Post by Guvmintcheeze on Sept 14, 2015 11:34:39 GMT
New faces, same results for Saints' struggling defense
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The New Orleans Saints’ revamped defense looked an awful lot like the old version in Sunday’s 31-19 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
There was a lot to like for about a 30-minute stretch in the middle of the game. But the start and the finish were downright nasty as the Saints were plagued by some of the same assignment and tackling breakdowns that plagued them in 2014.
For all the changes they made this offseason by overhauling the roster, simplifying coordinator Rob Ryan’s scheme and bringing in veteran assistant Dennis Allen to improve the fundamentals, they remain a work in progress.
Better strap in for another roller-coaster ride.
“I would say for three quarters of it, I thought there were a lot of good things. Then you hit that stretch in the fourth quarter, and there are two series that really set us back,” Saints coach Sean Payton said when asked if part of him expected the game to play out like it did with so many young guys playing on defense.
“For any team … you are going to be playing some young guys, and we have to get them ready and get the mistakes corrected here this week.”
The young guys don’t deserve all the blame in a game where the Saints never sacked quarterback Carson Palmer and allowed a total of 13 plays of 14-plus yards, including pass-interference penalties.
But the young guys did appear to get picked on during a few of the biggest killers.
Rookie middle linebacker Stephone Anthony was the closest defender chasing Cardinals running back David Johnson on his 55-yard TD catch that clinched the game with 1:33 remaining -- though it’s not clear if Anthony was out of position or just trying to make up for someone else’s mistake.
Rookie nickelback Damian Swann literally got picked on during a second-quarter play out of a three-receiver formation that allowed tight end Darren Fells to spring free for a 48-yard gain, which was aided by a big stiff-arm against veteran safety Rafael Bush.
Swann also got beat eventually on the Cardinals’ first touchdown -- a 10-yarder from Palmer to John Brown -- when Palmer had all day in the pocket to throw.
And first-year Canadian Football League import Delvin Breaux, who is known for his physical hands-on style, was flagged four times (one declined) for pass interference, holding or contact.
“I have to live with the calls they made and move on to the next play,” said Breaux, who otherwise appeared pretty solid and made a fantastic third-down pass breakup to give the Saints hope with 2:20 remaining.
All of the young guys showed some nice flashes, too. Rookie linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha forced the first turnover of the game in the third quarter -- a fumble that was recovered by Breaux.
Anthony had a terrific tackle for loss on the opening drive.
And Swann rallied for a big-time pass breakup when the Cardinals tested him deep with the speedy Brown on the second series of the game.
“It’s never as good as you think it is, and it’s never as bad as you think it is,” Swann said. “We just have to watch the tape and get ready to play football. We have Tampa coming in to our building next week, so we have to get at it.”
That’s the best news of all for the Saints’ young defense -- a chance to grow up against Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston, who experienced his own growing pains as a rookie in Week 1.
But even if next week is a high for the Saints’ defense, be prepared for many more twists and loops on the roller coaster all year long.
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The New Orleans Saints’ revamped defense looked an awful lot like the old version in Sunday’s 31-19 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
There was a lot to like for about a 30-minute stretch in the middle of the game. But the start and the finish were downright nasty as the Saints were plagued by some of the same assignment and tackling breakdowns that plagued them in 2014.
For all the changes they made this offseason by overhauling the roster, simplifying coordinator Rob Ryan’s scheme and bringing in veteran assistant Dennis Allen to improve the fundamentals, they remain a work in progress.
Better strap in for another roller-coaster ride.
“I would say for three quarters of it, I thought there were a lot of good things. Then you hit that stretch in the fourth quarter, and there are two series that really set us back,” Saints coach Sean Payton said when asked if part of him expected the game to play out like it did with so many young guys playing on defense.
“For any team … you are going to be playing some young guys, and we have to get them ready and get the mistakes corrected here this week.”
The young guys don’t deserve all the blame in a game where the Saints never sacked quarterback Carson Palmer and allowed a total of 13 plays of 14-plus yards, including pass-interference penalties.
But the young guys did appear to get picked on during a few of the biggest killers.
Rookie middle linebacker Stephone Anthony was the closest defender chasing Cardinals running back David Johnson on his 55-yard TD catch that clinched the game with 1:33 remaining -- though it’s not clear if Anthony was out of position or just trying to make up for someone else’s mistake.
Rookie nickelback Damian Swann literally got picked on during a second-quarter play out of a three-receiver formation that allowed tight end Darren Fells to spring free for a 48-yard gain, which was aided by a big stiff-arm against veteran safety Rafael Bush.
Swann also got beat eventually on the Cardinals’ first touchdown -- a 10-yarder from Palmer to John Brown -- when Palmer had all day in the pocket to throw.
And first-year Canadian Football League import Delvin Breaux, who is known for his physical hands-on style, was flagged four times (one declined) for pass interference, holding or contact.
“I have to live with the calls they made and move on to the next play,” said Breaux, who otherwise appeared pretty solid and made a fantastic third-down pass breakup to give the Saints hope with 2:20 remaining.
All of the young guys showed some nice flashes, too. Rookie linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha forced the first turnover of the game in the third quarter -- a fumble that was recovered by Breaux.
Anthony had a terrific tackle for loss on the opening drive.
And Swann rallied for a big-time pass breakup when the Cardinals tested him deep with the speedy Brown on the second series of the game.
“It’s never as good as you think it is, and it’s never as bad as you think it is,” Swann said. “We just have to watch the tape and get ready to play football. We have Tampa coming in to our building next week, so we have to get at it.”
That’s the best news of all for the Saints’ young defense -- a chance to grow up against Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston, who experienced his own growing pains as a rookie in Week 1.
But even if next week is a high for the Saints’ defense, be prepared for many more twists and loops on the roller coaster all year long.