Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Something we just dont see often is some real hard nosed football discussions.

But I like to hear everyones take as it related to the Saints vs NFC South opponents this season and the replacement officials.


Last time the Saints got a new defensive coordinator they pretty much ran the table with the Division, only losing to Tampa and Carolina at the end of the season but they also held all opponents to some low pt totals in those games to.

Does Spags defense give the Saints advantage vs these teams offenses this season since we talking about new schemes?

Since Atl has bought in Mike Nolan, can the same be said about them? Or is their 1 qtr of play vs Baltimore just a smoke bomb?



As for replacement officials, does anyone believe that teams are doing more holding, contact, that normally results in a penalty because the officials are not calling it?

If we had the strike officials in the game, do you think the Saints defense would be more dominant? Or would we continue to see blown calls (like possibly some penalty on the Brady hit?) Which is what the Strike officials the last couple of seasons been famous for?

My opinion stands, Replacement officials get the calls right when its called, Strike officials blow almost every call it seems, although they tend to see more than what the replacement officials do.


Thoughts?

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Spags has a more bend but don't break defense, of course this will help with all the passing attacks around. You really can't pay to much attention to the preseason games, but you can definately tell our DBs are playing better and the Line is definately getting a lot more pressure...

Like I said, can't put too much faith in the preseason, but you can only do so much with a scheme change. And unlike us, they did absolutely nothing to improve the defense; except Asante.

They tried with Lofa, but that didn't work out. They have a 2nd year penciled in as the starter at MLB, one with 17 tackles in his career.

Our D-Line have been totally switched around from last year. We will have all new starting LBs this year and our depth in the secondary has went up significantly...

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Agreed. We have a totally revamped defense and we are DEEP at more positions than we have been in the past. Especially CB. I think we have what it takes to continue playing at a high level even if the injury bug hits which will help us down the stretch. I don't see anything the Falcons have done to improve other than hire Nolan and acquire Samual.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Saints 11-5
Falcons 9-7
Panthers 8-8
Bucs 7-9

I would say those predictions should remain accurate within a game on either side. I think 11 wins will clinch us the division this year, no team is going to really run away with it.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

:)

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Its a good post, and understand what you mean, but how can you say replacement ref are doing ok?

Watch the HOF game.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

I think the whole NFL is being hit by a double edge sword when it comes to officiating, I believe though one side of that sword might just be a little more dull than the other.

For example the Brady hit and fumble in the game Thursday night, I flat out crossed my fingers on flags being thrown when that happened, I would of expected it from the strike officials, even though it was all clean and legal, the strike officials are flag happy with plays like that. But we didnt see it with the replacement refs.

On the same token, replacement refs missed plenty of holding calls.


I am only saying they doing ok for the fact you cant complain about what calls they have made in these games. Strike Officials would call something stupid like they always do, you get some moron like Hochuli in there who likes to get camera time and botch a game altogether. I will agree the HOF game was a mess though.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

I didn't notice much difference between the refs. The replacements were just as bad as the regulars.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

People need to get out there and really raise a stink about the strike officials blowing calls. Not just for the Saints but for everybody. Get on Facebook, other forums, post comments under news articles, go on other message boards and talk about it with friendly fans on other teams. Because THAT is what is actually more likely to get Goodell fired,than his mishandling of Bountygate.

They even lied about how much experience these scab officials had -- what does that tell you about Goodell, and also about their evidence in Bountygate? They're willing to stretch the truth to prove their point. Point this out to people if you are ever arguing with somebody about Bounty stuff sometime. They said they had Big 10 experience and they didn't. They said one of them was a ref for a year with the "Lingerie Football League" (I know, right?) but it turns out he was canned after only half a season with them.

No one should have ANY illusion about it, the Saints are going to be playing against the refs EVERY WEEK, as well as the other team, next season. Either by them being biased against the Saints, or just plain unintentional bungling. We will have to overcome a LOT to win.


They missed a SAFETY (holding in the end zone) and a TD by Ingram. If Ingram doesn't get it on the next play, that's a swing of 9 points which could have affected the outcome, if the game had been real. They missed a low late hit on Brees' ankle during the Patriots game -- they're horrible.

What the scab refs do is, and I really noticed this happening a lot -- something happens in the play, you have three refs right there, and they all LOOK AROUND AT EACH OTHER -- waiting for the other guy to do something or make the call. None of them want to call a touchdown unless the other one signals touchdown, too. Or throw flags. Or even spot the ball. It's totally wack.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

The NFC South

I think the Saints personnel got better, but losing their coach probably puts them back to an 11-12 win team.

I don't think Atlanta got any better. The improved CB but downgraded LB. I see them staying a good but not greatteam. If they're hit by some injuries they could fall apart fast

Carolina should be better, but the common sophmore slump should keep them around 6 or 7 wins. A better team, but probably the same results record wise.

Tampa got a lot better, but they had a long way to go to start with.

Saints 11-5
Falcons 10-6
Carolina 7-9
Bucs 6-10

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Yeah I dont like Strike Officials or Replacement Officials really.

Both IMO is just bad for the game. I think Strike officials has determined outcomes of games with shoddy calling too much for my liking, anyone remember the 2007 season and 2008 season?

Both those seasons had about a total of 4-5 games where poor officiating put a L in the loss column for the Saints. Between the Saints defense being so bad and the idea the Saints could keep any game close is what kind of did it those 2 years. Most memorable game is the Vikings and Ed Hochuli, talk about screwing the pooch, this is the same guy who prior screwed San Diego I think it was out of a game vs Denver, he basically either wont call something, or makes a call he shouldnt be making, thats the rep the strike officials have when they out there on the field.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

I'd like to comment on the poor officiating that we've seen so far this season....

But I got this memo from the league.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

I got fined for talking about it...............:rolleyes:

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

I wonder how many games they will change the outcome of. Can a loss be overturned if its proven to be the refs fault? Has is ever happened.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Games have been won or loss due to bad calls and no not one has ever been overturned

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Strong division.

Atlanta - I think they're going to have one of their best offensive statistical seasons in a long time. They're going to open up the offense and start flinging the rock around. Lots of talented skill positions on offense and should actually be a fun team to watch for non-Saints fans.

Defensively, their DL is rock solid and has the name players to dominate. As of now they have no MLB and Witherspoon is the only player of note. Secondary looks stout. One thing to make note of is that Nolan's defenses has always had good rush linebackers... which no one on that roster fits the bill. Regardless, should be the Saints main obstacle in the division.

10-6 looks about right but I wouldn't put 11-5 past them.

Carolina - If Cam Newton doesn't have a sophomore slump, they can make a lot of noise. No matter how much one dislikes Steve Smith, he's very difficult to stop. They have one of the best 1-2 punches in the league at running back and added a versatile touchdown machine at fullback. Greg Olson was a great addition as Cam(got to give the man his props), for a young quarterback, does a good job utilizing his TE's. The question marks they have on offense is the right side of their offensive line and lack of proven talent behind Steve Smith on the outside.

Defensively they have a stud in Charles Johnson on the front line and a very good LB core... although frequently injured. If those two tackles can plug the middle effectively, you're going to see their linebackers flying all over the field making big plays. The secondary is average and Gamble has been slowly regressing throughout the past few years. I would say Godfrey is their best player back there. If their front 7 can't get consistent pressure, they're going to have trouble stopping people from throwing the ball all over them.

I can see a 9-7 season if Cam Newton can come close to mirroring last season's production.

Tampa Bay - Their season hinders largely on Josh Freeman. Who are we going to see? Is he going to be that young quarterback whom everyone thought was going to eventually evolve into an elite quarterback or the mis-firing jitterbug from last year? Jim Harbaugh had a lot of success transitioning from the college ranks but he also had a great pedigree. Schiano has a couple of head cases on his team and pretty much brought a college staff to surround him. He has a lot of work cut out for him. Talent wise, they're doing pretty well for themselves. Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams are two talented wide outs and their backups have some upside as well. While a big headcase, Blount is talented and they brought in Martin with their first round pick. The addition of Nicks solidifies a solid interior line with some question marks on the outside. Old man Dallas Clark should still be an upgrade over Winslow.

Defensively going across the board, they have a lot of young talented players on the team. With that said, I'd like to emphasis young. Young equals inexperience and as I mentioned earlier, a coaching staff from the collegiate ranks. How are they going to mold these young players? It may take a few years before these players start making their marks. And as if Blount wasn't enough on the offensive side of the ball, they have Pac Man Jr. roaming the secondary. Getting this unit to gel is the main key... and they're not ready yet.

6-10... just to many question marks.

As far as the refs are concerned, it'll all get worked out. I'm not concerned.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

What about us?

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

New Orleans - There's only one real question mark on offense and that is Sean Payton. While he has been suspended the entire year, he left behind a well oiled machine in the hands of his two most trusted sidekicks... Pete Carmichael and Drew Brees. In the handful of games which Carmichael called the plays for last season, the Saints average over 30 points per game. Drew Brees has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league for over the past decade. With a 6th ranked rushing offense in the league, arguably the top TE, an underrated receiving core... this unit is virtually unstoppable. The loss of Carl Nicks was nullified with the addition of an All Pro himself in Ben Grubbs. The Saints should still boast on of the top offensive lines in the league and any deficiencies should be masked by Brees' outstanding quarterback play.

Defensively I don't think I can break it down. I'm such a Spags homer and Harper supporter(which goes against the mainstream perception of him) that it will color me bias when grading our unit. I will just say one thing...

I THINK WE'LL WRECK HAVOC ON THE MOFOS!!!! BEWARE... WE'RE COMING TO GET YOU!!!

11-5 sounds about right. And if Atlanta manages the same record, we'll have the tiebreaker and the division will be ours.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

i really hope you are right sir.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

If our offense runs true to form and our defense goes from crap to even mediocre, then the deciding factor will be the close calls from the head coach. If whoever's in charge gets'em right then the Clowns won't even get their annual token playoff invitation at 11-5.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

only thing that worried me about the Falcons is their schedule is favorable, most of the tough opponents at home.

Big shock, I dunno who runs the scheduling operation in the NFL, but it seems some teams never have to go on the road vs a good opponent. Falcons have been one of those teams last couple of years as well as the 49ers.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

And once again, the Saints have back-to-back road games twice this season.
The Falcons have ZERO back-to-back road games.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

yeah its complete BS

Atlanta Falcons 2012 Schedule - Falcons Home and Away - ESPN

about the only tough game they got on the road is San Diego and New Orleans, New Orleans because its in the division.

They get NY, Denver, Dallas at home.

I thought the schedule was more difficult for them this season than previous, I thought wrong, its easy, home and away games spaced out perfectly, all their tough games is at home just about.

we get Dallas and NY on the road, Denver, Green Bay.

What I fail to see how the hell does any team in the NFL NOT, REPEAT NOT have back to back road games? Ive never seen it before until I looked at that schedule.

Theirs obviously some bias in that scheduling making process.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

The Refs seem to be letting the game flow a little better

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

That is absolutely right. Once the games are for real, the refereeing will be an issue.

I was watching a bit of the Bills-Skins game; after a punt, a Bill downed the ball at the 4 yd line, and it was ruled a touchback. And no, I am not exaggerating when I say the 4 yard line. What happened? Well, the Bills coach complained, so the refs just changed the call without a challenge.

Now, how much wrong in that sequence? Let us count the ways.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

What pisses me off is the short week we have to go to Atlanta after the SF game which will be tough

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

NY and Denver are not teams to sleep on even playing in Atl; as for tough games on the road you did fail to mention Detroit...

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

I dunno if Detroit is any good.

They failed to beat a team with a winning record last season, even in their own dome.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

No, the coach had to waste a review on the play for legally blind stripes to get it right! I still can't figure how they'd mess that call up.



This thread is now closed by order of the kommisar!

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Replacement refs seemed to let alot of the trench penalties go un-called. Hopefully if they are what we have by the season start, they have learned and improved. Not that huge of a difference from the regular refs however.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Oh, the Bills did challenge? I don't remember seeing the red flag, so I guess that made me think there was no challenge. Anyway, it is still atrocious the refs called that a touchback.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

I don't like scab refs. they are given to much power with little or no training.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

Don't forget a lack of eye sight. If they'd just put the kommisar's number on speed dial when checking on a call, at least they could watch more of the game instead of their phone's number pad.

Re: Some Football talk, Saints vs NFC South this season and Replacement refs..
 

I like what I see from Spags so far. The defensive players seem to be already better fundamentally. Curtis Lofton will make you look good too. But yeah, I already see the first roots of improvement. There must be a reason so many teams were interested in him.

One thing I dont do a lot of, is complain about refs. It is what it is, and everytime you try to do something to make the officiating better, you get unintended consequences. Replay drags the game down, and adds an element of whining that I could live without. Im the only person in the world who feels like this, but I'd like to see replay done away with, and just get the best refs you can--- and like baseball, quit crying and play ball. or maybe have an occasional blowup argument, get thrown out.... and have some fun.

Thats just me; I dont expect anyone to agree with it.

overall, I think the scabs look like the real refs, minus a bunch of holding calls.