Friday, November 9, 2012

Saints Report # 8 - November 5, 2012


On election eve the New Orleans Saints cast an unexpected vote for balance.  Balance between their offense and defense, and an offense that balanced the run and the pass.   

They harassed the eminently harrassable Michael Vick.  Vick darted into as much trouble as he darted out of, and continued to make the case that, while he’s a great football player and athlete, he’s also trying to play the one NFL position he probably is not suited to play – quarterback.  For the record, in case I haven’t said this before, Michael Vick should be playing running back, and Tim Tebow should be playing tight end.  Both of them lack the 2 A’s it takes to be an NFL QB – Anticipation and Accuracy.
I’m not trashing them – they can both play in the NFL, just not where they and their agents want them to play.

The Saints sacked Vick 7 times in their 28 – 13 victory, and previously they hadn’t gotten that many sacks on a trip to Rouse’s.  The Dome crowd couldn’t have been more surprised or pleased.  The Saints found an offensive line they could dominate, and did it in the same game that they rediscovered their running game as, in Darren Sproles’ absence, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, and a very fresh Chris Ivory grounded and pounded their way to just short of 150 yards rushing.  Consequently, the Saints controlled the game, the clock, and the Eagles. 

So, the formula is established.  Seven sacks and 150 yards rushing in each and every game between now and the end of the year and we’ll hoist the Lombardi again.  Likely?  No.  But, at least we know the formula.

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