is that Payton goes into a game with a game plan and he tends to not want to get away from the plan when he should. If I remember what I read before the game, the fins run defense was supposed to be fairly good and their secondary somewhat depleted and weak. His game plan was probably to pass more than run, and his reluctance to deviate from the plan, even when it wasn’t working, caused the early deficit. Once he decided to change up everything started working out, and the end result was great! The Saints of years past would have never pulled it off.

On a side note, watching ch 6 news late after SNF and they have a reporter at the airport waiting for the team flight, and the amount of people there waiting is unreal!!

So, let’s see. Had a Patriots fan noticed a tendency of their CBs to occasionally get beat on corner routes in the end zone — particularly when matched up against bigger WRS — during the 2007 regular season, it wouldn’t have beared mentioning, right? I mean, they won week in and week out. What’s the point of discussing a shortcoming that hasn’t led to a defeat yet? A taller or more athletic CB couldn’t have POSSIBLY made a difference, when matched up against All-World Plaxico Burress that fateful night in February.

If they meaning the fins… thought we stopping our passing…

I think the present mix of Bell, Thomas, and a smathering of Bush is enough to keep them fairly rested and a constant threat. Remember, MOST injuries happen when a player is tired! Need short yardage? Throw in a rested Thomas and Bush. The former can run it and the latter can catch it.

By the way, I kind of doubt that Payton, Williams, or anyone else on the Saints Coaching Staff is checking this blog for pointers! Jeeeeez, if they were we’d probably still have Billy Kilmer!!!

I agree with just about all of that.

I just watched the game on Rewind, and since the outcome wasn’t in doubt, I was able to watch it calmly and analyze some of the individual efforts. I thought Colston had one of his worst games, dropping several balls and allowing the ball to be taken away for an int in the end zone. Shockey, Vilma, Hargrove, Bell, and Porter all had good games.

One last comment though, Grant and Will Smith were nowhere to be found. Hope it’s not a return to their play of the last couple seasons.

This game, I think the Saints tried the same thing I mentioned about the Giants game with the early play action. PT wasn’t getting much, and the Dolphins didn’t bite as hard on the fakes, so it didn’t work so well. I think Payton really wanted his early lead plan to work like every other week. I think that’s part of what has made him more comfortable with power running calls as games go on. But when it didn’t work this week, Brees’ short drops and extra second on the play fakes got him ass-bit. When they went to naked boots and shotgun, and just running from run packages, he had a much better game. And they did get a good fake out of a 3 TE set later, after Bell had established the run for real. And yes, those stupid-ass fake swing screens should be dropped in the furnace this morning. For whatever reason, Brees can’t connect with Bush on passes to save his life, and the Dolphins were pressuring on the outside all day.

Also, I wish I had game rewind. I have to rely on my day-old alcohol-hazed observations for analysis.

and anyone that can make another nfl player his bitch repeatedly while running for 40 yards on national tv deserves it

“We really handled the Gimmickcat well.”

We only gave up 2.7 yds per play on the Wildcat. That’s definitely better than most teams have handled it on the whole. 18 pts off of it in the red zone, though. That’s nothing to hang our hats on.

its almost as if he plays like a linebacker running the ball. the dude has a mean streak. i loved it when he layed the wood to channing crowder. (or was that joey porter?) i forget.

“as big as the goal line stand @. Steelers in 87”

One of my favorite moments as a Saints fan. Sam Mills’s hit on Merril Hoge still rings in my ears to this day.