Preston's Saints @ Buccaneers Preview: The Distance Of Balance
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Oct 15, 2011 6:00 AM CDT
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PrintSunday marks the third consecutive road game for the 2011 New Orleans Saints, when they travel to Tampa to face the Buccaneers. While they're racking up frequent flyer miles, the Saints have a chance to put some distance between themselves and the NFC South.
A win against Tampa gives the Saints at least a two game cushion over all three NFC South opponents. Conversely, a loss drops them to second in the division.
Taking care of business now will come in handy as the post-season rolls around. To do so, the Saints will have to survive what is sure to be a slugfest.
Tampa may not have looked impressive in any of their three wins (they sure looked horrid and outmatched in both of their losses), but the Buccaneers are a very dangerous team right now. They were humiliated against the 49ers after coming off a short week, and they'll be looking to get some of their manhood back.
You see this in most every competitive contact sport; a player or team will get completely dominated in one match, only to come out swinging in their next contest. In a nutshell, that's what you can expect from the Buccaneers: balls to the wall effort that says, "we're better than what you saw last week."
The Buccaneers are a young team that doesn't know it isn't supposed to be good yet. They aren't intimidated by the bully because they don't yet know their place. They believe they can go toe to toe with anyone because their youth hasn't learned to expect a loss when outmatched. They simply have little experience at sucking. Their key to success is playing through the whistle, trying to physically dominate the opponent each play while paying no attention to the score.
Josh Freeman plays fearless at times, and once the talent at the skill positions catches up to him, they'll be a perennial force. They've got a good foundation and they're building the correct way (aside from paying a punter $19 million). Lucky for the Saints, Cam Newton and the Panthers provided the perfect warm-up for facing Tampa. The two teams are very similar in their approach and mentality.
Another factor that may swing the game in the Saints favor is the possible absence of LeGarrette Blount. The Niners put the Blount out, and it doesn't look like he'll be able to play against the Saints.
Tampa lacks that explosive player on offense. They've got no Steve Smith or Darren Sproles. It's the biggest missing piece to their offense. Their wide receivers have slumped this year while looking promising last season (Freeman is in a bit of a slump as well). They still have a decent offensive line, and Earnest Graham is on pace to catch 70 passes out of the backfield at running back. Kellen Winslow is still one of the better tight ends in the NFL and Mike Williams still has a size advantage over our the Saints defensive backs.
On defense, Tampa still runs their brand of Cover 2, better known as "Tampa 2." The defensive line has the potential to be scary good in a year or so. Gerald McCoy will be out for this game, which should only benefit the Saints. Their defense is vulnerable when caught in over-pursuit with screens, draws and counter plays. The vertical seams of the field - the hash marks, the numbers, the sidelines at about 20 yards downfield - is the weak spot in their coverage. They have speed with the front seven to run sideline to sideline, so the short pass may be tough sledding when it comes to yards after the catch.
What both sides lack in talent, they make up for in physical play.
It may seem like the Saints should win this handily, especially considering how unimpressive the Bucs have looked thus far in addition to the guys who'll be out with injury, but make no mistake, the Saints still need to man-up and take care of business. It won't be a cake walk. Tampa is sure to come out highly motivated knowing a win here erases the embarrassment from last week and sets them on top of the NFC South.
As good as it has been (second in the NFL), the Saints offense still needs to improve. While they've made more trips to the red zone than any other team, the Saints are fourth in red zone touchdowns. They're settling for way too many field goals. Sean Payton seems to get it backwards and call obvious plays, like a draw with Sproles or a fade to Graham or pound it with Ingram while in heavy personnel. In short, the play calling looks predictable once the Saints get inside the 20-yard line.
The other area the offense needs to improve upon is balance. In 2009, the Saints went into the last game of the regular season with a top five rushing attack and a top five passing attack (they rested many starters in the final game so they finished the season sixth in rushing). Many times the Saints were up by multiple scores heading into the fourth quarter after throwing it all over in the first three quarters, whereupon they did nothing but run for the final 15 minutes. So maybe we should look at balance a different way, specifically on first down.
The Saints have thrown the ball a league leading 91 times on first down, while only running it 58. The Saints need to be more balanced on this down, it will pay dividends when trying to run on 3rd and short, as well as when the offense makes it into the red zone. Simply put, while the Saints have the 2nd best offense in the NFL and lead the league in 3rd down conversions, they'd be more dangerous and unpredictable if they got the running game going on first down.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Saints need to get more penetration from their rotation of defensive tackles. Cam Jordan is coming along just fine, and Will Smith is starting to find his groove. The play at linebacker looks horrible in coverage and average in run support and pass rush. The secondary looks to be improving, perhaps they could use a little time after practice a few days a week with the JUGS machine catching balls. Personally, while the Saints have a few liabilities in coverage (Shanle and Harper), I think the defense will get better as the season progresses. Until then, watching the Saints defense will be like getting teeth pulled when the offense keeps settling for field goals and the other team is still within ten points.
As for special teams, I'll give the Saints the edge thanks to Darren Sproles and the improved coverage units. While I think the Saints will come away with a win here, the margin of victory could just as easily go either way, it just depends on how well the Saints handle the body blows. That said, I think the game stays close until the third quarter, where the Saints gain separation from the Bucs and the NFC South with a 34 - 17 win.
Stat Time
Offense
2. Saints - 31.4 points per game, 452 yards per game, 6.2 yards per play, 59% 3rd down success, 33:00 time of possession, -3 turnover margin
20. Bucs - 17.4 ppg, 337 ypg, 5.2 ypp, 44% 3rd down, 30:47 TOP, -1 TO margin
Passing Offense
2. Saints - 337 ypg, 8.1 yards per attempt, 69.4% completion, 12 tds, 5 ints, (20) 20+ yard pass plays, 11 sacks given up, 102.3 QB rating
20. Bucs - 226 ypg, 6.4 ypa, 63.4% completion, 3 tds, 6 ints, (9) 20+ yard pass plays, 9 sacks given up, 73.3 QB rating
Rushing Offense
14. Saints - 115.4 ypg, 4.3 yards per carry, 4 tds, 1 fumble lost, (4) 20+ yard runs
16. Bucs - 110.8 ypg, 4.3 ypc, 5 tds, 1 fumble lost, (3) 20+ yard runs
Defense
16. Saints - 25 ppg, 355 ypg, 5.7 ypp, 42% 3rd down conversions allowed, 5 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
23. Bucs - 25 ppg, 378 ypg, 6.1 ypp, 33% 3rd down, 10 ff, 5 fr
Pass Defense
16. Saints - 247 ypg, 7.0 ypa, 52.1% completion, 10 tds, 3 ints, (17) 20+ yard passes allowed, 14 sacks, 85.6 qb rating
20. Bucs - 255 ypg, 8.3 ypa, 58.6 % completion, 9 tds, 2 ints, (17) 20+ yard passes, 10 sacks, 99.0 qb rating
Rush Defense
15. Saints - 107.6 ypg, 5.2 ypc, 4 tds, 1 fumble recovery, (3) 20+ yard runs allowed
23. Bucs - 123.4 ypg, 4.5 ypc, 4 tds, 5 fumble recoveries, (5) 20+ yard runs allowed
Overall Statistical Analysis: The biggest noticeable difference is Drew Brees and the Saints passing offense. Both teams are about even par in rushing the ball, and both are pretty even on defense. Take note of how each week both the total offense and total defense rankings pretty much mirror how each side does in the passing game. It's fortunate the Saints have Drew Brees and a handful of receivers who are on the same page. Tampa has forced quite a few fumbles, so the Saints need to do a good job of taking those body blows.
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Defense
23. Bucs – 25 ppg, 378 ypg, 6.1 ypp, 33% 3rd down, 10 ff, 5 fr
Kinda deceiving, since it was probably only 20 points per game last week before the 48-3 shellacking.
when I read it I picture this (and I'm not trying to be a smarta**)
by Hans Petersen on Oct 15, 2011 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions
She was wearing the same thing not three weeks earlier when LSU faced Florida and Les went for it 5 times on 4th down showing his blue brass balls.
It was the last LSU game I tailgated, and there were at least 300K people on campus. We got there at 6 am, it was already packed (game time was 7pm and we had a group there with our spot since the Thursday night). I drank a liter of Captain Morgans mixed with sweet tea, had about a case of beer, passed out in the grass for a few hours, then woke up and went back to the beer and had a good safe buzz by the time the game was going. switched to water in the 4th quarter and thank the hippie for being wise enough to bring a case of water when everyone else brought beer.
Stop wearing a wishbone where your backbone ought to be. Would you be convicted in court of being a Christian? Happiness is shared, and comes from sharing.
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Oct 15, 2011 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Balance on first down will make the offense more unpredictable. Even in 2009, the Saints (minus the Jets and Bills games) didn’t worry too much about balance; they got a big lead passing, then forced turnovers, then turned it over to the running game while trying to milk out the clock and protect the lead. So as balanced as the Saints appeared in 2009, most of the games did not start with emphasis on balance- they only resulted that way due to the big leads allowing the Saints to run “4 minute offense” for the last quarter.
I called this the Distance of Balance because I believe if the Saints can start off every drive with more balance, they’ll become more unpredictable and build distance between the opponent (and division) more easily.
How many first down runs were a Darren Sproles draw out of a passing formation? It’s starting to become predictable— a defense thinks “this is either a pass or a Sproles draw”. It works well in space, but not so well when we are congested in the red-zone where the defense has much less field to defend and get stretched out in.
My point is that running (with Thomas, Ingram, and boy oh boy Ivory) on first down says first and foremost “we want to run the ball”, and if it is successful says “we pose a viable threat running the ball”. Using those RB’s helps them (and their blockers) to get a feel for the running game by the time it is needed on 3rd and short or in the redzone— it’s not just a switch you can turn on or off, its a mind-set.
The Saints need to be closer to a 50/50 run pass split on first down to give more validity to the run game and make defense less certain. It’s called setting up the play-action. I’m not suggesting replacing Drew with the wild cat from time to time. I’m saying leave the best player on the field, but mix in more runs so it becomes easier to run in obvious run situations when they NEED to run, and also all other situations become less predictable in the form of breaking trends.
Why does the offense struggle in the redzone? Because until that point, the Saints didn’t use the running game very much during the drive. And when they try to use it in the red-zone, we see either Ingram out of a heavy formation, or Sproles on the draw, and the defense knows exactly what it is before the ball is snapped. If all throughout the drive, more runs were mixed in (with passes out of the same formation and personnel grouping) it wouldn’t be so obvious or predictable.
I think maybe Dave Thomas being absent (and non-productive when he was present) hurts the ability of throwing out of run formations, but also Jimmy Graham getting in a 4 point stance (like on Ingrams last play of the game against GB) kind of leaves no doubt as well.
To me, its a two pronged problem— the Saints haven’t run enough on first down, and when they do try to run on 3rd and short or in the redzone, they haven’t really established the rhythm of it up to that point, and they have been too predictable as to what kind of run it WILL be based on who is in the game and how they are lined up.
Stop wearing a wishbone where your backbone ought to be. Would you be convicted in court of being a Christian? Happiness is shared, and comes from sharing.
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Oct 15, 2011 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions
got it - thanks, Preston
I called this the Distance of Balance because I believe if the Saints can start off every drive with more balance, they’ll become more unpredictable and build distance between the opponent (and division) more easily.
WIN NOW
WINGRAMANIA!!!!
by Hans Petersen on Oct 15, 2011 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions
here we go.. let's continue the battle, here..
why would you compare the saints passing attempts percentage with the rest of the league..? what would that prove.. (other than they don’t know what they are doing.. ha ha..)?
I would say
that I’m not worried about this game, but truth is, I’m worried about every game. The only numbers I’m worried about is how many adult beverages I’ll inhale in between 2yr old style tantrums.
Spot on
I would say
that I’m not worried about this game, but truth is, I’m worried about every game.
WIN NOW
WINGRAMANIA!!!!
by Hans Petersen on Oct 15, 2011 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
agreed
i don’t feel like we’ve dominated a game yet.
Now that we have a 2011 season let's win the Superbowl!
by skinnykinney on Oct 15, 2011 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions
If we are first in 3rd down conversion and second in total offense, how does running the ball more on first down make us more dangerous. We can’t get much more dangerous. All 3 yrds and a cloud of dust on first down does is put us in a longer 2nd and 3rd down situation which makes passing on those downs more predictable. We average more yards per pass play than run play. By passing on first down we are in short yardage situations on both 2nd and third down which opens up our entire playbook therefore making us more unpredictable on those downs. Short yardage conversions on third down is better than balance. More difficult for the defense to get us off the field and just as unpredictable. Perhaps other teams need to be passing more on first down. Why do we want to be more like other teams averages on first down when we lead the league in so many offensive categories? Makes no sense.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Oct 15, 2011 9:13 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs
naaaaahh that makes too much sense..
it couldn’t be..
by the 9th plague on Oct 15, 2011 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions
hans.. touched on this yesterday over at the latest "fleur-de-links" article..
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/10/first-and-10_17.html
see that nola.com first & 10.. item No. 7..
i like duncan, in general, but he sounds off the mark.. here.. like a disgruntled fan.. “but they promised us more running.. dang-it”
by the 9th plague on Oct 15, 2011 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions
OK here we go....
On the last Saints drive of the game last week against Carolina, the Saints offense chewed up more than 6 minutes off the clock before making the game winning TD. That left only 50 seconds on the clock for Carolina. With our defense, Carolina was still ALMOST able to get into field goal range and tie the score. IT WAS CRITICAL that we ran the ball to eat up the clock. And there goes the argument for running the ball. It eats up more clock (or TOP as per coldpizza). As long as we’re able to continue our drive and score, I would rather use up 6 minutes to score than 2 minutes to score. I wouldn’t want to run the ball and because of that stall in our drive and not score. But if we can run the ball, eat more clock, and still drive all the way down the field and score, then I think that’s a better option. And I think with this team we can maintain our drives and still score while running the ball. Just like we did on that last drive in the Carolina game.
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
by Ragin Who Dat on Oct 15, 2011 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions
cool.. but to feel almost "embarrassed" by the over-passing percentage specially on 1st down..
because is higher than the other teams in the league..?
bressus CSS called it, up there ( & i modestly joked about it, too) maybe we know better than the rest of the league..
i honestly think some people appear to “need” the run fix.. maybe it’s been embedded into their subconscious.. “must run..” “pound da rock”
i think the saints run their offense on schedule.. with the best possible combination of plays that they believe will move the ball efficiently..
different situations will call for a predominantly passing play-calling and others (god forbid) will call for more running..
by the 9th plague on Oct 15, 2011 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Who said anything about being embarassed?
Not me. I’m proud of my Saints. Some people might have a “pound da rock” mentality, I just want to use it as a tool if it makes us more effective. Like it was on that final drive of the Carolina game. I just think we could possibly use the “more balanced” strategy more than we have in the past and have greater margins of victory. As I posted under another topic, I think Peyton tries to be unpredictable. And I believe the reason for his very high “pass on 1st down” percentage is because he thinks that the opposing team believes we will run the ball. Therefore he passes. But sooner or later the other team is going to start keying on the Pass on 1st down. Then I say RAM PIERRE OR INGRAM OR SPROLES (OR IVORY) DOWN THEIR THROAT.
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
by Ragin Who Dat on Oct 15, 2011 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
not you..
i was talking about the balance party..
they know who they are..
by the 9th plague on Oct 15, 2011 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions
What everyone fails to realize on first down is that Brees can audible into any play based on what the defense is showing.
Do this mental exercise:
We gain more yards passing— so pass the ball on 1st to give us more favorable conversion distances on 2nd and 3rd down—if defenses start playing the pass on first, audible to a run or throw a screen—bottom line keep chains moving— that alone will eat the clock and more importantly result in more scoring (the object of the game)
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Oct 15, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
that' not good enough.. mister.. we got to have a preconceived, detailed game-plan..
in which we reverse engineer all the accumulated statistical tendencies of our opponent.. because statistics never lie or mislead.. & we stick with it no matter what.. got to have that balance.. might cause a rip in space-time continuum if we don do dat..
by the 9th plague on Oct 15, 2011 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Right. The ‘moar running’ faction never misses an opportunity to point out that we should run more after a loss (Of course, failing to aknowledge the temporal and situational relationship of the game to play calling in their argument) Yet after four wins in a row with us dominating almost every offensive category including TOP, can’t use the same logic to conclude that maybe this newfangled forward passing thing is working out pretty well.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Oct 15, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Rage, I get your idea that running traditionally eats up more clock than passing, but I have to say here
that if you think that final drive against Carolina was mostly running the ball…
And I think with this team we can maintain our drives and still score while running the ball. Just like we did on that last drive in the Carolina game.
Then you are mistaken. That final drive chewed up 6:16 of clock, but it was actually 9 passes and 4 rushes (I checked the play-by-play in the official NFL gamebook statpack (found in pdf form here) – which is soooo sweet), and that’s a 2:1 pass-run ratio.
Here’s the sequence:
Pass
Run
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
Run
Pass
Run
Pass
Run
Pass
Pass
WIN NOW
WINGRAMANIA!!!!
by Hans Petersen on Oct 15, 2011 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
oops just saw this in a follow-up comment by you and it seems to diverge from your earlier point
Some people might have a "pound da rock" mentality, I just want to use it as a tool if it makes us more effective. Like it was on that final drive of the Carolina game.
I’m not trying to bait you, I just thought at first that you were saying that last Carolina drive was mostly rushes…
WIN NOW
WINGRAMANIA!!!!
by Hans Petersen on Oct 15, 2011 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks for looking that up....
I really thought we ran the ball more on that last drive. My bad. That just makes me even more impressed with Drew. Eating up that much time off the clock and still mostly passing the ball….Drew is incredible.
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
by Ragin Who Dat on Oct 15, 2011 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
yep yep..
with the right playcalling, you can control the clock with passes… and continue to move the chains.
-
Remember in the SB 8 straight passes to 8 different receivers, then a 9th to get the 2pt?
I’m not saying we should do that all the time. The WR and Drew need some rest sometimes. ;-)
But, when it’s working or when that’s that the defense is giving you, don’t run it just got get your ratio back to 50/50…
And, especially, don’t effing run it three times through the same effing hole on the goalline with the game on the line!!!!
thank you, hans
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Oct 15, 2011 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
The only time we almost blew that drive is when we ran two times in a row with sproles on 1st and second down and Brees had to bail us out with a 15 yard completion on third down. You don’t have to run to use up the clock. You merely have to stay in bounds. Furthermore, you can burn more clock by simply sustaining drives whether you run or pass.
I think it was a perfect playcall mix on that last drive. Clearly, Drew was milking the clock to perfection but it wasn’t by merely handing the ball off. Anyone know what the run-pass ration was on the winning drive?
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Oct 15, 2011 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
I seem to remember we ran Sproles twice in a row too.....
but HansDat’s post above which shows the play call mix doesn’t show two running plays in a row. By the way, I thought we would have been more effective on those two Sproles running plays if we had run with Ingram or Pierre instead. Sproles is a great specialty niche back (the best in the league), but I prefer the other guys for tough yardage situations.
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
by Ragin Who Dat on Oct 15, 2011 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Doesn’t matter who ran it. It was two plays for minimal gain that put us in a difficult and obvious passing situation on third down.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Oct 15, 2011 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
You miss my point....
First, HansDat’s post above never shows that we ran 2 running plays in a row. So if that’s true, then we couldn’t have been in a 3rd and long based solely on the running game. At least 1 pass had to be in their as well.
Second, I also believe that we wouild have gained more yards by running one of our other backs up the middle than we did with Sproles. If Ingram would have busted up the middle for 7 or 8 yards, then no 3rd and long. I just think running Sproles up the middle is not the way to go on a running play.
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
by Ragin Who Dat on Oct 15, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
There was definitely a two in a row handoff to sproles in the game. Maybe it was a different drive, but same situation that I stated.
You may feel that way, but Sproles is averaging more yards per carry than any other Saints back. 3 more yards per carry than the next back, pierre thomas.
With the rarity that we call a running play, you would think it would be more of a surprise when we actually run and therefore more successful. As it is, it’s only moderately successful. What do you think would happen if we did it even more and defenses were actually expecting it?
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Oct 15, 2011 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Yea I remember the 2 handoffs in a row to Sproles too....
must have been a different point of the game. I love Sproles, just don’t think he’s an “up the middle” kind of back. And that’s what they did on those two plays, Sproles up the middle.
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
by Ragin Who Dat on Oct 15, 2011 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
i think payton was seeing something there, trying sproles up the middle.. the defense was playing the obvious pass in prevent..
or just.. playing against the already talked about self-tendencies where sproles might appear only to throw him a pass.. (if you notice he’s actually throwing some passes to ingram, too).. or..
he simply outsmarted himself.. going back to dumb (probably the run 1st-mobster position on the matter..)
we’ll never know.. the one thing that did happen was the ever sharp passing game managed to convert.. & why is this an ever sharp passing game, you may ask..? because we keep it flowing all game long..
by the 9th plague on Oct 15, 2011 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Speaking of Sproles....
Did you see that play, I think it was a screen pass, where he broke 4 tackles before finally going down. If the last guy wouldn’t have got him it would have been a TD. For a small guy he’s one tough dude.
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
by Ragin Who Dat on Oct 15, 2011 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
it was a draw..
http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-orleans-saints/09000d5d822f5fa5/RB-Sproles-23-yd-run
notice that number 3 reff. immediately pointing the other way.. cheating bastard.. this game might have been fixed..
by the 9th plague on Oct 15, 2011 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I remember that 2nd play. It was obvious. I love giving Sproles that play, but do it too much and it becomes less effective.
Stop wearing a wishbone where your backbone ought to be. Would you be convicted in court of being a Christian? Happiness is shared, and comes from sharing.
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Oct 15, 2011 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually...
the example you give is a FANTASTIC one, to show that when we NEED to, we can control the clock (by running or passing) and get the job done.
There’s no reason to wear out your offence to score 7 points in 6 minutes, when you can be well rested and score twice in that same TOP.
In one scenario, you control the clock for 6 minutes and have 7 points to show for it.
In the other, you “lost the TOP battle” but you have twice the points.
As long as we can control the clock when we need to, I’m happy.
And, to anyone who thinks so, “all game long” is not when we need to. :-)
i was thinking that too
If Pro is the opposite of Con, what is the opposite of Progress? Congress!
-Men's Restroom - House of Representatives, Washington, DC
That's a Rec Breesus. Exactly my point.
Why be like other teams. Hell, all those other teams want to be like us and pass the ball more often. They try and are somewhat succesful at doing it, but, they just can’t do it like the Saints. Running the ball more won’t improve those stats. Now, if we get a big lead going into the fourth quarter, I say run a bit more, not much more.
pass.. pass.. pass..
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7100273/nfl-brees-keeps-cool-third-down
this crap has got to end.. we want less yards.. converting 1st downs is overrated, anyway.. stop this passing madness.. we got one of the best punters in the league & we don’t hardly get to see him..
by the 9th plague on Oct 15, 2011 9:15 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
LMAO
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
by Ragin Who Dat on Oct 15, 2011 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions
A win tomorrow almost assures the Saints will win the division.
Besides being up by at least 2 games on everyone else, a win tomorrow puts them in a position to easily hit the halfway mark at 7-1 (with up coming games at St. Louis and in the dome against the Colts). We’ll only have 3 road games left in the second half and we’ll have an easier schedule than any other NFC South team. Sounds like a formula for success to me.
I would agree except to say it's not really an "assured" but more accurate to say we'll have a great edge- but assured makes it almost
sound like it’s guaranteed and it is far from guaranteed even though I like our chances.
If Pro is the opposite of Con, what is the opposite of Progress? Congress!
-Men's Restroom - House of Representatives, Washington, DC
Good observation....
And let’s hope that Carolina beats Atlanta this weekend too.
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
by Ragin Who Dat on Oct 15, 2011 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I think as the season goes on, we will see more running plays and balance
as soon as some things kind of settle in- such as Ingrams comfort level, Sproles melding with this O-line which ahas gone through soome transitions over the past weeks, and PT getting 100% healthy as he continues to recover from that surgery. Then you get Ivory in the mix too. I think Paytron saves some things for the divisional foes ( especially Tampa and even more especially Atlanta) for when he really needs them. He may not say that, but he does.
If Pro is the opposite of Con, what is the opposite of Progress? Congress!
-Men's Restroom - House of Representatives, Washington, DC
A hard fought battle.....
The game against the Bucs won’t be pretty, easy or a guarantee. They have multi-million dollar players as do we. Like the old saying “Any given Sunday”, that’s why there are upset games. Even without Blount playing, they’ll still give the rock to Graham to establish a run game for their playaction plays. They have other pass rushers/DL to take the place of McCoy. Freeman still has 2 advantages over Brees in that he’s taller which helps him see downfield better and Freeman WILL run! Defensively when the ball is snapped, we wait to see whats going to happen then we react while San Fran who has one of the best defenses in the NFL and embarrased TB last week attacks & creates opportunity which is why their defense is ranked MUCH higher than ours. If G Williams gets his head out of his a$$, the Saints could be a feared team on both sides of the ball. Until then, every game will be a “edge of your seat, nail biting” experience where the other team is never out of the game. Our D is trying to establish an identity when after having GW for a number of years should already have one. I like our chances but will still get a few more gray hairs watching the game.
I think you diss GW- I don't think GW should be dissed
he helped bring us a SB; he had a pretty good defense that made the palyoffs last year- I don’t think it was his fault the D played pooorly in Seattle. It was a very good season 2010 except for the Seattle game.
If Pro is the opposite of Con, what is the opposite of Progress? Congress!
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I much rather the pass before the run because that is how we get a big lead. We do have great talent at running back and I have confidence that we can win with mostly all running, although it wouldn’t be big wins. But either way, running more or passing more is not the problem. We have talent to score either way. The problem is the defense letting the opponent score too much and that’s what has been making these teams stay close. Gregg needs to tighten up on this and find a way to stop these teams from scoring on us.
by tommy v on Oct 15, 2011 10:58 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Exactly. The problem is the defense. The offense is putting up the points and burning the clock. The reason some games have been close is because the defense can’t get off the field unless they give up a big play score, both of which are keeping other teams in the game.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Oct 15, 2011 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
BOOM! Rec'd both of you.
Running eats up clock. COMPLETED passes eat up clock. We have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He’s not a running quarterback (Vick, Cunningham, etc.). He’s a passing quarterback. If we have a running back who is as good at what he (the running back) does as Brees is at what HE does then, hell, go ahead and run the ball. Until the running back situation becomes dominant (yeah, I know, “How will we know it’s dominant if we don’t run?”) I have faith in Drew airing that mutha’ out.
If we could score on a quarterback sneak every time we had the ball I’d go for that too. But, we currently have a winning combination of a pass/run ratio. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
There is, however, an area that still needs a little fixing. (I’m looking at you, defense.)
Alimony is like buying hay for a dead horse.
by Just 'Nother Day on Oct 15, 2011 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Ooops, almost forgot.
Preston, I am also waiting to find out what the hell “The Distance Of Balance” means.
Alimony is like buying hay for a dead horse.
by Just 'Nother Day on Oct 15, 2011 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions
only thing google turned up was a damn link to this story
WIN NOW
WINGRAMANIA!!!!
by Hans Petersen on Oct 15, 2011 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Just 'Nother Day, I don't know either exactly what The Distance Of Balance means.
But like I’ve said before, I know sean Paytons balance is offset at like a 60-40 balance in favor of throwing. But to Sean that is the right balance and I for one certainly agree with that type of balance. It works and that’s how we win the game. When it doesn’t work is when you need to try some other balance. Let’s say he starts a 50-50 and we start losing? What good does that do? No good, that’s why Sean doesn’t do it. Other teams use more of a balance because they don’t have a Drew Brees, so they rely alot more on running the ball. We have a weapon in Drew Brees and Sean knows that is the weapon that needs to be used the most. We have other weapons also that can be used when that right weapon is needed.
The defense is the problem. But the Saints haven’t exactly improved their LB situation dramatically during the offseason, so I don’t expect it to get better in quick fashion.
That said, what happens when the Saints play a good defense and a decent offense? Or a decent defense and a good offense?
Someone (Triplett or Duncan) had an article saying the Saints would only go as far as the defense could take them. I believe if the offense had more balance where it counts, they’d be unstoppable and be able to build a multi score lead because they wouldn’t be settling for as many FG’s. That lead would change the complexion of the defense, because the opponent would lose its legitamite threat of running the ball and become one dimensional.
Stop wearing a wishbone where your backbone ought to be. Would you be convicted in court of being a Christian? Happiness is shared, and comes from sharing.
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Oct 15, 2011 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions
In other words, scoring on most every drive because they are more balanced and less predictable in the red-zone or on third and short would make up for the turnovers they used to get (which led to extra possessions and scoring opportunities). In turn, having that big lead would inevitably help the defense get those turnovers because the other offense becomes one dimensional.
Stop wearing a wishbone where your backbone ought to be. Would you be convicted in court of being a Christian? Happiness is shared, and comes from sharing.
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Oct 15, 2011 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions
And I just dont agree that running more will make our offense better.
We haven’t even touched on how much the rules are in favor of passing. You can move down the field, get automatic first downs, place the ball on the one yard line by just attempting to pass without even making a completion. All these Penalty yards don’t even show up in the stats. Pass interference, illegal contact, defensive holding, defenseless reciever, roughing the quarterback. Virtually the only penalty on a run is offensive holding.
Run only enough to keep em honest and to ice a win
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Oct 16, 2011 2:27 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
True dat.....
Scoring 30 points a game should be enough to easily beat most teams. Especially some of the ones we’ve plated.
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
I didn't see Jon's weekly pick-em thread...
and as is the custom, I normally wait for it and copy and paste these there after he has it up. I will be on the road most of Sunday, so I’ll put them here.
Pick’Em:
Season Total : 52 wins, 25 losses
Last Week: 10 wins, 3 losses
Average: 10 wins, 5 losses
Last Year: 157 wins, 99 losses
Best Year: 170 wins, 86 losses
This Week’s Picks:
Packers over Rams – The Rams are coming off of a much needed bye, and while any team can win any game on any given Sunday, I just don’t see where the Rams will have the offense or defense to keep this game close. They’ve lost their top 3 CB’s to injury, and the WR position is a mess. I’ll take the Packers to put St. Louis through more misery with a Confidence of 13 as a Best Bet.
Steelers over Jaguars – Dick Lebeau has a few weeks of game tape on Blaine Gabbert. It will be a long day for the Jags, so it’s a good thing their defense plays inspired. Still, it won’t be enough, so I’ll go with that aging Burgh D with a Confidence of 12 as a Best Bet.
Jets over Dolphins – I don’t care if the Jets offense looks like turd. I’ll take Sanchez and no running game over Matt Moore any day. I wonder when the Dolphins will start packing it in, because before the season started, the coach already had both feet out the door. I’ll go with Gang Green with a Confidence of 11 as a Best Bet.
Ravens over Texans – No Andre Johnson and no other real threat makes Schaub look average. It’s as simple as that. Take away Mario Williams and replace him with Brooks Reed, and while you may not lose that much production, the injury has to have some kind of psychological affect on the rest of the defense. I’ll go with the Ravens by ten with a Confidence of 10 as a Best Bet.
Saints over Bucs – Drew Brees is on fire, and the Blount got stamped out. It will be a fist fight, but I’ll take the Saints to pull away late with a Confidence of 9 as a Best Bet.
Patriots over Cowboys – In classic Know Who To Pull For (KWTPF) fashion, this is the correct outcome to root for. In addition, I can’t bring myself to wish for Dallas to win, but it wouldn’t break my heart if Tom Brady got knocked off his high horse. That said, I’ll take the better QB and better coached team with a Confidence of 8.
Vikings over Bears – Upset #1, Upset Special – I think the Vikings finally learned the lesson (again) that Adrian Peterson is their salvation and McNabb is the facilitator who does his best work placing the ball in Peterson’s gut. Mike Martz is an idiot, and so is Lovie Smith for tolerating him. I’ll go with the Vikings with a Confidence of 7.
Bills over Giants – Upset #2 – This is a game where we find out how “for real” this Buffalo team is. The Giants are trying to get that sick taste out of their mouths, and Buffalo is the more consistent team, but if they want to have a shot at winning their division and having a home play-off game, they need to win this one to keep pace with the Pats. I’ll go with the Bills running game over the G-men’s with a Confidence of 6.
Raiders over Browns – Cleveland is another team regrouping after the bye, while Oakland may be primed for an emotional let-down after last week’s “win for the gipper”. Still, I’ll take the better team at this point with a Confidence of 5.
Redskins over Eagles – Upest #4 – How I have gone back and forth with this pick. On one hand, when he isn’t calling 3 consecutive all out blitzes, Jim Haslett has done a good job, while on the other, Juan Castillo looks like a fish out of water running the Eagles D. I prefer the Eagles supporting cast on offense, but I am going to go with the Skins because they will exploit the middle of Phili’s run D and get too much pressure on Vick with a Confidence of 4.
Lions over 49’ers – I guess I have to believe in San Fran’s coaching staff and Alex Smith’s resurrection now, yet I can’t bring myself to pick the Niners because the last I saw of them was when the Saints demolished them in the pre-season. I’ll ride Detroit’s wheels with a Confidence of 3.
Colts over Bengals – Upset #3 – The Bengals have an outstanding defense and the edge in the rushing game. Still, this Colts team is close and learning how to win without Manning. This is the week they play a complete game, with a Confidence of 2.
Falcons over Panthers – In another game I’ve deliberated over, I’ll take Michael Turner to have a big day and the Falcons to remember their ball control ways of 2010 in an effort to keep Newton off the field with a Confidence of 1.
Stop wearing a wishbone where your backbone ought to be. Would you be convicted in court of being a Christian? Happiness is shared, and comes from sharing.
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Oct 15, 2011 9:35 PM CDT reply actions
I'll move these over when it appears...
WIN NOW
WINGRAMANIA!!!!
by Hans Petersen on Oct 15, 2011 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions
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