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".