R & R: Bye Week is a Time for Rest & Reflection, plus an upd

pakowitz · 11-08-2003, 09:57 AM

By TCU Dan - SaintsReport.com Staff Writer - 6:26 pm CST

The BYE week is finally here, which means it is time for the coaches and players alike to take their proverbial lunch breaks (no Grady Jackson pun intended). Through nine games, the New Orleans Saints have seen their share of ups and downs, collectively and individually.
THE TEAM
Character is a funny thing, in football and in life in general. A team that appeared to not even care for the game of football in week four against the Indianapolis Colts has played with heart and determination over the last four weeks. A head coach that was rumored to have lost his team has come up with scrappy wins through aggressive, though often risky play calling, and a cancer has been eliminated from the locker room before the situation got ugly.

HIGH POINT: Destroying the Falcons on the road 45-17. This game could end up being the turning point of the season.

LOW POINT: Having the week eight matchup against Carolina stolen from them due to horrible officiating.
MADE THEM SAY WHOA!: Defeating the Tampa Bay Bucs for the third straight time in two seasons.

AARON BROOKS
Perhaps the most scrutinized player through this roller coaster ride of a season has been quarterback Aaron Brooks. In actuality, the shortcomings of this team have been a direct result of many things, but Aaron has not been one of them. The rumors of Joe Horn and other players losing confidence in Aaron were completely unfound. This is Aaron's team and if anything, one would expect him to have lost confidence in his receivers early on due to the abundance of drops. And while Aaron continues to be a streaky passer, he has been effective and has done just about everything he can this season to win games for this football team. Maybe we will welcome him with cheers rather than boos when this team recommences against Atlanta in the Super Dome on November 16th.

HIGH POINT: Recording a career high 148.2 passer efficiency rating en route to passing for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns in week seven against Atlanta.

LOW POINT: A lackluster individual and team performance in the 55-21 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in week four.

MADE THEM SAY WHOA!: Fifteen yard scramble and "okie doke" up the middle of the Tampa Bay defense in week nine; after which, Rhonde Barber was sighted running back to the original line of scrimmage to pick up his jock strap

DEUCE MCALLISTER

The most consistent Saints player this season, Deuce McAllister has performed week in and week out, recording six straight 100-yard rushing games and over 95 yards rushing in two others. While he has not busted as many long runs this season (longest of the season is 37), the added weight has made Deuce more consistent in-between the tackles without losing much speed or quickness. McAllister is still one of the most underrated backs in the NFL, and if the Saints continue winning during the second half of the season, he will be a legitimate candidate for league MVP.

HIGH POINT: Breaking Ricky Williams' franchise record by recording six consecutive 100-yard games in a single season, which Deuce looks to continue.

For the rest of this article, click here:

http://www.saintsreport.com/cgi-bin/...&id=1067988400

[Edited on 11/8/2003 by pakowitz]

11-08-2003, 09:57 AM	#1
pakowitz The Dark Overlord Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,450	R & R: Bye Week is a Time for Rest & Reflection, plus an upd By TCU Dan - SaintsReport.com Staff Writer - 6:26 pm CST The BYE week is finally here, which means it is time for the coaches and players alike to take their proverbial lunch breaks (no Grady Jackson pun intended). Through nine games, the New Orleans Saints have seen their share of ups and downs, collectively and individually. THE TEAM Character is a funny thing, in football and in life in general. A team that appeared to not even care for the game of football in week four against the Indianapolis Colts has played with heart and determination over the last four weeks. A head coach that was rumored to have lost his team has come up with scrappy wins through aggressive, though often risky play calling, and a cancer has been eliminated from the locker room before the situation got ugly. HIGH POINT: Destroying the Falcons on the road 45-17. This game could end up being the turning point of the season. LOW POINT: Having the week eight matchup against Carolina stolen from them due to horrible officiating. MADE THEM SAY WHOA!: Defeating the Tampa Bay Bucs for the third straight time in two seasons. AARON BROOKS Perhaps the most scrutinized player through this roller coaster ride of a season has been quarterback Aaron Brooks. In actuality, the shortcomings of this team have been a direct result of many things, but Aaron has not been one of them. The rumors of Joe Horn and other players losing confidence in Aaron were completely unfound. This is Aaron's team and if anything, one would expect him to have lost confidence in his receivers early on due to the abundance of drops. And while Aaron continues to be a streaky passer, he has been effective and has done just about everything he can this season to win games for this football team. Maybe we will welcome him with cheers rather than boos when this team recommences against Atlanta in the Super Dome on November 16th. HIGH POINT: Recording a career high 148.2 passer efficiency rating en route to passing for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns in week seven against Atlanta. LOW POINT: A lackluster individual and team performance in the 55-21 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in week four. MADE THEM SAY WHOA!: Fifteen yard scramble and "okie doke" up the middle of the Tampa Bay defense in week nine; after which, Rhonde Barber was sighted running back to the original line of scrimmage to pick up his jock strap DEUCE MCALLISTER The most consistent Saints player this season, Deuce McAllister has performed week in and week out, recording six straight 100-yard rushing games and over 95 yards rushing in two others. While he has not busted as many long runs this season (longest of the season is 37), the added weight has made Deuce more consistent in-between the tackles without losing much speed or quickness. McAllister is still one of the most underrated backs in the NFL, and if the Saints continue winning during the second half of the season, he will be a legitimate candidate for league MVP. HIGH POINT: Breaking Ricky Williams' franchise record by recording six consecutive 100-yard games in a single season, which Deuce looks to continue. For the rest of this article, click here: http://www.saintsreport.com/cgi-bin/...&id=1067988400 [Edited on 11/8/2003 by pakowitz]