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....