New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight

WhoDat!656 · 09-23-2015, 04:38 PM

New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight - NFL.com

Danno · 09-23-2015, 04:43 PM

... In their 2009 Super Bowl title campaign, the Saints were loaded -- particularly on offense -- with both talent and experience. The offensive line was as good as any in the game, with Jonathan Goodwin at center, Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans at guard, and Jon Stinchcomb and Jermon Bushrod at tackle. That made everyone around them better; Brees had more time in the pocket, while the ground game had bigger holes to work with.
New Orleans was deep at wide receiver with size and speed. Tight end/matchup problem Jeremy Shockey complemented multi-talented running backs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush.

Now the line is patchwork. The Saints scored talented center Max Unger from Seattle, but they had to give up Graham to get him. Marques Colston remains at wide receiver, but he's 32 years old.

Brandin Cooks, of course, is a very promising second-year pro, but the Saints have nothing at tight end to compromise a defense and give Cooks more room to operate. They are relying heavily on the productivity of Mark Ingram at running back. Yet, behind this subpar line, Ingram is averaging an anemic 3.1 yards per carry -- easily the lowest figure of his career.

All of the above factors into the current uneasiness in the Big Easy. How can the Saints heal their wounds?

Payton might eventually have to consider taking a page out of Mike McCarthy's book and focusing solely on the head-coaching duties, ceding play-calling responsibilities to his offensive coordinator, Pete Carmichael. That could work; Carmichael and Brees have proven they are more than capable of running the offense without him. In 2012, when Payton was suspended in the wake of the Saints' bounty scandal, Brees had 43 touchdown passes and eclipsed 5,000 yards through the air. Of course, Brees' shoulder issue could delay any potential large-scale changes in duties.

Pretty fair article

spkb25 · 09-23-2015, 04:52 PM

good article. In the short term I can only hope that the injury to Brees was a major wakeup to this team and line and that they get their asses in gear this week.

halloween 65 · 09-23-2015, 09:30 PM

I can't stand Billeck but as much as I hate it I have to agree with the lick bag.

RailBoss · 09-23-2015, 09:41 PM

Funny most of the things in Billicks article have been talked about on countless threads in this forum.

Rugby Saint II · 09-24-2015, 05:16 PM

It's obvious that our O-line has been on the decline for years now. Grubbs was sub par and Goodwin was just too old to produce the second time around. Our LT and LG are old and their skills have been deteriorating for the last couple of years(from where I sit). Unger isn't exactly a spring chicken either. But he's not in decline yet. However, we will most likely give him an incredible extension.

Lord_Saint83 · 09-24-2015, 06:34 PM

What happened to the great Josh Hill? Everyone including Payton talked this guy up as the second coming of Jimmy but those who knew football knew better and so far they were right. The guy is nonexistent in the offense, great job Sean.

Danno · 09-24-2015, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Lord_Saint83

What happened to the great Josh Hill? Everyone including Payton talked this guy up as the second coming of Jimmy but those who knew football knew better and so far they were right. The guy is nonexistent in the offense, great job Sean.

No one ever said Hill was even close to having Jimmy Graham's skills.

Where in the world did you read that?

NOLA54 · 09-24-2015, 07:22 PM

Sounds like there are others that agree with what we have been saying.

It appears Payton & Loomis think too highly of themselves. The Pats can do what they do because they know what they are doing. Payton & Loomis haven't earned it yet. Unfortunately that has become painfully obvious.

Since our owner spends his time in litigation these days, he probably hasn't been paying much attention to the team. I don't think he is capable of making decisions to pull us out of the fire. We can't count on Loomis who is part of the problem. Who's left? We might be in this mess a long time to come.

Lord_Saint83 · 09-24-2015, 07:48 PM

On a article on espn.com of Sean at the nfl owners meetings talking him up basically but not directly said so.

09-23-2015, 04:38 PM	#1
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,046	New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight - NFL.com

09-23-2015, 04:43 PM	#2
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Re: New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight ... In their 2009 Super Bowl title campaign, the Saints were loaded -- particularly on offense -- with both talent and experience. The offensive line was as good as any in the game, with Jonathan Goodwin at center, Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans at guard, and Jon Stinchcomb and Jermon Bushrod at tackle. That made everyone around them better; Brees had more time in the pocket, while the ground game had bigger holes to work with. New Orleans was deep at wide receiver with size and speed. Tight end/matchup problem Jeremy Shockey complemented multi-talented running backs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. Now the line is patchwork. The Saints scored talented center Max Unger from Seattle, but they had to give up Graham to get him. Marques Colston remains at wide receiver, but he's 32 years old. Brandin Cooks, of course, is a very promising second-year pro, but the Saints have nothing at tight end to compromise a defense and give Cooks more room to operate. They are relying heavily on the productivity of Mark Ingram at running back. Yet, behind this subpar line, Ingram is averaging an anemic 3.1 yards per carry -- easily the lowest figure of his career. All of the above factors into the current uneasiness in the Big Easy. How can the Saints heal their wounds? Payton might eventually have to consider taking a page out of Mike McCarthy's book and focusing solely on the head-coaching duties, ceding play-calling responsibilities to his offensive coordinator, Pete Carmichael. That could work; Carmichael and Brees have proven they are more than capable of running the offense without him. In 2012, when Payton was suspended in the wake of the Saints' bounty scandal, Brees had 43 touchdown passes and eclipsed 5,000 yards through the air. Of course, Brees' shoulder issue could delay any potential large-scale changes in duties. Pretty fair article

09-23-2015, 04:52 PM	#3
spkb25 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 13,097	Re: New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight good article. In the short term I can only hope that the injury to Brees was a major wakeup to this team and line and that they get their asses in gear this week.

09-23-2015, 09:30 PM	#4
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	Re: New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight I can't stand Billeck but as much as I hate it I have to agree with the lick bag.

09-23-2015, 09:41 PM	#5
RailBoss 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Of The Mason Dixon Line Posts: 7,113	Re: New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight Funny most of the things in Billicks article have been talked about on countless threads in this forum. Halo likes this.

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09-24-2015, 05:16 PM	#6
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Re: New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight It's obvious that our O-line has been on the decline for years now. Grubbs was sub par and Goodwin was just too old to produce the second time around. Our LT and LG are old and their skills have been deteriorating for the last couple of years(from where I sit). Unger isn't exactly a spring chicken either. But he's not in decline yet. However, we will most likely give him an incredible extension.

09-24-2015, 06:34 PM	#7
Lord_Saint83 100% Blunt Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Saint Gabriel, La Posts: 2,754	Re: New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight What happened to the great Josh Hill? Everyone including Payton talked this guy up as the second coming of Jimmy but those who knew football knew better and so far they were right. The guy is nonexistent in the offense, great job Sean.

09-24-2015, 06:45 PM	#8
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Re: New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight Originally Posted by Lord_Saint83 What happened to the great Josh Hill? Everyone including Payton talked this guy up as the second coming of Jimmy but those who knew football knew better and so far they were right. The guy is nonexistent in the offense, great job Sean. No one ever said Hill was even close to having Jimmy Graham's skills. Where in the world did you read that?

09-24-2015, 07:22 PM	#9
NOLA54 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,708 Blog Entries: 1	Re: New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight Sounds like there are others that agree with what we have been saying. It appears Payton & Loomis think too highly of themselves. The Pats can do what they do because they know what they are doing. Payton & Loomis haven't earned it yet. Unfortunately that has become painfully obvious. Since our owner spends his time in litigation these days, he probably hasn't been paying much attention to the team. I don't think he is capable of making decisions to pull us out of the fire. We can't count on Loomis who is part of the problem. Who's left? We might be in this mess a long time to come.

09-24-2015, 07:48 PM	#10
Lord_Saint83 100% Blunt Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Saint Gabriel, La Posts: 2,754	Re: New Orleans Saints in irreversible decline? Sean Payton's plight On a article on espn.com of Sean at the nfl owners meetings talking him up basically but not directly said so.

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