MEET JUSTIN PAYNE
August 12, 2015
BREAKING: Thibodaux police chief stepping down
August 12, 2015
The New Orleans Saints’ defense was awful in 2015.
Just how bad was it? It was statistically one of the poorest units in the 94-year history of the NFL.
But if the experts are right, times just may be a-changing for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and his players. In fact, whispers out of the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia say that the Black and Gold are looking pretty good on defense in preseason practices.
Defense will be a huge storyline to follow for New Orleans in the 2015 season as the team grasps for ways to keep opponents out of the end zone. The Saints have new players and new coaches on the side of the ball. But perhaps what is needed most is a new attitude and a change in mindset after allowing 30 or more points in seven games last season.
“Things are going well,” New Orleans defensive lineman Cameron Jordan said. “We’re not in denial. We understand that last season was a struggle. But it’s a new year, and we like the things that we’re doing and the direction we’re headed. We’re working hard. We’re definitely putting in the time.”
The starting 11 will be much different for the Saints this fall.
That’s what happens when you have the defensive stats that New Orleans did last year. The Saints were No. 31 (out of 32 teams) in the NFL in total defense, surrendering 384 yards per game. They were No. 28 in scoring defense, giving up 26.5 points per game.
They couldn’t stop the run, nor the pass, ranking in the bottom of the league in both numbers. The defensive line couldn’t get pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and the defensive backs weren’t gifted enough to stay with receivers deep down the field.
Oh yeah, and they couldn’t get off the field on third downs, letting opponents convert 46 percent of their tries – a percentage that was No. 31 in the NFL.
Frustrated with the ineptitude, Saints management centered a lot of the team’s offseason moves toward fixing it.
On the defensive line, New Orleans shuffled a few pieces, cutting troubled defensive end Junior Galette and drafting his likely replacement, Washington outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha – a guy who was one of the best pound-for-pound defensive players in all of college football the past two seasons.
On the inside, the Saints snagged a veteran, inking 34-year-old former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kevin Williams to a free agent deal.
Those moves, combined with the ascent of Jordan have head coach Sean Payton optimistic about New Orleans’ ability to both rush the passer and stop the run.
Payton said he’s betting on Jordan to become a star in 2015 after a 7.5-sack season last year.
He’ll play both defensive end and outside linebacker based on down and distance situations.
“His versatility is a plus,” Payton said. “I see him as a guy that can play that end position for us, and even some outside linebacker.”
At inside linebacker, the Saints have a new starting middle linebacker after the team released Curtis Lofton in the offseason to save salary cap space.
Replacing Lofton is Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony, who New Orleans selected with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft – the pick the team got in the Jimmy Graham trade.
From the start of training camp, Anthony has impressed Ryan in his ability to be the “quarterback of the defense.”
The rookie is already making all of the defensive calls in practices, and is earning the respect of both his teammates and coaches with his ability to stay poised, despite his inexperience.
Anthony is also known as an incredibly physical player. That’s been on display throughout camp. His ascent is an important one, because Lofton recorded 145 tackles last season.
“This guy is not flinching out there,” Ryan said of the rookie. “The thing you’ve got to love about him is you heard him
out there. He hits. He hits people, he knocks people backward and we are in that business when you’re playing middle linebacker.”
But perhaps the biggest source of excitement for New Orleans’ defense is in the secondary where the Saints will now have a new slate of cornerbacks.
Out is Corey White – the guy who fans blamed for a lot of the team’s problems last season.
In is former Pro Bowler Brandon Browner, who the team signed to a big-money deal in the offseason. Browner is physical and experienced – one of the best cover corners in the league.
Teamed with veteran No. 1 cornerback Keenan Lewis and flanked with safeties like now-healthy Jairus Byrd, Kenny Vaccaro and Rafael Bush by their side, Browner sparks what may be the Saints best secondary that they’ve ever had under Payton – a group that wants to improve the Saints league-worst turnover forcing statistics.
“That’s something we lacked last year,” Lewis said regarding the turnovers. “We were near the bottom of the league in takeaways, and that’s what wins Super Bowls – when you can take the ball away and give your offense another opportunity.”
It’s a new year with new players, and based on last year’s struggles, there’s nowhere to go but up.
But the Saints think they are better.
Time will tell, but camp reports are good.
“We’re pleased with camp,” Ryan said. “We think that we’ll be very strong in a lot of areas.” •
