SaintFanInATLHELL

This is a corresponding thread to the fixing the D thread.

As I see it the Saints O last year had 4 fundamental problems:

1) Turnovers
2) Drops
3) Inconsistent running game
4) Injuries

Now that free agency is winding down, it's clear that on offense that the Saints pretty much decided to stand pat, essentially resigning all their free agents except for Faine.

So how do the Saints solve the four (or any others that you'd like to list) fundamental problems on the offensive side of the ball?

Have at it.

SFIAH

papz

The talent is all there... we just need to gameplan and execute better. We saw towards the end of last year we are capable to pounding the football... we just need to stay committed. Devery is talented. Meachem is talented. Colston is all world. Patten is consistent. We just need to get on the same page and focus... stay hungry and the problems will fix itself. As for injuries, we can't help that. Just continue to stockpile talent to add quality depth. And should an injury happen, we just need to rally around our players... help build their confidence and hope for the best.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

jergensl

i'm not sure if there is anything to be fixed...injuries is what hurt the saints the most last year.

Euphoria

Well I would start revamping that O line. The O line proved to be suspect all year. When you can't grind out the clock by ball control because you aren't able to sustain a running game consistantly. Faine gone is probably one of the biggest improvements.

beauchristopher

i would put reggie bush in the slot and in motion more.. let stecker/thomas do the rushing until deuce is fully back.

iceshack149

I agree. Enough with the starter roll for Reggie. Move him around and take advantage of his awesome abilities.

Crusader

I'm right with you on the O-line. Brown wasn't his old self and really needs to rgain form. Stinchcomb was solid but not spectacular, we can do with that. The inside trio seemed to lack push. Jahri Evans played the best of them but still no real holes were created. A player like Deuce is going to plow his way through a small crease and get you 4-5 yard anyways while a smaller back like Bush won't be able to do that. Alan Fanceca (spelling on that name?) would have been nice but to much money. I hope one of our young guys can step up this year otherwise we should look for a guard in round 3-5.

W.T. Sherman is my favorite General. After all he did order Atlanta to be burned to the ground.

thesaintsfan

As far as the offense goes the two things that really got on my nerves last year were the dropped balls and the O-Line play especially the run blocking. Am I the only one who thinks that our O-Line has been a little overrated the past couple of years? The media gives them a ton of credit because they don't give up many sacks (they do deserve alot of credit) but Brees has alot to do with that as well. Drew is great about identifying the open man and getting rid of the ball in a hurry. Also our air attack involves mainly short and intermediate routes so the pass protection doesn't have to hold up very long.

Although the unit might not be as good as the numbers would indicate they are still very solid in pass pro. The run blocking on the other hand was suspect to say the least. Reggie took alot of heat for not being able to run between the tackles but there are very few backs in the league who could have success with so little support from the O-Line. I think J. Brown and J. Evans are rock solid but you could make a case for needing upgrades at the other posistions. I would love to see us find a replacement for Stinchcomb. I have never been a fan of his and I think we could do better.

As far as the dropped balls go it was just rediculous at times last year. Even Colston would drop balls that were easy catches. And then there was Devery. What can you say about Devery that hasn't already been said?

MatthewT

I think the offensive line could stand some improvement, but overall I have no real issues with them. The main thing that should help is to commit to the running game. I know the injury to Deuce and Reggie's ineffectiveness caused most of the problem, but it was discovered later in the year that other guys can get it done. Just need the commitment to do so. That would remove a lot of pressure on the passing game, and should result in fewer drops and turnovers. It's not really a good sign when your QB is throwing in the 4500 yard range. In the NFL that pretty much shows a one dimensional type of offense.

TheDeuce

You keep everything the same except punish people for making mistakes (ie dropping the football). Besides that, I don't think that "improving" the offense should be a huge concern. I mean it was ranked the 4th best offense in the NFL, so I'm not really sure how much you improve on it. I think you try to keep it consistent and keep doing what you did that made you successful.

But, if I was going to play along, I'd take these steps:

1. Only play receivers that catch the ball. They drop it, they sit.
2. Use Reggie Bush better. They used him in a way which did not highlight his strengths last season. Put him on the field at the same time as a prototypical running back. Line him up in the slot. Send him out on routes. Give him end arounds. Line him up in the backfield and run him inside and outside. Don't just give him stretches and screens, give him iso's as well.
3. Keep trick plays to a minimum.