The defense gave up 27 points and sadly that feels like progress. But based on how the first half went – you have to be at least slightly encouraged. The Saints got two turnovers, stops, and did a decent job against the run. Given how bad they’ve been, we’ll take it. The Saints gave up 65 yards rushing on 15 carries, for 4.3 yards per carry. That’s fantastic compared to season averages. Bortles’s 4 touchdowns and 124.5 rating were padded by garbage time throws, but the pass defense didn’t end this game the way we would have hoped. Still, some improvement overall. Below are the grades:
Cameron Jordan: C (2.69)
One of his quieter games this year. Blew by the right tackle on one pass rush and appeared to have Bortles dead to rights but went high and missed the sack. Only had 1 tackle.
Bobby Richardson: C (2.33)
His interception on the tipped ball was fantastic hustle, effort and playmaking. He did a good job getting up and returning that 13 yards. Otherwise, he deserves a D for not offering much of anything defensively but gets a grade boost for coming up with a huge play. Frankly, if a player on this unit at this point makes a huge play and then disappears the rest of the game, we’ll take it.
Kevin Williams: C (2.24)
Had 1 tackle and made little impact. Gave good hustle, though.
John Jenkins: A- (2.51)
Jenkins is a huge part of this defense. He’s the only true space eater in run support. When he’s hustling and playing well, the defense is set up to have some success. This was an excellent game for Jenkins in run defense. He ate space, clogged lanes, and finished with 6 tackles. The lateral movement is impressive for his size when he’s showing effort.
Kasim Edebali: C (2.13)
After his big week last week he didn’t seem to play as much. The majority of his pass rushes came on the interior, too, with Gwacham and Kikaha outside. He couldn’t get anything going pressure wise. He had 1 tackle. Did a decent job against the run.
Obum Gwacham: C- (2.10)
Came in as a pass rushing sub and didn’t offer much.
Tyeler Davison: C- (2.11)
Drew a holding penalty which prevented him from filling his gap on a big run play. Otherwise, the times the Jags had success running the ball he appeared to be in the game.
Hau’oli Kikaha: C- (2.31)
The amount of pass defense he played made zero sense. He was stonewalled when he tried to rush the passer and didn’t seem to have much variety in his moves. Stout in run support. He had 1 tackle.
Stephone Anthony: B- (2.62)
A decent day for Anthony without major mistakes. He didn’t do a great job in pass defense where he was caught trailing a couple times. Did a real good job in run support. Had 6 tackles.
David Hawthorne: C+ (2.12)
Played for the first time in a while seeing extended snaps on defense and finished with 3 tackles. Decent in run support, not great in pass decent.
Ramon Humber: C (2.55)
Finished with 6 tackles, though many were gifted by his dropping into a zone over the middle late where the throw often came underneath. He was good against the run and poor in pass defense. Was beaten on a 2 point conversion and failed to fill passing lanes on throws over the middle by Bortles.
Delvin Breaux: A+ (2.84)
After this game I’m ready to crown him ahead of Jordan and Vaccaro as my Saints Nation defensive player of the year. It was shocking how much Bortles tried to go after him in the first half. Breaux shut down whatever came his way. He had 4 tackles, including one on a WR screen where he absorbs a block and forces the play out of bounds, an interception, a tipped ball that led to Richardson’s pick, and 4 passes defended. A monster performance. It was Breaux Island out there, he looked like Revis.
Brandon Browner: D (1.71)
Started this game played solid run defense and tackling well. Had decent coverage, too, which often led to the play going away from him. Then? Disaster. Allen Robinson ran right by him twice for HUGE gains, including a 90 yard touchdown. Later, he was smoked by Allen Hurns for another score. Amazingly he wasn’t flagged which I believe is the first time this season. Otherwise, his pass coverage was awful in the second half. He led the team with 7 tackles.
Kyle Wilson: C+ (2.08)
Was beat on one throw downfield but otherwise did ok in coverage. He had 3 tackles and was just late on a big hit/blitz on Bortles.
Chris Owens: D+ (1.89)
He finished with 1 tackle and was beaten for a touchdown in coverage. Wilson seemed to go down with a leg injury which is when Owens was thrust into action. Whenever he is, he seems to give up a score. That’s twice now and the coverage wasn’t good.
Jairus Byrd: C- (2.28)
Missed a couple tackles by being too aggressive coming up to make a play. Didn’t give Browner enough help on a couple big plays. He had 3 tackles, one for a loss which was gifted thanks to a bad snap. Another poor showing.
Kenny Vaccaro: A- (2.78)
He did a fantastic job on blitzes, notching both sacks for the Saints on the day. He also had an interception on a 2 point conversion which he came very close to taking back the distance. He finished with 3 tackles and did a good job in coverage. A relative low tackle total, though, considering.
Jamarca Sanford: C+ (2.36)
Played as a reserve 3 deep safety late. Didn’t have to do much. Was credited with one tackle on special teams.
Kai Fortbath: D (2.52)
I can live with his kickoffs sometimes setting up the opposing team with field position if he’s automatic on field goals. Unfortunately he was 1 for 3 which makes him 8 for 14 on the year with the Saints. That’s just not good enough. He did hit all 5 PATs and a 37 yarder, but missed from 52 and had a 28 yarder blocked. The Saints need a new kicker. I’d almost lobby for a week 17 change. Either way, I don’t want him to be the guy next year. He mostly got touchbacks on his kickoffs.
Thomas Morstead: B- (2.59)
His last punt was a touchback but he was just trying to get the ball out on an all out blitz at the end of the game. He averaged 49.5 on two punts with a net of 37.5. Not his best but it was a quiet afternoon and his first punt was solid and caused a fumble.
Seantavius Jones: B- (2.67)
Showed good effort and pursuit the times I saw him in coverage. Had 1 tackle. Also had a target on offense on a ball Brees threw away.
Brian Dixon: C- (2.50)
Flagged for holding on a punt return by Cadet. Too bad, because he was in the mix for Saints Nation special teams player of the year with Morstead.
My Defensive Player of the Game: Delvin Breaux
My Special Teams Player of the Game: Thomas Morstead
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