The New Orleans Saints began the 2011 season by travelling to Lambeau field and running into a big fat measuring stick. While they held their own in a loss to the defending Super Bowl champions, week two presented a different challenge. The Chicago Bears were at last coming to the Louisiana Superdome. The Payton Saints have not fared well against the Bears, going 0-3 at Soldier Field. The Bears learned not to come knockin’ when the dome is rockin’. You may end up as just so much cutlery.
With Roman Harper leading the defensive charge, the Saints blitzed Jay Cutler early and often en route to a 30-13 pasting. Cutler’s offensive line had one of “those games” and Cutler spent most of the afternoon throwing off his back foot when he wasn’t running for his life. The single Bears' touchdown was tainted by a ridiculous roughing call against Harper when he failed to pick Cutler up and feather him to the ground gently. Once the Saints figured out that Tulane’s Matt Forte was the Bears' most effective weapon and decided to blanket him, the Bears went silent.
On offense, the Saints were efficient but not dominant as they broke 30 for the second straight week, a good sign in light of last year’s struggles. Drew Brees has now thrown 3 touchdowns and no interceptions 2 weeks in a row, and Payton is dialing up Darrren Sproles number a lot more often than he did Reggie Bush. Who knew?
As we walked up to the Superdome and I took in the sea of jerseys, I couldn’t help but marvel at what a golden age it is for the New Orleans Saints and their fans. Brees, Thomas, Ingram, Colston, Sproles, Graham, Moore, Henderson, Meachum, Vilma, Jenkins, Harper, Porter, Greer, and even the departed Sharper, Bush, and Shockey. All top notch players with solid followings.
It sure is fun.
1 comment:
Good one Rick.
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