13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Despite the joy of being 13-0, I'll say something and you guys can flame me if you will. We are not the best team in the NFL right now, we just have the best record.

The last 2 weeks, we would have been beaten by any of the NFC teams that we'll see in the play-offs, esp Arizona, Philly, & Minn. Our Defense looks as bad or worse as last year. More like 2007 honestly. And it's NOT just do to injuries. There is no pass rush and everyone is missing tackles.

I have concerns we're going to give the Cowboys their first December win of the season at this rate. GW soft game plans may be due to his confidence in our current personal, but regardless, it's getting us killed.

Sure, maybe when I our corners get back things will be different, but putting all your faith in that is a lil short-sighted to me. Those guys have been out for a while, how effective will they be when they get back? Especially if they come back for week 17, then are off a week, then have to play at a play-off level. There needs to be a re-sharpening across the board on defense or we're going to be one and done in the play-offs, 16-0 or not.

WHO-DAT!

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

I think we have been playing down to the level of our competition. Every team we play are shooting for us and is in a desperate position in their season to win. Plus, this is the NFL. You just don't go into another teams back yard and blow them out every game.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

No flame from me. We have found a way to win, but have not looked good. We still play to the level of our opponents. When ATL came back yesterday the guy next to me asked if I was nervous yet. I replied, "no, we never put away the bad teams."

Yesterday our blitzes were just awful. The ATL OL was missing 2 starters and we did not TOUCH Redman. I wonder if a loss to ATL or Wash would have woken us up a little.




BTW-were you there?

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

All true. But don't count the Saints out of this Dallas game. Home field advantage may get us the win. And if that happens then it is HFA for the playoffs. As bad as our D is playing that dome advantage can take us places.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Yeah im a bit worried....i hope our D didnt peak too soon...im hoping after Porter,Greer and Fujita come back it will get better.....even Sharper looks lost...we need a cure quick...if i was G.W and i aint.....i would be all over their butts this week...,,,

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

I agree with all of ya'll's positive points. Home field will help against the Cowboys and we have played well in big games and bad in the "easy" ones. I'm just going to be sick if we go 15-1 or 16-0 then are one and done in the play-offs. Absolutely sick.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Cowboys will probably be without their key defensive star Demarcus Ware with a neck sprain. Brees will have time to pick them apart. 42-20

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No, but not for a lack of effort. Just could not afford the ticket prices with Christmas coming up. I had to go down close to the GA Dome on Sunday and could here it rockin.

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Yeah, doubt he plays, but I'm more worried about Barber, Choice, Witten, Austin, and R.Williams. That's a lot of guys to account for.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

I hope I'm right thinking that GW has been calling a conservative game plan cause of the guys missing on defense. When they come back, GW will bring the heat again and plays will be cleaned up, right now the Saints are playing with back ups at corner and it shows

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Derrick Brooks just said our D is really missing our starters in the secondary..but he picks us to win the superbowl...lol...well i tend to agree with Mr. Brooks

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Every team in this league has defensive injuries and trouble spots, so we're not alone. The Vikings D can be exposed, just cue up the ARZ game film.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

yes but our D has looked bad and slow all over, not just our backs up who are playing.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Cowboys have it worse. A short week with a two-game losing streak facing Brees, Meachem, Colston, Shockey, Henderson, Bush, Thomas, etc. in the Superdome.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

The game plan wasn't conservative- we were blizing all over the place but no one was getting through

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Well I do not think you can say that considering the Giants went up n down the field on Philly, and yes I think our O is better. The vikes got stomped by Cards, and we will see how they play tonight. The fact is we can not win with the D playing the way it is, I agree, but I do want to remind everyone that A- 3 guys are missing, and B. we were on the road. Playing on the road is hard, but I do agree with the fact that our defense has to play better. With Porter and Greer- I think our D will play much better, much better. Matter of fact remember the year Indy won the SB- their D came out of no where and played lights out. Not saying we will do the same, but I think you could see our D play like that in the playoffs if we are healthy.

You are right though Pyscho- our d will have to improve, but I think it does when we get Porter, Greer, and fuj back. Plus it might take those guys a game to get their sea legs back, but then once they do- they might be better off because they will be fresh.

Opinions?

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Once again; If teams we played close COULDA then they WOULDA and they SHOULDA.........

Bottom line; They DIDN'T, WE DID!!!! 13 - 0

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The point is we are on a slippery slop and if we don't fix it somebody else will

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Our bye week came too early. You can just sense that neither the D nor the O is flying around like they were earlier in the season. Sharper's age is starting to show as the season winds down. We are also just a much different team at home than on the road.
At the end of the day, the playoff bye week, getting our starting CB's back, and having home field advantage in the playoffs should all be enough to propel us to the Superbowl this year.
And just for the record, if we have wrapped up the HFA and are 15-0 heading to Carolina, I would definitely sit most everyone for that game. It's a road game against the best running team in the NFL and it carries too much risk of injury in my mind. A lot of our veteran players could use that week off.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Your exactly right... I agree with the fact they have been play'n 2 the opponent's level & yes we have some crucial injuries, but we did'nt play to the level we know we can & they know that 2. I honestly believe that we'll be just fine. They will get thing's corrected & will give DALLAS exactly wut they DON'T or NEED. Regaurdless of the close games on the road, we are the BEST in the league & extremely dangerous, BOTTOM LINE.
Im NOT concerned or worried at all, i know they will fix whatever need be & get back on track.
Me personaly, i feel as if they KNOW that this is a once in a life time oppertunity to go 16-0 & WIN the "SB"... They are'nt gonna lay down, if anything, i feel that they will be even tougher in the Playoff's. They will know how important it is 2 jump out early with a lead & not STOP until the final whistle!!!

Kepp ya head's up fella'z, everything's gonna be just fine & possibly even BETTER than we could imagine.
"IT'S GONNA BE A FUN RIDE"

(WhO DaT ~ 13-0 ~ GeauX $A!NT'z ~ #1)

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Different game plans for different team with different players means different results.

No game will be the same, especially when you're juggling injuries.

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I sincerely hope that this is the case. What I've seen, since dismantling of New England, appears to be a singular lack of intensity when it comes to playing lower caliber teams. If we see our team totally destroy the Ranch-hands this Saturday, then it will be clear to me that the let down is a coaching issue and not injuries. However, if we continue to squeak by with wins, then we should be VERY concerned about our competiveness into the playoffs.

Poor tackling, biting on double moves, no pressure on the opposing QB? All indicators of some serious problems that must be fixed before the post season or we will be bowing out quickly and go down in history as one of the biggest "Paper Tigers" in NFL history.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

First time post, so be gentle. I agree with Stockman. Our bye week came in early October and we are dinged up. Once we get HFA we need to rest some guys. I want to go undefeated, but the ultimate goal is the Super Bowl. Both of our lines are moving a lot slower right now.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Welcome to an another ATL Saints fan. And I'll be gentle- just face the wall and try not to tense up...

I have seen the bye week mentioned a couple of times now and am not sure why it matters. At that time PT was just coming back, Bell, Ellis, David Thomas and Jenkins were all out. Now they're all back.
Greer was hurt in week 9 and Porter week 11. How would a late bye week help? Bye weeks end in week 10.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Even if the Saints whip Dallas (I think they will) we still will need 1 Minnesota loss to clinch HFA through the NFC playoffs. Or one more Saints win.

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The team has been on the road so much lately I think they're a little worn
down. Look for a big burst of energy Saturday night.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

It's impossible to be up for all 16 games. The Saints have got up for the Eagles, Jets, Giants and Patriots. They have found a way to beat everyone else. The injuries have hurt big time. Greer was playing at a Pro Bowl level. Porter was playing at a very high level. Clearly, Fujita is underrated. Now, if those guys aren't back for the playoffs, it's definitely a concern. The Vikings, Cardinals, and Packers are for real. Greer or Porter, one of the, HAS to be back. That said, if all things happen as they appear, the Saints will have to get up for two games. Two games in the Superdome. I personally like their chances.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

13-0 is nice. Our secondary is still coming up with turnovers and GW has to make do with what he has. Things will get better as players start coming back and Ellis has another week to get stronger. Sharper does look a little lost, but I think that's because he is trying to figure out which back up needs the most help. GW is allowing the opposition to score right now but he's not going to let them score a lot of points, that is our offenses job.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Sure but the Cowboys are playing better D right now in my opinion. And with all the flack they are catching right now for not winning in Dec you know they want this game BAD considering our record.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

That's my other concern. If their fist game back is a playoff game, or even the last game of the season then they sit, then they play...just doesn't lend well to them being sharp.

If we come out flat in the play-offs there's no, "We'll fix it for next week."

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Psyco has been watching the same Saints team that I have. We can't keep rolling the dice with our poor defensive performances - we WON'T get away with it in the playoffs. My worse fear is that we finally have a poor day on the offensive side of the ball (just 1), against a hot wild card team playing way above themselves, and our defense plays its average, give up twentish points, and all of this is for nought. We have to figure out how to put teams away early, and force them into desperate measures that play into our ball hawks. Our pendelum has been too far to one side for too long. I hope we get it together before the sand runs out.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

I just look back to our "big games this year."
Eagles - 48-22
Giants - 48-27
Falcons - 35-27
Patriots - 38-17
We've risen to the occasion and starred.
In fact, after we dismantled the Patriots everyone and their mother was on the Saints bandwagon.
This year's team plays well in big games.
at Washington, Atlanta, vs. TB and at Carolina don't matter too me.
The games probably weren't very critical in the player's minds too.
As seen by the result.
But they won.
This next game against Dallas is another game that fits into the "big game" model.
I expect the team to come out and play with purpose.
If they win, and win big... Then what do we say?
"They're good again?"
Until they play Tampa the next week.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

and the cards woop the Vikes, and now the 49ers woop the cards. I'll take the 3 point wins in washington Atlanta!!!

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I'll take six 1 point wins from here!!!

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and for all the people on the high flying Eagles bandwagon- they have beat one team over 500 all year- the Giants

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

NO WAY! Too many heartstoppers so for. Didn't you see all the 20 years + fans from the other poll? We're getting too old for this, and I am only 43. Of course, I was 34 before I went to the Miami and ATL games.

When we win the next 2 SP can play the starters against Carolina if he wants- I'm sitting it out.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Watch the Atlanta game.

The Atlanta players are sweating, pumped up, celebrating every tackle or yard gained. Playing lights out. The coach looked like a candidate for stress management course.

The Saints players are sweat free, businesslike. At the end of the game, when it got close, the defense elevated the play and ended the game.

This team turns it on and off like a switch. You cannot play on pure emotion over a sixteen game season. It is hard to sustain emotion for the month of the playoffs. Right now the Saints only need to win by a point. The Saints aren't desperate for every conceivable margin in a tiebreaker scenario.

If I saw Saints players giving an obvious 110% effort against Atlanta and still only winning by three then I'd worry.

But I saw a Saints team play hard enough to win against a team playing like it was a playoff game and still win it.

We sure can't enjoy success very well.

13-0 is 13-0 no matter how you slice it. If you are worried about the Saints watch the new England game. That is a game where the Saints are playing at full speed. Name a team that could beat them at full speed?

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

I hear what your saying but don't put too much into Az's loss. SF is to them what Carolina has been to us. The Card's are a dangerous team.

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The late bye week would not help, but an early one is tough on the body for these guys. Most prefer to be right in the middle in order to feel rested. I think the big key is having that bye in the first round. These guys will tell you that that one extra week is huge for their body. Thanks for taking it easy on me. The post on this site are a lot nicer than other sites, don't like the argueing and namecalling on other sites. We are all one family.

Re: 13-0 Is Nice, But...
 

Gumbeau nailed it. This team may lose a game in the last 3 regular season games if they come out too flat against a team that is playing with intensity and get too far behind to catch up (like almost happened in Washington), but they will turn it back on for the playoffs whether at home or on the road. Having Porter, Greer, and Fujita back would be a nice bonus, but the main thing is to get the intensity back in the pass rush.