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Falcons 25 @ Saints 29: The View from Section 108

The Score

Fans, Media, Bloggers, Message Board Guy: 1  

Payton: 0

 

You should all pat yourselves on the back. Every one of you. Even you, angry message board guy. 

You all knew exactly what this team needed: a commitment to the run game and a more balanced offense. We've all been complaing about it for weeks. Now here we are in week 14 and we finally saw today, against the Falcons, just how well our team can run the ball. 

And all that arguing about who should run the ball and who is the better back? Guess what...they're both great! Reggie and Pierre have different strengths but they are both talented play makers with raw skill. These guys can definitely be the future of the Saints running game if Payton would just allow it. Today he allowed it. He had better allow it in the future when the situation calls for it. 

I will admit I am the kind of person who actually thinks this is bittersweet though. I mean, it's great that the Saints established the run and proved that we can actually move the ball on the ground but what the hell took so long? I mean really. In fact, I'm a little pissed off. What took Payton and this team so long to even fathom that the gameplan they executed today might have worked in games past? Are any of us really surprised that Pierre Thomas is the first running back on the Saints to gain 100-yards on the ground this season? I'm not.  And so I'm angry. 

Without having looked at anything else yet, here are the rest of my initial observations from the Superdome this afternoon. Pardon and mistakes. 

 

  • Bullocks was announced as the starter. I was a little worried. 
  • Deuce did not look so good today. He failed to convert on a 3rd and 1. It  hasn't been looking good for our hero lately. 
  • Other than the jump ball in the end zone he gave up for a touchdown, Usama Young looked pretty solid out there. He made a great tackle on a Falcons punt return and made a great pass breakup on third down. 
  • Speaking of punting, I thought Pakulak looked really good out there today. He has got a big leg and he used it a couple of times today giving the Saints good field position. After that 70 yarder from last week, I think he's a keeper.
  • I am starting to get used to all these Jason David interceptions. I don't know what has gotten into him lately but he is becoming quite valuable. Let's all hope this is just the beginning. Bonus points for the Carlton Dance. Forget Jason Taylor; ABC could cast an entire season of Dancing with the Stars using only Saints players.
  • Other than that the secondary still gave up a lot of frustrating plays, looking like the 2007 defense. Giving up a 3rd and 21 late in the game is completely unnaceptable. 
  • Hartley=Perfect
  • Following Jason David's interception (and subsequent dance session), Reggie broke off a great run for what I believe was the longest of his career.
  • Payton actually won another challenge. But he lost his second one so he broke even on the day.
  • I counted two plays in which the referee's missed fairly blatant interference calls on the Atlanta defense. 
  • The crowd wasn't as into the game as usual. Only until the very end was it significantly louder. 
  • Shockey is now starting to regularly put up solid numbers and becoming a favorite target of Drew's. He still has yet to find the endzone. 
  • Colston still appears to be struggling at times. He is definitely not catching passes he normally would. Anyone else getting a little worried?
  • Matt Ryan threw a pass away over the end zone and into the open arms of a Saints fan who proceeded to dance and celebrate. Merry Christmas. 
  • As great as Pierre did running the ball, don't forget about the kick return he almost brought back for the touchdown that put the Saints in great field position. 
  • The Saints got absolutely no pressure on Matt Ryan today. He had all day to make his throws. The defensive line shares just as much of the blame as the secondary for the big passing plays the Saints defense gave up. 
  • However, I will say that Will Smith made a nice play late in the game to stuff the run for a loss. It looked like he froze for a minute because he was so surprised to be all alone in the backfield one on one with the running back. 
  • Just a normal day at the office for Drew. I'm sure he was relieved to not have all of the pressure put on his shoulders for once. 
  • Stat of the Day: 0 turnovers.

 

Make the jump for a bunch of pictures!

 

NFL Scores, Schedule and Blog Posts - SB Nation 

Star-divide

 

  

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This wood piece is about 6 feet high and it's in the front yard of a house uptown. Pretty crazy!

 

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A brass band playing on the walk to the Superdome.

 

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Look whose playing!

 

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Jason David casually guarding Michael Jenkins.

 

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Santa Gumbo

 

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One of the 3rd and 1's that we couldn't convert. 

 

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This guys outfit was the Pope meets Flavor Flav.

 

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I took this shot for Dave the Falconer. I already posted it on The Falcoholic. His hat is spelled wrong!

 

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Reggie back to return a punt.

 

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This one's for all the guys out there.

 

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Devery at the line. 

 

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Super Fan super reunion. Optimus Saint and Whistle Head.

 

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The two idiots I brought to the game. Yeah...they're into it. They are trying to figure out who sings the song, "Unbelievable." The answer is E.M.F...not INXS.

 

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Right after Pierre's last touchdown.

 

  

Here is the open thread roll call. Great job guys. Hope you had fun. 

Total Users: 16
Total Posts: 471
Total Threads: 1

Name# of Posts
stujo4 138
Steve the fan 74
pukenbowl 67
BigTMill 59
fruly 37
MtnExile 32
asaint 27
jjwest11 12
Hollywoo! 8
Dave the Falconer 4
TAYDIGGA 4
SaintBevo 3
MobileSaint 2
CajunCavern 2
SpindianSaints 1
BayouRebel 1

 

 

Poll
Who was the Saints player of the game?
Pierre Thomas
89 votes
Reggie Bush
3 votes
Usama Young
3 votes
Garrett Hartley
4 votes
Devery Henderson
0 votes
Roman Harper
0 votes
Jason David
3 votes

102 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 23 comments |

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Comments

Display:

Dallas loses

I love it.
And it looks like they are falling apart

WHO DAT

by pukenbowl on Dec 7, 2008 6:39 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

This game with Chicago is HUGE....

Basically an elimination game. We need to go up there pissed off about the last two years, and jam the ball down that fucking city’s throat.

I hate the Bears. I hate Chicago. Especially after what I heard happened with the fans up there in ‘06. And it ain’t just football for me. As an Astros fan, I hate the Cubs, and I hate the Sox, for beating my ’Stros in the WS in ’05. But I digress…

I actually hate the Bears more than any other team in the NFL. I don’t like the other NFC South teams of course, but I do respect them. The Bears on the other hand, and their fans, are trash.

7-9, Here We Come...

by Hollywoo! on Dec 7, 2008 7:11 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Stop beating around the bush

Tell us how you really feel

WHO DAT

by pukenbowl on Dec 7, 2008 7:38 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

hehe...Its true...

Ironically, the player I love to see highlights of the most, is Sweetness. His highlights are awesome. He had class, all the way.

7-9, Here We Come...

by Hollywoo! on Dec 7, 2008 10:07 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

true, but he's no longer with us

And we’re left with the badass Chicago Bears and their fear inspiring defense…. bullshit. I hate it. It’s a family thing, amongst other issues. I’ve got issues.

by stujo4 on Dec 7, 2008 10:09 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Me and Hollywoo!!

Wait’ll you see the photo I take and post this week. Dave will consider censoring it.

by stujo4 on Dec 7, 2008 8:27 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

oh hell no

I was going to stage a photo here at home but I think I have a suitable one in the archives…. watch the fanposts.

by stujo4 on Dec 7, 2008 10:07 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I actually hate the Bears more than any other team in the NFL.

You didn’t mention their leader, Brian Urlacher. I can’t stand that kid. Big lunk. Hope he gets chop blocked and we get to see him cry.

by stujo4 on Dec 7, 2008 8:29 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I gotta say it was great to see a running game today

I had to vote for my boy PT. I was glad to see he was given the opportunity, and proved himself.
I am very impressed with Jason David, though. I give him 2nd place. It looks like he play’s better underneath.

It's better to die like a lion, than to live like a pussy

by #23fan on Dec 7, 2008 7:35 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Anybody up for a little PT Debate?

Cause I am if you are????

I knew the Saints would come through today, they always do when it means instilling a sliver of false hope.

by asaint on Dec 7, 2008 9:02 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Once again

I’ll just thank you guys for being classy despite beating us much more soundly than the final score would indicate. PT and Bush were both beasts today, and debate or no debate, you’ve got a pretty terrific tandem there. Good luck in the future (but not at the expense of the Falcons!)

by Dave the Falconer on Dec 7, 2008 9:50 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Good game Dave TF

It was close, closer than I like. Good luck, hope the Falcons make the playoffs if the Saints don’t!

by stujo4 on Dec 7, 2008 10:06 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

And you as well

Better you than the Bucs, I always say.

by Dave the Falconer on Dec 8, 2008 12:40 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

get paul some more hand props...

nachos and a beer while he’s on the phone…nice!

by NYSaint on Dec 7, 2008 10:11 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the photos, Dave-- good job

Is Paul of legal drinking age? Just asking. His date looks pretty young too.

by stujo4 on Dec 7, 2008 10:42 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Who Dat!!

Man if we dont get revenge Thur. then it will be embarrassing. PAYBACK IS DUE!!!!! Nonetheless holding ForteĀ“ down will be a challenge. I dont know who to root for as ForteĀ“is in my Fant. Team. BTW for all you folks in the fantasy league “I want revenge next year so dont count me out!” Loosing the last 3 games with under 5 point differrent sucks….enjoy the playoffs! :-) I believe if we balance the offence as against the “Dirty Birds” for not only the Thur. game but for the rest we could pull the Ganit. The only prob. I have is if we are too good we could screw up our position to get a top pick in the draft.

by shecky on Dec 8, 2008 12:28 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

*looks around*

Anyone want to tell me again why they think PT is not a decent back?

MT
Taking games 1 game at a time, but wearing a cup just in case

by MT_always on Dec 8, 2008 8:27 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

what, we've reduced it from "feature" to "decent"?

Sure, he’s decent. He’s good, I’m rooting for him. I hope he runs up and down Soldier Field on Thursday.

by stujo4 on Dec 8, 2008 9:15 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I think we became a team today, we became a team

I am officially a believer in PT. Not because of this game, but in his consistancy. At first I didn’t know if he could keep it up over the course of a season, being that we had seen so little of him. Now, you can just tell in his running style, nice power, the way he reads the play, following his blocks, etc., he’s putting together a nice string of games. Let’s hope he keeps it up in Chicago.

Also, give Jason David credit where credit is due. If he can turn it around what a great story he could become. You have got to admit he has handled all the adversity as a professional so it is good to see him making plays.

by Ditka'sGhost on Dec 8, 2008 10:29 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Thursday night

I am definitely nervous about Thursday night – I looked on weather.com and Thursday in Chicago, there is a high of 15 degrees. However, the bears d isn’t what it used to be when they went to the Super Bowl a few years back. Forte will be tough, but it seems as if our run d has had some great games against fantastic backs this year: i.e. Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, Ryan Grant, etc. OK, I know Grant sucks, but I was just coming up with those of the top of my head. GEAUX SAINTS!

by DeuceisLoose926 on Dec 8, 2008 1:27 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

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