Saints Report #6 - October 25, 2020

Dear Diary,

I went back to New Orleans today.  I had hoped it would be a triumphant return, but I ran into an obstacle, my old buddy Drew Brees.  We lost 27-24, and the Saints moved to 4-2.   I wasn’t buying into the narrative that Brees has lost his fastball, and sure enough he was zipping it all over the field today.  It looked like to me he was dropping back a little deeper than usual and we couldn’t put much heat on him.  But, what was really frustrating was that I felt like we had walked into a sandlot and Drew picked 4 guys I didn’t even know and started drawing up plays and completing passes to them.  Someone named Marquez Callaway caught 8 passes.  He’s an undrafted free agent from Tennessee.   He only caught 30 passes as a senior.  How the hell did the Saints find him, and in the same place they found Alvin Kamara?  Don’t the other teams visit Tennessee?  Even perennial practice squader Austin Carr caught a pass today.  I’m surprised they didn’t pull Colston out of retirement.

Anyway, we hung in there pretty well all day.  I played against that defense last year in practice, and while I have a lot of respect for them, I didn’t think it would be hard to move the ball against them and it really wasn’t.  The Saints really got lucky at the end of the game.  We were already in field goal range to tie the game at 27, but I messed up and got sacked by Marcus Davenport.  Not only that but he sacked me in the exact spot where it would be a NFL record 65 yard field goal attempt.  Unfortunately, our kicker Joey Slye kicked it right down the pipe, good from 64, but a yard short.  Heartbreaking. 

The Saints converted an amazing 12 out of 14 third downs.  It was textbook.  Thomas Morestead took the day off.  Brees completed his 7000^th pass.  I can’t even imagine that.  He and Brady both have 558 touchdown passes.  I wonder which one will blink first and retire. 

It was great to be back in the Superdome, even though it was sparsely populated.  I missed them chanting “Teddy, Teddy,” but I look forward to playing the Saints again in Charlotte.  Of course, I think the rest of the league is a little concerned about the Saints passing game when Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders come back and join Callaway and Tre-quan Smith on the field.  Not to mention that the Saints ran the ball really well today and controlled the clock.  They’ve got a pretty good formula on offense right now.  I don’t know if it’s enough to get them to the Superbowl, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

Guess Brees isn’t done yet.   I never thought he was.  

 

Saints Report # 6 - October 13, 2019

The Saints traveled to Jacksonville and out-pounded the Jacksonville Jaguars 13 – 6.  The defenses were so dominant the only thing missing was throwback jerseys.  The Saints moved to the most improbable 5-1 in their history.

It was ground and pound and punt most of the day, and new Saints Latavius Murray and Jared Cook showed why the Saints signed them as free agents.  Murray took the load off of a hobbled Alvin Kamara and Jared Cook caught the two biggest passes of the game.  First, he caught a 4 yard touchdown pass to give the Saints their final margin, and then in the 4^th quarter he took a 3^rd and 1 reception 20 yards to help the Saints maintain possession on their final drive of the game.  That drive ended with Teddy Bridgewater kneeling inside the five.  Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone was Sean Payton’s first offensive coordinator on the Saints, and he didn’t call his last timeout, and Sean Payton didn’t try to ram in a meaningless score, as the respect the two coaches have for each other was obvious.

That’s what real writers would call “burying the lead” as the real story of this game was the defense.  Defense travels, and the Saints front line, anchored by Cam Jordan, simply dominated the game.  Jordan had two sacks, quelling Minshew mania for a day, and the defense bottled up Leonard Fournette.  It looked like Demario Davis was assigned to shadow him, as he repeatedly tackled Fournette.  The Saints secondary, led by Marshon Lattimore bottled up the receivers, and the Jaguars could only manage two field goals. 

Michael Thomas was key to moving the chains in the short passing game, as Bridgewater was like a pitcher throwing on too much rest.  He was high in the strike zone several times.  Sean Payton has adjusted the game plan for Bridgewater to a conservative, grind it out approach.  Punter Thomas Morestead keeps the Saints in control of field position, and I actually think the absence of Brees has affected the opposing teams more than the Saints.  They also play it closer to the vest, because they don’t prepare for a shoot out, they think it will be more traditional.  More about field position.  It’s throw back football.  Lattimore, Jordan, Thomas, and possibly Davis are headed for the All-pro team, and the Saints placing more defensive than offensive players on that would be unprecedented. 

Now, the Saints go to play Chicago.  (Why do the Bears never come to New Orleans?)  It will probably be a slugfest.  They might as well take the facemasks off and leave the sprinklers on all night.  Maybe Ditka and Butkas will suit up.  Oh, and one unsung hero to watch.  Zach Line, the Saints full back.  He’s getting a lot a playing time to help protect Bridgewater.  Watch for him to be waiting for Khalil Mack in the backfield.  It will be the throwback matchup of the day. 

Saints Report # 5 - October 6, 2019

Last week the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ran up 55 points on the Los Angeles Rams.  They looked like an offensive juggernaut, and there was some trepidation that they would come into the Superdome with some real momentum under their new coach Bruce Arians. 

As young people today like to say, “no worries.”

The Saints defense dominated in a 31-24 victory that shouldn’t have been that close.  A rare strategic late game error by Sean Payton led to a second straight garbage touchdown at the end of the game by the visiting team.  Leading 31 – 17 and in easy field goal range, Payton opted to run on 4^th down with a minute 16 left, rather than kick a field goal that would have made it a 3 score lead at 34-17.  Instead the Bucs drove down after the Saints’ unsuccessful conversion and scored a touchdown with 13 seconds to go, bringing it to a one score game at 31-24.  It was going to come down to an onside kick, which fortunately the Bucs kicked out of bounds.  A field goal would have put the game out of reach, but Saints fans would get stress tested again.  It's just the way it is.  

The latest trend in “game management” is to receive the kick to begin the second half in the hope that you can turn two straight possessions into a big lead.  Since the Bucs won the toss and chose to receive the opening kickoff, the Saints did just that, taking a 24-10 lead with touchdown drives to end the first half and begin the second half.  Bridgewater was hot as he threw 4 touchdown passes, two to Michael Thomas, whom Tampa just can’t guard.  He had 11 catches for 182 yards, as Bridgewater and the Saints opened up the downfield passing game.  Bridgewater finished with 26 of 34 for 314 yards, his best outing so far as a Saint. 

Meanwhile the Saints defense continued to shine.  They harassed Winston to the tune of 6 sacks, and Carl Granderson even got one.  Granderson was a free agent gamble that looks like it may pay off.  A tremendously gifted athlete out of Wyoming, he was serving a jail term when training camp began.  Projected as a late round draft pick, he probably went undrafted due to sexual assault charges. He’s an uncharacteristic “character” gamble by the Saints.  The Saints defensive line is a swarming, persistent group that is beginning to dominate.  Sheldon Rankins is back.  Marcus Davenport is coming into his own.  Malcom Browne is paying off as a free agent.   Player gambles like Jarius Byrd Brandon Browner are forgotten as the Saints rarely miss on a prospect these days.  Generating a pass rush with only an occasional blitz has allowed the secondary to press coverage more.  Marshon Lattimore had his second straight lockdown game, this time shutting out Michael Evans, one of the best receivers in the NFL.  That’s right, not a single catch.  It must be said that the Saints haven't had this much team talent since the Dome Patrol.  

After 5 games, the Saints are a surprising 4-1.  Given their tough schedule, and the injury to Brees, it’s a phenomenal start.  Next, the Saints get an up close look at Minshew Magic as they travel to Jacksonville.  As always, it will be a stress test.

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 #3 - September 22, 2019

The Saints traveled to a stadium that has not been kind to them in the Payton/Brees era and with a punt return for a touchdown, a defensive touchdown, an amazing performance by Alvin Kamara, and a solid one by backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater they put a licking on the Seattle Seahawks, 33-27.  It marked a rare success for Sean Payton on the West Coast, and it came at the most opportune time.

With Drew Brees sidelined for 6 weeks, the Saints moved to 2-1.  Bridgewater, who will try to hold the fort down for the Saints during Brees’ rehabilitation from thumb surgery, threw touchdown passes to superstars Kamara and Michael Thomas, as the Saints built a big lead.  Rookie punt returner Deonte Harris ran back a punt for a touchdown, a rare special team’s success for the Saints, to start the scoring.  Of course he later fumbled a punt to move right into Payton’s doghouse, but the Saints defense held the Seahawks out of the end zone. 

Alvin Kamara may have had his best game as a Saint.  He dodged and dived, breaking tackles left and right as he scored twice.  He got plenty of help from the defense.  The Saints stopped the Seahawks on 4^th down attempts repeatedly.  The Seahawks scored late touchdowns to make it close, but this was one of Dennis Allen’s best prepared defenses, although chasing Russell Wilson around all day can be exhausting.

With an important win under the belt, the Saints now prep for the hated Dallas Cowboys who come to the Superdome Sunday night.  Sean Payton has not fared well against the Cowboys lately, so this is an opportunity to break another trend. 

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. 

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.