New Orleans vs. Tampa Bay matchups: from 黄剑's blog

 Saints defense vs. Buccaneers offense The New Orleans Saints begin their 2018 season with a division showdown at home this Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints are coming off an NFC South winning 11-5 season Color Rush Benjamin Watson Jersey , and are considered to be a Super Bowl favorite. One reason why is because of a vastly improved defense that finished 10th in points allowed, and that looks to have gotten better this offseason. Opposing New Orleans will be the Buccaneers, who were expected to push for a playoff berth a year ago, but instead stumbled to a 5-11 finish. Tampa's weakness is expected to be on the defensive side of the ball, and they do have some dangerous weapons in the passing game. Unfortunately for Bucs fans, they will also be without starting quarterback Jameis Winston for this game, and the first three games of the season due to violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Today, let's have a peek at how the New Orleans defensive unit matches up against the Buccaneers offensive weapons. SAINTS RUN DEFENSE vs. BUCCANEERS RUSHING OFFENSE Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty ImagesThe Saints ranked 16th in the league at defending the run last year, and had their struggles against rushing attacks at times. They surrendered 4.4 yards per opposing run attempt, ranking just 28th, and often gave up big runs early in games. Despite great improvement up front and in the secondary, the New Orleans linebacking corps still had some struggles last year, and the unit dealt with some injury problems. Rookie 3rd round pick Alex Anzalone went down for the year in the season's third game, and A.J. Klein missed four games, along with being limited in others. Anzalone and Klein both return, rejoining versatile defender Craig Robertson and Manti Te'o, who was a solid run defender for the New Orleans defense last year. The Saints upgraded their linebacking corps by adding Demario Davis in the offseason. Davis has had at least 100 tackles in four of the last five seasons, including an NFL 3rd-best 135 stops a year ago. He is a fast and aggressive sideline to sideline every down defender capable of playing any linebacking spot, and should give the team a playmaker at the position that's they've lacked. The Saints cornerbacks are good tacklers and solid run defenders, but they are often employed in man coverage, and could at times be taken away from a run play. They're ability to lock down opposing wideouts one on one however, could allow a safety such as Vonn Bell to play closer to the line of scrimmage as an extra defender against the run. Cameron Jordan has been best known for his pass rushing ability, but the truth is that he is one of the best all-around defensive ends in football. Both Alex Okafor and Trey Hendrickson are very good run defenders at end opposite Jordan, but the Saints have to answer some questions inside. Tackle Tyeler Davison is an outstanding run defender, and both Sheldon Rankins and David Onyemata are solid inside as well, but were guilty at times of getting caught off balance, giving opposing blockers the advantage. Tampa Bay ranked 27th in rushing yardage (1,448) and yards per carry (3.7) a year ago, and ran for just 8 scores. Third year back Peyton Barber returns as the starter, and led the team in rushing last year with 423 yards and 3 scores. Jacquizz Rodgers comes back as well, but the Buccaneers hope that second round pick Ronald Jones will add a dynamic element to their running game after three straight seasons of over 980 yards rushing for the University of Southern California. Bucs running backs failed to rush for a single score in two meetings with the Saints last year, averaging less than four yards per carry and less than 100 yards on the ground. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports~Matchup to Watch: Saints LB's vs. Buccaneer RB's~ The Saints linebackers were still somewhat inconsistent this preseason, and will continue to be the defense's weak link until they prove otherwise. Athletically and talent-wise, they appear to be the best linebacking corps the team has had in quite some time, but they must be able to prevent opposing runners from breaking off big gains, or from being major contributors in the passing game. The Saints ability to shut down what looks to be a weak Tampa Bay running attack will make them one dimensional, which wouldn't bode well for a team that will be missing it's starting quarterback. SAINTS PASS DEFENSE vs. BUCCANEERS PASS OFFENSE Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty ImagesNew Orleans ranked 17th in pass defense in 2017, but more importantly than that ranking was the fact that they created pressure on their opponents. The Saints sacked opposing quarterbacks 42 times http://www.authenticsneworleanssaints.com/cheap-max-unger-jersey , and intercepted 20 passes, good for third in the NFL. Cam Jordan had the first All-Pro season of his stellar career, and was the focal point of the team's pressure up front. His 13 sacks were a career high, and he was often able to deflect or alter throws when he didn't bring down opposing signal callers. The Saints finally found an answer at defensive end opposite Jordan last season. Alex Okafor was having the best season of his career when he went down with an Achilles injury in the team's tenth game. His 4.5 sacks was still good for second on the defense, and he looks to be fully recovered. Trey Hendrickson got off to a slow start during his rookie year, but had a very strong preseason to make many believe that he is primed for a strong 2018 campaign. New Orleans also traded up in this spring's draft to select edge rusher Marcus Davenport with the 14th pick. Davenport was limited through the preseason with injury, but showed exciting potential over the last two exhibition games. Rankins and Onyemata only combined for 4 sacks last season, but showed the potential to be a disruptive tandem inside, and each had a fine preseason to promote those expectations. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes to employ an aggressive scheme that relies on man coverage and at times a high percentage of blitzing. That strategy is successful, of course, only with solid coverage in the secondary, and New Orleans has one of the best cornerbacks in the league in Marshon Lattimore. The 11th overall draft pick a year ago, Lattimore led the Saints with five interceptions and 18 pass breakups, along with shutting down some of the best wideouts in the league. Ken Crawley blossomed into a solid cover man to compliment Lattimore in his second season, and the team expects the same sort of improvement from Arthur Maulet and P.J. Williams this season. New Orleans also added Patrick Robinson this offseason as a free agent this offseason. Robinson, who played for the Saints from 2010-14, was one of the better slot corners in the league last season with Philadelphia. The team's cornerbacks benefit from solid play behind them at safety. Vonn Bell is an outstanding blitzer, finishing tied for second with Okafor in sacks last year, and can also provide effective slot coverage. Kurt Coleman was added in free agency from Carolina to give the Saints another veteran player on the back end, and second year free safety Marcus Williams is a ballhawking playmaker who looks to be on the verge of stardom. The Saints coverage will be tested by a Buccaneers receiving corps that is as dangerous as any in the game. Wide receiver Mike Evans is a big, physical target considered to be one of the top wideouts in the conference. DeSean Jackson is a veteran deep threat still capable of blowing the top off a defensive coverage, and Chris Godwin looks like a breakout candidate after a good rookie season. Adam Humphries is an underrated wideout from the slot, and the Bucs have two dangerous threats at tight end in Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard. Tampa Bay's passing game ranked 4th in the NFL last season, but they will be without starting quarterback Jameis Winston for the season's first three games. Replacing him is veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has shown the potential throughout his career to get hot and tear a defense apart. Tampa's offensive line must do a better job keeping their passers upright after giving up 40 sacks a year ago. The Saints recorded six sacks in their two games against the Buccaneers a year ago, including two on Fitzpatrick when he stepped in for an injured and ineffective Winston in the team's first meeting last year while holding them to just 135 net yards through the air. Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images~Matchup to Watch: Marshon Lattimore vs. Mike Evans This is a marquee showdown between two of the top players at their respective positions. Lattimore held the pro bowl receiver to just one catch for 13 yards in their first meeting last season, frustrating Evans to the point of a physical confrontation. Evans had some success in the season finale against New Orleans with 5 receptions, but was still contained to just 55 yards. The 25-yr. old Evans just signed a contract extension with the Bucs this offseason, setting the stage for an intense personal rivalry with the Saints star cornerback for years to come. WHAT TO LOOK FORPhoto by Brian Blanco/Getty ImagesThe Saints ability to shut down a pedestrian Buccaneers rushing attack early is key to their defensive success. Despite the receiving talent that the Buccaneers possess, the strength of the New Orleans defense looks like their pass defense, especially against a backup quarterback that has been prone to turnovers throughout his career. Lattimore has the ability to contain Evans again, leaving the rest of the Saints secondary to focus on the other Tampa threats. New Orleans will put heavy pressure on Fitzpatrick, increasing the likelihood of turnovers or big plays. The Saints defense was impressive throughout the preseason and training camp, particularly against the pass. The team has both the talent and athleticism to potentially be one of the top defensive units in the NFL, and will look to make a strong statement to open what they hope will be a championship run in 2018.New Orleans Saints mid-preseason 53 man roster prediction The New Orleans Saints have completed half of their preseason games, and have officially broken training camp. The team is 1-1 in the games that don't count, with games against the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams to close out the exhibition schedule before their September 9 season opener against division rival Tampa Bay. With most of the Saints starters likely to see much more playing time in the team's next preseason contest, the chances of many players fighting to make the roster are now extremely limited before the league's main cutdown date over Labor Day weekend. With the exhibition period over halfway concluded Color Rush Sheldon Rankins Jersey , here is my 53-man roster projection for the defending NFC South champs. QUARTERBACK (3)Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsDrew Brees, Tom Savage, Taysom Hill (Practice Squad = J.T. Barrett)Not much has changed here during training camp. Barrett looks like a project, perhaps with enough potential to keep on the practice squad. Hill and Savage have both moved the offense at times, but neither has played well enough to give Saints fans much confidence should Brees miss any length of time. The guess here is that Hill just hasn't been consistent enough for Sean Payton to have the confidence to promote him to the number two quarterback over Savage, a player who has NFL starting experience. It's possible that New Orleans could make a move for a player like Teddy Bridgewater, who is reportedly being shopped for a trade by the New York Jets. The more likely scenario is that Savage opens up the year as backup, while Hill serves as the holder on kicks, possibly used on some gadget plays and as a special teams gunner like a season ago. RUNNING BACK (5)Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsMark Ingram*, Alvin Kamara, Jonathan Williams, Boston Scott, Shane Vereen, Zach Line (fb)(Practice Squad = Trey Edmunds)Notable Cuts = Terrence West,*(Mark Ingram will not count as a roster spot while he serves a four game league suspension to start the season)Williams has seemingly grabbed the top running back spot behind Ingram and Kamara with his performance through the first two exhibition games. Scott has flashed some ability as a runner, and will be a factor in the team's return game. Vereen may have the slight edge over West because of his versatility and pass receiving skills, but could be expendable upon Ingram's return to the lineup. Edmunds has been used at fullback a bit, and is a rugged inside runner, but doesn't look like he's done enough to overtake Line or grab one of the top running back spots. WIDE RECEIVER (5)Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesMichael Thomas, Tre'quan Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., Cameron Meredith, Brandon Tate(Practice Squad = Keith Kirkwood, Austin Carr)Notable Cuts = Tommylee Lewis, Josh Huff, Michael Floyd Meredith put to rest some recent rumblings that he would not be ready for the start of the season when he made his first game appearance against Arizona last week. Smith has the look of a potential 3rd round steal, Thomas is one of the best wideouts in the league, and Ginn continues to be a deep threat at 33-yrs. old. If the Saints keep six receivers, something they rarely do, then Kirkwood would almost certainly get the call, and he has been impressive at times. Otherwise, the veteran Tate gets the final receiver spot, primarily because of his kick return ability. TIGHT END (3)Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY SportsBenjamin Watson, Josh Hill, Dan Arnold (Practice Squad = Deon Yelder)Notable Cuts = Michael Hoomanawanui The return of Watson gives New Orleans a solid blocker that they have lacked in a starting tight end since his departure following the 2015 season. Arnold, a converted receiver, is a fundamentally solid blocker despite being undersized and can give Drew Brees another short range weapon in the passing game. Yelder, a raw project Youth Mark Ingram II Jersey , has done little through training camp, but has enough physical ability to possibly land on the practice squad. Hoomanawanui becomes expendable because of Watson's return, a likely increased role for Zach Line, and the ability of Rick Leonard or Josh Leribeus to be a sixth lineman in short yardage packages. OFFENSIVE LINE (8)Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesTerron Armstead, Andrus Peat, Max Unger, Larry Warford, Ryan Ramczyk, Josh LeRibeus, Rick Leonard, Will Clapp (Practice Squad = Cameron Tom)Notable Cuts = Jermon Bushrod, Michael Ola There aren't many fourth round draft picks that don't make the team in their rookie season, and while Leonard is certainly a project, he has shown good enough footwork that the Saints figure to keep him for development. Ola or Bushrod could be brought back for veteran insurance if Armstead or Ramczyk were to be injured. Leribeus played fairly well for New Orleans down the stretch of last season, and will likely be the first offensive lineman used off the bench, a role filled by Senio Kelemete over the past few seasons. It appears to be a toss-up between Clapp and Tom for the other interior line position, with the odd man out hopefully clearing waivers for a spot on the practice squad. Both are capable of playing either guard or center, and have received a large amount of reps throughout the preseason. DEFENSIVE LINE (8)Chuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsEnds: Cam Jordan, Alex Okafor, Marcus Davenport, Trey HendricksonTackles: Sheldon Rankins, David Onyemata, Devaroe Lawrence, Taylor Stallworth (Practice Squad = Al-Quadin Muhammad, Mitchell Loewen, Alex Jenkins)Notable Cuts = Tyeler Davison, George Johnson, Mitchell LoewenThis is perhaps the toughest overall unit to project. Davison and Johnson have given the team some good play, and Loewen has had a very good camp. Muhammad led the team in sacks last preseason, but has done little to stand out this year despite increased reps. Hendrickson has played some outstanding football this summer, and could be a breakout performer on the Saints defense. Lawrence and Stallworth have each had some fine moments in each of the Saints preseason games, and may have done enough to overtake Davison and Loewen. Johnson, a journeyman throughout his career, is a player who could be re-signed (if available) and contribute immediately if injuries hit the line as they did last year. LINEBACKER (7)Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsDemario Davis, Alex Anzalone, Craig Robertson, A.J. Klein, Manti Te'o Youth Alvin Kamara Jersey , Nate Stupar, Jayrone Elliott (Practice Squad = Colton Jumper)Notable Cuts = Hau'oli Kikaha Elliott burst into prominence with an impressive 2.5 sack performance against Jacksonville in the preseason opener, forcing two fumbles. He played little last week against the Cardinals, but has shown excellent explosiveness off the edge to the passer, giving him the edge over the injury-prone Kikaha. Stupar has starting experience at multiple linebacking spots, and solidifies the special teams. Despite some early summer rumors to the contrary, Robertson, Klein, and Te'o all appear to be safe. CORNERBACK (7)Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsMarshon Lattimore, Ken Crawley, Patrick Robinson, Arthur Maulet, Natrell Jamerson, Linden Stephens, Justin Hardee (Practice Squad = Kamrin Moore)Notable Cuts = P.J. Williams Maulet has had an outstanding training camp, and will likely receive alot of regular season snaps in the defensive backfield. Jamerson's versatility and special teams abilities should give the rookie 5th round pick a spot, while Hardee is one of the team's best special teams players. I've been high on Stephens, an undrafted rookie, to make this team from the start, and I'm standing by that feeling. The call to keep him over the veteran Williams is perhaps the most controversial of this list, but Stephens has gotten increased defensive snaps over the first two weeks, and plays an aggressive coverage style that coordinator Dennis Allen prefers. Williams has been nicked up by injury, causing him to miss some time, and struggled with consistency a year ago. SAFETY (4)Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesMarcus Williams, Kurt Coleman, Vonn Bell, Chris Banjo With the exception of Williams, who has had an outstanding camp, the New Orleans safeties have been unspectacular this preseason. Still, Bell and Coleman have both been solid NFL starters, and Banjo is a good special teams player. The ability of Jamerson to play safety as well as cornerback allows the team some additional versatility in the secondary. SPECIALISTS (3)Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY SportsThomas Morstead, Wil Lutz, Zach Wood The Saints boast one of the better punter/kicker duos in the league with Morstead and Lutz, along with a steady and consistent long snapper in Woods. Tate and Scott have emerged from the pack as solid potential kick returners this preseason, solidifying their roster spots. With an extremely limited number of opportunities left to make an impression on coaches, the chances for some players to keep their NFL dreams alive could lie in a single offensive or defensive snap, or with a standout special teams performance in each of these final two games.