The casual fan may not realize just how bad the Saints defense was a year ago. They set NFL records for Quarterback rating yielded. That means, on average, every starting QB they faced put up MVP type numbers. The likes of Brian Hoyer, Kirk Cousins, Brandon Weeden and others played a part in that record. The Saints also yielded the most touchdown passes in NFL history for a season. Cornerback Brandon Browner also broke the NFL record for most penalties committed by an individual player for a season. When you consider these stats, you can make a case for this truly being the worst defense of all time – and it’s unquestionably in the top 5 regardless of what stat measure you want to go by. The Saints made a lot of moves this offseason, possibly none more significant than releasing Browner. The addition by subtraction with that move can’t be overlooked as he put together arguably the worst season by an NFL defensive player that’s ever been seen. Still, this unit is young and short on talent. The Saints added James Laurinaitis, Nick Fairley, Craig Robertson, Roman Harper and Nate Stupar most notably in an effort to give this unit more veteran talent and leadership. They also drafted talented defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and safety Vonn Bell in the first two rounds. On paper, especially with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan gone and replaced by Dennis Allen, there are the makings for improvement. It’s almost impossible not to. But the lack of health is a major problem already.
First, the Saints lost 2015 2nd pick Hau’oli Kikaha to a torn ACL before training camp. Kikaha was expected to start and be one of the best pass rushers on the team after a really promising rookie year. They then lost veterans CB Kyle Wilson and S Jamarca Sanford for the year due to injuries. While these aren’t household names, they were role players on the 53 man roster a year ago and they were viewed as some of the few players worth their salt in sub packages. These injuries all happened before training camp started.
Since training camp, the Saints have lost promising 2015 rookie CB Damian Swann to injury (placed on IR), top pick DT Rankins broke his leg (out an estimated 6 weeks), and starting cornerback Keenan Lewis (released due to injury). Lewis, Swann and Wilson all figured to be in the top 5 rotation at cornerback and none will be on the field for the Saints this season. 2015 1st round pick Stephone Anthony had a massive injury scare as well as he was carted off in preseason, but he now appears to be ok.
The Saints have in the last 48 hours signed pass rusher Paul Kruger traded for pass rusher Chris McCain in an effort to re-bolster talent. They also recently signed aging CB Cortland Finnegan, and it’s now not only looking more and more likely he’ll make the team – there’s a real chance he’ll see significant playing time. The Saints have yet to start the regular season and they are already without five defensive players that were projected to make the 53 man roster. Of those five players, two were projected starters. In addition, Rankins is a projected starter that’s sure to miss at least the first 3-4 games of the season. A brutal blow for a dismal unit that’s trying to bounce back from standard setting ineptitude.
If the Saints stand any chance to look better on defense this year, the fortune has to turn around immediately in terms of health. The lack of depth really prevents them from being able to absorb much more.
