xan

There's a general sense that the creativity and unpredictability that fueled the team's 2006 season, as well as the 4 game streak this season, has deserted this team.

However, some of the unpredictability this season is why play in general has deteriorated so much:

O-line run blocking has been deficient. Pass blocking was somewhat reasonable during the streak, but this line is getting blown out at the snap. They aren't picking up the blitz as well as before and the middle of the line is whiffing far to often.

Receivers drop too many passes or run sloppy routes. Sometimes they don't recognize the blitz and aren't in a position to help Brees out.

Brees' blitz recognition is not good, and when he sees it after the snap, he panics. He's also somewhat reluctant to step up into the pocket where he might buy some time, but then given the above statement, there hasn't been too much room to do that at times. No anticipation of the rush or how to avoid it.

Coaches won't try running the ball, or audibling a run away from the blitz. ESPN gave a primer on how to beat the blitz with the run, with the "option" the best solution. Some may argue that NFL players are too fast for option rushing attacks or it puts the QB in bad situations, but it doesn't have to be run many times to make the defense reduce its blitzing.

No pressure on opposing QBs. Unacceptable that an 0-8 team completes 28 of 34 passes. There may have been a few sacks, but not enough consistent pressure. After any sack, the defense has rested on it's accomplishment like it was the Nobel Peace Prize.

I won't pick on any particular corner, but the coaching staff has got to figure out how to get these scrubs to play the position correctly. Bad body position, bad angles, poor recognition, peeking into the backfield are just the obvious issues that need to be addressed.

Hands. With few exceptions, no player has distinguished him/herself with handling the ball. Some players act like the ball's made out of Cafe du Monde begnet grease. No surprise that Bullocks hasn't intercepted but one pass this year and only 4 in his career and then had two osk's slip right through his fingers. Henderson, Colston, any defensive back, hell, any defensive player, and you've got precious few people who know how to grab and hold onto a ball.

Special teams are exactly that. Tard cart, short bus, drool trough, padded room, bouncy harness, kneck brace, tongue swallowers. Blocked fgs, missed chip shots, bad punts, poor coverage, what's a return?, and a litany of individual and institutional mistakes. Geez.

I'm having a hard time figuring out what to be happy about. I have the whole offseason's preparation for the draft to see.

Calvin: "I wish I was a Tiger."
Hobbes: "Common lament."