what's killing the Saints right now is lack of talented depth (3 Viewers)

[LoE]

First two games with all the starters in - we scored 91 points.

In the beginning of the third game McCoy went down and the string of injuries began. Since then we've averaged 15 points per game, while giving up more points.

The problem isn't necessarily coaching, strategy, or scheme. The problem is we have no quality depth. And the reason we have no quality depth is we've been kicking the can on the salary cap for too many years.

 

[Joe Horn-et]

Coaching is an issue.

 

[SuperSaint]

Absolutely true!

 

[longtime lurker]

And a front office that is more than a little too comfortable. It all adds up to the mess we are facing now.

 

[SuperSaint]

It also magnifies the stupidity of the Saints deciding not to sign a veteran backup QB.

Rattler and Haener aren't ready.

 

[nakadish]

Coaching is an issue.

Why wasn't it an issue with a healthy team when they were putting up 40 burgers?

And for reference, the only other teams that have put up 40 points on the Panthers and Cowboys are 6-win teams. After 8 games into the season, that's pretty a pretty good indication that it was more than those teams sucked. A healthy Saints team is pretty darn good.

But depth sucks. When you're down to what equates to a 3rd preseason game 2nd half roster against the opponents' starters, ain't no coaching going to fix that. Better coaching may make it look a little better, but you're still going to lose in that situation.

 

[Linchpinoutdoors]

First two games with all the starters in - we scored 91 points.

In the beginning of the third game McCoy went down and the string of injuries began. Since then we've averaged 15 points per game, while giving up more points.

The problem isn't necessarily coaching, strategy, or scheme. The problem is we have no quality depth. And the reason we have no quality depth is we've been kicking the can on the salary cap for too many years.

The reason you state is a direct correlation to poor coaching and front office decisions.

 

[saintfan-n-alexla]

We have backups playing starter and that has been a couple of years now with same players

The injuries took us from maybe good to bad

 

[No2DC]

Nope, incompetent front office and coaching. We are not the only team that is dealing with injuries. The FO addresses depth and coaching ensures the backups are ready to go. Please stop with excuses, is that you Mick?

 

[Saint Greg]

It also magnifies the stupidity of the Saints deciding not to sign a veteran backup QB.

Rattler and Haener aren't ready.

Well Haener hasn’t had a real shot. I don’t know if we can automatically throw him in there with Rattler who had almost three full games. Haener won the backup job yet the coaching staff decided to get a look at Rattler instead of going with the better backup. It was imo a Hail Mary attempt to show that they had the qb of the future and something to build around beyond this year.

 

[solarbear88]

Players taken in the last few years are not developing as we hoped. A lot were picked for potential or their ceilings. We needed plug and play guys at some positions but Mickey keeps gambling on players ceilings and taking risks that player with high RAS will be better long term investments. There are times when you just look at a guy and think, Could I see him on the field this September.

 

[Saintstigerking]

First two games with all the starters in - we scored 91 points.

In the beginning of the third game McCoy went down and the string of injuries began. Since then we've averaged 15 points per game, while giving up more points.

The problem isn't necessarily coaching, strategy, or scheme. The problem is we have no quality depth. And the reason we have no quality depth is we've been kicking the can on the salary cap for too many years.

Our starters aren’t that great either. We have a lack of overall talent. A good coach wouldn’t hurt either.

 

[SuperSaint]

Well Haener hasn’t had a real shot. I don’t know if we can automatically throw him in there with Rattler who had almost three full games. Haener won the backup job yet the coaching staff decided to get a look at Rattler instead of going with the better backup. It was imo a Hail Mary attempt to show that they had the qb of the future and something to build around beyond this year.

The way our line has played with the injuries, no rookie would have a shot.

 

[Saintslfc13]

The way our line has played with the injuries, no rookie would have a shot.

Yea, the team also is clearly feeling the emotions of the situation which is the only way I can explain the constant penalties outside of incompetent refs (which I also agree with but it can't ALL be that). Every time we get a little rhythm offensive we get called for a procedural penalty or a hold and we're back behind the sticks. Very frustrating to watch, I can only imagine what everyone on the sidelines goes through and that includes the coaching staff.

 

[SuperSaint]

Yea, the team also is clearly feeling the emotions of the situation which is the only way I can explain the constant penalties outside of incompetent refs (which I also agree with but it can't ALL be that). Every time we get a little rhythm offensive we get called for a procedural penalty or a hold and we're back behind the sticks. Very frustrating to watch, I can only imagine what everyone on the sidelines goes through and that includes the coaching staff.

Agree, especially when this is something teams teach in the first week of OTA's, don't hold, don't false start, etc...