The Saints ran over the Tampa Bay Bucs on Sunday, 27-16, “ran” being the operative word. The Saints bevy of running backs shredded the Bucs defense, and when the Saints are running the ball, they can beat anybody. It is becoming obvious that as the offensive line goes, so goes the Saints. Right now the Saints are an inconsistent team, and that inconsistency can be traced directly to the offensive line. The Saints and their offensive line have moved to 6-3, which is not spectacular, but certainly respectacle.
While the Saints still don’t have that bruising power back, (closest is Chris Ivory), I can’t remember a team ever having 6 running backs this caliber. Payton is even keeping 2 fullbacks, which almost no team does, because he likes both Jed Collins and Korey Hall so much. That’s a valuable roster spot, and when Mark Ingram returns from a heel injury, how are they all going to get carries? Sunday was a reminder of how good Pierre Thomas is, and Darren Sproles has been what Reggie Bush should have been, a streaker instead of a dancer. This is a group in desperate need of a nickname. The passing attack has even morphed from wide receiver dominated to back/tight end dominated. Ironic that in a league where the running back has been devalued, a movement that has been lead by offenses like Payton’s, he has wound up with this arsenal.
This is the fourth straight year the Saints have split the series with Tampa and a pretty intense rivalry has developed. Now it’s time to face the Falcons, most hated rival of all. The two remaining games with the Falcons will probably determine the Saints’ playoff hopes. Want an early indication? Watch the offensive line and the running backs. They’ve become the key economic indicator for Sundays in the who dat nation.
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