Official Saints vs Cowboys Thread.

[saintsfan1976]

Boy, things must be going pretty well in Who Dat Country if we're jumping right to "Predict the Score" on a Monday... LOL.

Let's talk about this Saturday's matchup and the problems it presents.

I apologize in advance for the long-winded post.

Defense:

Although our defense has capitalized on opportunities,
lately they've been more like the Saints defenses of past:
Avg 21pts and 347 yards per game.

I know, i know...it's the injuries. Well guess what,
we're still injured. Greer and Fujita are out.
Porter is doubtful. Jenkins is still learning (not to hold wr's)
Gay is playing through his injury (barely). Did anyone notice
Ellis limping off the field after Snelling's last TD in Atlanta?
McKenzie is starting to look more like a one-game-wonder
who has definitely lost more than one step!
Dear Gregg Williams, PLEASE no more "chucky blitz's"
with both CB's because Sharper cannot cover a wr who is
any faster than Michael Jenkins. Dude was toast!

We were barely able to stop a Chris Redman led Atlanta Falcons
team who were without their star RB and who's defense
gives up the 3rd most yards passing in the NFL. Thank God
he couldn't complete an out pass to save his life or we'd be
12-1.

Say what you will about Romo, but the guy hasn't thrown an
INT since Nov 15th. Miles Austin is for real. Roy and Witten
have to be covered and the Cowboys have three good RB's
and I fully expect them to pound the ball against us all night.
We will give up 300 yards of offense.

I look for Will Smith to have a good game vs Adams who
seems to be falling apart faster than Jerry Jones's nose.

It's now time to face a team who has everything to lose.
Remember; as we talk about how every week, every
team gives us their best game....blah blah blaaah
THIS is the last team on our schedule with a legit
chance to impact both their season as well as our own.

Although the Cowboys are streaky, I would compare
them to wild animal backed into an corner. And we
know how dangerous that type of team can be.

Offense:

Anyone know the status of Stinchcomb?

The Cowboys have a solid pass rush and we've seen Drew
struggle vs the Dolphins and Skins - both good
pass rushing teams. Will DeMarcus Ware play? This
could be the key to our night... Drew just has too many
weapons and the Cowboys can't cover them all game all the time.

Now, our offense is relatively healthy and I think
Drew can control the clock while putting up points.
The onus is on the Cowboys D to stop our rushing
attack and to make the Saints a one dimensional
team. But I'm not so sure they really want that either.
I've tried to remain objective and just can't
see how the 'boys will be able to stop this
offense from scoring.... unless....

That brings me to Garrett Hartley.
Did anyone hear Troy and Joe Buck last Sunday discussing
how much they were focused on GH during the
pre-game warmups? Well, it wasn't bc they were
admiring his range. They said the guy was actually
STUGGLING to make kicks before the game. (now we
know exactly why Payton called a fake last week)
Just thinking of how much Payton has done to improve
the kicking game from last year - if it costs us a game,
I may throw up.

Prediction:
The Saints will give up 300+ yards and Dallas will keep it close until the 4th qtr.
Saints 26 Dallas 24

[Budsdrinker]

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976

That brings me to Garrett Hartley.
Did anyone hear Troy and Joe Buck last Sunday discussing
how much they were focused on GH during the
pre-game warmups? Well, it wasn't bc they were
admiring his range. They said the guy was actually
STUGGLING to make kicks before the game. (now we
know exactly why Payton called a fake last week)
Just thinking of how much Payton has done to improve
the kicking game from last year - if it costs us a game,
I may throw up.

Prediction:
The Saints will give up 300+ yards and Dallas will keep it close until the 4th qtr.
Saints 26 Dallas 24

Good post for the most part but at the end of last year our kicking game was addressed with Hartley and he was perfect going 13-13 on FG. We also resigned Carney at the beginning of this year so you can't say the kicking game wasn't addressed. No one can see in the future to know that both would struggle making kicks. Now Troy and Buckhead made a comment about him struggling but being on line on Sunday Jeff Duncan tweeted that Hartley was banging them in from 58 yards and didn't comment on him missing any so can't really verify that since I wasn't there. Maybe someone else whom was at the game can chime in. But other than that I agree with the rest of your post.

[cargojon]

If it's 26-24 Saints, it will be close not only until the 4th quarter, but pretty much until the clock hits 0:00.

I don't know what's with all this Hartley hate. Sure, he doinked an extra point that could have hurt us (but didn't), but all the guy's done is make every field goal as a Saint save a 58 yard hail mary outdoors at the end of regulartion of a tie game....

[CantonLegend]

this will be the toughest game of the season

the cowboys running game is something to be seriously feared

their deep passing attack to miles austin is deadly against any team.....and jason witten is arguably the best pass catching TE in the league

their defense is very stout.....the front 7 is arguably one of the best.....their corners are very underrated and have great make up speed

their safeties are much improved from last season since they dropped roy williams

we will need to establish both the running and passing game because their defense can throw anything at us

they can control the ball....they dont get impatient like the rams, dolphins, and falcons do

marion barber can beat us by himself.....im very worried about this game

[saintsfan1976]

Originally Posted by Budsdrinker

Good post for the most part but at the end of last year our kicking game was addressed with Hartley and he was perfect going 13-13 on FG. We also resigned Carney at the beginning of this year so you can't say the kicking game wasn't addressed. No one can see in the future to know that both would struggle making kicks. Now Troy and Buckhead made a comment about him struggling but being on line on Sunday Jeff Duncan tweeted that Hartley was banging them in from 58 yards and didn't comment on him missing any so can't really verify that since I wasn't there. Maybe someone else whom was at the game can chime in. But other than that I agree with the rest of your post.

I did not mean to insinuate that the kickers weren't addressed. I meant to cite the previous season with Grammatica.

[saintsfan1976]

Originally Posted by cargojon

If it's 26-24 Saints, it will be close not only until the 4th quarter, but pretty much until the clock hits 0:00.

I don't know what's with all this Hartley hate. Sure, he doinked an extra point that could have hurt us (but didn't), but all the guy's done is make every field goal as a Saint save a 58 yard hail mary outdoors at the end of regulartion of a tie game....

My heart stops when he kicks. Don't know if his style of kick, but the sweeping, low liners, especially on x points just looks different to me..

[CantonLegend]

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976

My heart stops when he kicks. Don't know if his style of kick, but the sweeping, low liners, especially on x points just looks different to me..

i kinda like it.....he puts his leg into all of his kicks and makes sure he has enough distance to make them all

he doesnt kick it too low where the defensive linemen can jump up and block it.....but he kicks it straight enough to go right down the middle

i feel like he was trying to kick it differently when he missed the PAT....he tried to kick it higher and it messed up his motion

as long as he makes them you cant criticize his mechanics

just like philip rivers......even tho he throws like a girl hes still one of the most accurate and talented QBs in the league

[eezeekial]

And what about Lance Moore this weekend?

[Budsdrinker]

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976

I did not mean to insinuate that the kickers weren't addressed. I meant to cite the previous season with Grammatica.

I hear ya! I was too happy with the midget either. Jimmy Kimmel killed me when he would do the skit with the Grammaticas.

[homerj07]

Just win baby!!