Saints Report #2 - September 15, 2019

In the much-hyped rematch of last year’s NFC Championship mugging, the Saints traveled to the West Coast and fell to the Rams, 26-9.


It was a desultory drubbing made that way by one simple injury to Drew Brees.  The amazingly durable Brees will never win an NFL MVP award, but it quickly became apparent why he should, when he injured his hand early in the game.  Unable to return due to a thumb injury that wouldn’t allow him to grip a football, he could only watch steaming from the sideline in the game he had been looking forward to for so long.
The Saints offense proved to be overmatched when led by backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.  Maybe Bridgewater is an NFL quarterback, but that is not readily apparent to the average Saints fan.  He had some moments, but all in all, he couldn’t lift the Saints.  The Saints offense without Brees is a tepid mess, and neither Brees nor Bridgewater got much help.  New tight end Jared Cook was the worst player on the field on this day, missing passes and breaking left when he should’ve gone right.  Cook was expected to be the missing link for the offense this year, but on this day he was just missing.


As for the defense, they played pretty well.  They even scored a defensive touchdown when they forced and scooped a Goff fumble.  Unfortunately, and surprisingly, the zebras made a mistake and blew it dead, negating a Cameron Jordan ramble for a touchdown.  It’s not just that the officials have made critical mistakes in the Saints last 3 games.  They are hosings that would make a fireman proud.  

How serious is Brees injury?  Well, I can’t think of a more important appendage for a quarterback than the thumb on the throwing hand, which means letting it completely heal, no matter how long it takes, would be the prudent course of action.  By then of course, the season could be lost, as the following are the important points:

• For all the hype, Bridgewater doesn’t seem capable of much more than an occasional drive.
• The NFL’s Foot Locker recruitment program for referees is inadequate.
• Game day injuries to Kenny Kirkwood and Ta’Quon Smith mean the Saints may be looking to the practice squad, and Emmanual Butler can drop passes just as well as Jarod Cook, so time for a look-see.
• No, Taysom Hill isn’t the answer either.

I said if the Saints could go 2-2 through the first 4 games, we’d take it.  That looks like it will be a huge challenge after today.