New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

The New Orleans Saints offense has been in the top 5 every season since Sean Payton took over, breaking records and shredding defenses alike. Given this fact, one would not think anything needs to change (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it); however, expect there to be a change in the look and style of the offense, most notably the use of the two tight end set.

The Saints have been trying to slowly implement this, but just haven’t had the personnel. It started off with Jeremy Shockey and David Thomas, but both were injury prone. Then the team drafted Jimmy Graham to go with Shockey, but Shockey couldn’t stay on the field. The same goes for Graham and Thomas. Now, it seems like their problems are solved with the signing of Ben Watson from the Cleveland Browns.

Watson, at 32 years old, still brings a lot of skill, athleticism, and experience to complement the best tight end in the game in Graham. Watson’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but in years where he has made double digit starts he has not disappointed. In 2010, his only season where he made 16 starts, he put up 763 yards on 68 receptions. Keep in mind, this was with the Browns, whose offense was subpar to put it kindly. And in his one season with New England where he made a significant amount of starts, he put up 643 yards in 13 games. In addition, many scouts and coaches say that Watson has one of the highest football IQs in the NFL.

Watson’s athleticism will allow the Saints to be a lot more flexible. For one, teams will not be able to load up on Graham since Watson has the ability to beat single coverage. Also, he will provide more space for the outside receivers if defense decide to pinch in to neutralize the Graham and Watson. The Ben Watson effect goes deeper than the passing game. The use of the bigger, more imposing two tight end sets limits the effectiveness of eight man fronts typically used to stop the run. This will get defenses off balance because the Saints will be able to maintain the threat of the pass without sacrificing the size needed for an effective running game. More importantly, defenses will have trouble matching up with both Watson and Graham since corners will be too small and linebackers and safeties too slow.

This concept is nothing new. The expression “it’s a copycat league” rings true as the New England Patriots have been running this concepts for the past few years with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. However, just because it isn’t original doesn’t mean it won’t be effective. The Saints will be able to run this concept just as well since they will boast the best two tight end combination in the league (with Hernandez being arrested and all). Though Watson’s signing didn’t generate a lot of hoopla, it may prove to be one of the more important signings the Saints made, propelling the already prolific Saints offense to new heights.

New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect | isportsweb

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Solid addition to the team as long as he can stay healthy

Could always be relied on when he played for the patriots, he and graham should form a solid group

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

IIRC he's also a very good blocker, which may help our ground game just as much as our passing game.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Really think he will be an upgrade from Thomas... I can't wait to see these plays SP has been working up over the last year

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

How's he at pass blocking? :p Someone's gonna need some help outside LT

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Yep, totally liking this signing. Plus he's not going to need to be a pallbearer now that he's with us and not the Browns. Did y'all hear that story?

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

I'm thinking more often at RT then LT.

Begin the barrage. >=]

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

So you're saying that Strief will need more help than Charles Brown[LT starter atm]?! :rolleyes: Have we forgotten that Brown has started a total of something like 6 games?

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Yep! He looked good over those 6 starts.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

If he looked so good, why didn't he start at the RT spot all year instead of Strief?

I bet he wouldn't have needed any blocking support :rolleyes:

EDIT: looked it up, it was 3 starts, my mistake

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Browns concerns are less about ability and more about injury.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Have you forgotten all of the nimrods they've brought in as coaches and front office failures? Ben's gonna be a happy man here in who dat land!

OK, I've been dying to tell this story for those of you that may have missed it. A fervent Browns fan died. So he put in his will to have six Brown's players be his pallbearers just so they could let him down one last time.

True story. You just can't make this **** up!

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

SP is going to run Two TE sets and it is going to help our running game and our play áctions pass game. Cant wait and see how this plays out.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Injuries.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

I like this. Graham and Watson are too big and fastfor most LBs to handle. Teams will have to be really creative to stop us this year.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

So he didn't start until week 12 because of injuries? Injury to Zach Strief(wk 11) against the Raiders maybe...

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Oh yeah, we're going to look good in the two tight end sets! :bng:

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

when Strief went down and brown stepped in it was consensus that the job was going to remain his regardless. Brown got hurt; per usual which is what's been keeping off the field in the 1st place. Not his talent. If Strief was superior he'd be the one they try at LT. The blind side of the QB.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Big difference between RT skills and LT skills. Apples and oranges.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Remember Danno; Strief is nothing but hot garbage in his eyes... Even though compared to Brown, he's the one that doesn't get hurt when looked at wrong :rolleyes:

Man; this is a long off-season! :bng:

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

You know like me the truly great can do both. More like oranges and tangerines. There's a little difference, but you have to be really technical about the differences.

But point is, Strief will need more chip block help then Brown this year. Just my opinion.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

We don't need truly great, and no one ever suggested Strief was great.

And its not real technical. Typically RT's don't have the quick feet LT's have, and LT's don't have the power RT's have. Its been that way for over 40 years.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

That isn't the point I was trying to make. Dude said we need Watson to help Brown. I said he'll need to help Strief more then Brown. And its not as simple as that. The best tackle typically plays left or whichever side is the blindside regardless of strength or footwork.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

But footwork usually determines who the best OT is. And since LT is more important than RT, its logical that the best OT on the team is the LT. If not, the team is usually searching for another LT.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Usually. Some players just dont have the quickness to be great passblockers. Some don't have good punch. And some are just stupid. Its not just footwork and strength. It gets deeper.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

depends on which Ben shows up to play. like i said before at times your going to love him and other times your going out to buy a new TV because you tried to kill him.
I hope he is really hungry and wants to end his career on a high note.

Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
 

Sean's motivational skills seem top notch. Got my fingers crossed...