SaintsNY
Hall-of-Famer
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2012
- Messages
- 3,672
- Reaction score
- 6,627
Offline
The more time passes, the more disappointed I become with how the Saints allowed LA to stay in that ball game. Yes, the officials missed the more blatant of penalties but New Orleans really blew it in key situations throughout the game that allowed the Rams to stay in the game.
The Patriots held LA to 3 measly points in a venue that yes, was clearly in favor of New England but not nearly as hostile as the environment down in the Super Dome. The Rams looked like a complete mess. A deer in headlights if you will. They were not prepared to deal with the noise levels and it affected their entire offense. It still puzzles me how LA was able to compose themselves and eventually squeak out a win.
The Saints did not have a good game on offense. When they settled for the FGs, especially after the INT, I knew that they blew a big opportunity to run away with the game. The running game was bad and I blame mostly the coaching staff for continuously having Ingram and Kamara run up the middle against two All Pro DT's. When they ran a pitch outside they had better success but those plays were very few and far between. Obviously Michael Thomas had a real quiet game but I have not watched game tape to see why he was. I assume lots of double teams but this should have opened up stuff for the other receivers. Unfortunately the coach Payton knew the WR depth was lacking and tried to patch this up by signing Dez and Marshall. There just wasn't a reliable option once MT is taken away. Overall the entire offensive gameplan wasn't very good. This leads me to Brees. The heart and soul of the team.
Brees was bad this game by Drew Brees standards. He missed throws and didn't make good decisions. For someone playing in the comforts of home, I expect a refined game from one of the best passers and the most accurate QB of all time, but he wasn't quite himself on that Sunday. That one pass to Ginn that was behind him was a pass that Brees will always make, but he wasn't sharp as he completed 26 of 40 passes for 240 yards. If Drew was himself, they win that game because he would have completed an easy pass to MT after the 2 minute warning in the 4th. Something hasn't been right with him since the Dallas game. I could probably stretch it since the thanksgiving game against Atlanta. He wasn't sharp then either and then his production fell off a cliff. There's probably a correlation between his drop off and the performance of the offensive line. He lost Armstead, Ram and peat were battling injury. He also lost the back up to Armstead, Bushrod. When his line was healthy, he was the 1st half MVP. It is imperative that they fortify that OL for 2019.
More missed opportunities from that game was allowing the Rams for converting on a 4th and 5 fake punt pass. If they don't convert, NO gets amazing field position. Sean Payton should have coached his team to be more alert especially when they faked a punt in their last meeting. They missed winning it on OT. I know it should have never went to OT but unfortunately it did. They had a penalty that put them around mid field so you still had to like their chances. But penalties and an an ill-advised pass by Drew (yes, I know he was contacted on the helmet but it was still a poor decision) that was interception and the Rams capitalized. It was the theme for the game where New Orleans kept shooting themselves in the foot.
Yeah, I'm still P'Oed that the officials blatantly disregarded the rule book. I'm P'Oed that they decided to take the game away from the players. And I'm P'Oed that the NFL/Roger went silent over the no call. But, now some of that disappointment has transferred to how the Saints played throughout that game from the players to the coaches. They were beat by the officials but also beat themselves. I give a lot of credit to LA for hanging in there. Honestly, its kind of mind boggling how they did especially how they performed in the Super Bowl. The wrong team clearly won.
For some good news, majority of this team's core is returning in 2019 so the little turnover is beneficial and the outlook for this team should remain the same - a SB worthy team. But there was 2 glaring spots that need attention. WR and OL. WR lacks depth and the development of TQS was not as quick as this team so desperately needed. Kirkwood was a nice little player but what can we realistically expect from an UDFA going forward? Drew needs a target with good solid hands, who can be a reliable target once teams take away Thomas. I like Cole Beasley. He is a player that a coach like Bill Belichick could make into a serious threat in the slot. With an offensive Guru in Payton, he could do the same. OL is good and when they're healthy they're really good but there is room for improvement. They are good at LT/RT but everyone else can be upgraded. Warford and Peat are good players but Brees was facing constant pressure up the middle. TE might be a position that many of you want to see upgraded, but having a TE is a luxury not a necessity. A lot of NFL teams don't have quality TE's and the position itself has dropped off across the league. While it would be great to land the next prime Jimmy Graham/Gronkowski or Kelce, it isn't a must have. Unfortunately the Saints have 1 pick (2nd round) in the first 4 rounds so finding an impact player in the draft is pretty slim. Saints do have a nose for OL talent so its possible. FA looks to be the way to take this team another step forward. One key FA from the Saints is Ingram which I hope returns. The team has a great locker room and he's a big reason why. It would be like having Jenkins leave and that was a mistake.
Anyway, this has gone on a lot longer than I expected so the TL;DR option: I'm still upset over the blown call, but the Saints blew plenty of opportunities to win that game. Core of team is intact but needs improvement at WR and OL. Don't let Ingram go.
Has your views on the game changed at all? Or we solely in screw the NFL mode? lol
The Patriots held LA to 3 measly points in a venue that yes, was clearly in favor of New England but not nearly as hostile as the environment down in the Super Dome. The Rams looked like a complete mess. A deer in headlights if you will. They were not prepared to deal with the noise levels and it affected their entire offense. It still puzzles me how LA was able to compose themselves and eventually squeak out a win.
The Saints did not have a good game on offense. When they settled for the FGs, especially after the INT, I knew that they blew a big opportunity to run away with the game. The running game was bad and I blame mostly the coaching staff for continuously having Ingram and Kamara run up the middle against two All Pro DT's. When they ran a pitch outside they had better success but those plays were very few and far between. Obviously Michael Thomas had a real quiet game but I have not watched game tape to see why he was. I assume lots of double teams but this should have opened up stuff for the other receivers. Unfortunately the coach Payton knew the WR depth was lacking and tried to patch this up by signing Dez and Marshall. There just wasn't a reliable option once MT is taken away. Overall the entire offensive gameplan wasn't very good. This leads me to Brees. The heart and soul of the team.
Brees was bad this game by Drew Brees standards. He missed throws and didn't make good decisions. For someone playing in the comforts of home, I expect a refined game from one of the best passers and the most accurate QB of all time, but he wasn't quite himself on that Sunday. That one pass to Ginn that was behind him was a pass that Brees will always make, but he wasn't sharp as he completed 26 of 40 passes for 240 yards. If Drew was himself, they win that game because he would have completed an easy pass to MT after the 2 minute warning in the 4th. Something hasn't been right with him since the Dallas game. I could probably stretch it since the thanksgiving game against Atlanta. He wasn't sharp then either and then his production fell off a cliff. There's probably a correlation between his drop off and the performance of the offensive line. He lost Armstead, Ram and peat were battling injury. He also lost the back up to Armstead, Bushrod. When his line was healthy, he was the 1st half MVP. It is imperative that they fortify that OL for 2019.
More missed opportunities from that game was allowing the Rams for converting on a 4th and 5 fake punt pass. If they don't convert, NO gets amazing field position. Sean Payton should have coached his team to be more alert especially when they faked a punt in their last meeting. They missed winning it on OT. I know it should have never went to OT but unfortunately it did. They had a penalty that put them around mid field so you still had to like their chances. But penalties and an an ill-advised pass by Drew (yes, I know he was contacted on the helmet but it was still a poor decision) that was interception and the Rams capitalized. It was the theme for the game where New Orleans kept shooting themselves in the foot.
Yeah, I'm still P'Oed that the officials blatantly disregarded the rule book. I'm P'Oed that they decided to take the game away from the players. And I'm P'Oed that the NFL/Roger went silent over the no call. But, now some of that disappointment has transferred to how the Saints played throughout that game from the players to the coaches. They were beat by the officials but also beat themselves. I give a lot of credit to LA for hanging in there. Honestly, its kind of mind boggling how they did especially how they performed in the Super Bowl. The wrong team clearly won.
For some good news, majority of this team's core is returning in 2019 so the little turnover is beneficial and the outlook for this team should remain the same - a SB worthy team. But there was 2 glaring spots that need attention. WR and OL. WR lacks depth and the development of TQS was not as quick as this team so desperately needed. Kirkwood was a nice little player but what can we realistically expect from an UDFA going forward? Drew needs a target with good solid hands, who can be a reliable target once teams take away Thomas. I like Cole Beasley. He is a player that a coach like Bill Belichick could make into a serious threat in the slot. With an offensive Guru in Payton, he could do the same. OL is good and when they're healthy they're really good but there is room for improvement. They are good at LT/RT but everyone else can be upgraded. Warford and Peat are good players but Brees was facing constant pressure up the middle. TE might be a position that many of you want to see upgraded, but having a TE is a luxury not a necessity. A lot of NFL teams don't have quality TE's and the position itself has dropped off across the league. While it would be great to land the next prime Jimmy Graham/Gronkowski or Kelce, it isn't a must have. Unfortunately the Saints have 1 pick (2nd round) in the first 4 rounds so finding an impact player in the draft is pretty slim. Saints do have a nose for OL talent so its possible. FA looks to be the way to take this team another step forward. One key FA from the Saints is Ingram which I hope returns. The team has a great locker room and he's a big reason why. It would be like having Jenkins leave and that was a mistake.
Anyway, this has gone on a lot longer than I expected so the TL;DR option: I'm still upset over the blown call, but the Saints blew plenty of opportunities to win that game. Core of team is intact but needs improvement at WR and OL. Don't let Ingram go.
Has your views on the game changed at all? Or we solely in screw the NFL mode? lol
Last edited:
