QBREES9

Saints finding ways to win

WWL/Deke Beallvia Reporting
In a sixteen game season it’s hard to look your best each week. But at the end of the day it’s about winning and it’s about surviving. The New Orleans Saints are doing both. The Saints had more gas in the tank than their rivals from the East and they improved their record to 7-0.

The Saints took the Falcons’ best shot and still came out with a win over the hated Dirty Birds of Atlanta. In a game that featured more drama than the reunion episode of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, the Saints found a way to win a close game.

The Saints offense sputtered at times, the defense gave up big plays and a lot of rushing yards to Michael Turner and the special teams were okay at best. But this team found a way to win. Why? The Saints are a complete team.
Over the course of the last few weeks many were talking about how the Eagles game or the Giants Game would be the toughest of the season. What kind of talk is that? When you’re undefeated and the big dog in your conference, each game only gets more difficult to win.

I thought the Falcons Game would be a tough one to win and it will be even tougher this week against the Panthers. But, hey--this is the NFL; it’s supposed to be tough. And right now the Saints are going to get each opponent’s A game…from here on out.

When you’re in a battle with everything on the line, it’s not one play, one player or one coaching call that’s going to be the sole reason for the outcome. It’s going to come down to the effort the entire team puts forth.
In past years the Saints would have lost a game like this. Just last season New Orleans lost six games by a total of eighteen points. This season, with each game that passes by, the Saints are looking more and more like a complete team.

For the first time this season New Orleans had trouble putting an opponent away. But, the main thing—they finished the job. The last two games the Saints did not look their best, but they found a way to win.
I’m not saying this team doesn’t have some things to clean up, and certainly I am not saying the Black & Gold have been at their peak all the time. What I am saying is that full potential can’t and won’t be reached in just seven games.
Coach Payton will be the first to tell you that his team has a long way to go. And I am here to tell you that the Saints have come a long way already. The ‘91 Saints also started their season with a 7-0 mark…only to finish the season going 4-5 down the stretch with an 11-5 record.

Other than for the sake of being humble and telling ourselves that it could and has happened, I would not read anything into that. This is the 2009 Saints, not the 1991 Saints. And I think we all agree that these Saints are a much better TEAM!
New Orleans is coming at teams from all different directions. The team that was once labeled one dimensional on offense and weak on defense is proving why they will be major players this post season.
Teams don’t know if Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas or Reggie Bush is going to be the one rushing the ball. Drew Brees has so many guys to throw to…and now he’s even getting new TE David Thomas more involved.

The defense did bend, but has yet to break. They’re a ball hawking group that has come up with big scores and takeaways in every game this season. In seven games the Saints have returned five interceptions for touchdowns, which already ties a club record set back in 1998.

The games only get tougher…beginning this week with Jake and the Cats coming to town. The Saints have not beaten the Panthers at home since 2001, and if Jake is going to play one good game this season, it’ll be against the Saints.
Not that we need examples, but look at the top teams in the NFL right now. The Colts also struggled this week as they nipped the 49ers 18-14. The Broncos have looked less than spectacular in some of their six wins…along with Minnesota, Pittsburgh, New England and Philly. But they won the majority of their games. Winning games is the ultimate goal, people.
In the NFL it’s about winning. When things don’t go as planned, those teams that are still standing in late January and February are the ones who just find ways to win. That’s what the Saints are doing right now.
So seven up, seven down…and although two of the seven were not at all pretty, they are still wins. And to me a win is a win! How about you?

Who Dat Nation…can you feel it? Sunday the Saints take on the Carolina Panthers at home in the Superdome. We’ll bring you 9 hours of wall-to-wall coverage, starting at noon… first up—“First Take” with Mark Chifici and former Saints offensive lineman, Steve Korte. Then at 1pm—“Countdown to Kickoff” with the “Cajun Cannon” Bobby Hebert and “Big Chief” Deke Bellavia…Game time is 3:05. After the game—sound off on “The Point After” live from Deanie’s Seafood in the French Quarter. The Who Dat Dream is alive…on SAINTSradio —WWL-AM-FM-and dot com!

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

" Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph "

Rugby Saint II

The team has struggled a little bit with the run defense the last couple of weeks, of course we have been with out Ellis and Fujita. Our defense has also started slowly, but came up big in the 4th quarter.

QBREES9

They came up BIG in the 4th. Smell the blood and go in for the kill. I like Hargrove

"The phrase "Finish Strong" was emblazoned on a set of T-shirts Drew Brees commissioned and distributed to the team during training camp.
It's also part of the pregame breakdown chant Brees barks to teammates in the end zone of each game.

"Finishing games has been on the forefront of everyone's mind this year, " Brees said. "I think we've learned from past mistakes. Experience is a big part of that."

It's one thing to want to improve an aspect of your game. It's another to actually do it.

So how did the Saints become a bunch of Mariano Riveras? Several reasons, players and coaches said Wednesday. "

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

" Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph "

jn671

yes hargrove is nice! Grant needs to get back to the what he was in the beggining of the season....

QBREES9

Yeah has looked off. Payton needs to get in his head. Dam Bro your a No#1 draft pick play like one. Lets Go !!!