Started By
Message
locked post

How Much More Is Needed on Defense?

Posted on 1/24/12 at 3:30 pm
Posted by blueslover
deeper than deep south
Member since Sep 2007
22792 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 3:30 pm
The thread about the O-line winning the Madden award got me thinking on the d line. What if they were as good as the O-line? Okay, not as good just 3/4 as good. Using sack stats i came up with this-

Saints only allowed a sack 3.5% of plays (24), best in the NFL. The defense was 22nd in sacks at 33. Worse though, sack % at 5.0, 29th. Most sacks PHI & MIN with 50. Iggles best sack % at 8.8. Wow, they sacked at a rate 1.8 times more than the Saints. 3/4 of that would be about 7.5% in the standings (about 8th). That would equate to about 39-41 sacks. So, the difference from our no pass rush D to being solidly good not great is just 6-8 more sacks. That shows ya how close parity is in the NFL. It also shows how we need just one friggin true playmaker on defense.
Posted by 99DSTJ
K-Town
Member since Jun 2009
787 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:07 pm to
Yeah we need to get our offensive guys signed up and see what we have to work with and go get a guy like Avril. We want top tier guys on defense we are going to have to pay for them. But who knows, Spags might have his diamond already on this team, we'll see.
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
167136 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:08 pm to
quote:

How Much More Is Needed on Defense?


Depends on what Spags can squeeze out of players like Jenkins, Harper, Smith, Jordan, Ellis, Wilson, PRob and such...
Posted by TortiousTiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2007
12668 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:12 pm to
I think a more applicable stat would be sacks by the front 4.

I think that our sack rate was inflated by the blitz.
Posted by TIGERSby10
Central Lafourche
Member since Nov 2005
6977 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:13 pm to
We really need a top notch OLB, if not two. The D-line and secondary is average, but if we don't improve our LB play, we are in trouble on D.
Posted by Pendulum
Member since Jan 2009
7070 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:13 pm to
We need a olb not named shanle. Healthy casillas and a great year from Martezilla will do. We also need help on d-line. I'm not even sure where to point because the d-line is such a mess. The only person I feel good about is CJ. We have an overpaid will smith at his charles grant point of his career. A sed Ellis that is going the wrong direction in progression. An old guy that just doesn;t have it anymore in Rogers. A immovable blob in Franklin. Gallete could be good. Romeus might be our answer but he might also never play for us.

Harper should not be getting that many sacks when no one else is getting any. That skews your stats. Harper isn't going anywhere though. The back 4 are fine imo. Greer and Jenkins are solid. Robinson is poised for a great year. Harper is meh but like I said, he's not going anywhere. Just imagine how much better theyd be if we had pass rush aswell.

The front 7 are a mess. I really just don't know what to expect.


The good news: We don't have to be very good, just decent; and we win a superbowl.

ETA: I'd say our needs go from the outside to the inside from front to back.
This post was edited on 1/24/12 at 4:20 pm
Posted by LakeViewLSU
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2009
17730 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:20 pm to
We need Patrick Willis, Mario Williams, and Revis
Posted by BlacknGold
He Hate Me
Member since Mar 2009
12060 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:22 pm to
named all pro players, yet not one plays on the line.
Posted by LakeViewLSU
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2009
17730 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:24 pm to
Well since it wasn't a serious post I didn't feel the need to nitpick about position.
Posted by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
64685 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:27 pm to
I have put my expectations at almost zero as far as a big time FA signing on defence.
There is only so much cap space this year.
Will instead expect a coaching up of Jordan, Mama's boy, Galette, Wilson, Quddus and Cassillas.
And drink heavily during the FA period.
And then more heavily during the draft.
Worked for Dr Johnny Fever.
It will work for me.
Posted by BlacknGold
He Hate Me
Member since Mar 2009
12060 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:32 pm to
duncan speculates some bigger contracts will need to be restructured or some players could be gone aka will smith
Posted by Pendulum
Member since Jan 2009
7070 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:38 pm to
I really don't see how will smith could say no. Do you really think any teams would be interested in him especially at his asking price? I say no way in hell.
Posted by Ed Osteen
Member since Oct 2007
57575 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 4:58 pm to
a new knee for Vilma would help
Posted by Leonides
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2009
1270 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 5:42 pm to
Following is my 2 cents:

1) Cut Will Smith and sign Cliff Avril or Calais Campbell. Hope for continued improvement from Cam Jordan and that Greg Romeus has fully healed from his injuries.

2) Cut Tracy Porter and sign Carlos Rogers to start or be the 3rd CB.

3) If Vilma cannot return to full health, then cut Vilma and install Dunbar as starting MLBer. Look to take a MLBer in the draft.

4) At OLBer, hope Martez Wilson can establish himself as a starter on the strongside. At the other OLBer, look to sign a veteran. Curtis Lofton and Ahmad Brooks are FA's, but the price for either may be too high. Even with a FA signing, the Saints must take another young OLBer in the draft.

5) Saints need to draft a defensive tackle and strong safety.
Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49540 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 5:48 pm to
quote:

Cliff Avril or Calais Campbell.


quote:

Carlos Rogers


quote:

Curtis Lofton


Only slightly more likely than the MarioW/Revis/Willis joke signings from before.

Avril and Campbell very likely to be franchised. Campbell is a more of a 3-4 DE. Porter can't be cut as he is a FA. Rogers is going to make good money and we already have 2 good CBs. Lofton will make good money as well and has played MLB his entire career.

This post was edited on 1/24/12 at 5:53 pm
Posted by deuce985
Member since Feb 2008
27660 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 6:00 pm to
We just need consistent pressure on the QB. However many that takes, get it done. We do need a LB at the very least and some pressure off the the front four.

Our secondary is really not as bad as they might look. I'm still in belief they're pretty damn good when you consider they had NO help from the front four all year and very little help when you send 8 on a blitz...
Posted by DownHome
Below the Equator
Member since Jan 2012
10363 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 6:22 pm to
It might be time if Vilma comes back healthy to move him out to the wil. If he stays inside he going to keep getting hurt bangin with all big guys on the inside. Would be nice to get a big fast thumper in the middle.

The more I think about it the better I like it. Vilma & Tez on the outside with a thumper in the middle, this could quickly solve the LB problem.

Curtis Lofton anyone?
Posted by Breesus
House of the Rising Sun
Member since Jan 2010
67023 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 6:22 pm to
quote:

t also shows how we need just one friggin true playmaker on defense.


I really think this is gonna be Tez Wilson.

As far as D-line play makers,

I think Cam Jordan will be great next season. Also, I think if we get an awesome FA signed this offseason itll be an experienced pass rushing DE. This guy has 1 year left in his contract worth 4 mil, hates NY, and likes Spags. a guy can dream can't he?


A pass rushing DE would be awesome

It would cause some serious ballhawking to happen with our DB's
Posted by deuce985
Member since Feb 2008
27660 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 6:24 pm to
He is also old. I think he is 31 or 32. He is going to want a longterm deal and probably be a shell of his former self a year from now.
Posted by Breesus
House of the Rising Sun
Member since Jan 2010
67023 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 6:35 pm to
If we could sign him to a 2 or 3 year deal for a reasonable amount of money. I'd take him in a heartbeat. Give him Will Smith's money.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram