Cause of third down conversion problems
 

As we all know the Saints used to be one of the at converting on 3rd down.

Are the problems now due to poor play selection, the offensive line not opening holes for RBs or allowing Brees to be pressured?

This is almost as big a problem as all the injuries.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

It seems he never has time to throw on 3rd downs.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

We cant have everything and if we did a better job on 1st and 2nd we wouldn't have an issue.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

Predictability is the main thing we can't seem to overcome in moving the chains. That and having Snead back in his old form in the slot.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

horrible playcalling and no adjustments at the line.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

Lack of a tight End and receivers. They stack the box and dare Brees to throw.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

Running the ball on 2nd and 10 and gaining nothing is the biggest problem with 3rd down. Seems if we gain nothing on 1st down, we always try to run the ball on 2nd down and gain NOTHING. This has to stop.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

We did a pretty good job AVOIDING 3rd down altogether against the Panties.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

If the Saints can consistently beat the man in front (inside the trenches) of them ...

Ingram & Kamara will have a big day. And most times that is trouble for opposing defenses.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

The team that wins the third down battle should win with no other factors involved like turnovers.....or Drew Brees lighting it up!:p

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

And maybe even more important is winning 3rd downs defensively.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

The past 3 times Brees has thrown to Coleman on third down, he has fumbled. So that doesn't help at all.

Twice vs Jets and once last Sunday.

They look like they are trying to outsmart themselves on third down all the time, we used to go throw slants, curles or option routes for easy first downs in years past.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

Coleman had the ball hanging out a foot from his body. You would think he would be aware that he has been fumbling the ball lately.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

Yes, but actually that was a converted 3rd down because Ingram recovered the ball. Biggest problem I see is play calling. It's 3rd and 5 and we're going for 35.
Just call a quick slant to Thomas and move the damn chains.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

It is a puzzle how we go from one of the best into the middle of the road. Someone mentioned earlier lack of TE. BUT even when we had a fair complement of TEs we were having problems.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

If you look all around 3rd down conversion percentage it actually tells a different story.

Saints 4th Down conversion Percentage 80% (#1 in the league)
Saints 3rd Down attempts 194 (lowest in the league)
Saints Yards per play 6.3 (#1 in the league)
Saints 1st downs per game 20.7 (tied for 7th with first only being 24.3)

Its as though we found a way to make 3rd less relevant.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

i think it is TE situation and of receiver option

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

I want to see Ingram AND Kamara in the backfield at the same time on 3rd-and-whatever.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

A TE would turn increase the conversion rate substantially.

Re: Cause of third down conversion problems
 

Vikings best in Nfl history against third downs. Hopefully, SP has a plan and we get in a groove, because this worries me.