New Orleans Saints defense tackles recent problems

New Orleans Saints coaches reportedly did not stick lumps of coal in defenders' stockings this morning, but that doesn't mean the players aren't aware they were more nice than naughty when it came to tackling last Sunday."You can't try to deflect or act like it didn't happen. It did happen. They rushed for more than 200 yards on us, and they deserved it the way we tackled, the way we played," linebacker and defensive captain Jonathan Vilma said. "You look at it, you take it for what it is, and you be honest with yourself and look to improve."

Such improvement will be required Monday night when the Saints take on the Atlanta Falcons and talented back Michael Turner. The Falcons boast the seventh-best rushing attack in the NFL, and much of the credit goes to Turner, who has 1,256 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.