Saints: Wasting good defense
The defense has improved.
But the offense has regressed.
In two of the Saints' three losses this season, the team has wasted a couple of stellar defensive performances.
Consider, over the last three weeks, the offense has allowed more touchdowns (four) than the defense has allowed (two).
That is a serious problem.
For the first time this season, the boos could be heard in the Superdome. The honeymoon period after February's Super Bowl win looks to be nearing its end.
But there is hope.
While the defense has been playing well, it hasn't forced turnovers in bunches as it did a year ago. Injuries have been critical in that, but safety Darren Sharper returned on a limited basis on Sunday and cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter should return within the next few weeks.
No player on the roster creates mismatches the way Bush does, and his absence since Week 2 has decimated the Saints redzone offense. Brees has struggled without his favorite checkdown target in Bush. Considering the pressure Brees has seen from opposing defenses, checking down to a back such as Bush, who can turn a 2-yard catch into a 10-yard play, could be a big help in giving Brees more time behind an underachieving offensive line.
For now, though, there are serious problems with the Saints offense. And those problems are making good defensive performances irrelevant.
HoumaToday.com Staff Writer Matt LeBlanc can be reached at 857-2212 or 448-7600 ext. 2212 or [email protected].
Click to read the original Saints article by SaintsReport.com - 11,23,24
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