New Orleans Saints: 2009 Secondary Prediction

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

In 2008 the New Orleans Saints' secondary was the weakest link of the team. All three of the Saints' 2008 starting corners, Mike Mckenzie, Randall Gay and Tracy Porter, spent games on the side lines.

Although the Saints secondary is the weakest link it has shown some flashes, one of them being Jason David, who lead the Saints in interceptions and Usama Young who had a pair of interceptions.

Let's take a look at the 2009 secondary statistics. This will be done using the cornerbacks and safeties and will include the newest players to the Saints' secondary.

Corner backs:

Randall Gay: In 14 games with 13 starts, Gay recorded 52 tackles, one sack and 15 pass deflections.

Tracy Porter: In just five starts as a rookie, Porter showed flashes and recorded 23 tackles, one sack, five pass deflections and one interception.

Jabari Greer: In 10 games with 10 starts, Greer recorded 38 tackles, one forced fumble, seven pass deflections and two interceptions, both resulting in touchdowns.

Jason David: In 14 games with 6 starts, David recorded 23 tackles, 10 pass deflections and five interceptions.

Safeties:

Darren Sharper: In 16 games and starts, Sharper recorded 69 tackles, five pass deflections and one interception.

Roman Harper: In 15 games with 15 starts, Harper recorded 89 tackles and had nine pass deflections.

Usama Young: In 15 games with two starts, Young recorded 50 tackles, eight pass deflections and two interceptions.

Pierson Prioleua: In 16 games with one start, Prioleaua recorded 26 tackles.

As one can see, the Saints' secondary does indeed have players that could all perform better than others. If there is one man who will play for his players strengths it will be Gregg Williams. Here are my projected starters for each position and my analysis on how to use them in certain situations.

Starting Corner backs: Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter

Nickel Back: Randall Gay

Dime Back: Malcolm Jenkins

Free Safety: Darren Sharper

Strong Safety: Roman Harper

Yes, I know people are thinking, "How can you put our first rounder as the dime back?" I don't see him as the starting cornerback just yet. I've spent time thinking about this and I'd like to see the Saints develop Jenkins, yet still plug him in on certain packages. Expect to see Williams use Jenkins everywhere and for different looks; perhaps putting up against the tight ends might work in their favor.

This is how I would like to see the Saints use some of their players in certain situations: blitzes, over the top, and roaming around in the middle of the field.

Blitzers:

Tracy Porter has the speed to get after the quarterback and has already recorded a sack on a blitz. I would like to see him used as a blitzer at times.

Roman Harper is more of the hit hard, up close, on the line safety and I don't feel comfortable with Harper over the top defending the pass. I would like to see him blitzed and I feel if matched up against a running back, he could beat them for the sack.

Randall Gay: Another cornerback who recorded a sack for the Saints in 2008, I feel he can be one of the best nickels in the NFL. If used as one, he could get after the passer to help force more interceptions.

These three players could be very effective at chasing the pass rusher and could create some turnovers for the Saints. The more the Saints get after the quarterback and have him on his back, the more players stopped dead in their tracks and the more pressure that will be put on the line.

Mid Field Safety:

Malcolm Jenkins: The rookie out of Ohio State will be battling for one of the starting cornerback positions but I feel he could be used in many ways for the Saints on tight ends against teams like the Falcons, Buccaneers, Cowboys, and Redskins

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?