It's time for the Brooks/anti-Brooks debates again.

SaintFanInATLHELL · 07-01-2005, 11:09 AM

I've seen the stirrings in the last few posts:

Originally Posted by saintswhodi

I am done with Brooks. Trade him for some live bait or something.

Originally Posted by papz

No one questions Brooks physical attributes, he's extremely gifted. Everyone is just disgusted that he hasn't put it all together and taken this team to the next level.

Originally Posted by Gil Brandt

Brooks need to improve on his 2004 numbers when his quarterback rating of 79.5 (ranked 19th in the league).

In short the usual yadda yadda.

So I'm going to fire off my usual shots early.

Only one person (so far) seems to have a real grasp of what's going on:

Originally Posted by whodat

How ridiculous is it that this "analysis" talked all about our offense and then said, PS, their defense was the worst in the league. Not relevant huh?

My sentiments exactly.

I am somewhat happy to note that we probably won't be having this discussion next year. Brooks' cap number will be so high that he'll either have to restructure his contract or be released. Brooks' ego is so over inflated he won't allow for a restructure or a pay cut. So I'm putting my money on him being gone after 2005. The only caveat would be if the team made an appearance in the NFC championship game. But it's unlikely.

But back to the point. The Saints last year ranked 32nd in total defense and 28th in defensive scoring.

With Brooks' at the helm in the last 4 years the team is 20-8 when the opposition is held to under 21 points. Note that this has occured in only 28 out of 64 games. Also note that it happened in each of the 4 games of the season ending winning streak.

But Whodat has it right. It's not about Brooks, or Deuce, or Horn, or the offense. Even if the offense were clicking on all cylinders, all we would be is the NFC equivalent of the Indianapolis Colts.

Does Brooks needs to get his completion percentage above 60%. Yes. Does he need to run more? Sure. Does he need to keep his big yap shut? Most Definitely! And I'm not even going to get into the boneheaded plays that everyone keeps bringing to the table.

But at the end of the season Brooks will play in all 16 games, bring 25+ TDs and 3500+ yards to the table. I'd like to see 65%, 30TDs, and 4000 yards personally which would all be personal bests for him. BTW I think each is attainable because of the acquisitions of Brown and Mayberry. This offense is going to be a pound the ball, throw over the top style offense. It will be very productive. Even more so than when under McCarthy.We have the offense and the QB capable of being successful in this league.

So if you think Brooks is the problem and getting rid of him is the solution (like having AMac start against Carolina?!) then you're focusing on the wrong problem area.

Here's my hypothsis: If the Saints' defense can improve their scoring average by 4 PPG and get it under 21 PPG then this 2005 Saints' team will go 12-4, win the South, win a playoff game, and be in the NFC championship. In short we'll be the (cough, cough HATED!) Falcons of last season.

And I make that prediction with Brooks doing nothing significantly different than he has done the last 4 years. Same guy. Same mistakes. Same attitude.

I have a 4 game win streak backing me up on that. In the last 4 games Brooks threw 4 INTs, was only over 60% once (against TB) and had up and down QB ratings. It wasn't anything that he changed that got the team winning all of a sudden.

Minnesota finally got this concept this offseason. They made drastic changes to their defense. I expect they will improve 3-4 games this season, take the North easily, and possibly take on the Saints in the divisional round.

I think the Saints got it in a limited fashion. MM made a huge difference down the stretch. Acquiring Smith and drafting Bullocks gives us a talented safety code. Fincher looks to be a workhorse and Colby has dedicated himself in the offseason. The major holes that seem to be left in the defense is tackle and inexperience. Also the scheme and its application is still unknown at this time. It bothers me greatly that the Saints never disclosed who changed the defensive scheme midseason and why. I know it's to protect Venturi. But I'd still like to see the reasoning out in the open.

I well know that at the end of the day I'll be considered a Brooks butt-kisser. I'm not. He's got his problems. And he compounds them by opening his trap and talking. His only two words to the media should be "No comment." Or maybe talk about his foundation. Or his wife. Or his dogs (does he have dogs?) Anything but football and his supposed greatness.

But the only discussion we should be having about the Saints is on the defensive side of the ball. That's why everyone was pissed when we picked Brown over Davis or Johnson with that 1st pick. We all know innately that the defense needs to get better. They made strides the last 4 games. But we all know that it was pretty much against inferior competition. Until this defense can hold a top 10 offense under 21 points, this Saints team will never make that true step up.

So let's have at it. I've done my blame assignment. Let's hear yours.

SFIAH

07-01-2005, 11:09 AM	#1
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,781	It's time for the Brooks/anti-Brooks debates again. I've seen the stirrings in the last few posts: Originally Posted by saintswhodi I am done with Brooks. Trade him for some live bait or something. Originally Posted by papz No one questions Brooks physical attributes, he's extremely gifted. Everyone is just disgusted that he hasn't put it all together and taken this team to the next level. Originally Posted by Gil Brandt Brooks need to improve on his 2004 numbers when his quarterback rating of 79.5 (ranked 19th in the league). In short the usual yadda yadda. So I'm going to fire off my usual shots early. Only one person (so far) seems to have a real grasp of what's going on: Originally Posted by whodat How ridiculous is it that this "analysis" talked all about our offense and then said, PS, their defense was the worst in the league. Not relevant huh? My sentiments exactly. I am somewhat happy to note that we probably won't be having this discussion next year. Brooks' cap number will be so high that he'll either have to restructure his contract or be released. Brooks' ego is so over inflated he won't allow for a restructure or a pay cut. So I'm putting my money on him being gone after 2005. The only caveat would be if the team made an appearance in the NFC championship game. But it's unlikely. But back to the point. The Saints last year ranked 32nd in total defense and 28th in defensive scoring. With Brooks' at the helm in the last 4 years the team is 20-8 when the opposition is held to under 21 points. Note that this has occured in only 28 out of 64 games. Also note that it happened in each of the 4 games of the season ending winning streak. But Whodat has it right. It's not about Brooks, or Deuce, or Horn, or the offense. Even if the offense were clicking on all cylinders, all we would be is the NFC equivalent of the Indianapolis Colts. Does Brooks needs to get his completion percentage above 60%. Yes. Does he need to run more? Sure. Does he need to keep his big yap shut? Most Definitely! And I'm not even going to get into the boneheaded plays that everyone keeps bringing to the table. But at the end of the season Brooks will play in all 16 games, bring 25+ TDs and 3500+ yards to the table. I'd like to see 65%, 30TDs, and 4000 yards personally which would all be personal bests for him. BTW I think each is attainable because of the acquisitions of Brown and Mayberry. This offense is going to be a pound the ball, throw over the top style offense. It will be very productive. Even more so than when under McCarthy.We have the offense and the QB capable of being successful in this league. So if you think Brooks is the problem and getting rid of him is the solution (like having AMac start against Carolina?!) then you're focusing on the wrong problem area. Here's my hypothsis: If the Saints' defense can improve their scoring average by 4 PPG and get it under 21 PPG then this 2005 Saints' team will go 12-4, win the South, win a playoff game, and be in the NFC championship. In short we'll be the (cough, cough HATED!) Falcons of last season. And I make that prediction with Brooks doing nothing significantly different than he has done the last 4 years. Same guy. Same mistakes. Same attitude. I have a 4 game win streak backing me up on that. In the last 4 games Brooks threw 4 INTs, was only over 60% once (against TB) and had up and down QB ratings. It wasn't anything that he changed that got the team winning all of a sudden. Minnesota finally got this concept this offseason. They made drastic changes to their defense. I expect they will improve 3-4 games this season, take the North easily, and possibly take on the Saints in the divisional round. I think the Saints got it in a limited fashion. MM made a huge difference down the stretch. Acquiring Smith and drafting Bullocks gives us a talented safety code. Fincher looks to be a workhorse and Colby has dedicated himself in the offseason. The major holes that seem to be left in the defense is tackle and inexperience. Also the scheme and its application is still unknown at this time. It bothers me greatly that the Saints never disclosed who changed the defensive scheme midseason and why. I know it's to protect Venturi. But I'd still like to see the reasoning out in the open. I well know that at the end of the day I'll be considered a Brooks butt-kisser. I'm not. He's got his problems. And he compounds them by opening his trap and talking. His only two words to the media should be "No comment." Or maybe talk about his foundation. Or his wife. Or his dogs (does he have dogs?) Anything but football and his supposed greatness. But the only discussion we should be having about the Saints is on the defensive side of the ball. That's why everyone was pissed when we picked Brown over Davis or Johnson with that 1st pick. We all know innately that the defense needs to get better. They made strides the last 4 games. But we all know that it was pretty much against inferior competition. Until this defense can hold a top 10 offense under 21 points, this Saints team will never make that true step up. So let's have at it. I've done my blame assignment. Let's hear yours. SFIAH
	Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.