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.