Awesome read on the new defense.

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In theory, the Saints should have more opportunities to intercept passes this year, both because of the confusion they'll create and because defensive backs will have their eyes on the ball more often.

And that's a huge priority, considering the Saints were tied for 28th in the NFL last year with just nine interceptions.

"There won't be so many guys with their back turned to the ball. More guys will be breaking downhill on it," Harper said. "And the thing is, when a ball gets tipped, somebody's going to run and catch it, because more people are looking at the quarterback instead of looking at your man all the time."

Harper's role likely will change quite a bit. Under Williams, he blitzed about 30 percent of the time, which is a lot for a safety. Chances are, he still will blitz often because it's such a strength of his, but not as much.
Harper's pass coverage, meanwhile, has been inconsistent, to say the least. So his ability to succeed in a new system is a looming question.

Bowen, however, thinks both safeties will have an opportunity to make more plays in the new scheme because they will be allowed to read their keys, read the football and play faster. He thinks free safety Malcolm Jenkins, especially, could be the biggest beneficiary of the switch because he had to do a lot more thinking in Williams' defense, where he often lined up as the lone safety net.

Bowen also said he is just a "big believer in zone coverages, especially in today's game," because it takes away the vertical passing game.

"You can throw the slant route. That's great. But you got to throw 15 of those to get down the field," Bowen said. "And offenses will get impatient, and they might panic."

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