Re-watched the game:Observations
 

Seen as I'm in the UK I woke up at 4am for work at 6am, which meant I only managed to see the final 2 minutes and overtime - safe to say I woke up pretty damn quick to CJ Spiller sprinting down the sidelines!!

Please feel free to add whatever you noticed.

My opinions;

Kikaha and Anthony are going to be absolute animals for us
Kikaha has 3 sacks in 4 games, leads rookies in tackles and has 2 forced fumbles.
Did anyone else notice how fast Anthony was when he sacked Weeden, man....we haven't seen that speed since Vilma was healthy.

In my opinion, they are a drafted OLB away from being a unit!

Bobby Richardson showed more in this game than Akiem Hicks did in nearly 2 years.

People who need to get the ball more;

CJ Spiller - whenever he touched the ball, wow...he was a threat to take it the distance.
It confused me when payton kept running screens to Ingram - give Spiller a chance!!

Brandin Cooks - safe to say I'm pretty disappointed in the numbers Cooks has posted, sure he's been doubled and had teams best CB's to beat but still, we should get him involved without forcing him the ball.

Willie Snead - the guy is becoming one of my favourite players, with Cooks being game planned, Snead has great opportunities to make plays and he's making them when called upon.

Things that concerned me

The defense played admirably all day, and then completely choked in the final minutes.
Breaux played incredible all game, then allowed gains of 25 on first down and the game tying touchdown.
Vaccaro is simply turrible, I think we should try to trade him and address safety elsewhere.

Kicker - Hocker better not leave the facility until he's mastered the chip shot - its garrett hartley all over again - except without the Super Bowl.

Zach Strief - He is going to get Brees killed, he already got him injured and Brees got planted several times from Striefs man.

Brandon Browner - I would not bat an eye lid if the guy was cut, He does not add any leadership to our team, he can't lead by example because every rookie on defense is playing better than him. He is our weak link, he allows teams to get back into the games, they just have to throw deep to his man and its either catch or PI.

Despite the negatives, I'm buzzing about this first win and I'm impressed our team didn't give up - we got a little lucky that the Cowboys didn't intercept Brees 3 times but it had to go our way eventually.

Let me know what you think!!

Re: Re-watched the game:Observations
 

Throwing to Cooks on 3rd down and he's nowhere near the marker. Saw that twice. Maybe the thought is his speed can get it there or he is breaking the route too soon. I don't know but it is not working.

Re: Re-watched the game:Observations
 

Definitely noticed that, Brees hit Cooks twice on 3rd down and both times Cooks' route was atleast 4 yards away from the first down, with a defender right next to him.

Re: Re-watched the game:Observations
 

I think we won the game on this. We insisted on running Ingram, even in situations when it was not smart. Then in overtime we wheeled out to CJ - the defense ignored him because we could hardly get the ball to him.

Remember, Vaccaro is one of our leading tacklers - he was absent game one, came on the past two weeks, then disappeared again last night. I think he's one of these on again, take a few weeks off players, and I agree he may end up replaceable - would rather get something for him.

Re: Re-watched the game:Observations
 

only play I remember from Vaccaro was when he blitzed and got stopped on the sack by Anthony

Re: Re-watched the game:Observations
 

We have that guy named Davis Tull who showed hustle and skill in preseason. Once he gets healthy, he may end up being our 3rd LBer, and we'll be set!

Re: Re-watched the game:Observations
 

Rob never has had the reputation of fielding a defense that can close out a game. I do not know about you but when that drive started i sank into my chair. OMG he called zone!

one that drop into the coverage and hold the edge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzle88 (Post 673420) Zach Strief

We all say this day coming but the saints brain trusted what a year or two too late to address this day. Zach is better of being the first option off he bench

I am more concerned with the OG play myself

Re: Re-watched the game:Observations
 

I think he called Zona!

Re: Re-watched the game:Observations
 

Our defense is finally getting healthy. I'm more confident they'll figure things out and start holding teams around 20pts.

My biggest concern remains the O line.

Brees could have easily lost 3 INTs last night due to pressure.

Re: Re-watched the game:Observations
 

True, but I think we also dropped 2 picks last night.

And 2 of Dallas' drops wouldn't even have been possible if not for defensive holding.