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Saints 7 @ Panthers 30: Making the Grade

Quarterback B


vs CAR / 10.19.08 Passing Rushing
Comp Att Pct Yds TD Rush Yds Avg TD
Drew Brees 21 39 53.8 231 0

This was a pedestrian game for the super human Brees. The stats above don't show Drew's one interception that came at a key moment. Drew and his receivers just couldn't seem to get on the same page.

Running Back A


vs CAR / 10.19.08 Rushing Receiving
Rush Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Avg TD
Reggie Bush 9 55 6.1 0 1 5 5.0 0

vs CAR / 10.19.08 Rushing Receiving
Rush Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Avg TD
Deuce McAllister 9 47 5.2 0 1 6 6.0 0

These are the best numbers from these two guys all season. Reggie's numbers were just one halves worth of work. It's a darn shame that we didn't get a chance to see more. Much thanks has to go to offensive line for an improved effort in running blocking also.

Receiving C


vs CAR / 10.19.08 Receiving
Rec Yards Avg TD
Devery Henderson 3 80 26.7 0

vs CAR / 10.19.08 Receiving
Rec Yards Avg TD
Billy Miller 4 56 14.0 0


vs CAR / 10.19.08 Receiving
Rec Yards Avg TD
Jeremy Shockey 5 50 10.0 0

Once again Devery leads the pack. Brees used his tight ends a lot during the game and Lance Moore was the second leading wide receiver with only 10 yards. Colston looked clearly not ready. All in all it wasn't a great performance from on otherwise dominant corp. The rhthym and chemistry just weren't there as it usually is and that may have had to do with the return of Colston and Shockey. Did I just say that?

Offensive Line B

Definitely an improvement in the run blocking against Carolina. Unfortunately it was at the expense of their pass blocking skills. Brees was rushed quite often in the pocket and without enough time Dr. Drew can't carve up defensive secondaries with surgical precision as he is wont to do. The loss of Jonathan Goodwin could have played a factor also.

Defensive Line C


vs CAR / 10.19.08 Tackles Sacks Interceptions
Solo Ast Total Sacks Yds Int Yds IntTD
Bobby McCray 5 1 6 0 0 0 0 0


vs CAR / 10.19.08 Tackles Sacks Interceptions
Solo Ast Total Sacks Yds Int Yds IntTD
Kendrick Clancy 4 0 4 1 2 0 0 0

This was McCray's coming out party. After only 3 sacks in the first 6 games McCray registered double that in just one game. Kendrick Clancy got himself the only sack of the game. As a whole though the line didn't get enough pressure on Delhomme which would have helped a great deal. Will Smith's play up to this point in the season has been fairly disappointing as well.

Linebackers B


vs CAR / 10.19.08 Tackles Sacks Interceptions
Solo Ast Total Sacks Yds Int Yds IntTD
Jonathan Vilma 6 1 7 0 0 0 0 0


vs CAR / 10.19.08 Tackles Sacks Interceptions
Solo Ast Total Sacks Yds Int Yds IntTD
Scott Shanle 5 1 6 0 0 0 0 0

It's not a big number like 10 or 11 but Vilma's 7 tackles are once again good enough for the game high. He also batted down a ball at the line, something I would love to see the Saints do more of. I think it's amazing that Vilma's consistently great play hasn't been recognized more.

Secondary C


vs CAR / 10.19.08 Tackles Sacks Interceptions
Solo Ast Total Sacks Yds Int Yds IntTD
Kevin Kaesviharn 6 1 7 0 0 0 0 0


vs CAR / 10.19.08 Tackles Sacks Interceptions
Solo Ast Total Sacks Yds Int Yds IntTD
Jason David 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0

The good news is that these guys didn't drop any easy interception chances. That's a big improvement from last week. The bad news is that they never really had any chances. Steve Smith racked up 122 yards including a catch in the endzone amid double coverage so that should tell you a little something about how great this unit played. Kaesviharn once again is at the top of the tackles list. Not sure whether that is a testament to his ability or our cornerbacks lack thereof. McKenzie wasn't his usual self either, falling down on a deep route that was luckily overthrown. I debated on giving them a D but I'm in a forgiving mood.

Special Teams C

Personally, I would have given special teams an A. I didn't see anything unusual or out of the ordinary. Mehlhaff was a perfect 100% on extra points and his kickoffs seem to be getting better. But apparently our punting was so awful that Payton needed to cut Steve Weatherford right there on the spot. How could I possibly give it an A after that? Payton axed the dude.