Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

Two things stood out for me today. 1) Sean Payton relocating his "gunslinger gear" and 2) playing like we are satisfied with a 3 score lead ( aka NOT going for the kill shot ).

After 2009, Sean Payton seemed to lose his gambler-mode. It's back and, I think, it is inspiring confidence. I didn't like the challenges today ( especially the first one ) -- but to me it just signaled how committed Payton was to win at any cost and Payton trying to do everything he could.

Re: #2: I have seen this again and again with the Saints -- we jump out to a lead, even a comfortable lead, and then, we take our foot off the gas. It is SUPER ANNOYING. We did not do that in 2009 and I seem to remember us not doing that in the years running up to the Super Bowl win. We need to remember how to do that. This BS is about the offense's performance and play calling. Letting another team hang around is stupid.

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

Good Observations...

But, it wasn't just Payton that didn't exhibit the killer extinct, thought Brees and a few of those offensive veterans wanted to just escape rather than put it away...

Thank Goodness for the younguns', they're hungry...

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

agreed

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

The young guys never gave up

Breaux could have got discouraged after giving up two long TD's but he came right back and broke up a pass to Hilton in the end zone beautifully.

Overall if Breaux hadn't had tripped twice the game would have been nowhere near as close but the offense started playing very timid with the game on line and that gave all the momentum to the Colts.

A win is a win though, our defense looked incredible for the entire first half.

Coming away empty twice on redzone trips could have killed us but thankfully didn't.

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

Brees looked like a scared, confused Rocky III at times...

Shocked Colston didn't finish the route in the endzone, even though the double-team effectively blocked him out of an errant Brees pass...

But what pi$$ed me off the most was a couple of runs one by Ingram, short yardage third down, and one by Khiry, though he still scored, where Evans and Strief didn't finish off their blocks...

If Strief and Evans finish with favorable scoring by PFF, then PFF has a serious credibility problem...

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

That's a great point; we've really struck gold with Breaux; great foundation to build...

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

Indianapolis is a professional NFL team too.

They made defensive adjustments and hit on a couple big plays.

Sure the Saints made mistakes and "should have" won by more but it's not like they laid down in the second half.

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The defense sure didn't; they may have tripped, but they fought to secure that win...

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It's part of Football, have seen the notorious momentum swing in countless games. For some reason teams go into prevent mode and they
get slapped in the end. Ask the Bucs they were up 24-0 against the Skins.

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

Reminded me of the Saints first playoff win. Everyone in the dome knew if the Rams got one more possession they would win but of course "Hakim Drops The Ball!" or as witnessed yesterday "Colston caught the ball!"

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When was the last time we were held to ZERO points in the second half. Forgive me, but I can't remember that.

We were absolutely ONE possession away from tragedy.

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

didn't like the conservative, p***y play calling in the second half. In the past, Payton would of kept the gas pedal down and they would of won by 28 not holding on for dear life to escape against a mediocre team like yesterday

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I think it was less about conservative playcalling and more of taking what was given to us and not being able to execute until later in the half.

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How about RR learning how to make half time adjustments?

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I'm happy to get the win. But the one thing that really pi$$es me of are those damn screen plays on 3rd down. Note To Payton: Pierre Thomas doesnt live here anymore!

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Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

All in all if Breaux doesn't fall down twice the Colts wouldn't have made it as close as they did. However, if the O had actually come out of the locker room in the second half we wouldn't have had to worry about Breaux falling down twice because those 14 points wouldn't have meant squat.

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

I wouldn't say conservative but when the Colts got the pick in the endzone,
their defense and crowd came alive coupled with the 2 long TD's they clearly had momentum. The game would have been over had either Hill not push off
on his catch or Snead not dropped the pass or Brees not throwing the pick.

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

I argue with my brother on pretty much a daily basis about #2. He is the ultra-conservative who would have wanted the Saints to run the ball on every play in the second half. I am the realist, who simply does not believe that Payton has the patience to do that.

But my brother did make a observation that makes sense to me. If the Saints are going to run a 4 minute offense and run the ball, why not go fully Heavy Jumbo: three tight ends and a fullback?

The continue problem I see with the team in the end game is lack of first downs and limited time off the clock. Why bother with receivers and slot guys if you plan to run the ball anyway to drain the clock? Just overload 8 linemen on the left side and push the line 4 yards in each play.

That then opens up the ultimate play action. Brees can boot out the back door with Johnson, or one of the tight ends coming across in a crossing route.

Effectively it's the goal line offense from the 1 yard line.

Why not run that every play in the 4th quarter when you are up by 10?

SFIAH

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

@SFIAH -- Hmmm...interesting point of view. It's fine if you are actually getting the firsts. But, what I have seen is we don't. Then, we just give the ball back. In years when we have had a sh!tty D -- this strategy has choke written all over it. And, for my money, I'd much rather we risk losing by stepping on the gas -- than go down whimpering and rolling over -- after getting up by 10 or more.

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

Agreed but, it's hard to be mad at the guy. He is a major reason we have some hope this season. Without him probably 1 - 6.

And, what about our offense making some adjustments to their defense during the second half? I know there's got to be a precedent somewhere for that.

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

Ding ding ding ding!

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"Laid down?" or "couldn't get the job down?"

We obviously knew how to get the job done -- since we did it in the first half. Same players and coaches on the field. So, I'm sorry but, something went wrong. What about us being a professional team and making adjustments. It just bothers me -- when we already know we have what it takes to crush them. It is the SAME GAME. Week to week is different -- different week, different injuries, different opponent. But, in the SAME GAME?!? Sorry, they don't get a pass.

And, of course, I am happy we won the game. I am happy about any game we win -- the way this season started. If we get into the playoffs, I will be elated and will believe this team is aptly named.

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

Talking about trickeration. I really like the part about Brees acting on the sideline.

Successful fake field goal sparks New Orleans Saints' win - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

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The amount of verticality during the physicality of the trickeration which of course was the personification of the relation to a win! Do the games the Saints "Coulda" won cancel out the one's they "Woulda" won? Seems it "Shoulda." That sounds so familiar......Playoffs! Playoffs?

Re: Trickeration and Not Going For the Kill Shot
 

agreed with JP. good stuff, WDiCA.

LOVED seeing the Payton Gunslinging. good name for it, too.