Re: Observations After Texans Game
 

I'm interested in what you are using to make your assessment. This wasn't close to a standard "dress rehearsal" 3rd preseason game. The first team offense played one series in which they marched the ball straight down the field in a 6 minute drive. The defense doesn't have anywhere close to the starting secondary playing. While the two plays that Hopkins made over Lewis may be some cause for concern, at least at the beginning of the season there's no worries that folks like SJB and Swann will be starting in the defensive backfield.

By the end of the week, half of the players that played in the game will be on the street.

I don't think there will be a true assessment of where the Saints are until the end of the first quarter of the season.

SFIAH

Re: Observations After Texans Game
 

Even Sean Payton said this was an evaluation game. Not the typical 3rd preseason game approach.

But that hasn't stopped some from the typical "sky is falling" approach.

Re: Observations After Texans Game
 

After the first half of the first quarter, essentially, these games are meaningless. Brees looks good, o-line looks good, running game looks good. Defense looks better, but if we just have a mid-league defense we'll be very competitive.

Re: Observations After Texans Game
 

- McNown is a veteran and has a big arm, but he's just not good. I want to go with Griffin and Grayson. Payton won't.
- Grayson is a work in progress. Lacking touch and accuracy.
- Ingram is ready.
- Murphy makes the team easy. Specialist with RB skills.
- Hightower contributed on special teams. Deserves to make it. Numbers game.
- The Saints don't have 5 WR's worthy of making the team. Colston, Cooks and Snead are clearly the top 3 with Coleman making it on potential and Morgan for his speed. If someone gets cut the Saints really like, Morgan is gone.
- The OLine is solid. Kelemete and Peat provide good depth.
- The TE's are hit and miss.

- Kikaha is solid with potential.
- Anthony hasn't show much yet. Has the skills though.
- Lack of pass rush is still concerning. It will have to be created rather than naturally happening on ability.
- Lewis, Browner, Breaux, SJB and Swann are solid.
- The safety position is not impressive. The loss of Sunseri hurts. Byrd showing anything would be huge.
- I wish the Saints could keep both kickers in case one stumbles. Both deserve to be kicking in the NFL.

I know it's just preseason, but this years team strongly resembles last years less than stellar group. It lacks play makers and fire. That could change when the season starts. It's possible. I just have my doubts. The offense will have to control the clock and win games. The defense will have to not lose games. The talent is there. The coaches have to get it out and the players will have to take responsibility. WHO DAT!

Re: Observations After Texans Game
 

Never take the opportunity to LOSE, decisively, a nationally-televised game whether it is pre-season or not.

Not good for morale or the Saints Organization.

I had hoped we would show up to win at all cost.

Re: Observations After Texans Game
 

No kicker love? Hocker squared up on those balls really well.

Re: Observations After Texans Game
 

Here in Houston, local news did a poll. Something like 90% of Texas fans put no real meaning in the game. Seriously, most of these guys will not be on the field anyway. I understand the winning but they have all won at some point. We had a Saints team that went undefeated in PS only to get crushed it the RG. What I like to see are players we drafted or those on the bubble making their mark. That is a great sign and I think we have that this PS. This draft is looking better than average.

Re: Observations After Texans Game
 

We looked extremely sloppy and unmotivated on defense. On offense we didn't open the big holes I was hoping for.

Re: Observations After Texans Game
 

I think I need to channel my inner Allen Iverson:

http://www.azquotes.com/picture-quot...-110-82-96.jpg

How exactly how we as fans supposed to feel if Brees plays deep into the 3rd quarter "to win at all costs" and gets his clock cleaned?

We're talking about practice.

Or if Byrd or Browner, who are a little nicked up, play "to win at all costs" and end up with a severe leg injury?

We're talking about practice.

Should we really trot out Khiry Robinson, who has not practiced, or Ingram, or Spiller, to expose them to harm in a practice game "to win at all costs"?

The preseason serves a few purposes:

1. Give some prep work in a real game scenario, for veterans to get prepped for the season.

2. Evaluate talent. Murphy isn't going to be starting running back. He's going to be on the team as the 4th back and ST returner. Let him, and Grayson, and Peat get some work at game speed even though they'll have minimal contributions relative to the starters once the games actually count in the standings.

3. The most important thing: DO NOT GET HURT!. There have already been over 25 season ending knee injuries in the league this preseason. That's a number that we as Saints do not want any part of.

Win at all costs? As far as I know, no one was seriously injured. So for a preseason game, win, lose, or tie, that's a definite win.

C'mon man! We're talking about practice.

SFIAH

Re: Observations After Texans Game
 

We need to practice gettin a pass rush