It's been four games since the St.Louis massacre and our beloved Saints find themselves with a two game lead in the NFC South division. Outside a collapse of Hasslonian proportions, the Saints have made the playoffs. The next four weeks will determine exactly who and where they play and how many playoff wins it will take to make it to the Super Bowl. All is good, right?
Well, maybe.
The next two games will reveal the toughest foe the Saints have faced all season.
Themselves.
Coming up are the Tennesee Titans(7-5) and Minnesota Vikings (2-10). On paper, two teams the Saints should beat.
But.
The Titans are the anit-Saints. They play outdoor December football. Well, this game will be outdoors and in December. They run, and they run and they run. Did I mention they run. Featuring the rounding into deadly form Chris Johnson, Tennessee has run themselves to within two games of QBless AFC South Division leader Houston Texans. Who, by the way they face on the final weekend of the season. In his last two games, the waterbug Johnson has rushed for 190 and 153 yards and 7.45 yards per carry. Before you say "eight in the box", the Titans can loosen up the defense with play-action throws from QB Matt Hasselback, yes, that Matt Hasseback. The former Seattle QB that lit up Roman Harper and the Saints defense in that humiliating playoff defeat last season. The Saints under Payton and Brees, have yet to prove they can beat a quality road opponent, outdoors, in cold weather.
The Vikings present another kind of challenge. That late season bete noir with nothing to lose. A noon kickoff with no national spotlight media fawning and fainting and oohing and aahing over the Saints high powered offense. No bright lights, no frenzied who dat'ers. Just a lazy Sunday afternoon in the land of a thousand lakes.
In my mind, there's no doubt the Saints are better than both teams. In my mind there's some doubt they can prove it. Remember the '06,'07 ,'08 games in cold Chicago. Think about the games against Arizona and Cleveland in '10. Or the Rams game a month ago. Heck they needed a miracle to win in DC in December during the Super Bowl season.
Brees' kryptonite has been cold weather and Payton's barren has been getting his team ready to face inferior opponents. In the next two games we will learn if either, neither or both have been overcome.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Incredibly, Saints Fall Asleep, AGAIN!
You would think by now, after embarrassing losses in the recent past , the Saints under Sean Payton would have learned their lesson. Yet there they were again, unprepared to play against a team, on paper, not in their league.
Saints fans will here the" We said all week we won't underestimate this team" crap ad nauseum. Payton said in the post game presser. So did Brees. You can bet any other Saints player facing a mic and camera will say it as well.
Well in the words of the great Johnny Unitas, "talk is cheap".
And so was the performance the 5-2 Saints displayed against the Rams. The 0-6 Rams. A team whose six losses came by scores of 31-13, 28-16, 37-7, 17-10(Redskins), 24-3 and 34-7. A team whose head coach recently downloaded the Monster.com app to his IPhone. Calling this performance cheap is an insult to thrift stores everywhere!
I could site numerous examples of this amazing knack Payton's St. Jude Saints have for generosity to the NFL's hopeless causes but why be redundant.
However there is another explanation as to why this keeps happening, but I'm not so sure Saints fans are prepared to hear. Maybe they just aren't that good.
A closer look at the 5-3 2011 Saints reveal a team that resembles more 2008 than 2009. That 2008 team finished 8-8, had the number one offense in the league but couldn't "finish" games in the fourth quarter. They started 1-0 then blew a 10 point 4th quarter led to the Redskins in D.C( I wrote them off right then) then missed a game winnning FG in Denver. Yet when they won, it was by scores like 31-3 to the Raiders, 51-29 to the Packers, 42-7 to the Lions. Give up 3 points one week, give up 30 the next. Made us all crazy. Missed the playoffs for the second straight year. Back then everyone said, "if we only had a defense to go with that offense...". Sound familier?
The 2011 Saints results are similar, but they resemble a team sleepwalking with an ocassional jolt of energy then back to sleep. They got away with it against two rookie QBs, but then it bit them against Tampa and now this.
Maybe they aren't sleepwalking. Maybe they are just a so-so team. The offensive line has been outplayed in 6 out of 8 games thus far. Thus the Saints have been unable to muster any kind running attack to speak of. Not that Payton has ever committed to the run anyway, but this Saints team doesn't seem tough enough.
The defense has ZERO playmakers, something sorely lacking since the departure of Darren Sharper. Malcom Jenkins is okay but doesn't wow anybody. The DBs and LBs have gotten their hands on many passes only to come up empty. The pass rush has to be manufactured now as it's becoming clearer by the week the free agents brought in at DT are busts. Don't even get me started on the run defense.
So who are these 2011 Saints. The team that conducted offseason workouts on their own. The team that had every pundit drooling in traing camp.
Win a game look great, win a game look average, lose three games, look awful. Seems like 2008 all over again.
In training camp I sensed something missing with these guys. I mentioned it on the air with Eric Asher. I thought it showed in the preseason. Lackluster performances were written off as "camp legs", etc. I feel it again, can't shake it.
Now that the upcoming schedule seems more daunting than it did Saturday, they better shake it. With games against Tampa, Atlanta, the Giants, then the Lions, 5-3 could easily turn into 5-7, by then this team may look like 2005.
Saints fans will here the" We said all week we won't underestimate this team" crap ad nauseum. Payton said in the post game presser. So did Brees. You can bet any other Saints player facing a mic and camera will say it as well.
Well in the words of the great Johnny Unitas, "talk is cheap".
And so was the performance the 5-2 Saints displayed against the Rams. The 0-6 Rams. A team whose six losses came by scores of 31-13, 28-16, 37-7, 17-10(Redskins), 24-3 and 34-7. A team whose head coach recently downloaded the Monster.com app to his IPhone. Calling this performance cheap is an insult to thrift stores everywhere!
I could site numerous examples of this amazing knack Payton's St. Jude Saints have for generosity to the NFL's hopeless causes but why be redundant.
However there is another explanation as to why this keeps happening, but I'm not so sure Saints fans are prepared to hear. Maybe they just aren't that good.
A closer look at the 5-3 2011 Saints reveal a team that resembles more 2008 than 2009. That 2008 team finished 8-8, had the number one offense in the league but couldn't "finish" games in the fourth quarter. They started 1-0 then blew a 10 point 4th quarter led to the Redskins in D.C( I wrote them off right then) then missed a game winnning FG in Denver. Yet when they won, it was by scores like 31-3 to the Raiders, 51-29 to the Packers, 42-7 to the Lions. Give up 3 points one week, give up 30 the next. Made us all crazy. Missed the playoffs for the second straight year. Back then everyone said, "if we only had a defense to go with that offense...". Sound familier?
The 2011 Saints results are similar, but they resemble a team sleepwalking with an ocassional jolt of energy then back to sleep. They got away with it against two rookie QBs, but then it bit them against Tampa and now this.
Maybe they aren't sleepwalking. Maybe they are just a so-so team. The offensive line has been outplayed in 6 out of 8 games thus far. Thus the Saints have been unable to muster any kind running attack to speak of. Not that Payton has ever committed to the run anyway, but this Saints team doesn't seem tough enough.
The defense has ZERO playmakers, something sorely lacking since the departure of Darren Sharper. Malcom Jenkins is okay but doesn't wow anybody. The DBs and LBs have gotten their hands on many passes only to come up empty. The pass rush has to be manufactured now as it's becoming clearer by the week the free agents brought in at DT are busts. Don't even get me started on the run defense.
So who are these 2011 Saints. The team that conducted offseason workouts on their own. The team that had every pundit drooling in traing camp.
Win a game look great, win a game look average, lose three games, look awful. Seems like 2008 all over again.
In training camp I sensed something missing with these guys. I mentioned it on the air with Eric Asher. I thought it showed in the preseason. Lackluster performances were written off as "camp legs", etc. I feel it again, can't shake it.
Now that the upcoming schedule seems more daunting than it did Saturday, they better shake it. With games against Tampa, Atlanta, the Giants, then the Lions, 5-3 could easily turn into 5-7, by then this team may look like 2005.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Saints, Tigers and Wave, oh my!
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?
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?
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Two Words: Drew Brees
Drew Brees.
Is there anything else to say?
After Sunday's performance agianst the Texans, that's all I can think of.
Brees lead his team to a 40 point day. A day which he threw his first two interceptions of the year. That bears repeating. Drew Brees lead his team to a 40 point day despite throwing two pics!
You don't have to be Sheldon from "The Big Bang Theory" to figure this out, that there Saints QB is pretty darn good.
Ask the Texans.
After being smoked like a brisket on a Texas spit, all they could do was spew cliches and platitudes. "They're not unstoppable, we just couldn't stop them", claimed the chorus of Texans' DBs fresh off giving up nearly 400 yards. You can hardly blame them for sounding so lame, I'm sure their heads are still spinning. Spinning to left for Lance Moore, spinning to the right for Jimmy Graham. Spinning like Linda Blair for Darren Sproles. I mean, who can blame them for such foolish talk.
Once again Brees displayed why he should always be mentioned in the same breath as Brady and Manning. After Matt Schaub hit TE James Casey on a 26 yard pass to put Houston up 26-17 with 14:54 remaing in the game, it looked like the Saints defense was gong to have to take another one on the chin. Then Sean Peyton went to the empty backfield set. This left Brees with the game in his hands. Houston was forced to man coverage which created great match ups for the Saints. Sproles, Graham and Moore were the benefactors of Brees' uncanny knack for pre-snap reads. A 27 yard pass to Graham that Brees could not have walked up and placed the ball any better. TD! A 16 yard back shoulder to Moore. TD! Two point conversion! A lucky bounce of the ball in Houston's favor followed. No worries, Brees has this. Sproles the the left, Moore on a quick slant, Graham up the seam. RB Mark Ingram, a 13 yard run. TD! Two 2 point conversion!
Throw in a pic from Jabari Greer and an end of game defensive stand and Houston was Texas toast.
You could almost see the little birds flyng around their collective heads as they sat, crossed eyed, in amazement.
You could almost hear them mumbling just above a confused whisper. "Uh, what just happened?
What Just happened you ask?
Two words.
Drew Brees!
Is there anything else to say?
After Sunday's performance agianst the Texans, that's all I can think of.
Brees lead his team to a 40 point day. A day which he threw his first two interceptions of the year. That bears repeating. Drew Brees lead his team to a 40 point day despite throwing two pics!
You don't have to be Sheldon from "The Big Bang Theory" to figure this out, that there Saints QB is pretty darn good.
Ask the Texans.
After being smoked like a brisket on a Texas spit, all they could do was spew cliches and platitudes. "They're not unstoppable, we just couldn't stop them", claimed the chorus of Texans' DBs fresh off giving up nearly 400 yards. You can hardly blame them for sounding so lame, I'm sure their heads are still spinning. Spinning to left for Lance Moore, spinning to the right for Jimmy Graham. Spinning like Linda Blair for Darren Sproles. I mean, who can blame them for such foolish talk.
Once again Brees displayed why he should always be mentioned in the same breath as Brady and Manning. After Matt Schaub hit TE James Casey on a 26 yard pass to put Houston up 26-17 with 14:54 remaing in the game, it looked like the Saints defense was gong to have to take another one on the chin. Then Sean Peyton went to the empty backfield set. This left Brees with the game in his hands. Houston was forced to man coverage which created great match ups for the Saints. Sproles, Graham and Moore were the benefactors of Brees' uncanny knack for pre-snap reads. A 27 yard pass to Graham that Brees could not have walked up and placed the ball any better. TD! A 16 yard back shoulder to Moore. TD! Two point conversion! A lucky bounce of the ball in Houston's favor followed. No worries, Brees has this. Sproles the the left, Moore on a quick slant, Graham up the seam. RB Mark Ingram, a 13 yard run. TD! Two 2 point conversion!
Throw in a pic from Jabari Greer and an end of game defensive stand and Houston was Texas toast.
You could almost see the little birds flyng around their collective heads as they sat, crossed eyed, in amazement.
You could almost hear them mumbling just above a confused whisper. "Uh, what just happened?
What Just happened you ask?
Two words.
Drew Brees!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Well look who decided to show up!
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.
***********************************************************************************
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.
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.
***********************************************************************************
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.
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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