neugey

So far, Fleener is buns. Hill and Hooman are hurt. Manhertz is an unknown.

It seemed today like our offense was having an identity crisis. We didn't know whether we wanted to run the ball or throw the ball. We lost our aggressiveness. Things seem tentative. By the time we snapped the ball, it seemed to give the Giants plenty of time to adjust and make stops on defense.

So maybe the solution is to turn back the clock 25 years or so, and switch to the Run and Shoot. Here is my reasoning:

- The offense would take advantage of Brees considerable talents to adjust and execute. It would keep him engaged and thinking aggressively.

- Ingram is tough enough to handle to role of the single runningback. I also feel spreading the field constantly would open up more running room for Mark. Hightower and Lasco could also do decently in backup duty if needed.

- Cooks, Thomas and Snead are elusive, run good routes and are tough to cover. There might be some growing pains, but the talent is there for them to be great fits into the system and dominate. Tommylee could be tried as the 4th receiver and/or we could find wily free agent veterans would fit into the system. Maybe we kept Hakeem Nicks number or could lure Greg Jennings back to the field.

- the Oline is adequate to run the offense. They could concentrate harder on pass protection and zone-blocking and not have to worry about the power stuff we don't seem to do very well.

- Manhertz can go to the practice squad, Fleener can be inactivated or cut. Kuhn could see spot duty on special teams,when we get near the goalline and perhaps as an occasional H-back.

- Payton/McCarthy would look bold and ballsy for making such a major switch. It will also require them to adapt and be on the top of their game.

- Making the system switch might allow us to have 1-2 more defensive players active for game day, which would be huge for depth as well as being ready for injuries.

We could start switching to run and shoot now.
Week 3 vs the Falcons I think the emotion of the game will help carry us.
Week 4 vs the Chargers is a toss-up as they have their own problems.

We then would have the bye-week to convert to the offense full-time.

I know this a radical concept and we have 0.000000001% chance of actually doing, but man it seems like we are not taking full advantage of Brees and our skill players abilities.

WhoDat!656

I not sure where this complaint of lack of aggressiveness comes from; throwing the ball from our own 2 yd line for a TD isn't exactly passive.

Takeaway a Brees fumble and a blocked kick the Saints would be 2-0.

Injuries are a factor as well, not using that as an excuse.

The defense and the offensive line are playing better than we all expected.

The Saints will put it together!

stickman

Points for thinking outside of the box, but, that would just put our defense on the field more. Which, I don't think, is a good thing.

jeanpierre

Problem with the Run and Shoot is Time Possession and the stress of putting your defense right back on the field...

Kinda the problem we've had these past few years already...

With the exception of days like today, we've never had a problem going up and down the field...

We've got to be able to pound the defense with the rock so there soft in the 4th quarter (sort of like ours has been the past few years)...

Much better plan in place today, problem was we had individuals (e.g. Fleener, Coleman) who failed to use good technique and so failed to do their part...

Ask Warren Moon about the Run and Shoot and that terrible playoff loss to the Bills...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

neugey

That is the downside. It's too radical of a change to take seriously but I figured I'd put it out there.

But I still feel we need to spread the field sometimes and see how many men the defense leave in the box to stop Mark, and try to take advantage. The reason for this is because we only have one non-OL our team that can run block, and that is Kuhn.

darstep

I've always been in favor of getting everyone out of the box to run the ball.
But running the ball still requires the O-line to man up.
Pitch count Sunday was 44-and-13.
Lack of a run game is systemic.
No desire coming from the top.
High scoring affair or defensive battle, it doesn't even matter.

pherein

We are not going to the playoffs. Wake up, we cant even have a winning season for 3 years or have won a game this year. Every team in the NFL is 3-7 pts from being a loser. There are no excuses w lose against the falcons its over. I watched Brees after the game and in interview. he is done with the faith thing and almost done.

dizzle88

Takeaway Sean Payton and the saints would be 2-0.

MatthewT

Funny thing is the Saints roster is pretty much already built like a run and shoot team would look like 25 years ago. Quick release QB, quick good hands receivers. I like the idea, but that offense got figured out and is probably why no one uses it at the NFL level anymore.

Budsdrinker

How in the hell do you come up with that?