How To Hand Jake Delhomme His First Defeat in the Dome: Run, Baby, Run

by Andrew Juge on Nov 7, 2009 7:00 AM CST

You'll have to forgive me for stealing Sheryl Crow's song title as part of the story headline but in this case it is quite apropos. After all, few things are as synonymous with football as a female singer/songwriter approaching her fifties, right? The Saints host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday and they'll have an opportunity to go 8-0 for the first time in Saints history. If there was ever a game where I would want the Saints the throw the ball less than 30 times, despite it being what they do best, this game would be it.

Panthers vs Saints coverage

Don't mistake me for saying I want the Saints to change the way they run their offense, or ignore what they do best. The Saints' bread and butter is when Brees runs a play fake and he's looking downfield for his crop of dangerous receivers. What I'm saying is I want the Saints to run the football in this game more than they ever have. That does not equate with don't pass, it equates with pass less and make the passes you do throw hurt more.

Some things to consider when coming up with a gameplan this weekend vs. the Panthers:

1. The Panthers' primary run stopper, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, is on injured reserve and is out for the season.

2. Two other defensive tackles (Louis Leonard and Corvey Irvin) are on injured reserve and out for the season.

3. The Panthers had to resurrect a corpulent 35 year old former Saint with asthma in Hollis Thomas to anchor their run stopping efforts.

4. The Panthers rank #1 in the league against the pass and #24 against the run. The Saints are 4th in the league in rushing (6th in passing).

5. The Saints average 4.5 yards per run, 10th best in the league, and the Panthers yield an average per run of 4.5 (good for 7th worst).

Plain and simple, if the Saints are getting 4.5 a pop per carry and the Panthers are giving up 4.5 per pop - the numbers work out pretty well. That's a first down after two downs of rushing if you're familiar with simple addition. I realize things don't always work out or unfold the way the stats would lead you to believe, but it's still a pretty simple formula. The Panthers can't stop the run and we're very good at it. For the last 3 years the Saints have been labelled as a "finesse team" or "soft", while Panthers football for as long as John Fox has been around has been predicated on running both the football and the clock whilst playing great defense. The beauty of this gameplan is we can give the Panthers a taste of their own medicine and beat them the way they've beat us consistently in recent years.

Oh, and one last thing. I hate Jake Delhomme. There, I said it. I hate that he comes back to Louisiana, hands us our tail, and runs his mouth up and down the sideline being as demonstrative as a buffoon. It's almost like he wants ME to know that he beat the Saints yet again in the Dome (and Tiger Stadium during the Katrina season). In case you didn't know, Jake Delhomme has never lost to the Saints in Louisiana as the QB for the Panthers. Sure, he says it's just another game in the media and seems passive enough... but I see him on the sidelines and I know better. Back when he was in New Orleans, I wanted him subbed in for Aaron Brooks when Brooks was injured. No need to rehash that, but the fact that the previous Saints' regime made an eggregious error and the fact that the current regime is still paying for it makes me sick. It makes me sick more than words can describe. I am sick of losing to Jake Delhomme at home. To be honest, I really don't even care how we do it, just beat Jake Delhomme. And you can believe that if we do, I'll be barking at him from where I'm sitting like a demonstrative buffoon. I'm pretty sure buffoons bark.

So let me ask you guys:

1. Will you be able to forgive me for the Sheryl Crow reference?

2. How effective will the Saints be running the ball against Carolina?

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Comments

Simple addition

4.5 + 4.5 = 9

Not a first down.

The difference between the Panthers and the Saints has always been our defense. We’re better than them now, and we should win. In fact, we should blow them away.

Oh, and one last thing. I hate Sheryl Crow.

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 Nov 7, 2009 7:22 AM CST reply actions

I hate her politics but...

her music is nice.
In her “honor” I use an extra bit of toilet paper.

by CobraJet428 on Nov 7, 2009 9:22 AM CST up reply actions

simple addition

I hope to be familiar with it someday soon

by Andrew Juge on Nov 7, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

the panthers had 2 weapons against the saints

the big weapon was FRED THOMAS & JASON DAVID them 2 weapons are long gone, Saints win by 20 Jakes days in the dome are over.

by bigbaddon on Nov 7, 2009 8:00 AM CST reply actions

All is forgiven

At least you didn’t use “all I wanna do is have some fun”

Let’s just beat the Panthers and Delhomme – it’s that simple. We all want to do that

"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray

by HansDat on Nov 7, 2009 8:04 AM CST reply actions

Just beat the Panthers

It’s time to show Jake and some of those fans that can’t let go (my mother being one) that we don’t need Jake. Who dat?

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

by Ace Venom on Nov 7, 2009 8:19 AM CST reply actions

An addition

I hate Jake Delhomme too. You think it’s not personal with him? Of course it is.

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

by Ace Venom on Nov 7, 2009 8:22 AM CST up reply actions

It's been too long.

The Saints team is totally different. He’s won against the Saints so many times. I can’t think he gets much out of the game other than a distraction of being home.

by xen-cuts on Nov 7, 2009 8:24 AM CST up reply actions

I'm sure hating Jake has nothing to do with him constantly spanking you in your house???

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Nov 7, 2009 10:27 PM CST up reply actions

The panthers might have their moments

but I expect the saints to have more of those moments. Smith is good and the Saints always struggle against the Panthers O-line in stopping the run. The Panthers defense is really good, too. I’m not sure what to expect here. I keep going between a huge and small margin of victory for the Saints. Either way the Saints should win. If we were going to lose we should have done it earlier because we can’t afford to drop division games.

I don’t have anything against Sheryl Crow. She seems to be a polarizing figure. But I’m still on the fence.

by xen-cuts on Nov 7, 2009 8:23 AM CST reply actions

1-2

1 I forgive you
2 we will run it down there throats
bonus we will knock them oof that #1 pass D like we did when it was Philys ,like we did when it was the Giants.Evryone weve faced was number 1 at something on one side of the ball until we got to them

by darshiva420 on Nov 7, 2009 8:46 AM CST reply actions

+1 for correcting using "corpulent"

I think the Panthers will gamble by playing their safeties closer to the line in run support – betting that the rush will get to Brees before he can uncork a long throw. Would love to run right at Peppers to wear him down and slow down his rush. He’ll get some sacks, just have to limit the damage. We’ll get our points regardless of what they do though.

Much more worried about stopping their run tandem and not getting the back on offense. They’ll want to shorten the game and use clock. Could be a frustrating day unless we can shut them down on 3rd down.

by TigerPaw on Nov 7, 2009 10:27 AM CST reply actions

they are a difficult matchup for us

their strengths play to our weaknesses.

by xen-cuts on Nov 7, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions

Panthers fan

i happen to believe the opposite…ron meeks (panthers D.C.) plays bend not break and we have a conservative team…i think the safeties respect drew brees (as does the rest of the nfl by now…) and don’t take their chances

and peppers is a man possessed so u can try and slow him down haha

by vitzeng on Nov 7, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions

Carolina Fan

Its nice to see pasionate fans that don’t trash talk. The posts on here are for the most part very accurate and intelligent. I have been a Panthers fan since they came into the league. I always look forward to the Panthers/Saints games. No matter their record, both teams usually play each other very close. The Saints are a very good team. No doubt about it. I think the Panthers can win if they play mistake free football and control the clock. The Panthers defense also needs to come up with a couple of take aways. If the Saints defense follows recent history and the Panthers offense does the same ( jake throwing interceptions), it will be a long day for Carolina. Either way it should be a good game to watch. Good luck Saints….but not too much!

by puett on Nov 7, 2009 12:05 PM CST reply actions

Well aside from the fact that I’d wish you personally (not your team, sorry) good luck… I’d have to agree with pretty much all of that.

But I will definitely agree with it being nice to converse with somebody from the other side without either seeming to “need” to trash talk.

by FriarBob on Nov 7, 2009 3:20 PM CST up reply actions

"I think the Panthers can win if they play mistake free football and control the clock."

Is it just me or can this be said for any team on any given Sunday. How about being team specific Carolina Fan.

by ranelclub on Nov 8, 2009 2:34 AM CST up reply actions

I think we need to run the ball until they start stopping it then some play actions deep, repeat… then when they get behind and throw… make sure we get 3 int for td and boom… the fat lady will sing

I am a jack of all, and master of none

by doublewide on Nov 7, 2009 5:23 PM CST reply actions

Bend but don't break ahhhhhh!!!

We used to employ that. It sucks. It is like the casette tapes of defenses..no…it’s the 8 tracks of defenses. Maybe it’s the VHS of defenses….no it’s the Beta of defenses. Tell me, sir, of a noteworthy defense in the NFL that uses Bend, don’t break. Pittsburgh? Eagles? Ravens? Minnesota?? How about this one NO Saints 2007-2008? Yes. Bad idea. We sucked. NY Giants superbowl champs 2007?? Sorry if that’s your best stab at it, you lose. Bend but don’t break. That’s a recipe for disaster and if you don’t see it now , you will soon. It’s like saying I want to win big at the casino and I amgoing to bet this brand new shiny quarter because that’s all I’m willing to risk.

But, you have to have the personnel to do it. Some teams understand it and embrace it, some teams understand it and are to cheap to do it. Some teams don’t understand it. Which one are you?

Your best defensive player is Peppers. Does he play bend but don’t break? I think not. That’s why he is good. He takes risks and goes for the jugular. But, bend don’t break, even with one or two players..well it’s like having Kevin Kaesviharn… does that ring a bell to you???

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

by Philinwood on Nov 7, 2009 6:45 PM CST reply actions

that post was for vitzeng

but I meant no malice to Carolina fans. I just wanted anyone who thinks "bend but don’t break " is the way to go, well just to listen to what I have to say. But, I do agree, the Panther fans have been pretty cool overall.

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

by Philinwood on Nov 7, 2009 6:49 PM CST reply actions

What the hell does "bend but don't break" even mean really?

I don’t see it as a defensive strategy. More of a defensive hope. Does it mean no blitzing, play coverage all game, hold to short yardage, keep offenses to field goals? I would think that’s the wish of every defense, except for the blitzing part, maybe. But I’m sure everybody wants to pressure the qb with 4 guys consistently, if they could. Just seems meaningless for anybody to say “that’s our defensive strategy”. Or, in the case of the ‘07-’08 Saints, a way of explaining why your defense has so few sacks and takeaways.

What you have to do is to turn his little body over so that when he does get it, he lands on his head and he doesn’t come back in for a while." -- Gregg Williams on Steve Smith.

by FuSoYa on Nov 7, 2009 7:08 PM CST reply actions