan 2005
11672 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 11:47 am to
Our defense has been excellent over the past 1.5 months or so. We’ve also seemed to force a bunch of turnovers this year and have scored multiple defensive TDs. I have been pleasantly surprised.
Posted by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
74495 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 11:49 am to
He should be DC of the year hands down.
Posted by Snipe
Member since Nov 2015
15950 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 11:59 am to
Still having issues stopping the run which is why IMO a big space eater in the middle of the DL may be more important that an edge rusher early in the draft.
Posted by Proximo
Member since Aug 2011
22137 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 12:12 pm to
There isn’t really a NT graded around our first. Peter Woods is a 3 tech
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
176246 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 12:16 pm to
Caleb Banks and 1 or 2 others could be draft risers. Hardly much of shite is written in stone now as far as true draft "value"
Posted by lsudave1
Baton Metairie
Member since Jan 2005
11672 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 12:18 pm to
Do not want Peter Woods. Caleb Banks would be a steal. He’s massive and can rush the QB from the interior.
Posted by Proximo
Member since Aug 2011
22137 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 12:22 pm to
Maybe so but I think the value is edge at our first still, hopefully the nose is there in the 2nd

Sucks we didn’t get Sweat a couple years ago
Posted by Delusional
Member since Dec 2018
6259 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 12:43 pm to
quote:

Our defense has been excellent over the past 1.5 months or so.


Faced bad teams and helps that the offense has been better. The good offenses took this defense apart. 49ers, Rams, Bills, Seahawks, Patriots.

Overall it's a mid level defense. When you look at points allowed per game we're right in the middle. Staley needs better players.
Posted by LooseCannon22282
Mobile
Member since May 2008
35496 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 12:49 pm to
With that looking it up. I think really the only bad game that they have played where it was just embarrassing was that Rams game?

And I'm not so sure that if we played them again, the outcome would be like it was last time

I'm not saying the Seattle game was pretty by any means, but the special teams kind of f***** us in that game as well.
Posted by htran90
BC
Member since Dec 2012
31990 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 12:51 pm to
3rd in 3rd down completion% (34.7)
5th in passing YPG (180.4)
T-10th in sacks (41)
8th in rushing YPA (4.1)

There's so much potential to be better next year, but its impressive that our back 7 isn't as bad as we thought it'd be.
Posted by Delusional
Member since Dec 2018
6259 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 12:52 pm to
There were multiple games with really bad starts defensively but adjustments were made at halftime. With how inept the offense was, a 10 point lead was enough to bury the Saints lol
Posted by Snipe
Member since Nov 2015
15950 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 1:01 pm to
quote:

There isn’t really a NT graded around our first. Peter Woods is a 3 tech


Doesn't Have to be first round. 2nd round may be the spot for a NT
Posted by Snipe
Member since Nov 2015
15950 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 1:04 pm to
quote:

He’s massive and can rush the QB from the interior.


We should be looking at a DT that can rush the QB. We need as DT that can collapse the pocket and clog up the inside running lands. We have talent that can get after the QB from the outside and that will only improve if we take away the inside running game.
Posted by Snipe
Member since Nov 2015
15950 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 1:08 pm to
quote:

Faced bad teams and helps that the offense has been better.


That's part of it, but this defense has undeniably improved from the first half of the season not matter who they are playing.

100% those team do not torch the defense if they play now.

quote:

Staley needs better players.


For sure but it's impressive he's getting max effort out of the players he has, a lot of which don't really fit his system in the traditional sense.
Posted by Midget Death Squad
Meme Magic
Member since Oct 2008
28168 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 1:59 pm to
Once we get the front 6 filled with the right players, this D will be fire
Posted by Snipe
Member since Nov 2015
15950 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 2:08 pm to
I've been watching a lot of highlights of David Bailey.

I'd really like to see how Staley would turn him loose in this defense.
This post was edited on 12/31/25 at 3:33 pm
Posted by joe8 7
Thibodaux, LA
Member since Nov 2005
852 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 3:32 pm to
quote:

I've been watching a lot of highlights of David Bailey. I'd really like to see his Staley would turn him loose in this defense.


Unless something crazy happens, like Carnell Tate or Bain falling to us, I think Bailey may be one of the best fits for us.
Posted by Snipe
Member since Nov 2015
15950 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 3:40 pm to
quote:

Carnell Tate


Do not want a WR in the first anymore. In fact, the only offensive weapon I'd take would be Love if he is on the board.
Posted by joe8 7
Thibodaux, LA
Member since Nov 2005
852 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 3:42 pm to
quote:

There isn’t really a NT graded around our first. Peter Woods is a 3 tech


Several nice options in rounds 2-4 this year.

Kayden McDonald, A’Mauri Washington, Darrell Jackson Jr., Dontay Corleone, Domonique Orange.

They can realistically go Edge and WR with the first 2 picks and grab a difference maker at NT in the 3rd round.

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