Getting to Know the New Orleans Saints

by Brandon on Nov 18, 2008 12:37 AM CST in Analysis Comment 4 comments

Man it looks like it has been one tough season down in New Orleans. The number one thing I was curious about was the status of RB Deuce McAllister, DE Charles Grant, and DE Will Smith, who are appealing their four game suspensions on Tuesday with the league office for using the diuretic Bumetanide. I don't know how they get out of that one. McAllister is having a good season, but his likely replacement is RB Pierre Thomas and he's just as good. Losing Grant and Smith would really hurt their pass rush, but Grant's already out for the season so his absense is a sure thing. But this is just another chapter in a long string of bad news in 2008 for the Saints:

This team has been gutted by injuries. I counted 11 guys on I.R. Unfortunately former Packer CB Mike McKenzie is on I.R. too, so no chance to abuse him in coverage. I scanned their roster and realized that QB Mark Brunell is still playing in the NFL. And they've got QB Joey Harrington? They've got all the veteran backup QBs! No wonder the Packers had to settle for two rookie QBs behind QB Aaron Rodgers.
Although the Saints are 3-1 at home this season, they haven't played in New Orleans since October 12th because their last "home" game was in London. Due to all the injuries, "since that game, the 53-man roster has undergone nearly a 17 percent turnover."
The Saints big move this season, the trade for TE Jeremy Shockey, has been a complete disaster.
The NFC South has turned into one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. Although the Saints are 5-5, they are three games behind Carolina for the division lead, and depending on the tie-breakers, there are four to seven teams ahead of them for the final wild card spot. It wouldn't kill the Packers if they lost on Monday, but it would put the Saints' season on life support.
Where would this team be without QB Drew Brees? It seems like he's holding them together, but I also noticed it has been feast-or-famine for him all season. In 10 games this season, his passer rating has been above 110 in 4 games, and below 70 in 5. He does seem to play much better in the Superdome. The only time his passer rating has been below 116 at home was in their loss to Minnesota.

Poll

Are you worried about playing the Saints?

No way, easy Packer win

12 votes

Watch out, the Packers are better but it's a classic let down game after beating Chicago

45 votes

57 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

The Pack needs to take advantage of a Saints team that will not be at full strength thanks to the injuries and suspensions that Brandon noted. Jump out early on them and wear them down. Maybe go play action early since they will have seen the way that we dominated the Bears on the ground and catch them trying to prevent that from happening to them. Sounds like The Professor (here’s looking at you Mitchell) might have a chance to make a big play early.

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on Nov 18, 2008 12:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hold on there Cheeseheads

How come there’s no third choice up there…like “Dang! After all the bad luck we’ve had this season, now we have to contend with the Saints?”

Never mind, I already know why…

Honestly, on a good night the Saints’ offense can blow out anyone in the league. But your defense is much better than ours. We’ll need an off night by Rodgers or a flat Packer defense to have a reasonable chance. I don’t suppose you’d consider donating a game? In your division, you can always make it up later.

Fire Gary Gibbs!

by MtnExile on Nov 18, 2008 2:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Packer defense

The Saints best chance to win is to copy the formula used by Atlanta back in week 6. Some big plays to Roddy White early. No turnovers. Win the field position battle. Make the Packers work slowly down the field. Run the ball a lot to keep the Packer offense off the field.

by Brandon on Nov 19, 2008 12:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Saints offense

Big plays: got that covered (no Roddy White, though. Will Lance Moore do?)

No turnovers: well, we’ll have to work on that one.

Field position battle: our new punter is doing okay so far. Our kicker is capable of actually getting touchbacks, wonder of wonders.

Make the Packers work slowly down the field: that depends entirely on the Packers. If they want to work slowly down the field, fine. But if they want to strike quickly, the Saints’ defense has pretty much been an open gate.

Run the ball a lot: here you touch on a very sensitive spot for Saints fans. We still (for the most part) believe in Deuce McAllister; but Payton seems to have a constitutional aversion to the run game, and especially to Deuce. Pierre Thomas is getting more touches (and doing a good job), but even against the worst run defense in the NFL Deuce only got 8 carries; and some of them came in short yardage situations, so his average looks horrendous. Now, Reggie Bush will probably be back; but Reggie has proven he’s not a ball-control type runner. Besides, there’s still the problem that Payton lives for the pass.

Fire Gary Gibbs unless the Saints win all the rest of their games and go to the playoffs!

by MtnExile on Nov 19, 2008 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs