dizzle88

Just wondered if anyone was thinking the same thing as me about our offense

It really looks like SP is abandoning the whole 5 wide offense (maybe not completely) to a more traditional balanced offense - I say this with three moves as my examples

The trade of sproles - his cap hit was too high and I think he was noticeably a step slower and much less elusive than in years past anyway

The signing of Erik Long - Mauling run blocker that completely destroyed our LB's in week 2 vs tampa, if you watched the tape that was posted (I believe by danno?) You noticed that doug martin ran wild on us due to the huge holes that were made once Long got to the second level

Not re-signing jed collins - one of paytons most versatile pieces on offense

now I may be wrong and come draft time we might go for a sproles type player but at the moment it looks to me by letting go of sproles like Payton is trying to abandon that gameplan in favour of the plan that worked in the playoffs - ingram and khiry with a bunch of carries, opening up for the young wide receivers to make some plays

Has anybody else noticed or thought about this sort or thing?

Your bonehead creator picked a fine chapter to omit from your memory bank....let me ask you, does a machine like yourself ever experience fear? - Vegeta, DBZ

Danno

I wouldn't call Collins one of Payton's most versatile pieces of his offense. He may have been the least versatile.

He's a better blocker and a better receiver out of the backfield.

I do think we'll see a Sproles-ish type RB acquired before the season starts.

NewDeal

I agree that we seem to be moving towards a more balanced offense with a power run game and Drew still slinging the ball. Personally I like it. I want to see what Robinson and Ingram can do being fed the ball more often and having Thomas in there for the screens and the run. And like Danno said we will see a Sproles type RB brought in because SP likes them.

Jack Vegas

It's LORIG, Not Long. Easy mistake to make I guess. But I think he is much more versatile than Collins - he's got the height to play tight end and looks pretty quick getting out in the flats for passes from what little I've seen in the highlights. He reminds me a lot of David Thomas.

But I agree with you it looks like a much more traditional run-heavy offense. All that could change though, if they pick a Sproles-type replacement in the draft. Seastrunk or D. Thomas would be too intriguing to ignore, IMO.

Cay__jay

Yeah I completely agree with your way of thinking. I'm in favor of a balanced offense. It's less predictable. The play action used to be our best play, but since we pass so much nobody is afraid of it. But as you noticed we had a couple big plays from the play action when Ingram and Robinson were getting there touches. I've been waiting for Sean to make this move for a while. I can only hope that he sees it as we do.

halloween 65

I hope we don't pick up a Sproles-type of player ang go power run game all the way.

Rugby Saint II

We can still run screens and be efficient out in space with the players we have.
I will be excited to have a power running game and hope that we have the players to execute it. Loomis looks good so far.

rezburna

Sproles wasn't on the team when we won the Super Bowl. Sproles was supposed to be a Reggie Bush type player. That was who he was supposed to replace. Unfortunately, Sproles doesn't strike the same fear in opponents hearts as Reggie did. Bush was a ridiculous decoy. He demanded way more attention then Sproles.

Danno

The power run game is useless on 3rd and 12.

You gotta have a shifty speed guy for those 3rd and long packages.

And if you're playing a big mauling defense without much sideline to sideline speed in their front 7, I'd sure like to have that guy who can turn the corner on them all game long, and destroy them with screens, pitchouts, draws and delays.

Utah_Saint

I'm not exactly sure what defines a "power run" game, but I do think the Saints would like to be able to sucessfully run the ball. A successfull run game keeps linebackers and safetys honest and set up the play action.

That being said...Just my guess but I think that as long a Brees can throw the ball accurately, the Saints will favor the pass.