Fleur-de-Links: January 10, 2012
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jan 10, 2012 4:01 PM CST
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SAINTS @ 49ers:
2011 Divisional Round: New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers - NFL Playoffs - ESPN
Get Complete coverage of the 2011 Divisional games between the Saints and 49ers on ESPN.com
Double Coverage: Saints or 49ers? - NFC South Blog - ESPN
OK, so the New Orleans Saints' and San Francisco 49ers' head coaches won't be bonding over the phone this week. No problem. NFC South blogger Pat Ya
2012 NFL Playoffs -- San Francisco 49ers ready this time for blitz-happy New Orleans Saints - ESPN
Jim Harbaugh didn't call Sean Payton in August before the San Francisco 49ers played the New Orleans Saints, unaware of the gentleman's agreement between NFL coaches to talk before preseason games to agree on strategy.
Sean Payton Tuesday press conference updates, San Francisco week - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
His first look at San Francisco
New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton calls report of preseason blitzing against San Francisco 49ers "completely false" - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Report suggested that Payton was miffed because 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh didn't call him before game
New Orleans sports writer offers insight into Saints | PressDemocrat.com
As part of our coverage of the upcoming divisional playoff game between the 49ers and Saints, The Press Democrat posed questions to Mike Triplett of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Here are five questions and answers about the Saints plus a bonus question.
San Francisco 49ers notebook: New Orleans Saints' blitzing tactics in exhibition game no issue to Jim Harbaugh - Inside Bay Area
Paytons game plan reportedly grew out of perceived slight
Saints ready for road challenge - New Orleans Saints - SunHerald.com
The next step toward a second Super Bowl championship has arrived for New Orleans.
Bad blood? 49ers questioning New Orleans Saints' aggressive preseason strategy - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Not much was made of it at the time but rest assured the storyline will be played and overplayed this week as the Saints prepare for their NFC Divisional playoff matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. Some of the 49ers were puzzled by the constant blitzing from the Saints defense in their 24-3 loss exhibition loss in preseason opener...
N.F.L. Divisional Matchups: What the Film Says - NYTimes.com
This is far and away the most challenging test for the Saints’ offense thus far. New Orleans faced only two top-10 defenses (as ranked by yards) this season: Houston in Week 3 and Jacksonville in Week 4
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Wild Card Quick Reads
Does San Francisco have a chance of stopping this juggernaut? We may be able to find an answer in New Orleans' passing tendencies.
Saints Are Hot, but They Have Been Stopped | NBC San Diego
Rams were able to upset Saints in October by setting the tone defensively and sacking Brees six times.
Around the NFC South - NFC South Blog - ESPN
There’s a lot of talk about how the Saints aren’t as good on the road as they are at home as they get ready to head to San Francisco this weekend. No doubt there’s some truth in that. But I think this is getting overblown a bit. The Saints were 5-3 on the road in the regular season. That’s not bad. It might not be great, but the Saints are capable of winning on the road.
LAGNIAPPE:
Thomas emerging for Saints in playoffs - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
One of Pierre Thomas' teammates referred to him as "an animal" after the Saints' playoff opening triumph over Detroit. Thomas is just happy to be healthy and able to help New Orleans in another playoff run. The fifth-year running back was a key player in the Saints' lone championship two seasons ago, turning screen passes into long touchdowns in both the NFC championship game... - National Football League news
Hakim Drops the Ball!: Drew Brees unimpressed
NFL.com Blogs " Blog Archive Playoff Challenge owners take a pass on bye week players "
Finally, we learned that you, the faithful NFL Playoff Challenge player, don’t like guys with byes. Despite the prospect of double points in the second round, most people opted for guys that played this week. Nowhere was it more evident than at the quarterback spot, where just 7.36 percent of owners added Aaron Rodgers to their lineup and only 2.04 percent took a chance on Tom Brady. Then again, it’s hard to argue against that when 83.4 percent of you enjoyed a healthy 30-point day from Drew Brees.
Packers on Top in Total Passing Value - NYTimes.com
The Packers, the Saints and the Patriots have three of the best passing offenses in N.F.L. history.
Out of Bounds by Jabari Greer "Tell Me a Bedtime Story" - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
His weekly blog, exclusive to The Times-Picayune
WWL - AM870 | FM105.3 | News | Talk | Sports - Video Of Cajun Cannon: Why No Changes To The Offense, Coach?
Bobby Hebert draws criticism from national media for blunt question to Les Miles last night.
VIDEO:
NFL Videos: Unsung Heroes: Saints' three-headed monster
The Saints' running backs racked up 164 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 45-28 wild-card win over the Lions. Brian Baldinger breaks down some of their biggest runs.
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All I got to say is
If our LB’s are the best that they have faced the got to 13-3 on a weak schedule against bad defenses
by mississippisaintsfan on Jan 10, 2012 4:07 PM CST reply actions
If our LBs are they based they faced to go 13-3....they won 13 games by forfeit and forfeited the 3 others.
-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.
That's what I was thinking when I saw that
Really? Our LBs? Granted, it does kinda seem to me lately that our LBs aren’t quite as much a liability as they once were. I’m more disappointed lately with the pass rush we’ve been getting from our DEs. That’s why GW blitzes so often. He has too in order to get pressure on QBs. I think Junior has been outplaying Cam and Will. I Hope to see more of him Saturday.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jan 10, 2012 4:13 PM CST up reply actions
Speaking of LBs…anyone know how Casillas is progressing?
-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.
They haven't yet released video or a transcript of Payton's presser
Didn’t see an injury report in the tweets either. He may not have to release that until tomorrow.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jan 10, 2012 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe he mean lbs, as in pounds
and was referring to Rogers and Aubrayo?
by sammasaaron on Jan 10, 2012 4:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
He is obviously dissing his brother.
Awkward.
I’m thinking that was a typo and was supposed to be RBs…that would actually make sense.
by BlackandGold4ever on Jan 11, 2012 8:01 AM CST up reply actions
Lotta gab about nothing regarding the preseason game.
It’s obvious there’s a lot of respect between the coaches regarding these teams and it’s not them just trying to play nice. All I want is a good game and to not fall flat. We lose but play hard…it’s acceptable. Just don’t drop a turd.
-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.
Speaking of dropping a turd...
Thanks for reminding us only half of the LSU team caught the bus to NO.
Drew Brees....MVS Most Valuable Saint! Who Dat!!!
by cajuncommando58 on Jan 11, 2012 11:53 AM CST up reply actions
*shrugs* not my fault. Figured that was going to happen. Bama was the better team in the first game too...their FG kicker not withstanding.
-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.
I heard the LSU bus still hasn’t made it back to campus: somebody drew a 50-yard line across I-10 in St. James Parish.
(too soon?)
This isn't about rules, it's about manners. Now there's no rule that says that I cant come over here and fart on your entree. But I don't do it. Why? Because it's not good manners.
by Doc Boudin on Jan 11, 2012 8:09 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
For a zinger that good?
Never too soon!
Every day I'm shufflin'!
by Just 'Nother Day on Jan 12, 2012 2:49 AM CST up reply actions
BOOM!
I’m a Bama fan, so zingers like this are never too soon.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jan 12, 2012 9:49 AM CST up reply actions
Okay, so reading the prognostications, it appears that the Niners are quickly becoming the darling pick this week. Those reason can be summed up thusly:
1. The Saints suffer from Agoraphobia – the are not the same team outside. Never mind that one loss was actually in a dome. Never mind that the Green Bay loss featured the Saints still managing to score over 30 and being in it on the last play. This leads to, number 2:
2. The Saints are not as good on the road. Okay, but 5-3 isn’t exactly too shabby. Also, two of the losses came with out Zach Streif on the line (TB and STL). Since he has returned, the Saints O-line has been spectacular. I’m not sure this is even the same team we saw in the first half of the season.
3. The 49ers field is an impenetrable mud hole of woe that will swallow the Saints. Well, at least it’s a daytime start so we don’t have to worry about playing in the dark. It is a mudhole, but the weather this week in SF looks pretty clear, so unless the grounds crew is hosing the field down every night, I think that the outdoor factor is overblown.
4. The 49ers defense is like the greatest defense in the history of defenses or something. Yes, they are good, but they haven’t exactly run into a juggernaut like the Saints, either. They also gave up a heck of a lot of points to St. Louis’s back-up QB in a game they needed to win at the end of the year. Just sayin’.
5. Alex Smith. Really? Really? Yes, he has really turned it around, but in to act like his play is somehow an advantage for the Niners against Brees & Co. makes little to no sense.
6. Drew Brees is short. (Jason Whitlock. I am not kidding.)
Maybe I’m drinking too much black & gold Kool-Aid, but unless the Saints turn in a four-turnover performance, this one should be a W for them.
by Nabb1 on Jan 10, 2012 4:25 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
That's OK
The Lions were the media’s “darling” pick last week too. How’d that turn out?
The Saints are favored to win by a small margin. Some blowhard prognosticators like to pick against that just to stand out from the crowd. Not saying the 49ers won’t win, though. I believe in my Saints, but this game on the road after the 49ers had a bye week could go either way. We definitely won’t be able to commit two fumbles and still get away with the win like we did against the Lions. We’ll need to bring our A game. Our B+ game may not cut it.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jan 10, 2012 4:34 PM CST up reply actions
Great job summarizing and refuting
I still don’t get why SF has garnered so much respect. The closest things I can find to quality wins are beating the Lions in Detroit and/or the Giants in SF. Both are incredibly inconsistent teams and I didn’t watch either game, so I’m not sure what to take from them.
Beyond that, the 49ers played 5 playoff teams (Bengals, Lions, Giants, Ravens, Steelers). They went 4-1 in those games, losing to the Ravens. The Bengals, Lions and Steelers have all been eliminated from the playoffs, leaving SF two regular season games against divisional-round playoff teams with a record of 1-1. For comparison’s sake, the Saints also played 5 playoff teams (Packers, Texans, Falcons (x2), Giants, Lions) with a 5-1 record in those games. 3 of those teams are left in the playoffs, and the Saints are 2-1 against them.
Somehow, their victories over the Bengals and Steelers plus loss to the Ravens are not more impressive to me than the Saints’ victories over Texans and the Falcons (x2) and loss to the Packers.
if you go to niners nation and read grumps ask a saints fan
You will see how bad their fan base really is. They ask him a question and if he doesn’t bow down and worship the ground th 49ers walk on they give him hell
by mississippisaintsfan on Jan 10, 2012 5:19 PM CST up reply actions
I noticed…which is why I’ve refused to go over there despite being a member. I like how they’ll throw out a stat. And if you try to have an intelligent conversation about it and produce a stat of your own…they plug their ears and start humming.
They’re two good teams…the game should be fun and a close one. Why can’t people just stop being asses and realize it should be entertaining but both teams have a legitimate shot of winning?
-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.
"Bad fan base" may be the wrong words
Somewhat overcompensating? Perhaps yes.
There’s a lot of factors as to why that is but in the end if you ask any real Niner fan over there to cut the crap and give their honest opinion of this game, they’d say something along the lines that they’re cautiously optimistic but both teams have to execute what got them to this point to perfection to win. Whether that be the 49ers playing smothering defense, great special teams and mistake free offense or the Saints playing lights out offense and bend but don’t break defense.
In the end Saturday should be a good game for both fan bases and any true fan of the NFL.
"We ask no quarter, we give no quarter" - Jim Harbaugh
The one thing I don’t get….is the dismissive about how the 49ers have the clear advantage on special teams. Don’t get me wrong….the 49ers have great special teams with Andy Lee and Ginn is a very solid returner. However, if you look at the statistics…Saints are almost as prolific in every single area of special teams. I still give the edge to the 49ers…but the gap is incredibly close.
-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.
I think we do have a clear edge
but like you said it’s close. A lot closer than with most teams. Moorestead is really good too (though you rarely use him). There’s just a love affair that’s more of an inside thing with Andy Lee. Some say that he is the god of what us mortals call punting :)
"We ask no quarter, we give no quarter" - Jim Harbaugh
I won’t disagree. I argued for him on these boards earlier when people were upset Morestead wasn’t getting more probowl love. He’s a cut above as far as I’m concerned. However, if there’s a punter in the NFC that comes close…it’s Morestead. Just seems like everyone over there was just outright dismissing the Saints special teams without bothering to look at how close they were.
-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.
Morestead's Great
But to get some Niner fans to say that would require a miracle. The beginning of this video shows you just how deep the love affair goes for some :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ihMkBTpyec
"We ask no quarter, we give no quarter" - Jim Harbaugh
Well, he does get quite a bit of practice.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jan 10, 2012 7:43 PM CST up reply actions
You're thinking of Akers
He got more “practice” than any place kicker in history lol.
"We ask no quarter, we give no quarter" - Jim Harbaugh
Lol. You’re right.
I was just half-assedly trolling, actually. I can’t help it.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jan 10, 2012 8:46 PM CST up reply actions
It's to hard to grade us on Punt coverage...
there isn’t enough tape to watch.
Drew Brees....MVS Most Valuable Saint! Who Dat!!!
by cajuncommando58 on Jan 11, 2012 11:55 AM CST up reply actions
When Morestead sends every single kickoff out of the endzone, Ginn ain’t gonna be worth squat.
And even if we should happen to punt 10 times, we’ve proven all season long that we know how to neutralized dangerous return men, either with punts of 5+ seconds hangtime and/or just sending it out of bounds…
I’m far more worried by their defense than their special teams.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Wild Card Quick Reads
Does San Francisco have a chance of stopping this juggernaut? We may be able to find an answer in New Orleans’ passing tendencies.
This article was pretty good. It also showed just how diverse we were, in that we had THREE of the top five WR last weekend, plus TWO of the top five RBs. Oh and we also had the best QB as well, with a Pass DYAR that all-but lapped the field.
Of course, he wasn’t going up against the supermen on the 49er defense… but their answer to the types of passes question was quite interesting. I won’t completely spoil the answer for you, but it was pretty interesting… especially since this whole weekend is supposed to be about contrasting types of strength against strength… not quite so much in this category…
Read it...
and got confirmation that the longer the play, the more Brees is imprecise.
Repeat? Run it!
I would have to say the Ravens LBs are the best they have faced. Pittsburgh maybe also.
But, I looked at the list of teams they played and our LBs are not far from the top. I think we are as good or better at LB than Phila, Seattle, Tampa, Ariz, Rams, Browns, Cincinnatti, dallas. Possibly NYG and Washington have an edge, but Washington hasn’t really played well and NYG have had some injuries and played poorly at times also.
"We've established the run; we've established the pass. Now all we have to establish is another championship!"
"Some say the glass is half empty;
Some say the glass is half full.
I say- 'are you going to finish that beer'?"
I agree with only the Eagles and possibly the Giants. Cincy has Rivers and Mauluga. Dallas has Demarcus Ware for goodness sakes. I’d trade any of our LBs in a heartbeat for Lauranaitis of the Rams. Tampa’s Foster was a beast this year, etc etc. We have an aging Vilma…..
-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.
yea their first question about who he was nervous about the lions or 49ers
He said lions because ofg their offense. They went all physco on him about his answer and thsat he needed to be more nervous about 49ers
by mississippisaintsfan on Jan 10, 2012 5:41 PM CST up reply actions
Rivers was injured and didn’t play all season long. Plus he’s been a bit of a bust ever since Whines Hard cheapshotted him and broke his jaw. Now the replacement guys for Cinti were decent, but not that great. And Sting-Rey was also injured when they played Cinti IIRC. So at the time the game was played, our LBs were better than Cinti’s.
I will agree with you about Laurenitis, however. Not sure about Foster. I wanted us to draft him, but either he just couldn’t carry a putrid team or he wasn’t as great as we thought, because it was their defense that collapsed first.
when I analyze this matchup, I think we matchup well. But what strikes me is when I ponder what would
be the 49ers record if they were in the NFC North or NFC South or NFC East. I speculate that they would be 10-6 instead of 13-3. They were 5-1 vs their division. I think they would be easily 4-2 or 3-3 in those divisions. They are a one dimensional team and I think teams that played them twice, unless they sucked like the NFC West teams, would have a good strategy to put points up and limit them to FGs.
"We've established the run; we've established the pass. Now all we have to establish is another championship!"
"Some say the glass is half empty;
Some say the glass is half full.
I say- 'are you going to finish that beer'?"
We lost by a total margin of 15 points in our 3 losses....
As easily as we could have been “10-6”, we could have just as well went undefeated.
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-3 to Dallas in OT
-10 to Ravens with 3 days to prepare
-2 to Cardinals with a missed FG
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The Hometown Fan
I see the 49'ers as the Ravens of the NFC.
But apparently you guys are too good for us. Just mail it in……………….
We also have a blogger that answers his own posts. What’s yer feelings on TOP???
You guys aren't familiar with the elaborated self-response?
It’s like a “oh crap, I hit the ‘post’ button too quick, damnit!” dot, dot, dot
Check out my site!! Sign up for a free account @
The Hometown Fan
Be careful.
elaborated self-response?
If you do that too much, you’ll go blind.
This isn't about rules, it's about manners. Now there's no rule that says that I cant come over here and fart on your entree. But I don't do it. Why? Because it's not good manners.
I don't see the 49ers defense as the Ravens defense of the AFC
but, if your defense plays really well against our offense, then I will concede you are right. My problem is that the 49ers are not battle tested. The Ravens and guys like Ray lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ray Rice , Anquan Boldin, etc – they are truly battle tested. I think Ray Lewis has played in more playoff games (and won more) than your entire roster. I don’t mean this as a disrespect, just pointing out some facts. Again, if your defense plays that well on saturday, there will be no dispute- you will have earned all the accolades you will get and certainly you will get them. Right now, based on what you’ve accomplished, it’s premature. And, Alex Smith nees to prove himself in a big game. I’m not entirely sold on him yet and I’m thinking not all 49ers fans are either. Akers on the other hand is the real deal.
So is Patrick Willis and Frank Gore.
Regardless of how this game goes, I expect your team will be a force in the future. You’re on the radar now, it will only get tougher, but I think your team is good enough it will be a force.
"We've established the run; we've established the pass. Now all we have to establish is another championship!"
"Some say the glass is half empty;
Some say the glass is half full.
I say- 'are you going to finish that beer'?"
a loss is a loss
"We've established the run; we've established the pass. Now all we have to establish is another championship!"
"Some say the glass is half empty;
Some say the glass is half full.
I say- 'are you going to finish that beer'?"
Dump pass
I watched the Niners and Ravens game, hopen’ for a loss by the Niners, and Smith is a dump passer. I don’t know if the fact is that he was so bad in the last few years that they told him, dang don’t throw the ball more than 10 yards down the field ! He reminds me, certainly not in the same class, of Montana in the day, killing us with that short pass on the way to another score. I have to be honest and say, we have been suspect to the short ball. This is my Only concern., except for a interception,…. Or maybe a fumble,…or maybe an injury, or…
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