Re: Luke Johnson | What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints' 27-24 win
 

Observations:

• Today's first couple of drives were the best design of maximizing what physical talent Drew Brees still has; Brees looked confident and he's at his best when distributing the ball to a number of receivers early...
  
  
• The Young Wide Receivers really stepped up today, running crisp routes, making their reads correctly, catching balls reliably, blocking for one another and the RBs, that unit should get a game ball...
  
  
• Like all Saints fans, I'm also hoping Marquez Callaway's injury is minor because he really lept forward today, likely now the No.3 WR
  
  
• Really liked Payton's playcalling early on as he used his Offensive Line to wear down and beat up on the most underrated defensive line in the league; when Sean got pass-heavy, Drew paid the price...
  
  
• Sean's First Drive was Saints SuperBowl football, run, run, playaction-pass, run, run, screen counter-blitz - Man, I miss that guy...
  
  
• Signing Malcolm Jenkins was a mistake on many fronts, not the least of which is that Gardner should be the starting Strong Safety right now; he had some flubs, but he's a physical beast...
  
  
• Another knock on Jenkins was that it sent a no-confidence vote to Marcus Williams, who ceded his leadership to the veteran Jenkins; we should've just moved Marcus when we brought in Jenkins...
  
  
• Lil' Bird told me that Mr. Glass was complaining about injury last week and the coaches may have caught on to Armstead ducking certain very physical opponents to keep his grade up for contract standing...
  
  
• Don't like committing that much salary cap to a RB, but damn, Kamara makes plays every week that only two or three RBs in the league could make...
  
  
• Know some have noticed that Mike Nolan is struggling in Dallas - I'd argue that's more to do with personnel and the fact that good coaching careers go to die in Jerry's Big Dysfunctional Dallas; I want him back...
  
  
• Sean needs to look at taking something at half-time so that he'll maintain his methodical play-calling in the first halves of games; he really abandons the run much too much and it lets teams back in games...
  
  
• Thought the kick coverage teams performed exceptionally today; they were not able to really get up on us but one time that I can recall...
  
  
• Davenport is still injured and likely why T-Rex was playing more run downs; that's a shame because T-Rex is our best pass rusher this season...
  
  
• The ghost of Steve Spagnuolo still lingers in DA's defensive play-calling as he still takes our best pass rusher in a personnel package and drops them into coverage while blitzing ineffective linebackers...
  
  
• Marshon Lattimore had a brief slow start, but it was good to seem him not play down to the talent; Teddy, rather impressively, tried to keep him honest, but Marshon made it tough...
  
  
• Sure was nice to see Davenport make a game winning play; when you follow how close that kick came to being good, his sack was the difference in the game - it's about f*cking time!
  
  
• Have also been impressed with Kamara, now getting paid, come out of his shell and be more of a vocal leader and presenting a unified front at Press Conferences, even though he admitted there's problems...
  
  
• If Thomas really wants out, could we get the Jets' 1st rounder? That'd give us a 1:3 chance in the #TrevorSweepstakes - I for one am tired of being all in - Good GMs always play the long game...
  
  
• Was thinking about the Gayle Benson aborted carjacking and this dark thought - who ends up with the team should something fatal happen to her? Much of New Orleans' economy is Saints-dependent...
  
  
• Sean needs to do a better job of working the officials, more importanty, protecting his players, Kamara gets the business much too often and even Trautman took a head shot today - all of them - no flag...
  
  
• Andrus Peat is a LT, he is not a Guard; too many times he gets downfield, smashes his primary assignment then loses his balance, falls down; two scores were left on the field because of this flaw in his game..
  
  
• One of the best recruiting tools the Saints have in getting all these raw, talented UDFAs as rookies - get developed by Coach Curtis and his Whoopin' Stick, Play in the Hottest Offensive Scheme, Play with Drew...
  
  
• Did y'all notice Zach Baun today? Was very impressed with his raw upper-body power; he literally was stood up by the very strong Mike Davis and David still went nowhere and Baun worked him to the ground...
  
  
• Congratulations to Austin Carr on his career game today...
  
  
• We're still not using TE Adam Trautman enough; Sean needs to call no less than 3-5 design plays just for him in this offense...
  
  
• Watching former Saints RBs around the league this week, especially in Fantasy Football and I just don't see the value benefit of keeping Washington and is so-so kick coverage abilities...
  
  
• ...could you imagine having Boston Scott on third and long plays just to spell Kamara from getting killed when defenders come down on him when Drew is obviously going to dump it off?
  
  
• Thought the interior line of Peat-McCoy-Ruiz was the best the Saints have had in quite some time...
  
  
• That was one of the fastest Saints games I'd seen in some time; love me some balanced run-pass games like we saw today...
  
  
• Some may foolishly criticize Matt Rhule's end game call, but it was the right call; Joey Slye, sporting the big guns in the league, has one of the strongest legs and in a quiet SuperDome, that call made since...
  
  
• Know Hurst gave up a bad sack, fumble of Brees, who was nearly killed; but fans should be patient; he was injured in camp, got no preseason snaps, and was not a planned starter today - he'll get better...
  
  

Re: Luke Johnson | What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints' 27-24 win
 

Yeah the safeties absolutely blew it. Williams chose to double a WR on a shallow route and Jenkins was just kind of hanging out way to shallow. I’m just playing devil’s advocate though that it wasn’t necessarily entirely on them.

I’ve said before that out secondary’s woes are due to Vonn Bell’s absence as he was the captain of our secondary and did all of the communication. Other very intelligent members here pointed out the flaws in my logic though so I don’t know if I’m right or not, but man... I just don’t think the miscommunication would be as bad if Bell were still here.

Re: Luke Johnson | What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints' 27-24 win
 

JP -

My quick rant :disgusted: on safety play … Earl is probably not a popular choice in NO, however we need a change at Free Safety. How about the guy from the Jets Marcus Maye? Or Malik Hooker?

The lack of execution is atrocious. Four years into the system, playing in coverages he should be familiar with. You expect these mistakes from a rookie, not a 4 year starter in Dennis Allen's system. He seems to be baited on long ball after long ball continuously. A lot of those 40, 50, 60 yard bombs are coming from Marcus. He's no ball hawk and can't tackle.

Did you notice how 2 Glove Teddy walked him 5 yards off his zone to throw a deep post route :rolleyes:? C'mon man, that is unacceptable. For the collective amount of talent on defense, they are grossly under performing.

No reason for it, other than looking at coaches. Is it Allen, Glenn or the players? Technique, eyes, communication, Jenkins "experiment' has failed. What are they teaching in film study?

I thought Malcolm was brought in to help Marcus? What ever Dennis is asking these guys to do, they aren't executing on Sundays. Red zone defense, pass deflections are almost non existent for us.

It's gonna get ugly when the Saints face the big boys. IMO Marcus Williams needs to be benched. Why is DJ Swearinger inactive 2 weeks in a row? Activate him or make a phone call, find a trading partner at safety.

Davenport … when he plays? … a beast. Same goes for David O.

We can't expect the great Brees, AK to play perfect every week. Carolina should have been blown out today. You aren't hoisting a Lombardi with that defense.

End rant.

Re: Luke Johnson | What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints' 27-24 win
 

Don’t see a rant from you too often brother... love it. Can’t disagree with anything you said. That’s why I suggested trading for Harrison Smith.

Re: Luke Johnson | What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints' 27-24 win
 

The long touchdown? their first score?

You are correct, but gotta defend Demario moved up on his responsibility that was running underneath, which was probably by design on the Panthers', Brady'd part as we run those same divergent routes...

Mr. Marcus broke prematurely to help the CB, which actually wasn't necessary...

And Jenkins, as I'm sure NFL scouting has caught it, as an NFL Insider on the Outside even noticed that Malcolm Jenkins has been lazy, too shallow in his cover-2 drops all season long...

As the WR was cutting post into Jenkins' zone off an initial seam read, I hang that one 60/40 Jenkins/Mr. Marcus...

Another comment about why I'd prefer to keep Bell over Jenkins - Bell has never won a SuperBowl and Jenkins has his ring and money, plus his priorities now are more in his post-NFL commentary persona...*

Re: Luke Johnson | What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints' 27-24 win
 

Re: Luke Johnson | What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints' 27-24 win
 

You’re absolutely right JP about CJGJ should be our SS. He’s been exposed a bit as a nickel CB this season.

Re: Luke Johnson | What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints' 27-24 win
 

Re: Luke Johnson | What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints' 27-24 win
 

-Great game by Brees, Kamara, and Callaway.
-Difference making play by Davenport who plays hard.
-Good game by the OLine except the one bad play by Armstead's replacement.
-Cook with a great catch.
-Harris looking good at receiver.
-The DLine battles and competes.
-Lutz money.

-The secondary looks lazy, soft, undisciplined and uninterested at times.
-I absolutely hate seeing players wide open due to what is termed a communication failure. Way too much thinking going on. Guarding turf as receivers run free. I had much rather see players getting beat one on one competing and attacking versus playing soft and looking to others to make a play.
-Just not a fan of D. Allen's style of defense, play calling, and lack of adjustments.
-A. Glenn is not good or is being overruled by Allen. The secondary has more talent than it is showing.
-The safety play is atrocious.

Re: Luke Johnson | What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints' 27-24 win