Originally Posted by spkb25 (Post 714341)

I am talking about the offense. I could care less about the d right now. That's a whole other story. Our offense is sluggish and unable to move the ball. Go back and look at last season, the start of last season. Same ineffective ****:

409 yards
323 yards
380 yards
438 yards
386 yards
385 yards


And the thing is some of these games we weren't doing much offensively until the game was out of reach. So the other team is in prevent so of course you start moving the ball.

2011:
475 yards
382 yards
454 yards
503 yards
444 yards
453 yards

2009:
515
421
378
343
493
414

But by all means tell me how the offense is just as good as it always has been

Originally Posted by burningmetal (Post 714481)

Nothing happened last night that really changed my outlook. I've said all along that we can score 25 a game, but with this offensive line, they won't have many games where they explode for much more than that. The first team offense was good and bad last night, and they are not running their entire offense in a preseason game. So I'm not looking at the points (or lack thereof) in these games. I'm just looking at how those guys up front are doing, who's catching the ball, who isn't. What I've seen tells me this is pretty much the same offense from last year. It's got some new and interesting skill players, but they will all be limited by the amount of time and space our QB and RB's get.

Defensively, they're going to be better than they were last year. They haven't shown a pass rush, but that usually is the case in preseason. They will have a lot to prove there. In coverage, there were two big plays that should have been broken up. On the TD to Antonio Brown, Harris had perfect position, but for some reason never looked for the ball. The same thing happened on a long pass down the sideline against P.J Williams. This has been a pattern for years. Our corners DO NOT look for the ball. I have no idea why... It's like they're being instructed not to look. If you can't find the ball, it doesn't matter where you are, the ball will get caught right over your head.

Those things are correctable, but they HAVE to correct it. It was the big plays that killed them in the first half. Pittsburgh couldn't run it, and when they threw short, for the most part, the Saints tackled well.

So it's really just a matter of putting pressure on the QB and getting our DB's to find the ball. We won't know until the season starts how that will all turn out, and we all knew going into camp that the whole season would hinge on both lines doing a better job.

So last night just reminded me of those things. This team has plenty of talent, but there are a lot of moving parts on that defense right now, and I'm just not sure this is their year, but do believe that they will be more competitive overall. I'm hopeful but very unsure of where this team will finish.

Originally Posted by WhoDatFan26 (Post 714521)

The points you made regarding the DB's were the reason why I was so vehemently against releasing Keenan. At least Keenan knew how to and utilized the ability to look back and defend the ball. Being in position is one thing but playing the ball is another. Also if you're looking back at the ball, you're less likely to get a Pass Interference call because you are playing the ball and not just playing the receiver. But this is going to happen with young guys.

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 714460)

I recall Hebert saying the other day that the Vikings are O LINE heavy (specifically guard). Alex Boone signed a new deal this off season. They can't keep em all. Saints would be crazy not to keep on eye on their upcoming cuts.

Originally Posted by WhoDatFan26 (Post 714543)

Louis Vasquez of The Broncos is also available. He has played both T/G spots. He has to be better than what we have currently.

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 714544)

Here is a good read on LV (oldest is at the bottom) :

The Titans are still in talks with free agent RG Louis Vasquez.
Vasquez visited Tennessee last week, but left without a deal. The Titans could bring him in as a pass-blocking upgrade over Jeremiah Poutasi and Chance Warmack. Vasquez is coming off a down season in Gary Kubiak's zone scheme, grading as PFF’s No. 50 guard out of 81 qualifiers...

Vasquez was better as a pass protector than a run blocker last season. His run blocking grade for last year was well below average.

Vasquez was entering the final year of his four-year, $23.5 million pact. He started 18-of-19 games last season, but really struggled in coach Gary Kubiak's zone-blocking scheme, especially as a run blocker. Vasquez (6'5/335) is ideally built to be a power blocker. He's still just 29 (in April) and should find a healthy market. Vasquez can play either guard or right tackle in a pinch.

Vasquez is athletic enough to fit new coach Gary Kubiak's zone-running scheme, and has experience in ZBS from his time in San Diego...

Originally Posted by lee909 (Post 714545)

Got to be worth a look. Lelito and Kelemete are good back upd not just starters