Question Can anyone guess ways to continue to be successful with Brees? (4 Viewers)

[Mississippi Saints Fan]

I think the story of the playoffs ending the way it did is/was injuries. Maybe if Thomas wasn't injured basically 90% of the season, and maybe if Drew didn't get injured (twice apparently), or Murray was able to play, and maybe if Taysom was able to play vs Tampa he makes a first down here and there that they failed to convert, and maybe if Harris didn't get injured early on etc. The game very well could have turned out differently but you can only play the hand you are dealt.

I think it is apparent, especially after Drew getting injured these past two seasons, SP built a team to win and make it to the playoffs. But this year (for once) the refs didn't screw the team, it was the injury bug that did them in.

The injuries hurt, but I feel like blaming the loss on them is sort of making excuses in this particular case. Brees had been playing injured, plus we had already been without Thomas and Harris for a while. Taysom might have made a big difference in the game, but maybe not. Having those players healthy would have been big, but I still feel it boils down to 3 turnovers on our side of the field that set up TB for easy points.

 

[Zztop]

The injuries hurt, but I feel like blaming the loss on them is sort of making excuses in this particular case. Brees had been playing injured, plus we had already been without Thomas and Harris for a while.

There is a huge difference between regular season and playoffs. As we all saw, "good enough to win games in the regular season" did not translate into playoff wins when it mattered. But we'll never know "what if" because all those injuries did happen. Also none of us knew the extent of both Drew and MT's injuries, which were only revealed after the loss. I think those injuries affected the game plan and the outcome, but who really knows

 

[Saintcd]

IF (I was SP) and I had to plan around 2021 Drew, here’s what I would do. Manage to get smaller/quicker WRs, like the Pats did with Edelman, Welker, etc. Heck, even the Chiefs have a a few smaller/faster WRs that they deploy. Let those guys work the chains. Next I would draft Harris out of Alabama. With swing passes to AK/Harris, that enables the offense to maintain a “homerun” big play factor. Somehow, get two TEs that can make plays (easier said than done). The only thing that can’t be incorporated is the long ball. Even with all of this, the offense would still be predictable. Fun to watch at times, but still predictable
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Yes, it can be done, but the defense with still stack the box and challenge theWR at the line and we would still be building around an aging QB. If Brees stays, I’d have to consider selling my season tickets next year. I’m just glad I opted out of this year. Couldn’t bare to see Drew a year older trying to play.

At this point Winston (cheaper than other options) is our best chance to get back to the playoffs and taysom is our best chance for a top 10 pick. A win win situation.

 

[Trey W.]

I think a lot of people on here are hating on Winston and I kind of get it. He played for a division rival so since he’s been in the league it’s been easy to hate on him plus his immaturity when he was young. But the kid has talent and has played well in the NFL even without a QB coach like Sean, and a real team like the Saints. We have a really good O-line, the best #1 WR and all purpose RB in the NFL, plus a top rated defense. Sean seems to like him and with his arm strength he could really open this offense back up. I’d put money on Winston being our starting QB next year.

 

[Cgrob81]

There is a huge difference between regular season and playoffs. As we all saw, "good enough to win games in the regular season" did not translate into playoff wins when it mattered. But we'll never know "what if" because all those injuries did happen. Also none of us knew the extent of both Drew and MT's injuries, which were only revealed after the loss. I think those injuries affected the game plan and the outcome, but who really knows

Agreed. Theres a difference in losing a game in the season and one and done in the playoffs.

 

[Madmarsha]

What do I get if I guess correctly?

 

[Mississippi Saints Fan]

There is a huge difference between regular season and playoffs. As we all saw, "good enough to win games in the regular season" did not translate into playoff wins when it mattered. But we'll never know "what if" because all those injuries did happen. Also none of us knew the extent of both Drew and MT's injuries, which were only revealed after the loss. I think those injuries affected the game plan and the outcome, but who really knows

Of course injuries hurt, but I personally can't blame this loss of them when I can still so vividly envision Jared Cook holding the football out for anyone to take. It was very winnable right until we got sloppy. Regular season or postseason, it was still the Bucs, and we gifted them with a lot of easy points because of undisciplined football. If Cook holds on to the ball instead of fumbling or catches that pass instead of letting it get intercepted, I believe we win.

 

[Trey W.]

Of course injuries hurt, but I personally can't blame this loss of them when I can still so vividly envision Jared Cook holding the football out for anyone to take. It was very winnable right until we got sloppy. Regular season or postseason, it was still the Bucs, and we gifted them with a lot of easy points because of undisciplined football. If Cook holds on to the ball instead of fumbling or catches that pass instead of letting it get intercepted, I believe we win.

Don’t get me wrong, Cooks fumble hurt bad but for all the people blaming Cooks for losing the game seem to completely ignore Brees’s 3 INT’s. We had a healthy group of WR’s (minus Thomas who shouldn’t have been in the game), healthy O-line, & AK but let’s blame Cooks.

 

[Icon]

Don’t get me wrong, Cooks fumble hurt bad but for all the people blaming Cooks for losing the game seem to completely ignore Brees’s 3 INT’s. We had a healthy group of WR’s (minus Thomas who shouldn’t have been in the game), healthy O-line, & AK but let’s blame Cooks.

You mean the second interception where Kamara ran the wrong route, and the third that was courtesy of Jared Cook?

 

[Trey W.]

You mean the second interception where Kamara ran the wrong route, and the third that was courtesy of Jared Cook?

While none of us will know if AK ran the wrong route or if it was an option route and they didn’t read it the same. If you watch the replay and it was an option route, AK ran the right one because he was wide open and Drew only had to toss the ball over Devin White’s head.

 

[MV2]

Drewz starting=another disappointing end to our season. He's done man. Accept it. He's done what nobody has in many areas. He's the greatest to ever wear the uniform and likely will be for a really long time. Mentally he's always going to be sharp. But physically he's breaking down and the injuries are piling up.

 

[DerrickB]

Do what Mike Shanahan did with John Elway towards the end. Get a younger bell-cow running back to go along AK and incorporate the stretch outside zone scheme. Every now and then let Drew hit the defense over the top with the play-action pass.

 

[gtaz21]

Hmmm ... if you're playing a game of pickup basketball??

 

[sfidc3]

I think Drew should hang it up, and I suspect he will....he simply can't stay healthy....that said if he were to come back then I would suggest they run the ball more and stay healthy!!!!!