Forum: Saints News
Posted By: mvtrucking
Post Time: 05-19-2013 at 01:43 AM
Forum: Saints News
Posted By: mvtrucking
Post Time: 05-19-2013 at 01:44 AM
Read more of this Saints News post via SaintsReport.com - 11,22,23,24,67
Forum: Saints News
Posted By: mvtrucking
Post Time: 05-19-2013 at 01:48 AM
Read more of this Saints News post via SaintsReport.com - 11,22,23,24,67
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Read more of this Saints News post via New Orleans Saints News
Media giants like ESPN and the analysts at the NFL network have been telling us for years that the passing game is taking over football and the running game has a diminishing importance what teams do.
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Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
With the New Orleans Saints switching to a 3-4 defense, the team will need a defensive tackle to anchor the defense. The Saints were planning on using Akiem Hicks at defensive tackle, but they also drafted John Jenkins in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. Both players seem capable of playing the nose tackle in the 3-4 defense, but both are inexperienced in playing that position at the professional level.
In order to add some depth, the Saints added defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui.
Aaitui spent some time last season with the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, and has only every played in the preseason with four tackles and a sack. He will likely compete for a backup spot at defensive tackle, but having an extra player for the position will be valuable to the Saints.
Aaitui has good size at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds and will be able to provide the team with some depth on the defensive line. Hicks will likely be the starting defensive tackle, but there was talk of using him as a defensive end as well. Even though he will only be a rookie, Jenkins could see some time at defensive tackle.
The nose tackle position is arguably the most important position in the 3-4 defense and one of the most demanding. I don’t think it would be out of the question for the Saints to implement a rotation at nose tackle that features Hicks, Jenkins, and Aaitui. With a good training camp and preseason Aaitui could find himself earning some playing time during the regular season.
However, only time will tell if Aaitui even makes the 53-man roster, but his addition gives the Saints some good depth at defensive tackle.
Alejandro Aviles is the Featured Writer for the New Orleans Saints at Rant Sports @aaviles312
Read more of this Saints News post via NFL» New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Even though it is only the offseason for the New Orleans Saints, that doesn’t mean that some starting jobs aren’t already set. There is no official word on which players will be starting where, but many people have a pretty clear idea of some positions.
Some vital starting positions for the Saints will be on the defensive side of the ball. One thing that the Saints will need to focus on next season is improving their pass rush.
The Saints had a chance to draft an effective pass rusher in this year’s draft, but instead opted for Kenny Vacarro to help their secondary. One player that will have to step up this season is outside linebacker Junior Galette. Galette had limited playing time last season but he will see his role increase next season as the team implements their new 3-4 defensive scheme.
Galette is the favorite to win the starting weakside outside linebacker position, and perhaps his potential is part of the reason the Saints did not feel the need to draft a pass rusher with their first-round pick. In 12 games last season Galette was very productive as he managed 20 tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble.
As a regular starter, Galette’s production could increase and he could become the pass rusher the Saints have been looking for.
He has great size at 6-foot-2, 258 pounds and is the perfect fit for a 3-4 outside linebacker. Galette also has great speed and strength that will allow him to get to the quarterback and vastly improve the Saints’ pass-rushing attack. He will probably benefit the most from the switch to the 3-4 defense and could become a force on the Saints’ defensive line.
Alejandro Aviles is the Featured Writer for the New Orleans Saints at Rant Sports @aaviles312
Read more of this Saints News post via NFL» New Orleans Saints
Matthew Emmons – USA Today Sports Images
The New Orleans Saints are a team that is looking for a big bounce back year in 2013 after their 2012 NFL season was marred by the “Bounty-gate” suspensions to key defenders for most of the season and their head coach for the entire year. They finished last year at just 7-9 and six games behind the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South.
However, the Saints offense didn’t miss too much of a beat last year, with star quarterback Drew Brees throwing for over 5,000 yards and more than 40 touchdowns for yet another year. There’s no question that they could put points on the board last year, even if it was largely through the passing game.
The Saints threw 671 pass attempts last season, while calling just 370 rushing plays. They have been and will likely continue to be a team that heavily favors throwing the ball, largely because Brees is such a game-changer. Despite how great Brees is, though, having a consistent running threat would make him even better. However, the Saints didn’t have that last season.
Their leading rusher last season was Mark Ingram, who got 156 carries and produced 602 yards. Pierre Thomas got the second most carries at 105, followed by Darren Sproles at 48 and the now-departed Chris Ivory at 40 carries. The Saints ran an obvious platoon at running back last season, but Ingram was the featured back in that system.
Looking towards the 2013 season, though, that shouldn’t be the case anymore. In his first two NFL seasons, Ingram has 278 carries for just 1,076 yards, only good for a 3.9 yards per carry average. Meanwhile, Thomas has 215 carries over the past two seasons for 1,035 yards, making his yards per carry average 4.8. Thomas is five years older than Ingram, so the team is obviously trying to develop him. However, it seems like Ingram may just not be an effective enough back at the pro level.
Though Sproles is used in the passing game out of the backfield more frequently than he’s handed off to, he can still help the Saints run a platoon if that’s the way they want to roll. Rookie Khiry Robinson and Travaris Cadet can also be developed as young running backs if New Orleans wants to continue to try and do that. The fact of the matter is, though, that Ingram has shown little signs of being an effective running back and the Saints should work on getting him fewer carries this season.
Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.
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