2010 Saints: What the Film Revealed

04-07-2011, 02:24 PM

By ANDY BENOIT

While we wonder whether there will be a 2011 season, this is part of a series looking back at the 2010 season, with the benefit of film analysis. This week, we look at the N.F.C. South:

Offense

The primary difference between the Saints’ offense of 2009 and that of 2010 was the run game. Injuries rocked the ’10 Saints backfield, destroying Sean Payton’s trust in the handoff and thus compromising his play-calling balance. It didn’t help that the offensive line, for whatever reason, lost some of its power late in the season. This was hard to explain given that Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans might have been the best two guards in the league (both were monsters in the run game – Nicks for his ability to bulldoze opponents while creating angles, Evans for his ability to chip a defensive tackle on his way to sealing off a linebacker – and both held up well in pass protection).

It’s not as if this offense was inept, of course. Drew Brees and his array of weapons and formations remained overwhelming most of the time. Specifically, Marques Colston working out of the slot, Lance Moore running 15-20-yard patterns near the numbers and tight end Jimmy Graham lining up all over gave defenses headaches. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the play-calling imbalance and slight dip in total big plays.

Full breakdown via the link below.
2010 Saints: What the Film Revealed - NYTimes.com

Nice little write up.

Danno · 04-07-2011, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by strato

This quote sums it up ...we need LBr help bad

"In the end, the Saints learned they need to flank middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma (an instinctive tackling machine when unblocked) with more dynamic athletes."

good read and spot on in many ways....

It was a good read. He did his homework.

My simplified take on 2010

What went right...
Defense improved

What went wrong...
RB's made of glass
Drew's early struggles
Terrible special teams
O-line regressed

foreverfan · 04-07-2011, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

It was a good read. He did his homework.

My simplified take on 2010

What went right...
Defense improved

What went wrong...
RB's made of glass
Drew's early struggles
Terrible special teams
O-line regressed

And don't forget the shank heard around the Superdome...

saintsfan1976 · 04-08-2011, 03:03 PM

SNAP!!

Rugby Saint II · 04-08-2011, 03:06 PM

Well, somebody finally did a good break down of the Saints on both offense and defense. Although, it isn't a complete article unless you mention the horrific special teams. I am still shocked that McMahon is a coach in the NFL much less still with the Saints. WTF?
I do believe that Tenant and Brown will get to push for a starting spot at camp. There should be some good position battles.

Beastmode · 04-08-2011, 08:38 PM

He's right on about Will Smith. Maybe he didn't have the sacks but it seemed like everytime I focused on his play he was being held.

04-07-2011, 02:24 PM	#1
Threaded by papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,753 Rating: (0 votes - average) By ANDY BENOIT While we wonder whether there will be a 2011 season, this is part of a series looking back at the 2010 season, with the benefit of film analysis. This week, we look at the N.F.C. South: Offense The primary difference between the Saints’ offense of 2009 and that of 2010 was the run game. Injuries rocked the ’10 Saints backfield, destroying Sean Payton’s trust in the handoff and thus compromising his play-calling balance. It didn’t help that the offensive line, for whatever reason, lost some of its power late in the season. This was hard to explain given that Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans might have been the best two guards in the league (both were monsters in the run game – Nicks for his ability to bulldoze opponents while creating angles, Evans for his ability to chip a defensive tackle on his way to sealing off a linebacker – and both held up well in pass protection). It’s not as if this offense was inept, of course. Drew Brees and his array of weapons and formations remained overwhelming most of the time. Specifically, Marques Colston working out of the slot, Lance Moore running 15-20-yard patterns near the numbers and tight end Jimmy Graham lining up all over gave defenses headaches. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the play-calling imbalance and slight dip in total big plays. Full breakdown via the link below. 2010 Saints: What the Film Revealed - NYTimes.com Nice little write up. Last edited by papz; 12-24-2011 at 07:46 PM..
Views: 2921

04-07-2011, 03:49 PM	#2
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	Originally Posted by strato This quote sums it up ...we need LBr help bad "In the end, the Saints learned they need to flank middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma (an instinctive tackling machine when unblocked) with more dynamic athletes." good read and spot on in many ways.... It was a good read. He did his homework. My simplified take on 2010 What went right... Defense improved What went wrong... RB's made of glass Drew's early struggles Terrible special teams O-line regressed

04-07-2011, 07:59 PM	#3
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Originally Posted by Danno It was a good read. He did his homework. My simplified take on 2010 What went right... Defense improved What went wrong... RB's made of glass Drew's early struggles Terrible special teams O-line regressed And don't forget the shank heard around the Superdome...

04-08-2011, 08:38 PM	#6
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126	He's right on about Will Smith. Maybe he didn't have the sacks but it seemed like everytime I focused on his play he was being held.
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126

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04-08-2011, 03:03 PM	#4
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,846 Blog Entries: 3	SNAP!!

04-08-2011, 03:06 PM	#5
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	Well, somebody finally did a good break down of the Saints on both offense and defense. Although, it isn't a complete article unless you mention the horrific special teams. I am still shocked that McMahon is a coach in the NFL much less still with the Saints. WTF? I do believe that Tenant and Brown will get to push for a starting spot at camp. There should be some good position battles.