Grading the New Orleans Saints' defense vs. the Falcons

12-28-2011, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by WHO_DAT_CAT

Only one was Drew's fault. The other pick in the end zone was just bad luck.

Prior to tonight Drew was 37 TDs to 11 INTs. Tom Brady is 36TDs to 11 INTs. Only QB better is Aaron Rodgers. And he is off the charts better: 45 TDs to 6 INTs.

But, really, I wouldn't worry if I were you. We have a scary running game, not to mention, a Pro-Bowl tight-end and an amazing slot receiver Lance Moore, that gets us 3rd down yardage this year. Last year, Drew was trying to make up for a non-existent running game.

Also, our O-Line this year is playing vastly better than last year.

Agree! I too am always worried about Drews INTs, but only the one deep ball (interference no-call) was on him. I think he just thought about it too long. See how wobbly that ball came out. He wanted to change his mind but 2nd guessed himself. I can live with that...this time. HA!

He's had a helluva better year with those (INTs) than last. Like you mentioned, the running game (and the addition of Sproles and Graham) has been the biggest reason for this.

hitta · 12-28-2011, 10:11 AM

One thing that Brees does that a lot of other QBs don't do is intentionally throws a really deep risky pass that gets intercepted on 3rd down, which usually plays out a lot like a punt. These get reflected in his stats, but usually are irrelevant because we'd be punting on 4th down anyways.

mike27 · 12-28-2011, 10:15 AM

OK, as much as Drew likes to pretend he wasn't paying attention to the "record," I think we all know that isn't true. I think they got ahead by a bit, and he threw into some situations, maybe subconsciously, that he wouldn't normally have. The offense, generally played like it can on its best day. I'm hoping that continues. I've expressed amazement that games with Atlanta have been so close, as I've felt the Saints' were a much, much better team. I was at a Christmas party this weekend, where I said as much, and I'm happy to be vindicated.

But I think more than anything, it has been the tightening up of the defense that has made me most happy. What I saw was in MOST cases, the first guy to hit the ball-carrier, stood him up, then the rest of the team helped finish him off. Numerous times, even better in a way, when that first guy didn't make the tackle, I saw some incredibly good team tackling, where two, or three guys closed in and gave the runner nowhere to hide, nowhere to go.

Also, back to the offense--before they had locked the game up, I saw the team do what needed to be done, they ran the ball to eat up time. And why not? Several times this year, they've been in that situation, and they kept throwing, and throwing. Only when they'd really locked up the game, did they start Brees back on his quest for yards-passing.

Is there anything better than running up the score like that? These guys are contenders, and I believe the only team that can give GB a run. Anyone else is going to get completely smoked.

mike27 · 12-28-2011, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by hitta

One thing that Brees does that a lot of other QBs don't do is intentionally throws a really deep risky pass that gets intercepted on 3rd down, which usually plays out a lot like a punt. These get reflected in his stats, but usually are irrelevant because we'd be punting on 4th down anyways.

Good observation. Noticed that too.

12-28-2011, 09:39 AM	#41
Threaded by Kryptonite DAMMIT BOY! Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Crestview, FL via S'port LA Posts: 197 Rating: (0 votes - average) Originally Posted by WHO_DAT_CAT Only one was Drew's fault. The other pick in the end zone was just bad luck. Prior to tonight Drew was 37 TDs to 11 INTs. Tom Brady is 36TDs to 11 INTs. Only QB better is Aaron Rodgers. And he is off the charts better: 45 TDs to 6 INTs. But, really, I wouldn't worry if I were you. We have a scary running game, not to mention, a Pro-Bowl tight-end and an amazing slot receiver Lance Moore, that gets us 3rd down yardage this year. Last year, Drew was trying to make up for a non-existent running game. Also, our O-Line this year is playing vastly better than last year. Agree! I too am always worried about Drews INTs, but only the one deep ball (interference no-call) was on him. I think he just thought about it too long. See how wobbly that ball came out. He wanted to change his mind but 2nd guessed himself. I can live with that...this time. HA! He's had a helluva better year with those (INTs) than last. Like you mentioned, the running game (and the addition of Sproles and Graham) has been the biggest reason for this.
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12-28-2011, 10:11 AM	#42
hitta 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,300	One thing that Brees does that a lot of other QBs don't do is intentionally throws a really deep risky pass that gets intercepted on 3rd down, which usually plays out a lot like a punt. These get reflected in his stats, but usually are irrelevant because we'd be punting on 4th down anyways.
hitta 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,300

12-28-2011, 10:16 AM	#44
mike27 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 104 Blog Entries: 2	Originally Posted by hitta One thing that Brees does that a lot of other QBs don't do is intentionally throws a really deep risky pass that gets intercepted on 3rd down, which usually plays out a lot like a punt. These get reflected in his stats, but usually are irrelevant because we'd be punting on 4th down anyways. Good observation. Noticed that too.

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12-28-2011, 10:15 AM	#43
mike27 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 104 Blog Entries: 2	OK, as much as Drew likes to pretend he wasn't paying attention to the "record," I think we all know that isn't true. I think they got ahead by a bit, and he threw into some situations, maybe subconsciously, that he wouldn't normally have. The offense, generally played like it can on its best day. I'm hoping that continues. I've expressed amazement that games with Atlanta have been so close, as I've felt the Saints' were a much, much better team. I was at a Christmas party this weekend, where I said as much, and I'm happy to be vindicated. But I think more than anything, it has been the tightening up of the defense that has made me most happy. What I saw was in MOST cases, the first guy to hit the ball-carrier, stood him up, then the rest of the team helped finish him off. Numerous times, even better in a way, when that first guy didn't make the tackle, I saw some incredibly good team tackling, where two, or three guys closed in and gave the runner nowhere to hide, nowhere to go. Also, back to the offense--before they had locked the game up, I saw the team do what needed to be done, they ran the ball to eat up time. And why not? Several times this year, they've been in that situation, and they kept throwing, and throwing. Only when they'd really locked up the game, did they start Brees back on his quest for yards-passing. Is there anything better than running up the score like that? These guys are contenders, and I believe the only team that can give GB a run. Anyone else is going to get completely smoked.