Saints Report #8

The First Place New Orleans Saints.  Whew, that took awhile.

With two blow out wins in 5 days the Saints moved into first place with a 4-4 record in the decrepit NFC South. 

The Saints brought their defense and their running game on the road and knocked off the Carolina Panthers 28 – 10.  Two typical road turnovers kept the first half close but the Saints closed strong to lead 14 – 0 at the half.  They put the game away in the second half as they continued their trend of offensive balance.

Finally the Saints inexplicable seven game regular season road losing streak came to an end.  During the streak they found every possible way to give games away, usually with well-timed turnovers.  In this game Carolina matched the Saints turnovers.  Cam Newton looked like Clayton Kershaw, with his fastballs missing the mark, to Drew Brees’ Madison Baumgartner imitation.  Brees tried to force a few, but when clean in the pocket, he threw strikes.  His pitch count of 34 attempts to go with about the same number of rushing attempts, mostly by Mark Ingram who ran for 100 yards, struck that perfect balance that makes the Saints so dangerous.  Sean Payton has gone through a play calling rebirth.  The Saints ran the ball, controlled the clock, and kept their defense rested.

The simplified Ryan defense responded with another good performance, although they were helped by the wildness of Cam Newton, who simply couldn’t find the strike zone.  One last baseball analogy.  The Saints receivers played errorless ball.  Graham and Colston who have both had critical drops, were rock solid, and Graham seems to be rounding into that all-pro form.  Even Robert Meachum caught a pass.

After a long weekend it’s time for a home stand.  But it is going to be a tough one as the teams coming in (49ers, Bengals, and Ravens) are very good teams.  It’s obvious that the Saints would rather play great teams at home than good teams on the road.  Their formula for success appears simple.  The Saints will win the battles with boots on the ground, which will only help their air superiority.  

After a disconcerting start, maybe the Saints are beginning to be what we thought they’d be.  The last two games have certainly been the team we expected to see when the season began.  Too bad it took half a season.  The season has resembled a roller coaster with little hills and valleys, then a big climb to the top of the hill, with the Saints sitting at the top of the big hill, ready to roll down through the second half. 

We hope.

By the way, here's my World Series comment.  If you watched you saw the single most valuable baseball performance of all time.  Madison Baumgartner's pitching surpassed gems of the past like Micky Lolich, Orel Hershiser, and Jack Morris.  Here's why - he was virtually a one man team, which usually doesn't win in baseball.  The San Francisco Giants played a very average Series, and their pitching was none too stellar.  Except for Madison.  The only comparison I could come up with was Sandy Koufax, who remains the best pitcher I've ever seen.  Sandy's games were often 1-0 because Dodger bats were anemic.

Why is baseball the greatest game?  Because the playoffs and World Series are different.  It humbles some (Clayton Kershaw) and allows others to elevate (Baumgartner.)  Baumgartner's slingshot deliver which on TV seemed to come out of right field, not center field, was dominant and it leads me to one question.  Why can a lefthander slingshot it, and a right hander can't?  Something to do with the earth's rotation?  If you can answer that one, please email me.

Saints Report #7

Much separates New Orleans and the surrounding areas from most other metro areas in their Monday atmosphere.

There are two things you can be sure of on Monday.  First there are a whole lot of people eating red beans and rice.   Secondly, the mood is especially good after a Saints win on Sunday.  Extra sausage with those red beans, please.

Today is such a day.  All is right with the world, at least until Thursday night.

On Sunday the Saints were visited by a formidable Green Bay Packer team, one that still may make a Super Bowl trip, although it is looking more and more to me like the Detroit Lions may be the team of destiny this year in the NFC.  Considering the Lions are working miracles without Calvin Johnson, yesterday doing the Saints a big favor by coming back from a 21-0 halftime deficit to beat the hapless Falcons, they just are beginning to build that “we can do anything” confidence that the Saints seem to only have on Poydras street.  Wouldn’t an Arizona vs. Lion NFC finals be something?  There’s a long way to go yet, though, and maybe the Saints will yet have something to say.

Back to the Superdome.

The Saints and Packers seemed to be headed for a shootout Sunday night, if a field goal heavy game can be considered a shootout.  Then all-world Aaron Rodgers pulled a hammie, then pulled a Geno by throwing a couple of interceptions, while the Saints kept right on rolling, putting up a 44 spot, to win 44 – 23, which is a blowout you wouldn’t have seen coming if you were driving a Corvair.

Where did this come from?  Well, first Sean Payton just couldn’t avoid the obvious on film.  The Packers are horrible against the run, dead last in the NFL after this game, and despite the fact that the Saints were down to two running backs, he committed to the run.  Mark Ingram had his long awaited breakout game, running for 172 yards, and the Saints actually were 50/50 run/pass.  Thus Drew Brees, throwing 20 some less passes than usual, had a brilliant game, going 27 for 32 for 310 yards, including a bomb or two to showcase his diminished arm strength(!).  The effective running game, along with the return of Jimmy Graham, kept Brees clean in the pocket and isn’t it amazing what all that can do for offensive effectiveness?  Chewing up the clock with the running game, finally getting Brandon Cooks deep for a touchdown, a defense that bent all night, but played pretty well in the red zone - all of this adds up to a promising future as the Saints can actually take first place in the division at 4-4 on Thursday night with a win.

All they have to do is take all this, pack it in a suitcase, put in on a plane, and carry it to Charlotte.  Just once, take it on the road, guys.  As Brian Wilson says, “Wouldn’t it be nice?”  It could make a Halloween Friday even more fun than usual.

Saints Report #6

The Saints traveled to Ford Field in Detroit and blew a game 24 – 23 on Sunday.  It was an epic collapse. In a season that was so optimistically anticipated the Saints have pivoted from being a fearsome contender to being a team that no one fears. 

There is a razor thin difference between good and bad teams in the NFL.  Yet somehow good teams, which the Saints have been for most of the last 8 years, pull games out of the fire often, occasionally win when they shouldn’t, usually win when they should, and just seem to find a way to a winning record.  But for most of their history, the Saints have been one of “those” teams who just seem to come up short, finding a way to lose.  

Bad news for the Who Dat nation.

The Saints seem to again be one of “those” teams.

One of “those” teams that can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

One of “those” teams that can’t protect a lead in the 4^th quarter.

One of “those” teams that can’t run the ball to control the clock when it needs to.

One of “those” teams that can’t protect the quarterback when he needs time to throw.

One of “those” teams that outplay the other team for 3 quarters only to blow it in the clutch.

One of “those” teams that blows a 23 – 10 lead with just 4 minutes to go

One of “those” teams that gives up a big play after holding the opposing offense down for 56 minutes.

One of “those” teams whose quarterback throws a critical interception at the exact wrong moment.

One of “those” teams that always seems to draw a penalty flag when they need it the least.

And on and on.

After dominating the Lions for 56 minutes, even leading 17 - 3 at one point, the Saints collapsed as if the quarterback was named Hebert, and the coach was named, well pick one….  Leading 23 – 10, the Saints seemed to have the game well in hand, when they gave up an inexplicable 70 yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate pulling the Lions to 23 – 17.  The Saints got the ball and desperately needed a time-consuming drive to seal the victory.  What they got was the worst possible alternative.  Drew Brees had carried the load all day with the running game totally awol against the Lions top-rated defense.  But he threw an interception that got returned to the 15. 

Then the defense, which had also been terrific all day, almost held, but Rafael Bush got called for pass interference on 4^th down, and the Lions scored their second touchdown in 2 minutes and change to take control 24-23. 

Then the Saints last drive fizzled just like you would expect of one of “those” teams.  It was the 7^th consecutive road loss, but this is one that really got away, lifted away by all of the past franchise ghosts.

Now their home winning streak is on the line as the Packers come to the dome next Sunday night. 

Unfortunately, this will be a match-up of two teams going in opposite directions.  Confidence is low.

There is only one piece of good news.  The Saints are getting brutalized by their schedule, but so is the rest of the division, easily the weakest in the NFL.  Even at 2 – 4, the Saints are still in contention, which is the last thing you’d expect of one of “those” teams, but just what you would expect of a team that has tortured its fan base with losses like this for the better part of their existence.  Give ‘em just enough hope to keep ‘em coming back for more.  The problem is we’ve been spoiled for 8 years and we were expecting so much more.  The Who Dat nation is exhibiting some of the entitled impatience of Steeler, Patriot, or Packer fans.  When you get used to success you just don't want to go back to being one of "those" teams. 

Saints Report # 5

Please forgive me for the following description of today’s Saints Game:

The Saints took a big Ugly stick and stuck it in their rectum and pulled this game out of their ass.

They won ugly in overtime, beating Tampa Bay 37 – 31.

This game was so ugly in so many ways.

First, it has often been said that the NFL will someday evolve into flag football.  Bad news. 

That day has come.  The flags are yellow.  Two of the Saints most exciting moments were when the Bucs were flagged AFTER scoring touchdowns.  Once it was for inappropriate language.  I’m not making this up.  In a Football Game!  This game featured so many momentum shifts initiated by zebras that a big game warden was needed.

Second, Drew Brees threw a couple of the ugliest interceptions ever, making the zebras look innocent by-standers by comparison when it comes to momentum shifters.

Third, except for one critical play, the Saints failed to put any pressure on Bucs Quarterback Mike Glennon, making him look all-world most of the day.  The Saints continue to excel at their Star is Born routine.

Fourth, the Saints continue to feature bizarre personnel decisions.  Joe Morgan continues to be a game day inactive even though he’s proven he can get deep, and Robert Meachum, whom the Saints previously cut, is still running routes and not catching anything.  On Brees’ first interception, admittedly horrible, Tavaris Cadet was split out as a wide receiver.  He didn’t come back to the ball, which a wide receiver may have done.  And Where is Nick Toon?  Can I have his job?  This is his 3^rd season on the roster, he is rarely active, and has 4 receptions in his career.  We are keeping him around why? 

The game featured the kiss of death, the dreaded 6 – 0 lead, 2 field goals instead of 2 touchdowns.  Patented Jimmy Graham drops kept the Saints from doing more damage.

What was the good news?

Brees giveth and he taketh away as he attempted a ridiculous 57 passes.  The Saints were down 31 – 20 early in the 4^th quarter, largely because Drew had squandered a 13 – 0 lead with his picks and watched the Bucs reel off 24 straight points.  Then he led the comeback.  A safety on the Saints’ only sack of the day was a significant play, and the Saints tied the score with a field goal.  Then Brees methodically piloted the Saints down the field in overtime, capped off by a rare 2^nd down run on which Khiry Robinson scored to end the game.

The Saints actually displayed a running game.

Pierre Thomas was terrific, scoring 2 touchdowns, one by run, one on a pass.  He continues to be the consummate pro and maybe someday the Saints will figure out a way to get him 20 touches a game.

Khiry Robinson was almost as good and pounded away all day.

When it’s all said and done, this was a critical win.  Moving to 2 – 3 heading into the bye week certainly keeps the Saints in contention in what is shaping up as a mediocre NFC South.

A downright ugly division. 

Perfect for a team that can win ugly.


By the way, one night a few years back, Marques and Pierre wanted to take a picture with Donnie, Liz, and Me.  Guess it was because I took the time to coach them up....

At The Cinema - September 2014

A Walk Among the Tombstones – 7

You’ll like this movie if you like atmosphere, murder, and Liam Neeson

Finally, the worst summer of movies I can remember brings an adult movie.  The Liam Neeson renaissance continues with this murky tale of two creepy killers who kidnap and dismember young women.  Neeson plays Matt Scudder, a retired NYPD cop who is still carrying and flashing his old badge as an unlicensed private investigator and doer of favors for questionable characters. 

The movie begins on the day in 1991 that the heavy drinking cop Scudder stops drinking because of a shootout he gets involved in while inebriated. 

The movie jumps to 1999 when Scudder is now a PI.  It’s an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that leads Scudder to a client.  He’s a drug dealer whose wife was kidnapped and when he couldn’t pay all the ransom, the kidnappers chop her body up and leave it in a trunk.  It seems their business plan is to pick on drug dealers, and it is a lucrative if risky one.  If you are going to execute such a plan it certainly helps to be completely psycho and this pair fits the bill. 

Scudder immediately realizes what he is dealing with and the action ramps up.  If you’ve missed good old fashioned detective movies, this one is a throwback.  But rest assured The Maltese Falcon had no blood and gore like this one dishes up.  These are gruesome sickos and the climax is predestined to be a wet one, even if they go a little bit overboard with alcoholism imagery.

This is Where I Leave You – 7

You’ll like this movie if you like dysfunctional family comedies.

This is a star-studded affair about a father who dies leaving a wife (an enthusiastically enhanced Jane Fonda) who breaks the news to her 4 children (Tina Fey, Corey Stoler, Jason Bateman, and Adam Dryer) that the father wants them to sit chiva after his death, even though the family is not Jewish.  So why?  It’s called a plot device, just like the affairs three of the kids will cram into the next week.  Seven days of family togetherness would test a family with no drama.  This is not that family.

This script is a hodge podgy mess.  The direction is incoherent.  But stars are stars for a reason.  They command your attention, and make you believe.  So the crew yanks the laughs out of the material and you almost believe it all.  It’s not all bad. 

Here’s the fun I have at a movie like this.  I recently started binge watching a TV show called Rectify and was taken with an actress named Abigail Spencer who steals every scene she’s in.  Cool show and very promising actress.  She’s in this movie as Jason Bateman’s cheating wife and she’s POW!  I love spotting someone I think is a future star.

So I can’t wait to see what she does next. 

Just like, I can’t wait to see Carrie Coon (The Leftovers on HBO) in Gone Girl.

I can’t wait to see Jessica Chastain again.

I can’t wait to see what Brit Marling does next.

I wish Kate Beckinsale would get a great script

I wish Emmy Rossum would make a musical (preferably with Anne Hathaway and Anna Kendrick)

I wish Rooney Mara would do another Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie.

Scanning the Satellite

Parkland – 8

Parkland is the hospital in Dallas where both John F Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald were taken to try to save their lives.  This is a star studded docudrama that recounts those memorable 3 days in Dallas in 1963.  It’s a matter of fact re-telling and the details it reveals are fascinating.  Don't know why this movie was so under the radar.

And here's Abigail