New Orleans Saints asking defensive linemen to blitz more in 2016
The New Orleans Saints have removed two-gap concepts from their playbook and will ask their defensive linemen to penetrate upfield.
The Saints played a 4-3 defense under ex-defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, but there were two-gap "read and react" gap-plugging principles. Now, the linemen will get a chance to pin their ears back and attack opposing quarterbacks. "We're not going to be two-gapping anything," promised new pass-rush specialist coach Brian Young. Defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Nick Fairley will be counted on to pressure quarterbacks from the interior. Defensive ends Cameron Jordan, Obum Gwacham, Kasim Edebali, and Davis Tull will form a rotation outside. Especially with Hau'oli Kikaha (ACL) headed to I.R., we're skeptical the group is good enough to successfully execute new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme.
The Saints ranked dead last in Adjusted Defensive Net Expected Points per play in 2015.
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