Who Dat Nation: would you be happy with the same Saints team from last season?

04-15-2011, 04:49 PM

I cant get that marshawn lynch run out of my head.

SAINT_MICHAEL · 04-15-2011, 05:27 PM

Well, I look at it this way. Last year's team ended with a good regular season record and a playoff appearance. Judging from the many terrible, losing seasons for the Saints, it was a good year and as a fan I was proud of them. But do I think the team from last year would be able to win it all next year? Capable, yes...likely/favored...no. The LBs and RBs are all a year older, slower, and many are coming off injuries. But, like Forever said, they will have drafted a few players and signed UFA if nothing else, so some things will have to change.

RaginCajun83 · 04-15-2011, 10:36 PM

So the Saints would be in the playoffs after the 2011 season, where do I sign

foreverfan · 04-15-2011, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by skymike

I cant get that marshawn lynch run out of my head.

Just remember... if nothing changes... nothing changes.

Seer1 · 04-16-2011, 10:52 AM

Nope!
Offense: Not to beat a dead horse, but it'll rock the world if it stays healthy.
Defense: Entirely different story.
1: Coach (Not coordinator) We need a new tackling coach. The number of embarrassing missed tackles last season were unbelievable. Somebody needs to step up and teach those boys how to hold their position and wrap up.
2: Defensive line. Will can't carry all of it and if his suspension goes through he won't carry any of it for a few games.
3: Linebackers: Nobody seems to be mentioning the F (ujita) word, but since he's been gone, it just hasn't been the same....
4. Defensive backfield: Keep'em A reasonable rush from the defensive line is all they really need to get better.
Special teams: Two successful fake punts, two games in a row? Really?

SAINT_MICHAEL · 04-16-2011, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Seer1

Nope!
Offense: Not to beat a dead horse, but it'll rock the world if it stays healthy.
Defense: Entirely different story.
1: Coach (Not coordinator) We need a new tackling coach. The number of embarrassing missed tackles last season were unbelievable. Somebody needs to step up and teach those boys how to hold their position and wrap up.
2: Defensive line. Will can't carry all of it and if his suspension goes through he won't carry any of it for a few games.
3: Linebackers: Nobody seems to be mentioning the F (ujita) word, but since he's been gone, it just hasn't been the same....
4. Defensive backfield: Keep'em A reasonable rush from the defensive line is all they really need to get better.
Special teams: Two successful fake punts, two games in a row? Really?

You make good points about the problem the D has Seer. But I don't think the differences between the O and D are large enough to disect the D like you did and to throw the blanket statement about the O. I woud say:

QB. Obviously they can't hope to go out and get anyone better than Drew (why would they want to?). But should something bad happen the backup position has never been a strength under Payton. But, even so, Drew had a down year for him last year. He forced many throws (funny side note...Cajun's avatar of the TD by Moore came off a defelction/pass that should have been an INT if I remember correctly), and his INT count was up. Much of this could have been because of his knee problem and because of:

RBs Well, you said it yourself. IF they stay healthy. It's been said before, but the rushing stats for the team last year were by far worse than any of the team D stats. It is just to rant about the Lynch run. But it is equally so to rant about the inability the team had to pick up a third and fourth and one situations in that playoff game as well. Sub par performance from the group last year.

O line/Coaching. All you said about the tackling problems and the lack of fundamentals the team had with htis is equally true of the run blocking of the O line (pass blocking to a lesser extent as well). Enough said.

WRs/TE Moore was the only one of his group to have a really good year. Colston, Hendersen, Meacham all regressed. Way too many dropped balls! Injuries to the group didn't seem to be the issue either. As for TEs, Graham was great, but got injured. Shockey is gone. Thomas is a year older and missed games with injuries lat year as well.

Again, I'm not saying you are wrong about the D issues. I just feel that to repeat as SB champs, they can't afford to not look at these things a well. It's like being on a treadmill in that you need to work just to stay where you are (Deep huh?). Staying with what we have on O and D would likely yield a playoff caliber team, but not a Championship one.

Seer1 · 04-16-2011, 03:47 PM

Yep, yep, yep. No disagreement here whatsoever. I guess my line of thinkin' was a healthy running game would've helped avoid many of those problems. Drew did come out trying to force way too many throws. But was that the lack of a running game that caused it? I sure remember way too many third and longs. Was it predictable play calling? I was guessing right more often than not on pass vs run last year. Particularly the later it got in the season. Yeah the O-line technique could've been better at spots, but it's hard to technique when even folks who've never watched a football game in their lives know the next play's gonna be a pass.

I still think a stronger running game -both offense (healthy RB's) and defense (DL) and a stronger middle game -read linebacker or two here and us Who Dats would've been whooping it up again last February. Or could have us dancing in the streets next year. Oh please, oh please, let there be a regular season....

SAINT_MICHAEL · 04-16-2011, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Seer1

I still think a stronger running game -both offense (healthy RB's) and defense (DL) and a stronger middle game -read linebacker or two here and us Who Dats would've been whooping it up again last February. Or could have us dancing in the streets next year. Oh please, oh please, let there be a regular season....

Very true there. It's like baseball. If you are strong up the middle, you are in good shape!

QBREES9 · 04-17-2011, 12:01 AM

A HEALTHY bunch of great SAINTS !!!!

skymike · 04-18-2011, 08:54 AM

[quote=strato;294216]

Originally Posted by Seer1

Nope!
Offense: Not to beat a dead horse, but it'll rock the world if it stays healthy.
Defense: Entirely different story.
1: Coach (Not coordinator) We need a new tackling coach. The number of embarrassing missed tackles last season were unbelievable. Somebody needs to step up and teach those boys how to hold their position and wrap up.
2: Defensive line. Will can't carry all of it and if his suspension goes through he won't carry any of it for a few games.
3: Linebackers: Nobody seems to be mentioning the F (ujita) word, but since he's been gone, it just hasn't been the same....
4. Defensive backfield: Keep'em A reasonable rush from the defensive line is all they really need to get better.
Special teams: Two successful fake punts, two games in a row? Really?[/QUOTE]

I agree on Fujita.. where some here will not admit it .. we did miss him..but hey he got paid ..so cant really knock the FO too much...Another thing is we didnt get to see what Cassilas can do in real game action..and im not sure i have all the faith that he can be the stud OLB we need to help Vilma..so i would be thrilled with a 1st rd pick of a stud OLB and we would have Cassilas to back him up..

Special teams were a joke all the around count Hartley in that group..the only positive was Morestead..Im hoping with some draft picks and healthy players returning... this will improve...

I'll drink to that. nice post, boss.

04-15-2011, 04:49 PM	#11
Threaded by skymike E. Side Cholo Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Barrio, H-town Posts: 6,089 Rating: (0 votes - average) I cant get that marshawn lynch run out of my head.
Views: 8417

04-15-2011, 05:27 PM	#12
SAINT_MICHAEL 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 446	Well, I look at it this way. Last year's team ended with a good regular season record and a playoff appearance. Judging from the many terrible, losing seasons for the Saints, it was a good year and as a fan I was proud of them. But do I think the team from last year would be able to win it all next year? Capable, yes...likely/favored...no. The LBs and RBs are all a year older, slower, and many are coming off injuries. But, like Forever said, they will have drafted a few players and signed UFA if nothing else, so some things will have to change.
SAINT_MICHAEL 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 446

04-15-2011, 11:37 PM	#14
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Originally Posted by skymike I cant get that marshawn lynch run out of my head. Just remember... if nothing changes... nothing changes.
	Last edited by foreverfan; 04-15-2011 at 11:39 PM..

04-16-2011, 02:01 PM	#16
SAINT_MICHAEL 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 446	Originally Posted by Seer1 Nope! Offense: Not to beat a dead horse, but it'll rock the world if it stays healthy. Defense: Entirely different story. 1: Coach (Not coordinator) We need a new tackling coach. The number of embarrassing missed tackles last season were unbelievable. Somebody needs to step up and teach those boys how to hold their position and wrap up. 2: Defensive line. Will can't carry all of it and if his suspension goes through he won't carry any of it for a few games. 3: Linebackers: Nobody seems to be mentioning the F (ujita) word, but since he's been gone, it just hasn't been the same.... 4. Defensive backfield: Keep'em A reasonable rush from the defensive line is all they really need to get better. Special teams: Two successful fake punts, two games in a row? Really? You make good points about the problem the D has Seer. But I don't think the differences between the O and D are large enough to disect the D like you did and to throw the blanket statement about the O. I woud say: QB. Obviously they can't hope to go out and get anyone better than Drew (why would they want to?). But should something bad happen the backup position has never been a strength under Payton. But, even so, Drew had a down year for him last year. He forced many throws (funny side note...Cajun's avatar of the TD by Moore came off a defelction/pass that should have been an INT if I remember correctly), and his INT count was up. Much of this could have been because of his knee problem and because of: RBs Well, you said it yourself. IF they stay healthy. It's been said before, but the rushing stats for the team last year were by far worse than any of the team D stats. It is just to rant about the Lynch run. But it is equally so to rant about the inability the team had to pick up a third and fourth and one situations in that playoff game as well. Sub par performance from the group last year. O line/Coaching. All you said about the tackling problems and the lack of fundamentals the team had with htis is equally true of the run blocking of the O line (pass blocking to a lesser extent as well). Enough said. WRs/TE Moore was the only one of his group to have a really good year. Colston, Hendersen, Meacham all regressed. Way too many dropped balls! Injuries to the group didn't seem to be the issue either. As for TEs, Graham was great, but got injured. Shockey is gone. Thomas is a year older and missed games with injuries lat year as well. Again, I'm not saying you are wrong about the D issues. I just feel that to repeat as SB champs, they can't afford to not look at these things a well. It's like being on a treadmill in that you need to work just to stay where you are (Deep huh?). Staying with what we have on O and D would likely yield a playoff caliber team, but not a Championship one.
SAINT_MICHAEL 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 446

04-16-2011, 03:55 PM	#18
SAINT_MICHAEL 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 446	Originally Posted by Seer1 I still think a stronger running game -both offense (healthy RB's) and defense (DL) and a stronger middle game -read linebacker or two here and us Who Dats would've been whooping it up again last February. Or could have us dancing in the streets next year. Oh please, oh please, let there be a regular season.... Very true there. It's like baseball. If you are strong up the middle, you are in good shape!
SAINT_MICHAEL 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 446

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04-15-2011, 10:36 PM	#13
RaginCajun83 Hou Saints Fan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 5,050	So the Saints would be in the playoffs after the 2011 season, where do I sign

04-16-2011, 10:52 AM	#15
Seer1 Site Donor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bayou Bayfield CO Posts: 4,722	Nope! Offense: Not to beat a dead horse, but it'll rock the world if it stays healthy. Defense: Entirely different story. 1: Coach (Not coordinator) We need a new tackling coach. The number of embarrassing missed tackles last season were unbelievable. Somebody needs to step up and teach those boys how to hold their position and wrap up. 2: Defensive line. Will can't carry all of it and if his suspension goes through he won't carry any of it for a few games. 3: Linebackers: Nobody seems to be mentioning the F (ujita) word, but since he's been gone, it just hasn't been the same.... 4. Defensive backfield: Keep'em A reasonable rush from the defensive line is all they really need to get better. Special teams: Two successful fake punts, two games in a row? Really?

04-16-2011, 03:47 PM	#17
Seer1 Site Donor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bayou Bayfield CO Posts: 4,722	Yep, yep, yep. No disagreement here whatsoever. I guess my line of thinkin' was a healthy running game would've helped avoid many of those problems. Drew did come out trying to force way too many throws. But was that the lack of a running game that caused it? I sure remember way too many third and longs. Was it predictable play calling? I was guessing right more often than not on pass vs run last year. Particularly the later it got in the season. Yeah the O-line technique could've been better at spots, but it's hard to technique when even folks who've never watched a football game in their lives know the next play's gonna be a pass. I still think a stronger running game -both offense (healthy RB's) and defense (DL) and a stronger middle game -read linebacker or two here and us Who Dats would've been whooping it up again last February. Or could have us dancing in the streets next year. Oh please, oh please, let there be a regular season....

04-17-2011, 12:01 AM	#19
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	A HEALTHY bunch of great SAINTS !!!!

04-18-2011, 08:54 AM	#20
skymike E. Side Cholo Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Barrio, H-town Posts: 6,089	[quote=strato;294216] Originally Posted by Seer1 Nope! Offense: Not to beat a dead horse, but it'll rock the world if it stays healthy. Defense: Entirely different story. 1: Coach (Not coordinator) We need a new tackling coach. The number of embarrassing missed tackles last season were unbelievable. Somebody needs to step up and teach those boys how to hold their position and wrap up. 2: Defensive line. Will can't carry all of it and if his suspension goes through he won't carry any of it for a few games. 3: Linebackers: Nobody seems to be mentioning the F (ujita) word, but since he's been gone, it just hasn't been the same.... 4. Defensive backfield: Keep'em A reasonable rush from the defensive line is all they really need to get better. Special teams: Two successful fake punts, two games in a row? Really?[/QUOTE] I agree on Fujita.. where some here will not admit it .. we did miss him..but hey he got paid ..so cant really knock the FO too much...Another thing is we didnt get to see what Cassilas can do in real game action..and im not sure i have all the faith that he can be the stud OLB we need to help Vilma..so i would be thrilled with a 1st rd pick of a stud OLB and we would have Cassilas to back him up.. Special teams were a joke all the around count Hartley in that group..the only positive was Morestead..Im hoping with some draft picks and healthy players returning... this will improve... I'll drink to that. nice post, boss.