Texanmike

Ok, we're two weeks into a season with a shortened offseason and I think we're really going to learn a lot more about every team in the next 3 weeks. Normally you don't know much about your team until after week 2 but I've seen sloppy play (and even sloppier scores) all over the league. Its been peppered with good games, but even good games have had a lot of sloppy play in them.

Being the Saints, y'all know a bit more about your team than we do. Unfortunately, I don't think that you guys will really teach us much about our team. The question for the Texans is can we handle a physical team. Y'all aren't the Colts (with Manning, meaning a finesse team) but you're not exactly the Ravens/Steelers either. The only thing I think we could learn is that we need to go back to the drawing board. I don't think that's the case but if we show up and get blown out, we have a real problem. The same goes for you guys. I can see losing to GB. No shame in that. For both of these teams, they are good football teams. I don't think there's shame in losing to either one but if one team or the other gets blown out I think that fanbase should be pretty pissed.

I think we've both got to capable offenses that can score in bunches. Our defense has looked much improved against two impotent offenses but I think it has been a nice tune up. The colts were kind of like when UT plays UTEP if you know what I mean. That's not to offend Colts fans but the Colts sans Manning are like the Temptations without David Ruffin [cue David Ruffin 'Without David Ruffin' Y'all ain't Nuffin]. Miami... they are a defensive presence but Chad Henne is the new Rex Grossman, minus the fluke SB appearance. If he could just get to Trent Dilfer's level they might make the playoffs.

Ok. So enough of a recap. I expect a shootout. I think both offenses can put up points and hurt you in different ways. Your defense is hurt by some departures and ours is helped by some additions. The preseason game was about useless in determining who is better because... its the preseason. In a lot of ways I think this depends on who stops the run. Or slows it down is probably a better term for it. Whoever does that will likely control the clock and wear the other defense out. Of course that is assuming that both teams take care of the ball.

Any honest, (no trash talk) opinions? Predictions? I'm in Shreveport right now... is there an easy way (other than stub hub) to get tickets?

Mike

papz

If you don't want to pay the premium for tickets, I suggest you troll all the Saints message boards along with the LSU Tiger message boards to see if there is anyone willing to sell at face value. Other than that, you'll probably be paying a marked up price for them.

As far as predictions, if Foster/Tate/Ward can gash us for 200 yards, I think you guys have a good chance of winning. If not, I predict pain... and lots of it. If this game becomes an aerial attack, I see Harper and Smith living in your back field.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

Texanmike

Thanks. I'll start looking. I've got family in the NO area so I have a place to stay down there. (I actually used to spend summers in State Line LA so I've been through NO a lot).

Our line gets a lot of good press but in reality what works well for us is the bootleg and I think that's a lot of the reason the line gets a lot of good press. It looked terrible last week against Miami TBH. I agree that if we gash anyone for 200 yards we've probably won the game ftr but I think 150 is a good sign. I doubt Ward sees the field really, if Foster/Tate are healthy. If Foster/Tate are healthy that actually makes us a VERY scary team. Being able to run a fresh RB out there all the time is one thing but being able to run a fresh RB who could likely start for 30 teams in the league (Foster for sure) and another one who can probably start for 20-25 teams in the league (tate)... I don't know when the last time we saw that was. Lewis/Holmes?

It will be an interesting game if you ask me.

Mike

jcp026

If we can't stop the run, we don't have much of a chance. This game is all out defenses.

Budsdrinker

If you're willing to take the chance, there are always guys on the street before the dome trying to sell tickets. Also they starting selling tickets at the dome box office from the ticketmaster ticket exchange site this year and it's possible to get a ticket at face value when it gets close to kickoff.
Should be a good game with 2 top 5 offenses. Whoever forces the most turnovers wins this game.

saintfan

Super Bowl Preview? hmmmmmm

SmashMouth

No way .... the only way the Texcan't get a SB preview is my subscribing to the Ticket on DriectTV or actually going to the game by buying tickets.

...More likely we'll see that Foster still has a hammy. Hopefully the Saints can run for over 250 yards and that Will Smith will be plenty rested in recording 4 sacks on Schaub. We'll also learn that our newest Saints will heave a few memorable "remember me shots" of their own.... The Turk, Junyah, Casillas and company.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...e-foster-heals

iceshack149

Pipe dream, yeah? When is the last time the Saints rushed for 250 yards?

AlaskaSaints

TexanMike - When you get to the Quarter, CALL ME.

I betcha I can tell you where you got your shoes!

Beyond that, this will be our statement game. And that's no trash talk.

Alaska

Texanmike

I went to La Tech and I've been at barksdale for the last 4 years. I know where I got my shoes.

Mike