Brees disects the Buc defense in the first half. Defense got off to a slow start, but back-to-back stops to end the half helps us overcome a 14 point defecit and take a lead into the locker room. Vilma's return is certainly an emotional boost to the def.
Ron Cooper and the Bucs secondary... No passing TDs allowed in last 3 games (v Romo, RG3, Quinn) while intercepting them 3 times Cam Newton had 1 TD, 2 INT vs them Eli Manning has 3 TD, 3 INT vs them Opposing QBs had 4 TD, 8 INT v them (after Brees, it's now 8 TD, 9 INT) Opposing QBs had averaged a 79.9 passer rating v them Brees today: 4 TD, 1 INT, 130.1 rating Meanwhik, v our D, Josh Freeman set a career best and Vincent Jackson set a team record
Saints D is alot like LSU's O. Very frustrating to watch. That said, I thought the ending was poetic justice. Williams pushed off the Saint's defender (forget who it was) to establish position.
We dodged a bullet - or was it a cannonball? - in the end. Disappointed that the offense was so quiet after lighting it up the way they did for a quarter and a half. But, the defense continues to show signs of life, if not a genuine leap towards respectability. And Joe Vitt, it is said, was on the plane ride home with the team and is already back at work. This season can be salvaged.
I think so too. The NFC is so mediocre this year, plus we've already leaped Carolina and put them in th basement of the division and, by virtue of today's win, we hold a .5 game lead on TB for second place. Overall, our offense is still great, but we still lack a rushing attack that makes us elite. I don't think we've even rushed for 100 yards but maybe once this year and it almost cost us today when we couldn't put the game away and had to punt it back with 3m left. With Vitt back to work, maybe Kroemer can now focus on his O-line so we can get that running game going. Our defense may be better than it was at the beginning of the year, but it's still pretty putrid; most notably in 'must stop' situations. For example, TB has to drive the length of the field to score the tying TD and gets 50 yards on the very first play of the drive. Still a head's up play by Jenkins? to push TB WR out of bounds to save the game.
Sooner or later, they are going to have to acknowledge that they miscalculated on Ingram, and put Ivory ahead of him. That will fix the running game. Yep, defense still has a long way to go, but I believe they have definitely improved since the beginning of the year.
I agree Ivory should get the nod over Ingram, but I don't think he (Ingram) is a total bust. He's just not a good fit for the Saint's system. I've stated this a ton, but Ingram is an every down back. He needs 15-20 carries per game to get into a rhythm. The more carries he has, the stronger he gets. If we keep him, he should be our 4Q back when we've got the lead. Just hand him the ball and let him go to work. If not, activate Ivory and let him find another opportunity elsewhere.
