Detroit Lions 27 @ New Orleans Saints 45: The View from Section 140 (Now with Pictures!)
by Dave Cariello on Sep 13, 2009 5:09 PM CDT
63 comments
Week one for the Saints is in the books and they're off to a good start. While I am happy with the win, there were still quite a few mistakes that needed to get cleaned up. Just like after the Oakland Raider pre-season game, I urge Saints fans to remain cautiously optimistic. This was Detroit.
Here is a quick rundown of my notes from the game. Use this thread for all your pos-game thoughts. I will post pictures from the game later.
- It was a very rainy afternoon today as fans made their way into the Superdome. I am so grateful that the Saints play indoors.
- My new seats are right behind the famous fan "Voodoo Man."
- The defensive starters were announced during introductions before the game.
- I don't mean to toot my own horn but earlier this week when I discussed the keys to today's game my two players to watch were Mike Bell and Darren Sharper. Both had good games. Please hold the applause.
- Mike Bell lived up to all the hype. Which is good because Reggie just couldn't get it done between the tackles. Obviously, he needs to clean up the fumble situation but I think he can carry the load if we need him. Insert "Ring My Bell" music. I missed a chance to take a picture of Mike Bell doing the pee-pee dance off the field after what looked like an injury only a man could get.
- Much better play from the safeties already this season. Sharper, obviously, with his double interceptions. Harper laid the wood on a running back in the backfield.
- I'll skip any talk about Drew Brees. He sucked out there today.
- On the subject of the running game, I was so glad to see Payton stick with the run game. Here is a stat I never thought I'd see: Run plays - 35 Pass plays - 34. Talk about balance. Good play calling.
- Jeremy Shockey has started this year off with a bang. He snagged his first and second touchdowns in a Saint uniform. On Shockey's first touchdown, it appeared as if Drew could have easily run it in himself but wanted to get that monkey off Shockey's back early.
- A couple of injury scares today. First Jermon Bushrod missed some time, then Tracy Porter was slow to get up. Fortunately, both made their way back into the game.
- The referee's microphone was turned down too low so I never heard one penalty call or ruling the entire afternoon. Like the woman behind me at the game said, "This is the NFL. Can't they get that fixed?"
- I've got to say, one of the bright spots of the afternoon was the play of punter Thomas Morstead. He looked great! His punting was excellent and his kickoffs were equally impressive. I think we've got our kickoff specialist.
- I'm reaching my breaking point with Will Smith and Charles Grant. I'm honestly starting to hope they do get suspended. Where the hell is the pass rush? In my opinion, Gregg Williams and Bill Johnson still have a lot of work to do with the front four. Anthony Hargrove is the only positive.
- Reggie, Reggie, Reggie. Not his best game by any means. He muffed a punt, couldn't run it between the tackles, nearly fumbled and was just disappointing in general. I don't know if they showed it on television but he slammed his helmet on the ground and broke it as he walked toward the bench following his muffed punt.
- Meachem looked pretty decent on kick returns. I would still like to see Rod Harper dress and maybe take those. I definitely want to see Harper returning punts. If this was pre-season, Bush would have lost that job today.
- Dave Thomas looked pretty strong making a catch while getting hit and holding on to the ball.
- I forgot how much I like Lance Moore, having not seen him all pre-season. Those two leaping catches he made in traffic over the middle were spectacular. Drew throws the ball to a spot he knows only Lance will come down with it. Wonderful.
- Special teams need to clean it up, big time. Sloppy tackling, blocked kicks and, of course, Reggie.
- Colston had a case of the stone hands this afternoon.
- Detroit's play immediately following Tracy Porter's injury was a big pass completion to Calvin Johnson. Unfortunately, I think the drop off between the Saints starting cornerbacks and second team guys is significant.
- Matt Stafford definitely looked like a rookie. Some underthrown balls, a few overthrows. One pass in the fourth quarter could have easily been a touchdown and made the game closer had Stafford been more accurate.
Below is the roll call from our open game thread. Pretty decent turnout but I know we can still do better. Thanks to all who participated.
| Name | # of Posts |
|---|---|
| Just Some Guy | 108 |
| skinnykinney | 95 |
| Steve the fan | 91 |
| Jee | 50 |
| Monkey Poop Battle | 48 |
| rustdog74 | 48 |
| VAsaintsfan | 35 |
| FrenchFreak | 29 |
| satchmo26 | 22 |
| SaintsFan-KS | 21 |
| #23fan | 16 |
| janepriceestrada | 14 |
| TAYDIGGA | 13 |
| SaintBevo | 12 |
| MtnExile | 10 |
| NOSFan4Life | 9 |
| MattHaggard | 8 |
| Ace Venom | 5 |
| gui_france | 3 |
| FuSoYa | 2 |
| nanvinnie | 2 |
| Cajun in CA | 2 |
| knucklesmalone | 2 |
| Brazil meets LA | 2 |
| Dave the Falconer | 1 |
| AKAY47 | 1 |
| detpistons3 | 1 |
| jful | 1 |
| WhoDat_OH | 1 |
0 recs |
63 comments
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I voted for Mike Bell
…basically because Drew doesn’t need any more accolades. I mean sheesh, 6 touchdowns is just crazy—yet we expect that from him. But Bell had the best day of his career, and just when we needed it.
I wish, though, that Dave had included Reggie Bush in that group, because Detroit needs an MVP too.
"Tell all the killjoys to pound sand." -- Ralph Malbrough
by MtnExile on Sep 13, 2009 5:38 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
haha
don’t get me started on Reggie.
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by Dave Cariello on Sep 13, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Morstead
I will gladly offer my cat to the man.
by Just Some Guy on Sep 13, 2009 5:42 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
One down and 15 to go
I have the same feeling that I had after the Raiders preseason game. Are the Saints this good or are the Lions this bad? Mike Bell played a super game when it was really needed. Drew was just his typical superman self. Reggie needs to be moved to back-up and never, EVER allowed to field kicks or punts.
Even though I voted for Brees,
what about Shockey? No one has voted for him. His two TDs were sick, and it was good to see him perform well.
Reggie, though… I’m trying so hard to see the good he brings to the team but… man.
now he's got a vote!
also i didn’t mention sharper— where are those people who said he was too old, past his prime, etc? he looked pretty solid today, but more importantly no one in the secondary was embarassingly bad!
exactly
what i was thinking about sharper!
Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D
by skinnykinney on Sep 14, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions
2 fer shockey!
Yeah, Shockey sure looked relieved to get that first TD. You could almost see the monkey crawling off his back.
unortunately...
i started Bush today on my FF team and decided to bench Meachem in favor of Josh Morgan…
I’m never listening to “experts” again. Ever.
On the bright side i own Philly’s defense, which put up 30 points/Bad thing bout that is that Saints go against Philly D next week
MCNABB is OUT!!!!!
The Easter Bunny is a savage...
Fox Sports
is reporting that he’s out next week. Bring on Kevin What’s His Name! 2-0!
[oops…did I jinx us?]
"Tell all the killjoys to pound sand." -- Ralph Malbrough
Kolb
He isn’t that great….Im gonna say at the level that Stafford was today….which is immensely good for us
The Easter Bunny is a savage...
No mention of Devery??
You gotta pick up your note taking game, man.
No mention of Devery’s game today is a horrible oversight.
He was SOLID all game. It looks like Drew can count on him from here on out.
Did Devery drop a ball (didn’t see the whole game)?
Devery’s come to play this year. Take note.
the thing about Devery is that...
He is THE deep threat….you bring him out and teams have to respect the long ball which creates a lot more spacing….
My coach told me that Offense is spacing; Defense is positioning. I find no reason to disagree
The Easter Bunny is a savage...
1-0
Smells good from Raleigh.
A SAINT in Panther country
by carolinasaintsfan on Sep 13, 2009 7:24 PM CDT reply actions
I'm a a little concerned...
…with the amount of points the Lions put up even with a rookie quarterback that couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn. What eases my mind is that the defense was solid, although I only saw one sack and that was disappointing. They gave up big play to CJ, and that’s all I can remember. A few bonehead miscues on special teams and on offense gave Detroit early Christmas presents. They gotta clean that stuff up.
thoughts
I missed most of the second half so just a few thoughts:
- Defense is better. Yes we gave up points, but they’re still learning the system. I expect them to improve by the week.
- Our defense appears actually capable of making game changing plays as opposed to previous years when we could only hope they slowed the opposition down long enough for the half to expire.
- Bush – what can I say? I love Reggie but he was not good at all today. I think sometimes he presses too much to live up to the hype and ends up screwing up. Chill Reggie and let the game come to you.
- 2/3rds of you owe our punter an apology – and Payloo for going up to get him!
- Brees – let’s just say that the man crush is still in full effect.
- If Bell runs like that all year – look the F—- out
kick ass
the rest of the league better bring thier A game, cause the saints will put 35 points on your ass QUICK!
may a saint shine on you
gotta disagree with...
your view of the presure. I think Sedrick Ellis was a strong point in the pressure and I think Will SMith got some good pressure going too… Charles Grant dissappeared again however. I think the penatration that we got was a good sign of things to come… Are they perfect? HELL NO… but they are getting there.
"For us, there is no spring... only the smell of fresh wind before the storm."
-Conan of Cimeria
agreed
Stafford didn’t have all day to throw the ball. There were a few times where he could’ve been sacked but threw it away just in time. We did pretty decent with pressure i thought.
Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D
by skinnykinney on Sep 14, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions
he could’ve been sacked but threw it away just in time
That’s not enough pressure than.
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by Dave Cariello on Sep 14, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions
and....
When Tracy Porter got hurt and MJenkins came in to cover Megatron, everyone in the dome knew where the ball was going… I don’t blame Jenkins on that one, he is a rookie, but what the hell was GW thinking?!?!?!
"For us, there is no spring... only the smell of fresh wind before the storm."
-Conan of Cimeria
the fumbles def need to stop Reggie!!!
He tries way to hard to make something happen sometimes. But come next week if he balls it up, you guys will switch gears soo fast, he’ll be alright. There’s going to be some games where he gets 7 carries and does virtually nothing and other’s he kills it, he’s a utility player. But the fumbles, man, I’m so ticked about it for a couple reasons, lastnight I lost a game on Madden cuz Reggie fumbled 5 times and if he didn’t fumble so much they wouldn’t allow it to happen so much…anyway, I really just think it was rust. Come game 5 if nothing is popping off, then Bush can see his stay in NO cut short.
Don't worry I got your back cuz...
rust...
nah.. he was trying to hard.
nah.. he was trying to hard.Its like when you know you can do it but have doubts about yourself.. and then F it up cause you get butterfingers for no good reason.
nah.. he was trying to hard.Its like when you know you can do it but have doubts about yourself.. and then F it up cause you get butterfingers for no good reason.I am very concerned about the fact that Bell could move up the middle at will and Bush was 4 rush 0 yards up the middle? Yah he got some to the outside and when he moves to the line and can get himself up against a LB… but noone is going to respect us as a run team if its just Bush back there :/
nah.. he was trying to hard.Its like when you know you can do it but have doubts about yourself.. and then F it up cause you get butterfingers for no good reason.I am very concerned about the fact that Bell could move up the middle at will and Bush was 4 rush 0 yards up the middle? Yah he got some to the outside and when he moves to the line and can get himself up against a LB… but noone is going to respect us as a run team if its just Bush back there :/If we have to put 2 RB back every time we want them to think we MIGHT run the ball.. even if we plan to pass.. its going to hinder us a bit. Granted Bush can move up to the line and play a WR role on that scenario but …
nah.. he was trying to hard.Its like when you know you can do it but have doubts about yourself.. and then F it up cause you get butterfingers for no good reason.I am very concerned about the fact that Bell could move up the middle at will and Bush was 4 rush 0 yards up the middle? Yah he got some to the outside and when he moves to the line and can get himself up against a LB… but noone is going to respect us as a run team if its just Bush back there :/If we have to put 2 RB back every time we want them to think we MIGHT run the ball.. even if we plan to pass.. its going to hinder us a bit. Granted Bush can move up to the line and play a WR role on that scenario but …
MT
Well. . .
Everyone had to notice the diffence in the plays called for Reggie up the gut and Bell? They’re night and day. Bell was getting some MONSTER holes, and Bush was getting counters and draws. I think everyone and their brother knew a draw was being called. I’m not saying he’s a pound it up the gut back, but he does need some help at least.
The people who say, "Winning isn't everything," don't win very often.
yeah
i thought that Bell had some big holes that I didn’t see Reggie get when he rushed up the middle the 2 times i was watching. Also, the man got 1 carry at a time and was out. Hard to pick up rhythm like that. My biggest problem with him has been the fumbles. I wouldn’t pull him out just yet on the punts. I don’t remember him muffing any punts last season.
Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D
by skinnykinney on Sep 14, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions
The Problem with Reggie
is that we are always saying something like “just give him a chance” and “he’s going to live up to the hype soon” and “he’ll get it together”. But, we never had to say that with Deuce, or PT, or Bell or even Stecker (or Brees, or Colston, etc) . This league is ultra competitive and a contending team can’t open up a game trying to find out which Reggie is there that Sunday. One final thought- that bs about him being too fast for his blockers was proven today to be entire hogwash.
"Indecision may or may not be my biggest problem" - Jimmy Buffet
by Philinwood on Sep 13, 2009 11:04 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
totally agree
I’m sick of giving him a pass EVERY game for some stupid mistake we wouldn’t stand for from, say, Mike Bell. I also disagree about the blocking for Reggie vs Bell (at least in yesterday’s game). Also, 2 muffed punts? Come on—it’s not like he’s never returned punts before. I’m still hopeful he’ll prove me wrong, but man-oh-man am I getting tired of #25.
fumbles
If I’m not mistaken, Deuce had nearly the number of fumbles that Reggie has in the same amount of time… and Deuce didn’t have the added pressure of returning punts. The whole team made mistakes this game. Mike Bell fumble and they ran it back, Coleston dropped some dead accurate passes, special teams allowed ridiculous return yards. Why does everyone come down so hard on Reggie?
58 million rea$on$
Being a Saints fan will take years off your life
by MobileSaint on Sep 14, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Please
Yeah, you’re right. Reggie should have told the Saints, “Y’know, I’m only going to be worth 30 million, so you can keep that last 28.” The contract is over and done, he helps the team, which is all that matters. He can restructure his contract, but quantifying his production based on his draft status and pay is pretty damn unfair when you look at how many recent first round picks were actually worth their contracts. You act like you’re the one paying the 58 million.
I don’t see any other Saints’ players complaining about how much money Bush makes.
The people who say, "Winning isn't everything," don't win very often.
I agree with Hooahsaint....
and as soon as the people booing him accept the fact that he doesn’t wear a cape and fly around catching criminals between games, the sooner they can accept that he is an extremely useful part of the team none-the-less.
Did anyone notice
the closing speed on Jenkins, on that kickoff that went into our red zone? He was pivoting when the returner was running by him, and still caught up. Sick!
Not fast enough to play corner my @$$
I noticed it
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by Dave Cariello on Sep 13, 2009 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions
exactly
what i was saying in the game thread! The combine numbers don’t show crap really. No gear and your fast put on the extra weight and see who can go faster then. obviously the kid has some speed.
Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D
by skinnykinney on Sep 14, 2009 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-starcapssuspensions091309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Wow.. The NFL might drop the suspensions for Charles Grant and Will Smith :O
Fairly Good Game
Yea, special teams needs to tighten up. I say ligthen up on Reggie he didn’t get a lot of reps in the preseason. He’ll get his groove on soon enough. Glad to see Shockey get some today. Don’t know if it was a concious decision not to let Brees go for seven TDs but if it was it showed class not to rub salt in Detroits wound.Go Saints.
Nice Pics by the Way
That’s all I got to say bout dat.
by Lyle Lirette on Sep 14, 2009 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions
thanks Lyle
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by Dave Cariello on Sep 14, 2009 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Are we Steeler fans now?
A guy has a bad game and he’s a worthless bum? Bush muffed and fumbled today on punt return duties, yes. He had a horrible day altogether, but does that completely erase his past as a return man? The same guy that almost brought back three punts for touchdowns in one NFL game (Which would’ve been a record by the way). He was solely responsible for us even being in that Minnesota game.
You CANNOT tell me that you would bench a man who has proven he’s a great punt returner due to one bad game, because a guy looked good in preseason. Are you serious?!?! I do believe in activating Harper in case of games like this, but to just outright replace him is ludicrous. That’s like replacing Brees with Brunell because Drew through 3 picks in a game. Remember, in the end Bush lost 1 fumble, even Bell lost one of those.
The people who say, "Winning isn't everything," don't win very often.
It's not a new phenomenon
I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic—but this is NOTHING like Brees having one game where he throws 3 picks. This pattern has been with Reggie since his first game— there wouldn’t be an ongoing “Reggie-hater” vs. “Reggie-apologist” feud if this were the function of just one game. Everyone keeps waiting for Reggie to show his “potential” or the “explosive ability” that we’ve seen glimpses of—but at what point do we accept the reality that he’s simply not a superstar? Sure, he’s had a good history as a return man—which makes his screwups (fielding punts, for pete’s sake!) so much more profound—but so have so many other “return specialists” that litter the free agent market. What should make Reggie non-expendable is his performance at his position—running back. So even if we ignore the fact that he couldn’t do the only thing he’s ever done well, we can’t ignore that he isn’t very good at his alleged position. I don’t think it’s fair to be surprised that Saints fans are getting tired of Reggie—especially when compared to how good our “diamonds in the rough” have been.
Our squad looked pretty freakin good yesterday. I’m glad the Saints have found a way to successfully run the ball. I just wish it were the guy that we drafted second overall.
bleh
You are exactly right… People need to quit expecting Reggie to run for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns every game and accept him for what he is. Does that mean is isn’t a dynamic part of this offense? No. Does that mean he should be benched? Hell no. Shockey’s first season with the Saints was miserable. How quickly people forget Shockey’s fumbles, and missed catches, and injuries when he scores twice in the first game of the season. Reggie will have a two touchdown game and people will forget they hate him for no reason. Just like Shockey.
by jack_casse on Sep 14, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
i like you already lol
Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D
by skinnykinney on Sep 14, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmm...
…the offense is right on track to continue what they did last year: embarrass every defense they play.
The defense however needs to get better at keeping the other team off the scoreboard, because we don’t play the Lions defense every week, so putting up 45 points a game is unlikely. Not sure if what we saw yesterday was a much-improved Lions offense or a Saints defense that either isn’t playing up to speed yet or just won’t be as good as we thought. For the record, I’m thinking it’s a combination of the Lions offense being a bit better, and the Saints defense being a bit unsure of itself still.
Special teams…wow…that was just flat ugly. They MUST improve on kick coverage and on punt returns or we’re in sheep dip.
carolinasaints fan, hey, I watched the game (well, the last 3 quarters) at The Brickhouse over by the NC State campus, was in Raleigh at the fairgrounds for a guitar show, bailed early and found the place…nice joint, too bad it’s an hour’s drive from GSO!
Irony: An atheist Saints fan.
but...
it was not our defense that let them have those points.
Look back . How many times did they START a drive in FG range and how many points did the Defense let them have.
Special teams gave them 7 points
Offense gave them 7 points
Defense gave them 13.
Damn I was right on my prediction that their offense would score 13. Sadly I didnt plan on how bad our special teams were going to play.
MT
agreed
our D did phenomenal. Plus they bailed our O out on a bad play when Sharper got that 2nd pick i believe.
Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D
by skinnykinney on Sep 14, 2009 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Moore...
I’m sorry but I just have to ask for FF purposes. What is the deal with Moore? How does Brees throw 6 TD’s and for over 300 yds and Moore gets 38 yds and no TD’s. Are they using him as a decoy or what and is this going to continue. LOL
Honestly though, I really don’t see how that seems to happen all the time to Moore.
The Saints spread the ball around...a lot
It’s just whoever is open and whoever is hot.
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by Dave Cariello on Sep 14, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
If I'm not mistaken...
… I do believe that ‘muff’ is a synonym of ‘bush’.
Did anyone besides me wonder why Brunell wasn’t in for the last two series when we had a 20+ point lead with only 5 minutes to go?
If we could just sythesize life in a laboratory, we could prove that the creation of life requires no intelligence.
by Tigernut on Sep 14, 2009 1:59 PM CDT reply actions
I think the defense played well
If you consider a couple of things. 1) a punt return, a kick return and a fumble set up at least 10 pts. One Sharper interception bailed out the fumble on a punt. If the final score was 45-17 instead of 45-27, we would all be saying Who Dat about the D. Now, they should and can play better- 3 picks and 33 yards rushing and 205 yds passing is pretty damn good. I know it’s only Detroit. And, the defense went a little soft for a while when we went up 14-0, but overall there is a lot to be happy abput and it will get better. Jenkins will play a bigger role, and so will Charleston, Hargrove, and Spicer and I think that is a positive thing.
"Indecision may or may not be my biggest problem" - Jimmy Buffet
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