Mike Bell Saints MVP Vs. Bucs

The Saints player of the week award of recent has gone to guys on the Defensive side of the ball.  This has partly been in recognition of their great progress this season, the way they have forced turnovers at key points in games and also (probably) because I'm always slightly biased towards the D (I was a pretty good CB in my playing days and grew up watching the Dome Patrol dominate all they surveyed).

As such it feels unnatural for me to flip to the Saints O but I can't ignore two worthy winners on that side and one effort in particular:

Mike Bell Saints Running Back:  Mike Bell put in a hard days work Sunday with his running between the tackles and two touchdown display.  I love the way he exploded into people and furrowed forward for an extra yard on each carry.  It's gritty no nonsense running at times but oh so valuable to the team effort.

Mike Bell MVP Jersey Week 11

His numbers were not as good as those put up by the man wearing the Pierre Thomas jersey, which did give me pause for thought, but here is why he just got the nod ahead of his running compadre.

On the Saints second possession of the second half Pierre Thomas saw daylight for the first time in the day and broke a run for 17 yards.  The very next play Mike Bell breaks one for 28 yards but has 15 taken off for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play.

Now that could have been costly and tempered his aggression.  Instead he comes back a play later and apologises to his team mates by doing it where it counts and running hard up the middle for 13.  Not content with that he takes the next ball and leaps the pile for a 3 yard touchdown run.   

That run of plays demonstrated his character, his competitive streak and his will to win and for that he just pips Pierre Thomas to the Saints MVP jersey for week 11.

His final numbers were 13 attempts for 75 yards and 2 TDs with 1 reception thrown in for good measure.

Pierre Thomas Saints Jersey Number 23:  Mr Thomas can feel hard done by for missing out on the MVP award for he had a stellar game posting 92 yards on 11 attempts and a further 11 yards off 3 receptions.  His second half efforts yet again enabled us to move the ball freely and wear down the opposing D to see out the game.  His one two power play with Mike Bell enabled us to perfectly balance the Offence again as he broke through the lines at vital times.  The Saints are lucky to have two such competitors in their backfield.

Mr Number 23 - Saints Pierre Thomas Jersey of choice

Honourable mentions to...

Drew Brees Saints QB Master:  Once again Drew Brees calmly went about running the most potent offence in the league with one of his trademark authoritative displays under center.  He didn't have to be flashy.  He simply marched us to the 1st down marker time after time with ruthless efficiency and still ended up with a 3 TD passing haul.  His final numbers were a respectable 19 of 29 for 187 and 0 picks.

David Thomas Saints Legend in the Making:  The Saints backup TE showed again what an effective weapon he can be with some great run blocking and 66 yards through the air off 4 receptions.  He also chipped in with his first Saints TD which deserves an honourable mention.

Malcolm Jenkins Saints Rookie CB:  The Saints 2009 1st round draft pick looked completely at home in the Saints secondary and put in a great starting display.  His coverage was excellent and the only time Freeman really beat him was with an inch perfect pass.  He ended the day with 5 tackles and an excellent pick to keep family Jenkins singing all week.

The Rest of the Saints Team:  Overall it was a great team effort and everyone deserves praise for a professional display.  The Saints O was perfectly balanced and eventually clicked into rhythm in the second half whilst the Saints D continued turning the ball over at vital points.  It would be nice to see the Run D solidify in time for the Pats game and the return of Sedrick Ellis can only help in that department.  We will need the A team out for that one so here's hoping y'all are home resting up today.

Usama Young Saints Player of Week 10 Vs Rams

The award was a tough call this week following some indifferent displays all round.  There were a number of Saints who could have walked off with this as a result of so many earning 7 out of 10 ratings but I've forsaken the Reggie Bush vote (he's won enough accolades in his short career) so as usual the Falconer is going for the underdog namely Usama Young and here's why:

Usama Young Saints Cornerback - The 3rd year man from Kent State came into the banged up Saints secondary and did a great job of nullifying passes on his side of the field.  He made an important interception in the Saints end zone snuffing out a potential scoring drive and managed to return it 24 yards.  He ended the day with 4 tackles and 1 pass deflection but more importantly ensured the banged up unit were not left embarrassed andproved we can rely on him for future games this season.

Usama Young Saints MVP Week 10 Vs Rams

And the runners-up are:

Reggie Bush Saints Running Back - He was due a big game and Rocket Reggie duly delivered with a season best 83 yards off just 6 carries and 2 2nd Quarter touchdowns, 1 on a pass from Drew Brees the other on a 3 yard draw play.  The Reggie Bush mph speed-o-meter looked to easily hit +22 on the crossing pattern as the former USC man beat his man to the corner for the go ahead score.  Later in the game Bush exploded out of the backfield for a 55 yard pick up, his longest carry of the season. 

Devery Henderson Saints Wide Receiver - With Marques Colston and Robert Meachem conspicuous by their absence it was left to the former LSU man to represent the Saints wide men with an impressive 4 for 72. 

David Thomas Saints Tight End - The back up man with just 7 receptions all year coming into this game ended it with 5 more.  He made a number of important grabs in the 1st half to help maintain drives and provided an important outlet to Brees with many of his marquee receivers well covered.  Perhaps his most telling contribution was throwing a vital block for Robert Meachem en route to a 41 yard run in the 2nd.  A sound performance all round by the former Longhorn. 

Courtney Roby Saints Kick Return Specialist - Roby took the 2nd half kick off and flew down the sideline to score the first such touchdown by a Saints player since Michael Lewis in the 2004 season.  This was a vital score for the black and gold coming so early in the second half and Roby must be congratulated for his turn of speed in breaking clear on the play.

Jonathan Stinchcomb Saints Tackle - Along with the other unheralded Saints Offensive Linemen he kept the Rams pass rush at bay affording Drew Brees ample time to pick his targets from the pocket.  His run blocking was also a major factor particularly in opening up the hole that Reggie Bush was able to exploit on his 55 yard gain in the 3rd.

Saints Vs Rams 4th Quarter Analysis

So we open the 4th with the Saints leading Steven Jackson 21 to 17.

1st and 10 Saints ball at their own 41 yard line.

Brees to Thomas on a screen for a gain of 5.
False start against Saints number 80 Darnell Dinkins who sheepishly runs to the sidelines looking for a towel to hide under at least until Sean Payton forgets he's on the roster.

Brees to David Thomas (back up TE) for 5th catch of the day and picks up the first down.

Brees to Colston for 9.  New Saints legend in waiting Kyle Eckel takes the ball over right guard for a first down.

Brees looks deep and... Hits Robert Meachem for a 27 yard TOUCHDOWN!! 
Meachem was running a perfect post pattern en route to his first reception of the day.  We needed that.  Great job guys.  That is now the 4th touchdown chalked up on the Robert Meachem stats sheet for 2009.  Solid drive 7 plays 77 yards in 3 minutes 15 and now a half decent lead.

The Robert Meachem stats sheet just gets better and better.

Saints 28 Rams 17

1st down Rams with 12.15 left in the game.

Jackson runs straight into Charles Grant who eats him up for a loss of 2.
Jackson again over right tackle and SCOTT FUJITA makes the tackle.  SCOTT FUJITA people, he's back!!

3rd and 9 and guess who they throw it to?  I'll give you a hint, his name rhymes with Meevan Saxon. 

So the Rams punt it to Reggie who takes a cheap shot on his knee as he goes out of bounds at the Saints something or other.  A pen knocks it back to the 25.

1st down Saints.
Bell up the middle for 1.
Brees looks deep and finds Jeremy Shockey for a 25 yard pick up to midfield.

1st down Saints.
 Brees looks deep to Devery Henderson but a flag comes out and... The Rams nosetackle is called for off sides which suits me just fine but causes havoc with the big mans inner monologue.
1st and 5.  Mike Bell over right tackle to the Rams 39.

1st down New Orleans.  The St Louis Jacksons have a LB down so we go to a commercial break for some inspirational message from the people at Dodge.  They instantly make me want to rush out and buy a pick up truck so I can drive it straight through the lobby of the marketing company who came up with that cynical heart string tug rubbish... bar humbug!

Brees to Devery Henderson who drops a badly thrown pass.  2nd and 10.
Mike Bell runs to the sidelines and picks up 3.  Good job as he could have got stuffed for a loss.

3rd and 7.  Brees looks right and the ball is battered down.  Drew looks upset with himself there.  The Saints will punt it...  however a dirty Ram runs into Thomas Morstead and will be called for a 5 yard pen so we'll replay 4th down.  Will we go for the field goal or a 4th down conversion? 

Sean sends Brees back out.  Gutsy guy.  Ok here we go, 4th and 2.  Brees changing the call and... Then burns a timeout as the play clock runs out.  John Carney looks eager to kick but Payton is not looking his way.  Carney looks upset and for good reason as Kyle Eckle is given the ball and runs into a wall of Rams and we give the ball over on downs.  What does that say about Paytons faith in Carney's leg?  Hope that lack of faith doesn't bite us in the ass come playoff time.

1st down Rams at their own 32.

Incompletion then Jackson for 9.   3rd and 1.

Bulger to Rams number 16 who brilliantly drops it when he had a wide open field ahead of him.  Like any good man who stares at goats I managed to force Ram number 16 to leave that ball well alone (and yes I am claiming that one on my powers of mind control because I shouted 'DROP IT' and he obliged... and no I'm not crazy, well I don't think I am anyway).

It brings up a 4th down and... They’re going for it.  They hand it to Steven Jackson and... Will Smith of I Am Legend fame stuffs him for a loss of 1.

Saints Will Smith - Coming soon to a back field near you

1st down Saints with just over 6 minutes to go.  Ball at Rams 40.
Mike Bell for 5 to start the drive.  2nd and 5.
Now Thomas over left tackle for a gain of 1 and we're quickly to 3rd and 4.
A Ram manages to break the great Saints O line and drops Brees for his first sack of the day.  4th and 4 and Morstead punts into the end zone.

1st down Rams at their own 20.

Mark Bulger to Steven Jackson on a screen that doesn't work out and he's dropped for a loss of 3 but Fox cut to the action at the Redskin game so we don't know who made that great tackle.  Pass completion for a 1st down.  3.44 left in the game.

1st down Rams at their own 42.  Pass to Jackson for 7.
Another pass and another completion out to the Saints 42.  Bobby McCray limps off to add to our great overall D health.

1st down Rams.
Bulger to someone or other and ANOTHER 1st down to the 19 with 2.50 left in the game.

1st down St Louis.
Bulger to Donny Avery and TOUCHDOWN.  Great pass and catch there over the back of Randall Gay at the goal line.

The Rams are going for 2 points and... It’s incomplete.  So we now await the joys of a squib kick.  Which way will it go? 

It goes Marques Colstons way and he gets to rectify his earlier fumble with an important take.

Saints 28 Steven Jackson 23

Saints 1st down at the Rams 42.
Mike Bell up the middle and picks up 6 with 2.38 left.
Pierre Thomas now over right tackle for 1 more and now we look at 3rd and 3.
Brees throws incomplete to Henderson.  Bull crap.  4th and 3. 
Morstead to punt with 2.29 left on the clock. 

This game was not meant to be this close.  I was looking forward to a nice comfortable ride for my nervous disposition but oh no, we have to go and make hard work out of playing a one man team.  I still love you guys though.

1st down Rams at their own 20, 2.21 on the clock.
Surprise, surprise as Steven Jackson takes the ball for 5 and we hit the 2 minute warning.

Bulger runs out of bounds to stop the clock and pick up a 1st.

1st play, incompletion.
Next up Bulger to Jackson for a pick up of 6. 1.30 and counting.
Bulger throws incomplete and now it's 4th and 4 with 1.21 on the clock.  This is the game...

Bulger to Gibson and it's ruled... complete on the field... but the Booth will review it and for good reason because that looks like it touched the turf before he caught it.  This is damn tight.  Which way will it go? 

(Well, you as the reader will know because by the time you read this the decision will have been made but for me right now... I'm like a small child who's bed light has been turned out for the first time after watching the Wickerman, namely, SCARED senseless). 

And no the call is not overturned so 1st down Rams at the 48. 

Next up a pass completion and another 1st down.

Now Bulger to Jackson on a screen for 5.  30 secs on clock.  My nails have gone, they've simply disappeared.

Bulger looks down the left side line but the ball hits the back of Malcolm Jenkins helmet, his best input in the game to date.

19 secs left.

Bulger to Jackson for 3 yards.

4th and 2. Clock ticking down so they have to go for the end zone and...

The ball falls incomplete.  Thank **** for that!! 

Jeez man that was tight. 

Again a fairly indifferent Saints performance from certain personnel. 

To be fair we've got so used to the A game that when they fall below some of their early season heroics it looks bad, but still I did expect us to enjoy a fairly comfortable day.

Overall we still did a decent enough job with a massively banged up defence.  Some of the secondary on display looked like they had barely been introduced.  And lest we forget we are now 9 and 0 and on course for the playoffs.  So to come out with yet another win when we're not playing at our best is a further indication that we have championship quality within us (and I say us because clearly I have 'loads' to do with it what with never playing a pro snap in my life but you know what I mean). 

I'm now going to go and look at the stars in my back yard for a few minutes whilst I reflect on this one.

Saints Vs Rams 2nd Quarter Analysis

You join me in the Saints Vs Rams 2nd Quarter having just been advised that I'm watching FOX NFL Sunday by a baritone voice.  That's lucky they confirmed that or I would have been left thinking I was watching the sound of music in Slavic.  Now a fan holds up a sign confirming we are watching Fox as we return to the game; did the PR department pay him for that?

OK so the score is Saints 0 Rams 0.

Drew Brees throws to David Thomas who is stopped short and then forces his way for an extra 3.  GREAT effort.  4th catch of day by the backup Tight End.  Only 7 catches before today, how bout that?

1st down Black and Gold. 
Draw to Bush who does his Michael Jordan leap and gets a... 3 yard TOUCHDOWN!! His 5th of the season.

The Reggie Bush mph read +22 on that one!

That was a 13 play, 78 yard drive in 7.30. Brees went 6 for 6 for 58 yards.  Textbook drive - Very impressive. Brees spread the ball around to receivers and tight ends and was complimented by some good runs by the backs.  There were also 3 straight 3rd down conversions on the drive which is akey indicator of ruthless efficiency.

New Orleans Saints 7 St Louis Rams 0

1st down Rams at their own 25, 14.09 on the clock.
Steven Jackson big run for 14 - An important open field tackle by Usama Young or he could have broken it.

1st down. 
Steven Jackson again through middle for 8.
Play action pass and a big gain.  Great hit by Usama Young - CRACK!!

1st down at Saints 35.
Steven Jackson again over right tackle.  He is running at will against us.
2nd and 2.  Some other Rams back up runs through the middle for 3.

1st down at 29.
Toss out left and Will Smith tackles for 0.

Mark Bulger is sacked and looses the ball which Jackson manages to recover for a loss of 3.  He had loads of time but still got sacked.

3rd and 15.  That's the 16th forced fumble in Will Smiths career; he also has an Oscar I believe.
Mark Bulger to Avery deep and... TD.  He beat Randall Gay for 29 yard TD reception.

9.23 left in 2nd. 8 plays 75 yards.

Saints 7 Rams 7,

Courtney Roby takes the kick off out to the 27 where the Saints will have a 1st down.

End around to Robert Meachem (great block by David Thomas) who takes it a season long 41 yards for a Saint to the Rams 36. 

1st down New Orleans. 
Thomas scampers for 3.
Brees to Henderson to the Rams 15, a gain of 13.

1st down. 
Brees is hit as he throws incomplete.  1st time Brees has been pressured so far.
Brees throws it away on the next play bringing up 3rd and 10.
Brees to Bush over the middle and... TOUCHDOWN!!  Bush caught it at the 12 then used his speed to get to the end zone and dive to the put ball over the plain of the goal line.  Great catch and run.  6 plays 72 yards in a cool 2.32.

The 'Reggie Bush Vertical Leap' as patented by Bush Inc.

Saints 14 Rams 7

1st down Rams 27.
Steve Spagnola is talking to the LB beaten by Bush.  He's demanding that he be a bit more like Usain Bolt in future please.

Rams pass for 7 yards.  2nd and 3. 
Encroachment by Remi Ayodele.  1st down Rams at own 38.

Jackson 8th rush over left tackle of the day picks up 5.  (69 yards rushing and 21 receiving already today).

Mark Bulger is pressured and sacked by Remi Ayodele and Charles Grant.  3rd and 7.
Bulger completes to Gibson.  Usama Young makes the tackle again after Gay slipped which left him open.

1st down Rams.
Jackson is tackled by just about every Saints player although Charles Grant gets the official credit.  2nd and 8.  Bulger throws a pass for another 1st down - 10 yard pick up.

1st down. 
Jackson tackled by everyone again although Bobby McCray is credited. 
2nd and 8.  Saints burn a second timeout.
Steven Jackson again but Demario Pressley wraps him up in the backfield for a loss of 1.  Ball at Saints 28.  Steven Jackson again for 13 up the middle.  We just cannot stop this guy.

2 minute warning.  1st down at 15.
Jackson AGAIN for 2.

The Saints call another timeout.

Jackson stopped 3 yards short of 1st down marker but then carries WILL SMITH ON HIS BACK DOWN TO THE SAINTS 4. 

1st down.  Jackson up the middle for 1.
Jackson ploughs in for... A TOUCHDWON OVER LEFT TACKLE.  Mike Karney, the ex Saint FB, led the way - TRAITOR.  Although we did cut him the day before his wedding so I guess we owe him that.  Cut throat business or what?

Saints 14 Rams 14.
 
Courtney Roby returns the kick off out to the 24. 

50 seconds left in half, 0 timeouts New Orleans.

1st play and Brees is going down for a sack but flips it to Bush for 0 pick up.  Great effort to avoid the sack and keep the play alive.

Brees to Shockey for 9.  Brees stops clock but that makes it 4th and 1 so the Saints will punt with 6 seconds left.

End of first half with the scores level:

New Orleans 14 Steven Jackson 14

Saints Vs Rams 1st Quarter report

Welcome folks as we enter the blandest dome in the NFL for the Week 10 match up between the undefeated New Orleans Saints and the mighty (bad) St. Louis Rams.  As kick off approaches the Falconer promises to eat his own hat if the Saints loose this one (and the Falconer has some very big hats... actually 3 Sombreros and 3 cowboy hats... I hope it doesn't come to that as a) I rather like my hat collection and b) I'm not very good at eating straw and felt if truth be told).

The weekend starts here as Thomas Morstead kicks us off and Jo-Lonn Dunbar stuffs the returner at the 13, great job by Dunbar. 

The Rams start with an incomplete pass.
On 2nd and 10 Charles Grant lines up offside for 5 yard pen.
Steven Jackson breaks a big one out to the Rams 48.  He broke a Vilma arm tackle at the line of scrimmage on the way to that big gain.

1st down Rams and a slant pass for an 8 yard gain.
False start pen against the Rams.  2nd and 7.
Steven Jackson up the middle for 4.  That's 2 runs so far to the right - is that a weakness they've identified?
3rd and 4.
Vilma almost sacks Mark Bulger who just about gets it away.
So the Rams have to punt and it goes out of bounds at the Saints 25.

So in come the New Orleans Saints offence led by General Drew Brees, Colonel Colston, Major Meachem, Private Pierre Thomas and Brigadiers Bush and Bell.  Sergeant Shockey is peeling potatoes.

1st down Saints.  11.57 on the clock.
Bell 3 yards up middle.
Pitch to Bush to the right and a gain of 16.  Nice.

1st down at the Saints 41.
Thomas breaks a tackle and picks up 3.
Brees to Shockey but the big man is hit as the ball gets there and a Ram intercepts at the Saints 47.

1st down male sheep.
A running back is stuffed by Scott Shanle.
Bulger to Jackson who takes it in but is tackled by Shanle. 3rd and 2.
Slant pass, 1st down.

Pass to Jackson, missed tackle Fujita, and Steven J needs all the Saints to tackle him.  Impressive.

1st down 19. 
Roman Harper tackles Jackson for 1.
Mark Bulger throws and...Usama Young intercepts in the end zone and returns the ball to the Saints 25!  Great job Usama.  Darren Sharper on the sidelines looking very happy with Mr. Young.  The Saints now lead the NFL in the interception category with 17.

1st down 6.44 on the clock.

Brees to Saints TE David Thomas, number 85 for those checking the roster, for a pick up of 3.

Reggie Bush flipped after a 3 yard carry.  3rd and 4.
Brees to Shockey on the sidelines for a 1st down at the 36.

1st down New Orleans. 
Mike Bell over left tackle for 3.
Thomas over left picks up 3.  3rd and 4.
Brees to David Thomas (AGAIN) to the Rams 40, a pick up of 18.

1st down Saints. 
Brees to Thomas for 1.
Draw play to Reggie Bush for 4.  3rd and 5.
Drew Brees to Devery Henderson downfield and... Completes to the Rams 14 for a pick up of 21.  That maintains his average of 21 yards per catch throughout his career, quite incredible.  Also quite incredible/mildly impressive, that's the 3rd straight 3rd down conversion in a row on this drive.

1st down. 
Thomas runs for 2.
Bush up the middle, cuts back for 3.  3rd and 5.  Good move by Bush to pick up something from that.

END OF THE 1ST QUARTER with the scores Saints 0 Rams 0.