Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep
 

Ever seen Pierre Thomas?

Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep
 

the problem is that you looked at the end result

saints 13/ opponents 3

the saints could've and should've lost a few more games but by the grace of breesus we managed to pull those games out of our butts

games like dallas, st louis, washington, miami, minnesota, etc all were able to move the ball against us fairly well if not at will

teams like the colts and the pats couldnt beat us because our pass defense was solid but we didnt have to worry about the run AT ALL

is it possible that we played the pass more often....yea in fact im sure it happened because we were almost always in the lead

however, the games that were close, that is an absurd statement because there is no reason to assume a team will pass if they have managed to keep the game close

especially if they hold us to 17 points.....no need for our opponents to panic if they hold us to 17 points

i think lots of things are possible....but it just wasnt the case unfortunately

12 teams in the top 18 in rushing and we let them run on us....that needs to stop

Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep
 

what everyone is saying is a great concern in 2010, but i look what took place in the draft and whats going on in the front office now, seems coach payton and mickey don't seem worried at all. all i can say is that our offense better fire with no coughs are sperts because we do have the bulls eye planted on our backs. and on defense G.W. has been re-evaluating the de-line for a different approach.

Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep
 

And certainly they know better than we. Im not advocating the need for additional players if the FO thinks we have those players in house. I would like to see the run defense improve some as well as their be additional pressure on the QB both from the blitz schemes and from the DL. If the FO feels that we have the players in house (and based on the draft, it seems they do) to continue to improve, then Ill take it.

Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep
 

John Henderson is the answer.

Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep
 

To Quote a Saints great coach " Woulda Coulda Shoulda dont mean SH**... I mean Spit. LOL"

We are the CHAMPIONS of the World.... WHO DAT!!!

Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep
 

Do more homework

Against us...
Dallas 4.0 YPC - that average would rank 25th in the NFL
Washington 3.5 - that average would rank 30th in the NFL

We could use some improvement no doubt, but its not as pathetic as you present. Also, we completely shut down several teams running game in the 2nd half, after they gouged us in the 1st half.

We'll be better this season.

Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep
 

We will def be better this season. But in addressing the spirit of the thread of what needs to happen for us to repeat and based on the schedule and teams we play this season, I think the run defense has to play at a very high level for us to ideally win the division or make the wild card and advance through the playoffs.

I dont think it was Dallas' YPC that got us as much as the time of possession 36:26 to 23:34.

If I am a coach and I have to devise a strategy to try and beat the Saints, I am going to rule out a shootout when playing the best QB in the NFL, the top offense in the NFL, and a defense that lives and thrives off of turnovers and has one of the best up and coming secondarys in the league. Im going to try to pound the football to control the clock and get short, manageable 3rd downs and keep the offense off the field all the while knowing that the running game is going to open up some play action opportunities for a few possible big plays (ala what the Panthers try to do vs us).

Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep
 

Agreed, I like the combination of Thomas and Hamilton for short yardage. If we can find a short yardage specialist who can also contribute to special teams effectively, then use an active roster spot on them. If not, then I think the backs we have are more than good enough to get the job done. Keep in mind that even when Mike Bell was healthy as the season went on, Hamilton was taking short yardage carries over Bell.

Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep
 

guess what.....36 rushes averaging out to 4 ypc is still a first down every 3 plays......did we give up big gains? maybe not...but big gains are also the fault of a secondary and LB corps....

the 4 yard gains.....those are the fault of the defensive line......while it may be an average stat......it still shows they could move the ball

if my team gained 4 yards every time i ran the ball, i wouldnt do anything else the entire game

but maybe its not me who should do the homework

games like st louis......we gave up 4.5 ypc

we gave up 4.7 ypc to miami

we gave up 4.7 ypc to minnesota

we gave up 5.2 ypc to indianapolis

we gave up 6.7 ypc to atlanta the first time we played and 4.2 ypc the second time we played when michael turner and matt ryan were hurt

we gave up 5.1 ypc to carolina the first time and 4.9 ypc the second time with our backups in

we gave up 5.2 ypc to tampa the first game and 5.2 the second time

thats 10 games in which we gave up more ypc than average and thats the only games i bothered to look at.....should i look at the other ones? or is this enough to rest my case?