Hello defense, it's nice to see you. You've been away awhile. Can you stay longer? Inquiring minds want to know.
They want to know if defense that sent the Monsters of the Midway back to Chicago with their tails between their legs has awaken from their winter slumber or just hit the snooze button.
Either way you cannot deny that last Sunday was the stuff Greg WIlliams dreams of. His defense won the battle of down and distance then sent the dogs on Jay Cutler. It did help that Cutler had less moves than Carson Kressley on Dancing with the Stars. But it was the pass rush that got the music playing in his head. It only took a couple more "remember me" shots before he shut down and sought isolation on the sidelines. You could almost forgive Cutler for his demeanor as his offensive line was nonexistent and anyone without the name Matt Forte contributed nothing. But he is a child. It doesn't take much to rattle him.
On the other hand, Jabari Greer continues to show that he's the class of the Saints corner backs. I must also point out that Roman Harper played his best game as a Saint. With Malcom Jenkins playing at a pro bowl level, if the secondary can get that kind of production on a weekly basis, there will be more QBs searching for asylum on the sidelines.
That's a big if.
The Houston Texans are up next after beating up on two AFC weaklings. Matt Schaub is a good QB with more composure and more weapons than Cutler and DaBears. WR Andre Johnson and RB Arian Foster are as good as there is. The Texans are the AFC's version of the Saints before the Super Bowl. Like the Saints then, they are more dangerous now because they can play without fear of a turnover or big penalty now that their defense finally has their back.
So another big test awaits the Saints defense. After facing the two participants of the last season's NFC chamionship game in weeks one and two, it doesn't get much easier. But that's life in the NFL. You don't get to hit the snooze button.
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Speaking of defense, LSU plays it. After dominating two of the most prolific offenses in the nation they get to travel to Morgantown to play the West Virginia Mountaineers. WVU QB Geno Smith will be the best QB the Tigers have faced up to this point, maybe the best all season. He has size, mobility and arm strength. He will play in the NFL.
New head coach Dana Horgelson is a disciple of former Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach and former Kentucky head coach Hal Mumme. He's had stops as OC at Texas Tech, U of Houston and Oklahoma St and has been hugely successful. He brings that spread offense to Morgantown and if anyone remembers Texas Tech under Leach or Kentucky under Mumme, it gives defenses fits. Holgorsen's numbers with Texas Tech and Houston are scarey, but his biggest impact came at Oklahoma St where in his first season as OC, they surged from 61st in the nation to #1 in total offense. It ain't no fluke, this guy can run an offense.
But he hasn't faced a defense like LSU's. Ever. LSU's defensive speed can't be sensed on tape nor can it be duplicated at practice. Fast and physical beats fast and finesse 10 out of 10 times.
Then there's LSU's ball control pound the rock offense. With a huge OL leaning on the undersized DL of WVU and those DBs used to chasing WRs not tackling bull dozers, look for an TKO in the 3rd quarter and the #2 ranked Tigers cruising to victory.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
The Defense Rests
Since last Thursday's gut wrenching loss to the defending Super Bowl Champs, the Saints defense has taken a brutal tongue lashing from fans and media alike. While I would love to jump on that bandwagon, I won't. It's too easy. Altough the thought of slamming defensivie coordinator Greg Williams and his misguided bravado makes my leg tingle, I'll leave that to the mainstream. Oh wait, I forgot, they are scared of him. I guess he gets a pass. I'm aiming higher.
I think it was in Jim Collins' book "Good to Great", that suggests a theary in business that managers should be tougher on the producers of the compmany. The thought being that the pride they possess will drive them to be even better since there's little hope for the non-producers anyway. What they provide is gravy. "By defination it is not possible to everyone to be above average", he writes. See Saints defense.
So at the risk of sounding like Ron Paul at a Republican debate, I will tread in hallowed waters.
Uh, Michael you are NOT going there?
Watch me.
An offense as prolific as the Saints should never be stopped on "and 1"situations. An offense possessing two of the best in their field in Sean Payton and Drew Brees should never be 1/5 in red zone production. An offense possessing an offensive line that won the Madden Award for being the best OL in the NFL just two seasons ago must not get mauled at the line of scrimmage. An offense that traded back into the first round of the draft to select a battering ram RB should give that RB the carries required to be that battering ram. For those ready to point out to me that it was that RB getting snuffed on the final play, see above.
Yet there they were. Sean Payton, again, trying to outhink the room ends up outhinking himself. Drew Brees? Well, I'm no fool. Brees (and Darren Sproles) is the main reason the Saints even had a shot, incredibly, to put the game in overtime. The OL continues to lose the battle of the line of scrimmage. I'll say it, the dirty little secret is they are an average group elevated by a brilliant QB with the ability to read defenses and change plays, throw to the right spot and manipulate the pocket with suttle footwork. Green Bay is not the first team to shut them down in short yardage situations. This has been the floater Payton's punch bowl since 2006.
They aren't they only group Brees should get a royalty check from. The WRs. I keep hearing how deep and talented this group is. However when Brees is not placing the ball in their hands in stride, I see nothing special. I remember two catches against Green Bay where they actually used their hands. Wow, what a concept! And could they be less physical? A 6'4" 225 lb Marques Colsten fumbles when hit by 5'11' 207 lb Nick Collins, then 6'2" 210lb Robert Meachum gets stopped in his tracks by 5'11' 197lb Houma native Tramon Williams. Even Devery Henderson, a former running back seldom breaks tackles for yards after contact. In reality they could be replaced easily. Did anybody even notice Lance Moore didn't play? Four hundred sixteen passing yards and 27 points suggest not.
I know it's only game one. I know there's plenty football to be played. But with physical Chicago up next, a team Payton is 0-2 against, then a vastly improved Houston Texans team, an 0-3 start is not unthinkable. Guess how many teams have won the Super Bowl after starting 0-3?
ZERO!
I haven't even mentioned the kick off coverage team and their one hundred eight yard display of lethargy.
I wish the fans would expect more. The Saints are no longer the loveable losers they were when coming close was like actually winning. They are one season removed from Super Bowl champs, it's ok to be pissed at them for losing that game. It doesn't make you a bad fan.
In the NFL football you only get 16 tries to win. The great Yogi Berra put it best. "It gets late early".
I think it was in Jim Collins' book "Good to Great", that suggests a theary in business that managers should be tougher on the producers of the compmany. The thought being that the pride they possess will drive them to be even better since there's little hope for the non-producers anyway. What they provide is gravy. "By defination it is not possible to everyone to be above average", he writes. See Saints defense.
So at the risk of sounding like Ron Paul at a Republican debate, I will tread in hallowed waters.
Uh, Michael you are NOT going there?
Watch me.
An offense as prolific as the Saints should never be stopped on "and 1"situations. An offense possessing two of the best in their field in Sean Payton and Drew Brees should never be 1/5 in red zone production. An offense possessing an offensive line that won the Madden Award for being the best OL in the NFL just two seasons ago must not get mauled at the line of scrimmage. An offense that traded back into the first round of the draft to select a battering ram RB should give that RB the carries required to be that battering ram. For those ready to point out to me that it was that RB getting snuffed on the final play, see above.
Yet there they were. Sean Payton, again, trying to outhink the room ends up outhinking himself. Drew Brees? Well, I'm no fool. Brees (and Darren Sproles) is the main reason the Saints even had a shot, incredibly, to put the game in overtime. The OL continues to lose the battle of the line of scrimmage. I'll say it, the dirty little secret is they are an average group elevated by a brilliant QB with the ability to read defenses and change plays, throw to the right spot and manipulate the pocket with suttle footwork. Green Bay is not the first team to shut them down in short yardage situations. This has been the floater Payton's punch bowl since 2006.
They aren't they only group Brees should get a royalty check from. The WRs. I keep hearing how deep and talented this group is. However when Brees is not placing the ball in their hands in stride, I see nothing special. I remember two catches against Green Bay where they actually used their hands. Wow, what a concept! And could they be less physical? A 6'4" 225 lb Marques Colsten fumbles when hit by 5'11' 207 lb Nick Collins, then 6'2" 210lb Robert Meachum gets stopped in his tracks by 5'11' 197lb Houma native Tramon Williams. Even Devery Henderson, a former running back seldom breaks tackles for yards after contact. In reality they could be replaced easily. Did anybody even notice Lance Moore didn't play? Four hundred sixteen passing yards and 27 points suggest not.
I know it's only game one. I know there's plenty football to be played. But with physical Chicago up next, a team Payton is 0-2 against, then a vastly improved Houston Texans team, an 0-3 start is not unthinkable. Guess how many teams have won the Super Bowl after starting 0-3?
ZERO!
I haven't even mentioned the kick off coverage team and their one hundred eight yard display of lethargy.
I wish the fans would expect more. The Saints are no longer the loveable losers they were when coming close was like actually winning. They are one season removed from Super Bowl champs, it's ok to be pissed at them for losing that game. It doesn't make you a bad fan.
In the NFL football you only get 16 tries to win. The great Yogi Berra put it best. "It gets late early".
Sunday, September 4, 2011
LSU and Jarrett Lee have Rendezvous with Destiny
As I watched LSU pull away from Oregon in route to their 40-27, well, rout. I, like most people, couldn't help but feel good for Jarrett Lee. Lee and LSU have had a symbiotic relationship like no other college football team that I can remember.
In 2008 Lee was forced into action against Auburn, on the road, clearly before he was ready. He threw his first of what would be seven "pic six" interceptions that season. But what's been put into the distant memory of most LSU fans is that Lee came back to throw two TD passes in the second half of that same game, including the game winner late in the fourth quarter.
That's the story of Jarrett Lee's career at LSU. Goat, hero, goat, hero, Booed, cheered, booed cheered. Les Miles tried replacing, ignoring then burying Lee into the depth chart. Most would have transferred. Instead, incredibly, Lee said "I didn't come to LSU to transfer, I came to win".
Miles has brought in prized recruit after prized recruit yet there's Lee again, thrust into duty, standing tall and winning his first start since 2008. Against the #3 team in America!
It was vintage Lee. 10/22 for 98 yards and one TD. Pedestrian stats yes, but with Lee, who cares. Some bad throws, some bad luck, but like the Florida game in 2010, Lee came up with three big time passes. The first a perfect back shoulder beauty to Rueben Randle at the end of the first half that Drew Brees would envy. The second came after Lee took a sack instead of forcing a throw. His discretion paid off on the next play as he hit well covered TE DeAngelo Peterson in stride on third and twelve for a first down. A Michael Ford TD run ended that drive and put LSU up two scores. The third came following Oregon's second turnover in the third quarter. On first down, after a play action fake, Lee dropped a rainbow into the arms of Peterson inside the Duck's ten yard line. This set up Spencer Ware's plow into the end zone to put the Tigers up 30-13. Game over.
Through it all, Oregon ran every defense they could think of to stop LSU. Eight in the box, nine in the box, blitzes and stunts. But Lee, riding a dominate running game behind Spencer Ware's 100 yards and Michael Ford's 96, stayed poised. He managed the game well and threw not one interception.
It helped Lee that LSU's defense was spectacular. Oregon leading rusher and Heisman trophy candidate, LeMichael James had no place to run. Much heralded Darren Thomas, was exposed as the average QB that he is. The vaunted Oregon special teams were anything but, comitting two turnovers resulting in LSU TDs.
Lee was voted team captain for the game by his teammates. In sports, there is no greater show of respect. Perhaps Lee's teammates know what more and more LSU fans are beginning to. When adversity comes to LSU at some point this season, Jarrett Lee will be there. Steadfast and determined. He knows no other way.
In 2008 Lee was forced into action against Auburn, on the road, clearly before he was ready. He threw his first of what would be seven "pic six" interceptions that season. But what's been put into the distant memory of most LSU fans is that Lee came back to throw two TD passes in the second half of that same game, including the game winner late in the fourth quarter.
That's the story of Jarrett Lee's career at LSU. Goat, hero, goat, hero, Booed, cheered, booed cheered. Les Miles tried replacing, ignoring then burying Lee into the depth chart. Most would have transferred. Instead, incredibly, Lee said "I didn't come to LSU to transfer, I came to win".
Miles has brought in prized recruit after prized recruit yet there's Lee again, thrust into duty, standing tall and winning his first start since 2008. Against the #3 team in America!
It was vintage Lee. 10/22 for 98 yards and one TD. Pedestrian stats yes, but with Lee, who cares. Some bad throws, some bad luck, but like the Florida game in 2010, Lee came up with three big time passes. The first a perfect back shoulder beauty to Rueben Randle at the end of the first half that Drew Brees would envy. The second came after Lee took a sack instead of forcing a throw. His discretion paid off on the next play as he hit well covered TE DeAngelo Peterson in stride on third and twelve for a first down. A Michael Ford TD run ended that drive and put LSU up two scores. The third came following Oregon's second turnover in the third quarter. On first down, after a play action fake, Lee dropped a rainbow into the arms of Peterson inside the Duck's ten yard line. This set up Spencer Ware's plow into the end zone to put the Tigers up 30-13. Game over.
Through it all, Oregon ran every defense they could think of to stop LSU. Eight in the box, nine in the box, blitzes and stunts. But Lee, riding a dominate running game behind Spencer Ware's 100 yards and Michael Ford's 96, stayed poised. He managed the game well and threw not one interception.
It helped Lee that LSU's defense was spectacular. Oregon leading rusher and Heisman trophy candidate, LeMichael James had no place to run. Much heralded Darren Thomas, was exposed as the average QB that he is. The vaunted Oregon special teams were anything but, comitting two turnovers resulting in LSU TDs.
Lee was voted team captain for the game by his teammates. In sports, there is no greater show of respect. Perhaps Lee's teammates know what more and more LSU fans are beginning to. When adversity comes to LSU at some point this season, Jarrett Lee will be there. Steadfast and determined. He knows no other way.
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