It's probably time for Jason David to have a seat
I like Jason David, and I can understand why the Saints signed him. On paper, he has the tools to be a pretty good player: he's got pretty good speed, some quickness, some agility and scrappiness to return from a broken forearm in four weeks. On paper, Jason David should be a pretty good cover corner, in the mold of a guy like Dre Bly or Antoine Winfield.
Nevertheless, the Jason David experiment must end. Upon further review, the offensive gameplan drawn up by the Colts in Week 1 -- stop the Saints' front four, find Jason David, throw at Jason David -- is the same one that's been killing the Saints all season-long. That's the gameplan the Rams executed to perfection (by my unofficial count, the Rams hit six immense plays against David -- just many in a steady pattern of picking on him).
If I was an offensive coordinator -- and don't kid yourself, they are all thinking this -- I would remind my quarterback all week to throw at 42. Hell, I would make one of my scout-team corners wear a 42 jersey, just to force my quarterback to get used to throwing at 42. I don't know if David is impressive all week and just struggles on gameday; if that's the case, the Saints should probably cut the third-stringer who can't burn David on a consistent basis.
Take the third down, 40-yard Holt reception, for instance: The Saints had bracket coverage, with David over the top and Bullocks underneath. Bulger made a perfect throw, to be sure, but David stumbled out of his break, allowing the window to open.
Same thing with the Bruce touchdown -- David looked to be manned-up on Bruce. Bruce ran a simple out route, David was late, the ball was thrown perfectly and the result was a score.
Look, by all accounts, Jason David is a good guy in the locker room. He's certainly got heart and some physical skills. In the right system, he could probably be a pretty valuable asset. He clearly doesn't fit in this system.
Meanwhile, both of Brees' interceptions and his fumbles happened against the blitz. I'm not sold on that fourth-quarter comeback, Haslett clearly called off the dogs. The Saints had obvious protection issues when faced with the St. Louis blitz.
The first interception looked like a miscommunication -- Patten zigged right, Brees thought he would zag left, the Rams brought heat and the throw was clearly offline. The Saints had Patten manned up against the safety, so I don't fault the read, just the execution.
Against the blitz, Drew must be more willing to eat the ball for a sack, or to throw quickly to his hot receiver for the short gain.
The Saints were just beaten by a team that started two street free agents on their offensive line. That's not a punchline.
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Defense
It has to be both system and personnel. The square peg round hole problem. David doesn't fit the system. The system is flawed. We need a new one.
The better teams have the safety net of knowing that if the offense is off, that the defense can win it. With the Saints, the offense has to score and be up big for the defense to be good.
We need more playmakers on defense.
by southernsaint on Nov 13, 2007 6:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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