Observations After Texans Game

SaintFanInATLHELL · 08-31-2015, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by NOLA54

This was the only game I was able to see. Three games into the preseason and I am doubting we will be better than last year. I hate to see Drew playout the remainder of his career without making the playoffs. We will be lucky to win 1 of our first 5 games. I hope I am so wrong!

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

saintsfan1976 · 08-31-2015, 09:27 AM

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.

Mardigras9 · 08-31-2015, 09:28 AM

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.

Cruize · 08-31-2015, 09:45 AM

- 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!

AlaskaSaints · 08-31-2015, 12:21 PM

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.

papz · 08-31-2015, 12:21 PM

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

Beastmode · 08-31-2015, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by AlaskaSaints

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.

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.

Rugby Saint II · 08-31-2015, 01:59 PM

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

SaintFanInATLHELL · 08-31-2015, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by AlaskaSaints

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.

I think I need to channel my inner Allen Iverson:

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

saintfan · 08-31-2015, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL

I think I need to channel my inner Allen Iverson:

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

We need to practice gettin a pass rush

08-31-2015, 08:57 AM	#31
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,773	Re: Observations After Texans Game Originally Posted by NOLA54 This was the only game I was able to see. Three games into the preseason and I am doubting we will be better than last year. I hate to see Drew playout the remainder of his career without making the playoffs. We will be lucky to win 1 of our first 5 games. I hope I am so wrong! 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 Danno, saintsfan1976 and SloMotion like this.
	Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

08-31-2015, 09:27 AM	#32
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,832 Blog Entries: 3	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. Danno likes this.

08-31-2015, 09:28 AM	#33
Mardigras9 Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Land Mass between LA and AL Posts: 4,375	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. SaintFanInATLHELL and SloMotion like this.

08-31-2015, 09:45 AM	#34
Cruize 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,457	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! saintsfan1976, Rugby Saint II and SloMotion like this.
Cruize 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,457

08-31-2015, 12:21 PM	#35
AlaskaSaints 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 2,484 Blog Entries: 2	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.

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08-31-2015, 12:21 PM	#36
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744	Re: Observations After Texans Game No kicker love? Hocker squared up on those balls really well. Danno, hagan714, saintsfan1976 and 1 others like this.

08-31-2015, 01:18 PM	#37
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126	Re: Observations After Texans Game Originally Posted by AlaskaSaints 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. 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.
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126

08-31-2015, 01:59 PM	#38
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	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.

08-31-2015, 04:18 PM	#39
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,773	Re: Observations After Texans Game Originally Posted by AlaskaSaints 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. I think I need to channel my inner Allen Iverson: 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 hagan714 and saintsfan1976 like this.
	Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

08-31-2015, 05:00 PM	#40
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Observations After Texans Game Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL I think I need to channel my inner Allen Iverson: 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 We need to practice gettin a pass rush spkb25 likes this.

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