It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

sure why not. week 8 works best for me

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

I was going week 6 but 8 will do.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Its ok to get excited now. Its also ok to BELIEVE ! Are you kidding me?
We've had way less than this to root for, and we were ready to dance in the streets.

YES! BELIEVE ! ROOT ! RAISE HELL!

- the serious answer is we look good. I believe a W is a pretty good indicator of if you're any good or not. We're improved in so many areas, and guys like Bobby, Deke, and all sorts of local gurus are saying good things... Really, so long as we can keep an O-Line in place, I think its going to surprise you how good we're going to be this year.

BELIEVE

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

What gets me is our perceived depth on the defense. In years past during the preseason it always seemed like the starters would do okay, but then the 2nds, 3rds, and 4ths always **** the bed.

For once in a long time the defense has been damn good the whole game...

Haven't seen nearly the amount of missed tackles or blown coverages I'm used to

:bng::bng:

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Saints defense going on my fantasy football team before they get too hot

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Yea I'm more hopeful than I have been in years. They look hungry and look like they are really feeding off what they accomplished so far defensively.
That carries into the season.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

I'm just not so sure about that. We go into the bye 4-0 then we know what we have. But 3 road games, and a date with the champs doesn't mean that anything less is by definition a bust.

Every season has 6 division games, 12 conference games (6 division, 4 outside NFC division (NFC North this year), and 2 record placement (LA Rams,Washington)), and 4 AFC outside division (AFC East) games each year. Priority never changes because of tiebreakers. Specifically in order:

0. Overall record
1. Head to head
2. Division games
3. Common opponents
4. Conference games

So the 10 critical games each season are the 6 conference games, and the 4 outside NFC division games as the 6 division games affect every category, and the other 4 affect every category except division games. So let's look at the first 4 games:

@Minnesota (outside NFC division)
New England (AFC)
@Carolina (Division)
@Miami (AFC)

The two AFC games only affect categories 0 and 3. Minnesota affects all but 2. Carolina affects all 5 categories. So Carolina is the must win, Minnesota nearly so, and the two AFC games not so much.

Point is that 3-1 or even 2-2 may not be too damaging depending on the mix of wins and losses.

The Saints season is the final 7 games. 4 division, 6 conference, 5 common opponents. That's winning time.

SFIAH

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Side note - Bryan Braman (guy who was signed from Philly) looked really good on special teams. I know it's a long shot that he cracks the final 53, but he was making plays vs the Texans.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

BUMP ...

2017 Saints pre season defensive stats worth mentioning :

#2 in rushing yards allowed per game at 64.7
#5 in passing yards allowed per game at 174.0
#2 in overall yards allowed per game at 238.7

I know it's still pre season but those numbers are nothing to take lightly. As this young defensive group starts to "gel", it's almost impossible for me not to be encouraged.

Bring it.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

People always say "it's only preseason, but..."
Here's the thing: we have sucked badly in preseason for three years, and that has carried over into the regular season.
So, yes, being positive this year is probably warranted

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

:(I totally wouldn't have guessed we were that good against the run. I've been so focused on other areas of play. I saw them let Houston get a couple of good runs against them but come to think of it that's it.
Most of those passing yards were

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

When the team wins it's "It's only preseason" when they lose " They need to win in preseason"

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Let's keep this momentum going into the regular season......oh yes, we still have one more game in preseason.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

It beats the hell out of having 30-32nd ranks and saying "it's still preseason".

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Yes it's ONLY preseason BUT I see improvement in areas that were huge weaknesses over the past 3-4 years. That's what I look for in preseason. We can get to the QB, which we haven't seen in preseason for years. The individual players are doing their jobs and don't look sloppy. I see intensity in the defense which I haven't seen in years.
The DBs look better. Not only does it look like we have better and more experienced players in the backfield it looks like they will do their job better because of the guys up front.

Also, all things considered the injury bug has not hit us as bad so far.
Armstead was to be expected, I never had much hope for Breauxs miss diagnosed vagina, and I figured Lattimore would be out a good bit. Unger was my main concern but it looks like he will be back in time.
Am I excited we are winning in preseason? No not really. I do think the players needed some wins for confidence and to break the losing streak but as far as winning, I'm not taking too much from it.
The sacks and blowout has me excited.
I just hope the offense does what it's been doing the last 10 years. If so we can sneak into the playoffs.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

I have no stats or data, but my eyes are telling me from seeing them play that this team is going to be good and fun to watch. They look like the 09-11/13 teams.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

The eye test. Yup. That what I pointed out too, Papa. It doesn't matter who they are playing, what I am seeing is speed and intensity that I haven't seen in years.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Looking at the schedule objectively 2-2 after four is probably the odds on bet.

I'm thinking 10-6 is likely, 11-5 wouldn't surprise me, 9-7 would be disappointing.

So if we go 2-2 after 4, I expect 8-4 after that easily (barring excessive injuries like last year)

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Wait and see approach but we have never looked this good in preseason. The Defense always seems to be in better position than in the past. Never can tell by preseason, really, but at the same time there is reason to like what we see. If we looked bad I'd be talking about that too. There is hope, really good reasons to believe we are better than we have been the last 3 seasons.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Probably, even though the best 2-2 would be losses in the 2 AFC games, which I believe is unlikely. I also wouldn't be thrilled with either starting 0-2 with a must win situation on the road against Carolina, or any scenario that includes a Carolina loss.

So while 2-2 may be an objective peak, I'm pinning my hopes on a 3-1 start with wins both in Minnesota and Carolina.
Agreed. 9-7 means faltering down the stretch. That would not be good.
I'm going with 3-1 to start and 9-3 to finish with at least a 5-1 record in the division. I agree with others that the defense is passing the eyeball test. I don't see the Saints having 4 minute drill problems this season as in the past. More of those "Oops!" losses will be "Yeah Baby!" wins.

SFIAH

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

I think 2-2 out of the gate is the key, no less for sure. And I think they may even surprise with more, the way they're improved on special teams as well!

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Maybe some are giving Miami more props than they deserve. I just don't chalk up playing Cutler on a neutral field as an L.

Given that, and the presumption of a L to the Pats (which personally I'm not ready to concede), then a 2-2 record means a loss to either the Panthers or the Vikes. Both are tough as they are road games. And both have formidable defenses. But what exactly do the 2-2 callers see in these two squads that chalks up either as a definite loss?

That's why I believe in the 3-1 start. While I concede that the game against the Pats is going to be tough, I'm not giving up on any of the three road games until the final score is in. Looks to 2013. Brees' offense + improved defense = wins.

3 road wins point up with a bullet.

SFIAH

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

I keep forgetting about the run game as well, if the D holds up in the 2 minute periods AND we can run out the clock, I don't think any road game scares me

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Okay to hope? Hell yeah! If you have no hope then you're most likely a Failcons fan!

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

The counter to this will be that Drew's FF numbers will be down if he doesn't have to throw 45 times a game

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Since I don't play FF this is just fine with me. Since 2006 the Saints record when drew throws 35 attempts or less is over 90% wins.

SFIAH

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

In two weeks or so, I won't be a bit surprised if Bradford aka Captain Check down is sacked at least 3 times by the Saints D. "Pressure" might do him in. Vikes defense is top notch but I'm sure our offense will be up for the task.

27-17 Saints :smokin: .

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

The key is training in the heat of MetaIrie and always will be.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

Southern Hell TC: 3-0

Girlie Spa TC: 0-10

....SMH... asking us if its ok to hope.... mmm. mmm...

We're the WhoDats. We BELIEVE ! (- even when we sucked)

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

After seeing their "dress rehearsal" the other night...Bradford may be reduced to potted meat behind that o-line. I'm going to say 5 sacks on opening day

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

I haven't given any other teams the eye test though and this is going to be a tough division. I can tell you with almost certainty we aren't looking at the same old Saints. I see a competitive NFL team.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

I see mis matches on that Vikes O line. Bradford could be in trouble if Kikaha, Okafor and Cam get into rhythm.

Re: It's still just the preseason, but the Saints have played three quality games now; Is it OK to hope?
 

If we dominate them up front I'll stay out of the political forum for a whole week!

:banana: