Boutte

We won a huge game Sunday and people are still *****ing about play calling on both offense and defense. What's the matter with these people? Nothing. Even though we're 7-3 and lead the division by 2 games there is still a lot that needs to be fixed.

We showed a lot of heart by hanging tough against a good team that is very tough to beat in their stadium so I don't want to sound too negative but our defense is soft. We practically gift wrap 3rd downs conversion and we can't get a turn over to save our life. On offense we struggle to run the ball when we NEED to.

In some ways this game was more about the Falcons choking than it was about us playing great football. The idiotic decision to go for it on 4th down on their own 30 was the difference in the game. Roddy White was our MVP yesterday, dropping game winning passes and committing stupid fouls at crucial times in the game.

Parity is good thing for NFL fans but it also means that there really aren't any great teams anymore (with the possible exception of G.B.). It seems that the secret to success now is to be exceptional in one phase of the game. With all the rule changes it's almost impossible to be great on defense. Luckily for us we have Sean Payton who is a genius when it comes to what matters most in todays NFL, passing. Of course if he didn't have Drew Brees our opinion of him might be a lot different. Put those two together and we have one the great passing teams ever. But because of that we are going to be mediocre and even poor in other phases of the game. With the salary cap you just can't have great talent on both sides of the ball.

Having said that, I don't think our talent on defense is as bad as it looks. We have some have good players on the D Line and and a very talented backfield. Yet the defense is lousy. That falls squarely on the head of Gregg Williams. How can you leave the middle of the field wide open on third down time and time again? It's not a failure by the players, it's the scheme. And the scheme sucks.

The only thing that's keeping us from being a dominant team is Gregg Williams.

saintfan

That was a hard-fought game against a tough division opponent. We were able to come out on top, in their house, even though we didn't play anywhere near our best game.

Our defense hasn't found itself yet, but I'm starting to think it will. For all the big plays Atlanta managed the D came up big when it had to yesterday.

We're 7-3 with a week off. Onward and Upward!

strato

Kinda like not give "Steady Shanle no credit....lol

AlaskaSaints

Hard-fought games are learning/teaching moments.

The view through a critical eye reveals what is actual. To view yesterday's game through only "YAY, WE WON" ignores what actually happened.

Yes. Credit to the Falcons for being a constant competitive nemesis. Hate them all you want but we always struggle with them and it makes us a better team.

We had them beaten handily (more than 3) and allowed them to stay in the game. Very frustrating.

We could have beaten the Colts in Superbowl 44 by 3, but we beat them HANDILY and that leaves a more favorable memory in the mind of every football fan.

We are not yet ready for the Packers. That is what scares me, because the road to the Superbowl will very likely go through Lambeau.

Alaska

HERE WE COME, TA GE' CHU!!!!

AlaskaSaints

On the funny side, look back at the way Shanle handled that ball after he caught it... Scary. He nearly fumbled it carrying it with two left hands. It's clear he doesn't handle a ball much.

But he didn't and I'm happy with that. This morning was like Christmas morning in the Shanle household!

Alaska

Ashley

This can be very true about Gregg. Our d just plain sucks, always seems like guys are out of place or just to far off the receivers.

homerj07

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Damn - If our defense has NOT found itself yet WHEN THE HELL WILL THEY PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR ASSES & DO SO?

Our LBs SUCK & GW is NOT a good coach.

saintfan

Gotta have faith man. They aren't going to be the Ravens "D". They bowed up yesterday - a number of times - so at least for the moment they're trending in the right direction.

RaginCajun83

GW really needs to simplify the defense since these "exotic" blitzes aren't doing a thing, something the best way is the easiest way. I have to agree and since we already saw it once, how is this defense going to stop Green Bay or any other half decent offense they see in the playoffs, I watched the game on DVR last night and I still wanted to throw something at my tv cause I was still seeing DBs playing 10 yards off the line of scrimmage, good grief

mighty12

Some people have quickly forgotten about our defense from 2006 through 2008. Williams is fine and better than the alternative.