blacksaint

There's one very telling situation that calls for RB Pierre Thomas to get more carries, the health of RB Reggie Bush. In the last two games Reggie has been hurt, and not just little bruises but real injuries that caused him to miss significant practice time both weeks. Now, I not doubting Coach Payton, I still have a lot of confidence in him, but I am wondering a little about his decision making when it comes to his personnel's playing time. First it's the MLB situation, everybody in the B & G Nation and not just this forum, in my profession I come across a lot of Saints fans from all over the place and we're all in agreement that Mark Simoneau is garbage, but yet he still starts. And now we have a rookie RB in Thomas who have proven he is a talented young kid with skills and Payton don't play him very often, why? I think Payton better start giving Thomas a few more carries a game, because heaven forbid, if something were to happen to Reggie at least Pierre will be comfortable with increased playing time and won't be overwhelmed by the situation, just a thought.

saint4life
(504)

xan

Now I know why Bush prances out of bounds rather than take a hit. His bones are made of glass.

Get a real bruiser in there. Get Branch off the Practice Squad. Thomas might be a nice runner, but we need a guy who's only desire is to hit the pile with his shoulder pads low and drive a hole into a DT. This team needs a bruiser.

darstep

Pierre should get more carries. Stecker should get more carries also. We already have a bruiser: his name is Mike Karney. My observations show that he spends most of the game on the sideline watching the game like me - a gross under-use of talent. Where other players may underperform and only show up every now and then, Mike comes to play every week. He is one of the best FB's in the league: carry average, lead blocking, blitz protection, great hands, never fumbles...couldn't ask anymore of a player. But the running game seems to be wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy down on Payton's list of priorities. It bit us Sunday and it will bite us again. We have got to keep our defense off of the field - running game, and the way for us to run is behind Mike Karney. It doesn't matter if its Bush, Stecker, or Thomas, behind Karney they will at least have one gap to run through before it closes. Ten total carries on Sunday. Time of possesion was 40/20 for the Rams. Our defense spent 40 minutes of a 60 minute game on the field - gasping for breath. Karney spent only 2 minutes of our 20 minutes pounding opposing players. He didn't even need a drink. At some point along this road Payton needs to realize that Brees will be much more effective behind even an average running attack. Teams are figuring out that they can load up and come after Brees without much concern for our run. We don't establish it, and we don't stick with it. Brees' second half success was Hasslett's prevent defense gift give aways. Even without Duece, we have the ability to run the ball. The open question is, are we willing? Pass blocking is gravy once you have established some push from the running game. We've got the tools, we just aren't using them properly.

**SaintSince67**

Euphoria

The other reason he should get more carries especially against the Rams was that Run blocking was better than the pass protection.

QBREES9

I would like to see a little Thomas, Karney and BUSH.

JOESAM2002

Someone said in another post or thread that he wasn't playing because he can't pick up the blitz. Well, how are you going to learn to pick up a blitz if you don't play. This kid has NO quit in him. Hell put him Reggie and Karney in the backfield at the same time. Bust somebody in the chops!

MatthewT

I too would like to see Thomas get some more carries, but more than anything, I would like to see a running game. Reggie needs to go back to the Reggie role. Since I do not like RB by committee, I say for at least now, give Stecker the ball 25 times and lets see what he can do. If he doesn't get it, then give Thomas the ball 25 times. If he is not it, then Jammal Branch should be called up from the practice squad. Line those guys up behind Karney and see what they got. Get that rolling and all of a sudden Brees is going to have some very wide passing lanes to throw in.

JOESAM2002

Just a question, but, are we sure Branch is still on the practice squad? I really don't know.

MatthewT

According to the so called official Saints web site, Branch is still on the practice squad.

New Orleans Saints - 404

therchac

I would definately agree with QBREES9. We need to go back to the 2 backs in the backfield with a little Karney to put some cracks in the opponents helmets. Pierre thomas has shown his ability to run the ball and I beleive that he needs more running time. Karney needs to be able to play and put a few bruises on the defense so they may give us some running room for him. I just hope that after last weeks performance, we shape it up and play every game like its our LAST. Payton keeps mentioning that there is plenty of football left to play but if he don't figure out a running strategy or something to get Brees time to throw the ball, that phrase will run out in a few games. Which brings me to the discussion of Jason David. Does anyone like this guy?

Saint for life.