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New Orleans Saints: Doing Enough to Fix the Defense?

By Russell S. Baxter

Dec 6, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton (L) and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen (R) look on from the sideline during the second half of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Panthers won 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton (L) and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen (R) look on from the sideline during the second half of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Panthers won 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Every NFL team has its issues. For the New Orleans Saints, defense has been a four-letter word for far too long. Hopefully the team is taking the proper steps to fix a troubled unit.

The adage has been drummed in our football heads. Defense wins championships.

The New Orleans Saints actually know a thing or two when it comes to the subject. In 2009, they parlayed quarterback Drew Brees and an efficient offense with an opportunistic club that forced 29 turnovers during the regular season. They went onto total eight more takeaways in three postseason games and walked away with a Lombardi Trophy courtesy of a 31-17 win over Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

That seems like ages ago. At the very least, it was several thousand yards in the rear view mirror.

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This past season, only the New York Giants gave up more total real estate and passing yards in the NFL while the Philadelphia Eagles were worst when it came to stopping the run. The Saints surrendered a league-high 476 points and set a new league record for futility by allowing an astounding 45 touchdown passes.

One year earlier, the team also finished 31st in the NFL in total defense while giving up 26.5 points per contest. Back in 2012, the Saints set another record in allowing the most yards in a season in league annals. In ’13, the team hired Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator and he turned things around quickly as New Orleans was fourth in the NFL in fewest yards and points allowed.

As you can see, it proved to be a one-year aberration. Ten games into 2015, the embattled Ryan was replaced by Dennis Allen but things never really got that much better. After giving up 31.5 points per game under Ryan, Allen and the team gave up 26.9 points per contest.

Allen returns and the organization has signed some help, the headliner being former Saints’ linebacker James Laurinaitis.

Nov 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis (55) tackles Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis (55) tackles Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

“I’ve always wanted to be kind of the extension of the coach on the field to be in charge of that kind of stuff because I know how hard I studied,” said Laurinaitis to writers last week via conference call (courtesy of Christopher Dabe of the Times-Picayune). “And I, quite frankly, didn’t want to have to rely on other people when it comes to that.”

Coordinator Dennis Allen’s unit could certainly use that kind of take-charge presence on the field. Laurinaitis’ resume with the Rams speaks for itself, although this past season he had his issues – as his grades from Pro Football Focus indicate. The site ranked 130 inside linebackers in 2015 and the seven-year pro was a dismal No. 129.

Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Nick Fairley (98) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Nick Fairley (98) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Laurinaitis was one of three free-agent linebackers added this offseason, joining Nathan Stupar and Craig Robertson. This week, the defensive front got a little help with the addition of defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who played with Laurinaitis in St. Louis.

The Saints have missed the playoffs three of the past four seasons and their inability to stop teams have wasted some big years by Brees and the offense. After being the primary team to beat in the division, Sean Payton’s club has failed to capture the NFC South four straight years.

The Carolina Panthers feature one of the best defensive units in the league and have spent the offseason working on building depth. Under head coach Dan Quinn, the Atlanta Falcons have tried to rebuild a unit that faded as the season wore on in 2015. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been busy in free agency looking to get better on defense as well.

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It’s not hard to fall fast in the NFL these days. If these new defensive additions (and a good draft) don’t help, it could be another frustrating year in the Crescent City.

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