blacksaint

Posted on Fri, Aug. 24, 2007
By Larry Holder


Want to know what I was thinking? I don't think anyone can decipher my nonsensical mind. Anyhow, here are some notes I scribbled during what I call the Saints' final preseason game, because next week's game against the Miami Dolphins in the Superdome will be a glorified scrimmage.

• It seems ridiculously easy for the Saints to move down the field, even without Marques Colston and Devery Henderson. This is the third straight game where they chewed up and spit out a defense.

• The red-zone offense, now that's a different story. Coach Sean Payton preaches efficiency inside the 20 and it didn't happen at all for the second time in three games. Five trips equaled 13 points in the first half. Ain't gonna cut it. At all.

• I honestly think once Colston returns, Drew Brees will have a physical go-to guy who can bully his way through cornerbacks.

• Wide receiver David Patten looked great. He had six catches for 75 yards and one touchdown. He nearly made another fantastic catch on an under-thrown deep route in the first quarter.

• Reggie Bush wasn't too shabby with six rushes for 51 yards.

• I liked what I saw from cornerback Jason Craft. His coverage skills were better than solid. He completely read Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle as he picked off a pass near the end of the first half. He also forced the Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez into an offensive pass interference penalty that was declined.

• Will Smith got held and still sacked Croyle with one arm. Smith pressured Croyle several times, making throwing the ball an adventure. Charles Grant played rather stellar as well.

• And if you didn't realize it, Brees and Croyle are about 37 light years apart talent-wise. If Kansas City goes with Croyle as its starter, the Chiefs will probably go 4-12.

• Four straight runs with goal to go exhibited some unorthodox playcalling by Payton on the first trip to the red zone. Deuce McAllister had no chance on fourth down as the Chiefs blew up Jahri Evans and Jon Stinchcomb on fourth down and less than a yard to go.

• Two quick penalties in the secondary by Roman Harper and Mike McKenzie on the opening drive didn't bring any warm and fuzzy feelings about improved defensive backs. Yet the Saints forced the Chiefs to punt.

• One interesting formation had McAllister lined up as the outside receiver. Patten picked up big yardage on the play across the middle.

• Brees called Lance Moore the MVP of training camp. He made a challenging catch appear easy in the second quarter. Moore nearly botched a punt in the first quarter, but had a decent return in the second quarter.

• Kicker Olindo Mare may turn out to be the biggest pickup of the offseason. He continues to crush kickoffs and has provided accuracy in booting field goals throughout training camp and the preseason. Mare kicked three field goals in three attempts Thursday night.

• Though he's a long shot, running back Pierre Thomas continued his inspired play by scoring a 6-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and a longer one later in the final stanza. Look for him to make the practice squad.

SunHerald.com : Note this: Praise and a few prayers

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