Reason for Collapse?
 

You have to realize now that teams playing the Saints will focus on stopping thier offense more now that the cats out of the bag so to speak. Game planning and mismatches will be key since teams will scrutinize film from last season and find ways to slow the Saints offense.

The Rams had that same problem also. Offenses are easier to gameplan against then a defense because they are initiating the play and the defense is reacting to that play. This is going to be the Saints biggest challenge this season IMO.

If Haslett does not put some wrinkles and new looks in the offense, teams will exploit them and it will be a long year and December won\'t be your worry.

[Edited on 7/8/2003 by Batwood]

Reason for Collapse?
 

Boy that\'s a news flash ! ! If they can match up with Donte, Horn, Sloan, Brooks, McAllister, and Conwell then my hats off to them.

It\'s gonna take me longer to respond to this, because I have to stop laughing first. The Rams offense was stopped because of injuries chump. Offenses easier to game plan?? Please pull something out of that vast football pool of knowlege in your brain and explain that on to me?

.

We didn\'t put in new wrinkles in it the 2nd time we played the Bucs last year and well you know the rest........

Reason for Collapse?
 

OK chump I\'ll explain again, offenses are easier to gameplan against then a defense because they are initiating the play and the defense is reacting to that play. Understand now genious?

The second time the Saints played the Bucs, they again barely squeeked by and then the Vikes, Bengals & Panthers learned from the Bucs and already figured out those \'old wrinkles\" :)

If Haslett remains status quo like in his last three games of last year look for the Saints offense to struggle as there is no surprise factor anymore.

Reason for Collapse?
 

:casstet: When a QB steps up behind the center he is able to look at the defensive formation and make adjustments on the fly. Defenses are in a constant stuggle to match up with multiple receiver formations and running backs coming out of the backfield as a receiver.

Hey, but don\'t take my word for it, just look at how much scoring has gone up in the last decade.

Now, one would think if your theory was true that scoring would be going down and not up.

I do understand your position, since the Bucs really have no offense, but facts do not bear out your theory !!

CHU CHUMP !!

Reason for Collapse?
 

Just any minute now I would expect to hear from BUCNUP???????????????????????????
BC you never learn to leave these guys alone. They bait you and you bite everytime. Very soon we\'ll all have to see that damn ring again just like Sapp\'s fat @#$ on batwood posts. I hate looking at either one of them.

Reason for Collapse?
 

I guess if you have a REAL defense (Tampa is #1 in the NFL since 1997 on fewest points allowed) you would know what I meant. Scoring did go down last year when teams played the Bucs (even your Saints scored less than thier average).

FYI, The Bucs \"no offense\'s\" in the last 4 games of last year scored 121 points to it\'s opponants 30. How did your defense do in the last 4 games of last year? Did they improve?

But I do understand your position, since the Saints really have no defense. ;) BADA-BOOM!

Reason for Collapse?
 

Batwood,

While I know I\'m banging my head against a brink wall here. I hardly think the Bucs defense matches up to some of the great NFL defenses of all time. Like the 85\' Bears, the LT-Giants defense, or our DOME PATROL defense of the New Orleans Saints.

To say that scoring has not increased in the last decade is a totally false statement and if you wish to continue this debate, I would be more than happy, but if we\'re going to make this up as we go, it\'s really no fun.

Reason for Collapse?
 

Never stated that scoring has not increased in the last decade. Just said it hasn\'t against the Bucs since 1997. Stat wise, the Bucs defense of 2002 is closer to the 85 Bears than any other you listed, but that was pre-free agency and less impressive than the Bucs run of 6 years post-free-agency. If they repeat with consistant numbers like last year they will go down as the best ever in history considering they are doing it with 16 game schedules and during free agency era. That is what is driving the defense this year.

Reason for Collapse?
 

What you originally said was that offenses are easier to game plan for than defenses and I pointed out that scoring has gone up-which proves your theory wrong.

Thanks for admitting I was right

Botta Bing-Botta Boom-Botta-BAM....

Reason for Collapse?
 

Our fans won\'t be worreid this year about September, October, November, or DECEMBER! Our concern will be ticket and travel arraingements in January and February. The Saints offense has not utilized the McCarthy playbook to its fullest due to lack of TE production, and the lack of experience with youth at all skill positions, Brooks now will have two and one-half years , McAllister and Stallworth each with one full year, experiece as starters. The offense has more depth and speed, and weapons this year than last. Brace yourself for what can\'t be stopped.