There was definitely a point in there around the 2nd quarter, where they should have realized, "hey, this isn't working," and they should have gotten in there with Pierre and just let him bash and slam into people and move the pile a little bit. At least you're going FORWARD for a few yards, make the defense PAY for stopping you, instead of going 1st, 2nd, 3rd, punt.

I've sorta thought this before at different points last year, but it kinda hit me a bit more yesterday -- I think Carmichael is a lot more PREDICTABLE than Payton usually was. I mean, if I can sit there in the stands and look at the down and distance and the Saints lineup, on play after play and go "Jimmy Graham....now handoff to Mark Ingram....this is the screen to Pierre coming up..." I mean if *I* can sit there in my seat and do that, you know Haslett and other team's coaches can look at film and guess what's coming, too. Maybe the tendencies or leanings are a little more obvious than with Payton calling the plays, I dunno. The only times I was SHOCKED was when Drew obviously saw something and altered the play, then I was surprised by what happened.

You do realize that Pete called the plays most of last year right? And that we averaged an ungodly amount of yards per game, led the league I believe...

Last year was great -- but did the offense lead the league in anything yesterday, or during this preseason? Have they really lit it up? Not really. One explanation is that defenses may be adjusting to Carmichael now that they can study and dissect him, which before they couldn't.