Vikings @ Saints: The View from Section 108
by Saintsational on Oct 7, 2008 6:00 AM CDT
43 comments
If you guys are looking for something to make you feel better this morning after that horrible loss I don't think you're gonna find it here. This one was very tough and energy draining.
It's 12:45am. I finally got home. I have been on an emotional rollercoaster for the last 4 hours, the end of which has led to me being pissed off. I am heart breaux-ken. You should be too. Let's not waste time and just get into this crapfest. I haven't looked at anything other than the boxscore.
- The atmosphere was incredibly more lively and loud both outside the dome pre-game and during the game. A lot of Who Dat chants while walking to the game when previously this season it has been relatively quiet and calm pre-game. It's the alcohol.
- I actually don't really get excited for this game until I start whistling the MNF theme while walking from the streetcar to the Dome. I'm feeling good.
- Songs heard walking to the game: "Whoop There It Is," "Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta" and "Lithium."
- Before the National Anthem Chris Paul came out and showed off his bright, shiny gold medal. He will come into play later in the game.
- Some Disney-esque, all girl singing group of 4 barely teenage girls sang the National Anthem.
- It was pom pom night. They were mostly black with just a few strings of gold. Seems to me if you're gonna give out pom pom's they should be brightly colored.
- Hank Williams, Jr. came out to actually say, "Are you ready for some football?" I don't think I want to know how much he gets paid just to do that.
- Looked to me like the first play from scrimmage was the old Superdome special.
- Deuce checked out on 3rd and one. He checked out a couple of times in situations that would seem to favor using him.
- The non-call on what seemed to be blatant Vikings pass interference in the endzone signaled the start of the ridiculousness. Regardless, the Saints score anyway.
- How about Devery Henderson? I don't know about you guys but I feel bad about everything I said months prior. Great game for DH. It's a little bittersweet though because he did have a drop.
- Important Stat: 4 turnovers. That does include the last second hail mary.
- The special teams guys were dancing again before kickoff to that rap song. Someone sitting near me told me it was called "Dr. Who."
- You would think that the "Kiss Cam" would get old after a while but it's always a laugh. One guy, upon realizing he and his lady were on the big screen, put his butt in her face to kiss that instead. Funny.
- Did you see Billy Miller hurdle his own player? That was sweet.
- Ahhhh, the onside recovery attempt. I will just say this...I see where Payton was going with that.
- Some fans would chant "LSU, LSU" to Vikings fans wearing purple and gold.
- Pierre looked solid in the return game. I would say special teams looked pretty good last night. More on that.
- Who is the woman who sings the Winn Dixie song? She looks like Melissa Etheridge's younger cousin.
- Then Hochuli took over the game. First it was the missed pass interference call in the enzone. Then the ref's missed the facemask call and the play wound up being a turnover. Boo's were raining down in anger. It was the loudest of the night. Then they needed to review a pass they ruled complete when it clearly hit the ground. Everyone on my side of the Dome knew it hit the ground when it actually happened but for some reason none of the refs actually on the field did. Referees Suck chant starts. Personally, I think that painted on napkin Hochuli passes off as a shirt was constricting the flow of blood to his head. The refs would leave the field after the half with a police escort.
- The offensive line was not doing a good job protecting Drew in the first half.
- I'm about to say something good. The defense did an amazing job containing Peterson. Amazing. Vilma had a great day. Let's turn this into a negative though. It's upsetting that such a good defensive performance was wasted on a losing effort. Better?
- Not only did Devery drop a ball but so did Meachem and even more strangely, Lance Moore. This has not been a problem up to this point.
- On Peterson's non-fumble, Hochuli's explanation was that before his knee was down, the ball started to come loose but was still in his hand. How can it be both? It's either in his hand or it's loose. Everyone around me shared the same confusion.
- Here is a statement I hear a lot and heard it lots last night: Our secondary is making Frerotte look like (insert Hall of Fame quarterback here)!
- Don't know if you guys noticed but Weatherford has been taking most of, if not all, of the kickoffs. This seems to be quietly going unnoticed.
- Up to this point of the game the feeling in the Dome was anger, frustration and mass confusion. The noise had died down and people half stood on key third downs. Then Reggie took over.
- My friend following two poor Reggie punt returns but immediately before his first return TD: "I hate Reggie. He sucks and I hope he gets injured on this return." Me: "Don't say that. He's always a threat whenever he touches the ball. I want him on my time. He's gonna run this one back." Well, you know the rest. True story.
- You've got to wonder what if Reggie hadn't tripped in the middle of the field.
- Following Reggie's second punt return for touchdown the crowd was electric. New life was breathed into the crowd and everyone was again standing and getting loud for the defense.
- Then Gramatica missed the go ahead field goal. Is this really happening?
- Penalties were yet again ridiculous and costly. It was Kaesviharn's 42-yard pass interference call at the end of the game that was most costly. This really is happening. As long and slow as the first half seemed to be, the final 5 minutes unfolded so quickly at an increasingly heart breaking and gut wrenching pace.
- As Erin and I exit the Superdome to walk toward St. Charles, it starts raining.
- After finally catching a cab, the driver decides he doesn't want to deal with the traffic and tells us he is going to "do us a favor" by letting us out to catch another cab. At this point we are back in front of the Dome and where we started. No favor at all. More rain and waiting. How else would this night have ended?
The Dome at night.
I think this is a new scoreboard on each side of the 50-yard line. Confirmation?
Gumbo on an ATV. Check out the muscles.
This was a group of Viking fans who looked like the offspring of Willy Wonka and a pimp.
The ref's and their police escort. I don't know whether they have that every game. Notice the booing.
This guy wears this shirt everytime he goes to the game. It's like a leopard print and it looks like it's made of velvet. It's an interesting shirt. Guess you have to be there.
Get out of the way!
Hochuli leaving the scene of the crime. You should have heard everyone yelling at him.
Total Users: 15
Total Posts: 569
| Name | # of Posts |
|---|---|
| stujo4 | 179 |
| xen-cuts | 99 |
| HansDat | 73 |
| BigTMill | 56 |
| nepomo | 44 |
| Steve the fan | 41 |
| SaintBevo | 18 |
| bayoumaverick | 17 |
| BayouRebel | 12 |
| WhoDatDC | 10 |
| dell00 | 9 |
| kssaints | 5 |
| UnarmingMermaid | 3 |
| TAYDIGGA | 2 |
| MattHaggard | 1 |
2 recs |
43 comments
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stupid penalties
work on no sleep after a loss…the worst
by NYSaint on Oct 7, 2008 6:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
even after the missed facemask and turn over you think the refs would have given us the benefit of the doubt on the AP non fumble, but no, we got shafted with no make up call
by ctalati32 on Oct 7, 2008 7:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Find Melhaff
and someone take out Hochli’s knees or something. The guy shouldn’t be reffing 9&unders. He must be paid off.
by xen-cuts on Oct 7, 2008 8:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well dude- I owe you an apology
You didn´t let yourself get blinded by mindless optimism when you picked the Vikes to win….you used common sense. This mistake will not happen to me again. I have been a fan of this team for 30yrs. now and every season am reminded of what I say the season before. The reason this franchise has never made it to the SB or rarely to the play-offs is, that ALL!! of the teams configurations we have had, (regardless of how good or bad they truely were) have found ways to loose- if at all possible!! I cannot recall any other NFL team that is quite so capable of f**king their ownselves on a regular as the Saints teams have managed over their history.
@ xen-cuts
I agree with you….it certainly looked like the refs were paid off last night. Anyone know what the spread was on this game?
by shecky on Oct 7, 2008 8:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Shecky, I love you like a brother....
… but that’s just stinking thinking. Saints are not perennial losers. They just haven’t won it all yet. Yes, we are all miserable today. But take a look at the standings and then thank the Lord that you are not a Lions or Rams fan. The Bengals are 0-5 and have a player named Ocho Cinco. Don’t even get me started on the Chiefs, I can vouch that their fans are more miserable than we are. And as Tony K said last night even though he was off 1 year, the Vikings are worse. 47 years without a championship.
Nobody wants to play the Saints because they know we could blow up big time on them, on anyone. How do you game plan against Deuce AND Reggie AND Drew, with the way Payton is running things? Yeah we lost, we’re 2-3, but we do not suck.
by stujo4 on Oct 7, 2008 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hey stujo
Yes! I am very much frustrated after last night. The point that I was wanting to make is that this has happened to this team time and time and time and….again. This team has soooo much talent and capabilities to be something special (as have previous Saints teams) but nonetheless it seems that these teams always find a way to drive themselves into mediocrity. Not that the are mediocre they just play that way (way below their means) and therefore make themselves mediocre or even less. And YES! I am glad that I am not a Chiefs, Rams, Lions or Bengals fan (which by the way Ocho had Johnson on the back of his jersey this weekend- not Ocho Cinco- why?). Also, I dont believe using these teams as comparison to say at least we are not that bad as them, not very productive. Be better than the best not the worst.
by shecky on Oct 7, 2008 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whining is productive?? Perpetuating the Saints are losers myth is productive?
Unrealized potential is frustrating for me too.
when you picked the Vikes to win….you used common sense.
That is some bullshit, Shecky.
The NFL won’t allow names on jerseys that aren’t officially for sale to fans, is what I heard. What is taking them so long to offer this, I don’t know. Sounds like The Man doesn’t like it.
by stujo4 on Oct 7, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The jerseys are already printed
There are tens of thousands, if not more, Chad Johnson jerseys already sitting in the warehouses. The NFL told him that if he wants to wear his stupid new name this year, he has to buy up all those jerseys first.
by MtnExile on Oct 7, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
True- whining will not help
Nonetheless, I had to voice my frustration and disappointment somewhere. Call what I stated bullshit if you wish but it is a fact that yr for yr regardless of the talent we have or not it always seems like we do the same mistakes. That imo is not whining- just stating what i percieve to see as a fact- unfortunately. Don´t get me wrong- I love this team for 30yrs now…thats why I´m so frustrated when I see games like last night. So if you disagree then I am open to your opinion as to what you believe is the team prob. is or are.
As for Ocho Cinco….you think he´ll change his name again if he gets the boot from Cincy and has to wear another nr. with another team? :-)
by shecky on Oct 7, 2008 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh yeah
Nice pics, Dave. That Superbowl shot made me a little misty. And I’d like to apologize for going all Tony Kornhimmler on everybody in the game thread. I had a secret personal goal to lead the pack in comments and kind of over did it. Thanks to everyone who came in and chatted, it was mostly civil, not unreasonably profane and a lot of fun. The game went by FAST.
by stujo4 on Oct 7, 2008 9:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
really bad luck.. really bad
im all for blameing the guys who deserve blame, but last nights game was a confluence of bad bad luck as well as us blowing it and bad officiating. Without this awful luck, I think we win despite shooting ourself in the foot
Couple things:
the blocked field goal that lands in #26’s hands as he is running the other way – seriously. what are the chances of that? when was the last time you saw that?
the sack and strip on brees by #26 on roughly our 10 yard line – great play, missed block by miller, piss poor luck
the “interception” on the pass to moore on their 10 yard line – give me a freaking break. sure handed moore has it bounce off his knee, bobbles it, and a a viking LINEBACKER dives superman style, grabs the bobbling ball out of moore’s hand, and secures it before hitting the ground
a lot of times this stuff “all comes out in the wash” but I didnt see anything of that magnitude going our way.
Gramattica blew it, refs were awful, reggie and brees fumbled, but we still win without just one of these stupid freak things happening.
by nepomo on Oct 7, 2008 9:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Painful, oh so painful
With regards to Payton’s rare use of Deuce in this game, I think going in he expected the Vikings run defense to be too good to get much by running it between the tackles. I only saw a few attempts by any Saints RB trying that.
This one really hurt. I was thinking towards the end when the score was tied at 27 that, if the Saints hold on and win this one despite the poor officiating and bad breaks, it will show that they are a true championship contender this year because they still got it done despite it all. Sadly, that does not appear at this time to be the case. There can be no doubt about it—the Saints beat the Saints last night. Still, being 2-3 is much better than being 1-4. The season isn’t lost yet. There are many more opportunities for them to redeem themselves and there doesn’t seem to be a totally dominant, unbeatable NFL team out there this year. Every team has their weaknesses and faults. The Saints’ faults were on full display last night. Their feet must look look Swiss cheese because they spent the entire game shooting themselves there.
The league desperately needs to get younger with their officiating crews. I think with younger eyes and stronger bodies running around out there trying to catch every little thing on every play, the NFL officials might be more reliable and not MISS SOOOOO MANY OBVIOUS CALLS! How did that zebra mother you-know-what miss that facemask call? I expect this to be Hochuli’s last year. He wasn’t directly to blame for it this time, but I think he’s tired of this job. His crew is definitely the worst this season.
One more thing, the Saints should have kept Mehlhaff instead of Gramatica. But, hindsight is 20/20 I guess. Maybe the groin injury is bothering him, but something has definitely got into his head and is throwing off his mechanics and technique. I wonder if Mehlhaff is still available. He did show promise at least. Gramatica is turning out to be too much like Mare last season.
Despite it all, I’m not ready to declare the Saints a lost cause this season and jump ship. These close losses hurt like hell, but at least they aren’t getting blown out by anyone like the teams Stujo mentioned. There’s still hope and, once we get Colston and Shockey back, the offense will be nearly unstoppable. Speaking of injuries, what’s the status of Tracy Porter? That looked like a serious wrist injury.
Go Saints!!!!
by satchmo26 on Oct 7, 2008 9:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tracy Porter
I think he broke it. As soon as it happened, I hit rewind and said “Oh shit, he just broke his wrist”
(Not as cool as calling Reggie on the punt return, but do you get cool points for calling an injury?)
by asaint on Oct 7, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
God, I hope not
That would mean more playing time for Jason David, who screwed us again.
by MtnExile on Oct 7, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
First, Saints must wave Gramatica.
Them, see if they can get Taylor Mehlhaf back to kick.
I still see the Saints winning the division!
They need to get the key injured players back
Hope that Tracy Porter is not out too longand
find a kicker that doesn’t choke under pressure!
by Mr Touchdown on Oct 7, 2008 9:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
deuce and our pass defense
i agree with satchmo. The vikings have one of the best dlines in the league. 2 of the top 10 defensive tackles and one of the best defensive ends. our o line right now can’t create holes up the middle for deuce against guys like that. I think he’s going to play a lot more this season, but last night was not the night to use him a lot. They were too strong in the middle and would have eaten our lunch. I love big deuce, but he would have been running into a wall all night.
Some stats
Adrian Peterson ran 21 times for 32 yards. the defense needs a standing ovation for that performance. the vikings have a very good offensive line and we worked them. Roman Harper was all over the place. Brian Young stepped it up big time. Grant and Smith and McCray got after it. Vilma looked great. Fujita was an animal. Great great job. they got pretty good pressure on pass plays too.
Our secondary was pretty good. It might have seemed different at the actual game. They passed 36 times for 222 yards (roughly 50% completion ratio). Thats really not bad defense. Berrians 36 yard touchdown was on an all out blitz and they didnt get to him. No saftey help. Porter had ok coverage. Berrians come back weird catch was for 20 yards or so.. all in all, not too bad.
by nepomo on Oct 7, 2008 10:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
My take
The main turning point in the game was the bad calls by the refs early. They killed the momentum early. The facemask on Reggie? Make that call and you erase that fumble, which you can’t really fault Reggie for making, it’s rather hard to concentrate on protecting the ball when a defender is trying to turn your head around.
Gramatica. Nobody was calling for his head at the end of last year when he came in and was Mr. Consistency after replacing Mare. In fact I believe MG was perfect on his kicks through preseason and up until the point he hurt his groin. I believe instead of blaming MG it should be the fault of the coaches in not trying to bring in someone to kick knowing MG was hurt. If his injury is affecting his kicking then put him on IR, or at the very least try and bring in a second kicker to fill in until he can play injury free.
Lance Moore. Normally Moore is human velcro and catches everything even remotely close to him, but last night he had a bad night. He missed more than one pass that hit him in the hands, and one he even tipped up in the air for an INT.
The defense played admirably. They held the GREAT Adrian Peterson to 32 yds on 21 carries for a whopping 1.5 yds/carry. The secondary did very well too, until late when they gave up some yards on pass plays.
I hope Payton files a grievance with the league over this officiating crew. The terrible calls (or non-calls) got the offense out of rhythm early and provided for an early turnover that should have been reversed. With that though, this is still a very capable team. They have 3 losses, 2 of which were to 4 – 1 teams, by a combined total of 10 pts. If there are going to be bad games it’s best they get them out their system early, but they have to clamp down and start playing better soon.
by BayouRebel on Oct 7, 2008 10:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The bread aint finished being baked
I’m sorry, my opinion is Payton is a great offensive coordinator, but he’s just not ready to be a head coach, so can we put him back in the oven for a lil while? Just me now; but I didn’t like the on-side kick, I didn’t like the fact that he’s not playing Deuce early so he can get a rhythm, I don’t like his choice in Defensive coordinator (That might be a Loomas thing but hey..) I don’t like the fact that he couldn’t work something out with Joe Horn last year (I know someah ya’ll don’t like Joe, don’t know why but…), it would be nice to have him coming off the bench now with all the drops last night, I don’t like not aggressively addressing the D Backs last year and this year, I’m starting to like Porter, but him, McKenzie and say Lito Shephard would have really been nice. Lastly Gramatica was a band-aid for that other sorry ass kicker we had, I don’t understand going to get an established kicker and not wast a draft choice on one truth be told I don’t understand why he got rid of Carney, Now he’s kicking with NY Giants.
But I am smart enough to know that the refs got us and got us good last night. Really I think Ed Hochali (or however you spell it) is still messed up in the head from that bad SD call and is over thinking every play. Did you hear some of those long wended explanations of calls?
I’m also smart enough to know we got to get our studs back.
At any rate, Who Dat Fa Life!!!
Geaux Saints!!
by BigTMill on Oct 7, 2008 10:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Even if the Saints recover that onside kick, it’s still too risky. Ill-advised. That looks funny. ill-advised.
by stujo4 on Oct 7, 2008 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's why I say
stick his ass back in the oven. He ain’t ready….
by BigTMill on Oct 7, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
got this from Daily Norseman
Again, we have problems. Other teams have more problems and more significant problems.
"If he can’t do that, I’ll find someone to kick that ball out of bounds." -The No-More-Mr-Nice-Guy Brad Childress regarding Kluwe’s repeated failures to follow orders on the punts to Reggie Bush.
by stujo4 on Oct 7, 2008 11:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but they won
We got bigger issues….
by BigTMill on Oct 7, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
2 Key Plays Unnoticed
1)
Right before the missed kick, on 2nd down, Brees threw to Thomas, if he would have looked to his left, Bush was open without anyone within 20 yards of him. That would have either been a touchdown or a firstdown. and we kill clock, and get closer for MG.
2)
On the hail mary at the end, there was 11 seconds and they only needed about 35 yards, if you see the replay, Bush was open around the 40 yard line without anyone near him, noone within 30 yards of him i swear to God. dump it off he goes out of bounds and get MG another shot at a FG.
Brees makes good plays, but he misses a bunch also. MAN im pissed, but its ok, these type of losses are good to get early, makes the team more hungry.
by MisterFootball on Oct 7, 2008 11:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Kill Gramatica
Gramatica has ruined our potential to be 4-1. He had his second chance and he blew it! He let Reggie down and the whole team. Fire his a$$ and find Mehlhaff STAT. And can anyone tell me why we fired John Carney to get us in this disgusting position to begin with? But for starters, get rid of Gramatica… I hope they didn’t even validate his parking at the dome!
by baghead on Oct 7, 2008 11:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Before you start...
I know it is not solely gramatica’s fault… but then again it IS his fault. Hes an NFL kicker who cant get it done and its killing the saints.
by baghead on Oct 7, 2008 11:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Stujo!
Dood, how did you post more than me? lol…
by xen-cuts on Oct 7, 2008 12:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I love how...
I love how after a bitter loss, we all passionately rant
I love how Reggie still keeps getting handed the ball in the backfiled
I love how Duece and Reggie are never on the field at the same time
I love how that greasy measel makes 52 but misses the game winner
I love how Reggie fumbled after the facemask
I love how Sean Payton lost his mind and couldn’t possibly be focused on the game
I love how Adrian fumbled before his knee was down
I love how KK decided it was OK to tackle the WR at the f-in 10 yard line
I love how Lance “I got your money baby” Moore’s drop turned into INT
I love how Mike Carney got called for a hold in the first quarter
I love how Meachem dropped the easy pass on the next play
I love how the ball magically appeared in Winfield’s hands
I really do love, our run D. WOW. I love the fans at the game. Made me proud to hear that.
by asaint on Oct 7, 2008 1:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
waiting for JC
Grammatica may survive this week as it is a short week but he is done, either due to injury, ineptitude, or both. Tynes is set to come back for the Giants this week or next and who will they have to release to make room? John Carney.
Swallow your pride Mickey Loomis and sign the man.
Anyone wonder why Mehlhaff hasn’t been grabbed up by someone? Seems really odd.
by MobileSaint on Oct 7, 2008 1:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
emotion
I work in a large company.
The only Saints fan.
The fish fans, the steelers fans, the bills fans, tons of them. Bunch of others of course as well.
When someones team loses.. they get razzed.
Today… All i get is silence. People say " I would have called but…. "
We lost the game on the nonfacemask call. That fumble, the lack of a call. the very next play a freaking travesty that the ball bouncing that EVERYONE but the refs saw and we had to challenge to get a freaking honest play. That was the turning point. We took a a bunch of bad plays after that to get the anger out of the system. We got burned on many calls after that. Our excuse for a kicker didnt lose us the game.. he just didnt do his job and make it possible for us to win.
FIRE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We would do better with no F’ing kicker then that sorry excuse for one.
FIRE the ref. Thats 2 game in how many weeks he has played a direct hand in who wins and loses.
I am Capital P pissed still. The game was a F’ing travesty. It has taken me this long to even be able to control myself enough to take out the uck from my four letter words.
MT
by MT_always on Oct 7, 2008 1:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
People say " I would have called but…. "
Like Uncle Mort died, or something.
I think Hoculi has messed up 3 games this year so far. And by the way, you can see it on the NFL highlight in the Fanshots, that damn line judge was right there on the sideline when Reggie got facemasked, how could he miss that?
by stujo4 on Oct 7, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hoculi email
Let him know your thoughts on the game last night. It is pubicly available on the web.
by MobileSaint on Oct 7, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the scoreboard
at the 50 I also believe to be new.
by MobileSaint on Oct 7, 2008 8:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, how bout now
Gramataca’s got to be gone by now right?
by BigTMill on Oct 8, 2008 10:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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