Did Someone Lose A Good Defense? I Think The Saints May Have Found It!

I am devoting this entire article to the New Orleans Saints defense. Yesterday's game was definitely too close for comfort, but the Saints held on to seal the deal in the closing seconds of the game.

My hat goes off to Coach Payton, and Gary Gibbs for the defensive overhaul this offseason. It showed yesterday, with a unit that can change so much from last year in only the first game of the season.

Let's look a the negatives from yesterday's game. Tackling was not the best we have seen, and most of the yards gained by Tampa came from missed tackles at the line of scrimmage. Had those tackles been made, Tampa would have only had half the yards they finished with.

The defensive adjustments need to improve also. Every time Jeff Garcia saw something in the Saints defense he checked off, and was able to complete a good play for a first down. The Saints need to make faster adjustments, and read the play better.

The Saints have only one way to go this year, and that is up. They have started the climb, and they did it without veteran corner back Mike McKenzie. Both Randall Gay, and rookie Tracy Porter held their own, and did not allow any big plays on either side of the field.

Porter was most impressive, breaking up two passes from Garcia. One in the endzone, and another on third and long that stalled the Tampa drive, setting up the scoring drive capped off by Reggie Bush to put the Saints ahead for good.

Rookie CB Porter was sure to get picked on by the Buccaneers offense, but denied them any room to make plays on his side of the field.

Jonathan Vilma, and Scott Fujita lead the team in tackles both with seven, along with Fujita adding an interception to seal the win. Both Vilma and Fujita played well, and were allowed to roam free for the most part due to the outstanding play of the front four.

The Saints had pressure on Garcia the whole day, sacking him twice and forcing him from the pocket numerous times. The most impressive part of the pressure was that it came without blitzing. Grant, Ellis, Smith, and McCray provided the push needed without the help of sending a fifth guy in.

I am very pleased at how different the Saints defense looked yesterday. Defenses only get better with time, and the Saints are going in the right direction.