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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 notes Three 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-NFL Buy Nike Blazer Mid . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . Cheap Nike Blazer Mid Premium .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. http://www.cheapblazershoes.com/blazer-low-suede-sneaker/blazer-low-womens.html . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Nike Sb Blazer Low Sale . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. Nike Blazers Shoes Sale . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats.Scott Brown believes the appointment of Brendan Rodgers will spark an influx of big-name players at Celtic. And Brown revealed that Fridays announcement by the club, which named Rodgers as the Glasgow sides next manager, was met with unanimous delight by the rest of his team-mates.The Hoops skipper told his clubs website: I was down in London when I heard and its great news. Celtic chairman Ian Bankier admits they raised their budget to get Rodgers The lads are in a group chat and we speak quite a lot and we are all delighted with Brendan coming in. It will be a fresh start for everyone and everyone will have to prove their worth.Its definitely exciting. The players he will attract himself will be huge and everyone seemed to love his coaching at Liverpool and Swansea.He has done really well with his previous clubs, almost winning the league at Liverpool, and he has Champions League experience too. He has done really well with his previous clubs and he has Champions League experience too Scott Brown on Celtics new boss Hopefully he comes here and we can continue to win leaguues and cups, and get into the Champions League.ddddddddddddPeople say we cant afford the top players nowadays but we have just gone and got a top manager.He knows about the club which will help as he will understand what coming to a huge club with a big reputation is all about, he added. Andy Walker said Rodgers becoming the new manager of Celtic is a huge boost for the club and for Scottish football One of the reasons I came to Celtic was the fact there was a huge manager in charge who had done well down in England in Gordon Strachan.And now we have another huge manager who had done well down south, and he will bring that enthusiasm and experience along with his style of play.Everyone knows that Celtic is a high pressure job and all the other things that come with it but he will know what thats all about, having worked in a similar situation in Liverpool with that local rivalry with Everton, so that will be important for him.Celtic will introduce Brendan Rodgers at a press conference at Celtic Park on Monday, May 23. Follow all the latest updates on Sky Sports News HQ. Also See: Rodgers to-do list Nicholas: Exciting appointment Walker: Its a huge boost Lambert: Rodgers fit for Celtic ' ' '