Sproles being phased out?
 

Is it just me or is sproles being used less and less in the offense. The only reason I ask is because I have him on my fantasy team so I notice things like this. I used to see him lined up in the slot all the time as well as out wide. Plus I used to see him as the outlet out the backfield but not so much these days

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

good question
I will say that he did not look good on the 2 punts he did not field, and then one later he fair caught with no one around

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

if he gets phased out of the offense because he's not performing well on special teams, Payton is the worst coach ever. that makes ZERO sense...

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Sproles has been banged up this season out with a concussion doesn't look like he is playing at 100 %.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I was thinking something similar. He's a catalyst in our offense and it seems we've been under-utilizing him.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

repeat for PT, Colston, Moore...

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I was thinking injury could be the reason but he looks fine when he's returning the ball. He's usually a matchup problem along with graham but right now I hardly see him lining up.

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Saving him for the playoffs could be reason for the lack of play...

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

If Brees and company keep fumbling around there won't be a playoffs.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

This was the playoffs.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

phased out to phase what in?

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

To answer your question, NO. Our coaches have scrapped what works to rework the offense with what does not work.

There's coaching malpractice everywhere in our offense.

Alaska

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Payton is too predictable,

Toss to sproles
Flare pass to sproles
slant pass or out to sproles

those are the 3 plays he has that payton calls

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Sproles was hammered there for a stretch. Teams have gotten better at game planning for Sproles and Graham. With the inconsistent running attack the receivers have needed to step up, but with the lack of protection from the O-line, that has been hard to accomplish because Brees doesn't have time to get them the ball.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Are you serious? Not busting your chops here, but if you dont win where do you see us playing in what playoffs. I'm scared as hell for this game coming up.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I for one am sick of the committee approach that our offense has become, its been figured out and is no longer effective

If we are going to use sproles we need to stop being so damn predictable, if we are not using him lets go forward with pierre, ingram and khiry and see what we can get for sproles.

We need a real number one WR, someone that isnt brought into the game for 2 snaps and then replaced by someone else for the sake of "matchups"

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Maybe Sproles just isn't all that good anymore.

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+1.. just about every time we substituted Ingram (after a positive run I might add) for Pierre, Luke Kuechly was licking his chops. He knew the damn play as if he was in our huddle.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

+1, yep a step slower. I hate to admit it but mighty mouse is not the same guy anymore.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

He just doesn't look as quick anymore. He used to stop and go on a dime and was full speed after 2 steps. I'm not seeing that anymore.

Also, Lance Moore doesn't look as quick in and out of breaks as he used to.

Even PT looks a half-step slower than last year.

I wonder if age is finally catching up to some of these guys?

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Most of them have been in our system for 7 years now, so it wouldnt be a suprise

Sproles doesnt make anyone miss anymore, he used to embarrass defenders with his moves

If only nick toon could catch a ball thrown his way and I'd feel a little better about our younger guys, excluding stills because hes awesome

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Thanks Boutte ... If this game was not enough to get the players to preform and the coachs to have prepared and called a quality game I failed to see how we expect something different next week or in the playoffs ... I am a Saints Diehard but Hope will not float this playoff boat ...

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Probably closer the truth.
Sproles got smacked up in the Week 11 San Francisco game.
Inactive Week 12 for the Atlanta game.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I wish I knew. Maybe the coaches wanted to see what life without sproles would be like in case he's not back next year. Other than health that's the only thing that makes sense.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

NICE AND TRUE.

But I agree he is banged up and not 100 percent. I wouldn't take the risk

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I love the guy but he's not really producing much on punt or kick returns this year. I would like to see somebody younger and faster back there to take those risky hits.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Cut your losses now. Put him on IR and reach an injury settlement.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I would have traded him last year and was basically told I was crazy. I like Sproles and against certain teams he has produced but now and last season most good teams have picked up on how we use him and that is his and our downfall. He will still produce but it will be to a point. O.K. call me crazy again!!

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

You're crazy.

Sproles is still a special player. I think we're just looking for problems because we're having a down year on offense. Fix the line and we'll be right back at the top of the League.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I said it last year too!! And believe me when I fixing the O-line is the easy part. If we don't get a run game we are sunk. I believe I said that last year also!! Still think I'm crazy, it's o.k. with me!!

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I think the offensive line is a big reason for the offensive issues.

Sproles has been hurt most of this season as well. I'm not ready to give up on him yet.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Actually I think you have some great points. I don't think Sproles has lost anything though.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I used to think that Sproles could bust one for a TD everytime he took a punt, but that doesn't even cross my mind anymore.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I haven't been happy with his punt returning. Letting the ball go and being downed inside the 5YL is BS in my book. If the team is struggling on offense, why let the ball go and HOPE it goes into the EZ isn't trying to win.

I know some will ask, "Well, who's going to take over PR duty?" Good question. I say a rookie has has something to prove.


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Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

We need a real speedster as our kick and punt returner, kind of a dexter McCluster type player

Remember larry beavers? That dude could fly in preseason

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

Isn't this why we signed Mr. Canada Chris Williams a few months ago? He must not be ready.

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Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

I agree with Danno that Sproles looks a step slower than in past years, but even still, a step-slower Sproles is still a LETHAL weapon if used correctly.

That's the problem though. In 2011, we used him all over the place. He was running WR routes, screens out of the backfield, running the ball, everything. Teams did not know what Sproles was going to do in 2011.

This year, it's obvious he's going to catch a screen pass. That's all he's been doing this year, and teams have adjusted.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

All defenders have to do is rush/cover him with one guy. It's going to be a screen pass or he's going to be a complete liability in pass protection. Why Payton hasn't put more RB routes in the playbook is beyond me. Plus, with the lack of attempting runs, the playaction is also a non-factor. Run the ball. Use more playaction. Have the RB's run option routes over the middle. To the left. To the right. Curl up. Take what the dang defense gives you.

Re: Sproles being phased out?
 

The only annoying thing is showing the fair catch sign early when he has no intention to catch the ball. That allows the kicking team to camp out on the goal line to leave the Saints super offence with 99 yards 2 feet aand 11 inches to score a TD.