LKelley67

1. Never Say Die spirit. This team is very different than the Haz teams that if you kicked them good, then they sluffed off in the corner. In every game this year you sense they never lose the fight to win whether behind or ahead.

2. Reggie electricity. The announcers said every time he gets the ball the crowd stands. It was cool that he was revving the crowd up before receiving that punt. It also was nice that the first TD was in the dome, a game winner, and an exciting long run (that was a fast 65yds).

3. Payton's challenge on the spot for the Reggie first down run. I dunno if I can remember that being challenged before. At least not won before, excellent call.

4. Another Payton play was talking the refs into the intentional grounding. It was right, but it was obvious that he convinced them. Fun watching Gruden's reaction.

5. Poor refereeing. I am seeing more distinct differences in ref crews this year. Like #4, there was a unjustified pass interference that TB talked the refs into. Most of the false start calls were very close and not the obvious sort.

6. Even with #5 it was disappointing to see the increase in penalties this week.

7. Deuce! He is back better than I would have expected. Good pounding for the Thunder 'n Lightnin duo.

8. As others have mentioned, I thought there was too little stunting and blitzing. Okay, last week Jake has good pocket presence and lay back some. But with a rookie in his first start and their beat up O-line I think more would have definitely been better.

9. Props to the O-line and LBs. Most everyone pointed these areas out as scary-weak going into the season. The O-line isn't great, they don't open great holes for running but they do pass protect very good. The LBs are starting to get some league wide respect as a hard working group of no-name blue collar performers. After having perhaps the worst LB core in the NFL for several years these guys look good even if they are only average. Impressive also is the play in how late they were thrown together.

10. Perspective. This was a 3-13 team last year. The possibility of playoffs can even be considered if we can split Philly and Ravens. The Saints website already has us a 10-0 win in TB on 11/05 so that would be 6-2. That said, playoffs or not I will be well satisfied with this season if the quality of coaching and play continues on track as it has been thusfar. I'm already pumped for next year imagining getting a FA shutdown corner and some stud O-lineman in the draft first round.

TheDeuce

LKelley, I always enjoy reading these on the day after a game. Here is what I'm thinking:

Absolutely. Does anybody really think a Haslett team would be able to blow a 10-point lead and then fight back and score and then hold the opposing team on their last drive? Maybe, but I never saw that too much. Let's face it ladies and, mostly gentlemen, this is a mentally tough team. They show pride and composure week in and week out, and if they don't, you can count on Payton eating their lunch and TEACHING them how to do it right.
Yeah he is, and I couldn't be more excited about it. He's trimmer and he definitely seems to have that burst back. I mean, did this guy seriously tear his ACL last season? Sheesh, I think this shows that he put in some good work in rehab. Actually, I retract my previous statement, I could be more excited, if Payton would continue to get Deuce touches throughout the entire game. The first half Deuce was on fire, and then we got out of an offensive rhythm in the second half, mostly IMO because we stopped giving it to Deuce. That manchild needs the ball more.

I love Fujita. I think this guy just needed a place to shine. I mean, besides maybe newcomer Danny Clark, he's the biggest name in that LB corps. He's playing with unreal confidence. He's crushing people and playing very heads-up football.

Another thought:

Can we give some props to Charles Grant? This guy might only have 2 sacks this season, but he's also got 2 forced fumbles and 19 tackles. I mean it's not spectacular, but when I watch that man play, I can see that he's got his energy back, the energy he had lost season. He's doing his ridiculous hop, skip, and jump thing after tackles, and he seems to be making a lot of tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Props C$

xan

lk wrote:

False start/illegal procedure penalties drained the offense in this game. Poor field position as a result of two consecutive penalites gave the Bucs great opening drive field position at the TB 40 and they zipped in the go-ahead score.

There were other dumb penalties, but the key was starting field position - except for the fumble recovery on the TB 25, the average sfp was the Saints 20, with 5 of the 10 drives beginning in Saints Territory inside the 15.

Where were the deep balls? I understand that the cover-2 keeps the offense underneath, but jeez, give one a toss if you're planning on half your drives going three-and-out.

Speaking of 3/4-out, what happened to the effective ball control offense? 1st two possessions were three and out, and 5 of six plays were passes! Of the 11 drives, 6 were 3/4 and out, and only two drives had more than 5 plays. The defense was on the field way too much and the offense lost the TOP contest.

Calvin: "I wish I was a Tiger."
Hobbes: "Common lament."

LKelley67

kudos to Grant. I wish they could decide on him and extend him before the season is done. Darren Howard is killin' in Philly. I know he was dinged up some and dissatisfied with the way he was used last year. Still, most players don't like being franchised at all, muchless two years in a row. Grant may not be good enough to franchise but should be able to be tied up for a reasonable price. I would guess he would like to be a part of what is happening here now versus what Howard left too.

TheDeuce

I agree with this. I think that he understands that being on the same line with Will Smith, and being on a team like this that has nowhere to go but up (and is proving they can go up) is going to be a very good thing in the near future. Something special is going on in the Big Easy, and I REALLY hope that CGrant is a part of it in the future.

thib82

It really was nice being a Saints fan Sunday. Buc fans got a taste of what it has been like for us through the Haslet years.

Bobaganoosh

There were so many factors in the Tampa game that shows the difference in this years team to previous teams. Coming from behind and beating a winless team. Surviving the strong play from a rookie qb. Making a big play on defense and getting a TD out of it. And the Bush factor....the guy is amazing...and wait until he learns how to run the football.