Coffee, Kool-Aid, & Juice: Ingredients that’ll make the Saints defense even better

Despite being 9-8 last season, the New Orleans Saints had a pretty good defense. They limited teams to just 19.2 points per game, which was eighth in the NFL, and 327.2 yards a game, ranking them 13th in the league. New Orleans achieved those numbers thanks to Demario Davis and a really good secondary.

However, the unit did have some weaknesses. The Saints gave up 119.9 rushing yards a game, 22nd in the league, and only recorded 34 sacks, which was fourth lowest in the league last year. New Orleans knew if it wanted to go from being a good defense to an elite defense, it had to improve in those areas.

That's why the Saints made some big defensive acquisitions this offseason. Bringing in guys like Chase Young, Willie Gay Jr., and Kool-Aid McKinstry, New Orleans now has the potential to be an elite defense, and the team also has some really cool beverage-themed nicknames.

Saints could have an elite defense in 2024

Chase Young doesn’t have a beverage nickname but he could end up being the steal of the offseason. Playing on a one-year prove-it deal worth $13 million, the veteran defensive end is healthy and motivated. He certainly looked that way while dominating throughout training camp and the preseason.

In addition to Young, the defensive line has an improved Bryan Bresee, a healthy Cam Jordan, and Carl Granderson who seemingly gets better every season. The defensive line should be better against the run and getting after the quarterback.

Helping in the run game will be one of the best linebacker units in football. The linebackers were already good with Demario Davis and Pete Werner, but the Saints brought in Willie Gay Jr., whose nickname is Juice, because he brings the energy everyday. Gay adds some much needed speed and athleticism to the linebacker group, and makes them a deeper unit.

The entire linebacker group refers to themselves as the Coffee Boys, because they bring the energy and get everyone else going. At the center of the defense, they’re making sure to lead by example.

However, as good as they are, the team’s best unit is undoubtedly the secondary. The defensive backfield didn’t need to make any acquisitions to be an elite group; they already had Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Tyrann Mathieu, and Alontae Taylor. However, the rich got richer, adding rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Now, the defense is deep and stacked from the front to the back. The unit has everything it needs to be an elite defense, the players just have to deliver on the field. A mix of coffee, kool-aid, and juice may not actually be a good drink, but the Saints are hoping it’s the perfect blend on the field.

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