Monday, September 9, 2013

Quick Results for Kindred Spirits


Well that didn’t take long.  Sean Payton’s return to the sideline produced, for the most part, the same result it has produced during the first six years of his tenure as Saints head coach.  That is an offense with a sharpshooting QB producing a ton of yards and points. 

After a sluggish first quarter, as Payton was finding his sea legs, the Saints had their way with the Falcons defense, outscoring them 23-7.  Payton also showed growth as a play caller. In the past, when the running game looked like it wasn’t working, Payton would abandon it and turn the game over to Drew Brees. Not yesterday. Payton was so determined to stick with the run; it may have prevented the Saints form scoring two touchdowns from first and goal. Instead, they had to settle for field goals. On each possession, Payton called first and goal running plays to Mark Ingram. Both plays proved unsuccessful as Ingram once again displayed a lack of NFL speed to the edge and power in close quarters. Payton stuck with the run to the tune of 29 carries. Although only 78 yards were gained for a 2.7 yard average, Payton accomplished his goal of softening up the Falcons pass rush and making their linebackers respect the running game enough to be susceptible to play action.

There were some hiccups, though, but correctable. First, Payton is making loyalty to a running back a new art form. Clearly Mark Ingram is not an NFL running back, at least not in Payton’s system.  Ingram is known as a bruising back requiring multiple carries to wear down a defense. But with Payton, a running back gets small doses of carries. Unless those carries produce, 4 yards or better, Payton is on to something and/or someone else. I will, however, defend Ingram in this respect, when he enters the game, every defensive player’s antennae goes up.  I don’t have the percentages but it seems the Saints are much more likely to run when Ingram is in the game.  Also the Saints lack that physical offensive line Ingram needs to keep initial defenders off of him.  Yet Payton keeps going to him time and time again.

No bigger was this point made than one fourth and inches. Payton rolled the dice. He installed Ingram into the lineup.  Every Falcon’s player, coach, and fan in the stands new Ingram was getting the ball. The result was a two yard loss and possession turned over to the Falcons.  Ingram was given eight more carries in the game gaining a grand total of 11 yards. His longest run was seven yards which means he gained only four yards on the other attempts combined. Now I’m not great in math, but that average can’t be good. Payton has become patient, but not that patient!

Second, the Saints must score touchdowns in first and goal opportunities. This game would not have been close had they accomplished this. Having to settle for field goals in those situations constitutes a win for the opponent’s defense and is deflating to your team. Even if the Saints converted just one of those chances the last Falcons’ drive would have taken on a different tone.

Maybe I’m just second guessing, but burning your second timeout on fourth and one from their three yard line with about three minutes to go is a waste. By Payton decided to try the old “draw them offside” routine anyway, he loses a timeout he may need later. In fact, I’m all for going for it in that spot.  Hey, you score a touchdown, convert a first down or pin Atlanta down inside their five yard line. It’s a win win win. Instead, you burn perhaps a much needed timeout, still up by only one possession, give up 18 yards field position and most importantly, now Atlanta’s to drive is for a touchdown to beat you instead of a field goal to tie and send into overtime.  I know it a philosophical decision, but I’d rather a team laying up with a wedge for a field goal to tie than pulling that 3 wood out and going for the win.

It didn’t take long for Rob Ryan’s new look defense to produce. Saints fans haven’t seen that type pressure since former defensive coordinator Greg Williams was paying coin for it.  Again, after the first quarter, once Ryan got a beat on what the Falcons were trying to do, he slammed the door shut. As for getting a heavy dose of Stephen Jackson punishing the Saints defense into submission, as predicted, Ryan had his men ready. Outside Jackson’s 50 yard run, he was a non-factor. On ten other carries he gained only 27 yards and dropped the potential game winning touchdown.  Matt Ryan was forced to attempt 38 passes. He was sacked three times and harassed the entire day.  One report stated he was hit total of 23 times. Talk about remember me shots!

All in all it was a nice return for Sean Payton and debut for Rob Ryan. From Payton and New Orleans icon Steve Gleason dropping the who dat chant to Roman Harper’s interception on the game’s final meaningful play, these two kindred spirits, both on a mission to right the wrongs they were dealt, accomplished step one. Here’s hoping the ride has only just begun.  

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