Re: how much of Brees problems are due to the Olines?
 

Here's my take:

1) Drew is pressing. This, first and foremost, is the reason for the bad play. He feels the need to carry the entire team because that's his nature and his nature is over-amplified because of SP being gone, because he feels the need to justify his contract, and because he feels like we need big leads with our questionable D.

2) Only slightly behind #1, our receivers are a disaster area. Look at the passes that have been dropped this year that wouldn't have been in previous years. Look at Graham not fighting for the ball consistently when last year he would have seemingly taken someone's head off if it was between him and the ball. If our receivers catch half of the EXTREMELY catchable balls they've been dropping, we're talking about 7-10 point victories in most of the games where we've had close losses.

3) The O-Line has not been good. You can't (IMO) look at the plays where Drew throws the picks and say "well, he had protection on that play" when he's been getting the crap knocked out of him the rest of the season. That fouls up timing, confidence, etc.

4) I don't know why we're not running more. We start every game balanced, then after 20 plays we seem to be saying "Oh, my god! We're not up by 30! Throw the ball!" This is making us predictable and one-dimensional. I think a lot of those picks are coming because defenders who should be on the look out for the run are able to spy Drew and jump routes.

5) And this is sort of the basket that's carrying 1-4, we don't have our coach. SP is the one who would be able to get Drew to relax. SP would get the play calling straightened out (although, I do think he called too many pass plays as well, but I think he would at least get the timing of when to call which play more reasonably timed). I don't know what he would do about the O-Line, but I bet if Kromer was working with them all year instead of having to worry about being interim coach they would have gelled a lot sooner than week 12 (ish).

I don't know. This season has been brutal. To have our guys do so poorly and have teams I hate (Niners, Pats, Packers, Falcons) do so well...I really am trying to look on the bright side, that our issues are fixable in the offseason. Hopefully SP will sign soon and the biggest distraction we'll have in the offseason will be Graham's contract situation...although, the way he's played this year, I can't see him having too much leverage at this point.

Re: how much of Brees problems are due to the Olines?
 

http://redriverpak.files.wordpress.c...5/laughing.jpg

Re: how much of Brees problems are due to the Olines?
 

Here's my take...
What a bunch of ingrates you all are for questioning Brees. The guy delivered a Super Bowl to what was a dumpster fire of a franchise. I was laughed at in grammar school, high school and college for being a Saints fan. The team was a joke.
This dude (with help) totally delivered us to the NFL elite. We were relvant. That is worth $200 million.
Brees' drive and attention to detail are un-matched.
See here:
He is just having a bad year. The team is having a bad year. That's it.
Without a head coach (who's the team's play caller), questioned week after week about Bounty gate... it was too much overcome.
You all should have seen it coming.
The challenge was unprecedented. The NFL took down the cocky kid, thy won this battle.
But we will be back.
Remember what you now...
And believe me when I say, Drew Brees will be the trigger man.

Re: how much of Brees problems are due to the Olines?
 

We are going to make the Super Bowl, and we are going to win.

Re: how much of Brees problems are due to the Olines?
 

#3 is the reason for #4... However, You are pretty much spot on with all of it. I whole hardheartedly agree...

That sort of logic will make you not popular with some.. :bugeyes:

Re: how much of Brees problems are due to the Olines?
 

Our defense has actually been getting better. We had Eli in check most of the game and got two interceptions off of him. The kickoff return Tds and the stalled 4th/1 drive that resulted in a fg was what lost us this game and because of those the saints played defeated. But we might need to work on the offense some. I'm getting tired of the other top qbs having big receivers while Brees doesnt have that(Graham is a TE). I just want to see what Brees could do with a Julio Jones type receiver on the team.

Re: how much of Brees problems are due to the Olines?
 

You're out of your WHO DAT mind if you want to go into 2013 season with the current defense and not upgrading. The defense has gotten better but only from a hot garbage point of view...

The Giants just put up 50 points on them!!

Re: how much of Brees problems are due to the Olines?
 

Well, Julio Jones is listed as 6-3 and 220 while Colston is listed as 6-4 and 225, so as far as their stature goes - Colston is as big of a receiver as Jones is.

Naturally the two are different in their skill-sets and how they are used in their respective offenses, but as you made the statement about the stature of the receivers, I think that point is moot.

Also, Nick Toon is listed as 6-3 (6-4 by the Saints) and 218, so he is another receiver the Saints will most likely have in their arsenal next season who is of the same stature as Julio Jones.