As we head into game six of the Saints season, the personality of this 4-1 team continues to be not much different since 2006. Great offense, ranked second in the NFL in yards per game and 5th in scoring per game, lead by my early pick for MVP in Drew Brees. Special teams lead by a field position changing punter and steady veteran field goal kicker. A defense that is okay, 16th in yards per game but 23th in scoring defense. Still not enough turnovers. The Saints missed out on at least 2 more picks last Sunday. At times it seems like DC Greg Williams is too worried about scheming and "looks" than just getting after the damn QB. Sundays like the Carolina game rather than the Bears game could be on the horizon.
Next up is the 3-2 Tampa Bay Bucs coming off a 48-3 reality check from the 49ers. Don't let the score fool you, it wasn't that close. While some pundits feel this is not an indication of the real Tampa team, I feel it's closer to that than the 10-6 team from last year. Their three wins came against the 2-3 Falcons, 1-4 Vikings and the 0-5 Colts. The other loss came to the Lions, at home, on opening day.
Why?
Film.
Teams have enough film on Josh Freeman to gameplan him now. As a result, he is now the 29th ranked passer per game and second only to Mike Vick for most int's with 6. Tampa's running game is solid behind LeGarrett Blunt but teams are now loading up to stop the run and forcing Tampa to win with Freeman's arm. Tampa is finding out what it means when you can't sneak up on anyone anymore. The Saints continue their mastery of Raymond James Stadium.
There is no mistaking the personaltiy of the 2011 LSU team. Defense and plenty if it. In my mind the best in the country, giving up only 12.5 points per game. Consider the offenses LSU has faced. Outside of games against LSU, Oregon is averaging 56 points per game,West Virginia 45, UF 34 and MSU 30. Added to this is an offense that excels in the ball control running game and play-action passing attack. They are lead by a stock pile of running backs and a QB everyone had all but given up on. Throw in the most influential punter that I've ever seen at LSU and this could very well be an LSU team for the ages.
Tennessee is next with a year long simmer that can't wait to explode. This game has been circled on HC Derek Dooley's calender since he threw his headset at Les Miles' feet and stormed off the field in bitter disgust after his first signature victory as UT coach was snatched from his hands. That will get them through the first series. But with their starting QB,WR and RB out with injuries, Tennessee will have to wait for another time to get their payback. LSU rolls, again.
What can you say about the Green Wave? After putting up a forty burger in the opener against SE Louisiana, it seemed Tulane might be on to something. But the same old ghosts showed up. The annual loss to Tulsa was followed by a road win in Birmingham. Woohoo! Then came Duke. Then Army. And a close call to Syracuse. Then we all knew. Same old Wave. It's a shame too. I wish Tulane can turn it around someday.
Next up UTEP. This is a good chance to get back on track but with games at East Carolina, at SMU and Houston at home on the horizon, this could be HC Bob Toledo's swan song.
Mike Leach anyone?
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