|
this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; 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 ...
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
07-10-2013, 06:04 PM | #1 |
Threaded by WhoDat!656
10000 POST CLUB
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Shreveport,Louisiana
Posts: 16,046
Rating:
(0 votes - average)
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 Last edited by papz; 07-10-2013 at 08:16 PM.. |
|
Views: 5339
|
Latest Blogs | |
2023 New Orleans Saints: Training Camp Last Blog: 08-01-2023 By: MarchingOn
Puck the Fro Browl! Last Blog: 02-05-2023 By: neugey
CFP: "Just Keep Doing What You're Doing" Last Blog: 12-08-2022 By: neugey |
07-10-2013, 06:09 PM | #2 |
10000 POST CLUB
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 11,208
|
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 |
07-10-2013, 06:55 PM | #3 |
Truth Addict
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R)
Posts: 24,720
|
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.
|
07-10-2013, 07:30 PM | #4 |
Breakin Records
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Deville, Louisiana
Posts: 2,167
|
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
|
07-10-2013, 07:57 PM | #5 |
10000 POST CLUB
|
Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
|
07-10-2013, 09:25 PM | #6 |
Site Donor
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bayou Bayfield CO
Posts: 4,722
|
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?
|
07-10-2013, 10:07 PM | #7 |
5000 POSTS! +
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kenner, LA
Posts: 7,903
|
Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
|
07-10-2013, 10:10 PM | #8 |
10000 POST CLUB
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Alexandria, La
Posts: 11,303
|
Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
|
07-10-2013, 10:38 PM | #9 |
5000 POSTS! +
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kenner, LA
Posts: 7,903
|
Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
|
07-11-2013, 01:11 AM | #10 |
10000 POST CLUB
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Alexandria, La
Posts: 11,303
|
Re: New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect
|
Last edited by |Mitch|; 07-11-2013 at 01:20 AM.. |
|
|
|
LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: https://blackandgold.com/saints/58826-new-orleans-saints-ben-watson-effect.html
|
||||
Posted By | For | Type | Date | Hits |
New Orleans Saints: The Ben Watson Effect | This thread | Refback | 07-10-2013 06:35 PM | 35 |
The Latest New Orleans Saints News | SportSpyder | This thread | Refback | 07-10-2013 06:16 PM | 9 |