Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two opponents

blacksaint · 09-30-2007, 07:36 PM

TURNING AROUND

Sunday, September 30, 2007
By Mike Triplett

Here's your silver lining, Saints fans: The Saints have an outstanding opportunity to save their season.

Up next after this bye week is a home game with rival Carolina, the most talented team in the NFC South. If the Saints can win that game, they'll be right back in the division race.

A week later is a trip to Seattle, a nationally televised Sunday night game against the 2005 NFC champs. Win that one, and the Saints prove they can hang with almost anyone in the conference.

Redemption is just two games away.

Of course, there is one small problem with that theory. The Saints haven't given any indication so far that they can come close to beating the Panthers or Seahawks.

These are two of the most difficult matchups remaining on the Saints' schedule. Carolina and Seattle have two of the most balanced offenses in the NFC. And Panthers receiver Steve Smith, in particular, terrorizes the Saints.

In their past five meetings, Smith has caught 40 passes for 495 yards and scored six touchdowns (one rushing). The way the Saints' secondary has struggled this season against deep passes, Smith might score six more next Sunday.

The Panthers are equally menacing across the defensive line, led by dynamic pass rusher Julius Peppers.

That's just one of several reasons the Saints' offensive line needs to find whatever it has been missing in a big hurry.

They also need to give quarterback Drew Brees a chance to get comfortable in the pocket, so he can start playing like a league MVP candidate again. And they need to start opening holes in the run game -- especially now that tailback Deuce McAllister is out for the season because of knee surgery.

I personally don't buy into the theory that Reggie Bush can't be an "every-down" back. He's just a lot more dangerous when he gets to the outside or gets matched up against linebackers in open space.

Someone asked me this week why he can't be like Pittsburgh's Willie Parker, who is roughly the same size, with roughly the same speed and quickness. I think Bush can be like that in smaller doses, as long as the offensive line is opening holes for him. He did it last December against the 49ers and the Giants.

But all of the Saints' problems this season are tied together -- one big, ugly chain reaction of mediocrity.

When the Saints' offense is rolling, they can burn opponents with short and deep passes. They can set up passes with the run, and they can set up the run with passes. Coach Sean Payton can dig deeper into his bag of tricks, and Bush becomes especially dangerous in his versatile role -- running out of the backfield, catching passes and taking handoffs on end-arounds, not to mention serving as a decoy on play-action passes.

When the Saints' offense is rolling, the defense looks an awful lot better, too.

Imagine if the other team was forced to play catch-up for a change. Maybe then the Saints could get their first sack of the season and start winning the field-position battle.

So how do they fix the offense? It's simple.

The line needs to block better, Brees needs to be more accurate, receivers need to stop dropping passes, Bush needs to run with more authority, Payton needs to do a better job with the play-calling, they need to stop turning the ball over, they need to convert more third-and-shorts, and they need to take advantage when they get in the red zone.

OK . . . so maybe they can't get everything fixed overnight.

But with Carolina coming into the Superdome a week from today, they'd certainly better try.

NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans

LongTimeFan · 09-30-2007, 08:15 PM

Here's how I see it, the Saints had a bye this week as well all know. with the problems that they had going into the bye I think two week off isn't enough time to correct the problems so they better play their best game of the year to have any chance in beating the Panthers, if they lose to the Panthers their playoff hopes are pretty much gone and I'll then be hoping for an 8-8 season, The Panthers aren't playing good themselves so we have a shot in beating them in the Dome. the Panthers have the same problem as we do, they can't block, their offense you would think could score points with the talent that they have on offense, Steve Smith is no where near playing well as he has played the last few years...
It's do or die come next Sunday, we know it but more important the Saints know, if they can't sense how important this game is their in big trouble..
I'll never give up on them, I still have some faith in them and can't wait until Sunday, I still look forward to watching them on Sunday's.
The Saints offense may have a different look being the Deuce is out for the year.

saintsrule · 10-01-2007, 01:21 AM

I hope Reggie becomes a star in the league starting next week.

hagan714 · 10-01-2007, 07:53 AM

Big plus Jake is out in Carolina. So the that removes the inner division knowledge from the QB position.
Big minus is who is the new covering CB? We could do the same thing we have been doing all year and go with experience. Well that has not done us any good. Or we could put speed on the field and put it thru on the job training.

Seattle is going to be tuff no matter what. The defense seems to be coming together and the offense is just starting to come around. We will need our A game on the road to win this one. Do not forget the seahawks have one of the best 12th man's in the NFL. We all can learn something by watching and listening to the game and the crowd.

mikesaintfan · 10-01-2007, 01:57 PM

Mike Karney needs to be involved in pass protect and the run game as well.
Pressure from the D-line
and of course...CATCH THE DAMN BALL

WhoDatQB · 10-01-2007, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by blacksaint

TURNING AROUND

Sunday, September 30, 2007
By Mike Triplett

Here's your silver lining, Saints fans: The Saints have an outstanding opportunity to save their season.

Up next after this bye week is a home game with rival Carolina, the most talented team in the NFC South. If the Saints can win that game, they'll be right back in the division race.

A week later is a trip to Seattle, a nationally televised Sunday night game against the 2005 NFC champs. Win that one, and the Saints prove they can hang with almost anyone in the conference.

Redemption is just two games away.

Of course, there is one small problem with that theory. The Saints haven't given any indication so far that they can come close to beating the Panthers or Seahawks.

These are two of the most difficult matchups remaining on the Saints' schedule. Carolina and Seattle have two of the most balanced offenses in the NFC. And Panthers receiver Steve Smith, in particular, terrorizes the Saints.

In their past five meetings, Smith has caught 40 passes for 495 yards and scored six touchdowns (one rushing). The way the Saints' secondary has struggled this season against deep passes, Smith might score six more next Sunday.

The Panthers are equally menacing across the defensive line, led by dynamic pass rusher Julius Peppers.

That's just one of several reasons the Saints' offensive line needs to find whatever it has been missing in a big hurry.

They also need to give quarterback Drew Brees a chance to get comfortable in the pocket, so he can start playing like a league MVP candidate again. And they need to start opening holes in the run game -- especially now that tailback Deuce McAllister is out for the season because of knee surgery.

I personally don't buy into the theory that Reggie Bush can't be an "every-down" back. He's just a lot more dangerous when he gets to the outside or gets matched up against linebackers in open space.

Someone asked me this week why he can't be like Pittsburgh's Willie Parker, who is roughly the same size, with roughly the same speed and quickness. I think Bush can be like that in smaller doses, as long as the offensive line is opening holes for him. He did it last December against the 49ers and the Giants.

But all of the Saints' problems this season are tied together -- one big, ugly chain reaction of mediocrity.

When the Saints' offense is rolling, they can burn opponents with short and deep passes. They can set up passes with the run, and they can set up the run with passes. Coach Sean Payton can dig deeper into his bag of tricks, and Bush becomes especially dangerous in his versatile role -- running out of the backfield, catching passes and taking handoffs on end-arounds, not to mention serving as a decoy on play-action passes.

When the Saints' offense is rolling, the defense looks an awful lot better, too.

Imagine if the other team was forced to play catch-up for a change. Maybe then the Saints could get their first sack of the season and start winning the field-position battle.

So how do they fix the offense? It's simple.

The line needs to block better, Brees needs to be more accurate, receivers need to stop dropping passes, Bush needs to run with more authority, Payton needs to do a better job with the play-calling, they need to stop turning the ball over, they need to convert more third-and-shorts, and they need to take advantage when they get in the red zone.

OK . . . so maybe they can't get everything fixed overnight.

But with Carolina coming into the Superdome a week from today, they'd certainly better try.

NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans

=====

With Jake Delhomme out and David "Gloves" Carr as the starting QB I am very hopeful that we will win against Carolina. In fact John Fox said today that Delhomme's elbow may require surgery.

Euphoria · 10-01-2007, 07:32 PM

Yeah if we don't make the Panthers look like the COLTS or not get spanked by a team that has and OL and DL.

darstep · 10-01-2007, 11:15 PM

We have got to establish a running game and take the pressure off of Brees. He needs time to plant his feet and deliver some strikes. Now is the time for Reggie to step up. He doesn't have to do it all - Karney, Stecker, and Thomas will also have to play an important roll. Our head coach/offensive genius will also have to bring it - by putting people in positions to contribute. It's been tough for Reggie to turn corners in the NFL...he has been getting strung out. Leading Reggie form the "I" with Karney gives the offense options and gives Reggie a chance to break a few. If he can hit the holes and get through into the secondary (off guard or tackle) he can do major damage with cut back moves. Karney would be the extra protection that Brees needs. Blitzers will have to take a lick trying to get to our QB. He (Karney) also has good hands out of the back field and has a good carry average. A little success can go a long way. I am hoping that small successes get contagious. If the offense can start moving the ball, MAYBE the defense might catch on fire. There seems to be no passion or fire on the D-side. Playing bad is one thing, but there is no excuse for not hitting. Opposing teams ought to need whirlpools when its over - especially if they've won on the scoreboard. The little things are what we need to begin to right this ship.

Donuts32 · 10-02-2007, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by saintsrule

I hope Reggie becomes a star in the league starting next week.

As long as Payton has Karney in the game and Reggie runs between the tackles he will be a great player.

WhoDatQB · 10-02-2007, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by darstep

We have got to establish a running game and take the pressure off of Brees. He needs time to plant his feet and deliver some strikes. Now is the time for Reggie to step up. He doesn't have to do it all - Karney, Stecker, and Thomas will also have to play an important roll. Our head coach/offensive genius will also have to bring it - by putting people in positions to contribute. It's been tough for Reggie to turn corners in the NFL...he has been getting strung out. Leading Reggie form the "I" with Karney gives the offense options and gives Reggie a chance to break a few. If he can hit the holes and get through into the secondary (off guard or tackle) he can do major damage with cut back moves. Karney would be the extra protection that Brees needs. Blitzers will have to take a lick trying to get to our QB. He (Karney) also has good hands out of the back field and has a good carry average. A little success can go a long way. I am hoping that small successes get contagious. If the offense can start moving the ball, MAYBE the defense might catch on fire. There seems to be no passion or fire on the D-side. Playing bad is one thing, but there is no excuse for not hitting. Opposing teams ought to need whirlpools when its over - especially if they've won on the scoreboard. The little things are what we need to begin to right this ship.

=========

Put Reggie in the Backfield with Karney, teach our O line to block and then run with Reggie right behind Karney all day long. This crap of not having a lead blocker when your o-line cannot run or pass block is blowing my mind. Karney needs to be in the backfield on every play, whether he is lead blocking for a runner, or picking up a blitz I believe he is the only person on the offense that still knows how to block. Karney is a GREAT FB, not good, but GREAT, put him on the damn field and let him block.

09-30-2007, 07:36 PM	#1
blacksaint DARE TO ENTER Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Home Sweet Home, NEW ORLEANS, La. Posts: 1,154	Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two opponents TURNING AROUND Sunday, September 30, 2007 By Mike Triplett Here's your silver lining, Saints fans: The Saints have an outstanding opportunity to save their season. Up next after this bye week is a home game with rival Carolina, the most talented team in the NFC South. If the Saints can win that game, they'll be right back in the division race. A week later is a trip to Seattle, a nationally televised Sunday night game against the 2005 NFC champs. Win that one, and the Saints prove they can hang with almost anyone in the conference. Redemption is just two games away. Of course, there is one small problem with that theory. The Saints haven't given any indication so far that they can come close to beating the Panthers or Seahawks. These are two of the most difficult matchups remaining on the Saints' schedule. Carolina and Seattle have two of the most balanced offenses in the NFC. And Panthers receiver Steve Smith, in particular, terrorizes the Saints. In their past five meetings, Smith has caught 40 passes for 495 yards and scored six touchdowns (one rushing). The way the Saints' secondary has struggled this season against deep passes, Smith might score six more next Sunday. The Panthers are equally menacing across the defensive line, led by dynamic pass rusher Julius Peppers. That's just one of several reasons the Saints' offensive line needs to find whatever it has been missing in a big hurry. They also need to give quarterback Drew Brees a chance to get comfortable in the pocket, so he can start playing like a league MVP candidate again. And they need to start opening holes in the run game -- especially now that tailback Deuce McAllister is out for the season because of knee surgery. I personally don't buy into the theory that Reggie Bush can't be an "every-down" back. He's just a lot more dangerous when he gets to the outside or gets matched up against linebackers in open space. Someone asked me this week why he can't be like Pittsburgh's Willie Parker, who is roughly the same size, with roughly the same speed and quickness. I think Bush can be like that in smaller doses, as long as the offensive line is opening holes for him. He did it last December against the 49ers and the Giants. But all of the Saints' problems this season are tied together -- one big, ugly chain reaction of mediocrity. When the Saints' offense is rolling, they can burn opponents with short and deep passes. They can set up passes with the run, and they can set up the run with passes. Coach Sean Payton can dig deeper into his bag of tricks, and Bush becomes especially dangerous in his versatile role -- running out of the backfield, catching passes and taking handoffs on end-arounds, not to mention serving as a decoy on play-action passes. When the Saints' offense is rolling, the defense looks an awful lot better, too. Imagine if the other team was forced to play catch-up for a change. Maybe then the Saints could get their first sack of the season and start winning the field-position battle. So how do they fix the offense? It's simple. The line needs to block better, Brees needs to be more accurate, receivers need to stop dropping passes, Bush needs to run with more authority, Payton needs to do a better job with the play-calling, they need to stop turning the ball over, they need to convert more third-and-shorts, and they need to take advantage when they get in the red zone. OK . . . so maybe they can't get everything fixed overnight. But with Carolina coming into the Superdome a week from today, they'd certainly better try. NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans
	saint4life (504)

09-30-2007, 08:15 PM	#2
LongTimeFan Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 2,403	Re: Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two oppone Here's how I see it, the Saints had a bye this week as well all know. with the problems that they had going into the bye I think two week off isn't enough time to correct the problems so they better play their best game of the year to have any chance in beating the Panthers, if they lose to the Panthers their playoff hopes are pretty much gone and I'll then be hoping for an 8-8 season, The Panthers aren't playing good themselves so we have a shot in beating them in the Dome. the Panthers have the same problem as we do, they can't block, their offense you would think could score points with the talent that they have on offense, Steve Smith is no where near playing well as he has played the last few years... It's do or die come next Sunday, we know it but more important the Saints know, if they can't sense how important this game is their in big trouble.. I'll never give up on them, I still have some faith in them and can't wait until Sunday, I still look forward to watching them on Sunday's. The Saints offense may have a different look being the Deuce is out for the year.
	Rest In Peace JoeSam, thanks for everything my friend.

10-01-2007, 01:21 AM	#3
saintsrule 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 657	Re: Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two oppone I hope Reggie becomes a star in the league starting next week.
saintsrule 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 657

10-01-2007, 07:53 AM	#4
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two oppone Big plus Jake is out in Carolina. So the that removes the inner division knowledge from the QB position. Big minus is who is the new covering CB? We could do the same thing we have been doing all year and go with experience. Well that has not done us any good. Or we could put speed on the field and put it thru on the job training. Seattle is going to be tuff no matter what. The defense seems to be coming together and the offense is just starting to come around. We will need our A game on the road to win this one. Do not forget the seahawks have one of the best 12th man's in the NFL. We all can learn something by watching and listening to the game and the crowd.
	"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

10-01-2007, 01:57 PM	#5
mikesaintfan 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 1,070	Re: Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two oppone Mike Karney needs to be involved in pass protect and the run game as well. Pressure from the D-line and of course...CATCH THE DAMN BALL

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10-01-2007, 03:55 PM	#6
WhoDatQB Boondock Saint Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: F***ing Atlanta Posts: 322	Re: Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two oppone Originally Posted by blacksaint TURNING AROUND Sunday, September 30, 2007 By Mike Triplett Here's your silver lining, Saints fans: The Saints have an outstanding opportunity to save their season. Up next after this bye week is a home game with rival Carolina, the most talented team in the NFC South. If the Saints can win that game, they'll be right back in the division race. A week later is a trip to Seattle, a nationally televised Sunday night game against the 2005 NFC champs. Win that one, and the Saints prove they can hang with almost anyone in the conference. Redemption is just two games away. Of course, there is one small problem with that theory. The Saints haven't given any indication so far that they can come close to beating the Panthers or Seahawks. These are two of the most difficult matchups remaining on the Saints' schedule. Carolina and Seattle have two of the most balanced offenses in the NFC. And Panthers receiver Steve Smith, in particular, terrorizes the Saints. In their past five meetings, Smith has caught 40 passes for 495 yards and scored six touchdowns (one rushing). The way the Saints' secondary has struggled this season against deep passes, Smith might score six more next Sunday. The Panthers are equally menacing across the defensive line, led by dynamic pass rusher Julius Peppers. That's just one of several reasons the Saints' offensive line needs to find whatever it has been missing in a big hurry. They also need to give quarterback Drew Brees a chance to get comfortable in the pocket, so he can start playing like a league MVP candidate again. And they need to start opening holes in the run game -- especially now that tailback Deuce McAllister is out for the season because of knee surgery. I personally don't buy into the theory that Reggie Bush can't be an "every-down" back. He's just a lot more dangerous when he gets to the outside or gets matched up against linebackers in open space. Someone asked me this week why he can't be like Pittsburgh's Willie Parker, who is roughly the same size, with roughly the same speed and quickness. I think Bush can be like that in smaller doses, as long as the offensive line is opening holes for him. He did it last December against the 49ers and the Giants. But all of the Saints' problems this season are tied together -- one big, ugly chain reaction of mediocrity. When the Saints' offense is rolling, they can burn opponents with short and deep passes. They can set up passes with the run, and they can set up the run with passes. Coach Sean Payton can dig deeper into his bag of tricks, and Bush becomes especially dangerous in his versatile role -- running out of the backfield, catching passes and taking handoffs on end-arounds, not to mention serving as a decoy on play-action passes. When the Saints' offense is rolling, the defense looks an awful lot better, too. Imagine if the other team was forced to play catch-up for a change. Maybe then the Saints could get their first sack of the season and start winning the field-position battle. So how do they fix the offense? It's simple. The line needs to block better, Brees needs to be more accurate, receivers need to stop dropping passes, Bush needs to run with more authority, Payton needs to do a better job with the play-calling, they need to stop turning the ball over, they need to convert more third-and-shorts, and they need to take advantage when they get in the red zone. OK . . . so maybe they can't get everything fixed overnight. But with Carolina coming into the Superdome a week from today, they'd certainly better try. NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans ===== With Jake Delhomme out and David "Gloves" Carr as the starting QB I am very hopeful that we will win against Carolina. In fact John Fox said today that Delhomme's elbow may require surgery.

10-01-2007, 07:32 PM	#7
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two oppone Yeah if we don't make the Panthers look like the COLTS or not get spanked by a team that has and OL and DL.

10-01-2007, 11:15 PM	#8
darstep SaintSince67 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PortCity Posts: 2,044	Re: Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two oppone We have got to establish a running game and take the pressure off of Brees. He needs time to plant his feet and deliver some strikes. Now is the time for Reggie to step up. He doesn't have to do it all - Karney, Stecker, and Thomas will also have to play an important roll. Our head coach/offensive genius will also have to bring it - by putting people in positions to contribute. It's been tough for Reggie to turn corners in the NFL...he has been getting strung out. Leading Reggie form the "I" with Karney gives the offense options and gives Reggie a chance to break a few. If he can hit the holes and get through into the secondary (off guard or tackle) he can do major damage with cut back moves. Karney would be the extra protection that Brees needs. Blitzers will have to take a lick trying to get to our QB. He (Karney) also has good hands out of the back field and has a good carry average. A little success can go a long way. I am hoping that small successes get contagious. If the offense can start moving the ball, MAYBE the defense might catch on fire. There seems to be no passion or fire on the D-side. Playing bad is one thing, but there is no excuse for not hitting. Opposing teams ought to need whirlpools when its over - especially if they've won on the scoreboard. The little things are what we need to begin to right this ship.
	SaintSince67

10-02-2007, 09:21 AM	#9
Donuts32 100th Post Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Orleans,La Posts: 306	Re: Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two oppone Originally Posted by saintsrule I hope Reggie becomes a star in the league starting next week. As long as Payton has Karney in the game and Reggie runs between the tackles he will be a great player.

10-02-2007, 09:44 AM	#10
WhoDatQB Boondock Saint Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: F***ing Atlanta Posts: 322	Re: Beating the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks -- the Saints' next two oppone Originally Posted by darstep We have got to establish a running game and take the pressure off of Brees. He needs time to plant his feet and deliver some strikes. Now is the time for Reggie to step up. He doesn't have to do it all - Karney, Stecker, and Thomas will also have to play an important roll. Our head coach/offensive genius will also have to bring it - by putting people in positions to contribute. It's been tough for Reggie to turn corners in the NFL...he has been getting strung out. Leading Reggie form the "I" with Karney gives the offense options and gives Reggie a chance to break a few. If he can hit the holes and get through into the secondary (off guard or tackle) he can do major damage with cut back moves. Karney would be the extra protection that Brees needs. Blitzers will have to take a lick trying to get to our QB. He (Karney) also has good hands out of the back field and has a good carry average. A little success can go a long way. I am hoping that small successes get contagious. If the offense can start moving the ball, MAYBE the defense might catch on fire. There seems to be no passion or fire on the D-side. Playing bad is one thing, but there is no excuse for not hitting. Opposing teams ought to need whirlpools when its over - especially if they've won on the scoreboard. The little things are what we need to begin to right this ship. ========= Put Reggie in the Backfield with Karney, teach our O line to block and then run with Reggie right behind Karney all day long. This crap of not having a lead blocker when your o-line cannot run or pass block is blowing my mind. Karney needs to be in the backfield on every play, whether he is lead blocking for a runner, or picking up a blitz I believe he is the only person on the offense that still knows how to block. Karney is a GREAT FB, not good, but GREAT, put him on the damn field and let him block.