Saints Retrieve Heads

by MtnExile on Oct 12, 2008 5:52 PM CDT

My boys obviously read my open letter from last week and took it to heart, because they played with good focus today. Granted, this was a game they should have won...but we all know the Saints' record in those kind of games. Focus is good. Let's hope they keep it for the rest of the year.

It feels good to win one so (apparently) easily. I can't remember the last time I wasn't sweating myself dry in the fourth quarter. I was downright blasé, today. But there are still a few issues that urgently need to be cleared up.

1. Kicker. This is the least urgent. Mehlhaff is a rookie, and obviously he was nervous early. A missed field goal and a kickoff out of bounds did not help his cause; but he settled down, added two field goals and four extra points, and even got a touchback. I'm inclined to give the kid a pass on his early struggles.

2. Takeaways. We finally broke our string of consecutive games with a turnover--that's good. We had an interception and a fumble recovery--that's good. But the secondary also let four possible interceptions pass through their fingers. That's not so good. That falls into the same wide category of "failing to close the deal" that did New Orleans fatal damage in three games this year. When you have the chance to take the ball away from the competition, you have to do it.

3. The running game. (Sigh) This one is just getting monotonous. Deuce McAllister rushed for 5 yards a carry. Reggie Bush rushed for 1.9. Guess who got more carries?

This is so wrong on so many counts. It's been argued that Bush would not be so effective as a pass catcher coming out of the backfield if he didn't have enough runs to keep the defense honest. Excuse me? Does Marcus Colston have a lot of runs? Reggie Bush covered by a linebacker is still a mismatch, whether or not the defensive line has bought into the idea of a pass. Besides which, the very same line that blocks for Deuce, blocks for Reggie. Obviously, his far greater average would make Deuce a more effective receiving threat, right? Know how many receptions he had? Two. For seven yards. Bush had three for 40. When is someone going to realize these two guys have different talents and abilities?

For that matter, why don't we use them more in what is obviously the most effective manner--together? Here are the possibilities:

Reggie alone: big receiving threat, negligible rushing threat
Deuce alone: big rushing threat, negligible receiving threat
Reggie and Deuce in tandem: big receiving threat, big rushing threat

Hmmm...not quite sure which of those would be more effective, but let's imagine this: Deuce had Reggie's 14 carries and Reggie had Deuce's 2 receptions. If their averages (5 ypc, 13 ypr) pan out, that means an extra 96 yards of offense. Let's be conservative and say instead that it's only an extra 50 yards. That's the difference between nothing and a field goal, or between a field goal and a touchdown. In three games this year, that would have been the deciding factor.

And that's what makes this the most disturbing issue: why does Payton insist upon giving Bush the bulk of the carries? I don't believe it has anything at all to do with Deuce's health--there have been no reports of knee swelling, no missed practices because it needed to be drained, nothing (that I've heard of). He hasn't apparently been hampered in any way while on the field. Yet Bush continues to get the bulk of the carries.

Don't get me wrong--I'm not anti-Bush. He's one of the most effect weapons in the NFL, if he's used in the right way. I thought, though, that that was established in 2006. Maybe Payton needs to write a memo to Payton: "Dude! Weren't you paying attention?"

Anyway, here we are at 3-3. One game better than last year, but the attitude is light years ahead. Drew is playing like the quarterback messiah. And we don't even have our best playmakers back! This year could still turn out to meet expectations. If the Saints just tighten up, keep everything together, and continue to follow my advice, everything will be cool.

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

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AMEN!!!!

Amen, Amen, Amen I say. You, my friend, are “PREACHING TO THE CHOIR”

by Philinwood on Oct 12, 2008 7:26 PM CDT reply actions

Sing it, Brother Phil!

Now we just have to convict Brother Sean of the error of his ways.

by MtnExile on Oct 12, 2008 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions

this only week 6

We need Duece for the long haul, so I don’t mind keeping his carries to around 15. Plus, if he’s avg. 5 ypc, hes making the defense stay honest and doing his job. I understand that we may need him to make the playoffs, but we need to ease him into the role more and more every week. I’d rather Payton be overly cautious with Duece than rush him back in too quickly. I will say however that we may really need him the next two weeks.

by tlsk1066 on Oct 12, 2008 9:06 PM CDT reply actions

Good day for saints

Not only did we win, but Carolina, washington and dallas all lost. Chicago lost as well, which I see as a good thing because I’m still more afraid of the bears than I am of the falcons. I may be proven wrong, but I don’t think Atlanta can keep this up long term.

I had friends telling me last week that it was panic time as far as the Saints making the playoffs, but weekends like this are exactly why I disagreed. Anything can happen in this league.

I have been impressed by the bucs this year. I thought that they might suck. Boy, I’m glad we have a win in hand against them because their D is playing well now.

by SaintBevo on Oct 12, 2008 9:06 PM CDT reply actions

Jason David

…was a non-factor this game. However, did you notice how badly he was beat deep on a long ball to the end zone, only to have Russell miss him? In another game against a better team, that could have lost the game for the Saints.

by kssaints on Oct 12, 2008 9:32 PM CDT reply actions

lets be fair...

I am, by no means, a Chasin’ David fan… however, to call him a non-factor is harsh. He had an interception that led to 7 pts (which is completely unlike him)

by tlsk1066 on Oct 12, 2008 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

JD was a factor on a few plays and he got completely lucky that Jamarcus can only throw the ball 1,000,000 miles or nothin’.

by xen-cuts on Oct 12, 2008 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Im not a JD fan at all, but I think the receiver got a serious push off as he broke upfield.

Jamarcus looked pretty bad.

by nepomo on Oct 12, 2008 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions

???

a nonfactor?
I was one of those leading the pitchfork and torch parades looking for JD’s place of residence.
I still think he was one of the biggest mistakes of the SP era.

but a nonfactor?
He got 1 pick
He dropped 1 pick
He broke up 2 plays that I think may have scored… memory a bit foggy much beer was injested.
He got horribly beat for an easy touchdown but the raiders QB’s arm and eyes didnt quite line up and the ball missed the reciever.

That my friends is being a factor. good or bad he was a part of our defense today and not just his normal . JD got beat, JD got beat, JD got beat.

I still dont want him on the field but I am actually kinda impressed with him play lately. He has really stepped it up now that the pressure of being the starter is gone.

by MT_always on Oct 13, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Right On! My Thoughts Exactly!

If the story on Deuce is that he is indeed being eased back in after his injury, I can accept that. With Payton though, it’s hard to be sure. If that was the case, then why did Payton put Deuce back in after the game was clearly lopsided in the Saints favor? Why not give Pierre those snaps and rest Deuce as he did McKenzie?

I don’t know. I guess we shouldn’t be picking the game plan apart to much because they did get the huge blowout win today, albeit against the most dysfunctional team in the league. I too was counting up those four dropped interceptions by the secondary. Why can’t they catch the damn ball? Harper especially. He’s already dropped a few sure interceptions this season. The secondary needs to start getting some catching practice.

Go Saints!!!!

by David "Satch" Kelly on Oct 12, 2008 9:42 PM CDT reply actions

yes yes and yes

i dont get it either.

Time will tell with Melhalf. He did kick the crap out of some of those kick offs. Did you notice Janakowski’s missed 59 YARD FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT THAT WAS 3/4THS OF THE WAY UP THE POLE. Thats like hitting a 400 yard drive… in a lake.

How about ol Devery? No drops. Another 50+ yard catch. I think he is FINALLY settling in. I cant wait for Colston and Shockey to get back. Brees is looking so good. When he gets those guys, its just going to be ridiculous.

Vilma is just awesome. I love that guy. Big game for lance moore today too.

by nepomo on Oct 12, 2008 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions

I like your reggie + deuce math.

and after haslett’s quote, I’m just going to say that Payton is completely stubborn as well. His play calling is not the best and I think Brees cleans it up with accurate passing to his 2nd and 3rd option on many plays…

by xen-cuts on Oct 12, 2008 9:57 PM CDT reply actions

completely unsubstantiated thought, but is CSP perhaps trying to get RB more carries to prepare for the days when deuce is gone?

by ctalati32 on Oct 12, 2008 11:50 PM CDT reply actions

also completely unsubstantiated...

I saw an article via ESPN’s Bill Williamson about how the Raiders maybe shopping Micheal Bush and Justin Fargas… just a little tidbit.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0-3-445/Brees-puts-on-clinic-as-Russell-struggles.html

by tlsk1066 on Oct 13, 2008 12:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Deuce and Reggie

What else is disturbing is the fact that we our approaching the halfway point of Reggie’s 3rd season. If this was the sixth game of his rookie year we would all be wondering about his potential. It is not. We all know what his strengths and weaknesses are, except for Payton. Let’s be honest. The Raiders are as close to awful as you can get in the NFL, and Reggie still had a poor day rushing the ball. This is Deuce’s 8th season. We all know what he can do, except for Payton. My fear is that we will lose a couple more of these close games against quality teams where Payton continues to looking at Deuce as an afterthought in the running game.

by Ditka'sGhost on Oct 13, 2008 9:16 AM CDT reply actions

that's true

payton should be far more methodical about this.

by xen-cuts on Oct 13, 2008 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions

First 2 offensive plays

Hey the first two offensive plays went to Reggie and he totaled 2 yards. then third and eight we had a failed third down attempt. so, a bad offensive start. Can we risk a bad start and giving the opponents defense some momentum (and their offense) against Carolin and San Diego?

by Philinwood on Oct 13, 2008 9:38 AM CDT reply actions

deuce looked real good...

Reggie not soo much as far as running goes. But I like what Payton did, it’s not like Deuce had waaay less carries. I’m going to look at the film and analyze this. Reggie can’t move the pile like Deuce can but I wanna see exactly what the difference is that’s causing this subpar running from my Reggie. I mean Slaton from Houston isn’t a bruiser either, neither is Warrick Dunn (although he’s use to a zone blocking scheme).

by TAYDIGGA on Oct 13, 2008 4:03 PM CDT reply actions

This all sounds a little crazy

Do we all think that Paytpn has some kind of personal vendetta against Deuce? Maybe Decue took Payton’s parking place last year and he still hasn’t forgiven him. Just a few points:

1 – “The Raiders are as close to awful as you can get in the NFL?” – While it’s true that their defense isn’t good, they’re far from the worst rushing D in the league.

2 – Our O-line is not good at run blocking. Period. It is undeniable. Deuce can make up for this a little bit but falling forward for a few yards. Reggie has a hard time doing that.

3 – I am convinced that Reggie gets ahead of himself sometimes when rushing – almost like he hits the hole too quickly. There were a couple of times in the game where a cutback lane appeared, but reggie wasn’t in position to take it. I don’t think he’s ever going to be the rushing threat we thought he might, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to average 2 ypg for the reat of time. I think he is looking more comfortable running the ball, this just wasn’t his best day.

by SaintBevo on Oct 14, 2008 8:10 AM CDT reply actions