Re: Observations from the Saints' close loss to the Vikings
 

Yes, refs impact games. They're human and prone to mistakes for various reasons that can include sins. Take that where you want...

But I agree with Oak - not enough to blame our misfortunes this particular season so far.

I'd rather see this team execute better before I turn my attention to zebra conspiracy.

Re: Observations from the Saints' close loss to the Vikings
 

This team is undisciined. So are the refs. That is not a winning formula.

Re: Observations from the Saints' close loss to the Vikings
 

Each to a varying degree but when you don't control what you should control, the refs are less relevant.

Re: Observations from the Saints' close loss to the Vikings
 

I am not disagreeing about referee quality, I am simply giving it less weight. I am giving it less weight because placing blame where you can not effect change only yields the same result. Crap man, look at our politics, everyone is on the eternal proverbial hook and nothing changes :)....

Refs are problematic in every league at every level, in baseball its Umpires. No one is getting let off the hook, there is just no history of that being addressed or resolved. The NFL as you are aware prefers to change rules than to terminate officiating crews that are below average.

So the question for me becomes what can be done about the referees; and if nothing (as it seems), how do we minimize the impact of poor officiating?

I am right back to not playing poorly because that is the only place the team can effect change. :bng:

Re: Observations from the Saints' close loss to the Vikings
 

It sucks that we lost but I came away pretty encouraged with the rest of the season. I honestly thought Minnesota was going to kick our teeth in. While their receivers abused us(they do it to most teams), we barely lost a winnable game.

I can't emphasis enough that point made earlier about Dalton actually knowing the offense. Night and day. Anyhow...

Imagine Werner with another 10 lbs of muscle on him?

I'm no sunshine pumper but if we're healthy and with some luck, I think we can turn this around.

Re: Observations from the Saints' close loss to the Vikings
 

Echo that.

With this ROSTER, we should be able to turn things around.

Re: Observations from the Saints' close loss to the Vikings
 

I can believe it after seeing the season penalty stats. The Vikings are one of two teams that have not been called for a single offensive hold after four games.

Re: Observations from the Saints' close loss to the Vikings
 

But IMO the refs are being let off the hook with the “can’t blame them” attitude Oak. And since you brought it up let’s look at baseball.

That sport has embraced technology well. They are able to review and challenge just about everything on the field except balls and strikes and that will change in a few seasons. They have realized that umps can screw up the game to such a degree that something needed to change. They’ve taken advantage of technology to make sure calls are correct.

The NFL has done the exact opposite. There is no standard for camera coverage on games or what views can be used for review. Far too many easily reviewable plays are not allowed to be challenged. They briefly experiment with something like reviewing PI, screw THAT up, then say “oh well, nothing can be done”, then move back to the status quo that always just happens to screw the same teams over and over again with part time refs. It’s like they keep serving up the same turd sandwich and expect NFL fans to like it.

Sure a team can strive to play a perfect game and hope to put themselves far enough ahead that the refs can’t determine the winner. But that hardly ever is going to happen with any team. Why is it so much to ask that they get it right?

The team worked their butts off even with all their mistakes to take a late lead against Minnesota yesterday. The D (which had played so well up
to then) stopped them twice on third down only to have the refs call BS penalties (announcers and Perrera pointed them out). That’s just supposed to be chalked up as human error? Sorry, I’m tired of being offered a turd sandwich.

If the team would have lied down and rolled over and lost by multiple scores I’d let it rest. But they didn’t. In all 4 games so far I’ve seen them fight like hell (to Allen’s credit IMO) through adversity of their OWN making to put themselves in a position to win only to have the zebras chime in and give it to the other team. I find that pathetic and I’m gonna call it out. That’s just the way I see it.

Re: Observations from the Saints' close loss to the Vikings
 

maybe Strief and Marrone can be better coaches

Re: Observations from the Saints' close loss to the Vikings
 

If you don't clean up the miscues, penalties, false starts, HOLDING, fumbling ... you aren't going to win many games in the NFL.

It starts with COACHING.

DA, Pete, Dougie, special teams coach MUST do a better job in preparing these men to play.