Giving up 28 points on paper isn’t horrible, but it certainly isn’t good. That’s kind of how I’d globally describe the Saints defense on the whole – not horrible, but certainly not good. A couple of missed opportunities with two clear shots at interceptions dropped. But Matt Stafford had his way with the secondary, and too much hidden yardage was given up due to poor tackling. The Lions came up with too many 50-50 balls, too. Give the defense credit for a good red zone showing, though. The blowout could have been really embarrassing and bad if the Lions could’ve cashed in touchdowns instead of 5 field goals. Below are the grades.
Cam Jordan: B- (2.78) Made contact with Stafford early and appeared to be getting a sack – but allowed Stafford to escape his grip. This was a standard “close by no cigar” game for Jordan where he just couldn’t get to Stafford in time despite some good pressures. He dropped an interception on a tipped ball that could have put the Saints back in the game. He had 4 tackles and played the run well.
Paul Kruger: D+ (2.06) 1 tackle, a hit on Stafford, and an illegal hands to the face penalty. Another poor showing. Why can’t we just roll with Edebali at this point? Would it really be worse?
Nick Fairley: C- (2.61) He seemed amped for this game on twitter, and all this talk about him going up against his old team and proving them wrong. He was really quiet. 1 tackle and little impact. Pushed the pocket a little bit but didn’t show enough.
Tyeler Davison: C- (2.51) He was pushed around more than usual playing he run. He had one good pressure but a poor Lions running attack did better than expected.
Sheldon Rankins: B+ (3.20) Another decent showing with a run stuff and a sack. He had 3 tackles on the day. Continues to give the Saints good performances. Really encouraging. He should start. He’s only played 5 games but he’s the highest graded player on the team.
David Onyemata: C+ (2.08) He had 2 tackles but too mich of it was pursuit behind the play and not enough disruption in front of the play. Had a decent pressure on Stafford but couldn’t catch up to him chasing him to the sideline.
Darryl Tapp: C+ (2.42) He had 1 tackle and a pressure. Decent sub snaps in limited action. Another guy I’d rather start over Kruger.
Craig Robertson: B- (2.81) Left the game for an injury but did a good job the times he was isolated on Eric Ebron in coverage and he tackled well against the run. 4 tackles, including one for a loss.
Dannell Ellerbe: B- (2.93) A little bit feast or famine. He had 5 tackles and a sack, including a hurry/hit that forced an incompletion. His sack was a coverage flush out tackle. He might be the best pass rusher on the team, sadly. At the second level, though, he struggled covering Theo Riddick (who doesn’t) and he struggled tackling against the run at times. He took some gambles and missed. Nice stat line, but not always great in this one.
Stephone Anthony: C (1.87) Got smoked in goal line defense on a 1 yard touchdown pass to Riddick. So frustrating to see him come in for one play and cost his team with a poor showing. He played for Robertson late at middle after the injury and actually showed some things. As Stafford got pushed out of the pocket he was decisive with the decision to commit to a blitz and it caused pressure and created an incomplete pass. Good to see him read and react there. He also had a run stuff.
Delvin Breaux: C- (2.40) Physical. Sometimes too physical. He got ticky tacky calls against him, I don’t necessarily agree with them, but part of the problem is he’s more handsy because he doesn’t have top end speed right now coming back from the injury. There were some positive moments where he jammed his receiver up and he played the run well. But he was beaten by Golden Tate in perfect coverage, killed the defense getting off the field with untimely penalties, and gave up some huge gains. The 3rd and 16 coverage in particular was really bad. He had 8 tackles because he gave so much space and allowed many receptions in front of him, and one run stuff.
Sterling Moore: C (2.48) Had a decent breakup on a deep ball but otherwise was soft in coverage and allowed a lot in front of him. His tackling was so-so and he allowed extra yardage due to his lack of size. He had 7 tackles and 2 defended passes. He dropped a gimme interception early that could have changed the complexion of the game. He has to make that play.
B. W. Webb: D (2.33) That 66 yard pass to Golden Tate was Jason Davidesque coverage. Maybe he was in zone and expecting safety help, but sometimes you have to read the play and stick with the receiver. Absolutely terrible and it finished off the game.
Jairus Byrd: B+ (2.31) Solid day by Byrd. He tackled extra well and any play that came to him at the second level ended right there. He had a breakup on Anquan Boldin near the goal line that almost resulted in a turnover. He led the team with 9 tackles. Good showing, just wish it came with a big play.
Kenny Vaccaro: B+ (2.94) Excellent in coverage and good against the run. He’s such a solid player, I just wish he had more help. He had 6 tackles, including one for a loss. Blew up a 3rd and 1 run that forced a field goal.
Vonn Bell: C- (2.52) 6 tackles, but badly missplayed the long touchdown to Tate. Spotty help coverage. Not his best showing, and a couple missed tackles.
Wil Lutz: B- (2.44) He went 2 for 2 on field goals with a long of 40 and made his extra point. On kickoffs he didn’t have a mistake. So overall I don’t think you can complain about his performance too much. His 40 yarder was tipped, though, and died over the goal post. Low trajectory remains an issue. Fortunately, 3 of his blocked kicks have managed to still be good this year.
Thomas Morstead: C+ (3.03) I’d say he was in line for a A- or B+ before his 19 yard punt late. It seems the awful special teams play all year as finally migrated over to Morstead, which makes me worry the disease is airborne. He did prevent Roberts from having any returns, so that’s good. 4 punts for a lowly average of 40.5 yards, thanks for the 19 yarder, but two inside the 20.
Tommylee Lewis: B- (2.29) His two kickoff returns were terrible – an average of 13 yards – but I blame that on bad blocking. His 24 yard punt return was electric and exciting. Finally a spark on special teams.
Roman Harper: B- (2.00) He had a tackle on Roberts on a kickoff return and I’m pretty sure it saved a touchdown. If he missed that play there’s a huge cutback lane.
Chris Banjo: C+ (2.00) One tackle! That’s worth something, right?
My defensive player of the game: Kenny Vaccaro
My special teams player of the game: Tommylee Lewis
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
