Saints Offensive Player Grades vs. Giants

by saints-nation on Oct 19, 2009 3:00 PM CDT Comment 30 comments

See below for my player grades for the Giants game. Remember, the letter grade represents the grade for the game and the GPA in parentheses represents the player's cumulative GPA for the season.

Giants vs Saints coverage

Giants vs Saints recap

Giants vs Saints boxscore

OFFENSE:

Drew Brees: A+ (3.27)

Brees receives the second A+ I've given out this season. What can you say negative about his performance? It was simply flawless. He threw for 369 yards, 4 touchdowns, no interceptions and he wasn't sacked. He threw the ball at will to whoever he wanted, and was unstoppable.

Pierre Thomas: B- (3.45)

Decent game by Thomas. He finished with 72 yards on 15 carries, though 25 came on a run late. He was stacked up on 4th and inches from the goal line on a play where it seemed like he could have made a better effort to finish off the run. That play could have hurt the Saints if the defense hadn't given the offense a second chance with a forced turnover before halftime. Overall he ran with authority and kept the chains moving.

Mike Bell: B- (3.34)

Mixed bag from Bell. Right before the 4th down Pierre Thomas run mentioned previously, he was stopped on 3rd and short from the goal line. He also converted a crucial 4th and 1 from the 2 yard line for a touchdown on the game's opening drive. He seemed to get stacked up late, but showed impressive power on some plays. He finished with 15 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown. He did have a nice run along the sideline for a touchdown which was called back by a holding penalty.

Reggie Bush: B- (2.27)

Bush had 6 carries for 17 yards and a touchdown, 1 catch for 7 yards and 2 punt returns for 0 yards. His punt returning was atrocious as always. He had a couple nifty runs, including a 9 yard run around the edge and beautiful 7 yard touchdown run. He also had his trademark "dancing" rushing attempts. Brees bypassed him wide open a couple times in the passing game.

Heath Evans: B (3.20)

Evans capped off the Saints' final scoring drive with a 2 yard touchdown run. Otherwise, he threw devastating blocks at times when the Saints needed it the most. He negated a Mike Bell touchdown run with a holding penalty which prevents him from receiving a better grade. He also caught a screen pass for 5 yards.

Marques Colston: A+ (3.13)

Colston receives the 3rd A+ of the season. He was Brees' favorite target all day and completely torched the Giants. They had no answer for his frame and hands. He made tough grabs in traffic, grabs downfield, ran terrific routes and showed good ability after the catch. Colston finished with 8 catches for 166 yards and 1 touchdown.

Lance Moore: A (3.34)

It was nice to see Moore's number called, and he responded in a big way. On the opening drive he was targeted several times, and he had a juggling reception that converted a crucial 3rd and 7 for a first down. Nice to see Moore back to his old form from a season ago. He had 6 grabs, 78 yards and a touchdown.

Robert Meachem: A- (2.92)

Just two catches for Meachem all game, but they were both huge. He finished with 2 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown, and his 36 yard TD from Brees was the best grab of the day over two defenders. His other catch went down to the 1 yard line and he would have scored but the ball by Brees was slightly underthrown. He also rushed for 2 yards on a reverse that went down to the Giants' 1 yard line.

Devery Henderson: C+ (3.06)

Just 1 catch for 6 yards on the day for Henderson who was very quiet on a day where everyone else was anything but. Henderson did beat his man deep on a throw that could have been a touchdown, but Brees underthrew the ball because he was hit by Justin Tuck as he released the pass. Give Henderson credit for a terrific block around the edge that sprung Bush's 9 yard run.

Jeremy Shockey: B+ (3.33)

Shockey blocked well on running plays, and he was used often in the first half. He kind of disappeared in the second half, but with the Saints successfully spreading the offense out, you can't really complain about Shockey's performance. It was nice to see him score against his old team. He made a nice grab and did a good job holding onto the football going down. Shockey, true to form, ran crisp routes and showed sure hands. He finished with 4 catches for 37 yards and 1 touchdown.

David Thomas: D (2.11)

Thomas did a poor job blocking on a couple plays, which allowed his man to get into the backfield. He also didn't catch a pass and he had a false start on 3rd and 7 which resulted in the Saints getting pushed back 5 yards further. Quiet day for the backup tight end.

Jermon Bushrod: A- (3.00)

Bushrod had, in my opinion, his best game as a Saint. He completely shut down Osi Umenyiora's pass rushing ability. I'm starting to believe the Saints can feel safe with Bushrod holding down the left tackle spot for the rest of the season. You'll notice the Saints also attacked the left side of the field on rushing plays several times and Bushrod was effective.

Carl Nicks: A (3.34)

We know he's a mauler and we know that run blocking is his specialty. What was nice to see against the Giants was the pass blocking he exhibited. In helping Bushrod, he knocked Umenyiora flat on his back twice showing nice athleticism and incredible strength. This guy just keeps getting better and better. What a draft choice he was in the 5th round.

Jonathan Goodwin: B (3.27)

The Saints didn't run many screens, so we didn't get a chance to see Goodwin pull and throw the lead blocks off the edge which he excels at. That said, he played a solid game.

Jahri Evans: A- (3.53)

Another textbook performance by Evans, who was dominating on the interior. Once again, any time Brees felt pressure on the edges he would step up in the pocket and feel zero pressure because the interior blocking was so superior. Evans did a good job springing the 25 yard Thomas run, and he hustled downfield a few times to help finish off plays.

Jon Stinchcomb: B+ (2.87)

Facing arguably one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the entire league in Justin Tuck, Stinchcomb held his own very well. His run blocking wasn't perfect, and late in the game when Saints' running backs ran behind him they struggled. Stinchcomb did show good technique as always and played a very clean game. The fact that both tackles held Umenyiora and Tuck sackless is a big tribute to the way they played.

Zach Strief: C- (2.87)

I've given this guy praise all year for how he's done coming in as the extra tight end on blocking downs. He just didn't perform all that well today. Usually he comes in and uses his immense size to completely demolish the lighter ends as the running backs run behind him. He played a significant amount of plays in the Saints' last two drives, and that was when they struggled the most to run the ball.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Drew Brees

Check back tomorrow for my defensive and special team grades.

Grades of past games:

Poll

How Would You Grade the Overall Offensive Performance of the Saints?

A

582 votes

B

29 votes

C

3 votes

D

1 votes

F

8 votes

623 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

the entire o-line deserves an overall A+

when you give drew time, he will shred any def.

by DrewBreesManCrush on Oct 19, 2009 3:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad this is on the front page now

I love the individual player grades. Gives me more to think about, especially regarding the linemen, the special teams, and the skill guys that have quiet days. I always read it on the sidebar.

"Brees will kill you, but he lets you decide how fast he tightens the garrote." -Chris Brown

by FuSoYa on Oct 19, 2009 3:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Who voted for B?

For God’s sake, what more do you want?

Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston

by MtnExile on Oct 19, 2009 3:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bet you it was a giants fan voting for the F. :)

by FriarBob on Oct 19, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Did

The grade is for “Overall Performance” not “Did We Win.” The coaching staff and players will all agree there is always room for improvement. Never ever be satisfied with where you are. Once you do, you start to get stale.

The competetion is so intense in the NFL that it just takes a 99.9% effort to be watching the Superbowl from a sleazy bar in the Irish Channel instead of eyeball to eyeball with the opposition!

SAINTS 42 – dolphins 13

by Just 'Nother Day on Oct 19, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did.

The offense was perfect, as usual, but I can see a bit of improvement in the D.

Without a lucky fumble, it could have been 42-35.

Still, a B+++++ if I could. Just shy of A.

by craig3410 on Oct 20, 2009 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It may be a little early

I know we want to bask in the glory of dismantling the Giants but I found this headline already posted on www,thephinsider.com

5 reasons why Fins will beat New Orleans

Just letting you know.

by WhoDat_OH on Oct 19, 2009 3:38 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

Here’s the link:

http://www.thephinsider.com/2009/10/19/1091240/5-reasons-why-fins-will-beat-new

by WhoDat_OH on Oct 19, 2009 3:50 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm

That post sounds like a wish list to me. Or a what if list. One thing that does concern me is the # of missed tackles at the line of scrimmage yersterday.

A SAINT in Panther country

by carolinasaintsfan on Oct 19, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was so sad I couldn't even respond on there

I guess they are wanting to keep up their momentum, but they’ll have to wait until they play some more of the AFC East teams. I’m honestly not very worried about this game…I am pretty sure that after the past two seasons of mediocrity the players won’t overlook any team. I almost laughed when the one guy on there was talking trash about our CB’s. I am pretty sure that GW will have the D prepared for the Wildcat and the defense will be flying around trying to lay out the RB’s the same way they have been doing with the QB’s so far this season.

Honestly, the game I am circling on my calendar now is the Patriots. Especially after they ran up the score yesterday so Brady could be the headliner. I can’t wait for Jabari Greer to shut down Moss just like he did TO and I can’t wait to see Sharper get a pick six off of Brady. I can see the media swooning over Brady and him being back to normal now after that game against an anemic Titan defense. That’s OK…save the accolades for after we win the Super Bowl.

by BlackandGold4ever on Oct 19, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

circle the falcons

Bringing families together through incorrect grammar and incoherent thoughts, don't mention it. It's what I do.

by asaint on Oct 19, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

...

i was at the preseason game against the phins and their starters played a whole lot compared to the Saints hardly playin any starters at all. The Dolphins starters beat the Saints back-ups by only 3.

by J Rock on Oct 19, 2009 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On the the other hand, they also didn’t exactly go all out on their schemes in that game.

I think we will take them. For that matter, I’ll go so far as to say if we don’t take them I’ll be about as ticked as I was after we lost to minnysoso last year. Because we very much should win this game.

But I also don’t think it’s going to be a 70-10 blowout. Not that I would complain if it was, but I don’t think it will be. If for no other reason that Payton usually is happy with a 30 point lead and stops trying to run up the score, unlike Bill Bellicheat.

by FriarBob on Oct 20, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

A

The only reason for even thinking of giving that overall performance a B would have been the mishaps the special teams made. Even with that this TEAM deserves an A.

A SAINT in Panther country

by carolinasaintsfan on Oct 19, 2009 4:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

but this grade was only for the offense

i was thinking B too, but i think that grade (or lower) should be reserved for the special teams unit and/or defense

by nanvinnie on Oct 19, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

F?

must have been a bitter giants fan

by sernycrusher on Oct 19, 2009 4:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I said A

Good, dominating win against a great team. I’d give the O and D an A+ and an A period with a C or special teams. Equals out to about an A in my book. About an A-. Liked the grades. Bush isn’t really getting a lot of oppurtunities to do anything. In his few runs, he had some pretty decent ones. Also had the one where he was hit in the backfield, was able to break the tackle but went back on that then got nailed. Wish he’d get more oppurtunities in the passing game with screens and stuff. He did seem to get looked over once or twice when he was open.

Superbowl bound!!!...I know! do you?! Go Saints!!

by skinnykinney on Oct 19, 2009 4:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cmon Dave

tell us who gave the Fs out!!

"Indecision may or may not be my biggest problem" - Jimmy Buffett

by Philinwood on Oct 19, 2009 6:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He doesn’t have to. You know full well it’s bitter Giant fans.

Well maybe it’s people who thought they were voting for the Giant’s performance level… :)

by FriarBob on Oct 20, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you for beating the giants

after my eagles messed up loss to the Raiders, which they somehow always have one game they completly fuck up a season, we are not behind in the division… I’m looking forward to playing you guys in the playoffs later this season

That 44-6 eagles cowboys game on Dec. 29/2008 was the best game i've ever seen

by maximdim on Oct 19, 2009 6:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good luck with that

After losing to the Raiders, I wouldn’t count your playoff chickens before they’re hatched. Saints, Gaints, Vikes, Falcons are looking like shoe-ins and someone is going to have to win the West. That leaves 1 spot for Packers, Bears and Eagles.

by SaintBevo on Oct 19, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True, but to be fair they did look like crap about this point last year and they managed to come back. So they do have at least a theoretical chance still.

by FriarBob on Oct 20, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two glaring things jump out at me

of course, the first being the special teams being not so special. If you kickoff as many times as we did Sunday you’ll have the eventual breakdown in coverage. But too many times players left their lanes, didn’t shed blocks and at least twice the Giants had illegal wedges (not called).

The other was that Usama Young is not ready to play safety so depth/injuries could be crucial down the stretch.

A overall because I gave extra credit for intensity and dominance in a pressure situation.

by WhoDat_OH on Oct 19, 2009 6:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

I brought this up in the preseason

But the Brown injury looks like a blessing in disguise more and more every day. I think he’s probably a better run-blocker and I haven’t seen any signs of his being a liability on pass blocking. If he continues this strong play, I’m all for trading Brown.

by SaintBevo on Oct 19, 2009 8:00 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Great point

great point

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by Saintsational on Oct 19, 2009 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually

heard this mentioned somewhere yesterday after the game, I THINK it was brought up by Bobby Hebert and Deke on the post game on WWL. Bushrod has been solid replacing Brown, and I don’t recall seeing all the holding calls that Brown was known for. If he keeps playing solid, mistake free games Brown’s days as a Saint may very well be numbered.

by BayouRebel on Oct 19, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well maybe we can still keep him around for depth

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by Saintsational on Oct 19, 2009 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not at the price he’s likely to get on the open market. Unless we franchise him. And do you want to do that? No thanks, I’d rather franchise Sharper if it comes to that.

by FriarBob on Oct 20, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs