frankeefrank

I once had an established HS football coach tell me... about the running game...
"A lot of teams can't run the ball because they don't block the right way."

At the time, He was spekaing of UCLA's so-called "west coast" offensive team that featured DeShaun Foster.
The Bruins ran Foster in a lot of draws and delays...

This coach was Foster's HS coach and he told me, "UCLA doesn't want to run. They don't call the right plays for DF or their offensive lineman. They don't allow Deshaun to run productively."
Foster was a Heisman candidate that year before the NCAA issues arose...
Foster racked up a lot of yardage for the Bruins, but in tight games or against physical teams or when the Bruins needed one yard... They couldn't get it.
Why?

I believe our lineman have enough talent to line up and produce a running game.
But we haven't done it consistently...

My question is: Do we call the right plays for our personnel?
Why don't we try quick hitters like the 49ers used with Roger Craig?
Why don't we try the zone blocking scheme? It haelped the Falcons...
Or the Broncos' patented "stretch run play?"

I think Reggie would be more effective if you let him focus on cutting once...

The weather is always 72 degrees and perfect, in the Dome

darstep

I think that we could run the ball if Sean WANTED to run the ball. He has shown that he doesn't. These guys have been playing football since the days when their helmets and shoulder pads were too big. They know how to block; they are pros and want to block. Our genius is not commited to it, and it shows; the players aren't commited to it. Our running game lacks Karney. In case anyone missed it, our running game lacks Karney - period. Leading for Bush, Stecker, and Thomas - they've been running the ball all of their lives. Four to five yards a pop would make me turn flips - Payton wouldn't be impressed. All of our backs would have decent numbers running behind Karney - if they are following him through consistently. Brees would have Karney's protection on the play action; defences would have to stack the box and the wideouts would be one on one down the field; the tailback would have linebacker coverage out of the backfield. With no commitment to the run, everything gets bottled up, especially Brees trying to dink and dunk to Reggie all game long and trying to dance Regiie up to the line from that single back formation. It is tired, and is exposing Sean Paytons limited grasp of the range of talent at his disposal.

**SaintSince67**

BoudinSandwich

I agree whole-heartedly with the above post.

It's Sean Payton's fault.

Don't give me the bull that Reggie can't run between the tackles. He's proven he can. No, he's not a bruiser. He doesn't knock defenders off of him. Instead, he uses his agility to bounce off of them and crawl/spin for a few extra yards. Watch how he runs up the middle, he's incredibly effective.

Even if Reggie couldn't do it, we have Stecker and Pierre Thomas that can - especially Pierre Thomas.

The problem isn't personnel, it's Sean Payton. He doesn't want to run.


The Saints have had the same exact offensive gameplan for EVERY SINGLE GAME this year. Sean Payton REFUSES to adjust to the teams that they are playing. He wants to play his way or no way at all. When it works, it's phenomenal. However, it works less than 50% of the time. (4-6)

I seriously doubt there's any gameplanning for opposing defences. I don't think Sean Payton has more than 20 offensive plays in his playbook. I've seen the same plays OVER and OVER and OVER again since PRESEASON. And, you know what? So have the coaches that beat us.

Sean Payton was amazing in his first year. He DID deserve his Coach of the Year award. However, he was fresh that year. No one had much time to study his gameplans. This year is different. The only way he can make this team win games is if he adjusts his game plans. The teams we have beaten this year have NOT done their homework. That, and they were pathetic.


It's time for another playbook. And, for the love of god, start another corner! Hell, I'd be more comfortable with Reggie Bush playing cornerback instead of David. Atleast he'd be able to keep up with the receivers.


We've got a good coach, guys. He's just stubborn as hell. It's his way or no way and his way isn't working. We have no way to make it to the playoffs now. Hopefully, he'll learn to adjust his philosophy. If not, he's pretty much peaked as a head coach.


That's our problem. I believe we have a good team. I trust Payton can change things for the better. I'm just ticked off to no end that he hasn't even remotely tried to change anything yet.

Season Ticket Holder Since 2005

Euphoria

TOTALLY PAYTONS FAULT... heres why.

He totally over compensated from last weeks game and I was afraid of that. You should line Reggie in the backfield if you intend to change your game play and run the ball. P. Thomas should have been back there and Reggie as a Slot Reciever. You can gauge on the reaction of your blocking and whats going on in the first series or 2. With Reggie back there... hmmm lets see big game of who was the better pick, ya think they might key on his ass -damn right. Payton's days are numbered from this day forward in my opinion.

Last week our run blocking was very good and we didn't take advantage of it. This week Payton though lets come out running the ball, I guess he didn't think Texans would be looking at the same game preparing for us. We were OVER MATCHED.

I think the Texans showed they were a better football team than we are by beating us... I mean they out played us on every unit. We have a long way to go.

E U P H O R I A

hagan714

running game? what running game. We played like diddle pooh out there.
I do miss Jim Mora at times like this. I really do.
But Seriously.
For the love of all that is holy please put PT and RB in the same back field. Right now it would not hurt. Heck run MK 10 times a game too. Do anything in the run game to get the defenses guessing.

JOESAM2002

I agree, what running game? We don't have one. Bring up Branch. It's obvious that Payton thinks little of Pierre Thomas. One rush,7 yards and out of the game? What is that? I could sit here all day just like the rest of us and say we need to do more in the running game, but it seems our coach might be a little hard headed. He's going to do what he wants to do right,wrong or indifferent. At least if he brought up Branch and used him,I might add, we'd at least have a change of pace and a bit of a slammer. No, he's not Duece, but who is? We don't have Deuce, but we do have Branch and Thomas, for God's sake use them. It
s almost to late to even try. We're so out of the picture is scary. Tamps still winning and we can't beat Houston. We can't count on the defense to win games. But the offense is so inconsistant it's ridiculous. And alas, our coach isn't doing anything to change the situation.

Sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut and be thought an idiot, than to open it and remove all doubt!!!!!

"Every time you think, you weaken the nation!" Moe Howard...The Three Stooges.

sac-a-lait

One of the announcers said it during the game--"The Saints are not the same team without McAllister", and he is correct, we REALLY miss Duece, and any mini Deuces are not allowed to play.

BooBirdSaint

Eup feel free to copy and paste one of you previous "observations" on how crappy the OL is here_____________________________________.

andersen

Why did he put PT in for one play, run him between the tackles for 6 yds and then pull him out? That wasn't good enough? He didn't shake and bake enough? He didn't fumble enough? This coach has to change his ways or the ways will change the coach.

WhoDat205

I totally agree. I told the lady next to me at the bar on the Saint's first series: he's going to start with a run, then run again, then pass. Anytime I know what you are going to do in an NFL game, that's a bad sign.

You gotta get Pierre out there with Reggie.

The stacks and the bunches with the receivers are not working either. I actually found myself hoping we would use Devery to stretch the field. I also wonder why they don't use Reggie's 4.3 speed on anything but underneath and swing routes. Hell, come out in an I with PT and Karney in the backfield and Colston and Reggie as the WRs. There's a reason teams have run the power running game with PA passes for the better part of a G-D CENTURY!!!

"defence's personal to allwats double team or watch is over, that one reason why the saints or not any good." - Vador101