Defense steps up, takes pressure off offense

andersen · 11-25-2007, 05:55 PM

Finally, we are catching the ball on defense. The Saint's three interceptions and Smith's strip kept the Saints offense on the field in good field position. Payton's new "I will run the ball between the tackles" game plan let Drew hit open receivers and they caught it more times than not.
Key defensive stats: 11 first downs, 3-13 on 3rd down, 0-2 on fourth, 43 rushing yards, 152 passing, 0 TD's. Ok, it was not New England, but at least the Saint's D showed up and made some big plays that ignited the offense. Mike McKensie was tough and Jason David was not exposed as much. Charles Grant was solid against the run with Antwan Lake had a great sack and ball bat on 3rd down in the redzone.
We dominated in time of possesion, 2-1. Stecker ran hard on his 13 carries for 42, while PT came in the 4th quarter and finally ran 12 timess for only 32 yeards, with the two-back combining for 25 carries and 74 yards. Have you noticed that Reggie's name has not come up? Bush had only 12 touches, for 62 total yards, his longest for 15 yds.
Drew started shaky, but turned it up in the 2nd half, finishing 24/36, 260 yards, 3 TD's and had a rushing TD on a questionable play call (injure Drew and we're toast). His one interception was a tremendous play by Rice.
It was a game that the defense made plays and the offense took advantage of oppurtunities. Bring on 'da Bucs!

JOESAM2002 · 11-25-2007, 08:43 PM

You are so right. I was proud of the defense today. They weren't bad in the first half. In fact they kept us in the game till the offense got untracked. I was actually proud of the defense today. Then when Drew woke up it was really a good game for us. During that first half though, i have to admit, I thought we were going to lose. This bunch amazes me.

LongTimeFan · 11-25-2007, 09:30 PM

The Saints really brought the heat in the second half, Mike M. seemed to be around the football on every play.

BoudinSandwich · 11-25-2007, 09:49 PM

We started out "slow" for a REASON, guys. I KNEW we were going to win as long as SP didn't change the game plan we started with. This is what we need to do every week. BE PATIENT.

The commitment to the run this week is WHY we won. It showed that we can still score 30+ points when we focus on the run. And, with this game plan, we'll win way more ball games.

The problem all season has been SP's addiction to passing and complete lack of patience. We might not average more than a yard or two of rushing in the first half, but you're supposed to keep doing it and keep backs in your backfield when you throw the ball. The chance of a run will give Brees more time and free up our receivers.

Yeah, 75% passing game works sometimes. And, when it does, we blow teams out. However, even though we're not blowing teams out, we can win MORE games with a balanced/play-action philosophy. We DID blow Carolina out because they're a bad team. Other games, using this philosophy, will be closer, but we have a greater chance of winning. Plus, if we lose, we won't be blown out. Here's why:

Our biggest Offensive woes were: Drops, Ints (many batted up), and Predictability (why our line had so much trouble blocking).

Running the ball, even if it's not THAT effective, eliminates many of those things. I hate to sound like Madden here, guys, but it's the truth - and, that truth has escaped our coaching staff as of late.

Yeah, the defence played great against a horrible offense. McKenzie played like a man possessed. The defense has been decent all year. I'm not suprised in the slightest.

Our problem was offense. Pass-Happy, Predictable, Impatient = Inconsistent

Game ball goes to Aaron Stecker.

"I told you so!" goes to Sean Payton.

It's about time we've changed our gameplan. I wonder if he's read these boards or it just took him half a season to realize how to call an offense. Yeah, we blew teams out SOMETIMES, but we were never consistent because he didn't use a gameplan that breeds consistency.

Hopefully, Sean "Empty Backfield" Payton will continue to implement this new-found gameplan.

I love the guy, but damn. Before this game, I've only seen our offense run 10-different plays.

BoudinSandwich · 11-25-2007, 09:53 PM

Oh, and...

Who Dat?

11-25-2007, 05:55 PM	#1
andersen With an "E" Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Madisonville, LA Posts: 429	Defense steps up, takes pressure off offense Finally, we are catching the ball on defense. The Saint's three interceptions and Smith's strip kept the Saints offense on the field in good field position. Payton's new "I will run the ball between the tackles" game plan let Drew hit open receivers and they caught it more times than not. Key defensive stats: 11 first downs, 3-13 on 3rd down, 0-2 on fourth, 43 rushing yards, 152 passing, 0 TD's. Ok, it was not New England, but at least the Saint's D showed up and made some big plays that ignited the offense. Mike McKensie was tough and Jason David was not exposed as much. Charles Grant was solid against the run with Antwan Lake had a great sack and ball bat on 3rd down in the redzone. We dominated in time of possesion, 2-1. Stecker ran hard on his 13 carries for 42, while PT came in the 4th quarter and finally ran 12 timess for only 32 yeards, with the two-back combining for 25 carries and 74 yards. Have you noticed that Reggie's name has not come up? Bush had only 12 touches, for 62 total yards, his longest for 15 yds. Drew started shaky, but turned it up in the 2nd half, finishing 24/36, 260 yards, 3 TD's and had a rushing TD on a questionable play call (injure Drew and we're toast). His one interception was a tremendous play by Rice. It was a game that the defense made plays and the offense took advantage of oppurtunities. Bring on 'da Bucs!
	Seated in the top row of AREA 51?

11-25-2007, 08:43 PM	#2
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	Re: Defense steps up, takes pressure off offense You are so right. I was proud of the defense today. They weren't bad in the first half. In fact they kept us in the game till the offense got untracked. I was actually proud of the defense today. Then when Drew woke up it was really a good game for us. During that first half though, i have to admit, I thought we were going to lose. This bunch amazes me.

11-25-2007, 09:30 PM	#3
LongTimeFan Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 2,403	Re: Defense steps up, takes pressure off offense The Saints really brought the heat in the second half, Mike M. seemed to be around the football on every play.

11-25-2007, 09:49 PM	#4
BoudinSandwich OldiesDJ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scott, LA Posts: 951 Blog Entries: 12	Re: Defense steps up, takes pressure off offense We started out "slow" for a REASON, guys. I KNEW we were going to win as long as SP didn't change the game plan we started with. This is what we need to do every week. BE PATIENT. The commitment to the run this week is WHY we won. It showed that we can still score 30+ points when we focus on the run. And, with this game plan, we'll win way more ball games. The problem all season has been SP's addiction to passing and complete lack of patience. We might not average more than a yard or two of rushing in the first half, but you're supposed to keep doing it and keep backs in your backfield when you throw the ball. The chance of a run will give Brees more time and free up our receivers. Yeah, 75% passing game works sometimes. And, when it does, we blow teams out. However, even though we're not blowing teams out, we can win MORE games with a balanced/play-action philosophy. We DID blow Carolina out because they're a bad team. Other games, using this philosophy, will be closer, but we have a greater chance of winning. Plus, if we lose, we won't be blown out. Here's why: Our biggest Offensive woes were: Drops, Ints (many batted up), and Predictability (why our line had so much trouble blocking). Running the ball, even if it's not THAT effective, eliminates many of those things. I hate to sound like Madden here, guys, but it's the truth - and, that truth has escaped our coaching staff as of late. Yeah, the defence played great against a horrible offense. McKenzie played like a man possessed. The defense has been decent all year. I'm not suprised in the slightest. Our problem was offense. Pass-Happy, Predictable, Impatient = Inconsistent Game ball goes to Aaron Stecker. "I told you so!" goes to Sean Payton. It's about time we've changed our gameplan. I wonder if he's read these boards or it just took him half a season to realize how to call an offense. Yeah, we blew teams out SOMETIMES, but we were never consistent because he didn't use a gameplan that breeds consistency. Hopefully, Sean "Empty Backfield" Payton will continue to implement this new-found gameplan. I love the guy, but damn. Before this game, I've only seen our offense run 10-different plays.
	Season Ticket Holder Since 2005

11-25-2007, 09:53 PM	#5
BoudinSandwich OldiesDJ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scott, LA Posts: 951 Blog Entries: 12	Re: Defense steps up, takes pressure off offense Oh, and... Who Dat?

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