Lost in all the fun and fanfare of that insane game is just how abysmal the defensive performance was. The Saints gave up 49 points (though 7 came by way of a defensive score), 416 yards, 6 touchdown passes and were penalized enough times to make this fun game close to unwatchable. I have to wonder how much better the defense would have fared with a looser game crew. Alas, it was bad. Real bad. Here are the grades:
Cam Jordan: C- (2.75)
He “tackled” Manning on that weird play where Eli Manning let the ball slip out of his hand. We used to call those “Brooksys” in honor of Aaron Brooks. The team was credited with a sack there. His pass rush was good at times but he was way too quiet. Just 1 tackle.
Bobby Richardson: C+ (2.57)
He was robbed of a beautiful sack and turnover with a questionable flag on the secondary. Good pursuit and activity. He had 2 tackles and was active at times but his pass rush could be better.
Kevin Williams: B (2.33)
Played extremely well early but faded late. He finished with 3 tackles and a stuff in the backfield. Good against the run.
John Jenkins: B- (2.46)
Decent job against the run. He had 3 tackles.
Tyeler Davison: D+ (2.17)
He recovered the fumble that didn’t count due to the penalty. He had 1 tackle and jumped offsides on a 3rd and 1 which is mind numbingly stupid.
Kasim Edebali: B (2.29)
Decent pass rushing and pursuit. Finished with 3 tackles and a sack.
Hau’oli Kikaha: D+ (2.63)
Stonewalled in pass rushing and finished with only 1 tackle. Made no impact. Left with an ankle injury. Hopefully it’s not serious because the Saints need him. Flagged once for roughing the passer.
Stephone Anthony: B+ (2.62)
One of the very few that showed up for this defense. He was always around the ball, made a lot of tackles near the line of scrimmage and even defended a pass. He lead the team with 11 tackles.
Ramon Humber: B- (2.71)
Finished with 2 tackles and a sack before leaving the game with a hamstring injury.
Michael Mauti: C+ (2.75)
Considering he’s a 4th string linebacker he held his own. Finished with 4 tackles.
Jo-Lonn Dunbar: B- (2.67)
Welcome back Jo-Lonn! Played limited amounts but had a run stuff on a goal line carry with his customary physical play.
Delvin Breaux: D+ (2.63)
Negated a stop with a holding call. He was beaten for 3 touchdowns and failed in his assignment against Odell Beckham. 6 tackles. It wasn’t always bad but it wasn’t good enough.
Brandon Browner: D (1.83)
4 penalties this time. It has to stop. He had 8 tackles, a defended pass, a dropped interception. Shameful.
Keenan Lewis: B- (2.42)
1 tackle and 1 defended pass. Seems to be doing better in coverage. Hopefully he can start soon opposite Breaux.
Damian Swann: C (2.50)
His coverage was pretty good save the 4th down touchdown pass to Harris where he mistimes his jump horribly. He was injured on the play with what looks like another concussion. He had 1 tackle.
Kyle Wilson: D (2.22)
Comes in and immediately gets beat for a touchdown.
Jairus Byrd: C+ (2.07)
His back line defense was spotty. He show athleticism on a couple plays making a good jump effort to the ball. He was beat deep on a long throw to Beckham where he also mistimed a jump. He did force a fumble a recover it for the Saints’ lone turnover. Still looking for his first pick but that was good to see. He had 3 tackles.
Kenny Vaccaro: C+ (2.83)
He had 5 tackles and played the run well at times. His coverage was decent. Give him credit for refusing to let Byrd go down on the fumble return. Great effort there. He was flagged once for defensive holding.
Kai Forbath: A (2.50)
His kickoffs weren’t great but he did get two for touchbacks, including one that was after the Saints tied the game at 49. He had one line drive kickoff that wasn’t good. I was convinced he’d miss the extra point after the Saints made it 48-49 but instead he hit a 50 yarder as time expired to win the game for the Saints. He was 7 for 7 on extra points and hit his lone field goal attempt.
Thomas Morstead: B- (2.72)
Punted just twice for a nice 47.5 yard average. The net was 41. Pretty solid. Very little work for him, especially since he didn’t have to kick off. Hopefully he’ll be back to doing that soon.
Marcus Murphy: B- (2.25)
He had one kickoff return for 23 yards and two punt returns for a 15 yard per return average. His 24 yard return and getting tackled by the facesmask set up the game winning field goal. He did fumble, though, and was fortunate it was recovered by Snead. He also let a punt sail over his head and get downed inside the 5. That punt return set up the game winner, though, so he deserves credit.
Brian Dixon: B (2.67)
Always the first man down the field, continues to be disruptive to returns. He had 1 tackle.
Jamarca Sanford: C+ (2.27)
1 tackle.
My Defensive Player of the Game: Stephone Anthony
My Special Teams Player of the Game: Kai Forbath
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