It had been eight months since the city of New Orleans last stepped foot into the Louisiana Superdome to watch a live Saints game. The off-season was spent revamping the defensive side of the ball, which was the Saints’ weak point throughout the 2007 season. The bringing in of free agents and some new coaches to the staff gave fans assurance that the defensive team would be better than it has been in previous years.
Unfortunately, it has been painfully clear that the secondary is still the main problem for the team. But one player stands above the rest for his continued lack of play: Cornerback Jason David. All of last season, David was beat down field and looked lost in coverage. But fans were promised that he was just having trouble with the system, having come over from the Indianapolis Colts’ Cover-2 scheme to the Man Coverage the Saints implement.
Time and time again, David looked confused and ill prepared for whomever the opposition would line up against him. But that was last season. Enter 2008. With the drafting of Tracey Porter, bringing in free agents Randall Gay and Aaron Glenn, as well as the improved play of Usama Young during camp, things were looking up. It was even reported that David was having a good early camp.
But in the two preseason games the Saints have played thus far, against Arizona and Houston, the secondary looked worse than before. They were not only giving up short passes, but allowing those short routes to turn into big gains down field.
David looked just as bad as last season, especially in the preseason home opener against Houston in which he was thrown at five times on a single drive (each one a completion) on the way to a go-ahead touchdown early in the game for the Texans. Houston quarterback Matt Schaub was nearly flawless in the game, going 14 of 16 for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Schaub threw to David's side of the field early and often, just as every quarterback had done all of last season.
Saints fans were forgiving last year, buying into the lie of David’s trouble adjusting to the system. Now, a chorus of boos and some profanity are directed to the field each time he proceeds to allow a pass play and still be allowed to stay on the field.
5 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Robert Lewis 10 months ago
Paul, I couldn't have said it better myself, its like you were in my head.
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Justin Goar 10 months ago
pray for a bad game this week against cincy. payton may just cut him outright on sunday and leave it up to guys like MM, craft, porter, young, and gay. that's what i'm hoping. this guy is a liability.
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Jadi Mwendo 10 months ago
I agree with you for the most part. The only thing I disagree with is that we can trade Jason David for a pick or two. Who would give us a pick for him? Even when he was in the cover 2 he was just a decent corner. He wasn't lockdown or anything. Plus, I'm sure his psyche is fragile now, maybe shattered. Who wants that...besides the Saints.
Our corner's names are Tracy Porter and Usama Young by the way.
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Robert Lewis 10 months ago
Trading him will be hard, we may have to just cut our losses. Which I doubt they will do. He will end up making the team, but be last on the depth chart. Getting Tracy Porter, and Usama Young more reps is the key, Young has shown potential, he just needs the experience, same with Porter. I only hope they can get it fast enough to not put us in a hole to early.
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Gris Gris Man 10 months ago
Rogert got to the meat of the problem "cut our losses", the unwillingness of the team to take the money hit is the only plausable reason we have not gotten rid of him. No team is going to pick up his contract for the kind of money we signed him to. Therefore we will not see him traded and are obligated to pay him off. Now since it's not my money I say cut him and pay him, it's business and must be viewed as a business deal that is not paying off, we must take the financial hit and move forward. If his salary obligation keeps us from putting out the big bucks for a replacement sorry, but cut him anyway and work with what we have left or try to pick up a promising but less expensive replacement. But cut him, trade him and get some of our money back or let him ride the wood just please keep him off the field. Nothing personal Jason...it's just business.
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