METAIRIE, La. -- Fully one third of all of sacks and interceptions the New Orleans Saints defense has produced this season happened in one game -- the last game.Middle linebacker Craig Robertson and defensive end Paul Kruger are among the Saints defenders who said theyd like to think the spike in big plays is something that can carry forward -- not simply the result of favorable matchups on a particular week.This Thursday night, the Saints play the Carolina Panthers and veteran, dynamic quarterback Cam Newton. Last week, it was Denver rookie Trevor Siemian, whose teams struggling running game has only increased pressure on him.Kruger said he sees the Saints defense starting to play well together, starting to understand each other as individuals and as a group.The Saints had six sacks against Denver, bringing their total for all nine games this season to 17. New Orleans two interceptions raised its total in that category to six.Kruger said a variety of factors play into a defenses ability to create pressure on a quarterback, including an opposing offenses scheme, play-calling and how quickly the quarterback is able to consistently make throws.In some of those earlier games, we were rushing the passer well. We just werent able to get there as often, Kruger said. Sometimes the stats dont tell the full story.The Saints are also getting healthier at key positions. Two games ago, top cornerback Delvin Breaux played for the first time since fracturing his fibula in Week 1. Also in Week 9, the Saints first-round draft choice, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, made his NFL debut after recovering from his own fractured fibula during training camp. And against Denver, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe played for only the second time this season.Both Rankins and Ellerbe had sacks, and Ellerbe blitzed frequently. While Breaux did not have an interception -- those were made by cornerback Sterling Moore and safety Kenny Vaccaro -- linebacker Craig Robertson said Breauxs coverage skills can sometimes force quarterbacks to hold the ball longer, leading to sacks or less accurate throws under duress.With the type of talent we added back, it was destined to happen, Robertson said, referring to his units spike in big plays. But at the same time, our coaches put together a great plan. ... We executed that plan as best as we possibly could.Saints coach Sean Payton said his defense played one of its best games this season last Sunday and that having players return from injury certainly helped.Fortunately, weve been able to get some of those guys back in and playing, he said.Panthers tight end Greg Olsen also noted that the Saints defense appears healthier than when New Orleans defeated the Panthers 41-38 in the Superdome in Week 6.Last week against Denver they really played well. Theyre playing fast, Olsen said. Getting those (previously injured) guys back into the mix always helps.The Saints also have tried a variety of defensive formations to keep offenses guessing. Last week, they decided to take advantage of Krugers ability to cover short passes, lining up five defensive linemen in some running situations.Its basically just getting a lot of big guys on the field, Kruger said. Its worked well for us in the short amount of time weve had it here.Whether New Orleans defense is all of a sudden an above-average defense remains to be seen. Currently, the Saints still rank 29th out of 32 teams in yards allowed per game with 400.6. The Saints are dead last in yards passing allowed with 292.7 per game.But their recently demonstrated ability to get more pressure on quarterbacks gives them hope of playing better down the stretch, and they know they dont have to be dominant with prolific quarterback Drew Brees running New Orleans league-leading offense.Weve got to trust who we can be and just know who we want to be, Robertson said.---Game notesThree Saints players did not practice on Tuesday: LT Terron Armstead (knee and quadriceps), CB Delvin Breaux and RB Daniel Lasco (hamstring). ... Five players were listed as limited: RB Travaris Cadet (toe), LB Stephone Anthony (hamstring), DT David Onyemata (knee), LB Dannell Ellerbe (quadriceps), P Thomas Morstead (ankle). ... Special teams regular and reserve LB Mike Mauti, who was placed on the non-football illness list on Monday, said hes been told by doctors he surgery for colitis (an ulcer) and does not expect to return to football until next season.---AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLWholesale Football Jerseys . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. China Football Jerseys . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. http://www.cheapfootballjerseys.info/ . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. Wholesale Football Jerseys China . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Football Jerseys Cheap Authentic . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama.SAN DIEGO -- Angered by his teams inability to finish games, San Diego Chargers?coach Mike McCoy fumed after Sundays latest setback, which saw the Chargers waste a 13-point lead in the last five minutes against the New Orleans Saints?at Qualcomm Stadium.[Im] furious, McCoy said when asked about his state of mind after the 35-34 loss. Its a major disappointment. You get the lead we had, and to fall apart -- a major disappointment. Frustration is an understatement. I cant say right now in this microphone how I really, truly feel.The Chargers fell to 3-12 in games decided by eight points or less dating back to last season under McCoy. And with the Chargers at 1-3, McCoys job status is tenuous for the rest of the season.Chargers brass considered letting McCoy go after a 4-12 campaign last season, but instead fired seven assistant coaches and gave the embattled coach a one-year extension through the 2017 season.One of the coaches San Diego brought back was offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who has head-coaching experience and could serve as an interim head coach if the Chargers decide to fire McCoy during the season.The last time the Chargers fired a coach during a season was in 1998, when Kevinn Gilbride was let go after six games.dddddddddddd June Jones, the offensive coordinator at the time, served as the teams interim head coach for the rest of the season.For now, McCoy said he believes players still have confidence in his ability to get the job done, and added hes not concerned about his job status.The Chargers have lost 15 of their past 20 games dating back to last season, including a winless record (0-9) in the AFC West.I know one way -- to come in tomorrow, work my ass off and get this team ready to go to Oakland, McCoy said when asked about his job security. I dont worry about any of that. I am coaching this football team the way I know how to do it, and were going to grind.Quarterback Philip Rivers agreed and said that players should shoulder more of the blame.Yeah, we still believe, Rivers said. Growing up with my dad as the head coach and knowing how important coaching is, believe me, Im not discounting it. But out of all games played so far this year, I feel as players we should have won them all. But we sit here and weve only won one of them. ' ' '