Saints Dolphins Comparison NOT about Drew Brees

[FinsFanatic777]

Looking back at the New Orleans Saints victory in Superbowl 44 over the Indianapolis Colts... A lot of things jumped out at me... And it's not the fact that we had the chance to sign Drew Brees... It was the defense.

Last year, the Saints defense was one of the worst (if not the worst - they had one of the best offenses in NFL history and still failed to make the playoffs). However, they addressed this need by bringing in a new defensive coordinator (Gregg Williams) and acquiring new key pieces via draft/FA, such as Jonathan Vilma, Darren Sharper, Malcolm Jenkins, etc.

Similarly, our defense was the part of the defense that held us back this season. It got exposed numerous times (to both the Colts AND the Saints, by the BILLS, and etc...). However, we addressed this need by drafting Vontae Davis and Sean Smith. Most importantly, we brought in a defensive guru, Mike Nolan, hired the Giants' Sheridan as LB coach, and made some other key moves as well.

The way I see it, our defense can make a turnaround as well. Like the Saints, we brought in a new defensive boss, focused our draft on new young studs on defense...

Which leads me to the conclusion that to make such a great turnaround we need a (or more) playmaker(s) on defense. I would love to get Karlos Dansby in free agency (or Kirk Morrison or Thomas Howard) to bring in athletic LB's that can actually keep up with TE's, RB's, or even WR's (watch the Superbowl where Vilma keeps up with Colts WR Anthony Collie and swats away a potential TD, leading to a missed Colts field goal and ultimately changing the pace of the game).

Secondly, by taking a playmaker on defense, we need a ballhawk... And that man is Earl Thomas, FS from Texas. I would LOVE (and love is not a word strong enough) to get Eric Berry, but that will never happen because A) he will be gone by then, and B) it will cost too many draft picks. Earl Thomas is a bit undersized, but FS don't necessarily have to be hard hitters... they just need a knack for the ball, and Thomas clearly has that. The biggest play in the Saints-Colts game was when Tracy Porter intercepted Manning for pick-6, making a perfect read (although it was a terrible job by Wayne, who I think is one of the most overrated receivers in the NFL, on his route). If we have Earl Thomas, who can make those game changing plays, our defense, like the Saints, will have a major turnaround, barring serious injury. Look at the Saints defense when they have Jabari Greer healthy... It was on an ESPN (I think) article, and the difference is huge.

I'm not saying that we will be anywhere near the Saints' level, but just watching the Superbowl made me think about our defense compared to the Saints'. Just imagine if we had a ballhawk back there instead of Gibril Wilson, and we would have saved so many points scored against us, and ultimately wins as well. Just my two cents....

Oh and btw, before I get any hate for the Reggie Wayne comment... I do think he is one of the most overrated receivers in the league. He runs great routes, but it is Manning that makes him look so good. He's a great receiver no doubt-but certainly not elite. He dropped easy balls this season (one during the Superbowl on 4th down). And if Manning can take two receivers with a grand total of 4 catches and still throw for 4500 yards and win MVP without Marvin Harrison (arguably the 2nd best receiver in NFL history and Manning's most reliable for the past decade or so) just proves how overrated Wayne (and the rest of the Colts receiving corps) are. I mean come on... Dallas Clark was a walk-on linebacker at Iowa, and now he's one of the best TE's in the league? Coincidence?

And please, I don't want this to be an argument over Reggie Wayne. I want this to be an assessment of the Dolphins' defense in comparison to the Saints.

 

[Doctor Phibes]

I like the comparison of their WRs to ours. I think the Saints have shown how far you can go with a group of workmanlike, fairly cheap, largely unheralded, unselfish receivers. No divas, nobody on big money, just a group of young players who work hard and understand the system. They've all been there a few years with the same QB so they're all on the same page

They got a couple of guys (Henderson and Meacham) with high round picks and were patient with them. They got lucky with a couple of guys who came from nowhere (Colston and Moore). Basically they've used the draft and steered clear of spending big money and high draft picks going after the big name veterans.

I think we should do the same - stay patient - develop the receivers we have - keep looking for "diamonds in the rough" and not go after the likes of Marshall and Boldin. The group we have already will improve the longer they play with Henne - I think that was already happening towards the end of the season where they were all making a few plays deep down the field

 

[Etuoo33]

I like the comparison of their WRs to ours. I think the Saints have shown how far you can go with a group of workmanlike, fairly cheap, largely unheralded, unselfish receivers. No divas, nobody on big money, just a group of young players who work hard and understand the system. They've all been there a few years with the same QB so they're all on the same page

They got a couple of guys (Henderson and Meacham) with high round picks and were patient with them. They got lucky with a couple of guys who came from nowhere (Colston and Moore). Basically they've used the draft and steered clear of spending big money and high draft picks going after the big name veterans.

I think we should do the same - stay patient - develop the receivers we have - keep looking for "diamonds in the rough" and not go after the likes of Marshall and Boldin. The group we have already will improve the longer they play with Henne - I think that was already happening towards the end of the season where they were all making a few plays deep down the field

There's a big difference in their receivers and ours.... size. So in that respect there's no comparison.

 

[Doctor Phibes]

There's a big difference in their receivers and ours.... size. So in that respect there's no comparison.

Only Colston - the rest are are about the same. The biggest difference between their receivers and ours is Drew Brees

 

[ckparrothead]

There's more to this. Sparano and Payton are both Parcells guys, they're actually pretty tight. Payton got to the Saints and right away made a huge splash, going 10-6 and making it to the playoffs. The next year, they started off the year 0-4 before getting back on track and even then they couldn't finish the year out...they went 7-9.

At that time, Payton's name was mud and people were questioning whether 2006 was just a fluke. Even more so when they finishd 2008 with an 8-8 record.

Now they're champions.

When you have a good coach, keep him around, don't be surprised if you get real good at some point.

 

[H4wt Pocket]

wow, some of the similarities between our team and the saints are quite interesting. it's exciting to see how a team like the saints can go from the middle of the pack to champions. we aren't there yet, but after reading this kind of information, there really seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. i can't wait to see what we'll do in free agency and in the draft. next season should be very exciting!