To be considered a great team, it has to handle games like this upcoming Sunday just like it did against Indianapolis. The Rams were 0-8 in 2007 getting their first win of the year against the Saints. Like the Colts game, Nawlins needs a fast start first qtr. The Rams average less than 10 points a game and Bradford is out or should be. I am thinking a big win on Sunday can give the Saints enough confidence to make that Super Bowl run. Looking at the #'s we are 25th in the NFL in points allowed. However we are #1 in the NFCS! After this game the #'s will reflect different with back-to-back blowouts. The remaining schedule seems relatively easy. I wouldn't be surprised if we won the rest of our games. If there were any year to win another championship this is the year! The AFC appears to be weak so a rematch with GB in the playoffs will be redemption time and the only true roadblock. Staying healthy will be key as always. I think Lance Romance Moore (1 TD) and Pierre Thomas need to put up bigger numbers then what they have, taking some ware and tare off of Sproles, Graham and Colston. Everyone is excited to have Ivory back but don't expect much from him as he hasn't practiced all year and NOT in football shape. I didn't like seeing Sproles running the rock up 50 in the forth against Indy so I hope Ivory catches on fast. Last week would have been a nice test run for CI. Still waiting to see that 100-yard game from Ingram. He seems to be getting better and better each week. Just my 2 cents go Saints all the way!
Good post, I agree for the most part; especially concerning the running game. We had over 200 yards rushing on Sun, which was the most in a while, so hopefully that continues and I don't think it's any coincidence that it happened with De la Puenta starting. When we first signed Kreutz, I thought it was a great pick up, but he was obviously the weak leak on the O-line. (My apologies to Nicks and Greer because I dogged them earlier for their play, but they were both mauling guys Sunday night; especially Carl). I too am wanting Ingram to have a breakout game, but he got nicked up in the 4th Q of the Indy game, so I slightly disagree and think we will see Ivory on Sunday. The only thing is - Ingram strikes me as one of those backs that the more attempts per game that he gets, the better he is. I think he needs 20-25 carries a game to be at his best, but Payton's offense is just not conducive one back getting the bulk of the carries; especially when we have #43 back there too. Still, what a great problem to have, right? Ingram will just have to adjust his game; which I think he will as the season goes on and he continues to learn.
That's true I didn't even think of DLP manning up the center position. Good point. Funny how the saints seem to always have a solid center going back to Jerry Fotinoux sp? Krutz was on the trading block from what I read that's why he hung it up. What do you think about Cam Jordan so far? Seems to be having a better year then Ironheads son the next DE drafted after him. But where are the sacks @? Not sure he has one yet...
Rogers and Franklin have been absolute duds so far this year. Two more swings and misses by Loomis in FA, but I'll give him a pass because a) he really couldn't have seen it. Again, on paper, these seemed like solid pickups and b) he did sign #43, who IMO is the biggest FA acquisition in the NFL this year. Rogers is only good when motivated and with this being a contract year for him, I thought he'd play better. As for Jordan, I think he's been ok. The poor play of the interior line has impacted him because opponents don't have to double Rogers, which I think Greg Williams was counting on. I have noticed that he's played better the last few weeks, which incidently, has coincided with the return of Will Smith. I think he'll be fine going forward, but if we could get some consistency out of the interior, we'd be doing alot better.
The defense has been woefully inconsistent, and while I hate to knock one of my favorite players, it looks to me like Jonathan Vilma is slowing down. He's not making the plays in the run game he used to make. That could be due to our DT's not keeping the linemen off him, but the fact that Payton's been giving him Thursday's off to rest his knees is significant, IMO. Very few of the defensive players have been consistent this year. I think in the last few weeks, Greer and P. Robinson have stepped up their games. Jenkins has been steady, but he's not contributing anything in the way of big plays. Ditto Will Smith. Rogers, Franklin, Ellis.....all disappointing. Overall, the defense has had a tendency to play well with a 10-point lead, but has been spotty when asked to stand toe-to-toe with opponents.
I think Smith has played decent since his return. Maybe he just needs to get into 'football shape'? Interior line has been woefully bad. I think you're right about Vilma, but it may be more about his injuries than his age. Just something about these Louisiana teams that can't get good consistent LB play.
We used up our linebacker karma in the '80s and '90s with Jackson, Mills, Swilling and Johnson. It was unfair to have that much linebacker talent on one team.
I have to agree Vilma doesn't seem to be making as many plays, for whatever reason, this year. I think Casillas can be a very good linebacker as he gains experience if he has the instincts. The athletic ability is there. He is fast and can fly to the ball.
