Can We Run the Table?
 

Is it possible for this team to end this season by running the table with 8 straight wins?

Let’s face it, the rest of our schedule (barring a few of these teams somehow catching fire), really doesn’t field a bunch of NFL juggernauts. Our boys are currently ranked 6th (3rd in the NFC), with an offense that has miraculously gotten back in synch, and ranked 21st with a defense that has come to life, looking previously like it was on life support and about to have the plug pulled.

Our competition by overall Offense/ Defense rankings to date:
STL- 29/ 19
HOU- 11/ 15
CAR- 25/ 14
TB- 17/ 6
ATL- 27/ 18
ARI- 19/ 9
PHL- 9/ 12
CHI- 26/ 27

So tell me seriously, barring injuries to our boys, who of the above truly scares you?

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

ALL of them. On any given Sunday, no matter their rankings on offense or defense, they can beat you (even CHI)! One reason why I like Payton so much, focuses on one game at a time and doesn't appear to be looking ahead.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

STL- 29/ 19 My biggest worry.

HOU- 11/ 15 We should pull this one off. This will be a better team next year. My hats
off to them so far.

CAR- 25/ 14 Revenge time!!!

TB- 17/ 6 See remarks above!!!!

ATL- 27/ 18 Same ole' same ole'. We win.

ARI- 19/ 9 Worried but not scaried.

PHL- 9/ 12 Always have to worry about this game.

CHI- 26/ 27 Toss up game, really don't know, even though we should win.

Record for this run: 7-1

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

So very true. Plus, he demands that the team do the same thing. One at a time. You have to win the first one before you can win the second.
I really do like Payton, but I am still amazed that he still keeps Mare. Seems to me that with the way he likes winning, he'd be able to see that one of these days, Mare is going to cost us a game. At least, that's what I see.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

Yeah, I made a harsh post about coach earlier this year that I now regret. I still think he acts like a sorority girl sometime (see 2006 season grave, empty band wagon, multiple injuries at the waterpark and the mousetraps), but if it works, it's cool with me. The important stuff like keeping an 0-4 team motivated and cohesive, preparing effective game plans and (mostly) good personnel moves seem to be his strong points, so I'll cut him some slack on the theatrics.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

If and when he comes out dressed like Little Bo Peep, then i'll really start to worry.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

To clear that up, as a long suffering Saint fan I know that you always need to look out for the game you SHOULD win. This is the NFL and in the words of Chris Berman, "Its why they play the game."

That being said, All of the teams left in our schedule are very beatable, unlike in other years when it seems like we are faced with a monumental task to somehow squeak out a win.

7-1 (room for someone else to step up their game) seems doable.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

The Tampa game scares me the most. If there's one game left on the schedule that we absolutely CANNOT afford to lose, it's the TB game. Looking at what's left of their schedule, I think it's even easier than ours.

Regarding Mare, absolutely. I cannot understand why he's still on the team. The only possible reason I can think of is that coach has even less confidence in the kickers that are available. And the only good thing I see in it? - we'll go for the TD rather than the FG almost every time.

I've got to give Mare credit for that onsides kick against JAX though. Absolutely perfect execution.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

"I've got to give him credit for that onsides kick against JAX though. Absolutely perfect execution."

I have to agree with this but, i'm not sure that the timing of the kick (when it was used) was more important than the kick itself. No one was expecting it at that time.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

Bear with me...here is a quote from another board;

"Payton on Mare: (from the Bayou Buzz article on the front page): "Sean Payton says he hasn't given up on his kicker Olindo Mare yet because the field goal attempts he has missed on were from far out and his kickoffs are acceptable."

That inspired me to dig up his kicks from NFL.com:

Week 1, Indianapolis (1/2)
52 yards, no good (wide left)
34 yards, good

Week 2, Tampa Bay (0/1)
38 yards, no good (wide left)

Week 5, Carolina (2/4)
25 yards, good
28 yards, good
20 yards, no good (blocked)
54 yards, no good (wide left)

Week 8, San Francisco (1/1)
26 yards, good

Week 9, Jacksonville (2/4)
46 yards, good
43 yards, no good (wide right)
52 yards, no good (wide right)
34 yards, good

Total (6/12)
made: 25, 26, 28, 34, 34, 46
missed: 38, 43, 52, 52, 54
blocked: 20

Obviously he needs to make the long ones at a better rate, but there was that groin injury. He was fine last season, so with any luck his long accuracy will return. At least he's 100% for 35 yards and less (not counting the block)."

So, he did not hit three from outside 50 yds and only two from 38 and 43 while suffering from a groin injury. The 20 yd was also due to the injury. I think Payton is looking at the stats and believes there is nothing better out there given Mare's ability to kick deep on kickoffs! Secondarily, I do not believe Payton wants to take up a spot on the roster for an additional kicker! He did that last year and I think he regrets it! All IMHO.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

Well, when I see the numbers broken down like that, I guess he doesn't look as bad as I thought he did. Good post. I suppose I can't really complain about the 50+ yarders.

But the 38 yarder? That one I can still complain about. And the 20 yarder was blocked by an elbow, not a fingertip... that's pretty awful. The 43 yarder should've happened too.

But perhaps he's not as bad as I thought.

I certainly hope he improves. The groin is healed now, is it not? If he does not improve, I think I can pretty much guarantee he'll be looking for a job next season. If not earlier.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

St. Louis - Trap games are blown out context and St. Louis has no confidence in their game. And if the Saints can't get up to punk down Haslett at home, then I don't know what game they can rise up for.

@ Houston - Again, Houston's Matt Schaub does not impress me despite the team's earlier success. That team is gonna take some free agency and draft miracles.

@ Carolina - If the Panthers have no sound QB by this time, it's time to pin our eras back and go for naught. A road game to savor as an important division beatdown.

Tampa - It'd be wise for Payton to ask Belichick for his recipe for Humble Pie. If all goes well, New Orleans will be the talk of the NFL up there with Dallas and Green Bay. This would be a showcase for the Saints to rattle Gruden's troops and take care of business. Defense will have to step.

@ Atlanta - Awwww yeah. The G-Dome will be empty for this one and the Saints will chalk it up.

Arizona - It's a home with the Saints brimming with confidence but they have to be careful with their secondary against the Cardinals' pass-heavy offense. If the Saints keep their heads wired tight, it should not be a problem.

Philadelphia - The Eagles could be so deflated as a team and they just might have Kobb in at this point to get his chops in even if he is not being given serious consideration for next year. If the Eagles are playing for jobs next year, this game could hurt.

@ Chicago - Pssst, Mare (or Weatherford, or Vanderjagt, or Gramatica or ......): Keep the ball away Hester. And dress warm.

Record for this run: 7-1

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

The rest of this schedule looks like wins, that is why it scares the crap out of me. The Saints can run it, if they can play like they are capable of. No matter what it looks like on paper, all of these games are going to be seriously tough.

I guess I need to lay off Mare a little bit too. In all fairness to him, a lot of his attempts have been long ones. In his defense, most of those would not have even been attempted with Carney. I still think he sucks, but I realize that he needs to be evaluated on kicking more realistic attempts. Hopefully, he will not be asked to kick as many monster kicks during the stretch. The best way to cover up an inaccurate kicker is to just score touchdowns!

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

12-4 overall record come season end. Homefield advantage throughout, first round bye.

Joe, wake me.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

After going 0-fer, who would've thunk it?

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

Yes,
we MUST beat TB - we have a far better chance of winning the division than getting the wild card. and to do that we MUST beat TB.

I find it kinda funny that our two opponents chosen by our record are two of our softest opponents.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

Not no, but hell no! I'd rather live the dream too! If you turned out to be right, i might have to find a way to buy you and your significant other dinner sometime. Now all we have to do is get you to be right.;)

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

I do not think we will run the table - and I am looking at the last SIX games now.

Re: Can We Run the Table?
 

Answer to thread: no.