Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

I want to clarify on a few items, and since you clicked you are now my captive audience... (stop looking away).

The return of our running game is NOT due to Sproles being out, it is NOT due to Ivory being on the field, It IS for the most part due to Joe Vitt being back on the field.

Keep reading before you turn red. Our running game miraculously returned with Vitt. Not because Vitt is the solution, but because the return of Vitt, allowed Aaron Kromer to focus on his job, the offensive line.

Ingrams game AVE before Vitt
2.5/2.2/3.2/3.0/2.3 = 2.6 YPC
Imgrams AVE with Vitt
6.3/4.2/5.6 = 5.36 YPC

Thomas game AVE before Vitt
4.3/1.8/3.3/2.5/5.4 = 3.4 YPC
Thomas AVE with Vitt
7.3/2.0/6.0 = 5.1 YPC

From the backfield to 1-2 yard past the line of scrimmage is all o-line. After 2 yards past the line of scrimmage and beyond is vision and ability to break tackles/miss tackles... etc...

Sorry Halo, I know this is not something you want to agree to just yet but it is what it is...

Vit's return has turned this team around offensively.... because having him allows other people to focus where they need to.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Not only that but Kromer isn't the fiery leader that Vitt is.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Oak, I'm sure what you say is a major factor for the upgrade in our running game. That said, you have to also admit that somthing has lit a fire under Ingram's ass. His first run yesterday was a perfect example. He broke more tackles in that one run than in all of his carries in the pre-Ivory games. Whether it is Vitt kicking butt our Ingram looking over his shoulder at Ivory…..something lit the fire and it's fun to watch the result.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Ive seen Vitt in front of a mic now... Fiery he isnt.. He puts him self to sleep.

http://atlantablackstar.com/wp-conte...8/Joe-Vitt.jpghttp://sitracking.files.wordpress.co.../145220120.jpghttp://brightcove01.brightcove.com/2...d=268012958001http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo...9-standard.jpghttp://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/J...n9Ep_OJsTl.jpg

I agree w Oak. Vitt even said that we were relying way too much on the pass early in the season (does anyone have our run/pass ratio for the first 4 games?).
I think part of that is Kromer's inexperience. I think an inexperienced coach's tendency is to abandon the run when they fall behind early. We saw the same thing w Raiders coach yesterday. Whatever the reason, I'm glad Vitt's back!

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

I don't think there's any magic to it, period. Vitt's return meant more coaching hands on deck. While out, not only was the team missing a head coach, but it was also missing a linebackers coach (Vitt) AND O-Line coach (Kromer). Kromer subbed as HC, but the o-line suffered.

That also left Spags shorthanded on coaching defense forcing even more coaches to double team as LB coach.

Vitt will be the first to tell you he doesn't know squat about offense. What Vitt does know is how to get in another coaches face and force him to find creative ways to start running the ball.

I credit Vitt for that. He understands football fundamentals - the run opens the pass. I think Vitt has done a great job of forcing every squad on the team to step it up, including linebackers.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Run pass for first 6 games

Wash
52 pass 10 run - L
Car
49 pass 27 run - L
KC
36 pass 19 run - L
GB
54 pass 19 run - L
SD
45 pass 24 run - W
TB
37 pass 26 run - W
DEN
42 pass 17 run - L
PHI
27 pass 25 run - W
ATL
32 pass 29 run - W
OAK
28 pass 28 run -W

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

His first run yesterday, Ingram wasn't met by 2 tackles 2 yards deep in his own backfield, he had a running start and a hole in the o-line to run through. And Ingram is healthier now than he's ever been since drafted.

Speaking of first runs last Sunday, Ivory in his first run got stuffed for -1, his second run he managed to fall one yard forward. I love the way Ivory runs the ball just like everyone else, but let's not get carried away.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

I dunno but they might be on to something here with the "run"

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Amazing what the results are when we are balanced huh. Oak, on one hand you are right but I think Halo nailed it. Having Vitt back means the other coach's can do what they are good at.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Vitt will not be a Saint next year........Unless Payton leaves.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

And all this from Vitt watching games at home for a while, just wait until Payton comes back from watching a whole season.

Why is that?

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

He was considered for HCing jobs this past offseason if I recall, and I would think the drastic turn around the Saints have had will make Vitt an even better candident this year for a HC job somewhere. However if Payton does in fact leave I would think he would be offered the HC job here and would take it as he is familiar with the team that is already championship ready. Of course all this depends on how the rest of the season pans out. A few more wins though and I think he will be a HC somewhere in the league next year.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Vitt has said time and again he's not interested in becoming a head coach. If anything he's said he enjoys coaching linebackers under Sean Payton. So if SP left he'd probably go with him.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

I think his exact words were "I don't want to be a head coach."

Reading between the lines I think he's saying he doesn't want to be a head coach.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

And Reggie was not going to be traded either.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

LOL, Reggie was on the auction block as soon as SP saw him drop that perfect pass on the 10, that would have been a TD, vs the SeaHawks. ;)

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Don't understand, Ivory still averaged 4.6 ypc for the game.

Great to see Ingram getting the lead out. He averaged 5+ ypc for the first time ever. If it takes Ivory booting him to keep them both running, I'm all for it. I love having Ingram on our team and am proud of the way he's broken out.

Side note - I don't have a Fantasy Football Team, I think that's counter-productive. I just call it like I see it.

The only fumble I saw yesterday was by Jimmy Graham. LOL

Alaska

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

He's got his ways...

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2241/viitt0.png

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2458/motivationz.png

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

It's not only that Joe Vitt is good, it's that Aaron Kromer sucked azz.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Well that is exactly my point if you reread my post... Some people thought he was going to come in and be another Sean Payton... That he is not, but he does come in and allow the other coaches to do their jobs which we desperately need.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Kromer does not suck ass... He is good at what he does, but HC is not something he does well yet.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Reggie was not going to be traded.. Until Sproles stepped into the picture... I dont see a replacement for Payton any time soon.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

If Sean Payton wants to leave, there isn't anyting anyone can do to stop him.
If Sean payton wantss to stay... there isn't anything anyone can do to lure him away.

I'm not going to begin to even worry about this until the man speaks. The fact Jerry jones can't even talk to him makes it all the better for us. All we have now if the media selling newspapers...
For starters I don't believe them

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

I agree. Sean Payton is not a topic of worthy discussion at this point.. Its barely speculation until the man him self speaks about it, even then nothing will possibly start or finish until the season is well over with.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Kromer is not a head coach. Give him time.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Especially not on a staff that essentially was short a OL coach and a LB coach. That might not sound as a big problem but in a business as intense as the NFL missing two coaches on your staff is a BIG deal.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

I don't think its possible to fully measure what Vitt brings to the table. It is the intangibles I think that can't be measured in numbers that he brings. Maybe having that lead guy around or just having another coach to free up the others to be more specific or maybe the D is gelling. Who knows? Whether Vitt or what ever reason I am seeing a hell of a lot more wins on the scoreboard and that kicks ass.