An offseason Rant...

GumboBC · 03-01-2005, 05:45 PM

Just the past few weeks I have read various articles that have explained what the problems were with the Saints and what they thought needed to be done to address those problems.

Some of these "experts" like to point to all the mistakes made by Haslett and co. in the past and get into some kind of personal vendetta. Mike Detillier, while I respect his opinion, is one of the worlds worst about this. If any of you have ever read his columns, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

Then on the other end of the spectrum, you've got guys like Jeff Duncan, who is also insightful at times, but seems to be nothing more than a mouth-piece for the Saints organization...

While many of the Saints' problems are glaringly obvious ... like right tackle on offense... some of the offensive problems from 2004 are seldom discussed.

By far, the biggest disappointment with the Saints offense last year was the running game. Due to injuries to Deuce McAllister, the Saints finished a very disappointing 27th in the NFL in total rushing! Yet, I don't think I've heard one of these "so-called" experts say that the Saints should be one of the better rushing attacks with a healthy Deuce McAllister back in 2005!

If you're looking for the biggest improvement on the offense in 2005, it's probably going to be a healthy Deuce McAllister. That alone makes the Saints' offense a force to be reckoned with. And it should open up the passing game much more than what we saw in 2004.

But, it seems some in the media want to preach nothing but doom and gloom.

Speaking of negatives ... (and I know this is gonna open up a can of worms) Much has been made about Aaron Brooks' regressing in 2004. While Brooks play wasn't anywhere close to spectacular, he most certainly wasn't the problem with the Saints' offense. Not all of it anyway. And not nearly to the degree that some of these "so-called" experts would lead you to believe.

If you listen to some of these guys in the media, they would have you to believe that Brooks had this great supporting cast around him and he screwed up what should have been on of the higest scoring offenses in the NFL. But, unless you were blind, I'm sure you saw the terrible pass blocking by the offensive line. I'm sure you saw our anemic rushing attack ... also behind a terrible offensive line.

While Aaron Brooks hasn't proven to most that he's the answer at QB for the New Orleans Saints, it is very unfair to try and pin the offensive failures on him. Yet, even the most knowlegeable football guys try to do that.

Quarterbacks are going to make mistakes. Some more than others. But, for the life of me, I don't know what some of these guys in the media are waching on Sundays during the season.

But, some of these gus in the media must create stories this time of year. Stories like the Saints may trade up in the draft for one of the top QBs... I've got 2-words for them ... GET REAL!!

Really the only glaring need on the offense is at RT. And that looks like it's going to get addressed in free-agency. Although, I'd like to upgrade the LT position. There's hope anyway!

The defensive side of the ball is what killed this team last year. Simply put, it was one of the worst defensive performances ever!! It's hard to fault any of the guys in the media for bashing this group or the coaching staff. It's not much positive you can take out of being the 32nd ranked defense. No matter how much the offense might have hurt them .... j/k guys!!

While it's anyones guess how the 2005 season will turn out for the New Orleans Saints, I hope most agree with me when I say we desperately need help on the defensive side of the ball.

On last note on the defense ... I was very encouraged by the defense over the final 4 games of the regular season. Especially the young linebackers. While it's debateable how solid we are in that area ... it seems much more promising than year's past. Also, with Mike McKenize being here from game one on ... the secondary should be much better in 2005.

Keep your fingers crossed. Maybe we'll get a couple of guys that will get us over the hump.

4saintspirit · 03-01-2005, 05:54 PM

If you\'re looking for the biggest improvement on the offense in 2005, it\'s probably going to be a healthy Deuce McAllister. That alone makes the Saints\' offense a force to be reckoned with. And it should open up the passing game much more than what we saw in 2004.
Speaking of negatives ... (and I know this is gonna open up a can of worms) Much has been made about Aaron Brooks\' regressing in 2004. While Brooks play wasn\'t anywhere close to spectacular, he most certainly wasn\'t the problem with the Saints\' offense. Not all of it anyway. And not nearly to the degree that some of these \"so-called\" experts would lead you to believe.

If you listen to some of these guys in the media, they would have you to believe that Brooks had this great supporting cast around him and he screwed up what should have been on of the higest scoring offenses in the NFL. But, unless you were blind, I\'m sure you saw the terrible pass blocking by the offensive line. I\'m sure you saw our anemic rushing attack ... also behind a terrible offensive line.

While Aaron Brooks hasn\'t proven to most that he\'s the answer at QB for the New Orleans Saints, it is very unfair to try and pin the offensive failures on him. Yet, even the most knowlegeable football guys try to do that.

Where to start -- okay lets start with Deuce -- 1st of all even before his injury he was relatively ineffective. WHy -- without our fullback Deuce couldn\'t get free -- this was a coaching change and it cost us dearly. But I agree that a running game will open up the whole offense --

As for AB -- I agree that he should not shoulder the blame for all of our woes -- but he did regress and he has not stepped up in the leadership role category --- We should not change QB direction this year -- we should shore up our other activities but drafting a QB isn\'t all bad -- maybe it will ight a fire under our man Brooks. Don\'t trade up -- but if the QB is the BPA in round 16 take him. You trade up you better be drafting a stud linebacker or safety.

GumboBC · 03-01-2005, 05:58 PM

Where to start -- okay lets start with Deuce -- 1st of all even before his injury he was relatively ineffective. WHy -- without our fullback Deuce couldn\'t get free -- this was a coaching change and it cost us dearly. But I agree that a running game will open up the whole offense --

Maybe so ... but did you see Deuce once he got healthy in the last 4 games. Nobody could stop the dude. He\'ll be back. Oh, and we\'ve got a pretty good FB in Mike Carney. But, I get your point...

baronm · 03-01-2005, 06:05 PM

If you\'re looking for the biggest improvement on the offense in 2005, it\'s probably going to be a healthy Deuce McAllister

agreed-a helathy RB will solve alot of the offensive woes.

If you listen to some of these guys in the media, they would have you to believe that Brooks had this great supporting cast around him and he screwed up what should have been on of the higest scoring offenses in the NFL. But, unless you were blind, I\'m sure you saw the terrible pass blocking by the offensive line. I\'m sure you saw our anemic rushing attack ... also behind a terrible offensive line.

While Aaron Brooks hasn\'t proven to most that he\'s the answer at QB for the New Orleans Saints, it is very unfair to try and pin the offensive failures on him. Yet, even the most knowlegeable football guys try to do that.

Quarterbacks are going to make mistakes. Some more than others. But, for the life of me, I don\'t know what some of these guys in the media are waching on Sundays during the season.

as I pointed out in another thread...the QB play cost us a great deal..now was brooks called on to do to much-yes..do we need an upgrade-yes..is this something that could be solved by hasslett benching brooks until he starts to play right-yes.

I think the biggest problem with brooks is he tries to be micheal vick..and he doesn\'t hold himself accountable for his mistakes or try to learn from them...brooks could be a really really good quarterback if he\'d grow up.

The defensive side of the ball is what killed this team last year. Simply put, it was one of the worst defensive performances ever!! It\'s hard to fault any of the guys in the media for bashing this group or the coaching staff. It\'s not much positive you can take out of being the 32nd ranked defense.

I think with some tinkering and more consisten offensive play this defense would improve leaps and bounds-as I showed on the other thread-they were on the feild a very long time and when they gave the offense chances to get back in the game the offense screwed around and wasted them.

I think Mckenzie, watson, grant and smith are the cornerstones..maybe cody--maybe..but we need to build around them and we will do fine-stop trying to put in retreads.

I think that our defense of special teams is what killed us the most though--we need to play better in containment and causeing turnovers.

lynwood · 03-01-2005, 06:07 PM

I though we already drafted a quaterback last year in Kliff Kingsbury? I believe we need depth at the o-line and some defense help first. We definatly need a solid backup to AB. I say start him but if he starts to regress or throw passes behind him then we need someone to step in to at least to show that AB can ride the bench. I do believe a better o-line will help him but still we need a decent backup and eventual replacement for when he demands top 5 pay.

GumboBC · 03-01-2005, 06:19 PM

baronm --

I can\'t say I disagree with any of that. Even the part about Brooks. If Brooks continues to make too many mistakes, I have no problem putting him on the bench for a while. Or permantly if someone else is playing better. I just want him to get a fair shake at this thing, though ... before I go passing judgement ... but that\'s just me.

Good Post!!

03-01-2005, 05:45 PM	#1
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	An offseason Rant... Just the past few weeks I have read various articles that have explained what the problems were with the Saints and what they thought needed to be done to address those problems. Some of these "experts" like to point to all the mistakes made by Haslett and co. in the past and get into some kind of personal vendetta. Mike Detillier, while I respect his opinion, is one of the worlds worst about this. If any of you have ever read his columns, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Then on the other end of the spectrum, you've got guys like Jeff Duncan, who is also insightful at times, but seems to be nothing more than a mouth-piece for the Saints organization... While many of the Saints' problems are glaringly obvious ... like right tackle on offense... some of the offensive problems from 2004 are seldom discussed. By far, the biggest disappointment with the Saints offense last year was the running game. Due to injuries to Deuce McAllister, the Saints finished a very disappointing 27th in the NFL in total rushing! Yet, I don't think I've heard one of these "so-called" experts say that the Saints should be one of the better rushing attacks with a healthy Deuce McAllister back in 2005! If you're looking for the biggest improvement on the offense in 2005, it's probably going to be a healthy Deuce McAllister. That alone makes the Saints' offense a force to be reckoned with. And it should open up the passing game much more than what we saw in 2004. But, it seems some in the media want to preach nothing but doom and gloom. Speaking of negatives ... (and I know this is gonna open up a can of worms) Much has been made about Aaron Brooks' regressing in 2004. While Brooks play wasn't anywhere close to spectacular, he most certainly wasn't the problem with the Saints' offense. Not all of it anyway. And not nearly to the degree that some of these "so-called" experts would lead you to believe. If you listen to some of these guys in the media, they would have you to believe that Brooks had this great supporting cast around him and he screwed up what should have been on of the higest scoring offenses in the NFL. But, unless you were blind, I'm sure you saw the terrible pass blocking by the offensive line. I'm sure you saw our anemic rushing attack ... also behind a terrible offensive line. While Aaron Brooks hasn't proven to most that he's the answer at QB for the New Orleans Saints, it is very unfair to try and pin the offensive failures on him. Yet, even the most knowlegeable football guys try to do that. Quarterbacks are going to make mistakes. Some more than others. But, for the life of me, I don't know what some of these guys in the media are waching on Sundays during the season. But, some of these gus in the media must create stories this time of year. Stories like the Saints may trade up in the draft for one of the top QBs... I've got 2-words for them ... GET REAL!! Really the only glaring need on the offense is at RT. And that looks like it's going to get addressed in free-agency. Although, I'd like to upgrade the LT position. There's hope anyway! The defensive side of the ball is what killed this team last year. Simply put, it was one of the worst defensive performances ever!! It's hard to fault any of the guys in the media for bashing this group or the coaching staff. It's not much positive you can take out of being the 32nd ranked defense. No matter how much the offense might have hurt them .... j/k guys!! While it's anyones guess how the 2005 season will turn out for the New Orleans Saints, I hope most agree with me when I say we desperately need help on the defensive side of the ball. On last note on the defense ... I was very encouraged by the defense over the final 4 games of the regular season. Especially the young linebackers. While it's debateable how solid we are in that area ... it seems much more promising than year's past. Also, with Mike McKenize being here from game one on ... the secondary should be much better in 2005. Keep your fingers crossed. Maybe we'll get a couple of guys that will get us over the hump.
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616

03-01-2005, 05:54 PM	#2
4saintspirit 500th Post Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 690	An offseason Rant... If you\'re looking for the biggest improvement on the offense in 2005, it\'s probably going to be a healthy Deuce McAllister. That alone makes the Saints\' offense a force to be reckoned with. And it should open up the passing game much more than what we saw in 2004. Speaking of negatives ... (and I know this is gonna open up a can of worms) Much has been made about Aaron Brooks\' regressing in 2004. While Brooks play wasn\'t anywhere close to spectacular, he most certainly wasn\'t the problem with the Saints\' offense. Not all of it anyway. And not nearly to the degree that some of these \"so-called\" experts would lead you to believe. If you listen to some of these guys in the media, they would have you to believe that Brooks had this great supporting cast around him and he screwed up what should have been on of the higest scoring offenses in the NFL. But, unless you were blind, I\'m sure you saw the terrible pass blocking by the offensive line. I\'m sure you saw our anemic rushing attack ... also behind a terrible offensive line. While Aaron Brooks hasn\'t proven to most that he\'s the answer at QB for the New Orleans Saints, it is very unfair to try and pin the offensive failures on him. Yet, even the most knowlegeable football guys try to do that. Where to start -- okay lets start with Deuce -- 1st of all even before his injury he was relatively ineffective. WHy -- without our fullback Deuce couldn\'t get free -- this was a coaching change and it cost us dearly. But I agree that a running game will open up the whole offense -- As for AB -- I agree that he should not shoulder the blame for all of our woes -- but he did regress and he has not stepped up in the leadership role category --- We should not change QB direction this year -- we should shore up our other activities but drafting a QB isn\'t all bad -- maybe it will ight a fire under our man Brooks. Don\'t trade up -- but if the QB is the BPA in round 16 take him. You trade up you better be drafting a stud linebacker or safety.
4saintspirit 500th Post Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 690	\"I have a photographic memory -- I just don\'t have any film.\"

03-01-2005, 05:58 PM	#3
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	An offseason Rant... Where to start -- okay lets start with Deuce -- 1st of all even before his injury he was relatively ineffective. WHy -- without our fullback Deuce couldn\'t get free -- this was a coaching change and it cost us dearly. But I agree that a running game will open up the whole offense -- Maybe so ... but did you see Deuce once he got healthy in the last 4 games. Nobody could stop the dude. He\'ll be back. Oh, and we\'ve got a pretty good FB in Mike Carney. But, I get your point...
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616

03-01-2005, 06:05 PM	#4
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954	An offseason Rant... If you\'re looking for the biggest improvement on the offense in 2005, it\'s probably going to be a healthy Deuce McAllister agreed-a helathy RB will solve alot of the offensive woes. If you listen to some of these guys in the media, they would have you to believe that Brooks had this great supporting cast around him and he screwed up what should have been on of the higest scoring offenses in the NFL. But, unless you were blind, I\'m sure you saw the terrible pass blocking by the offensive line. I\'m sure you saw our anemic rushing attack ... also behind a terrible offensive line. While Aaron Brooks hasn\'t proven to most that he\'s the answer at QB for the New Orleans Saints, it is very unfair to try and pin the offensive failures on him. Yet, even the most knowlegeable football guys try to do that. Quarterbacks are going to make mistakes. Some more than others. But, for the life of me, I don\'t know what some of these guys in the media are waching on Sundays during the season. as I pointed out in another thread...the QB play cost us a great deal..now was brooks called on to do to much-yes..do we need an upgrade-yes..is this something that could be solved by hasslett benching brooks until he starts to play right-yes. I think the biggest problem with brooks is he tries to be micheal vick..and he doesn\'t hold himself accountable for his mistakes or try to learn from them...brooks could be a really really good quarterback if he\'d grow up. The defensive side of the ball is what killed this team last year. Simply put, it was one of the worst defensive performances ever!! It\'s hard to fault any of the guys in the media for bashing this group or the coaching staff. It\'s not much positive you can take out of being the 32nd ranked defense. I think with some tinkering and more consisten offensive play this defense would improve leaps and bounds-as I showed on the other thread-they were on the feild a very long time and when they gave the offense chances to get back in the game the offense screwed around and wasted them. I think Mckenzie, watson, grant and smith are the cornerstones..maybe cody--maybe..but we need to build around them and we will do fine-stop trying to put in retreads. I think that our defense of special teams is what killed us the most though--we need to play better in containment and causeing turnovers.
baronm 500th Post Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 954

03-01-2005, 06:07 PM	#5
lynwood 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hockley, Tx Posts: 1,515	An offseason Rant... I though we already drafted a quaterback last year in Kliff Kingsbury? I believe we need depth at the o-line and some defense help first. We definatly need a solid backup to AB. I say start him but if he starts to regress or throw passes behind him then we need someone to step in to at least to show that AB can ride the bench. I do believe a better o-line will help him but still we need a decent backup and eventual replacement for when he demands top 5 pay.

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03-01-2005, 06:19 PM	#6
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	An offseason Rant... baronm -- I can\'t say I disagree with any of that. Even the part about Brooks. If Brooks continues to make too many mistakes, I have no problem putting him on the bench for a while. Or permantly if someone else is playing better. I just want him to get a fair shake at this thing, though ... before I go passing judgement ... but that\'s just me. Good Post!!
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616