Saint of Killers
Formerly "WhoDatHank"
Offline
Alright y'all, I said we would lose to the Colts in a close one, but we beat em in a close one. So now I'm eating my crow and it taste great! I'm gonna be honest, after the Dallas and Philly games I was really down on this team. I thought we were a bottom five team in the league. Last week, I predicted us to beat the Falcons because it was at night and at home against our biggest rival and we usually play great in those kind of situations. Even when I was predicting the win against Atlanta, I told everyone we would revert back to the same team we were the first 5 weeks of the season and start losing again. I was wrong. We went into Indianapolis and beat the Colts in their house. That fourth quarter was shaky, but our guys got the job done. After being a glass half empty guy all year, I'm finally starting to believe this team can get a wildcard spot and make the playoffs.
I'll tell you the reasons why:
1. This young defense is improving each week and I think by the end of the year, they could be a top 10-15 defense. Cam Jordan has come to life and been a complete MONSTER the last few weeks. Kikaha and Anthony continue to make huge strides week to week, and I think they're both gonna be stars in this league, sooner than later. The comeback of Ellerbe has been huge. Words can't describe what his comeback has done for our defense. This guy, when healthy, is a freak and the perfect veteran LB to compliment our two future star LBs, Anthony and Kikaha. Breaux has been as good, if not better, of a FA acquisition as Keenan Lewis was when we brought him in. When Lewis is back and 100% healthy, I think we will have the best starting corner duo in the league. With Swann in the nickel and Browner able to cover TEs, I think we have an outstanding secondary. Which brings me to Byrd. People are complaining because they haven't heard his name called much since he's been back, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. He hasn't caused any turnovers yet, but you best believe that opposing QBs know he's back there playing center field for us and they are hesitant to try anything deep in his direction. With Byrd's comeback, Vaccaro is able to do what he does best, and that's roam all over the field. Up in the box, helping out on double teams, etc. Vaccaro has looked great the last few weeks and I think it's because with Byrd and Ellerbe back, Kenny V can play with a lot more freedom. That is where he is most dangerous. Davison is also continuing to improve as a NT, and getting more pressure from that spot is a bonus. I wouldn't be suprised to see him take over the starting spot at NT soon, or stleast split the snaps with Jenkins more evenly. If we could just add a stud 3-tech DT to replace Williams next year, I think we could have a top 5 defense next year. Seriously.
2. Offensively, I think every week we are finding out more and more, what exactly our identity is. Spiller was more involved this week, which is a good thing. The more he becomes involved in the offense, the more I think that opens up the playbook. Ingram had a huge game, and I expect that to continue. If the running game can continue to operate at a high level, that helps out Drew and the passing game immensely. As long as we can protect Drew and open a few holes in the running game, I expect our offense to stay in the top 10.
3. The biggest thing that gives me hopes of getting a wildcard spot from here, is the remaining schedule. It's ridiculously easy. Here's our remaining schedule, for those of you who don't know it:
Home vs GIANTS(4-3)
Home vs TITANS(1-5)
@ REDSKINS(3-4)
BYE WEEK
@ TEXANS(2-5)
Home vs PANTHERS(6-0)
@ BUCCANEERS(2-4)
Home vs LIONS(1-6)
Home vs JAGUARS(2-5)
@ FALCONS(6-1)
There's only three teams on the remaining schedule who currently have a winning record, and we face two of them at home. The only two games there that worry me are the rivalry games against Carolina and Atlanta. Even if we lost those two, and won the rest, that puts us at 10-6. Honestly, I see us beating Carolina at home though. They're coming into our house and we are gonna want that one bad since they embarrassed us at home last year. Plus, we ALMOST beat them at their house this year with Luke starting QB. Add Drew, Ellerbe, Byrd and hopefully Keenan to the mix, and I see us winning against them, the next time around. I could see three teams from the NFC South making the playoffs this year, being Carolina, Atlanta and us. Which would be funny, since last year, we were considered the worst division in the league. I've gone from thinking this season was a rebuilding year, that was over before it started, to believing we can make the playoffs. All you gotta do is get in, from there anything can happen. Example: The Giants in 2011. With Drew at the helm, I think anything is possible. Keep the faith, Saints fans. Who Dat!
TL/DR: Our defense is improving drastically each week and our remaining schedule is extremely favorable. We can make the playoffs as a wildcard.
I'll tell you the reasons why:
1. This young defense is improving each week and I think by the end of the year, they could be a top 10-15 defense. Cam Jordan has come to life and been a complete MONSTER the last few weeks. Kikaha and Anthony continue to make huge strides week to week, and I think they're both gonna be stars in this league, sooner than later. The comeback of Ellerbe has been huge. Words can't describe what his comeback has done for our defense. This guy, when healthy, is a freak and the perfect veteran LB to compliment our two future star LBs, Anthony and Kikaha. Breaux has been as good, if not better, of a FA acquisition as Keenan Lewis was when we brought him in. When Lewis is back and 100% healthy, I think we will have the best starting corner duo in the league. With Swann in the nickel and Browner able to cover TEs, I think we have an outstanding secondary. Which brings me to Byrd. People are complaining because they haven't heard his name called much since he's been back, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. He hasn't caused any turnovers yet, but you best believe that opposing QBs know he's back there playing center field for us and they are hesitant to try anything deep in his direction. With Byrd's comeback, Vaccaro is able to do what he does best, and that's roam all over the field. Up in the box, helping out on double teams, etc. Vaccaro has looked great the last few weeks and I think it's because with Byrd and Ellerbe back, Kenny V can play with a lot more freedom. That is where he is most dangerous. Davison is also continuing to improve as a NT, and getting more pressure from that spot is a bonus. I wouldn't be suprised to see him take over the starting spot at NT soon, or stleast split the snaps with Jenkins more evenly. If we could just add a stud 3-tech DT to replace Williams next year, I think we could have a top 5 defense next year. Seriously.
2. Offensively, I think every week we are finding out more and more, what exactly our identity is. Spiller was more involved this week, which is a good thing. The more he becomes involved in the offense, the more I think that opens up the playbook. Ingram had a huge game, and I expect that to continue. If the running game can continue to operate at a high level, that helps out Drew and the passing game immensely. As long as we can protect Drew and open a few holes in the running game, I expect our offense to stay in the top 10.
3. The biggest thing that gives me hopes of getting a wildcard spot from here, is the remaining schedule. It's ridiculously easy. Here's our remaining schedule, for those of you who don't know it:
Home vs GIANTS(4-3)
Home vs TITANS(1-5)
@ REDSKINS(3-4)
BYE WEEK
@ TEXANS(2-5)
Home vs PANTHERS(6-0)
@ BUCCANEERS(2-4)
Home vs LIONS(1-6)
Home vs JAGUARS(2-5)
@ FALCONS(6-1)
There's only three teams on the remaining schedule who currently have a winning record, and we face two of them at home. The only two games there that worry me are the rivalry games against Carolina and Atlanta. Even if we lost those two, and won the rest, that puts us at 10-6. Honestly, I see us beating Carolina at home though. They're coming into our house and we are gonna want that one bad since they embarrassed us at home last year. Plus, we ALMOST beat them at their house this year with Luke starting QB. Add Drew, Ellerbe, Byrd and hopefully Keenan to the mix, and I see us winning against them, the next time around. I could see three teams from the NFC South making the playoffs this year, being Carolina, Atlanta and us. Which would be funny, since last year, we were considered the worst division in the league. I've gone from thinking this season was a rebuilding year, that was over before it started, to believing we can make the playoffs. All you gotta do is get in, from there anything can happen. Example: The Giants in 2011. With Drew at the helm, I think anything is possible. Keep the faith, Saints fans. Who Dat!
TL/DR: Our defense is improving drastically each week and our remaining schedule is extremely favorable. We can make the playoffs as a wildcard.
