The New Orleans Saints have been dealing with multiple injuries in their defensive secondary. Though the only 10-0 team in the NFC has been able to overcome the situation against the likes of the Rams and Buccaneers, the Patriots are coming to town on Monday night.
But Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, whose work this year could get him onto the short-list for head-coaching vacancies not filled by Bill Cowher and Mike Shanahan, says that the blitz-happy Saints will do nothing any differently this week, when facing Randy Moss and Wes Welker.
“We’re going to play against Brady a certain way and we’re going to do all the things that we normally do against him,” Williams said in comments distributed by the team. “We have to try to help the people that are in there and put them the right position. But it won’t change at all.”
The Saints have not yet applied the probable/questionable/doubtful labels to their injured players in advance of Monday night’s game. Cornerback Tracy Porter has not practiced this week; cornerback Jabari Greer and cornerback Randall Gay have practiced on a limited basis.
The best news is that safety Darren Sharper, who missed the Rams game with a knee injury, has been removed from the injury report completely.
In recent weeks, the Saints have added veteran cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Mike McKenzie to provide depth, due to the injuries.
Gregg Williams is awesome!
“We’re going to play against Brady a certain way and we’re going to do all the things that we normally do against him,” Williams said in comments distributed by the team. “We have to try to help the people that are in there and put them the right position. But it won’t change at all.”
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So sayeth the defensive coordinator of the leagues 17th ranked defense. I bet the Jets had the same idea. Anyone wanna bet Welker still has a good day? Maybe even Moss?
Might want to edit that first paragraph so it makes more sense.
They said they won’t change, and they will do the things they normally do against Brady, but they don’t exactly meet that often, do they? Also, that same formula hasn’t met with much success. My guess is they will do a few things to mix up the look. Only makes sense, as if you want to slow down the Pats, you will need to get to Brady. Not an impossible task, but it sure has been more difficult as of late, with Welker back, and Vollmer in in place of Light. Then again, Vollmer is hurt, and may not play, and Light, pro bowls or not, can be beaten.
The real problem is the Saints secondary. The Pats are real familiar with Gay, and the whole unit is shaky. If the line can protect Brady it could be a long, hard game for the Saints. If they get a running game going it could be even worse. Don’t forget about the NE defense as well. People are all predicting a high scoring game. I wouldn’t count on that. NE has quietly put together one of the best defenses in the NFL, and it has been getting better each week since the beginning of the season. The Saints will score, but not that often. My guess is they will score somewhere between 18 to 24 points max. The Saints D will simply HAVE to produce if they want to win.
This is where thwe Saints gets exposed for what it really is.They think they are so great because they have 20 picks.Well,17 of them came from rookies or young qb’s.You know Stafford,Freeman,Henne,Kolb and Ryan.Against DelHomme,E.Manning,Edwards and Bulger they got 3 total. Brady won’t fall for their simple schemes.I bet he,Moss and Welker will pass it down their throat.Just like Favre will in January.
The Saints secondary is not shaky.
Porter is out. We have heard the same stupid comments for the last 10 games from opposing fans.
Blah Blah Blah and they all get their ass whipped.
You can’t stop Brees or our run game.
Moss will get his and so will Welker. It just won’t be enough.
11-0 You had your turn, now go away.
You and the rest of the media just can’t get use to the idea that someone besides the Brady_Farve have a better team. Your 7-3 and suck on the road.We are 10-0. Thats the facts, the rest is pure pie in the sky wishful thinking.
SpeedyGonzalez, you should have said, “So sayeth the defensive coordinator of a defense who has compiled the most turnovers, the most defensive touchdowns, and the most INTs in the league despite playing without key players in the secondary, along the defensive line, and our starting SLB.”
And yes, they’ve given up a lot of rushing yards the last few weeks to Michael Turner, Deangelo Williams, & Steven Jackson (which has hurt their ranking). But when you’re missing your 2 starting DTs, that will happen.
Good news for the Saints is they’ll almost be back to full strength on Monday Night. It sounds like the only player who will miss the game is starting RCB Malcolm Jenkins. And there’s quality depth behind him.
Whoops, I meant Tracy Porter, not Jenkins.
Dan Snyder: “Gregg Williams just isn’t a sexy HC, but at least I’ve hired my OC. Zorn’s presence will make this a plum job every sexy HC would want.”
and everyone that believes that nonsense may now go out side and play…
No one approaches the Pats without a specialized game plan, and if they are looking a bit vulnerable in the defensive backfield due to some injuries you know he is going to scheme the crap out of things to try and cover the holes.
I am glad the NO is looking healthier than they have been for a few weeks. That should take away any excuses and distractions and leave us with a great, and very telling, football game.
Postman says: November 28, 2009 10:06 AM
And yes, they’ve given up a lot of rushing yards the last few weeks to Michael Turner, Deangelo Williams, & Steven Jackson (which has hurt their ranking). But when you’re missing your 2 starting DTs, that will happen.
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Really? Because a lot of the best runs of DW and MT that I saw were to the outside. Why wouldn’t they be attacking inside more if the DTs were THE weak link against the run?
Now if you want to say those are three great RBs and sometimes they will get theirs, I could buy that.
To the guy (Pervy?) who broke down the Saints’ D’s INTs vs rookies vs vets, that’s a great point. As a Pats fan I know that the Pats D also benefitted from facing teh sanchize. All that matters is how they match up against each other.
CKL, teams have had a little success outside because of DEs & LBs overcompensating for the weakness inside and thus, lose containment.
Now that Ellis is back, I expect the Saints to have a stout run defense like they did early in the year.
It’s all moot though, because the Pats are mediocre running the football.
GO PATRIOTS!!! THIS IS FROM A VIKINGS HOMER!! LOL
stanjam says:
November 28, 2009 9:23 AM
Might want to edit that first paragraph so it makes more sense.
They said they won’t change, and they will do the things they normally do against Brady, but they don’t exactly meet that often, do they? Also, that same formula hasn’t met with much success. My guess is they will do a few things to mix up the look. Only makes sense, as if you want to slow down the Pats, you will need to get to Brady. Not an impossible task, but it sure has been more difficult as of late, with Welker back, and Vollmer in in place of Light. Then again, Vollmer is hurt, and may not play, and Light, pro bowls or not, can be beaten.
The real problem is the Saints secondary. The Pats are real familiar with Gay, and the whole unit is shaky. If the line can protect Brady it could be a long, hard game for the Saints. If they get a running game going it could be even worse. Don’t forget about the NE defense as well. People are all predicting a high scoring game. I wouldn’t count on that. NE has quietly put together one of the best defenses in the NFL, and it has been getting better each week since the beginning of the season. The Saints will score, but not that often. My guess is they will score somewhere between 18 to 24 points max. The Saints D will simply HAVE to produce if they want to win.
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Yet ANOTHER Pat fan MORON. The ONLY reason why NE’s defense APPEARS to be any good is because the Pats haven’t beaten ONE SINGLE GOOD TEAM YET THIS SEASON. The Saints’ offense is every bit as good as Indy’s AND their defense is BETTER. Get ready for the Saints to do what every single other good team has to the Pats this season…BEAT THEM.