Brees, defense revive Saints

QBREES9 · 11-09-2007, 11:00 PM

Dallas Morning News

Brees, defense revive Saints
01:29 AM CST on Friday, November 9, 2007

The New Orleans Saints staged a dramatic turnaround of their season in October, and quarterback Drew Brees has received most of the credit.

During the opening month of the season, the Saints were dreadful, starting 0-4, and so was Brees. A Pro Bowl quarterback in 2006, Brees threw nine interceptions and only one touchdown pass in those first four games.

But in the last four games, Brees has turned his season around – and so have the Saints. He has thrown 11 TD passes and only one interception in a 4-0 run that has the Saints at .500.

But a closer look reveals more to the turnaround than the arm of Brees. The New Orleans defense also has staged a dramatic about-face. Bombarded for 119 points in the first four games, the Saints have allowed only 67 points the last four games.

The Saints ranked last in the NFL after four weeks in sacks (one) and takeaways (3). Four games later, they have 13 sacks and nine take- aways. Mike McKenzie returned one of those takeaways 75 yards for a touchdown last week in a 41-24 romp over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The off-season objective of the Saints was to bolster a defense that finished 23rd against the run and 11th overall in 2006. The offense was already Super Bowl-ready, but the defense needed to improve for the Saints to take the next step from NFC title game to NFL title game.

So the Saints signed defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, linebacker Brian Simmons, cornerback Jason David and safety Kevin Kaesviharn in free agency. They also used a third-round draft pick on cornerback Usama Young.

Simmons and David start, and Clancy, Kaesviharn and Young come off the bench. The contributions of Clancy and Simmons have helped the Saints climb into the top 10 in the NFL in run defense.

New Orleans has held three of its last four opponents to 17 points or less. The Saints rank sixth in the NFL in offense and fifth in the NFC in scoring. If New Orleans continues to hold opponents to 17 or less, the Saints are going to win a lot more games this season.

WillMacKenzie · 11-09-2007, 11:07 PM

Ah yes, the mad scientist is hard at work, toiling night and day to find golden Saints nuggets to feed our swashbuckling crew of fans.

QBREES9 · 11-09-2007, 11:33 PM

LOL you make me Laff. Thanks Will !!!

JOESAM2002 · 11-10-2007, 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by WillMacKenzie

Ah yes, the mad scientist is hard at work, toiling night and day to find golden Saints nuggets to feed our swashbuckling crew of fans.

I do so agree. Between him and Blacksaint, I'd say we have two steady contributors. There are more but these two continually keep going. Thanks guys.

phatoosdey · 11-10-2007, 12:27 AM

<---------certified black and gold swashbuckler
....umm that sounds gay but its not
ok i've thought this over and if being an avid saints fan means being a swashbuckler
count me in!

hagan714 · 11-10-2007, 08:31 AM

Count me in too
I just wont dress in orange and wear a feather in my hat. That is just a bit to artsy fartsy for me.

JOESAM2002 · 11-10-2007, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by hagan714

Count me in too
I just wont dress in orange and wear a feather in my hat. That is just a bit to artsy fartsy for me.

I call BS! I've seen you in that outfit. Thought it looked good on you too. But the Carmen Miranda outfit will always be my favorite.

I'd buckle that swash too if they keep winning. Hell if they win out......I might even dress up as a.........................guy that lives on a beach. Bet you guys thought I was gonna say something stupid didn't you? Maybe later, we all know I do have that ability.

leilung · 11-10-2007, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by phatoosdey

<---------certified black and gold swashbuckler
....umm that sounds gay but its not
ok i've thought this over and if being an avid saints fan means being a swashbuckler
count me in!

Swashbuckler is too close to Swishbuckler, which is too close to being a Buccaneer (frigg'n queer?). In other words...gay.

JOESAM2002 · 11-10-2007, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by leilung

Swashbuckler is too close to Swishbuckler, which is too close to being a Buccaneer (frigg'n queer?). In other words...gay.

Swishbuckler? God, it's still to early in the morning for humor. I'll have to check this out later. Maybe 3 or 3:30 this afternoon.

11-09-2007, 11:00 PM	#1
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Brees, defense revive Saints Dallas Morning News Brees, defense revive Saints 01:29 AM CST on Friday, November 9, 2007 The New Orleans Saints staged a dramatic turnaround of their season in October, and quarterback Drew Brees has received most of the credit. During the opening month of the season, the Saints were dreadful, starting 0-4, and so was Brees. A Pro Bowl quarterback in 2006, Brees threw nine interceptions and only one touchdown pass in those first four games. But in the last four games, Brees has turned his season around – and so have the Saints. He has thrown 11 TD passes and only one interception in a 4-0 run that has the Saints at .500. But a closer look reveals more to the turnaround than the arm of Brees. The New Orleans defense also has staged a dramatic about-face. Bombarded for 119 points in the first four games, the Saints have allowed only 67 points the last four games. The Saints ranked last in the NFL after four weeks in sacks (one) and takeaways (3). Four games later, they have 13 sacks and nine take- aways. Mike McKenzie returned one of those takeaways 75 yards for a touchdown last week in a 41-24 romp over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The off-season objective of the Saints was to bolster a defense that finished 23rd against the run and 11th overall in 2006. The offense was already Super Bowl-ready, but the defense needed to improve for the Saints to take the next step from NFC title game to NFL title game. So the Saints signed defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, linebacker Brian Simmons, cornerback Jason David and safety Kevin Kaesviharn in free agency. They also used a third-round draft pick on cornerback Usama Young. Simmons and David start, and Clancy, Kaesviharn and Young come off the bench. The contributions of Clancy and Simmons have helped the Saints climb into the top 10 in the NFL in run defense. New Orleans has held three of its last four opponents to 17 points or less. The Saints rank sixth in the NFL in offense and fifth in the NFC in scoring. If New Orleans continues to hold opponents to 17 or less, the Saints are going to win a lot more games this season.

11-09-2007, 11:07 PM	#2
WillMacKenzie 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,627	Re: Brees, defense revive Saints Ah yes, the mad scientist is hard at work, toiling night and day to find golden Saints nuggets to feed our swashbuckling crew of fans.

11-09-2007, 11:33 PM	#3
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Re: Brees, defense revive Saints LOL you make me Laff. Thanks Will !!!

11-10-2007, 12:21 AM	#4
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	Re: Brees, defense revive Saints Originally Posted by WillMacKenzie Ah yes, the mad scientist is hard at work, toiling night and day to find golden Saints nuggets to feed our swashbuckling crew of fans. I do so agree. Between him and Blacksaint, I'd say we have two steady contributors. There are more but these two continually keep going. Thanks guys.

11-10-2007, 12:27 AM	#5
phatoosdey Drunkagen Join Date: May 2007 Location: kenner Posts: 356	Re: Brees, defense revive Saints <---------certified black and gold swashbuckler ....umm that sounds gay but its not ok i've thought this over and if being an avid saints fan means being a swashbuckler count me in!

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11-10-2007, 08:31 AM	#6
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Brees, defense revive Saints Count me in too I just wont dress in orange and wear a feather in my hat. That is just a bit to artsy fartsy for me.

11-10-2007, 08:38 AM	#7
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	Re: Brees, defense revive Saints Originally Posted by hagan714 Count me in too I just wont dress in orange and wear a feather in my hat. That is just a bit to artsy fartsy for me. I call BS! I've seen you in that outfit. Thought it looked good on you too. But the Carmen Miranda outfit will always be my favorite. I'd buckle that swash too if they keep winning. Hell if they win out......I might even dress up as a.........................guy that lives on a beach. Bet you guys thought I was gonna say something stupid didn't you? Maybe later, we all know I do have that ability.

11-10-2007, 08:49 AM	#8
leilung Booty Bandit Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Wastelands that are NJ Posts: 1,369	Re: Brees, defense revive Saints Originally Posted by phatoosdey <---------certified black and gold swashbuckler ....umm that sounds gay but its not ok i've thought this over and if being an avid saints fan means being a swashbuckler count me in! Swashbuckler is too close to Swishbuckler, which is too close to being a Buccaneer (frigg'n queer?). In other words...gay.

11-10-2007, 08:57 AM	#9
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	Re: Brees, defense revive Saints Originally Posted by leilung Swashbuckler is too close to Swishbuckler, which is too close to being a Buccaneer (frigg'n queer?). In other words...gay. Swishbuckler? God, it's still to early in the morning for humor. I'll have to check this out later. Maybe 3 or 3:30 this afternoon.