how can the offense NOT take a step back? (1 Viewer)

[Le_fleur_fan_78]

After the Saints traded Darren Sproles away, I was worried that they would really miss that "element" from their offense. We still had Pierre Thomas and Ingram, but neither was the explosive mis-match problem Sprolesy was. We also (foolishly) held hope that Cadet could somewhat fill the Sproles role.

Now, the offense didn't fall apart (and they were still among the top of the league stats wise) but we could all see something was missing. The offense pretty much played off of everyone focusing their attention on Jimmy Graham, and even though Brees zeroed in on Graham a little too often, the Saints offense was solid.

With Jimmy Graham traded to Seattle, the Saints have played a similar scenario. We did nothing to "replace" Graham in our offense; opting to go with 35yr old Ben Watson (who has never had a 50 rec season or 700yds) and an UDFA in Josh Hill.

I realize we won a SB w/out Jimmy Graham, but we did have Jeremy Shockey! Shockey was huge for us! and for the record, so was Dave Thomas. Before Shockey, TE was a hole for us.. and I fear it will be again. Brees has always had a really good TE when he's had his best years, and I just can't believe Watson (at this stage of his career) is up to the task.

So, I ask the board, how does this offense NOT take a step backwards in the absence of a once in a generation talent like Jimmy Graham now gone from the offense?

Graham was good, except when it counted. Denver, New England, Dallas, etc all have TE ' S that could be as good as Graham was here. We will still be top 5 in offense as long as Brees is upright.

 

[WhoDatGawd]

Because Payton
close thread

 

[Usmfan84]

Wow! We were ranked number 1 last year?!?

I guess I just stopped caring at some point last year.

We were pretty good at moving the ball for 3/4 the year. It didn't look pretty but the team could drive down the field.

Then the 4th part of the year started and we just fell apart on offense as well. So the last 3 games made it seem like we were terrible all year but in reality we were not, but Brees and the offense did have a knack for turning the ball over at the worst possible time

 

[onanygivensunday]

Total Offense
2014 #1
2013 #3
2012 #2
2011 #1
2010 #6
2009 #1
2008 #1
2007 #4
2006 #1

They'll figure something out.

Impressive numbers, but let's also look at the defenses of your division opponents.

Over those 9 years, Atlanta has been at #32, #29, #27, #24... and never better than #12... averaging #23 in the league.

Tampa Bay has been at #30, #29, #27, #24... but has been at #2 and #9... averaging #19 in the league.

Carolina has been the best of the three.. but they have averaged #13 in the league... only three spots above the mean.

Last year, Atlanta was #32, TB was #25 and Carolina was #10.

In 2010 when the Saints were #6 on offense, defensively Atlanta was #16, TB was #17 and Carolina was #18... essentially all average defenses in the league.

 

[SoggyBottomBoy]

Come on bro! Spiller isn't even close to the mismatch nightmare Jimmy Graham is. You lost me with that comment. Spiller is an explosive cat, but he hasn't been used in the Bush/Sproles role before (really). To say he's "every bit" the mismatch Graham is sounds just plain ignant.

All right. I was giving your OP some slack, but you're placing a lot of of your argument on the loss of Graham while mentioning not having the Sproles factor. We were number one last year with Graham and without Sproles. Now we have no Graham or Thomas but added Spilller, and beefed up the Oline. We won't get the production from the TE like we did with Graham, but will be solid and production will come from other areas. We won't have the "Graham" mismatch, but we have a bigger variety of mismatches spread across Cooks, Spiller, Ingram and Colston. If a young receiver or two step up, that's lagniappe. If Brees stays upright, not worried about offensive production tapering off.

 

[parlorcitysaint]

I foresee an improvement to our offense. Without Jimmy and his intermittent alligator arms, Drew is gonna spread the ball around more, and have more time to do it with an improved Oline and a TE that's capable of blocking for him. (Let's face it, Jimmy was a hell of a target, but he was more willing to put himself in a position to score than he was to put the team in one).

Add Spiller, and a renewed interest in the run game by our HC, and the makings of a stellar year are there.

 

[saintsmarchin]

we should be more worried about pressure on the QB this year.. Dennis allen will make the secondary solid.. my biggest worries

1) Guards
2) Pressure on QB

To be honest.. i dont see any problems anywhere else.

 

[TheRealJRad]

Come on bro! Spiller isn't even close to the mismatch nightmare Jimmy Graham is. You lost me with that comment. Spiller is an explosive cat, but he hasn't been used in the Bush/Sproles role before (really). To say he's "every bit" the mismatch Graham is sounds just plain ignant.

Or, you know, that's been his career. Spiller only averages like a catch and a half per game less than Bush or Sproles, in far worse offenses. Spiller and Bush both have way more rushes per game than Sproles though.

 

[El Caliente]

I don't know what we're going to do without Sweet Peach.


J/K that nickname though...

 

[CitySaint]

Strief has gone down every year except one, last year. Peat is in no way prepared for either tackle position. Peat being forced into the starting line-up due to injuries on either side would be a major blow. And I think Unger has the same propensity as Strief does in lasting an entire season.

People assume because Spiller is fast he will be a great receiver. There is no guarantee for that. His best Season he had 43 receptions. Bush, Sproles and even PT had exceptional production as receivers out of the back field. A top out of 43 receptions is pretty mediocre based on that trios numbers. Versatility at the running back position was a big part of us being able to keep drives alive. If Spiller can only garner 45 rec and Ingram contributes similar to the passing game like he has always, how many drives will we keep alive?

Over the last 10 years we've gone without a probowl caliber tightend only in 06' and 07' and right now we have virtually no one outside of Cooks in the wide receiving department. All of these no name receivers everyone is trying to build up in their heads will need to over achieve in Lance Moore 07/08 proportions.