Saints 8th in NFL... Rushing

Attached Thumbnails · 12-07-2011, 08:55 AM

It sure doesn't seem like they're 8th best in the league.

You might not have noticed but the New Orleans Saints now rank No. 8 in the NFL in rushing and are an even more impressive fourth in yards per carry.

When did this happen?

The Saints have quietly and gradually ascended the league rushing rankings over the course of the season. Their 205-yard night against the Giants two weeks vaulted them into the top 10 for the first time in a while.

The Saints' average of 4.8 yards a carry is the highest of the Sean Payton era and is almost a full yard better than their 4.0 average of a year ago. It also ranks fifth in the league.

...

Against the Lions, the Saints rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries and averaged a solid 4.3 yards a carry. They opened the game with a 13-yard carry by Mark Ingram and reached the end zone for the first time on a 14-yard carry by Ingram. Those runs forced the Lions defense to honor the run and set up some big plays in the passing game later.

Robert Meachem's 67-yard touchdown catch was set up by Pierre Thomas' 8-yard run on the previous down. It came on second-and-2 out of a formation the Saints usually run from. The Lions were caught off-guard and Meachem found himself in single coverage with Eric Wright. That's exactly the kind of matchup the Saints want when they call their "shot" plays.

The improved rushing attack will become even more critical down the stretch as the Saints take to the road in potentially inclement weather conditions. A solid running game will relieve some of the pressure from Drew Brees in those circumstances.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: It gets redundant picking Drew Brees but who else can you go with after such a strong performance?

PLAY OF THE GAME: (8:16, second quarter): Brees then found Meachem wide open in single coverage downfield against Wright, who looked like he thought he had safety help inside on the play. Terrific run-after-catch by Meachem as he spun Wright around like a top en route to the end zone.

PRESSURE REPORT: The Saints played fairly conservatively early, an obvious nod of respect to Calvin Johnson. ...

DIDYA NOTICE?: Left tackle Jermon Bushrod did an excellent job in pass protection against Lions end Kyle Vanden Bosch.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS:

PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN: The Saints ran just 61 plays primarily because the Lions dominated time of possession, owning a commanding 35:06-24:54 advantage. The play count was the second fewest by the Saints this season. For the second consecutive game, the Saints were fairly conservative by their normally exotic standards, running just five personnel packages.

Entire article... LONG...

New Orleans Saints running game is now top 10 in the NFL: Film study - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

papz · 12-07-2011, 08:58 AM

Nawww... we can't run the football.

Budsdrinker · 12-07-2011, 09:07 AM

Just think what would happen if we really tried! 46 pass attempts to 23 run attempts. Bring that closer to 38 to 31 and we would rush for 150 to 200 yards every game.

halloween 65 · 12-07-2011, 09:44 AM

Just think if all 4 backs pounded the rock and Brees threw only 20 passes. I think that if we get to go to Packerland and its nasty,nasty weather we are more than capable of pounding it down their throats the entire game than they are. If we make it that far I hope its a really nasty night at Lambeau. Payton I hope will be smart, it hard to throw in a blizzard.

Halo · 12-07-2011, 10:51 AM

I'm starting to change my mind about this years team.
The running game is better than 2009.
If our defense can keep up at least 1 solid turnover a game... getting fired up!

SAINTstunna · 12-07-2011, 11:20 AM

I was thinking all of this as soon as we drafted Mark Ingram and acquired Darren Sproles. Next year Drew Brees will throw less than 10 picks total. He may not get 4000-5000 yards for season, but we'll be ranked top 5 rushing in league.

Mardigras9 · 12-07-2011, 12:20 PM

This will be a great asset if we play in Green Bay in January.

SmashMouth · 12-07-2011, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Halo

I'm starting to change my mind about this years team.
The running game is better than 2009.
If our defense can keep up at least 1 solid turnover a game... getting fired up!

Hell Yeah!

Rugby Saint II · 12-07-2011, 01:13 PM

Run the ball down their throats...........oh yeah, wear your long cleats!

homerj07 · 12-07-2011, 09:32 PM

This is the game to pad our stats. The Titans can be run on.

They have better pass "D" but have not seen a QB like Drew all year (Schwabo from Texas is the closest)

12-07-2011, 08:55 AM	#1
Threaded by Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720 Rating: (0 votes - average) It sure doesn't seem like they're 8th best in the league. You might not have noticed but the New Orleans Saints now rank No. 8 in the NFL in rushing and are an even more impressive fourth in yards per carry. When did this happen? The Saints have quietly and gradually ascended the league rushing rankings over the course of the season. Their 205-yard night against the Giants two weeks vaulted them into the top 10 for the first time in a while. The Saints' average of 4.8 yards a carry is the highest of the Sean Payton era and is almost a full yard better than their 4.0 average of a year ago. It also ranks fifth in the league. ... Against the Lions, the Saints rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries and averaged a solid 4.3 yards a carry. They opened the game with a 13-yard carry by Mark Ingram and reached the end zone for the first time on a 14-yard carry by Ingram. Those runs forced the Lions defense to honor the run and set up some big plays in the passing game later. Robert Meachem's 67-yard touchdown catch was set up by Pierre Thomas' 8-yard run on the previous down. It came on second-and-2 out of a formation the Saints usually run from. The Lions were caught off-guard and Meachem found himself in single coverage with Eric Wright. That's exactly the kind of matchup the Saints want when they call their "shot" plays. The improved rushing attack will become even more critical down the stretch as the Saints take to the road in potentially inclement weather conditions. A solid running game will relieve some of the pressure from Drew Brees in those circumstances. PLAYER OF THE GAME: It gets redundant picking Drew Brees but who else can you go with after such a strong performance? PLAY OF THE GAME: (8:16, second quarter): Brees then found Meachem wide open in single coverage downfield against Wright, who looked like he thought he had safety help inside on the play. Terrific run-after-catch by Meachem as he spun Wright around like a top en route to the end zone. PRESSURE REPORT: The Saints played fairly conservatively early, an obvious nod of respect to Calvin Johnson. ... DIDYA NOTICE?: Left tackle Jermon Bushrod did an excellent job in pass protection against Lions end Kyle Vanden Bosch. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS: PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN: The Saints ran just 61 plays primarily because the Lions dominated time of possession, owning a commanding 35:06-24:54 advantage. The play count was the second fewest by the Saints this season. For the second consecutive game, the Saints were fairly conservative by their normally exotic standards, running just five personnel packages. Entire article... LONG... New Orleans Saints running game is now top 10 in the NFL: Film study - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com Attached Thumbnails Last edited by papz; 12-07-2011 at 09:00 AM..
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12-07-2011, 10:51 AM	#5
Halo Site Donor MONTHLY Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 20,607 Blog Entries: 45	I'm starting to change my mind about this years team. The running game is better than 2009. If our defense can keep up at least 1 solid turnover a game... getting fired up! SmashMouth and JoanieNTX like this.

12-07-2011, 12:59 PM	#8
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,127 Blog Entries: 29	Originally Posted by Halo I'm starting to change my mind about this years team. The running game is better than 2009. If our defense can keep up at least 1 solid turnover a game... getting fired up! Hell Yeah!

12-07-2011, 01:13 PM	#9
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Run the ball down their throats...........oh yeah, wear your long cleats! JoanieNTX and Kryptonite like this.

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12-07-2011, 08:58 AM	#2
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744	Nawww... we can't run the football.

12-07-2011, 09:07 AM	#3
Budsdrinker A Cajun Transforming TX Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Woodlands, Texas Posts: 2,787	Just think what would happen if we really tried! 46 pass attempts to 23 run attempts. Bring that closer to 38 to 31 and we would rush for 150 to 200 yards every game.

12-07-2011, 09:44 AM	#4
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	Just think if all 4 backs pounded the rock and Brees threw only 20 passes. I think that if we get to go to Packerland and its nasty,nasty weather we are more than capable of pounding it down their throats the entire game than they are. If we make it that far I hope its a really nasty night at Lambeau. Payton I hope will be smart, it hard to throw in a blizzard.

12-07-2011, 11:20 AM	#6
SAINTstunna 100th Post Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: SACRAMENTO, CA Posts: 249 Blog Entries: 9	I was thinking all of this as soon as we drafted Mark Ingram and acquired Darren Sproles. Next year Drew Brees will throw less than 10 picks total. He may not get 4000-5000 yards for season, but we'll be ranked top 5 rushing in league.

12-07-2011, 12:20 PM	#7
Mardigras9 Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Land Mass between LA and AL Posts: 4,375	This will be a great asset if we play in Green Bay in January.

12-07-2011, 09:32 PM	#10
homerj07 In Doh We Trust Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 7,027 Blog Entries: 16	This is the game to pad our stats. The Titans can be run on. They have better pass "D" but have not seen a QB like Drew all year (Schwabo from Texas is the closest)