Top Ten Points About the Game Itself
 

here's what comes to me first, share your points too-

1.) Payton is a master playcaller. Incredible balance, creative (a friggin successful double reverse in the NFL??), and use of the clock.

2.) I love seeing a coach with emotion. My enduring memory of Haz will be his disgusted look with his forehead on his hand. Payton? What about that jumping for joy after the blocked punt! Ya think that score earned Deloach andy free ride? After that stupid penalty it looked like Payton needed to be restrained or he was gonna slug him. (not the first time seeing that)

3.) Scott Fujita is playing at an All Pro level

4.) a rerun- Venturi WAS THAT BAD. The talent level is not that much different on D. We have 2 journeyman LBs installed at the end of camp, shakey corners, and young safeties. Yet, they are geling and hitting like felons (couldn't help it).

5.) The O-Line might be the story of the year for the team. I was fearful at the start of camp. They are protecting Brees wonderfully.

6.) Where in the world have you been all your career here Brian Young? Point #4?? Hollis Thomas that good next to you? He was dinged up this week too. Impressive performance.

7.) Can we agree the questions about Payton's personnel selection should dissipate? Especially how he ranted how everyone needed to be a contributor particularly on special teams... Gleason over others, Deloach=Milne, etc.

8.) I love the evolving no-name offense. That is, the ball is spread around so much everyone gets a piece of the action, not just an one man show like LJ in KC. Steve Young called it not triplets (ala Aikman-Smith-Irvin) but quadruplets: Brees-Bush-Deuce-Horn. And that is with the world just becoming aware of Colston.

9.) another rerun- 4 penalties for 40 yards. We have to be on track for one of the biggest turnarounds in penalties in NFL history.

10.) still one final rerun- I have to one more time, now it is all cheering for ya dude... my apologies to John Carney. Keep on shooting up that Geritol. For the year 9 for 9. The yards- 20, 21, 25, 43, 45, 47, and last night 20, 37, and 51!

RE: Top Ten Points About the Game Itself
 

I'd like to add something...

11.) Joe Horn, for all his showboating, would get my vote for mayor after that catch he made last night. When he waved everyone off and pulled himself off the turf in obvious pain. NOBODY makes a statement like Joe Horn. I hope that meant as much to eveyone else as it did to me.

did everyone remember he had that contusion in his lower back when that hit was made? I thought "you may be getting old but you are one tough mf"

Later, he had another first down catch where he was pulling himself off the turf. He usually has his flamboyant first down demonstration. He was on one knee and with arm resting on his knee, he weakly signaled first down. Again, it was like him saying, You can hit me or hurt me but I will not be denied. First down mf!

I got 6 points I'm going to throw in there as well if ya dont mind LKelley........


1. This is what people mean by a team. Not 1 or 2 guys having a good game but all 3 sides of the ball getting it done. Offense getting yards and long drives with points against a very good defense. Special teams making plays and setting the tempo early. And our no name defense shutting down the Atlanta offense that every sports guy has been all up on their ^%#.

2. Secondary. This is prolly our weakest link, but we made some plays tonite. We didnt go for the gamebreaker, or try the INT for a TD, but everytime, right before that ball got to their hands, we had a DB on his ass and got a hand in to knock it away. Granted, there were a couple times they just dropped the ball, our DB's were there more often than not and had great timing for a young group. Hats off.

3. Intelligence. This is something we havent seen in a while. Great playcalling, not very many flags, staying in our lanes. Just down right faith in Payton and what he is teaching those guys. Goes to show what coaching can do with a little talent.

4. Bush. The guy is adapting more and more to the NFL and making smarter plays. Every once in a while you see the kid try to do too much, going east and west. But, you see this kid has his eye on the 1st down marker and thats where he is heading. He realizes he isnt going to break it everytime, and thats great. Hes being steady and thats all that we can ask.

5. Brees- The guy manages a game. No doubt about it, this guy cannot be rattled. Last week, 3 turnovers early, he shakes it off, leads us to a comeback victory. This week, tons of pressure, huge game. Comes out and plays with poise and lets everyone know its gunna be alright. Takes it one down at a time and has heart. The guy throws a block on the "Superdome Special" hes got somthing. Without that block, we are at the 2 or 3 and maybe not getting 7.

6. The city. Im not from New Orleans. I have friends and family there. But these are my people. Seeing everyone there, forgetting about the past year, having somethign to cheer about. That was the real win. The city is comin back, and soon I'll be in Nawlins to do my part. Much love and respect to the players, the coaches the fans and the city.

good pts, keep'em coming.

*I think the intelligence factor- gameplaning and play calling are coming to the forefront as a team strength.

*The Brees block- can anyone imagine this occur in our past? It takes "team" thought to make that happen.

Deuce sealed his guy on that play too. And have you guys looked at the PF PA stats in our division? It's almost scary to think how good we can be on offense when we start punching it in rather than taking the 3.

duece made a hell-of-a block on that double reverse as well
UNSELFISH......................................

HIGH POINTS
#1. The saints embarassed the dirty birds
2. The entertainment.WOW
3. Joe Horn. nuff said
4. Payton's discipline
5. Payton running around the dome after the game shaking fans hands
6. Thomas. The old man can still play
7. Deuce. He is lookin good.
8. for once, goin to a Saints game, and them controlling the game for 60 minutes
9. The D, the special teams, the whole frickin team
10 Bush Sr. leaving through the tunnel after the coin toss, shaking people's hands. The very last guy he comes to shakes his hand and lets Bush have it for about 2 minutes straight. He wouldn't let Bush walk away. Just kept reaming him. I couldn't stop laughin.
11. The crowd. I couldnt sit down the whole game b/c I was so pumped up

The 1 Negative
They ran out of beer for about thirty minutes, and I never saw a beerman in my section (125)

I bet Michael Lewis could getcha a cold one fast

I loved the block Brees made on that reverse. That made me proud.

couple other points:

1. I know you guys already touched on the job our secondary did but I'd like to focus on Harper. Harper took a big step forward in this game in both pass coverage and containing vick. He looked much better in this game then in the previous 2. The rest of the secondary played well but we know what they are capable of if the play well. Harper showed me he has the potential to be a real good safety.

2. Colston showed he can play against any defense. As if there were any doubts, he is easily the steal of the draft.

3. Another player who caught my eye was Grant. He seemed to play with a lot of emotion and pride and had some good rushes on vick, I thought he had a very good game.

Overall, this was the best I've seen the saints play in years. They dominated the falcons in all aspects of the game and I couldn't be happier with this team and the direction they are heading in.

Harper and Bullocks had an OUTSTANDING game. Our playing calling was awesome and we dominated in every aspect of the game. Hats off Saints... I had us losing by a touchdown.

Go Saints!

1) I had major freakin' goose bumps when I first saw the inside of the dome on TV. It seems like it's been 5 years since I last saw it. And I love the new lights and improvements they made. Dome Sweet Dome indeed. Thanks to the NFL and all the crews in NO who busted their butts to put the Dome right again.

2) The punt block. Holy crap, the Saints played Beamer Ball last night. When was the last time the Saints blocked a punt period? You couldn't have scripted a better beginning of the game. That was redemption for fumbling the opening kickoff vs NYG on national TV last year.

3) Goo/Green/U2. I listen to a heavier breed of music most of the time, but I respect the talent and integrity of these bands. They put on a great show. U2 in particular. If there is a cause to be rallied and a rock band is needed Bono and co. are the bomb. Great choice by the NFL.

4) Gary Gibbs let the dogs out. We took our chances and it paid off. Great schemes and great performance by the D. The defenders gave each other help and showed little weakness.

5) The Falcons showed up, but they never raised their game to our level. Vick played right into our hands at times. I'm sure some old witch out there in the swamp was sticking a Vick doll all night. Tough spot for Jim Mora Jr, but that's why they pay him big bucks.

6) We SUSTAINED the intensity. My biggest fear after the punt block was that the adrenaline would wear off after halftime and Atlanta would strike back. Kudos to the team for staying focused and maintaining that edge throughout the game.

7) Great offensive playcalling by Payton. Payton looked like was coordinating the assault of the Death Star. Didn't get too caught up in the emotion and go for four downs when we were ahead. which was a good choice.

8) No turnovers for the Saints! None for Atlanta either, for that matter. It was nice to see a game that was defined by proper execution instead of mistakes.

9) The support and noise of the Dome crowd. You are as diehard as they come.

10) NOLA and the Gulf South. Your perserverance and strength through such trials is an inspiration and a reminder of the power of human spirit.

Whodi finally got through on the phone to "Jogger" Grant it seems

good one kelly

The only thing I want to add is the play of Drew. he took what the defense was giving him. It only took a split second for him to see them. all the brady fans here say he is worth the 60 million and we were very impressed of the team as a whole. They did say one thing to me and I know it is true having been to Pats games over the past 5 years. The home crowd can turn a team around. If the dome continues to rock there will be more wins to come even if times get rough.