New Orleans Saints edge rushers Chase Young and Carl Granderson were given different responsibilities in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s 3-4 scheme, and each responded well. Young, in fact, produced his best NFL season despite missing the first five games while recovering from a calf injury. Young established a new career high with 10 sacks, tied career highs with four passes defensed, three fumble recoveries and a fumble return for a touchdown, forced two fumbles and had two quarterback hits. Granderson had six sacks, his second most in a season, to go with nine quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss, four passes defensed and his first career interception.
Young was a monster in New Orleans’ 34-26 victory over Tennessee on Dec. 28 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. His 1.5 sacks included a sack-strip-recovery that he returned 33 yards for a touchdown to pull the Saints to within 13-10 in the second quarter. He finished with two quarterback hits, a tackle for loss and four tackles.