After an impressive performance against the Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game, the New Orleans Saints’ defense turns its collective attention to perhaps one of its biggest challenges this preseason. The New England Patriots have consistently been one of the league’s top offensives, resulting in the re-writing of the record books, not to mention multiple Super Bowl appearances. Slowing down the powerful Patriot offense will be a tall task for a Saints’ defense that is still working out the kinks of a new system.
Stopping TE Rob Gronkowski will be a huge priority for the Saints' D.
PASS DEFENSE
The Saints’ performance against the Cardinals’ passing game provided fans with a ton of optimism. Arizona was limited to subpar performances from all four quarterbacks that they played, who totaled only 215 passing yards and two interceptions. The Saints’ new found pass rush made an immediate impact, transforming the defense into shades of a 2009 unit that led the team to a championship.
To say that the Saints will have a tougher task against the Patriots is a bit of an understatement. Unlike Arizona, New England has no quarterback controversy; Tom Brady, when all is said and done, might go down as perhaps the top passer of his generation. The Pats had the league’s second best passing offense, just below the Saints, averaging 317.8 yards per game.
The passing game centers around the speedy Wes Welker at wide receiver, and the tight end tandem of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Since becoming a Patriot, Welker has become one of the more productive wide receivers in the NFL, leading the league in receptions in 2009 and last year. His quickness is his biggest asset, working mostly out of the slot and catching quick passes from Brady.
Gronkowski needs no introduction. Along with the Saints’ Jimmy Graham, Gronkowski has become one of the league’s most dominant forces at tight end, leading somewhat of a revolution at the position. Gronk’s 1,327 receiving yards last year were the most ever by a tight end in league history. His 6’6” frame, speed, and leaping ability make Gronkowski extremely difficult to defend.
New England’s second tight end, Aaron Hernandez, also can make an opposing defense’s day miserable. The speedy Hernandez, although much smaller than Gronkowski, can get open with ease, and even saw time in the backfield during the playoffs last year.
Add to that the addition of WR Brandon Lloyd, and the Saints will have a tough time matching up with the weapons of the New England passing attack, especially with a depleted secondary. Not only are starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Patrick Robinson out with injury, nickel corner Johnny Patrick left practice earlier this week with an undisclosed back injury; his status and availability for tonight is still unknown. In order for the Saints to have any shot of slowing down the passing game of New England, pressuring Brady must be the main priority. Look for Junior Galette and Martez Wilson to rotate in on passing downs in order to create havoc off the edge. Pressure from the interior of the line needs to be another point of emphasis; Sedrick Ellis and Cameron Jordan, who switches from DE to DT on passing downs, need to have big games.
RUN DEFENSE
New Orleans was stale defending the run a week ago, as Cardinal running backs were able to average four yards a carry and keep the game close late into the second half. DC Steve Spagnuolo will look to have his defense do a better job in filling running lanes and wrapping up ball-carriers as the preseason rolls along.
The Patriots‘ running game has been one by committee for some time now. The unit ranked near the middle-bottom of the pack league wide (20th), allowing 110.2 yards per game, but averaging four yards per carry. Last year’s leading rusher, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, departed via free agency to Cincinnati. That leaves a backfield of Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, and undrafted rookie Brandon Bolden. Nonetheless, New England always seems to do just enough with the running game to get by, and the same should be expected with this year’s group.
For the Saints, defending the Patriot running game starts up front. Establishing the line of scrimmage will do wonders for the Saints‘ defense, making Patriot running backs work harder to find room to operate. Saint linebackers will need to do a better job of wrapping up and bringing down ball-carriers on first contact. The yards gained after contact need to be kept to an absolute minimum. If the defense can erase the run, New Orleans can head back home with a renewed sense of confidence.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
S Malcolm Jenkins
S Roman Harper
Jenkins and Harper will be given the difficult responsibility of covering the tandem of Gronkowski and Hernandez. Covering both tight ends has been difficult for pretty much all of the teams New England has faced, and the Saints are no exception. Knocking both players off of their routes at the line of scrimmage with either defensive ends or bigger linebackers might slow the two, but ultimately not stop them. It will be fascinating to see how the defense reacts when both tight ends are on the field together. Both Jenkins and Harper will need to have great games in order for the Saints to keep it close early on.
CB Corey White
With the secondary depleted, the rookie White will see more playing time tonight, especially with the first unit. That means White might end up covering either Welker or Lloyd, which would be a huge mismatch for the Saints‘ defense. White, however, has the opportunity to make a huge impression with a solid performance. If he can somehow hold his own against the Patriot receiving corps, White might have an outside shot of platooning with Patrick at nickel corner.
