From SI.com

WhoDat!656 · 11-06-2011, 10:50 PM

The Saints might have lost shockingly in St. Louis in Week 8, but I didn't think it was time to panic in New Orleans, because Sean Payton has a pretty mature team built at this point. I expected the Saints (6-3) to play well and rebound at home against the Bucs on Sunday, and they did, winning 27-16 in a game that really didn't even feel that close.

You think of New Orleans as a passing team first, but the Saints went out and ran the ball down the Bucs' throats in this one, with 195 yards rushing on 28 carries, a cool 7.0 average. Tampa Bay's defensive front, which is heavily populated with first-round picks, was no match for the Saints offensive line. Four New Orleans rushers had gains of at least 12 yards, with Darren Sproles popping one for 35 yards, Pierre Thomas taking a carry for 33 yards, and even Drew Brees ripping off a 20-yard gain.

With Brees throwing for 258 yards and a pair of scores, the Saints rolled to a 453-yard day on offense, with 24 first downs and just two punts. New Orleans made it clear that last week was an aberration, and now next week's trip to Atlanta (5-3) will be a battle for first place in the NFC South, just as most presumed it would be in the preseason.

• I don't care how he might have been provoked, Bucs running back LeGarrette Blount simply cannot be throwing a punch on the field and hitting anyone in the head -- openhanded or closed fist, not after the incident that ended his collegiate career at Oregon. Blount was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in the third quarter after he shoved or slapped Saints defensive end Will Smith in the facemask, hurting a Bucs drive and making them eventually settle for a long field goal and a 17-6 deficit.

If Blount ever hopes to get fully past the ugly postgame punching incident that ended his Ducks career, he can't be reinforcing his reputation by losing his composure and throwing a punch every other season.

Read more: Darrelle Revis, Jets thwart Ryan Fitzpatrick, high-powered Bills - Don Banks - SI.com

11-06-2011, 10:50 PM	#1
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,085	From SI.com The Saints might have lost shockingly in St. Louis in Week 8, but I didn't think it was time to panic in New Orleans, because Sean Payton has a pretty mature team built at this point. I expected the Saints (6-3) to play well and rebound at home against the Bucs on Sunday, and they did, winning 27-16 in a game that really didn't even feel that close. You think of New Orleans as a passing team first, but the Saints went out and ran the ball down the Bucs' throats in this one, with 195 yards rushing on 28 carries, a cool 7.0 average. Tampa Bay's defensive front, which is heavily populated with first-round picks, was no match for the Saints offensive line. Four New Orleans rushers had gains of at least 12 yards, with Darren Sproles popping one for 35 yards, Pierre Thomas taking a carry for 33 yards, and even Drew Brees ripping off a 20-yard gain. With Brees throwing for 258 yards and a pair of scores, the Saints rolled to a 453-yard day on offense, with 24 first downs and just two punts. New Orleans made it clear that last week was an aberration, and now next week's trip to Atlanta (5-3) will be a battle for first place in the NFC South, just as most presumed it would be in the preseason. • I don't care how he might have been provoked, Bucs running back LeGarrette Blount simply cannot be throwing a punch on the field and hitting anyone in the head -- openhanded or closed fist, not after the incident that ended his collegiate career at Oregon. Blount was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in the third quarter after he shoved or slapped Saints defensive end Will Smith in the facemask, hurting a Bucs drive and making them eventually settle for a long field goal and a 17-6 deficit. If Blount ever hopes to get fully past the ugly postgame punching incident that ended his Ducks career, he can't be reinforcing his reputation by losing his composure and throwing a punch every other season. Read more: Darrelle Revis, Jets thwart Ryan Fitzpatrick, high-powered Bills - Don Banks - SI.com
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