Vikings -3.5

Barry from MS · 01-09-2018, 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

Nobody has the '85 Bears defense, but they sure made the Saints look awful in week one.

Week 1 Kamara wasn't as involved like he is now. We still had AP & the offense had no real identity. We do now.

And we ain't gotta worry about Harris and Anzelone getting schooled in pass coverage this go round.

Way different all-around team now.

burningmetal · 01-09-2018, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by Barry from MS

Week 1 Kamara wasn't as involved like he is now. We still had AP & the offense had no real identity. We do now.

And we ain't gotta worry about Harris and Anzelone getting schooled in pass coverage this go round.

Way different all-around team now.

You could be right. But I seem to remember that Payton tried very hard to FORCE Kamara's involvement in that game. Minnesota was not fooled and Payton and Brees kept telegraphing the game plan.

The first time the Saints started to look good was the last game before I started boycotting, week 3 against the Panthers. AP was still here, then. So I'm not so sure how much the team has changed offensively, so much as the matchups just weren't good for the Saints the first couple of weeks. Afterall, it isn't as if the team didn't have other clunkers this season.

I'll certainly give you that having Lattimore over Harris is a distinct improvement from the first game. But my curiosity is more toward whether or not the Saints can move the ball effectively enough. If the offense keeps that defense on the field as much as they did the first time, we all know the Vikings will run the ball all over those tired defenders.

I'm not favoring any team, per se, but I do think the Vikings defense is better than people are giving them credit for, and will be a challenge.

SaintFanInATLHELL · 01-09-2018, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

I'll certainly give you that having Lattimore over Harris is a distinct improvement from the first game.

You must mean Crawley. Lattimore played in the first Vikings game.

We can agree that Harris was Mr. "Coverage Bust".

SFIAH

burningmetal · 01-09-2018, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL

You must mean Crawley. Lattimore played in the first Vikings game.

We can agree that Harris was Mr. "Coverage Bust".

SFIAH

Hmm... I guess so, then. I thought I remember Crawley and Lattimore both being injured for that game. Just about anybody is better than Harris, though.

SaintFanInATLHELL · 01-09-2018, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

Hmm... I guess so, then. I thought I remember Crawley and Lattimore both being injured for that game. Just about anybody is better than Harris, though.

Here's a link to the snap counts for the game. Lattimore was in on 61 of 65 snaps:

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...p_counts::none

And Crawley seems to have been a healthy scratch for the game. The injury report for that game is here:

http://www.nfl.com/injuries?week=1

SFIAH

K Major · 01-09-2018, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL

And Crawley seems to have been a healthy scratch for the game.

SFIAH

That was baffling for me. Especially considering he had a strong camp/preseason. Devante' was absolutely lit up on those crossing routes.

Also worth noting Willie Snead was suspended for this game. Maybe, just maybe he'll show up on Sunday.

Barry from MS · 01-09-2018, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

You could be right. But I seem to remember that Payton tried very hard to FORCE Kamara's involvement in that game. Minnesota was not fooled and Payton and Brees kept telegraphing the game plan.

The first time the Saints started to look good was the last game before I started boycotting, week 3 against the Panthers. AP was still here, then. So I'm not so sure how much the team has changed offensively, so much as the matchups just weren't good for the Saints the first couple of weeks. Afterall, it isn't as if the team didn't have other clunkers this season.

I'll certainly give you that having Lattimore over Harris is a distinct improvement from the first game. But my curiosity is more toward whether or not the Saints can move the ball effectively enough. If the offense keeps that defense on the field as much as they did the first time, we all know the Vikings will run the ball all over those tired defenders.

I'm not favoring any team, per se, but I do think the Vikings defense is better than people are giving them credit for, and will be a challenge.

Brees won't have time to go deep, so Vikes should stack the box & prolly go single high safety. Rhodes 1-on-1 vs MThomas w/safety cheating wherever Ginn is. We should get the ball quick on perimeter with MI/AK/TGJ. I think MT+Brees wins vs Rhodes & Kamara/Ingram on a LB'er in coverage is just sick. If we set-up the run with the pass instead of vice versa, your gonna see a gassed Vikes DLine in 4th Qtr IF we don't turn it over & get enough 1st downs through the air to own the clock.

We ain't getting chunk plays this game. "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" should be the mantra. Coleman/Snead/Hill needs to step up big in this one if Coleman would quit holding the ball like a loaf of bread.

Or I could be 105% wrong. Us weathermen like to hedge our bets...

K Major · 01-09-2018, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Barry from MS

Coleman/Snead/Hill needs to step up big in this one if Coleman would quit holding the ball like a loaf of bread.

+1.

I'm expecting Xavier to be on Thomas all day long. It's paramount that one/if not ALL guys you mentioned step up. Expect Kamara to give Vikes LB's fits. They are good however not as fast or have the range that Kuechly/Thomas/Shaq has. One on one, I like my chances with Kamara in space.

ScottF · 01-09-2018, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

+1.

I'm expecting Xavier to be on Thomas all day long. It's paramount that one/if not ALL guys you mentioned step up. Expect Kamara to give Vikes LB's fits. They are good however not as fast or have the range that Kuechly/Thomas/Shaq has. One on one, I like my chances with Kamara in space.

We are not going to run on them. Sets with AK and Ingram out there at the same time and then moving AK out wide could open some things up; the more 1-on-1 matchups we have the better. Nice to see Hill involved last week, and hopefully that carries over.

K Major · 01-09-2018, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by ScottF

We are not going to run on them.

Again, we aren't talking 85 Bears here. This isn't the week 1 Saints. Outside of Carolina (who they lost to in dominating fashion), who have they really played?

Packerless A Rodgers
Bengals were the Bengals
Browns

Bucs
High flying Bears

.

That's a lot of below-average offenses.

I highly doubt we get another combined 40 yards rushing effort from Ingram/Kamara. Our O line and RB tandem are too good for a repeat performance. Patience in the run game is key here.

01-09-2018, 02:55 AM	#1
Barry from MS Site Donor 2014 Join Date: May 2007 Location: TEMPO VC Okefenokee Swamp Posts: 1,985 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Vikings -3.5 Originally Posted by burningmetal Nobody has the '85 Bears defense, but they sure made the Saints look awful in week one. Week 1 Kamara wasn't as involved like he is now. We still had AP & the offense had no real identity. We do now. And we ain't gotta worry about Harris and Anzelone getting schooled in pass coverage this go round. Way different all-around team now.

01-09-2018, 07:57 AM	#2
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Vikings -3.5 Originally Posted by Barry from MS Week 1 Kamara wasn't as involved like he is now. We still had AP & the offense had no real identity. We do now. And we ain't gotta worry about Harris and Anzelone getting schooled in pass coverage this go round. Way different all-around team now. You could be right. But I seem to remember that Payton tried very hard to FORCE Kamara's involvement in that game. Minnesota was not fooled and Payton and Brees kept telegraphing the game plan. The first time the Saints started to look good was the last game before I started boycotting, week 3 against the Panthers. AP was still here, then. So I'm not so sure how much the team has changed offensively, so much as the matchups just weren't good for the Saints the first couple of weeks. Afterall, it isn't as if the team didn't have other clunkers this season. I'll certainly give you that having Lattimore over Harris is a distinct improvement from the first game. But my curiosity is more toward whether or not the Saints can move the ball effectively enough. If the offense keeps that defense on the field as much as they did the first time, we all know the Vikings will run the ball all over those tired defenders. I'm not favoring any team, per se, but I do think the Vikings defense is better than people are giving them credit for, and will be a challenge.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

01-09-2018, 10:13 AM	#3
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,787	Re: Vikings -3.5 Originally Posted by burningmetal I'll certainly give you that having Lattimore over Harris is a distinct improvement from the first game. You must mean Crawley. Lattimore played in the first Vikings game. We can agree that Harris was Mr. "Coverage Bust". SFIAH

01-09-2018, 05:45 PM	#4
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Vikings -3.5 Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL You must mean Crawley. Lattimore played in the first Vikings game. We can agree that Harris was Mr. "Coverage Bust". SFIAH Hmm... I guess so, then. I thought I remember Crawley and Lattimore both being injured for that game. Just about anybody is better than Harris, though.

01-09-2018, 07:44 PM	#5
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,787	Re: Vikings -3.5 Originally Posted by burningmetal Hmm... I guess so, then. I thought I remember Crawley and Lattimore both being injured for that game. Just about anybody is better than Harris, though. Here's a link to the snap counts for the game. Lattimore was in on 61 of 65 snaps: https://www.pro-football-reference.c...p_counts::none And Crawley seems to have been a healthy scratch for the game. The injury report for that game is here: http://www.nfl.com/injuries?week=1 SFIAH

01-09-2018, 08:53 PM	#6
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,845 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Vikings -3.5 Originally Posted by SaintFanInATLHELL And Crawley seems to have been a healthy scratch for the game. SFIAH That was baffling for me. Especially considering he had a strong camp/preseason. Devante' was absolutely lit up on those crossing routes. Also worth noting Willie Snead was suspended for this game. Maybe, just maybe he'll show up on Sunday. Barry from MS likes this.

01-09-2018, 11:27 AM	#7
Barry from MS Site Donor 2014 Join Date: May 2007 Location: TEMPO VC Okefenokee Swamp Posts: 1,985 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Vikings -3.5 Originally Posted by burningmetal You could be right. But I seem to remember that Payton tried very hard to FORCE Kamara's involvement in that game. Minnesota was not fooled and Payton and Brees kept telegraphing the game plan. The first time the Saints started to look good was the last game before I started boycotting, week 3 against the Panthers. AP was still here, then. So I'm not so sure how much the team has changed offensively, so much as the matchups just weren't good for the Saints the first couple of weeks. Afterall, it isn't as if the team didn't have other clunkers this season. I'll certainly give you that having Lattimore over Harris is a distinct improvement from the first game. But my curiosity is more toward whether or not the Saints can move the ball effectively enough. If the offense keeps that defense on the field as much as they did the first time, we all know the Vikings will run the ball all over those tired defenders. I'm not favoring any team, per se, but I do think the Vikings defense is better than people are giving them credit for, and will be a challenge. Brees won't have time to go deep, so Vikes should stack the box & prolly go single high safety. Rhodes 1-on-1 vs MThomas w/safety cheating wherever Ginn is. We should get the ball quick on perimeter with MI/AK/TGJ. I think MT+Brees wins vs Rhodes & Kamara/Ingram on a LB'er in coverage is just sick. If we set-up the run with the pass instead of vice versa, your gonna see a gassed Vikes DLine in 4th Qtr IF we don't turn it over & get enough 1st downs through the air to own the clock. We ain't getting chunk plays this game. "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" should be the mantra. Coleman/Snead/Hill needs to step up big in this one if Coleman would quit holding the ball like a loaf of bread. Or I could be 105% wrong. Us weathermen like to hedge our bets... 73Saint and K Major like this.
	"I'd far rather be happy than right any day" ~ Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy "Honor: if you need it defined, you don't have it" ~ Ron Swanson

01-09-2018, 02:15 PM	#8
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,845 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Vikings -3.5 Originally Posted by Barry from MS Coleman/Snead/Hill needs to step up big in this one if Coleman would quit holding the ball like a loaf of bread. +1. I'm expecting Xavier to be on Thomas all day long. It's paramount that one/if not ALL guys you mentioned step up. Expect Kamara to give Vikes LB's fits. They are good however not as fast or have the range that Kuechly/Thomas/Shaq has. One on one, I like my chances with Kamara in space.

01-09-2018, 02:34 PM	#9
ScottF 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 6,324	Re: Vikings -3.5 Originally Posted by K Major +1. I'm expecting Xavier to be on Thomas all day long. It's paramount that one/if not ALL guys you mentioned step up. Expect Kamara to give Vikes LB's fits. They are good however not as fast or have the range that Kuechly/Thomas/Shaq has. One on one, I like my chances with Kamara in space. We are not going to run on them. Sets with AK and Ingram out there at the same time and then moving AK out wide could open some things up; the more 1-on-1 matchups we have the better. Nice to see Hill involved last week, and hopefully that carries over.

01-09-2018, 02:59 PM	#10
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,845 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Vikings -3.5 Originally Posted by ScottF We are not going to run on them. Again, we aren't talking 85 Bears here. This isn't the week 1 Saints. Outside of Carolina (who they lost to in dominating fashion), who have they really played? Packerless A Rodgers Bengals were the Bengals Browns Bucs High flying Bears . That's a lot of below-average offenses. I highly doubt we get another combined 40 yards rushing effort from Ingram/Kamara. Our O line and RB tandem are too good for a repeat performance. Patience in the run game is key here.

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