Saints Report # 11 - November 21, 2013

This was going to be the year.  I had budgeted myself to buy another jersey.  But not just any jersey.  I was finally going to get my Pierre Thomas jersey.  When I went to order one I was dismayed to find out they weren’t being sold this year.  Big Mistake.  With the way Pierre played Thursday night in the Saints 17 – 13 victory over the Falcons, a return to market may be in order. 

Drew Brees is undoubtedly the best player the Saints have ever had.  But it may be Pierre that best exemplifies the heart and character of the Sean Payton era.  While the Saints rarely depend on Thomas, when they do turn to him, he’s ready.  At the game I said almost nothing to the Falcon fan sitting next to me, but after one of Thomas’s clutch plays in the 4^th quarter, I turned to him and said simply, “Now that’s a football player.”  I should have added that to get him to fumble you have to knock him out.  That’s how dependable he is.  I’ll always believe that if he not been ko’d early in the 49’ers 2011 playoff victory over the Saints, New Orleans would already be a 2 ring town.

 In a league where a 35 – 31 final seems to be about average, the Saints and Falcons continue to hold a twice yearly throwback bowl that usually ends up about 17-14 or 21- 17.  Thomas gained 130 yards from scrimmage as the Saints grinded to their 3^rd victory in 12 days.  While the Saints started lethargic and fatigued, it was Thomas who seemed fresh.  Jimmy Graham continued his all-pro pace with one of his best games as a Saint.  The Saints dominated defensively, and while the absence of Jabari Greer is troublesome, if the front four led by Cameron Jordan continue to play this way, the secondary coverage time will be reduced, and that’s the secret to a great NFL defense.

Pierre has now quietly moved into 4^th place on the Saints all-time rushing list with 3460 yards.  He has passed Rueben Mayes and Chuck Muncie.  Let’s hope they keep putting the ball in his hands.  A credible running game is a must as the December stretch run begins.  It starts with the Seahawks in a Monday night matchup that has ESPN salivating.  Don't miss it.

Saints Report #10 - November 17, 2013

Beleaguered placekicker Garrett Hartley staved off unemployment during the week, then hammered three straight 4^th quarter field goals including the game winner as time expired to give the Saints a 23 – 20 victory over the hated San Francisco 49’ers Sunday in the Superdome. 

How did they do it?  Well it sure wasn’t easy.  The Saints were uncharacteristically sloppy, committing three turnovers and two led to Niner scores.  The defense again continued its recent progress, holding the 49’ers to under 200 yards total offense.  The Dome was rocking, and so was Rob Ryan’s defense which shut down the 49’ers running game. 

Much is made of the Drew Brees – Sean Payton connection   Their synergy is truly amazing and it becomes most evident when the clock is winding down in a half.  Most fans of football teams lament poor clock management, and the Saints have not been immune from that malady.  But in this game it was magnificent clock management by Payton in the 4^th quarter that put the Saints in position to dominate the last 2 minutes.  He milked 3 plays between the 2:11 mark and the two minute warning.  The defense nearly broke the 20-20 tie with a safety, but they forced a three and out, then Brees took over.

The crispness of the Saints 2 minute offense can be directly traced to  Brees – Payton commication.  It’s no coincidence that they’ve done this over and over.  It’s a well-rehearsed drill and it’s impressive.  It’s just another thing that Saints fans shouldn’t be taking for granted.   It’s not just that Drew Brees, Marques Colston, and Pierre Thomas among others, know exactly what their job is with the game on the line, it’s that they execute it so well, so often.  This won’t last forever, but is sure enjoyable, and it’s such a contrast from the Saints first 3 decades when we watched other teams (like the 49’ers) out-execute and thus execute the Saints.   In this game Marques Colston became the all-time passing reception yardage leader for the Saints.   Having watched the well-oiled connection since Colston was drafted, is there a more underrated but more consistent player than Colston?

I’m still not sure if the Saints are good enough to go all the way.  Can the defense continue to improve, especially with what looked like a severe injury to Jabari Greer?  Can Malcolm Jenkins ever cover Vernon Davis?  Can the defensive line continue to pressure the quarterback?  Can the offensive line continue it’s much improved play?  Can Payton continue to call running plays?

Next test is a quick one as the Saints travel to Atlanta Thursday night where the Falcons will undoubtedly be trying to salvage one meaningful win out of a lost season.  The Seahawks have a bye week to get ready for the Saints.  This isn’t going to be any easier than this game was, but if the game is within reach and it comes down to the last few minutes, Brees and Payton know exactly what they’re doing.  You can’t say they aren’t battle-tested.

Saints Report #9 - November 10, 2013

There is only one thing that guarantees a victory in an NFL game.  The one, irrevocable truth.  That one thing that if you accomplish it means you will not lose.   It’s the only sure thing in the history of the NFL.

Here it is:

Make 40 first downs. 

The Saints became the first team to ever do that as they strafed the Dallas Cowboys 49 – 17 Sunday night.  Never have the Saints gained more yards in a game.  Never has Sean Payton’s offense looked more efficient.  But for a Sproles muffed punt, an onside kick successfully pulled off by the Cowboys, and another unemployment application by Garret Hartley, the Saints came as close to perfection as possible.  Against a badly depleted Cowboy defense, the Saints offensive line redeemed themselves for their performance of a week ago against the Jets when they got manhandled.  The Saints ran the ball better than they have in years, with even Mark Ingram achieving a career high 145 yards.  Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles were equally effective as the Saints and a magnificent Brees put on an offensive clinic.  It must have felt like a mini-camp.

What we saw was a Dallas defense devastated by injuries just as much of the NFL is.  The schedule turns tougher and forces get depleted.  Saints Defensive Rookie of the year candidate Kenny Vaccaro, who has been the lynchpin to the Ryan turn around on defense, suffered a severe concussion and has already been ruled out for the 49’ers game.  He joins safeties Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins on the injury list and the key to this huge game will be preventing a breakout game from Colin Kapernick, who so far has not been spectacular. 

Great games ahead.  You ain’t seen nothing yet.

Saints Report #8 - November 3, 2013

As the Saints were getting manhandled by the Jets in their 26-20 loss Sunday, many fans were probably cringing as Saints castoff Chris Ivory ran wild.  Not me.  I was happy for him.  You see he’s landed on a team that is committed to power football and the run.  If Chris Ivory were still playing for the Saints he’d be standing on the sideline watching the Saintsations.  The Saints already have some good running backs that they don’t know what to do with.  The Saints could have Jim Brown, OJ Simpson and Walter Payton and they’d be fresh as a daisy because they’d each be getting 5 carries and picking up blitzes. 

No, it’s not Ivory I was missing.  It was guys like Carl Nicks, Jermond Bushrod, and offensive line coach Aaron Kromer.  I was reminded of one of Jim Mora’s famous rants when he said “we couldn’t run the ball, we didn’t try to run the ball.”  That would describe this year’s Saints and Sean Payton who continues to call plays like it’s a video game.  I understand.  We have a great quarterback.  But he needs a little help now and then.    

Coach Payton, yes you have to outsmart the other coach with creative play calling.  But football is still a game of power, and sometimes you just have to line up and smack the other team in the mouth.  That’s certainly what the Jets did Sunday.  They overpowered the Saints on the line of scrimmage.  Low points included a 3^rd and 1 two-play sequence where every team in America would have handed it to their fullback and just pushed.  The Saints did, but the Jets had called time-out.  So, did you think they’d just try that again?  Ha.  A dropped pass and a horrible reverse blew that opportunity.  Trying to be too cute.  As Amanda Shaw would sing, “Pretty don’t last.”  Dropped passes and crucial penalties made matters worse. 

Here’s the scoop.  As the weather cools, it becomes more important, especially on the road, to go out and play a little power football.  Run the ball, control the clock, establish a power superiority, take the crowd out of it by grinding it out, jam the ball down the other teams’ throat, demoralizing them.  We saw that on Sunday, but we saw it from the Jets.   The Saints act like they’re allergic to the run. 

The bad news is, at the half way point the Saints are 6 – 2, with injuries mounting, and the schedule about to turn nasty.  Dallas and the 49ers are coming to visit, and two games remain with the surprising Carolina Panthers who have to be smelling blood at this point.  Then there’s the biggest matchup of all, with the Seahawks, who will be waiting in Seattle.  Most of these are power football teams.  The Saints need to solve their offense line problems or we’re going to see too much of Brees running for his life, running backs not running, and a steady parade of 3^rd and 18’s.

It can’t be pretty.  It won’t be pretty.  It doesn’t need to be pretty.  Pretty don’t last.  Power does.

At the Cinema - October 2013

Gravity – 9
You’ll like this movie if you like Jim Valvano, Space Movies, and Sandra Bullock. 
The late basketball coach Jim Valvano is famous for his last speech before dying of cancer.  He said “Never give up,” and that is the only choice Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) has as she is set adrift after a space accident.   Her perseverance as she is buffeted through space is the emotional hook in a movie bound to amaze you.

The visual hook is cinematography like nothing you’ve ever seen.  I guess it’s cinematography.  Maybe it’s just computer graphics.  Whatever it is, it is stunning.  And here’s a sentence I don’t say often – see it in 3-D.  Somehow director Alfonso Cuaron has captured space as we think it is. 

Dr. Stone and Mission Commander Matt Kowalski, played by George Clooney, are space walking at their space station trying to do some repairs, when the station is destroyed by debris that is circling the earth.  This won’t be the last encounter with the debris, and are those scenes something to behold!  Quite simply, there’s never been a film like this.  It’s even relatively short at 90 minutes.  The story is told well, economically, and memorably. 

There is only one quibble with this movie.  The music and the soundtrack are over the top.  This is a visual movie, that needs little dramatic emphasis, but for some reason the soundtrack explodes at times with music and sound effects that are meant to heighten the drama, but instead distract from it.  I love music and great sound effects, so for me to object to the sound is really saying something. I’d like to see this movie without the musical effects.  The panorama that fills the screen needs no emphasis.

 

Captain Phillips – 9

You’ll like this movie if you like Tom Hanks, True Stories, and Military Muscle. 
One of my favorite underrated movies of the last few years is director Paul Greengrass’ United 93.  He told the amazing story of the plane which crashed into the Pennsylvania farm country on 9/11 when the passengers overthrew the terrorists who had taken over their flight.  Greengrass did a magnificent job telling this story but let’s face it – no one really knows what happened on the plane that day.  All the witnesses are dead.

Not so here.  Captain Phillips is the real life captain of a ship that was taken over by Somali Pirates in 2009.  He lived to tell his tale, write a book, and be played by Tom Hanks in one of those first class action movies that Greengrass does so well. 

Tom Hanks isn’t Bruce Willis, or any type of action hero.  He’s just an everyman trying to use his wits and experience to survive and keep his crew safe.  He becomes a hostage, and the interplay between Captain Phillips and his squabbling captors is the anchor of the movie.  The desperation of both parties is illuminated as the minutes tick away.  The suspense is on a steady build until the Navy Seals arrive, bringing the full power of the US military to rescue an American at risk.  If at the 2 hour mark of the film Hanks hasn't staked his claim to an Oscar, he surely does in the final 15 minutes.  All quite impressive. 

 

Scanning the Satellitea

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) – 9

I missed this wonderful little movie when it came out last year.  Had I seen it then, I know what I would have done.  I would have run right out and bought the CD to relive the great music. 

Emma Watson is enchanting as a High School senior who befriends a befuddled freshman in Pittsburgh in 1991.  Her name is Sam, and she not only welcomes the awkward freshman Charlie to “the island of misfit toys” but becomes his first crush.  You remember that first high school crush don’t you?  The hurt, the elation, the music.  It’s all here.

Charlie, played by Logan Lerman, is more than a wallflower.  He has secrets of his own and they frame  his freshman year, which begins by him counting the days until he graduates.  At least I never did that.  Hats off to Writer/Director Stephen Chombsky for a new take on an experience we all remember, but haven't seen much of since John Hughes left us.

Saints Report #7 - October 27, 2013

The New Orleans Saints extended their record to 6 – 1 on Sunday with a 35 -17 victory over the Buffalo Bills, but not before they extended their bye week by more than a quarter and a half.  It was late in the first half, with the Saints trailing 10 – 7, and looking lethargic and out of sync on offense, when the urgency of the clock shook the offense out of the doldrums, and the Saints busted loose for 2 touchdowns.  I have to admit that a hint of worry was creeping in when Brees and company began to matriculate their way to a 21-10 halftime lead.

The familiarity of the Saints system was undoubtedly helpful to the Bills staff, many of whom were on Payton’s staff when he first arrived.  The Bills started the game with a read option – quarterback keeper that they would never run again.  Linebacker David Hawthorne, who is making it look like Jonathan Vilma may have a problem cracking the lineup if and when he comes back, absolutely creamed QB Thad Lewis.  It was a “welcome to the NFL” moment for Lewis, who although he fumbled on the play and was down for 3 minutes, came back to acquit himself pretty well.   The Saints failed to capitalize because a) Sean Payton still doesn’t realize 2^nd and 4 is a good thing, and certainly not the down and distance to go to an empty backfield/shotgun play, and b) Garrett Hartley is back to pulling his field goal attempts, which he did twice on the day.  John Carney probably has some missed calls on his iphone.  Are we sure Thomas Morestead can’t place kick?  He seems to drill every kickoff through the uprights, and it just seems like he’s got a 70 yard attempt in his future.

Every QB has a rough time with pressure, but while he makes an occasional mistake, nobody is better under duress than Drew Brees, and his 5 touchdown passes while he was getting clubbed around was pretty impressive.  The Saints biggest evolving weakness and thus their main playoff obstacle is their offensive line.  Even though Pierre Thomas is a reliable 4 to 5 yards a carry, no one is going to mistake the Saints for a running team.  Brees set an NFL record by throwing 5 td's for the 8^th time, and someday I hope to have grandchildren on my knee so I can tell them I saw him play.  He's the ticket.

So, like the Super Bowl march of 2009, the Saints get to preview the stadium where the “Big Game” will be played.  They travel to play the New York Jets who are on the standard week-off/week-on program of many .500 teams.  They upset the Patriots, then got embarrassed by the Bengals and sit at 4-4.  The Ryan Bowl should be interesting.

Saints Report #6 - October 13, 2013

The New Orleans Saints were eased out of the unbeaten ranks Sunday 30-27 by the New England Patriots when a frustrated Tom Brady threw a game-winning touchdown pass with 5 second left.  The story of this game was that Brady and the Patriots, down by 1, then 4, squeezed 3 possessions out of the last 3 and a half minutes.  I can’t account for an unexplained critical clock stoppage at 2:26 after a Saints running play, but the Saints just couldn’t control the clock, and it cost them when Brady led his last drive after getting the ball back with 1:13 and 70 yards to navigate with no timeouts .  He made it look easy.

Sometimes one team deserves to win and doesn’t.  Sometimes it’s the opposite.  This was a game where I can honestly say both teams played well enough to win.  Patriot’s coach Bill Belichick’s defensive plan was masterful as he took away Jimmy Graham completely by putting a cornerback on him.  Aqib Tahib shut the tight end down with no catches.  Expect this to be a blue print going forward for every team in the league. 

New Saints took up the slack.  Rookies Khiry Robinson and Kenny Stills scored, as did 2^nd year running back Tavaris Cadet.  But with Lance Moore still sidelined, Robert Meachum ineffective, and Marques Colston almost as blanketed as Graham, Brees options were limited.  Despite great protection most of the game, Brees had trouble finding open receivers.  The Saints ran the ball effectively at times, but refused to make it easy.   If I see another empty backfield on 2^nd and 4, with no threat that they might run, I’m going to throw up.  Sean (EDIAPD) Payton just can’t take what the defense gives him.  He wants more, more, more. 

The Saints were dominated in the first half and trailed 17 – 7 at the half.  As you would expect with their veteran leadership, they battled back to tie, and finally take the lead. 

Four years ago, in the magical 13-0 start on their way to their Championship, the Patriots came to the dome to provide a measuring stick for the Saints.  The Saints dominated that contest and it was a huge validation win.  This time the measuring stick yielded a different result.  The Saints are a very good team.  They aren’t great yet, but the potential is there.  A few holes got revealed, like the lack of a deep threat, and a heavy reliance on a few players who can be taken out of the game.  Their clock management was inexplicable in the last 3 minutes, but at least they fell victim to a great QB, not an average one.  That’s going to happen, but it doesn’t lessen the pain.

Now it’s a week off, and then a tough 10 games to complete the season  In the NFL, you can’t take anything for granted. 

Saints Report # 5 - October 6, 2013

The curse is broken.  The Soldier Field curse.  Drew Brees had never won at Soldier Field in three previous tries, and the Saints hadn’t had much luck there throughout their history.  All that changed on Sunday when the Saints went in and exerted their muscle on the usual sloppy Chicago field, 26 – 18, moving to a perfect 5-0.

The Saints defense was again impressive, although they allowed Jay Cutler some yardage.  The Saints ran the ball a little more than usual, and Sean “every down is a passing down” Payton turned to the reliable Pierre Thomas, who caught two touchdown passes, one on his patented screen pass to complement the Graham and Sproles show.  Pierre and his mates ran the ball effectively helping the Saints control the clock with their short passing game.  The effect is that they’re keeping the defense fresh. 

Da Bears played like they were the visiting team.  They fumbled on their first play from scrimmage, committed a critical offsides in the final minutes, and dropped a perfect 4^th and 1 pass.  They seemed jittery.  The Saints took full advantage.

So now there are three.  The Saints joined the surprising Kansas City Chiefs, and the not surprising Denver Broncos as the last of the undefeated teams in the NFL.  The meat of the schedule is ahead, and it’s off to New England against a Patriot team that is sure to be in a foul mood, with a returning Rob Gronkowsi on Sunday.  Saints fans are getting that 09 feeling again and who can blame them? 

At the Cinema - September 2013

Elysium – 8
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  Science Fiction
b.  Matt Damon
c.  Heroes and Villains

Matt Damon is Max, a car thief of the future, but he’s been convicted and he’s therefore watched closely even though he toils away in a mundane job.  When he gets radiation poisoning on that job, he can easily get cured, but not on earth – only on Elysium, a space station circling earth populated with the rich and privileged. They have all the luxuries of the future on Elysium, and they guard them closely.  The Secretary of Defense is played coldly by Jodi Foster who grew into a mature lady while we weren’t looking.

All this is ludicrous of course, but good science fiction makes it believable, and this all seems to work.  Matt’s poisoning has made him weak, so he has to get outfitted with hardware welded to him so that he becomes a robotic superman.  Transformer-like battles ensue as Damon tries to make the commute from Los Angeles to Elysium.  Director Neill Blomkamp inexplicably became a hot property after his District 9 became a hit, although I didn’t care for it at all.  He redeems himself here with a more entertaining metaphorical leap.  We’re headed for separate planets (or space stations) with the widening divide between the haves and the have-nots.  I guess the Conservatives get a planet, and the Liberals get a planet.  Let’s hope there’s a third choice.

Lee Daniels’ The Butler - 7
You’ll like this movie if you like:
a.  Historical Perspective
b.  Interesting Characters
c.  Great Acting

This is an interesting movie in many ways.  Unfortunately, it is also deceptive.  If you walked in off the street knowing nothing you would believe that this is a true story of a man (not Lee Daniels - he's the director) who is a White House butler through several administrations.  You would be wrong.

Forest Whitaker plays The Butler, Cecil Gaines, a character “based on a true story.”  It’s loosely based on Eugene Allen, who was a White House servant through 8 administrations, and a whole lot of discrimination.  Oprah Winfrey plays his wife, and they both do a great job.  There is a parade of Presidential caricatures’ as the movie unfolds, with the emphasis on the Civil Rights movement, and one can’t help wonder what’s real and what isn’t. 

Did Ronald Reagan really think he was on the wrong side of the civil rights movement even as he was unwinding legislation?  Did Nancy Reagan really invite a Butler and his wife to a state dinner?  What’s real here?  Should I really have to research a movie when I leave to find out what was real and what was fictional?

We watch Forrest Gump and we understand that it is just entertainment.  Here, we are baffled.

But, that doesn’t mean there isn’t significant merit to the movie.  It does a fine job weaving old footage of key historical events with character evolution as the years go by in Gaines’ life.  Most interesting is his relationship with a rebellious son who is in the thick of key events. 
All of which is interesting, but too important to be a mishmash of truth and fiction, one that made me more and more uncomfortable as I learned more.  Movies like this can be so important.  The truth is fascinating enough.  Why leave us guessing?

In a World… - 7
You’ll like this movie if you like
a. An original subject
b. Movie Trailers
c. Voice Overs

It seems talented actresses like Lake Bell and Brit Marling (The East) have to write their own movies to land a decent role.  In this case Lake also has to direct and produce.  That’s a shame, because here Lake Bell the wonderful actress gets let down by Lake Bell the writer, producer, and director.    This is a wonderful premise that never quite ignites.

Lake plays Carol Solomon, a vocal coach who longs to break through the male-dominated profession of movie voice overs.  One of the males that dominates is her own father, a bundle of ego who has no intention of letting his daughter break through.  Another male is Don LaFontaine, the author of the famous “In a world where” preface to so many movie trailers.  LaFontaine has died (he actually died 5 years ago) and the studio wants to revive his signature phrase, perhaps even with a woman.  Carol should be so lucky. 

Unfortunately, this wonderful backdrop deteriorates into a couple of love story soap operas that we’ve seen a million times.  Too bad.  Nice try, in a world where women have to write movies to get a decent role.

The Family – 4

You’ll like this movie if you like:
a.  Waterboarding for fun
b.  Dianna Agron
c.  Tedium

This movie is so shockingly tedious that you’ll wonder who green-lighted the script.  I feared the worst but agreed to go because of the presence of the beautiful Agron, whose charisma is sorely missed on Glee.  I would have rather watched an interview of her, or just a still picture, or paint dry.

The biggest problem here is that this is as humorless a movie as one could imagine, and it is sorely in need of humor, anything to break the monotony of seeing Robert DeNiro play Robert DeNiro for the 23^rd consecutive movie.  Michelle Pfeifer and Agron are wasted.  You see, DeNiro testified against his mob buddies and he and his Munchasen family are in witness protection under a dour Tommy Lee Jones.  Even the inevitable violent ending is dull. 

I can’t think of a single reason to make this movie, and I surely can’t think of a reason to see it.  Another high school role for Agron surely wasn’t it.  Note to Hollywood:  Dianna Agron is a potential star and it’s time for her to graduate from high school and take on an adult role.  That might be worth seeing.   This wasn’t.

Saints Report #4 - September 30, 2013

The undefeated Miami Dolphins came to the Superdome for a check on their progress Monday night and left dazed and confused.  They fell victim to another Monday night showcase by Drew Brees, who passed for over 400 yards in a 38-17 shellacking.   This will all be forgotten by Sunday morning when the talking heads, an average 7 per pregame show, resume rhapsodizing about Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.  That’s a shame because through 4 games Brees has kept pace with Manning.  He does everything they do. 

The bad news for the NFL is that the Saints offense for the first time looked in rhythm and in sync.  The Dolphins learned that there is just no way to cover David and Goliath, Darren Sproles and jimmy Graham.  They each had 100 yards in receiving and Marques Colston came close.  The Saints were still unable to establish much of a running game, but rookie Khiry Robinson got some playing time while Mark Ingram was inactive with turf toe.  He may be inactive for a while as Robinson makes Ingram look like he’s running in concrete galoshes.

Meanwhile the defense continues to surprise.  They continue to create turnovers and now the offense is capitalizing.  A few extra possessions a game, good red zone defense, and field position advantage gained through an efficient kicking game are all very positive indicators.

But, here’s reality.  The Saints desperately needed to start off 4 – 0, because now the schedule is brutal.  It’s not just that they have to play Chicago, Seattle, and New England, but they have to travel to do it.  Trips are ahead to play the Jets, Falcons, Panthers and Rams, and the Cowboys and 49’ers are among the dome visitors ahead.  This was the start they needed.  Four in the bank is a nice deposit.