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 52nd 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 12th 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 3rd 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.
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