But there is one reason why opposing defenses are breathing a sigh of relief when they see the Saints — especially on the fast track of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome — and that’s Darren Sproles.
He is the one guy that blew up defensive schemes and assignments and reduced a lot of very good defensive players to average with a few quick cuts.
The moment Chip Kelly got his hands on him in Philadelphia, a huge weapon and safety valve was lost from Brees’ arsenal. Brees can longer sense the pocket collapsing, dump it off to Sproles and watch him dart 40 yards.
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JerseyAl wrote:
I think Sean Payton put a good/great scheme in with the Saints, but I think it was largely based on always having a Safety Valve available and OL to hold up ...
But over the last two years the Saints have lost starting linemen in LT Jermon Bushrod, LG Carl Nicks and C Brian de la Puente... and have lost Safety Valves in RB Darren Sproles and WR Lance Moore.
I think mentally Drew Brees has also been out of it... and could get it back into at any time.... but I think the system for the Saints is in rebuild mode with them trying to get their OL and Safety Value options by up to par where they want/need them.
The Saints still got some... but they're still learning and growing and haven't quite looked ready yet... hopefully they don't change that this weekend.