New Orleans Saints 38 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7: Bring on the Patriots

Now that's more like it. The Saints have finally appeared to right the ship. They're back on track. They've returned to form.

Those are just a few cliche's you're likely to hear this week following the Saints dominating performance over the Bucs. Let's just quickly go over the check list of things the Saints did this week against Tampa that made them so successful earlier this year...

• Play a clean, turnover-free game. - Check!
• Have Colston return to form. - Check!
• Score lots of points. - Check!
• Get back to running the ball incredibly well with Thomas and Bell. - Check!
• Beat up on rookie quarterbacks. - Check!
• Dominate in the second half. - Check!
• Easily handle a weak team. - Check!

Things are back to normal in Who Dat Nation and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. This was the performance we wanted to see from the Saints as they head into the biggest statement game of their season next Monday night against New England. Make the jump for more notes.

On to my bullets:

• New cornerback Chris McAlister was listed as inactive for the game. I would like to have seen him play today but the good news is that he wasn't necessary. Guess we'll have to wait until next week.
• It never rained during the game but there appeared to be some field condition issues. Pierre Thomas slipped on a third down run, Hamilton fell on a run late in the game and Tampa receivers hit the turf a couple of times, one leading to the Malcolm Jenkins intercetption.
• Today was a good game for Saints players with the last name Thomas. Pierre had over 100 all-purpose yards and David had his best game yet with four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.
• This game was boring. At one point, the Saints and Bucs were simply exchanging punts back and forth. Props to Thomas Morstead who had a great game punting the ball and giving the Bucs poor field position.
• Meachem has really hit his stride. Last week Payton acknowledged he needed to get Bobby Meach more touches because good things seems to happen. Today Meachem had two catches; both were for touchdowns. Can we officially consider this his breakout season?
• Speaking of players that seem to make things happen, how about Malcolm Jenkins. Sure, he's still got a ways to go in his development as a shut down corner but the kid has got a nose for the football, whether it's special teams fumbles earlier this season or a key interception today.
• We can't knock Roman Harper because he's been flourishing this year under Williams and leading the team in tackles but damn if he could just hold onto the football just once.
• DeMario Pressley - unsung hero of the game.
• Gregg Williams eats rookie quarterbacks for breakfast. That being said, Tampa fans should be pretty happy with the future prospects of Freeman.
• With Reggie and Lance out of the game, the Saints had a revolving door of punt returners, including Darren Sharper, Devery Henderson and Marques Colston.
• There are a a few cornerbacks on the Saints roster I would rather see on the field than Leigh Torrence but we can't deny his drive and toughness. After separating his shoulder, Torrence returned to the game - possibly out of necessity - only to injure himself yet again.
• Bucs coach Raheem Morris graduated from the Sean Payton School of Throwing Challenge Flags.
• I'll be the first to admit I'm not the most knowledgeable at grading offensive linemen talent but the announcers spoke highly of Carl Nicks' play on multiple occasions so I'll just assume they're right.
• Solid game for Jonathan Vilma as he returns to form with his team-leading six tackles and an interception.

Here is today's roll call. Thanks for everyone's participation.

Total Users: 50
Total Posts: 1697
Total Threads: 2