Saints revamp pass rush under Brandon Staley

By Ross Jackson

After multiple years of sub-40 sack totals, the New Orleans Saints are looking to reestablish themselves as one of the best pass rushing defenses in the NFL. 

To do so, the team hired one of the brightest defensive minds in the NFL, Brandon Staley, as its defensive coordinator. Staley has helped to produce some outstanding pass rush seasons in his previous stops, and may have the talent here in New Orleans to do it again. 

Active Roster

• Chase Young
• Carl Granderson
• Cameron Jordan
• Chris Rumph II

Practice Squad

• Fadil Diggs
• Eku Leota

The one surprise at this position isn’t about who made the roster or practice squad, but the glaring omission from both lists. Defensive end Jasheen Davis flashed consistently over the course of training camp, had a strong showing in the final preseason game, the only one for which he was healthy, but did not return to the practice squad after clearing roster cut waivers. However, even without Davis, the team has some good talent at the position, which is in the running for the strongest position group. 

Staley Setting Up Edge Rushers For Success

Where defensive linemen are lined up before a snap is designated by numbered techniques. The first number, 0, begins at the center and then counts outward in a mostly comprehensible manner to either side. 

So lining up face-to-face with the center is a 0-tech, but lining up over the center’s shoulder is a 1-tech, so on and so forth. Each side of the field is mirrored. 

A caller asked about Defensive Line techniques so I thought I would post more details than what @deptulahasrage could cover during the segment. @1055TheROAR

0-Technique:
Position: The 0-technique defensive lineman lines up directly over the center.

Responsibilities: The… pic.twitter.com/JYgDf2rZR0

— Morgan Thomas (@TheMorganTShow) September 1, 2023

Things get a little confusing when “i” techniques like 2i and 4i are introduced and then the confusing jumble at 7, 6 and 9 techniques. But otherwise, easy to grasp. 

This is important because the way the Saints will deploy their edge rushers in 2025 is going to look very different than previous years. While previous defensive caller and former head coach Dennis Allen previously aligned his ends in 4i or 5-technique deployments, Staley will often let his pass rushers pursue from the 9-technique. 

With that wide angle to the quarterback, it allows rushers to “run the arc” or use their athleticism to get around would-be blockers. This also positions them to control the edges of the line to help defend outside rushers and scrambling quarterbacks without having to try to fight for outside positioning on the edges. 

All of this is just fancy talk to say that the Saints’ pass rushers are set to be put in much better positions in Staley’s scheme and should see more opportunities come from it. Jordan, Young, Granderson and Rumph will have to cash in on those opportunities in order to maximize their production and impact. But if training camp was any indication, they appear ready to do so.