This defense is a dumpster fire right now. The false hope that was given when they kept the Vikings out of the end zone and held them to 9 points was cruel, because now that feels like a mirage. This defensive performance was tailor made for a Jim Mora postgame rant. The Saints couldn’t get a pass rush going, they couldn’t cover, they couldn’t stop the pass, they couldn’t get off the field, every time Dallas had the ball it seemed like they were going to get points, and worst of all was that tackling. Oh my God the tackling. The disaster that was the Falcons game at least looked to be in the rear view window as the tackling effort against Cleveland and Minnesota was better, but it came back to peek out it’s ugly head again big time in Dallas. And as much as you always want to blame the pass defense, the Saints gave up 190 yards rushing at 5.4 yards per carry. You’re not going to beat anyone playing run defense like that. Here are the grades, brace yourselves…
Junior Galette: D- (2.17) Tyron Smith is one of the best left tackles in the game and he completely swallowed Galette whole. Sometimes you just face a guy that’s better than you and you get embarrassed, and that’s exactly what happened here. When Galette faces an upper echelon tackle, his limitations are starting to shine through. He had 1 tackle and was completely dominated the entire game.
Cameron Jordan: D (1.92) He was slightly better against the run than Galette, but not much. His pass rush was non existent and at this point I think it’s fair to say he won’t be making a trip back to the Pro Bowl this season. He had 2 tackles on a very quiet evening. Way too quiet.
Akiem Hicks: C (1.92) He had 2 tackles, both for losses in the backfield. Of all the defensive linemen, he was the only one that actually showed a little bit at times. It was way too sporadic, though, and his ability to pressure the passer seems to be a thing of the past.
Brodrick Bunkley: C+ (2.08) With four tackles he was involved in the run game and made a couple nice stops near the line of scrimmage. He can’t be blamed for the back seven repeatedly failing to make tackles. He was definitely beaten at times, but he was one of the most present against the run.
Tyrunn Walker: C (2.42) He’s the only rotational player that’s done anything this season, but this was his quietest game. Just 1 tackle.
Glenn Foster: C- (1.78) He had one tackle and seemed to be always chasing after the play. His time on the field is not productive at all right now.
Brandon Deaderick: D- (1.25) This guys is a completely useless rotation player. The Saints could desperately use John Jenkins over this guy, the problem is Jenkins has ballooned to the weight of a metric ton. He needs to get in shape, and fast, because this interior rotation is not cutting it. Despite numerous snaps, Deaderick did absolutely zero.
Kasim Edebali: C (1.89) The center tried to gift him a turnover, but Tony Romo beat him to the loose ball. He had 2 tackles, including that one for a loss which was completely gift wrapped. His pass rushing continues to be not good enough.
Curtis Lofton: C (2.83) He led the team with 11 tackles including some real wood laying shots. Like many players on the defense he missed too many tackles going for the strip, though. The defense is very obviously pressing for a turnover because they’re giving up on fundamentals in an attempt to desperately make a play. He also took some bad angles that led to nice runs becoming huge runs. A very up and down game for Lofton, who once again also showed his limitations in pass coverage.
Ramon Humber: D+ (1.50) He started off the game very well against the run making some physical tackles and asserting his presence to DeMarco Murray. Then his performance kept getting worse and worse. His tackling by the end was an atrocity. His coverage was even worse. David Hawthorne can’t come back soon enough. He had 6 tackles.
Parys Haralson: B- (2.50) One of the few players are defense that was borderline competent. He had three tackles, one for a loss, and he even hit Romo on a blitz. Yes, imagine that. He played a good bit against the Cowboys’ run formations and I would have liked to have seen him on the field more instead of Humber.
Keenan Lewis: C+ (2.42) If it wasn’t for the touchdown he gave up single coverage against Dez Bryant, I’d say he played a decent game. He held Bryant to just 3 catches for 44 yards, though he had a tremendous amount of over the top help from Byrd early. As the Saints abandoned that plan he was left on an island and did a good job in coverage on a handful of deep balls. He had 1 tackle and a pass breakup. A decent game but the poor coverage on the touchdown pass hurts his grade a bit.
Corey White: D (1.92) He was targeted often and beaten repeatedly, including for a touchdown. His man Terrance Williams had 6 catches for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns. He had 4 tackles, some physical, but this didn’t feel like much of an upgrade over Patrick Robinson in this game.
Brian Dixon: D (1.67) Was beaten on a touchdown and had one tackle. Not too impressive in limited play.
Jairus Byrd: C (2.17) This is a really tough player to grade because like Vaccaro he took some really poor angles and missed his share of tackles. DeMarco Murray’s first touchdown run in particular was just inexcusable. But then I feel like he’s starting to come around. He did have shot huge shots on Cowboys players and I was really surprised none of them popped a ball loose. At some point these hits have to generate an incompletion, a fumble, or a deflected interception… something. I couldn’t believe how the Cowboys kept hanging on to the football after some of these hits. He was flagged for illegal contact once, not that it mattered, because Witten got up and caught the pass for the first down anyway. He had 7 tackles, including one for a loss, and a nice pass breakup on a 3rd down that actually gave the defense a rare stop. A very up and down performance, but we’re seeing glimpses of what he’s capable of.
Kenny Vaccaro: D (1.75) His coverage was awful. He was repeatedly beat by Jason Witten, and had a tribute to the Atlanta game in terms of missed tackles. So many runs were blown wide open by his poor angles and technique. He’s as guilty for going for the strip as anybody. I was prepared to give him an F but the sack on the blitz saves him. He had 7 tackles. Ralph made the job that he’s turned into Roman Harper, and that’s a fairly accurate assessment. This is not the player the Saints drafted in the first round last year. His tackling is abominable this season. He has to turn this play around.
Rafael Bush: B- (2.42) He had 5 tackles, including one for a loss. That play in the backfield was when he was forced up close to the line of scrimmage, and I’d like to see him play up there more often. Frankly, he’s the best safety we’ve got right now. Certainly the most steady and consistent, at least. His tackling remains impeccable on a team full of guys that can’t see to ever wrap up. His coverage was fine.
Shayne Graham: D (2.17) He missed a 41 yard field goal on what looked like a perfect snap and hold. You have to wonder if he’s on the chopping block at this point. I can’t foresee him sticking with this team much longer if he misses a gimme like that again. He was otherwise 2 for 2 on PATs and he did make a 30 yarder. His height on some kicks remains terrifyingly low.
Thomas Morstead: B- (3.25) His kickoffs were solid and he was 3 for 4 on touchbacks. He had a punt on a short field that was downed near the 10 and another that was a nice 49 yarder that was fair caught. That adds up to 2 punts for a 41.5 yard average. Then there was that absurd play call that he can’t really be blamed for. Still, don’t get tackled man. At least lob it up there and get intercepted, or something. The play call was absolutely ridiculous and there was nowhere to go with that football, but Morstead’s pump fake and inability to at least chuck it downfield to try was poor. He should never have been put in that position.
My Defensive Player of the Game: Rafael Bush
My Special Teams Player of the Game: Thomas Morstead
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