Saints Report #13 - December 8, 2019

It was like a slasher movie.  Two offenses going up and down the field gashing each other repeatedly in one of those bloody games we get every so often.  It was the game of the year in the NFL, which doesn’t make me feel any better.

The hated (almost as much as the Falcons) San Francisco 49’ers traveled to the Louisiana Superdome determined to wrestle NFC home field advantage away from the New Orleans Saints.  They pulled out all the stops and emptied their trick play book to take a 48 – 46 victory.

Most would argue that the Saints made a strategic error, when early in the game, capitalizing on a penalty on a touchdown, they tried a two point conversion from the one yard line when Jared Cook’s 2^nd receiving touchdown made the score 13-7.  There were 2 unfortunate results.  Cook suffered a concussion on the play and did not return, and the play call fooled nobody.  The missed conversion hung over this game like a blimp running out of gas.

I would argue that another error was just as costly.  At the end of the 1^st half, the Saints were clinging to a 6 point lead, but the 49’ers were driving.  They had a 1^st and 13 on the Saints 35.  They gained 8, giving the 49’ers 2^nd and 5 from the 28.  The Saints called a time out with 1:46 on the clock in the hopes of getting the ball back.  Why? Payton calls these defensive time outs on a wing and a prayer all the time, and they inevitably just take the clock pressure off the offense.  He called another one at 1:31 on 3^rd and 1.  Sean Payton is an incredible coach, but there’s two things he does that I hate.  Defensive Time-outs when the odd are against you, and on offense lining up in an empty backfield on 2^nd and short.  Unnecessary gambling.  Anyway, the 49’ers scored to conclude a wild first half of 8 touchdowns. 

Going into this game I was thinking the Saints biggest challenge would be stopping George Kittle, the league’s best tight end.  The Saints chose to put rookie CJ Gardner-Johnson on him, and he held his own until the 4^th quarter.  I was also worried about the Saints linebacker corps, with AJ Klein and Kiko Alonso out, replaced by Stephon Anthony and Craig Robertson, and that slight speed differential was costly, particularly in the track-meet first half.  San Francisco led 28-27 at the half. 

In the league’s highest scoring game so far this year, the two quarterbacks, Brees and Garoppolo were magnificent, both throwing for 349 yards.  Brees threw for 5 touchdowns and Michael Thomas had his usual terrific game.  With the Saints down 45-40 and needing a touchdown, the Saints got the ball back with 2:23 left.  He then came up with one of his patented drives, ending in a 18 yard touchdown pass to Tre’Quan Smith to take a 46-45 lead.  Unfortunately, the Saints had scored too quickly and there were 53 seconds left on the clock.  With 3 timeouts left, the 49’ers drove, converting a 39 seconds-left 4^th and 2 for a mere 39 yard gain, with a 15 yard penalty tacked on.  Robbie Gold kicked the winning field goal and the Saints had another heartbreaker to put in their pocket.

The Saints fell to 10-3 with 3 games remaining, and are now third in the NFC.  The Saints playoff positioning took a huge hit, but if they get healthy, there’s no reason to panic.  It probably means an extra game in the playoffs.  The worse news is that there will inevitably be a trip or two to the west coast, and the skies have not been too friendly to the Saints out thataway.

There were some positives.  Special teams were a difference maker for the Saints, as Deonte Harris had a great return game.  Of course, the fake punt that backfired was a strange call.  Again, I liked the decision, but the red team was ready for the play that was called.  Latavius Murray averaged 10 yards a carry and Alvin Kamara averaged 2.  Defenses have caught up to Kamara and that swing pass has lost its effectiveness.  The same can’t be said for Michael Thomas, who had another spectacular game, including his performance on a 4^th quarter drive that was almost all him.  Nope, can’t fault the offense for this one. 

On the defensive side, the Saints continue to struggle at corner with the PJ Williams/Eli Apple alliance having a tough time.  Cornerback in the NFL is almost impossible to play, and I’m sure it will be addressed in the off-season.  Until then, avert your eyes when playing against a good passer with two speedy receivers, and just hope the pass rush gets home.  The Saints have a history of anointing quarterbacks into superstars.  Let’s hope that’s not what happened to Garoppolo. 

Next up, an unexpectedly critical Monday Night game against the Colts.  Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck are retired, right?

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.

Final Saints Report - New Year's Day 2017

For about 16 hours The New Orleans Saints were undefeated during 2017.   

Then their season resumed and came to a merciful end with them being totaled outclassed by the hated Atlanta Falcons 38 – 32.   Yea, it wasn’t really that close.

The Saints defense has been improving for the last few weeks.  However, they came into the soon to be imploded Georgia Dome and played like The Walking Dead for the first half as Atlanta’s vastly superior team speed was electrifying. Giving up 5 touchdowns in the first half is getting your every weakness exposed.  It’s not Roman Harper’s fault that he’s covering Julio Jones. 

Then in the second half the defense settled down and only allowed 3 points as the Saints began their comeback.  It made for the kind of late dramatics that Saints fans have become used to, as slow starts were all to frequent for them this year.  I’ll say this.  They don’t quit.  But the tank wasn’t full enough and down they went, and on to the playoffs the Falcons go.  Should we watch the playoffs with Atlanta appearing to be the most balanced NFC team?

So, for three straight seasons the Saints finish 7 – 9.  Yet, the reality is, this was a better 7 – 9 than the last two years.  Early special team’s miscues cost the Saints at least 3 games.  By the finale they were playing third string cornerbacks who didn’t even go through spring training. It could have been worse.

Here were the year’s highlights:

Drew Brees was Drew Brees

Michael Thomas turned out to be a real replacement for Marques Colston – he’s got stardom coming.

Once first round draft pick Sheldon Rankins healed from a broken leg he looked like a solid building block for the defensive line, joining…

Nick Fairly, who was outstanding, and Cameron Jordan who played well.

P J Williams and Delvin Breaux appear to have a future as cornerbacks, assuming they can recover from injury-plagued seasons.

Wil Lutz should hold down the kicker job for several years to come.

Even “straight-line” Ingram played his best half year of football in a Saints uniform.

The problems on defense are not unfamiliar.  The Saints will draft 11^th and if they can somehow turn that into 3 defensive studs, maybe the Saints will take their turn at the top of an extremely competitive division.

Now the conjecture about Sean Payton’s future restarts.  Will he go west, to the LA Rams?  Will Doug Marrone come back and take his place?  How much tread is left on Brees’ tires?  What happens when Tom Benson is no longer around?  Will we fall for the pre-season hype again, or have we learned that the Saints are just, like the New York Jets or Buffalo Bills meant to occupy “the middle?”

Who will win the Super Bowl?  My current prediction – Steelers 33 Falcons 32.  What’s yours?