Niners @ Saints: Making the Grade
This weeks grades are pretty optimistic after a pretty impressive all around performance from the entire team.
Quarterback A
Nothing unexpected here. Drew is the rock of this team. He is quietly putting together an MVP caliber season. He looked a bit off at the very beginning and threw an interception but the rest of the game more than made up for it and earning him this grade. He makes it look so easy.
Wide Receiver A
One hand washes the other. If Drew has a good game it would be pretty unlikely that the receivers didn't put up big numbers too. This should be an A+ really because they got all of this done with Colston or Shockey. These guys made some amazing catches yesterday. Deep passing plays to Moore, Meachem and Henderson were all crushing for the Niners defense. They made San Francisco's secondary look like the Saints' of old.
Running Back B
This wasn't a dominating performance but it was statement game for sure. The numbers may not show it but the running game was important in this game. Having a threat on the ground opened up the passing game for Brees and company. The Siants were also successful converting those all important short yardage plays. Reggie Bush was pretty much a no show but the Niners were focusing and game planning for him all week.
Offensive Line B
Drew never hit the ground once. Deuce seemed to have bigger holes than usual to run through but his running ability may help too. Carl Nicks did a good job filling in. Still not dominant on the line enough for an A.
Defensive Line A
A great performance by the line. This was exactly what we know these guys are capable of and it's great to see if finally be executed. Charles Grant was just a monster. Sedrick Ellis continues to look like a great draft decision. Kendrick Clancy is getting in the mix as well. Bobby McCray was the only slight disappointment yesterday.
Linebackers B
Vilma got back to form this week tying for a team high 7 tackles this game. Shanle and Vilma had less productive afternoons. Overall, a pretty quiet game from this unit.
Secondary A
Talk about a noticeable upgrade. This unit has gone from losing games for us to winning them. Two interceptions in the end zone. No huge plays. Even Jason David looked solid. The cornerbacks and safeties both played well together. We can't ask for much more than this after last season.
Agree? Disagree? What grades would you give?
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8 comments
Comments
Great all around performance
Man it was nice to have a running game. Deuce looked great.
It's better to die like a lion, than to live like a pussy
by #23fan on Sep 29, 2008 7:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The only thing that annoyed me all game...
was when they went for it on 4th and goal. At that point, they really should have kicked the field goal. What was Payton trying to prove?
by jjwest11 on Sep 29, 2008 7:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
At least it wasn't Clay Aiken
I woke up twice this morning dreaming that I was watching Lance Moore flexing his biceps in the end zone after he scored. Which is kinda gay of me. But it was pretty cool. He looked very happy about it and I’m happy for him.
by stujo4 on Sep 29, 2008 9:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Gay for sure
Was there any morning wood involved in this ?
It's better to die like a lion, than to live like a pussy
by #23fan on Sep 29, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Peyton back to being Peyton
I agree just about 100% with your assessment. I wanted to ask you a couple of things:
I was watching onTV and it seemed Bobby Mc Cray didn’t play much- did I just miss him and wouldn’t more d-line rotation help to keep these guys fresher for late season? Also, hasn’t Usama Young progressed enough to be the nickel back instead of Jason David?
Also, Peyton seemed to get back mostly to the type of Coach he used to be. But, he should have started the 2nd half with running Deuce, not Reggie.
by Philinwood on Sep 29, 2008 9:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Reggie not in the stats...
but he kept the Niners defense occupied, and this allowed other players to contribute. I think Payton anticipated this, and Reggie was intentionally used as a decoy in the gameplan. So in this respect I think Reggie was more than a “no show”. I think we’ll see Reggie back in the stats next week, since the Vikings will think they don’t have to shadow his every move after watching tape of this game. It’s all about misdirection.
by kssaints on Sep 29, 2008 4:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
3 out of 4 ain't bad
What a weekend, Grambling won, The Saints won, and The Cowboys lost. Unfortunately I lost in my fantasy league ONLY cause I picked Mecheum instead of Lance More to replace Plexico. Oh well, I’ll take a Saint win over a fantasy ANY day.
by BigTMill on Sep 30, 2008 12:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs






















