Saints Report #15 - December 23, 2012

The Saints went to Dallas for what may have been the Sean Payton bowl, and upended the Cowboys and their playoff hopes in overtime, 34-31.  The Saints and Drew Brees put together one long drive after another as they piled up yardage and time of possession, only to see Tony Romo and Dez Bryant burn the Saints with long passes keeping the game close. 

Unbelievably the Saints squandered a 2 touchdown 4^th quarter lead as Romo lead the Cowboys to 2 touchdowns in the last 5 minutes.  However, the Saints held in overtime, and Brees led another methodical drive that was capped by a bizarre play on which Marques Colston fumbled after a nice catch, and Jimmy Graham made a game winning recovery on the Cowboy’s 2 yard line.  Garrett Hartley, who had missed a short field goal early in the game, nailed what amounted to an extra point, and the Saints taketh away after they giveth. 

Drew Brees passed for over 400 yards, and the Saints also ran the ball well.  Let’s state the obvious.  Mark Ingram continues to improve and is making an impact.  No one can cover Darren Sproles.  But it’s Pierre Thomas who has been the Saints most consistent player all year.  Brees may have gone over 500 yards if the receivers hadn’t had the dropsies.  The Saints have been as unpredictable as “Homeland” all year, and if Sean Payton returns, and brings a bucket of consistency, next year could actually be fun.

Saints Report #14 - December 16, 2012

Out of the blue, out of nowhere, the Saints came marching into the dome and played their most complete, dominant game of this year, and maybe any year by shutting out the Tampa Bay Bucs 41-0.  The only thing missing was John McKay. 

The offense, led like an orchestra by maestro Drew Brees played flawlessly.  But, it was the Saints much maligned defense which was the story of this game.  They made Buc QB Josh Freeman look lost as they continued their recent improvement.  Suddenly the Saints front four is jelling and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulo is giving them just enough blitz help to wreak havoc.  If you saw a shutout coming, the Saints first since the Clinton administration, we need to talk about a trip to Vegas.

Saints Report #13 - December 9, 2012

Sean Payton’s value was never more evident than in this Meadowlands debacle, as the Giants embarrassed the Saints 52-27.  One of Payton’s abilities, honed undoubtedly over many years, is the unique ability to get all his players on the bus. For this game, special teams didn’t make the trip.

Rookie David Martin torched the Saints repeatedly on kick returns and long runs.  It was if the Saints were reliving their first playoff game ever, when Anthony Carter of the Vikings ran wild on the Superdome carpet.  Not since that game had there been a total special team breakdown resembling the Titanic.  Game planning memo – when the other team keeps starting their drives in your territory, it’s going to be a long day, and it doesn’t really matter if Jimmy Hoffa is buried in the end zone or not.

Saints Report # 12 - November 29, 2012

I made my first visit to the Georgia Dome to watch the Falcons stick a fork in the New Orleans Saints 23-13, snuffing out what little playoff hope the Saints had as they fell to 5 – 7.  The Saints needed to knock off at least one of the 2 division leaders they faced in a 5 day period, and that evaporated in a flood of one of the bad things that can happen when you pass the ball - interceptions.

I can only watch the Saints play in domed stadiums you see, because I might be tempted to jump out of a normal stadium.  The Saints play calling has morphed into a death trap, a suicide rap.  It’s been established that the Saints are pass first, run a distant second, but if you live by the pass, you die by the pass, and right now the Saints are dying over and over.  It’s hard to watch.

Beef # 1:  Third down.  The Saints faced third down 14 times during the game.  They passed 13 times.  That’s not hard for the opposing defensive coordinator to figure out.  Their philosophy has always been to have the ball in the hands of their best player – Drew Brees.  What about their second best player, Pierre Thomas?  He carried 14 times for 84 yards, a 6 yard average, but he is never on the field on 3^rd down, not even to give the defense something to think about.

Beef # 2:  Play action.  It’s not fooling defenses anymore, because they don’t believe the Saints have any confidence in running, even on third and 1, and will never run the ball in a clutch situation.

Beef # 3:  Middle of the field.  The Safeties are staying home.  They are clogging up the middle to stop Jimmy Graham and it’s working.  Drew Brees has now made a horrible throw into the middle in each of the last two games, when the middle of the field looked like a concourse in the Atlanta airport.  Our wide receivers can’t get deep, so the defense is single covering Joe Morgan and Devery Henderson, neither of whom have caught anything significant since the debates.  When Lance Moore is your deep threat, you’ve got problems.

Beef # 4:  Darren Sproles.  I hate to say this but as great as Sproles is, he makes the Saints predictable.  When he’s in the game, it’s a passing down.  They haven’t handed him the ball since 1942.  What happened to that neat little counter play they used to run?  Did they drop it from the playbook?

Beef # 5:  Second Down.  Every time the Saints come out in their shotgun, empty backfield on 2^nd and short I wonder if they understand the nature of the game.  Memo to Joe Vitt:  First downs are a good thing.  We act like we are allergic to them.

Beef # 6:  We can’t stand prosperity.  The only reason the game was close is because the Falcons were as stupid as the Saints.  The Falcons first drive of the game was a running, clock-chewing demoralizer behind Michael Turner.  The Saints first drive of the second half was a running, clock-chewing demoralizer behind Pierre Thomas.  Both teams quickly abandoned that philosophy as too efficient and boring. 

Beef # 7:  Stupidity.  Has there ever been a more obvious infraction than the pitiful attempt at a pick that Jimmy Graham pulled?  It cost the Saints a touchdown, and I was throwing the flag from 25 rows up.  Couple that with the horrible clock management at the end of the first half, which also cost the Saints points, and Moore’s drop of a ball in the end zone, and you have a litany of mistakes that could have had the Saints winning a game they really didn’t deserve to win.  And who had the great idea of throwing a pass to Chris Ivory?

I could go on and on, but where’s the beef?  Here’s what’s going to happen.  The Saints now have to win their last 4 games to finish 9 – 7.  The coaches are gathered.  They are deciding that the best way for the Saints to get to 9 -7 is to put the ball in Brees’ hands, even behind the injured line and the stacked defenses that don’t respect the run.  The defense is actually improving.  They think they can do it. 

It ain’t gonna work. 

At the Cinema - November 2012

Lincoln – 10
You’ll like this movie if you like:
a.  History
b.  Government
c.  Daniel Day Lewis
This is a terrific movie.  One of its great achievements is that Steven Speilberg manages to restrain himself and let the depicted events speak for themselves.  There is no need for music crescendos and heart tugging drama, not when one of the great actors is dominating the screen and a terrific screenplay is unfolding.   In fact this movie should be known as Daniel Day Lewis’ Lincoln, not Steven Speilberg’s Lincoln.  Not for one minute did I not think I was watching a camera present at history.  The authenticity of it is amazing.
 
The story is much more limited than you might expect.  It is largely political drama as it focuses on Lincoln’s efforts to pass the 13^th amendment outlawing slavery.  It is a little jolting to see the political parties reversed from where they are today in many ways.  It is also fascinating the way politics are played 1860's style to get Lincoln what he wants.

Will Daniel Day Lewis win his third Oscar?  Very likely.  He inhabits Abraham Lincoln, that’s the only way to describe it.  His acting will go down as legendary – there aren’t enough accolades to adequately recognize his work here.  Sally Field matches him as Mary Todd Lincoln.  Tommy Lee Jones is terrific as well.  Not sure if this will win the Oscar for best picture, but you can count on acting statues galore.  This is a must see movie, especially as we try to understand our history. 

HBO did a terrific mini-series on John Adams.  After this movie, I hope someone does a movie or series on every President.  Washington and Jefferson, to start.  Can you imagine?


Cloud Atlas – 8
You’ll like this movie if you like:
a.  Tom Hanks
b.  Halle Berry
c.  Colliding stories
This is one of the most ambitious movies I’ve ever seen.  It doesn’t always work, and it certainly isn’t for everyone, but I was very surprised that I liked it as much as I did.  Several of the actors, including Hanks and Berry, play 6 or 7 roles, sometimes even different genders.  Fortunately this is all disclosed in the closing credits, as some are unrecognizable as well as unsuccessful.  The stories are spread throughout history and interconnected at a frantic pace.  I never quite figured some of it out, and at almost 3 hours, it’s a bathroom challenge that I will probably dissect and enjoy more when it comes out on Blu-ray. I’ll be able to pause it, and watching the “making of” extra will undoubtedly enlighten me.

I recommend this for the real film buff.  You’ll need patience and won’t want to blink, but in the end, quite a movie.

Skyfall – 5
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  James Bond
b.  Daniel Craig as James Bond
c.  Sam Mendes

On paper this must have looked good.  Hire a great director, great cast, and write a complex, upgraded script from what we normally expect from the Bond series.  Translate it to the screen with the usual big budget and outlandish stunts and wait for the fans to flock.  Works every time.

I love the James Bond series.  I’m sure I’ve seen every movie in the theatre and again on TBS.  So, why did I not like this one when everyone else did?

The movie just fell flat to me.  Maybe I’m actioned out.  Maybe I’ve seen it all before.  Maybe I’m just bourned out. 

First the plot.  No madman trying to rule the world here.  Just one who wants revenge against M, played steadfastly, and with the best lines in the movie, by Judi Dench.  Javier Bardem is fine as the villain, although I have no idea why they felt the need to dye his hair yellow.  Daniel Craig is a terrific actor.  He inhabits Bond in a very serious, troubled way.  But maybe that’s not what I want in a Bond.  I miss the carefree, suave Bond of Bonds past.

But I think it was the ridiculousness of the plot that did me in.  It hinges on the ability of Bond and his nemesis to accurately predict everything that is going to happen.  It doesn’t stand up to the scrutiny I would give an oreo.  I laughed out loud on several occasions, and that’s never a good sign. 

A huge disappointment for a huge fan.

Pitch Perfect – 8
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  Glee
b.  Awesome Anna Kendrick
c.  Music

This is a cream puff of a movie, almost a throwback to a simpler time.  It’s a movie that could have been made in any decade, with the music of that decade.  I have a feeling there is a group of young girls out there that have seen the movie over and over and it’s their favorite movie of all time.

Anna plays an unhappy college student who wants to be a DJ instead and finds her outlet in an a cappella singing competition group.  Coincidentally, there’s apparently only a few such groups, and the other very good one is right there on the same campus.  What a happy coincidence.  It’s almost gleeful.  In fact it would be "Glee goes to college" if there was just the sounds of the full orchestra appearing out of nowhere.

That silliness aside, it’s the exuberance of the music that holds the movie together.  Those scenes are worth the price of admission.  Aren’t they always?

Taken 2 – 4
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  Taken
b.  Liam Neeson
c.  Carnage
Hopefully the Liam Neeson-as-action-hero trend officially plays itself out in this garbage.  You know the story.  Band has an inexplicable hit record and then does the same record over and over again in an effort to recapture the charts.  It never works, and we fall for it at the movies way too often.  Do yourself a favor and be content to fondly remember Taken (if that's possible) and avoid this retread.

Flight – 8
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  Denzel Washington
b.  Character studies
c.  Harrowing Events
To watch the previews you’d think this movie was about a plane crash.  One of the most harrowing scenes of that sort ever created for a movie will stick in your memory for a long time.  It's an incredible scene. 

But that’s not really what this movie is about.  It’s a character study of the heroic pilot, portrayed by Washington, who just happens to have a major addiction problem.  His fight through these addictions and the eventual conclusion are the real harrowing parts of the movie.  We root for him like we would root for a family member, even as we are repulsed by his behavior.  Denzel Washington is as amazing as always.  The guys got major chops and they’re all on display here.

You’ll remember the plane crash, but you’ll recognize the toll.

Saints Report # 11 - November 25, 2012

The 49ers came to the Superdome Sunday afternoon and whipped a little halftime blackjack on the Saints en route to a 31-21 win.  The Saints held a 14-7 lead with a minute left in the first half and after a rare interception had the ball at midfield with a chance to go up by two touchdowns going into the half.  The crowd was rocking and the Saints were rolling.  Then disaster occurred in the form of a Drew Brees interception that he will probably dream about this summer.  He threw into a middle that was clogged all day and Ahmad Brooks stepped in and took the pass all the way to suddenly tie the game at 14.

The 49ers came out of halftime fired up and put together their best drive of the game to take a 21-14 lead which they augmented on Brees next pass, which they also turned into a pick 6, and the football equivalent of blackjack - 21 unanswered points.  Just like that a game that was so promising was over.  The Saints fought back with a drive of their own to get to 28-21, but the Niners tremendous defensive line overmatched the Saints patchwork offensive line.  Brees was sacked 5 times and was lucky to get out without injury.

Observations? 

First, the Saints running game was ineffective.  Darren Sproles playing time came at the expense of Pierre Thomas, who has only been the Saints best all-around player this year.  But, to their credit, they kept pounding with Ingram and Ivory.  The 49er front 7 was all it was cracked up to be.

Secondly, the Saints defense continued to improve, although they inexplicably declined to blitz a 2^nd time starter at quarterback.  They put absolutely no pressure on the quarterback.  Good teams hit the other quarterback and protect theirs.  The Saints did neither.

The 49ers are a very good team that have been built block by block through the draft.  The Saints have been tremendous at evaluating offensive skill talent, but sub-par at evaluating defensive talent.  Despite a constant rotation of free agents on the defensive line, and drafts that were mostly defense, they’ve consistently misjudged. 

Prediction – Sean Payton is seeing what we’re seeing and will be taking a long look at wholesale replacements on defense.  The Saints can't challenge without a consistent pass rush, and they desperately need to add speed.

Next up Atlanta, and the Saints will need a miracle to pull back to .500.  Frankly I don’t see it.   Not this week. 

Saints Report # 10 - November 18, 2012

The Saints travelled to the unfriendly confines of the Oakland Coliseum and walloped the Oakland Raiders 38-17 in their most lopsided victory of the year on Sunday.

The Saints continued to run the ball well with their three headed running back monster.  The defense, which historically struggles in the Pacific time zone, played their best game of the season, with 2, yes 2 interceptions by safeties.  Nobody is going to confuse the Saints defense with the 49’ers, but they are playing more aggressively and confidently as the season progresses.  Just the way Spags planned it, I presume.

Now sitting at 5-5 and still a long shot to make the playoffs, the stretch run is now critical.  They must win at least one of the next two games to stay at .500 and that’s not going to be easy, with those 49’ers coming to the dome, followed by a quick turnaround and a trip to Atlanta where the doity birds figure to be in a fowl mood. 

If the Saints can close out November strongly, December football could be very interesting.  We didn't believe that in September.

Saints Report # 9 - November 11, 2012

Now only one game under .500 at 4-5, and a 31-27 victory under their belt over the previously unbeaten Atlanta Falcons, (a wonderful sentence) here’s what we know about this year’s version of the New Orleans Saints.  First, they are pretty hard to beat when they garner 150 yards rushing.  Secondly, while at first glance their defense is as horrible as any in history, it really operates in direct proportion to the amount of ground they must defend.   When they have the whole field, they look like they’re running in quicksand.  As the field shrinks and the opposing team nears the end zone, they look like the steel curtain reincarnate.

For much of Sunday’s game Matt Ryan was throwing to Falcon receivers who could have called for a fair catch, they were so wide open.  Drew Brees was threading the needle to receivers who were just breaking open.  Then there’s the red zone where Jimmy Graham and Marquis Colston dominate and the Falcons couldn’t get open.  Such an interesting game. 

The Falcons will be fired up for a rematch later this month in the Atlanta copycat dome and certainly should win that game, but the reality of it is that if the Saints continue to run the ball, and the defense continues to improve, the Saints could end up 10 – 6, or 9-7.    Who’d of thunk it the way they stunk it to start the season?

Saints Report # 8 - November 5, 2012

On election eve the New Orleans Saints cast an unexpected vote for balance.  Balance between their offense and defense, and an offense that balanced the run and the pass.   

They harassed the eminently harrassable Michael Vick.  Vick darted into as much trouble as he darted out of, and continued to make the case that, while he’s a great football player and athlete, he’s also trying to play the one NFL position he probably is not suited to play – quarterback.  For the record, in case I haven’t said this before, Michael Vick should be playing running back, and Tim Tebow should be playing tight end.  Both of them lack the 2 A’s it takes to be an NFL QB – Anticipation and Accuracy.

I’m not trashing them – they can both play in the NFL, just not where they and their agents want them to play.

The Saints sacked Vick 7 times in their 28 – 13 victory, and previously they hadn’t gotten that many sacks on a trip to Rouse’s.  The Dome crowd couldn’t have been more surprised or pleased.  The Saints found an offensive line they could dominate, and did it in the same game that they rediscovered their running game as, in Darren Sproles’ absence, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, and a very fresh Chris Ivory grounded and pounded their way to just short of 150 yards rushing.  Consequently, the Saints controlled the game, the clock, and the Eagles. 

So, the formula is established.  Seven sacks and 150 yards rushing in each and every game between now and the end of the year and we’ll hoist the Lombardi again.  Likely?  No.  But, at least we know the formula.

At the Cinema - October 2012

Argo – 9
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  Low key Suspense
b.  A Slow build 

c.  Middle Eastern Intrigue

Ben Affleck stars in and directs this straightforward telling of a top secret rescue during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.  This movie does a slow build to a very effective climax.

During the 444 day crisis, one of the things that sunk the Jimmy Carter Presidency, several American Consulate workers snuck out a back door and hid in the Canadian Ambassador's house until a CIA rescue plan was hatched.  The rescuer, played by Affleck, extracts them as a phony film crew scouting locations.  Gutsy to say the least.  This rescue was kept classified until the Clinton administration.

It’s all very entertaining, but it suffered just a little from the oddest thing for me.  Homeland.  The Showtime hit series shows middle eastern intrigue in such dynamic fashion that I found this movie to be a little distant. Check this out if you haven’t heard about Homeland:  http://www.metacritic.com/tv/homeland/season-2

Nevertheless, this is a well-made movie, and Affleck’s attention to detail and lack of embellishment is commendable.  Affleck’s made three strong movies now, but here’s one more plug for the one I think is his best – Gone Baby Gone.  I bought the Blu Ray and have picked the movie over and I think it is a masterpiece.  Watching how movies like “Vertigo” have gained favor over the decades gives me hope that GBG will get more recognition as the years go by.  If you’re a movie renter – check it out.  It packs a wallop.

Seven Psychopaths – 0
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  fingers on a blackboard
b.  self-torture
c.  nonsense

In other words, if you like this movie, you are on a completely different planet from me.
This is the first movie I’ve ever rated a zero, and is by far the worst big budget movie I’ve ever seen.  I sat there in total agony trying to make it to the end of the useless carnage.  It is built around bad acting and a script I can’t believe someone saw as having any potential.  I don’t believe in asking for my money back, but I sure missed my chance here.  I felt violated.  I was also astonished at the reviews it got.  As bad as it gets.

Sinister – 6

You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  ghost stories
b.  the guy who was married to Uma Thurman
c.  drunk writers

This is The Shining in suburbia, as writer Ellison Oswald, yes that’s right Oswald, played by Ethan Hawke is investigating a horrible mass murder by doing the only natural thing, moving his family into the house that was the scene of the crime.  He stays there about a movie too long.  He gets plenty of help learning that it’s not just a mass murder, it’s a serial murder.  He seems to be getting this help from ghosts.  If being driven to drink, which most writers seem to be, can be considered help.  So while there’s nothing new here, what I enjoyed about the movie was it didn’t cop out. No snappy explanation at the end, just a solid story of one more thing, besides alcohol, that a writer should refrain from. 

Saints Report # 7 - October 28, 2012

The Saints journeyed to Denver to provide the NBC Sunday Night Football crowd with one of those classic 35-34 shootouts between 2 great quarterbacks.  Unfortunately the Saints left 3 touchdowns at the airport and the anticipated shootout became a 34 -14 trouncing. 

If Denver is an example of a balanced football team, the Saints have become the most unbalanced team in history.  First there is no balance between the offense and defense.  Denver showed us what an NFL defense is supposed to look like.  Stars like Champ Bailey, Elvis Dumerville and Von Miller and a mix of young and old talent.  The Saints have no one comparable. 

To make things worse the Saints have no balance between the run and the pass and it has gotten ridiculous.  If there’s a silver lining to this season maybe it’s that Sean Payton is watching and realizing that you still have to run the ball in the NFL.  I read an article this week that suggested that the Saints upgrade the running back position in the offseason.  How ridiculous.  They have four, possibly five perfectly good running backs.  If anything, the biggest irony is having the caliber of running backs we have, and still being unable to run the ball.  Don’t you wonder what would happen if Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory, or Mark Ingram got 20 carries in a game?  Wait – we have an answer.  Reggie Bush.  Look what he’s doing in Miami with double the workload Payton would allow him to have.  He had over 1000 yards rushing last year, and 1400 total from scrimmage.  He has 493 yards rushing this year. The whole Saints team has 508.  He’s learned to run between the tackles.  Guess what – Pierre Thomas already knows how. Give him the ball 20 times a game.  Or Ingram, who looks worse than Bush did at first.  Or, maybe Ivory, who hasn’t been active all year.  Why can’t these talented backs run the ball?  Because we don’t hand it to them, and the blocking is terrible, because it's obviously an afterthought at practice time. 

Here’s the thing – if you asked the coaching staff if they would rather gain 5 yards with a pass or a run, I’d bet they’d say pass.  And that is the wrong answer.  I couldn’t be a bigger fan of Drew Brees, but he can’t carry this imbalanced mess on his back. If we ran the ball twice as much (like 50% of the time) I can assure you our defense would be better.  They’d be off the field a little. The injuries in the receiving corps are a good example of one of the things that goes wrong when you throw on every down.  It’s time to put some heat on some running backs and maybe keep the defense off the field a little.  The math is simple.  To make the playoffs, we can’t lose again.  To not lose again, we need balance.  The kind of balance we showed only once in the Payton era.  Seems like it was the year we won a Super Bowl. 

Saints Report # 6 - October 21, 2012

I guess you can sum up the New Orleans Saints defense this way.  Their biggest play of the year will probably be on a 94 yard gain that could have gone 95.  When Malcolm Jenkins, who was too slow to play cornerback for the Saints, inexplicably ran down Vincent Jackson from behind on what looked like a sure touchdown, it may have saved the Saints season.  The Saints pulled off a goal line stand, then reversed the field with a long drive to put the game away.  Or so we thought.

I can’t say it better than Hokie Gajan, who said something like this.  “With the Saints offense, no lead is safe.  With the Saints defense, no lead is safe.” 

The Saints beat Tampa 35 – 28 when an apparent touchdown catch on the last play of the game was nullified with a penalty.  Some days you’re the windshield.  Some days you’re the bug.  On this day the Saints got the breaks they haven’t been getting all year, and it helped.  But it was actually a relatively good game from a Saints defense that seems to be improving that kept the Saints close, until the offense could get going.   New Orleans  was admittedly helped by Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman, who seemed to be high and outside much of the day. 

Meanwhile, Drew Brees had a phenomenal first half and a solid second half to hang up the 35 that Saints fans have become used to.   Jonathan Vilma returned for this game, and Interim Head Coach Joe Vitt returns for the next, as the Saints continue to try to forget September.  Long way to go to get that accomplished though.  Especially with the first of two Mannings up next.

Saints Report # 5 - October 7, 2012

October finally arrived for the Saints as they got several emotional lifts and several long awaited breaks to come from behind and beat the San Diego Chargers 31-24, rocketing the Saints to a 1-4 start. 

When Drew Brees arrived on the Superdome scene, he relied on Marquis Colston.  Then, the Saints began to add competent receivers and Brees spread the wealth.  With the receiving corps depleted, Brees turned back to old reliable Colston and he responded with 3 touchdown catches, to lead the Saints. 
Long time speedster Devery Henderson scored first however, and his first quarter TD reception was the one on which Brees broke a 50 year old record held by Johnny Unitas. 

The schedule makers were kind to the Saints.  Not that Brees ever needs motivation, but he relished setting it against his old team.  In addition the Saints were finally evenly matched as they played the other NFL team that operates without a head coach this year.  No, I don’t think much of Norv, and the way the Chargers self-destructed into a 2^nd and 37 situation on the last drive was pretty typical of his habit of doing less with more. 
Night games in New Orleans give the Saints a nice advantage as the crowd has all day to get fired up, so that didn’t hurt.  It was the latest in a series of emotional games in the dome.  It was nice to see the exiled Sean Payton allowed back in the building.  I suppose he’ll be a pariah to fans in every other NFL city for the rest of his career, but his place in the New Orleans pantheon of heroes is secure. 
Helmets off to Drew Brees.  He has the perfect offense and skill set to break this record and hopefully extend it out of reach.  But one has to be in awe of Johnny Unitas.  I remember watching him and no one was close to him in that era.  This is an amazing record as it was set in a completely different era – 12 game schedule, emphasis on the running game, less skilled receivers (although his favorite target Raymond Berry was terrific) and defensive backs that were actually allowed to cover.  Two great quarterbacks.  It was nice seeing them in the same discussion. 

The most encouraging thing about the game is that the defense improved slightly, and (gasp) stepped up in the final two minutes to preserve the game.  This is all the normally insane Saints fan needs to think that October, November, and December are enough months to excavate out of this hole.  Let’s take a week off to think about it.

I Don't Give a Hoot What You Think You are Entitled To

Thanks for all your emails and posts attempting to influence my vote.

As the election approaches, the two parties have been incessantly shouting at my independent ass to “wake up.”  Bad news – that’s not a great strategy.   Every four years one party is hollering that they need my help to “take back” their country from the opposite party.  Honestly, I’d like to take the country back from both of them most of the time.  Anyway, I thought I should clear up a few things so that they would understand how to get my vote, wasted though it is because I live in a non-swing state.

It grows louder every year.  “Entitlements” are killing us as a nation.  It causes many of my closest friends great resentment and consternation, and at times boiling blood pressure. Yet, I believe the elusive truth is that when it comes to entitlements, I take a back seat to no one.

I am the entitled one and don’t you forget it.

Here’s just a partial list of what I’m entitled to.  If I’ve forgotten anything, just assume it’s my right and the government is supposed to provide it:

I’m entitled to a roaring economy at all times.  I’m entitled to an endless bounty of opportunity.  If the economy is bad, fix it before I’m inconvenienced.

I’m entitled to a low unemployment rate.  In case there’s any confusion, it’s the government’s responsibility to make sure I can get a job.  I’m entitled to a job.  I want to work, just not too hard, and please be sure I get great benefits.  If my skills are useless, I’m entitled to government help to teach me new skills. 

I’m entitled to a mind numbing array of goods and services – and I want them free. 
It’s the government’s role to do whatever it takes to make me happy, up to and including borrowing obscene amounts of money, printing money, manipulating money, etc, etc. to make my life a constant joy.  You may call that deficit spending.  I call it the American way.  Think of it as pre-spending, kind of like pre-boarding.  Consider it the medication of the American Voter, Buying our votes $16 Trillion at a time. 

I’m entitled to perfect roads and bridges so I can go where I need to go.  Fix the potholes already. 

I’m entitled to cheap fuel.  I’ve got a budget you know, even if you don’t Mr. President, and I expect you to hold transportation costs down.  I’ve got places to go and things I can spend my money on when I get there. 

I’m entitled to a perpetually decreasing tax rate.  You do the voodoo – I don’t care how you do it.  Keep cutting my taxes, or at least promise me you will.  I’m gullible that way.  Also, I’m entitled to shield my money from your grubby paws with things like “tax shelters,” “charitable contributions” and “deductions” for munchkins.  In fact, if my income isn’t up to snuff, pay me for my munchkins, and pay their food and health care costs while you’re at it.  In fact, I’m entitled to not be taxed at all.  All men are created equal, but their tax rate shall vary.  

When you’re done taking everybody else’s money, I’m entitled to some grants.  I’m going to need them. 

I’m entitled to a nearly non-existent inflation rate.  Prices can’t go up, and if they do, just lie to me if you have to, like for example just exclude food and fuel when you figure the inflation rate, but whatever you do, don’t let prices go up.  I’m entitled to level expenditures and increasing revenues.  I’m entitled to disposable income to dispose of. 

I’m entitled to running my business without pesky regulations or laws.  This constant interference in the name of things like “environment” or “employees” or “anti-trust” just prevents me from “banking” and “banking” is what I’m entitled to. 

I’m entitled to a miniscule rate of interest when I borrow money.  It’s definitely helpful when free money is one of the things you’re manipulating.  Oh, and when I don’t feel like paying it back, or things aren’t working out, I like the concept of walking away from debt.  I’m entitled to that.  Somebody’s got to pay.  No reason for it to be me. 

Call me maybe?  Call me spoiled. 

I’m entitled to a low crime rate. Please see to it. 

I’m entitled to a low drop out rate.  Take care of education please, just borrow the money and those kids you’re educating will pay it back some day.  We need our kids educated so they can invent things I need. 

Oh, and by the way, I’m entitled to a Supreme Court that interprets laws exactly the way I want them interpreted.  They confuse me sometimes and I don’t like that.  It makes me whine a lot, and I’d rather be drinking wine.  I’m entitled to that. 

I’m entitled to a safety net that will pay me back multiples of what I put in.  Send the tab to the other table please.  Don’t trouble me with the math.  It’s not my fault I might live longer than expected. 

I’m entitled to a perfect environment, and a never-changing planet.  Or, if it’s changing, please make sure I’m more comfortable, not less. 

I’m entitled to a President that will make all this happen.  There are a billion people that think they can do that job better than whoever is in there, and I’m one of those people.  If he’ll just do what I’d do, things would be a lot better, and I’m entitled to perfection.  By the way, even if things go perfectly I’m going to bitch and complain.  Odds are my life is miserable and you’re to blame, Mr. President.  For everything.  If you can’t accept the fact that you’re responsible for every single thing in America, stay out of that White House kitchen. 

I’m entitled to security.  I’m entitled to the strongest military in the world and it should be solving all the problems in the world because I don’t really have time.  Put that on the tab.  I’m entitled to not have to think about “foreign” and “policy,” so please handle that stuff without my involvement.  I’m entitled to concentrate on the important things in the world, like Kardashians, sports, my new iphone, Honey Boo-Boo, whatever that is. 

I’m entitled to an endless supply of technology that makes my life easier.  Eventually I don’t want to get out of bed.  Just bring me stuff.  I’m entitled to bigger and bigger televisions.  Eventually I just want to live IN the television.  That way I can live with the Kardashians. 

I’m entitled to some social reform by the way.  I’m entitled to an endless array of promises by you politicians on how you’ll fix things.  I’m entitled to hear what I want to hear.  Keep promising me things that I want to get my vote, even though you really have no intention of, or ability to, change them.  You’ve been promising action on abortion for 40 years now, and no telling how many candidates I’ve voted for based on their view on that subject – yet nothing has changed.  Rome’s on fire and we’re discussing the fiddle.   Please keep my eye off the ball.  I want our financial meltdown to be a complete surprise.  I can say I voted for the guy who was against “don’t ask, don’t tell,” whatever the hell that means.  Someday that will be the title of the Chapter on the US default to China. 

I’m entitled to protection from evil people who do things in one room in their house, behind their closed doors, that I find deviant.  These people are threats to our way of life. 
You know who I’m talking about. 
I’m talking about vegetarians.  We can’t allow what they do in the kitchen to infect our society.  It’s un-American to not eat meat.  It’s also made clear in Romans 14:2  “For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.”  Herbs?  We can’t support America by eating herbs.  You see, these vegetarians, and what they are doing in their kitchens, are making my life unbearable.  They are weak, and a threat to the very fabric of America.  Soon, they will want to marry each other and we will have generations of people like them, killing off our cows.  They must be stopped, and we need candidates who will not allow Vegetarian marriage before I have to watch them in public, sucking on each other’s carrots.  I’m just as entitled to dictating what goes on in their kitchen as I am to dictating women’s health issues, because I have unmatched insight.

That reminds me.  I’m entitled to subsidies.  If my business isn’t viable, it’s the government’s job to prop me up and manipulate my market to protect me.  At the same time, I’m entitled to a free market.  I’m getting confused.  Just send me a check.

I’m entitled to use any means to reach the ends in this election.  The truth is a casualty of this society.  There is no truth anymore.  Suppress, lie, balance, truth, cheat, steal, facts, statistics.  They are all just useless words.  I’m entitled to get my way, as soon as I decide.  If I don’t get my way, I’m entitled to at least four years of pouting and undermining the bad guy who wins. 

I’m entitled to defend myself.  I’m entitled to any weapons I want to own, just like guaranteed in the constitution.  I’m entitled to return fire on some bozo shooting up the joint.

Speaking of the constitution, I’m entitled to freedom from all religions except mine.

Since there are so many religions to choose from, I’ll just go with the consensus commandments I’ve observed:

1. Thou shalt have no God before Money
2. Thou shalt not honor anyone not in the same skin color
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord they God in vain outside the sports arena
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy except in football season
5. Honor thy mother.  And thy father if you know him
6. Thou shalt not kill the unborn.  Once born, they’re fair game.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery and get caught
8. Thou shalt not steal votes
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness in a non-election year
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s stuff unless it was an entitlement.

So, let me summarize.  If you need a guideline, let this be it. 

As an American, I’m entitled to get back more than I contribute.   

I’m entitled to that kind of math because I live in the greatest country ever and the supply is endless.

Convince me I’m going to get back more than I put in and you’ll get my vote.  Don’t try to convince me it’s right for America, just that it’s right for me.

There, I’m done. 
Hopefully I’ve offended everyone, and you’ve learned there’s no one more entitled than me.
I’ve exercised the freedom of speech I’m entitled to, and I’ll be deciding whom to vote for real soon. 

In the meantime, if I’ve left anything out, please let me know.

Wait, forgot one thing.  I’m entitled to the left lane at all times.

Saints Report # 4 - September 30, 2012

Mercifully, September is in the history books.

The Saints pulled out of the early season doldrums Sunday,

moving straight into playoff form.

Brees threw 52 passes and lost. 

He put a saddle on his back and threw for over 400 yards - not enough.

Saints Missed a potential winning field goal
No running game.  The defense cracking under playoff game pressure.
Poor decisions to kick field goals when Saints should’ve been going for broke.
Yep, looked so much like a playoff game I suggest we just forget September.
Sing along to this one,

 

September by Earth Wind & Fire

Do you remember any football in September?

We weren’t mistaken for pretenders
While fumbling the ball away

Our defense was missing

Despite our fans a hissing
As we stumbled in the night
Remember how Goodell stole the coach away

Ba de ya, say do you remember

Ba de ya, football in September

Ba de ya, never was a good game day

But Brees is with you

Waiting just for Vitt to see you
Only black gold and love
Remember how we knew playoffs were here to stay

Now December eased the pain that we shared in September

Vilma, Pierre, and Darren
Forget the pain that we share today.

Ba de ya, so don’t remember

Ba de ya, football in September
Ba de ya, soon some good game days

At the Cinema - September 2012

Looper – 10

You’ll like this movie if you like

a. Movies
Now this is why I go to movies.  Most movies seek to entertain you, and if they accomplish their mission, you leave the theater satisfied.  But if you’re a movie lover, you want more, but at the same time you know it’s oh, maybe one out of twenty that delivers that “more” that you’re looking for.  It’s a movie that challenges you to keep up, to go on a new ride to a place you’ve never seen before.  This is such a movie, an ingenious science fiction tale with heart and depth.

It’s not an easy movie, and it’s not what you’re used to.  Looper is the story of Joe, a professional hit man, or “Looper” in 2044.  His is an easy job.  You see 30 years later they’ve invented time travel and it has been properly declared illegal because of the paradoxical danger of tampering with events that have already transpired.

But a crime syndicate, run by Abe (Jeff Daniels) in the present and The Rainmaker in the future, finds it perfect for killing and disposing of the bodies.  So, they send their targets back to the Loopers and they do the deed.

There’s just one problem – isn’t there always - Inevitably every looper has got to be sent back for disposal, and the looper has to kill his older self.  It’s called “closing the loop” and as you would expect loopers have a history of balking at the assignment, and all hell breaks loose when they do.

So young Joe (Joseph Gordon-Leavitt) hesitates when his older self (Bruce Willis) shows up and all hell breaks loose.  This is further complicated by the fact old Joe has come back with a specific “save his future” mission.  It isn’t easy to keep up with all this, but it’s worth the ride as the Joe’s world unravels.  This movie has so many discussable layers, I could easily talk about them for a week.

I love the feeling of walking out of a movie having been wowed.  I remember that feeling in Minority Report and Inception.  I also admit I love time travel movies, from Time After Time, to Back to the Future. 

So, without giving away too much, let me say, go see director Rian Johnson's potential classic.  Hope you’re up for the challenge.

The Master – 6

You’ll like this movie if you like

1. Confusion
2. Cult movies
3. Great Acting

Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix go toe to toe as a cult leader and his disciple in this interesting but ultimately unsatisfying story, allegedly based on L Ron Hubbard and Scientology.  That their acting is exceptional is no surprise.  That Amy Adams is their equal, as Hoffman’s wife (and master) is a revelation. 

Director Paul Thomas Anderson seems to have intentionally created a movie as strange as Scientology.  The movie starts after World War II when drifter Freddie Quell (Phoenix) falls under the spell of Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman) who is founding “the Cause” and developing a cult like following.  Freddie never really gets control of his life, despite Dodd’s best efforts, and his loyalty to Dodd ebbs and flows along with his doubts as the years go on.  It’s not as interesting as Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood” but there’s no denying the movie’s ambitions.  It just didn’t work for me.  Maybe it will for you.

 

End of Watch – 7

You’ll like this movie if you like

1. Cop Buddy Movies
2. Hand held Cameras
3. Loud, profane soundtracks

The excuse for the frenetic camera here is that Jake Gyllenhaal’s cop character is going to film school, so he’s constantly filming what happens.  This movie has been widely acclaimed as the best cop buddy movie in a long while.  It may be, but that ain’t saying much.  There are some loud and effective shootouts, particularly the first one, but they can be drowned out by the louder hip-hop soundtrack.  It comes off like an MTV movie of the week.  I suspect many will love this movie.  In movies, there’s often that magical moment that I think they call suspension of disbelief.  It’s when you forget you’re watching actors, and begin to believe you’re watching real-life.  That moment never happened for me.  I never bought it.

Sparkle – 6

You’ll like this movie if you like

1. Jordin Sparks
2. Motown
3. Dreamgirls

I couldn’t tell if this was a remake of the first Sparkle, or Dreamgirls.  No matter.  There’s some good music, particularly at the end when Sparkle, the character played by Jordin Sparks, suddenly becomes a Motown Alicia Keyes.  The script is retro and dated, and the movie will probably be remembered as Whitney Houston’s last screen appearance.  I went to this by myself (and I mean by myself – I was alone in the theater) so I really don’t know if the movie moves an audience, but it didn’t move me.  I went mainly to see Sparks, whom I kind of think of as the last real American Idol, before they started letting the singers play instruments, ensuring that white guys with guitars would win.  (This will of course change this year, and they’ve hired the judges to change the dynamic.)  Sparks sparkles as Sparkle, and the other singers are good too.  I liked the music ok, but can’t say I liked it $10 worth.

Arbitrage – 7

You’ll like this movie if you like

1. Richard Gere
2. Crime Thrillers
3. Financial Thrillers

Gere plays a Bernie Madhoff type financial tycoon whose deceptions are unraveling. I was expecting, and wanted, a financial thriller like Margin Call or Too Big to Fail.  I figured giving the financial fiascos of the last decade a big time Hollywood treatment would be interesting, but I should have known better.  The financial thriller wasn’t enough, so they had to make it a crime thriller as well.  Too bad.  Missed Opportunity.  There was plenty of thriller to be made here.  The two movies I mentioned do a terrific job of building the tension surrounding real events – no fictional additions needed.

Gere may finally get his Oscar nomination, and the supporting task, including Susan Sarandon, are up to the task as well.  Could’ve been a great movie.

Interestingly, I didn’t see this in the theater.  It was simultaneously released on pay per view and theater, so we plucked down $7.99 to watch it on Directv.  Pretty cool 

Premium Rush – 8

You’ll like this movie if you like:

1. Athletic action
2. Genuine emotion
3. New York City

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is becoming a star, and one of the reasons is that he seems to know how to pick a script.  Who’d have thought that an adventure movie about bicycle couriers could be this good?  Now don’t mistake this for high art.  Like all action movies, the action is ridiculous, but with a few neat visual tricks by director David Koepp, the whole thing comes together way better than we have any right to expect.

The messenger must deliver a ticket across Manhattan.  He ends up being chased by good cops, bad cops, and other couriers.  Don’t think too much, just enjoy.

Sleep Walk With Me – 6

You’ll like this movie if you like:

1. Offbeat comedy
2. Breakout performances
3. Lauren Ambrose

This is the slightest of relationship comedies.  It’s short and to the point, and the point seems to be that if you’re in a bad relationship, and you walk in your sleep¸ you have enough material right there to be a stand up comedian.  Maybe.  The breakout performance here is by Mike Birbiglia, who apparently has filmed an autobiography.  His sleep walking scenes are hysterical, but the rest of the movie is a low-key chucklefest at best.  It’s mildly amusing as Mike finds his comedy falling flat until he starts talking about his girlfriend (a terrific Lauren Ambrose, whom I’ve loved since HBO’s Six Feet Under).  This is good for his career, but not his relationship.  Oh well, he got a movie out of it, and I suspect he’ll do another one.  With a little help, he may become an important film-maker.

Scanning the Satellite

Homeland, fresh off an Emmy sweep of best actor, actress, and drama resumes tonight, and it appears this is the show that has pulled Showtime into the pantheon with HBO.

Martha Marcy May Marlene is another cult related movie currently on satellite and it’s way more enthralling than The Master.  Elizabeth Olsen is the lead character with multiple names and Elizabeth begins a trek to stardom as she nails the conflicts of someone trying to break free of a cult.  Great stuff.   

Saints Report # 3 - September 23, 2012

Once upon a time in football you had to be able to run the ball.

It seems to

• demoralize your opponent
• break their will
• establish physical superiority
• control the clock
• allow your defense to rest
• keep the opposing offense off the field
• keep the opposing offense from getting in rhythm
• protect your quarterback
• help you win the time of possession

Also, it helps if you can stop the run.

Right now the Saints can’t run the ball, and the defense needs a jolt of Imodium.   The Saints have always been pass oriented, but this year, with no protection, no running game, no general manager, no head coach in sight, and a case of pass dropping thrown in, it appears the Saints can’t wait to get off the field.  Control the clock?  Forget it.

The Kansas City Chiefs came to the dome and from the point where they fell behind 24-6, totally dominated the Saints in the second half in a way we haven’t seen in many years, and came all the way back to win 27 – 24 on an overtime field goal.  Questions abound, from why the Saints are so bad when backed up to their own end zone (killer safety this week, killer interception last week) to where’s the fire, where’s the passion, where's the speed, where’s the character, where’s the conditioning, but mostly, where’s the tackling?  In the NFL the teams with the best records are winning a few games every year that they don’t deserve.  So far the Saints have lost 3 games that they deserved to lose.  The miracles are happening on the other sideline.

Time and magic are running short, and a trip to Lambeau is the last thing the Saints need right now, but that’s next up, and it’s the first of 4 straight road games.   Time to panic?

Saints report # 2 - September 16, 2012

This is what we couldn’t wait for?

After the Carolina Panthers pasted the Saints 35 - 27 to drop them to 0-2 (and 0-2 by more than a touchdown each game) to start the season for the first time since 2007, I think I’m ready to draw 10 conclusions:

1. The worst off-season an NFL team has ever had has morphed into what may be an equally disastrous regular season.
2. Sean Payton must be feeling pretty good about his self-worth right now.  Rightly or wrongly, most Saints fans do not believe the Saints would be 0-2 if he were on the sidelines.
3. Thus Roger God-dell’s punishment, as I’ve said all along, was a punishment leveled against a fan base, particularly season ticket holders.  He essentially punished us for pre-game rhetorical bullshit.  Some people should have been punished, but I didn’t see (and I suspect the Judges involved didn’t see) the on-field manifestation under which he has jurisdiction.  Where were the cart-offs?  Hell, where were the tackles?  Where was the money trail?  And most importantly, are you sure every other team wasn’t doing the same thing?  Can I go on strike?
4. The Saints have several problems.  The biggest one so far is that they don’t match up well against speedy quarterbacks (and I suspect most teams won’t.)  The Saints linebackers in particular are just too slow, as they have been for years.  Do you remember an outside linebacker making a tackle so far in two games?  If they did, I must have had my head in the refrigerator digging for dip at that moment.  Come to think of it, we can’t catch anybody running the ball, much less option quarterbacks. 
5. Our two safeties are clones.  Good in run support, but can’t cover a bed with a sheet.  I like them both, but as tacklers, not in coverage.  I actually think the defensive line is improving, but they still can’t seem to pressure the quarterback without blitz help.  Can’t judge Spagnulo’s defense yet, but I don’t think he can teach speed, and we just don’t have enough, particularly at outside linebacker.
6. The Saints offensive line is not giving Drew Brees the protection he’s used to.  Since I’m not an offensive line expert, I have no clue why, unless Carl Nicks was really that good.
7. I don’t think the offense has played very well either, but I actually liked their running game against Carolina.  I only screamed once – you see I think it is ridiculous to line up in a shotgun on 2^nd and 1, so I scream.  I scream even louder if it’s an empty backfield, which they did twice against the Redskins.  Just run the ball and take the first down already.  Anyway, the Saints two best players on the field were Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles, but whether or not they’re being handed the ball, or Drew is dinking and dunking it to them – you can’t do that for a whole game, because:
8. When your deep threat is your tight end, you’re in trouble.  I think the biggest problem on offense is the wide receivers.  For several years now, we’ve had two field stretchers (Henderson and Meachem) and two possession guys (Moore and Colston).  Last week, with Meachem still playing for San Diego, and Henderson on the sideline with a concussion, the deep threat became Joe Morgan who looks like a great pre-season player whose hands have turned to stone.  Meanwhile Colston has dropped several passes to go with a critical fumble, and he’s either hurt or we’re in big trouble.  Lance Moore has been consistent, but even he dropped one last week.  So, now Jimmy Graham is our big receiving threat, and teams know it and are covering him, and he’s dropped a few as well.  Is it just me, or are the windows to throw into a little tighter this year?    
9. Then there’s Drew, who is being asked to come from behind multiple scores in the fourth quarter.  Now he’s thrown some horrendous interceptions, but he’s always done that, and that’s part of the reason we’ve been behind.  He’ll be fine if the receivers start catching the ball, and the offensive line gets their act together.  But there’s no question he misses Sean Payton’s adjustments that he would be making about now.
10. Finally, this week KC comes to town with their traditional pocket quarterback Matt Cassell.  Matt, buddy, please stand still.  Stay in the pocket.  Right there, where we can find you.  Don’t be moving around.  I know you’ll be tempted to add some college run options after you see the film, but don’t do it.  Just stay still.  Don’t move.  Stay where we can find you.

If the Saints don’t right the ship against KC, it’s going to be a long season. 

This is what we waited 6 months for?

Saints Report # 1 - September 9, 2012

During the Sean Payton era, Saints fans have developed high expectations that are usually rewarded with excellent performance. Now I’m not sure if we can consider this game and this season part of the Sean Payton era, as he is in bounty exile, but this performance most certainly did not meet his standards.

The Washington Redskins came to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and spanked the Saints 40 – 32. No, it wasn’t as close as the score would indicate. A furious late rally fell short. The Saints didn’t deserve to win.

Drew Brees started out 0 for 3 on his first series and ended the game throwing his 52^nd pass, and that pretty much tells the story. In between, he was rarely precise. Jim Haslett’s defense put him under constant duress. The Saints once again over-emphasized the pass, and never tried to establish any running game. Basically the Saints looked like a run of the mill NFL team, not the disciplined machine of the last few years. Brees made a few spectacular throws, but also had numerous passes dropped. The Saints were penalized 12 times, including a critical 12^th man on the field during a punt that cost them a possession. These are mistakes we're not used to seeing.
In the meantime they were upholding a long-standing Saints tradition of making a star out of a new NFL Quarterback. Actually that’s a little unfair. Robert Griffin III, the Redskins rookie QB was spectacular. He froze the defense repeatedly with college-like play-action options. The Saints defense did not have the speed to keep up, and it’s doubtful any NFL defense will. He appears to be a prudent Michael Vick type talent, with a much better passing touch. He may finally be the pass/run QB to revolutionize the position. His accuracy was Brees-like. NFL watch out.

Meanwhile the Saints must now re-synch. They’re down to their 3^rd string coach, and they looked like it. The new Spags led defense got lit up so badly, that it’s hard to tell if they’ve improved. Of course last year, the Saints lost their first game, and then went on a season-long roll.

I have only one suggestion for the Saints. The threat of a running game wouldn’t hurt. One dimensional in a league where there’s two ways to make yardage just isn’t going to get it done, not when your defense needs help, not to mention a little time off the field.

Game 2 of the Payton in Exile Era next Sunday in Carolina.