final take on saints/colts game.........
 

manning should have little trouble finding the endzone
against the saints defense.
the key is whether brees can keep up with him......
payton will have to find a way to get in the endzone
from the redzone, meanwhile, manning knows how...
dungy has overcome many obstacles to put the colts
where they are.
and that is where the saints wanna be.........
if all goes mannings way, we may be looking at a score
of 21 -7 to 21- 10 at halftime.......

with the final score in the neighborhood of 35 -23 to
35 - 20 in favor of the colts.......at games end.........
however, and this is the scenerio i hope for.......
if brees can keep up, ( and i hope both brees and payton
are on the same page) it may come down to who has the
ball last, and without carney, i worry more.....

i'd still pick to colts 35-34 in a shootout till the end...
and although we make espn # 1 game highlights,
we lose.........

i am being realistic in this summary and still hope deep
inside we embarrass the colts in the opener, or at least
luck out and win on a fluke play...........
but, either way, i won't say we're good enough,
until we are.................smitty

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

I tend to go with your second scenario. Shootout. Last team with the ball wins unless we create turnovers. The Colts defense didn't exactly set the field on fire last year.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

If Deuce has over 125 yards rushing, we win. Shorten the game, keep the ball away from Manning and hope for interceptions and fumbles.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

colts don't stand a chance :)

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

If we can...if we can...if we can...but, but, but what if, what if, worry, worry, uh oh, oh no

In nature, predators sense an animal's weakness - and it usually is killed.

I personally will not be defeated before there is a fight. But if you love the stinch of your own fear, by all means keep away.

Losers believe in luck, winners believe in cause and effect. Chance favors the prepared mind.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

Ok, here's my thoughts. And you guys that have been around the board know I almost neve make predictions. i look for a very high scoring game because I really don't think either defense can stop or even slow down either offense. I do however think that if I had to pick one of the defenses to raise to the task at hand, I think it will be the Saints. We may not have the big name players but they have been together for 2 years now and know what each other is doing. Barring to many mistakes I see the Saints taking this one at say 37-34. And oh by the way, I think Mare will have a big hand in winning this game foe us.

So now you guys can nail me to the wall.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

*nails joe to the wall* Mare? hahaha I sure do hope you're right, I really do

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

that would be nice if colts have to start on their own 20 everytime
make em work for those points

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

Have I ever lied to you? LOL

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

Yes Manning will have a good game against the Saints but here is how I think the Saints will win the game.

The Colts have a huge problem in stopping the run, IMO Bush and Deuce will be the key in winning this game, I say run the ball right at the get go and run often, if we move the ball on the ground successfully the Colts defense will be all but wore out going into the 4th QTR and by then they won't be able to stop Deuce..

If the Saints have to throw Brees and his offense can have success in the air.
Last year Ron Dayne ran for over 200 yards against the Colts, career best for him, not only have the Colts made changes for the better on defense to help stop the run but they lost key players, they lost both of their corners, we can beat them deep downfield..
I love our chances in beating the Colts..
Bottom Line: This might be the hardest games on the Saints schedule.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

I think man for man the Saints or just plain better than the colts. WE WIN!! (the score don't matter)

Longtimefan...Your Avatar is a beast! (my new desktop background)

who dat

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

[QUOTE=ssmitty;137320]manning should have little trouble finding the endzone
against the saints defense.[quote]

You keep saying this like it's a foregone conclusion.

The Colts offense isn't as good as you think and our defense isn't nearly as ineffective as you think.

The Saints biggest defensive liability from last year isn't going to be on the field in the same position as last year. The guy that's likely to be there has been practicing against Manning and the Colts receivers for the last four years.

We are still talking about a team in the colts that split their division last year. And only Jacksonville's defense is even nearly in the same category as ours.

Oh you mean the #1 offense in the NFL last year? Against the #32 defense against the run?

You mean a defense that's been decimated by free agency and injury?

I think they'll keep up.

The Manning worship is killing me! He's clearly the #1 (or #1A) QB in the NFL. But he doesn't play by himself.

That's the point I think you keep missing. The Saints have a far superior overall team than the Colts at this time. And our QB is either 1A, 2, or 2A on the list (depending on where you want to slot him relative to Brady and possibly Palmer).

The Saints offense is going to tear up the Colts like tissue paper. Think about the Dallas game last year. The Cowboys had (and have) a far superior defense than the Colts.

No doubt. But the Colts have been severely weakened over the offseason, while the Saints have not only maintained coheasiveness, but have improved on the defensive side of the ball.
I'll bet the score will be reversed with the Saints totally dominating the time of posession.

I fervently believe that you have the wrong focus. The Colts defense won't be able to stop the little Sisters of the Poor much less the most dynamic, potent, offense in the NFL.

You still haven't bothered to account for the matchup between the unproven rookie (Ugoh) against the Pro Bowl defensive end on Manning's blind side. I'll take the Fresh Prince for $1000 please Alex!

We are good enough. We are better than the Colts on both sides of the ball. We have a caretaker in Brees.

Go back and take a look at the result the last time Brees played the Colts in Indy. A recap discussing Brees and the Colts can be found here:

Scout.com: Looming Large: Drew Brees

The Saints are no longer a fluke. They don't need fluky plays to play with the best teams in this league any more. All we need is for the offense to be themselves and not turn over the ball and the defense to limit the big plays and generate a few stops and a turnover or two. That's all. Given that, the Saints will be very successful...

Even against the Almighty Manning.

SFIAH

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

Bravo, SaintFan. Easily the post of the day.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

i am not looking to ruffle feathers on my take of this game......
all i am saying is the saints have to prove they can take it
to the next level..........
i was there for the first kickoff in tulane stadium and will be
there til they bury me........
i have never, never been more proud of them......
with that said, i stick to what i said......
i hope the saints kill em.......
but this is a tough test to say the least.......
while i am the utmost diehard fan, i have mellowed
through the years and learned to take everything with
a grain of salt.....
i hope everyone has a field day mocking me friday
if the saints win, (i will soak it in like a sponge)
but i will not be discouraged if they lose...
there are many tests ahead, this is just one...
and the more they pass those tests, the more
i see em taking it to the next level.
and that is what i want..............smitty

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

The 1st quarter will set the tempo.
We stink then, the Colts will run riot.
If there is only a FG or so difference and the losing team is in possession, then it is down to the wire and it will be a gr8 game for TV and the eventual winners.
We are up and gelling, then we will start to control the game for a wonderful start to the season.

Geaux Saints!

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

This isn't Chicago outdoors in the dead of winter fellas. This is a horrible run defense that is worse with the loss of McFarland. Duece and Reggie will run for over 200 yards combined, we will double the Colts in time of possession, and Tony Ugoh is going to get a baptism by fire when the Manimal is on him play after play. This is the game where all eyes will be opened to the kind of team we have this year. Have Faith men!

I am so jacked for this game, I'm going to watch "300"

"This is where we fight....This is where they die!"

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

RUN THE BALL

For us is the key. Keep it more run, and West Coast style of play. Keeps the Colts D on the field, and tired and that keeps Manning off the field. If it comes down to us playing possy w/Indy. I wont be worried w/Reggie, Henderson, and Colston's Big play ability

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

There`s no doubt Manning is hard to beat. He is a master at sizing up the defense and making adjustments before the snap and making DB`s bite on the run and then burn them for huge chunks. Sean Payton knows this and I expect he has a few surprises for Mr. Manning. If our defense can out-scheme and short-circut Manning's playbook and hold Indy to 24 pts, we get the W.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

I understand that. But you're talking about a team that was one game removed from making it to the SB last year. A team that didn't make it to the SB because they were shut down by a superior defense in conditions that the team had never played in.

The Colts are neither. It's taken the Colts nearly a decade to finally get over the hump and that took a total defensive turnaround to pull off. A defensive turnaround that they are not likely to duplicate this season due to the fact that they no longer have the same personnel.

I was 2 and in Louisville KY at that first kickoff. I became a long time season ticket holder as a kid in 1972. I remember touring the SuperDome when it first opened in 1975.

I know the feeling of being a Long Time Saints Fan.
Here's where we disagree. It became clear during the course of the 2006 season that this current edition of the Saints has problems against outstanding defenses, not outstanding offenses. Defenses that can pressure Brees from the interior of the line and clog of throwing lanes. Defenses that have LBs that can both stuff the interior run and can sweep to the flat and cover Reggie out there. Defenses with physical corners that make life tough for our WR.

But there are only 4 or 5 such defenses in the NFL and we faced all virtually all of them last year: Baltimore, Chicago, Pittsburg, Carolina. Jacksonville probably qualifies too. We'll see three of them again this year in Chicago, Carolina, and Jacksonville.

Sean Payton's Saints offense puts so much pressure against opposing teams that our defense only needs to be a bit above average to be successful. We're talking about a team here that went deep into the playoffs and yet finished second to last in turnovers. If our defense can just get to an average number of turnovers, along with the way that Brees and the offense takes care of the ball, then we'll be even more successful than last year.

It's all good. I just caution you to take Indy with a grain of salt. While Manning is clearly a HOF QB, he's currently on a team that has a difficult time stopping anyone. That decimated defense simply cannot maintain the emotion of a playoff run over a 16 game regular season.

Simply put on Thursday our defense will get a couple of stops, and possibly a turnover or two. Their defense won't get either. And that will be the margin of victory.

SFIAH

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

that is where we disagree......
i believe manning will shred our defense but if whatever
scheme payton and the defense has in place works,
then we take it to the next level.....
in a shootout, i'll have to go with manning.......
he's done it against the best defenses, we have not....
brees somehow loses his cool and gets rattled
against the better defenses, manning just keeps coming,
and although it may not be all brees' fault, he has to find
a way to step up, ( he is the leader)
granted we are not talking about the best defenses here,
which favors manning more than brees imo......
but, i am looking for a step up.........
this is the way to the s.b..............
and we need to find a way........

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

saints 38-colts 31

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

I personally don't predict this will be the shootout everyone else sees it may be. I see a 24-17 game. I think we'll start slow, look a little ineffective early, but our D comes up with some big drive stops and we get out of the 1st quarter with a 7-3 lead. Make that 17-10 for us at the half and we play back and forth ball for the rest to steal a win. I think the Colts will appear complacent celebrating in their home opener and simply get out planned by a team hungry to prove something. I really think our defense will be the difference maker in this game. I have a hunch things are coming together for the unit.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

my gut tells me...

saints 27
colts 20

my bruddy has been livin' in indy for enough years that the smack talkin' is gettin' pretty ramped-up...

he is my little bruddy thou. his b-day is game day. i went ahead and got him a very nice manning jersey for his birthday. wasn't thinking thou. i should have got him the blue cuz tears wouldn't show up so bad on it.

side note for the ponies game... may have been seen here already but i'll share anyway...

from nola.com
Starship Saints

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

Smitty, you sure you're watching the same QBs I am? Manning has proven time and again he is a choke artist; just watch the way the Patriots have manhandled him 4 out of the last 5 playoff games they played them (the last one he only squeaked out of because the Pats D finally ran out of gas). He doesn't rise to the occasion in big games and he gets rattled pretty easily. Brees has defied expectations at every turn and has made the entire team better because of him. I don't think I've ever seen him get flustered. Manning might be able to read coverages better but I'd put my money on Brees being the better leader any day of the week.

Our offense has the ability to totally persecute their defense from the starting gun, and our D has gotten better daily. Once the secondary gels there won't be any stopping them. The way to beat Manning is to blitz him and get him doing some Happy Feet dance moves. The Steelers and Pats exploited this and blew them up doing so. The Bears didn't, and that's a huge reason they lost in the Superbowl. Forget complicated coverage schemes, Manning can eat those up all day. Just let Smith and Grant pin their ears back and smack him in the nose a couple times and you'll start seeing him lose his cool and the passes wobbling out. I think it won't be as high scoring as some do, I count on the Saints playing good old smashmouth football, with lots of Deuce and Thomas up the gut to control the clock and wear out an already ragged defense. 24-10 Saints, but not nearly as close as the score makes it seem.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

Brees IMO doesn't "lose his cool or gets rattled" when playing against better defenses, it was our defensive line that broke down last season going against better defenses...Bears, Ravens.
Brees had more yardage last season compared to Manning.
The Colts defense were ranked dead last against the run last year and I see no reason to believe they'll be improved in that area, the Saints will run the ball down the Colts throats keeping Manning off of the field some...

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

hey, it's all good.......................................
that's what makes discussions interesting.............
i see things one way, others see em different......
throw stats out the window and let's look at what we really see.
i'm on my knees praying we flat out kill em in every way......
but i don't see this as the atlanta opening a yr ago....
please saints.........prove me wrong...........
this is a game of coaching........
and the colts took the superbowl with that coaching and the
qb, manning, stepping up, to prove they were capable....
i think we all can agree that the saints need to prove themselves
capable, can't we? that last yr was'nt a fluke?
that we can rise above the rest and prove we deserve it?
this is the starting point and all i'm asking is they prove it.........smitty

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

yeah not to sure what you were seeing there with brees smitty. this is a tough game. their offense is as good as always. we will have a tough time stopping them. a very tough time. their d should be worse this year. i think we can run on them and pass on them. i think we can eat up the time of possesion. we have a good shot at beating them. they are home though and it is opening night. that does help them. this game could go either way but we for sure have a good shot.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

I like hearing about the Saints running the ball against the Colts. I hope the try to run it, and succeed. I hope the Colts also forget about Karney, the way the Cowboys did last year, in another primetime game.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

Colts Offense VS our D = 38 points
Saints O vs Colts Def. = 35 points.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

It's all about putting together long sustaining drives together. we need to dominate TOP. I think the most important thing is to not have any turnovers at all. I think the defense will bring some heat early but manning is hard to rattle so it will be interesting if Uhgo can fill Tarik Glenns shoes.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

What do you base that on? In the last 4 preseason games, the #1/#2 offense has walked the ball right down the field. And you best believe that Coach Payton isn't just going to line up in a I formation and hand the ball to Deuce in the red zone once the regular season starts. Everyone will be on the field and every play will be available in the red zone.

I figure that the Saints will get 17-21 points in the first half. The real question is the following:

If the Saints D comes to play, I think the Colts are in trouble. Gibbs is going to play the risk/reward game of pressuring Manning. I think Will Smith will generate enough pressure to force Manning into errant throws. I almost wish that Gibbs would throw the screwball and come out with a Cover 2 style zone look and force Manning and his receivers to march the ball down the field. Not his style though, so I hope that the secondary can keep Harrison, Wanye, Gonzalez, and the TE in front of them.

I agree. I really don't think that the Colts D is going to be prepared to play championship defense on Thursday. Hell it took that team 17 weeks last season to figure it out. And they are starting over with a ton of new players on defense.

One more thing: Eric Johnson will have a monster receiving game. Cato June, who was the LB linchpin of the Colts Cover 2 scheme is now in Tampa (which means we'll see him twice a year for a while). June kept the TE under control in the middle of the field. I haven't heard anything about June's replacement, but I figure that Johnson will get open in the middle and the seam. And we all know what happens with open receivers when Brees is in the pocket.

SFIAH

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

Da key for me: Turnovers and red zone efficiency. If these two problems are over come we win.

Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
 

I suspect that they'll keep one TE in the whole game dedicated to helping
their rookie left tackle against one of the best defensive ends in the business. That takes out one of their weapons for most of the game if not the whole game.