TallySaint

Analysis: Saints still have a prayer, but several obstacles exist

Web Posted: 11/02/2005 12:00 AM CST

Mike Finger
San Antonio Express-News Staff Writer


There's a fine line between belief and delusion, and some might say New Orleans Saints safety Dwight Smith already has crossed it.

But no matter how crazy it sounds coming from a player whose team has been displaced by a hurricane and beaten in every torturous way imaginable, Smith is sure that karma eventually will be on the Saints' side.

"I believe in the football gods," Smith said. "I believe that no matter how bad things get, if you play the game the right way, good things will happen to you."

Halfway through their season in San Antonio, there haven't been many good things to talk about. What follows is a progress report on the areas in which the football gods are likely keeping track.


Rushing offense

The Saints lost starting running back Deuce McAllister to a season-ending knee injury in Week 5, but the combination of Aaron Stecker and Antowain Smith has done an admirable job of filling the void.

If anything, New Orleans has been guilty of not relying on its replacement tandem enough. Stecker and Smith both are averaging more than 4 yards per rush but Sunday combined for only 10 carries in what could have been a grind-it-out game against Miami.

A newly healthy offensive line could bode well for the Saints' ability to dominate teams on the ground. Look for them to refocus on that area beginning this week.


Passing offense

Before Sunday, the Saints had done a good job of protecting Aaron Brooks. But at no point in this season has he really been on a roll, due in part to injuries to his wide receivers and in part to his own inconsistency.

Brooks still can deliver the ball like few quarterbacks in the league. He throws strong out patterns, nice deep balls and shows tremendous touch. But almost every week he makes a couple of huge mistakes, whether he has an ill-advised pass intercepted or takes a head-scratching sack.

With Joe Horn back from a hamstring injury, Brooks will have a chance to bounce back. Just don't count on a smooth ride.


Rushing defense

The Saints faced four of the NFL's top nine running backs in the first half, so perhaps their 28th-place league rank against the run is understandable. But they also made 100-yard rushers out of Mewelde Moore and Ronnie Brown, so it hasn't been only superstars doing the damage.
Throughout the Saints' current four-game losing streak, they've been killed by long, time-consuming drives. And the best way to prevent those is by shoring up the run defense.


Passing defense

If there has been a bright spot to the Saints so far, this has been it. Despite the loss of safety Jay Bellamy to season-ending shoulder surgery and several nagging injuries, New Orleans ranks eighth in the league in defending the pass.

Cornerback Fred Thomas has returned to the starting lineup and has rediscovered the form that made him a Sports Illustrated All-Pro in 2002. Smith, Mike McKenzie and rookie safety Josh Bullocks also have played well. And with Tom Brady, Michael Vick and Jake Delhomme looming, the Saints will need to keep it up.


Special teams

Usually a strength of Jim Haslett's teams, this has been the most disappointing unit. The Saints lost kick returner Michael Lewis early in the season, missed four of six field goals during one stretch, and have committed more penalties on punts and kickoffs than anyone thought possible.

Haslett said consistency in personnel would help solve the problems. The Saints sure hope so.


Coaching/Intangibles

Considering all the obstacles the Saints faced in their move to San Antonio, Haslett and his staff should be lauded for the way they've been able to hold the team together. But Haslett repeatedly has said that all of the logistical difficulties should not be an excuse for poor play. And at 2-6, the Saints have seen plenty of that.

The happy-go-lucky nature of the Saints' locker room could serve them well as they face another rough two months of traveling. And if Smith is right, their reward from the football gods is on its way.


http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/f....1c64b86b.html

8)

My Guardian Angel wears a hard hat.

xan

I guess this writer feels that sugar coating this turd will make it more palatable to both the local "fans" and Mr. Benson.

Euphoria

I think he just wanted to write something with the tittle.

TheDeuce

BULLCRAP. What an idiot, this is the biggest load of crap ever. This guy should be thrown in a port-o-pot, pushed over, and then assaulted. Haslett should have been fired 2 years ago, and he definitely doesn't deserve ANY praise this year. His team sucks, and they keep getting worse. He's an awful coach who distills no discipline in his team which can be seen in the exhorbitant amount of penalties we have this season. Also, I think we have the worst turnover ratio (-12) in the NFL. This guy sucks, I want Ditka back

jrmllb

I'll take Ditka back, what about jimmy johnson in a comeback, he's got experience with dumbass owners, one thing is for sure we don't need Wannstadt, how about a deal for Pete Carrrol, tke that please and thank you...Any proven winner will do, they have to be capable of inspiring our warriors

Euphoria

FISHER

TallySaint

Me thinks the writer made a few accurate points - so it wasn't total BS. His rah-rah attitude with fixes probably stunk it up a little.


My 2 cents.



8)

spkb25

wouldn't mind fisher