Saints Reports # 11 and 12 December 2, 2021

A Tale of Two Thursdays.

It was the worst of times, then it got worser.

For some reason, the NFL decided to put the Saints on back to back Thursday night games, from the Superdome.  It couldn’t have gone worse.  Try to imagine the elation the home crowd would have felt in the Drew Brees era with two straight Thursday night games.  This is not those times.

I do have a theory.  The NFL wanted to roll out their latest versions of “the worst call ever” on National TV.  How long is this going to go on?  I hate the length of the games, but I’m with Bill Belichick on this one.  Every call should be reviewable.  Just like real life. The Saints win the twitter conversation every week.  It doesn't make me feel any better.

My Thanksgiving day was a family pleasure.  We didn’t cook, we traveled.  We just showed up, and it was great.  Our hosts experienced the same overproduction problems we have when we cook, unless you think 8 pies for 9 people is normal, but it was probably our first ever break from the heavy lifting.  After a great meal, we retired to our son’s basement to watch a scintillating Saints performance in a contest with the Buffalo Bills. Afterwards, I felt like I was the one that had been scintillated.  Keep in mind the Bills may be the best team in the NFL, and I predicted they will win the Super Bowl, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when the Saints got carved up 31-6.   The streak was at 4.

If the Trevor Siemian era is to be remembered, all 4 games of it (to this point) it will be remembered for Payton’s most cautious play calling of his tenure.  The Saints rarely threw the ball on first down, presumably to reduce the sacks of the immobile QB. Almost every promising situation was punctured by a sack, and once the announcer version Drew Brees noted that Siemian doesn’t step up into the pocket, it got repeated by every commentor on the web.  Why isn’t Taysom in there?  Wait, we’ve got another 4^th down pass by the punter up our sleeve. 

The Saints defense performed fairly well, in both games, but you can only ask so much. They are the best run stopping bunch in the NFL, and the secondary is way better than I thought they would be, but they wear down and the law of averages catches up with them.  Then, it’s not pretty.

On the second Thursday, it was Taysom Hill’s turn finally, after signing a mega contract that will pay him handsomely if he can actually play quarterback, and well if he can’t.  Payton is clearly enamored of the Hill skill set, enough to put Mrs. Benson’s money where his mouth is.

So, how did it go?  It went 4 interceptions, one a pick-six.  Yes, he injured his finger early, and his running was exciting at times, but the Saints were overmatched again.  The Saints scored late on a nifty run after catch by Deonte Harris to pull it close 27-17, but this just highlighted that Harris may be the only receiving threat the Saints have, he’s just missing about 8 inches of height.  He’s also appealing a 3- game suspension which would cripple the Saints, when he has to serve it.  The gamble of not drafting a wide receiver is officially a bumble.  Look, I know few teams that could lose 3 offensive linemen, and be down to their third quarterback and still be competitive, but the lack of wide receiver talent is glaring given that there have been great receivers go in the first round the last few years.  The streak is at 5.

So, after more than half of the greediest season in NFL history, 17 games with no roster expansion, there is one thing I’m sure of.  A running QB makes no sense.  He will get hurt.

Saquon Barkley, an immensely talented running back, has played 36 games in 4 years.  Injured
Christian McCafferty is out for the season, again
Alvin Kamara has just missed his 5^th straight game.  The Saints are 5-2 with him, and 0-5 without him.
Dalvin Cook is out.  Cam Akers is out.

And these are just the running backs.  They can’t stay on the field.  The game is too violent.  Check out the Tom Brady documentary on ESPN 3.  You can’t help but notice the violent hits from 20 years ago that just wouldn’t fly today. 

Meanwhile, Let’s look at the QB’s:

Jameis Winston got injured scrambling.
Russell Wilson missed several games, and doesn’t look good since he came back
Taysom Hill apparently has the same injury now. 
Cam Newton and Big Ben can’t throw.
Kyler Murray is on the shelf.
Lamar Jackson may be the most exciting player in the NFL. He gets hurt too much.

Now, just for fun, let’s look at Alabama Quarterbacks in the NFL.

The jury is still out on Jalen Hurts.  He can run the ball very well, and hasn’t gotten hurt yet, but hasn’t proven he can throw it at the NFL level.

Tua Tagovailloa is not what everyone thought he would be, and the injury he suffered to his hip late in his college career, while scrambling, may be why.

Then there is Mac Jones, who yes, landed on a good team, but is a statue in the pocket, reading defenses and distributing the ball.  I still think this is the prototype. 
So, who do I want?  Bama’s Bryce Young.  Can we draft him early like the Celtics did Larry Byrd?

Saints Report # 4 - September 29, 2019

While most NFL matches could be likened to a made-for-television, pay-per-view pinball game, somehow when Dallas and New Orleans get together it turns into a defensive collision.  Last year, Dallas stunned the Saints 13-10, ending a winning streak, and starting the Saints’ transition into December football.  Sunday, it was the Saints turn to bring down the undefeated (but truthfully untested) Cowboys, 12-10.  That they did it without scoring a touchdown while still controlling the clock and moving the ball well made for one of those intense Superdome clashes that are just wearing me out.  Wil Lutz kicked 4 field goals for all the Saintly scoring.

I spent most of the game watching Marshon Lattimore covering Amari Cooper.  I knew going in this game was going to hinge on the matchup of the Cowboys vaunted offensive line versus the Saints quickly improving defensive line.  As soon as it appeared that Cameron Jordan and friends were going to give Ezekiel Elliott fits, it was all about the secondary.  They were up to the task against what I thought was a surprisingly vanilla attack by the Cowboys.  If Lattimore returns to his role as a true shut down corner, he can take the other team’s best receiver to Lattimore Island and park him there.  The Saints linebackers, while not as good as Dallas’s (did you see their speed?) have also greatly improved.  The defense is becoming fun to watch.  If they stay healthy, it’s going to be a fun 16 games.  I know.  We are only in the first quarter of the season.  Temper the enthusiasm.

Teddy Bridgewater continued to fill in admirably for Drew Brees.  I had previously said that with the Saints’ difficult September, if they could get out of it with a 2-2 record, I would be happy.  If you had told me that they would go 3-1, and be without Drew for the majority of that, I’d have gone to Rouse’s and bought a pineapple upside down cake to celebrate in advance.  All of this of course against my better dietary judgement. Credit the Saints for investing in a back up QB behind an almost never injured Brees.  They knew if Brees ever went down, they had to stay competitive, or they'd be wasting a very talented team.  They anticipated the need for a bridge over trouble water.  (forgive me.)

The Saints are relying heavily on the superstar tandem of Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas.  They aren’t so much gamebreakers, as they are clock grinders.  Suddenly, the Saints weakness is on offense as they appear to have to little to complement their terrific two.  Tight End Jared Cook hasn’t asserted himself yet, Ted Ginn doesn’t appear to be the threat he once was, and other receivers are not even getting a look.  Another wideout right about now would be a boost.  But, the complexity of the offense means there won’t be any quick fixes.  It gives one some hesitation in the hopes that the Saints are rolling toward a championship.

The two Superdome games have featured an invasion of Texans.  I have to admit some fans have been a little obnoxious for my taste and I’m glad they’ve been quieted.  Bad house guests make me irritable.  Good defense makes me happy.

Saints Report #12 - November 29, 2018

The Answer Man is on the case.

What happened to the Saints on Thursday night in Dallas?  I’ve got questions about this 13-10 loss to the Cowboys.

Well, the Saints went into a hostile environment and got beat pure and simple.  Dallas couldn’t afford to get into a shootout, so they controlled the game.  They won the only kind of game they could win against the Saints.  A slug fest.  They earned it.  They are coming into their own and will be a force for awhile.

You don’t sound like a believer in the Cowboys.

Well, every year someone emerges with a great second half.  Maybe it will be the Boys.  But I’m not a Dak Prescott believer, yet.  I’m happy he’s done better than expected, but I confess I’m surprised.  I watched him in college and didn’t think his accuracy was good enough and he would only survive for awhile on his legs.   He’s done well, but I’m surprised.

This happened in 2009 when the Cowboys ended the Saints 13 game winning streak.  Why?

I think you have to understand the history.  Sean Payton coached for the Cowboys and has a great relationship with Jerry Jones, but a very competitive one.  It was Jones who advised Payton not to take the Oakland Raiders job when it was offered.  For some reason, probably just timing, Payton was the coach that got away, and Jones really puts the pressure on his team not to lose to the Saints.  I sense it’s very personal.  That’s two cocky dudes right there.  Jones advised him to hold out for a better organization, and so Payton became a Saint

What does the loss mean for the Saints?

Not a lot in terms of the playoffs.  They have a 2 game lead for a bye, and just have to win one of their last four to capture the division. 

Could this be a blueprint to slow the Saints down?

On offense, yes, if you’ve got the horses on your defense.  The Saints have marched right through several excellent defenses this year, but they just happened to stumble.  The Saints offensive line didn’t dominate like it has all year.  They just got outplayed.  Give the Cowboys credit.

Anything positive?

Sure, the defense only allowed 13 points.  It’s not like the Saints got blown out.  The defense gave them a chance to win.  The Saints have had many 4^th quarter game winning drives under Sean Payton.  This time, Brees got pressured and threw a bad interception.  It happens.  To every quarterback.

Is this the Sports Illustrated cover jinx?

Absolutely.

For real?

No.  Brees got a lot of “MVP” hype over the last few weeks, but he’s not the type to let that get to him.  It was the pass rush that got to him.  A lot was made of “pressure up the middle” but go ahead and name me a quarterback who likes that.  I’ll wait.

Did the officiating bother you?

Not really.  I don’t like the helmet to helmet rule, so I’m not going be hypocritical and say it cost us the game.  Sure they missed it, but we got a lot of breaks as well.

Why don’t you like the helmet to helmet rule?

Look, I understand the safety factor, but I think it should be called only when it is clearly intentional.  Two bodies running toward each other at a high rate of speed, one desperately wants to tackle the other one, heads bobbing - helmets are going to collide. 

Then, is there anything to worry about?

Actually, yes.  I thought our young receiving corps, especially the two rookies, weren’t up to the pressure.  Smith let a touchdown pass go through his fingers.  That was a game changer.  They didn’t get the quick separation needed in this offense.  I look for the veteran Brandon Marshall to make his debut soon, unless he’s not getting any separation either.  He’s no spring chicken.

I’m also worried about when Terron Armstead will return.  The offensive line showed some cracks.  That needs to get fixed.  Having said that, I don’t think we can complain about our defense.  They keep improving.

What happens now?

4 tough games.

If it comes down to the Rams and the Saints in the conference finals, which seems likely, a train to L.A. will probably be required.  The Saints final 4 are so much tougher than the Rams, and for the Saints to beat Caroline twice – I just think it’s going to be tough.  The Steelers visit the dome and who knows what they will do.  This was the first time anyone has slowed down the offense. 

My thinking is this game was a slight bump in the road.  That’s my story and it’s sticking to me.

Saints Report # 4 - October 4, 2015

Suddenly, Drew Brees.

With the Saints in danger of a premature burial of their season, Drew Brees led the Saints on two picture perfect drives at game’s end to dispose of the visiting Dallas Cowboys 26 – 20 in overtime.  His 80 yard touchdown pass to CJ Spiller was the game winner just 15 second into overtime.  His previous drive ended in a doinked field goal attempt by new kicker Zach Hocker that would have won the game with 15 seconds in regulation.  No matter.  It didn’t phase Brees and the Saints, whom I guess have seen it all.

It was the fastest overtime victory in a regular season NFL game, and it moved the Saints to 1-3.  

The game winner was Brees’ 400^th Touchdown Pass, making him one of only 5 quarterbacks to achieve that number.  With a sore arm, a porous line and little running game support, Brees threw for 359 yards and, particularly as the game wore on, he put a scapel to the Cowboy’s defense.  It was a gutty performance, and it enhanced the BP era’s stellar record in nationally televised night games.

Now a word about the negatives.  The kicker.  I knew we had kicking problems the first time we lined up for an extra point.  Rather than kicking the ball from the middle, down the middle, our kicker wants to try the new longer extra point from the hashmark.  Who would do that?  So, with the game winner to hit from the 30, from the same hashmark – doink off an upright.   This week will be spent with Payton looking at kickers.

So, as for the rest of the team, don’t look now, but the defense is coming along.  Injured players like Jairus Byrd, Keenan Lewis, and Dannell Ellerbe have returned.  Rookies Hau’oli Kikaha, Stephone Anthony, Bobby Richardson, Tyeler Davison, Damian Swann, and Delvin Breaux all are contributing and look like solid NFL players.  Against an admittedly beat up Cowboy offense, the defense held its own and for the first time put a little pressure on the opposing Quarterback.  Don’t get overly excited – the reality is that if Tony Romo had been on the field, the outcome would have been different.  But, it’s a victory, and the Saints will take it. 

As for the growing pains, they’ll take them too.  As any Cowboy fan will tell you, it's a war of attrition in the NFL, and the Saints look healthier for the next quarter of the season. 

Saints Report # 3

The season of high hopes is slowly disintegrating.  In the most abysmal performance of the Sean Payton era, the Saints continued their road horror show by travelling to Dallas and getting manhandled in a 38-17 blowout.  They are now solidly in last place in the NFC South. 

With a quarter of the season in the books, it is now painfully obvious that the over-hyped Saints are destined to be an 8 – 8 team, assuming, as one must at this point, that the Saints will win all their home games and lose all their away games.  One strategy at this point might be to selectively forfeit a few road games and preserve their health.  After all, losing 6 straight regular-season road games, and going 1-8 in the last 9 makes every road game a long shot.

The recent history of Saints vs Cowboys contests is one of momentum.  One team gets rolling, and it’s over early.  The Cowboys led 31 – 3 going into the 4^th quarter and it was over despite some late saber-rattling by the Saints offense.

The Saints defensive line led the lack of charge.  They couldn’t stop the run – DeMarcus Murray ran easily.  They couldn’t pressure that most susceptible-to-pressure-of-quarterbacks Tony Romo. 

Critical drops by Colston and Graham, and fumbles by Graham and Cadet sealed the loss.  And I won’t even mention the Brees interception on, of course, a 2^nd and short play when the Saints should have been running the ball.

So what’s wrong with the Saints?  Start with the defensive line.  A great, or at least good pass rush from your front four is a pretty good starting formula for success in the NFL.  Stalwarts Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette have been absent.  The middles of the line has been worse.  The blitzes have been predictable and too over-done.  Rob – sometimes you only need to blitz one person, not four. 

The offensive line has been only marginally better.  Brees looks like he’s auditioning for Dancing with the Stars the way he has to boogey in the pocket.  No one respects the running game of the Saints, including the Saints. Let's just say there are many opportunities for improvement, but football is still first and foremost a game of power in the trenches.  That's where the Saints are losing battle after battle and I don't know if there is a quick fix for the shortcomings.  

Next up is Tampa Bay for a Superdome battle of the two last place teams.  Don’t get excited.  The Saints have an explosive offense and an explodable defense.  I didn’t like the Saints schedule the moment I saw it, and I still don’t.  Three of the first four on the road against good teams, and great teams coming to the dome in rapid succession.  Maybe 8 – 8 is optimistic.  The turnaround needs to start soon.