Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Surprised this isn’t posted yet but I assume most here are happily intoxicated.

What did you see that you liked/disliked?

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Still floating a bit, as that was intensely refreshing… but the Panthers ARE a bad team.
Still… going into this week on a high note for sure.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Excited by the performance. But tempered by watching how good Mayfield and the Yucks look against the Redskins.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Not ready to award the Superbowl trophy yet, but the Saints dominated the Panthers. Yes, they are a bad team, but the Saints did what they should have done and won the game easily.

Overall.... a good start.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

• Being able to run the ball as well as we did really helps this offense out. It makes things easier for the offensive line and Edna Carr. Like I said in the preseason, if we can run the ball and play elite defense we can make a playoff run.

• Carr had more pep in his step. He had more swag. He was trying to push the ball down field on 3rd and 5+’s. He wasn’t worried about the first down. He was trying to attack. I like that. I respect that. I want that aggression to continue. He was accurate today as well. Happy with Carr today.

• Offensive line performed extremely well for it to be a source of contention. I didn’t pay much attention to Penning, but he didn’t make mistakes that jumped off the screen either. This scheme may compliment them as a unit.

• The defense is just as elite as I anticipated. I’m hoping it isn’t because we were facing Carolina. I don’t think that’s the case though. Chase Young. Carl Granderson. The entire secondary. Willie Gay. I believe we have a top 5 defense.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Panthers only got 193 total yards?! Holy crap!

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Not much I didn't like.

Offense

• Offensive playcall was completely different
• REAL play action pass plays
• NO throwing for 8 yards on example "3rd and 12"
• Offensive line played very well

Defense

• Played solid
• Coverage good
• Run stop great

Special Teams

What was not to like?

Next week will be a better indicator of where this team really is playing Dallas. Much more talented team that also "peaks" early in the season.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Klint Kubiak's game plan.

See AK, see Taysom, see Shaheed.

That defense looks like it could be top-tier. I was confused as hell though with some of those jersey numbers (Gay, Harris & Kool-Aid).

The Panthers are probably looking at getting another top pick in the draft though. They are that bad. The Dallas game on the road is a much better gauge of where we are as a team.

Dislikes - I just don't like Shaheed covering punts & kick-offs. Can we get someone else to take care of special team duties?

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Just one game but the vibe was electric throughout. If Carr keeps this up he’ll win over some bitter fans quickly.
Even the Special Teams was on fire today.
Terrific game.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

They’ll be drafting a QB.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

True Dat :beatnik:

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Great win. Been a minute since I’ve seen a dominant performance from this team. I always love seeing them play with execution, passion, and aggression. Reminds me of the Sean days. I really want to see what they do against a good team, but regardless, hell of a start.
Would also like to see more pressure/sacks from the D line. Thank god we have a good secondary.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

DEFENSE was ...wow..just wow. :beatnik:

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

It's been while hasn't it since the Saints have sniffed a fifty burger game. This is the NFL. Even sucky teams don't get scored on them like that.

Kubiak has made a difference with our offense. We'll see how the season progresses as teams analyze game film on us. Yes, the Panties aren't the team we're facing next, the CowGirls. Bryce Young is sniffing bust territory.

Our defense is legit. And that's with Lattimore not even playing. That's probably the best backfield we've ever had. Kudos to Alontae. Chase Young's addition is already proving valuable. Even Peyton Turner helped out.

Special teams look improve too. Grupe especially.

Enjoy the win. We get to play the most overpaid QB next. And he chokes more than most.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

The Good:
Wow. Where do I begin?
- Special Teams are all over coverage!
- Hard to believe that this is the same Gruppe we had doubts about!
- Alontae Taylor. 3 sacks? Where the hell did that come from? (I ain't complaining! But DAYUM!!!)
- Carr found his rhythm and hit receivers in stride.
- O line was solid as a unit. Some ticky tack fouls, but overall they looked good.
- TE play was probably the best I've seen it in a long while.
- Kube's use of Hill and Kamara was off the charts good (Finally!)

The Bad:
Nit picking here.
- TE coverage over the middle was spotty
- Contain on the QB on plays extened will be a problem with a QB who can run.
- Manufactured sacks are OK, but we need to see sacks from our Front Four.

The Ugly:
- Injuries. Ugh. Lattimore with his hammy. Moreau with a concussion (where that bonnet boys!)

Overall: Both sides of the ball get an A+. Especially since we historically have a habit of letting our foot off the gas when we go out in front! Way to bring it early and often with an early 1st Round Knockout!

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Here is an observation for you…. after seeing what happened in the games yesterday I am VERY glad we didn’t end up with Deshaun Watson like Cleveland did!

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

QB is the least of the Panthers problems and they'll probably end up ruining Bryce at this rate because they can't do anything for him. They'll ruin anyone they bring in.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Can you imagine where this franchise would be stuck with that contract? And to think we were in 'competition' for that trash? :rolleyes:

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Bullet Points!?!?! Damn, you stepping up your game Rez!

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

I think more accountability could have played a role in our improved performance. 2023 was the offseason of zero accountability with players who didnt contribute at all being universally handed extensions for financial reasons and Cam Jordan getting a golden parachute inflated deal, as well as Cesar Ruiz being extended before week 1 as a reward for mediocrity. This year the Saints could not fully clean house but at least they did use their two post-June-1 designations. They got Davis, Mathieu, and Ram to agree to pay cuts. They didn't give Kamara or Lattimore extensions. They are asking players to actually prove it. That could be having a positive effect on the team.

I think Young is a big part of the Panthers problems. A good QB could not be consistent on that team but at least they could flash a little. Young looks like a shrimp out there, imposes no fear, and throws directly to the defense. He is a college system QB without NFL skills. Remember that when Brees came to the Saints he was undersized too, but he took a 7th round college TE and made him a #1 WR. Young just doesnt have it.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

After doing a little math (not my best subject) I’ve observed the following; going back to last season’s bye week (so a total of 8 games including yesterday) Derek Carr has some pretty good numbers….

70% completion percentage
15 TD passes
4 INT
201 YPG

Certainly things get tougher the next few weeks. But I don’t feel hopeless with the QB situation.

P.S. If I would have been told before the game started that our backup QB was going to be playing in the 4th Q I’d have been upset!

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Chase Young is going be really good this year if he stays healthy.
Injuries were ugly yesterday and I hope that Marshon can play a full season. If not, this defensive backfield is the best the Saints have ever had and they should still be very good.
The offensive line played well yesterday. I hope the LG's toe injury isn't terrible. Penning played well.
I'm glad the Saints QB doesn't wear fingernail polish like the Bears QB.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

* Divisional win. Always important!

* The team rushed for 180 yds on 37 carries for a 4.9yd average. I'll take that any day. O-line did a great job as a group. Loved to see how much they got downfield and after defenders.

* Carr was effective with an 82% completion rate. Didn't seem that streesed in the pocket and didn't force stuff. I won't expect him to keep that percentage up but would be happy if he could stay around 70%.

* Distribution of the ball. 9 WRs were targets for a pass. 4 RBs carried the ball. It makes it harder for a defence to isolate a certain players when other guys can produce too.

*Playcalling was creative. Last year I could call out pretty much what every play was gonna be beforehand. That didn't happen this game. And if I could do that at home in my couch you can bet opposing defences could too.

* Davis still brings the lumber on defence.

* 3 takeaways is huge on defence.

* D-line was getting some decent pressure but needs to start producing som sacks. Sure the shrimp is mobile but its not Vick they were trying to contain. I hope the D-line coach gives them some crap for letting a CB out-sack the unit, I want them to play angry against the Cowboys.

* ST looked good in all phases. I am glad we got a new punter.

* Penalties needs to be cleaned up. 10 for 95yds are too many. We still dominated this week but that can cost us games.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

My favorite part of the game yesterday was Jaycee Horn popping off to Carr and Carr obviously saying "I got three touchdowns on YOU".

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

We'll see what happens in the coming weeks. One problem is that a good Carr maybe gets us a wildcard but does not get us a ring, unless we have the right team around him. And if Carr is good, he will insist on collecting that $40 million in 2025 and $50 million in 2026 and more beyond that, he won't give us any breaks, he said in an interview that he told his agent when he signed with the Saints 'I don't care about money I just want to win' and then he signed for the same per year as Aaron Rodgers when clearly his resume is much less, so Carr is going to get every dime he can for average to above average play and make it harder to put a great team around him. I worry that even if Carr is good, we end up in a trap like Jax with Lawrence or Lions with Goff or Falcons with Ryan, where paying an above average QB who is not clutch in the playoffs championship level money gets us nowhere but maybe a wildcard if we are lucky.

This is not to say you can't win with a Goff type QB. Its really hard but you can. But to do so you need a great coach and Hutchinsons, Sewells, St Browns, etc in their prime all around him, many producing far above their contract prices, and we have been mortgaging the future on players near the end of their career and often drafting poorly. Overall, even if Carr can produce above average, I like our odds long term better if we are not paying him $40-50 million a year long term. For Carr's contract to truly be a win, he needs to not only play up to it, but play above it, to be great. And I am skeptical of whether he can do that. He lit up a bad team, but so did Sam Darnold, for a lot less money.

If Carr has a good year and gets us deep in the playoffs, great, do everything to build around him. But if he has a good year but we still struggle, then focus on cleaning up the cap by moving on from other struggling vets like possibly Ram, Lattimore, and Jordan, and put a younger higher upside team around Carr, while having more financial options for the future.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

This Kubiak led offense scored on their first NINE possessions. That is extremely impressive against ANY NFL team.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

This is the type of stuff that guys like Underhill and Triplett were seeing in offseason practice but was kept under wraps in the three preseason games. I saw more pre snap motion and pass action in our first game than Carmichael attempted in all of last season.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not sold he’s the guy to lead us back to the SB. Those stats I posted were put up against “subpar” teams and his record is only 5-3 during that span (but has won 5 out of last 6). Lots of work still to do and he could fall on his face in the next month’s worth of games.

But many on the forum have maintained that he sucks (or some form of that opinion). I can’t agree that his performance (especially with the Saints so far) warrant that opinion.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

I don't think that there is an other player in the NFL that matches Kamara's balance. He and Pierre Thomas are very similar.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

WHO DAT!

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

I'm still shell shocked. I hope Dallas lets us run up the score too.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

I'll just place this right here.

Re: Observations from the Saints win over the Panthers
 

The part that a few of you don’t get, is that “He sucks” means, we stay mediocre enough to keep him in the driver’s seat, and Dennis Allen at the helm. Some of y’all just don’t get the frustration of not rebuilding from the top down, especially in key positions, and it makes those who do get it, seem like “Haters”, or fans that WANT our team to suck badly enough to be properly rebuilt.