Saints Report # 11 - November 24, 2019

When the Saints play, There Will Be Blood Pressure. Sunday was no exception, as the Saints raced out hare-like to a 14-0 lead only to see tortoise-like Carolina come all the way back to tie, and line up for a chip shot game winner.  Fortunately, new kicker Joey Slye seemed befuddled at short distances, as he missed two extra points and then the short kick that would’ve won it.  Surprising, as he had blasted two long field goals.  

The two minute door was left ajar, and Drew Brees, NFL MVP Michael Thomas (I don't care what they say), and Alvin Kamara put together another signature drive to set up Wil Lutz’s game winner and the Saints escaped with a 34-31 victory in the Superdome to move to 9-2.

That’s the good news.  The bad news is that the Saints will be staring at a very proficient Carolina quarterback named Kyle Allen, for possibly 20 years.  Here’s my new rule of thumb for drafting quarterbacks in the NFL.  Go ahead draft a running quarterback (Cam Newton, RGIII, Lamar Jackson, Michael Vick) and get maybe 10 years out of the them, and bet on the fact that they are going to get hurt.  Or, grab a pocket passer, like Allen, and he’ll be good for 15-20 years (Brees, Brady, Rogers.)  Looks likes Cam Newton is going to move on, and Kyle will be there.  I don’t think it’s going to be all that enjoyable for Saints fans.  

The New Orleans Saints navigated a ridiculously difficult first quarter of the season, emerging with wins over the Texans, Seahawks, and Cowboys, with Teddy Bridgewater leading the Saints to a 5-1 start.

They have had a much more difficult time navigating the NFC South.

The Saints survived even more than the usual adversity.  Zebras actually called a pass interference on a challenge flag against the Saints that led to that missed Slye field goal.  Enough Irony for you?  Cameron Jordan committed a horrible penalty on a sack by Demario Davis that probably would have sealed the game, turning a 4^th and 25 into a 1^st and 10, saving a Panthers' drive.  The Saints came in with one of their “pass first” game plans that always seem to result in a critical interception, and it did this time too.   They again were victimized by excessive field laundry and questionable calls that raised blood pressure to dangerous heights in the house where I was watching.  Jared Cook had a great game, giving the Saints a third elite weapon to go with Thomas and Kamara.  Brees is gaining confidence in him, so he is willing to go to Jared.  Ted Ginn continued his torrid pace of catching a ball a game, dropping one, and there was a Tre’quan Smith sighting for a touchdown.

Make no mistake, the Saints have some issues.  The Panthers were in a position to win, and should have won, but for the fact that Graham Gnoe is spending the year on the injured list.  As he does several times a year, Drew Brees executed what he had practiced.  With the game on the line in the 4^th quarter, don’t doubt it for a minute – his straw is long, and he will drink your milk shake. 

Next up, the tough task of traveling to another Mercedes Benz stadium – to meet the Falcons who just came down to earth after a couple of surprising weeks, including one where they embarrassed the Saints.  Thanksgiving blood pressure will be on the line.  Not to mention digestion.  

Saints Report #16 - December 30, 2018

In a game that meant little, the Saints played like it, losing 33-14 to the Carolina Panthers in the Superdome.  The Saints had already locked up home dome advantage throughout the playoffs, and now take a week off as they wait out the wild card round.

Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara didn’t play and backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater looked like he hadn’t played in three years, which he hadn’t.  The Saints defense was lethargic as some of the old suspects, like Ken Crawley, made Carolina’s 3^rd team quarterback Kyle Allen look all-world. If this is what the Saints are going to look like after Brees retires, it won't be pretty.

But there was some good news.  Drew Brees, by virtue of sitting out, set the single season completion percentage mark at 74.9%, bettering his previous NFL record by 2 points – incredible.  However, not playing cost him a 10^th consecutive 4000 yard season, as he finished with 3994 yards.

Michael Thomas, by playing, was able to set the Saints franchise receiving yardage record at 1405 yards, breaking Joe Horn’s single season mark. Third team running back Dwayne Washington was impressive, going over 100 yards rushing.  And that's all the good news fit to print.

So, the season ends with many similarities to the Saints 2009 Super Bowl campaign.  This year and that they lost to the Cowboys, Bucs, and Panthers.  Their season ender was a loss to the Panthers, although not as flat as the this one was.

The Saints have had a charmed playoff run in home games going 5-0 in the Payton era.  Their appearance in the 2009 NFC Championship was greatly aided by Adrian Peterson’s fumbles and Brett Favre’s interception.  The road to another Super Bowl is going to be extremely tough as the NFC is super-competitive – but at least the it goes down Poydras Avenue.  The crowd will be in full throttle, and hopefully the Saints can put their dismal December behind them.  I have to say most of the playoff teams are coming in with momentum, but the Saints will have to regenerate theirs.  Can they do it?  Well, they did in 2009, when they lost their last 3.  Let's hope Sean Payton has the handle on the team now that he had then. 

My preseason prediction was that the Saints would roll the Patriots 43-14 in the Super Bowl, and I’d take that.  But, I didn’t see the emergence of the Chiefs, who right now look like an awfully good bet to make it to the game.  Get the chips and dip out.  It’s going to be fun.