Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

And, it shows. In 2009, we had 4.5 rushing Y/A. This year's team is at 3.4. Whether it is the O-Line or the personnel, that number needs to improve. Otherwise, we are predictable and that means our quarterback wears a target.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

It seems that our present formula is throw until their defense is broken both mentally and physically, then grind out the 4th qtr on the ground.

So far... 100% success in 2 games.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

I "think" our screen threat which is a huge threat keeps defenses honest.

3-20 to Sproles ring a bell?
PTs 25 yard screen that was called back? (because graham was holding 23 yards down field)

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

While I think it's good enough for the regular season, I'm not sure that's a good formula for success in the playoffs. If we run into a bad weather game or for whatever reason a case of the drops or just really good defense, we need to be able to have some sort of running game.

I'd be happy to take advantage of more draw running plays or misdirection run plays to get 3-4 yards here and there. Our oline appears to block better when on the move as opposed to trying to push to create lanes. The only way I can see us win like this in the playoffs is if our defense steps up to a higher level than where they are at now where they can put points on the board like chicago or seattle's defense.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

You mean bad weather like Tampa? Or if Graham or Colston gets the drops? We can what if it all day long. We have seen all of that. 4-0

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

You're right. Tampa is an excellent example. Drew and our offense looked horrible during that game. We beat a bad team in a hard fought division game. The question is, do you think you can have long-term success playing that way against an actual playoff time. IMHO, I don't think so.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

I believe we should go back to a true power run game. Not the zone blocking scheme. We don't have zone blocking lineman. We need to run between Evans and Strief. Everyone knows I'm not a Strief fan, but dude can run block. He's a mauler. Power run. North and south. Forget that cut back ****.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

Weather stays the same in the dome. We're going for the #1 seed.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

I just like the potential I see in KR. The way he runs, the authority. He has an upside. I think we have already seen MI ceiling. We know what we have in MI, he has had 3 years to get it done. KR deserves a chance now.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

Im pretty sure if they thought that would work they would try it more.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

I found myself thinking last night about the Halloween night game against the Steelers in 2010, which at that time was one of the best defenses in the league (I believe at that moment they actually were #1) and were considered to be on a statistical par with some of the great historical defenses of the modern era. Incredibly stout against the run. That game had the intensity of a playoff game or a Super Bowl. The Steelers did actually wind up in the Super Bowl that year.

The Saints had 30 yards rushing that night, on 21 attempts, 1.8 per carry. And the Saints won the game pretty handily, 20-10.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

KR looked a lot more shifty and slippery running forward than MI. A lot.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

Then you know not the stubbornness of a head coach.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

your right...

By your logic I couldn't compare Adrian Peterson to Mark Ingram because the circumstances are completely different. Hell, with that logic we shouldn't compare anyone ever until they have the same players and coaches surrounding them huh?

But wait, don't Ingram and Robinson have the same coaching staff and same O-lines? Seems pretty valid to compare the two to me. Every one knew Robinson was getting the ball every time he did, yet he averages 4.7 YPC while Ingram averages 1.7YPC.... logic 2 tuff

However I will say the Offensive line is awful at run blocking. We could have Peterson but instead of being a 2000 yard RB he would only be a 1000 yard RB behind that line. Until I see the running game improve this team is no better than the 2010 saints.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

The odd assessment here is they aren't backing off the run game at that point. When we have run the ball effectively is toward the end of the game when we are winning by multiple scores and every one knows we are going to run. The teams haven't been defending the pass during our best runs of the season, rather they have stacked the box because we are coming out in run heavy formations and trying to drain the clock. Yet when we do this and get nothing (1.7 YPC) with Ingram people proclaim the play calling was too predictable, well what about when Robinson has got the carries? All of Robinson's carries have been predictable and ran out of heavy sets.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

2010 Saints had no defense....Packers had no running game when they won it all.....you don't have to run to win. You have to score and play defense. We do that. And we run well in the 4th quarter of every game.

2012 Super Bowl XLVI Patriots vs Giants
Giants win the Super Bowl ave rushing per game 89.2 (32nd in the League)

The Giants play in Met Life Stadium... Think they get a little bad weather up there?

Patriots play in Gillette Stadium.... Any bad weather up there?

The Patriots had the 20th ranked rushing game.


I'll bet you this isn't in Oakland.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/02/4yne4y2u.jpg

So.... No a running game is not a requirement for getting to and winning a SB with bad weather.

I know so.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

2010 saints had the 4th ranked D....FORTH RANKED D... sound familiar?

This team is exactly like the 2010 team until they get a running game going.

New Orleans Saints 2010 Season Defensive Statistics | www.NOSaintsHistory.com

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

I don't know. I really think the loss of Kromer is rearing its ugly head.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

NFL Stats: by Team Category

No we didn't. And I suppose you don't remember Marshawn Lynch.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

I said it would as soon as we lost him.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

The only consistency I see is the inconsistency. My opinion - planned inconsistency.

He had a year in the mad laboratory of his mind.
Doesn't want others to study film and figure it out.

I believe Payton is on a bewildering organized campaign to mess with all the other teams in the NFL.

We saw Drew "Peyton it" last night.
We saw Drew slide.

We heard Sean say that he was rusty and the words followed him as if it was a planned excuse he planted.

Tell me I am wrong but watch the diabolical chest game Sean is playing.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

Ahhhh, Maggie May, that sounds very diabolical:brood:.
Yes, Hmm. Could your opinion be right?
It is , well, it is working.

:bng:

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

Here let me fix that for you...
NFL Stats: by Team Category

When you are on defense less yards per game is better :P

Yes we were 4th in Defense in 2010. One game in the playoffs we absolutely sucked, but 4th in the regular season.

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

no way that wasn't intentional

Re: AWESOME WIN....but somebody has to say it
 

First, The giants didn't need a great running game because the giants defensive line destroyed everyone they played. While I like our dline I don't think they are as as good yet as the giant dline that terrorized the 18-0 patriots in the superbowl

Second, the patriots and giants are both cold weather teams so they are not going to have a big drop off in the snow regardless because they play in it every year. They're used to it. Plus once again, when the patriots beat the raiders they still had an outstanding defense and were not built at that time to throw the ball a lot like we do (this was before their prolific passing game developed). Not saying our defense won't become outstanding but they are not to that level yet.

I'm not saying we need to have a top 5 running game but we need to be able to have a little more balance to the offense or we need a super bowl caliber defense. One or the other.