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Saints Secondary Still “Under Construction” In Week 3

By Gene Higginbotham

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The defense for the New Orleans Saints is still a work in progress as they head into their Week 3 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

While “work in progress” is something we should be saying going into training camp or preseason and not the regular season, it is what it is.

The Advocate’s Saints Beat Writer Nick Underhill said on a recent podcast that the 2015 Saints are team that he’s never been more confused by — and you’d have to agree.

Although the offense has been sputtering, they still are ranked by NFL.com as 10th overall with ProFootballFocus.com ranking them at 18th overall, which against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seemed more along those lines.

The defense is ranked a disappointing 25th overall by both NFL.com and PFF, although it seems like it should be lower, considering they were expected to be more dominant with the pieces they acquired in the draft and offseason free agency.

Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints rookie outside linebacker Hau

With plenty of youth on the defensive line it looks as if they are slowly beginning to get some traction with players like linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha appearing to settle in a bit more.

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If the defense is a “work in progress”, then the secondary is “under construction” due to a cavalcade of injuries and players missing playing time, starting with…who else…safety Jarius Byrd.

Due to Byrd’s absence, Rafael Bush stepped in for the high priced free agent Week 1 and then quickly stepped out due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered on a play against the Arizona Cardinals.

This forced the Saints to quickly re-sign safety Kenny Phillips who they released during final cutdowns with Phillips attempting a comeback from multiple injuries over the years.

He had a rough go against the woeful Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday with one of his lowlight plays being a touchdown pass to receiver Vincent Jackson whom Phillips let get behind him.

Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) catches the ball to score touchdown over New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Phillips (28) during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

While Phillips may not be the worst safety in the NFL, he isn’t a healthy Byrd who miraculously began to practice this week for the first time since OTA’s and mini-camp.

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It’s unclear if Byrd will start against the Panthers on Sunday but don’t be surprised if Phillips once again gets the nod or if Byrd does start, definitely don’t be surprised if he doesn’t do well considering it’s been almost a year since he’s played in a regular season game.

Safety Kenny Vaccaro has done well so far but is not “2013 Kenny Vaccaro” by any means with the former Texas Longhorn finally being used in the way he’s supposed to.

Vaccaro has been brought up in run support and used to pressure the quarterback more and credited for two hurries this past Sunday which is only one behind defensive end Cameron Jordan and Kikaha.

Cornerback Delvin Breaux has had a rocky two weeks that culminated in an embarrassing GIF circulating the internet where he is seen aimlessly wandering with outstretched arms for an interception on a pass from quarterback Jameis Winston that had already been caught by receiver Louis Murphy.

Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux (40) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 26-19. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Breaux has taken the ribbing in stride saying that the pass got lost in the lights and promises to move on from that Benny Hill slapstick highlight.

I think Breaux has improved and did well minus that play, limiting players like receiver Mike Evans to almost a non-factor in last weeks game.

You also have to give the native son some slack considering that he was supposed to play in the slot corner position before Keenan Lewis had to have hip surgery and I also think the hype train ran over him a bit going into the season.

Speaking of hype, fellow cornerback Brandon Browner hasn’t had the impact one would have thought for the Saints secondary.

Browner missed on two interceptions against the Arizona Cardinals and committed an all too obvious penalty that resulted in a score for the Buccaneers where he basically did a diving tackle on receiver Louis Murphy in the endzone before the pass even reached them.

In fairness to Browner, I’ll agree with Underhill in his podcast where he mentions that Browner was mismatched on that play and shouldn’t be covering smaller, shifty receivers like Murphy.

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Damian Swann (right) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown in the second quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The one bright spot in the last two games has been cornerback Damian Swann who like Breaux was thrust up the depth chart in a starting role after he beat out veteran Kyle Wilson and his fellow draft class mate P.J. Williams was placed on injured reserve.

Prior to the injury, Williams was considered to be the favorite in camp but Swann has taken the challenge and has shown a rare confidence and aggressive playing style that gives a promising glimpse to his future.

Heading into Carolina this Sunday, the Saints secondary will get another test from quarterback Cam Newton who can not only throw but also is know for making plays with his feet, either buying time in the pocket or just simply running with the ball.

Against the Panthers on Sunday, hopefully this “under construction” secondary can build on something for the rest of the season before Saints fans fall apart at the seams….

Next: Saints Fans Are Scared to Death of a Future Without Drew Brees

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