Fangio blitzes less, but gets better results

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SANTA CLARA -- There's been a lot written already about the New Orleans Saints' blitz-happy defense. And, yes, I'll probably be writing and talking a lot more about that subject in the coming days.But, perhaps, the focus is misguided.After all, the opposition attempted 626 passes against the Saints this season. And with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' crazy blitzing attack, the Saints managed only 33 sacks and nine interceptions. The opposition had a passer rating of 86.4 against New Orleans.Meanwhile, Vic Fangio did not dial up quite the array of blitzes with the 49ers defense. Yet, the 49ers recorded 42 sacks and 23 interceptions . . . on 47 fewer pass attempts than those faced by the Saints. Opposing quarterbacks managed a 73.6 rating against the 49ers.
So it seems to me that the Saints' defensive style was a lot less effective than the 49ers' during the regular season.

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