Remember the Saints problems that I told you about!!!!

by Saint for life on Sep 27, 2010 12:33 PM CDT

A about a week ago, I told you about some problems that the Saintswere having and I got some interesting comments back. I even made a list or two. Well let's analyze what I said following yesterday's "diddly poo" performance!

1. LB - I said LB was an issue and it continues to be a problem. Whether you want to or not, LBer's commonly have to cover TE's in this league. Albeit, Visanthe Shiancoe, Vernon Davisand Tony Gonzalez are 3 of the top 10 in this league, the Saint's are giving up way to much yardage to TE's every week. Outside of Vilma, the Saints are getting no run support from this group. Once again, Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore and Michael Turnerare some of the better RB's but we have got to get some better production from this group and I will say it again, I am praying that Clint Ingramcan help. Stujo if this keeps me on your list, then ink me in cuz I ain't likin' what I'm seeing here!

2. Running Game - Pierre Thomasis the most underrated back in the league, but we need more out of the running game. I was a bit over critical of PT, but the man is just that "A MAN". He does his job day in and day out, I think he needs more help though. I said that I wasn't a fan of Wynn and judging by his release I am assuming the Saints weren't either. Ladell Betts has a better resume and veteran leadership and I am hoping he can help until Reggie Bushgets back in the swing of things. Honestly, I was over concerned here. I just wanted some more depth here and the Saints went and got it.

3. Atlanta Falcons- Let me start by saying to Ajun Cajun "I told you so!" Yeah, Garrett Hartley missed a kick, but just as easily we can say Matt Ryan missed a game winning pass to Harry Douglas. This team is legit and we must get our crap together if we want to contend with them. They lost to Pittsburgh who frankly is starting to look like one of the better defenses in history! Yeah! I said it...HISTORY! Cards are blah at best, but this team can and will score points! Our offense must be on point to handle them!

4. Pass Rush - I'm gonna eat some crow here! These boys are getting better every week! Sedrick Ellisis in my opinion the best DL we got. Will Smithis looking like Will Smith and not the Fresh Prince either! Remi Ayodele is becoming a pleasant surprise and Alex Brownis showing some consistency. Behind them though, we got that whole LB problem, but the depth at the D-Line (Junior Gallette and Anthony Hargrovein particular) are also impressing me. They are getting pressure without the blitz which can change the whole look of the Defense. Stujo and Ajun Cajun...you got me here guys!

5. Coverage - Gonna eat a little more crow here, but there are still issues. We can't cover a dang TE to save our lives. Maybe Malcolm Jenkinsneeds to cover a little more TE as opposed to the dreadful LBers or Roman Harper. Harper is a player buy he can't cover upper Tier TE's (who can?). DB's are only as good as your pass rush and the front 4 are improving. No WR has had a good game against the Saints in any of the 3 games. Although Jabari Greer didn't have his best game, he controlled Roddy Whitefor most of the game. Something Pittsburgh or Arizona couldn't do. I still believe that this team gets much better with the return of Darren Sharper. My only question is...Who gets cut?

6. Gregg Williams - I blew it here! I have watched the first 2 games 3 times now and yesterday's game 2 times. GW seems to know what he has in the front 4 and his weakness at LBer. Last year he would get an early lead and go blitz crazy. The offense isn't getting him the early leads, so he is being smart in his play calling and using his personnel. My apologies to you coach. Good Job! Hey Loomis! Get this guy some LBer's!

OK some stuff, I was a little off the plate and some stuff...I blew it big time! LBer is a big problem and the Falcons are a playoff team guys (whether we like it or not). The Saints should win the next 6 games and I think the 49ersand the Falcons games should say to the team "Oh boy! Let's get our offensive guns firing and gear up to start putting 40 pointers on the scoreboard again."

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

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follow the TE's in the league

i.e Shiancoe, Gonzalez, Shockey, DThomas, Celek, Boss, Witten,Winslow, Cooley,etal – week after week they make OLBs look bad. Every week. Covering a TE who blocks for 1 second and then releases and catches an 8 yard pass is near impossible. Then there’s the matchup thing where they move people around on offense until they dictate that the D goes zone or has an ideal matchup (i.e. R Gay covering Chris Cooley or K Winslow). or Gonzalez covered by an OLB. What OLB in this league can cover ANY of those guys? Can cover Shockey, Gonzalez, Shiancoe? I ain’t seen them do it.

How about the screen pass to the TE after he blocks for 2 seconds. What LB is going to watch a TE block for 2 seconds and not take his eye off to cover a RB or a FB? Impossible assignment. The best OLBs just limit the damage. That’s all you can do.

"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking

by Philinwood on Sep 27, 2010 5:05 PM CDT reply actions

I would say Lance Briggs,Terrel Suggs and a few other Elite OLB's can cover any of those TE's

But in the mean time maybe on 3rd down when sharpers back we try Jenkins at strong safety to see how he covers TE’s remember he is a physical player and he was a corner

World Champions at last
A dirty bird cant fly with a broken wing

by mississippisaintsfan on Sep 27, 2010 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions

also, Harper was switched to Shiancoe in game one and did a hell of a job.

Prioleau will be cut when Sharper returns. Or Usama Young or Torrence.

"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking

by Philinwood on Sep 27, 2010 5:07 PM CDT reply actions

If I had to guess, it’ll be Torrence. He was already let go and brought back.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Sep 28, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd say Suggs and Briggs are probably the two best in the league

but they don’t shut down the pass receivers. Awesome against the run, pretty good vs the pass, but they still give up pass plays almost as much as most OLBs. They play in a 3-4 also I think and that changes things too. But you also mention "a few other elite OLBs). who are these "shut down " guys. I don’t see anyone shutting down Gonzalez, Shianco, Cooley or even Bret Celek who isn’t even a superstar.

"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking

by Philinwood on Sep 27, 2010 6:10 PM CDT reply actions

"This team is legit and we must get our crap together if we want to contend with them."

I cant believe this statement. As if the Falcons are going to go 15-1. Last i checked we are the champs and they have to contend with us. So what, they got a win!!??! No division crown or SB Championship has ever been decided in Week 3. Lets save all the “sky is falling” chatter until we lose to a team that we should actually beat like Carolina. Yes, we’ve got issues but so does every other team in the league (think about all the things ATL had to do right to beat us) Would anyone bet on all those things happening again? As for my $$$, i’m betting on SP and GDUB. Lets see how the team responds and lets see what adjustments the coaching staff makes before we start scouring the waiver wire and being overly critical.

by jray2000 on Sep 27, 2010 9:54 PM CDT reply actions

I totally agree with you, if we lose to Carolina then I’ll begin to panic until then I think we had to get a loss out early to show everyone that we are not a perfect team so we can go back to being an afterthought to these analysts and so called experts.

Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson

by lovingmma25 on Sep 28, 2010 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions