Defensive line is a work in progress.

Schaub has a quick release which makes it hard to sack a QB when you only get 1.5 – 2.5 seconds.

The line is in fact getting closer to the QB and if the secondary can hold coverage, THEN we start to see more sacks.

Overall, I think we’re seeing something we haven’t had in years past – DEPTH.

I thought the run defense in particular was solid.

makes me wish for a starting WLB that disrupts plays in the backfield. Tough to tell if he’s that guy, going against backups, but it would be nice to have that presence for a change. I thought Bushrod looked horrendous, but that’s probably to be expected. Our OL is seriously lacking depth, though they did a pretty nice job opening holes for the run Saturday night. Mike Bell looked phenomenal with the first teamers. I don’t see much of a dropoff between he and Pierre Thomas at all. Nice to see Arrington finally earn a paycheck. Should be interesting to see what they do there, particularly with Harper returning punts. I like that they’ve found someone else that can manage the task, but what of kickoff returns? If Harper and Arrington nail down the 5th and 6th WR spots, Roby and Green leave us a little thin there. I expect to see Bell and a couple of the other backs getting looks back there next Saturday, as Payton attempts to piece together the special teams puzzle.

Well I think the overall grade for the D might be only a C or so, but I think the adjustments grade has to be at least a strong B+. Yeah they looked pretty porous on the first drive but they adjusted quickly and effectively to shut down the next drive(s). Maybe it would be nice to kick their butts from the starting gun but the fact that they actually made adjustments and prevented the opponents from repeatedly beating them up was a very nice change of pace.

But they do need to find a pass rush before the real games start. Hopefully with the extra schemes they aren’t showing yet that will happen, but until we actually see it we can’t know for sure.

Anthony Hargrove needs some recognition. He has been

Ok, I’m about one chip-shot FG miss from Hartley before I think he needs to be cut. As it is, I’m tempted – he’s going to miss 4 games for PED violation, and he’s missing easy ones. Right now, gimme Carney.

Hey, if you want to high-five your teammates, chest bump, drop to a knee and thank the Lord, no problem. But, yeah, just think how stupid Harper’s Deion dance would have looked if they’d run the now extra-short (because of the penalty) kickoff back for a touchdown. Reminder Saints: There are PENALITIES for taunting and excessive celebration.

dropping to the knee and thanking the Lord. That is a class act in my opinion, but if some of the younger guys can get a way with it then go for it.

Oh yea, never suggest the bathing suits for Miss Universe should be smaller when your talking with your ol lady. no matter how much they loathe American bikinis.

they tend to slip people’s minds, in terms of the end result of the ensuing drive. When the entire drive starts x-number of yards further up the field, your opponent is that much closer to the end zone AND field goal range. Not only that, even if they don’t score, they’re inevitably going to pin you that much further back on the punt. So basically, you’re surrendering extra opportunities at turnovers, chances to stop your opponent, making it harder on yourself to score, all for what? A five second circus act? And the argument that there shouldn’t be a penalty for that sort of stuff is pretty much irrelevant. Let’s say that as a coach, I don’t agree with illegal blocks in the back. I think you should be able to block a player by whatever means necessary. Should I allow my players to do commit those penalties and accept 15 yard march offs whenever they do, just on the principle of the matter? If it’s detrimental to field position, you don’t do it. Point blank. End of debate.

Endzone celebration is unnecessary clownery, mildly amusing at best, but normally repulsive if it makes the Sportscenter highlight reel. If it costs the team yards, it should obviously be punished at the team level first(in-house fines or extra conditioning drills or something). I always think the guys who walk off the field with little more than a quiet personal affirmation(Colston, with his “thanks, Jesus” skyward point, e.g.) are the coolest out there. I would think it a little more intimidating to defenses, anyway, if that part makes any difference at all. If a guy just gingerly jogs off the field after scoring on you, with a little fist pump or pats on the back from teammates, he’s saying,“scoring against you is just another day at the office for us”.

Did you notice that after Harper’s TD return, every kick he recieved after that netted not just zero, but negative yards?

And CP, once again, you are right on the money.

I am still abit worried that they still have probs with the pass defence. They still seem to be giving up the deep passes. Now David is gone so there are no excuses. Let them go against a good passing offense in the regular season and I´m afraid they´re gonna get eaten again, at least if they don´t tighten up. IMHO

Now that we have a superb stable of RB’s on the roster who can obviously do the job, is Brees still a #1 fantasy QB since he won’t have to be the gunslinger he was last year?

I agree with all that Dave said above in the grade report. also, in mine own words….offense looked good, Special Teams guys need to wake up, defense needs to pressure QB more and tackle better, and that a W is a W, even in preseason.

I also would like to point out that Mr. Waters’es sack, forced fumble, and recovery was the example of my rule change from M-E’s fanpost – “If I was Commissioner for a Day” (elected on Friday, Assassinated on Saturday, buried on Sunday...). As much as I liked getting the turnover, I do not think he should get credited for all three (sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery). Either give him credit for the sack OR credit him with a FF and a FUMREC. And really, how could that be a sack – he wasn’t in the grasp, he wasn’t tackled to the ground…

god bless ya

he’s a future Hall of Famer and was awseome when he was a Saint. Seems a little pompous to me.

you wanted Bryant or some other guy instead of Carney. JC was 35-38 last year, had 2 blocked (may not have been his fault) and made the pro-bowl. Bryant was 32-38, the other guy, Nugent, was 0-1 last year and 29-36 the year before (= not so good). Neither have the experience of Carney, I’ll take Carney. The other guys are on a different level. Carney is a hall of famer, I’ll take the gamble that his tank is empty. I don’t care about the PawPaw.
But, as for me, Carney and Brunell could play better at 45 than I could at 26, so I don’t feel comfortable putting them down as old guys. Kinda like a guy 66 years old yesterday beat me on the golf course by 8 strokes. I didn’t have the nerve to call him an old man.

“Kinda like a guy 66 years old yesterday beat me on the golf course by 8 strokes. I didn’t have the nerve to call him an old man.”

You just did.

I’m almost two years older than Brett Favre. I don’t see any 20 year olds taking that into account when they refer to him as “over the hill” in my presence. My NFL standards, both he and Carney are ancient players. Saying that has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of respect. Favre is the 2nd greatest QB to ever play, imo. Carney is probably in my top 10 among kickers.