Saints' Marshon Lattimore, Marcus Williams fix problems on defense simply by talking more
Channel: COCKTAILS VIDEOS
Date: 2018-01-08

The New Orleans Saints through two games had a pass defense that ranked last in the league, allowing 388.5 passing yards per game.

That's when rookie defensive backs Marshon Lattimore, a first-round drafted cornerback out Ohio State, and Marcus Williams, a second-round selected safety from Utah, took it upon themselves to ensure the issues were addressed.

"Really, like the first game of the season we saw we had to do better with communication," Lattimore said. "Just the adversity that we faced the first two games, I feel like that helped us become closer and make calls for each other and communicate better." 

Williams agreed, adding he and Lattimore chose to communicate on a level still fresh in their minds. 

"When we were in college, it was a team brotherhood," Williams said. "So when we came out, we were like we have to have that same type of environment. We don't want any straggler or anybody left out. That was us."They do a good job of working together," defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said. "I think that's really one of the things about our group is that our group has become really close as a whole defense. 

"Each individual position group is extremely tight, but then as a defense, those guys are family. The best teams usually have that environment so that's been good to see." 

Lattimore led the team in interceptions (5) and passes defensed (18). He missed three games, but finished with the seventh-highest defensive snaps (754), all helping him earn the NFL's Rookie of the Month award twice and a selection to the Pro Bowl. 

Williams, for the most part, hasn't been cast in the spotlight but finished second on the team in interceptions (4), second in defensive snaps (960) and third in tackles (73). 

"I feel like I was going to come in here and do my job," Williams said. "I never doubt myself. I always make sure I'm up to par with what everybody else is doing just because I want to be better than everybody else. That's just my job; I compete with everybody. I don't want anybody to be better than me