Saints Report # 3 - September 24, 2017

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the Saints broke out the text book.

There seems to be another side to these Saints, and we got to see it.

They vanquished Carolina 34 – 13.  They dominated in all phases for what has become the rarest of events – a September win.  Now that they have halted their September swoon they head to London to face the Dolphins, with the hope that by Sunday noon (our time) they will be back in the hunt with a 2-2 record.  This is a must win if they want to stay out of the cellar of the packed and stacked NFC South.

They employed the game plan that would have seemed to be available in training camp:

A Three Headed Monster at Running Back.
A very young aggressive defense.

A balanced attack.

Yes, Drew Brees threw for less than 300 yards.  And that’s a good sign.  There was no need for all that clock stopping.
The Saints didn’t get rattled by two ominous opening drives by the Panthers, holding them to 2 Field Goals.  It became obvious that Can Newton’s shoulder is not healed, and the Saints picked him off 3 times.

With the running backs of Peterson (who looks terrific in limited touches), Ingram, and Kamara all doing damage, the Saints controlled the clock, gave the defense a little less time on the field, and contained the Carolina rushing attack. 

It’s the right formula for winning football games, especially when you are starting 3 rookies on defense.   Let’s hope they continue to grind.

Meanwhile the NFL is glistening in controversy fueled by Presidential comments.
All I’m going to say is that there are good men on both sides, BOTH sides.

Wink.

Saints Report # 2 - September 17, 2017

Back in 1971 The Temptations had a premonition:  

To the tune of “Ball of Confusion”

1,2
1,2,3,4
Receivers moving left, corners moving right
Why, ‘cause September has no end in sight
Run, Mark, run but you sho’ can’t hide.
A flag for a jump, set back for a hold,
Adrian Peterson wants to be set free,
Rap on Bobby, Rap on

The only person talking ‘bout scoring is the QB
And it seems nobody's interested in catching except number 13
Interference, exasperation, frustration, aggravation,
humiliation of many, obligation to the Saints nation.

Ball of Confusion, that’s what the Saints play today
(yeah yeah)
The price of tickets at an all time high
Benson walking ‘round with his head in the sky.
Dome’s asleep in the prime time,
and oh the beat goes on.

Gronk destruction, seat reduction
bounty inspection, fan defectors
Morstead punting to the moon
Lutz growing up too soon.

Loomis says more draft picks will solve everything
and the band played on.

Round and around and around we go,
where ownership is headed, nobody knows.

Oh, Great Sean Peyton can’t you hear me talking to you?
That’s a Ball of confusion, that’s what the Saints are today.
(Yeah, Yeah).

Ball in the air, no pressure anywhere.
Loyalty fading fast.
Linebackers slow and gassed.

And the only safe place to stand is in the pocket.
And the band played on.

Jameis Winston, Cam Newton, Matt Ryan,
Kirk Cousins, Matt Stafford, Tom Brady out of hand.
Blown drafts, too many flags, Kaepernick running to the hills.

People all over the dome are shouting
“Rush the passer.”
And the band played on.

Great Dennis Allen, can’t you hear me talking to you?
It’s a Ball of Confusion
That’s what the Saints play today, yea yea
People let me hear you,
let me hear you,
let me hear you
Ball of Confusion
That’s what the Saints are today.

Let me hear you……

If you don't know what I'm talking about, check this out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns5YnHI2N54

Saints Report # 1 - September 11, 2017

Baby, baby, where did our pass rush go?

After a pre-season of promising blitzes, the defense failed to get a pressure, much less a sack as the Saints continued their patented “slow start” trend.  This opener was a 29 – 12 Monday night dud, and with Tom Brady and Cam Newton up next, it looks like the same old 0-3 thud.  If Sam Bradford can make our defense look this bad, just think.

To make matters worse, the Saints offense was uninspired.  Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram barely carried the rock, while rookie Alvin Kamara got the majority of the action.  It didn’t really matter as both the offensive and defensive lines were overmatched and dominated. 

The Saints receivers weren’t impressive, although Tight End Coby Fleener had his best game as a Saint.  The lack of a deep threat was obvious

The slow start the schedule threatened appears well within reach.  Get me to October. 

I just can’t take it.

I’ve got that burning, burning, yearning

Feelin’ inside me

Ooh, deep inside me,

And it hurts so bad.