Saints Report # 1 - September 8, 2013

The Atlanta Falcon faithful like to say “Rise Up” almost as often as the Saints fans chant “who dat.”  On Sunday in the Superdome there was a most unexpected development as it was the Saints defense that did the “rising up.”  In a yo-yo affair that lived up to the hype, the Saints rode a final minute goal line stand to hold off the Falcons 23-17.   In other words, just a typical Saints-Falcons game.

The Saints had the expected early trouble with full-load Stephen Jackson, and spotted the Falcons a 10 – 0 lead.   At no time did the Saints offense hit their usual rhythm.  Instead they had to scratch and claw.  With the Saints down 10 – 3 and facing 3^rd and 4 on the Falcon’s 25 Brees and Payton struck the pot of gold with the gutsiest call of the day, an end zone rainbow to Colston who dove and caught the pass that pulled the Saints even.

While the defense asserted itself, Saints drives were ending too often in field goals when touchdowns would have sealed the deal.  Clinging to a 6 point lead in the 4^th quarter, it took the goal line stand to seal the victory.

 Here’s what we learned:
1)  The Falcons are very good.  Their lack of a pass rush is their only obvious deficiency.  The division will be another dog fight.

2)  Daddy’s back.  Sean Payton’s influence was felt all over the dome.  His start of the post-coin toss “who dat” chant with Steve Gleason began an emotional flood.  The Saints fans certainly appreciate him, and his play calling and leadership were in evidence all day.

3)  The Saints new defensive scheme seemed to confuse both the Saints and the Falcons at times, as defensive players were running around all over the place - and that was before the snap.

4)  It also resulted in some unusual pressure on Matt Ryan.  The Saints played much of the game with a single safety, Malcolm Jenkins, deep, daring the Falcons to throw deep.  They rarely did.

5)  The Saints have a problem at running back.  His name is Mark Ingram.  There was much consternation about Reggie Bush’s productivity when he was drafted in the first round.  Bush is a superstar compared to Ingram who looks like a complete bust despite being given ample opportunity.  Bush at least had speed.  Here’s what Ingram doesn’t appear to have:  speed, power, ability to break tackles, nor ability to hit the hole.  If he wasn’t a first rounder, he’d probably have been cut by now.  His only significant run was when he hit a hole big enough for Steve Gleason to drive through with his wheelchair, although the first man still managed to bring him down.  Pierre Thomas ability to do the things that Ingram can’t do is apparent to everyone except the brain trust. 

6)  Meanwhile, no linebacker can cover Darren Sproles.  Thomas and Sproles make a great one-two punch.

7)  The Saints new wide receivers look promising, and Brees isn’t afraid to chunk it their way.  Kenny Stills has worked his way into the rotation and made several nice catches.  Veteran Tight End Ben Watson pairs nicely with Jimmy Graham.

 8)  At the NFL combine they make a big deal over things like vertical leap and wingspan.  On the 4^th down play at the goal line, 1^st rounder Kenny Vaccaro showed why, as he got just enough on Flynn’s pass to deflect it.

 9)  A little bit of pressure goes a long way.  The Saints defense got an emotional lift from the crowd.  Next week the Saints will go to Tampa Bay, and we get to see how this defense travels.  Saints fans are giddy with the prospect.