Saints vs Buccaneers Post-Game Observations
 

Phew! Thank the Lord above that we shut down all the dream team talk about the Buccaneers right out of the gate. Drop your game observations here.

For me, UDFA DT Malcolm Roach was an excellent addition. The team clearly envisions a big role for him this season as he played A LOT. Ryan Nielsen’s eye for these undrafted DT’s has been incredible.

I’m not going to dwell on any negatives because it just feels good to win. However, can anyone please explain why the run game with Kamara is so bad? It seems to always be a one or two yard gain if not a loss and then Murray comes in and picks up four or five. Are we blocking differently for Kamara? More zone instead of power?

Re: Saints vs Buccaneers Post-Game Observations
 

Bucs are better but look unpolished for sure. They really needed a pre-season. Saints looked like a more gelled team, but I was STILL frustrated with some of the playcall after we went up 24-7. We made up for it, but man I was getting angry.

Re: Saints vs Buccaneers Post-Game Observations
 

Agreed.

Re: Saints vs Buccaneers Post-Game Observations
 

Anybody left who believes the preseason doesn't matter?

Re: Saints vs Buccaneers Post-Game Observations
 

Yep, Payton even acknowledged it:

Re: Saints vs Buccaneers Post-Game Observations
 

Granderson, Hendricks. Solid performances.
Defense overall played well against one of the league's top offenses.

Peat was toasted a few times more than he should have been.
Easton filled in nicely.
I think we ran fairly well considering the defensive front Tampa presents.

Re: Saints vs Buccaneers Post-Game Observations
 

Special Teams kicked ass

Donte Harris Long returns
no block in the back penalties
a blocked kick
drop kick recovery’
Defended an onside kick
perfectly timed nailed tackle / no gain on a punt
the rest were fair catchs or minimal gain
Morstead’s punts were nearly all around the 10 yard line
2 field goals and all extra points

Re: Saints vs Buccaneers Post-Game Observations
 

I think having a camp comprised of glorified walkthroughs and no preseason is going to have more of an effect on teams than people want to admit. Usually by game 3-4 you know your teams identity. This year It’s going to take 5-6 games before we see a lot of these teams start to click. We are a bit ahead of the league because of our roster but what we saw today wasn’t anything close to what we will be like once things start clicking.
We played hard but Tampa did shoot themselves in the foot with penalties and poor execution.
It was a fun, low stress game and that’s just what I needed.
Hope Thomas is ok. Payton has a bad habit of leaving our star players on the field when the game is well in hand. Thomas shouldn’t have been in there on the second to last play of the game.

Re: Saints vs Buccaneers Post-Game Observations
 

Where were the receivers?
Tampa defense was very stout

Thomas was seeing Corner Safety doubling
Didn’t work the slot at all

Sanders opened it up later

Drew showed great arm strength on the long dart to Jared Cook

Re: Saints vs Buccaneers Post-Game Observations
 

No offensive or special team penalties!