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.

NO Jerseys Vs Bucs 4th Quarter

We open the 4th Quarter with the Saints dominating this game and Josh Freeman looking like a guy with amnesia who doesn't know he's a Quarterback. The Saints lead 31 to 7 and have possession at the Bucs 41.

Bell up the middle picks up 6.  2nd and 4.

Brees overthrows Darnell Dinkins to bring up 3rd and 4.

Next play Pierre Thomas takes the ball 7 yards for a 1st down to the Bucs 27.  Nice work Tommy boy.

The Pierre Thomas Jersey Getting it Done

Mike Bell hammers his way for 2 more.  2nd and 8.

Mike Bell this time hops around for a while before deciding to pick a hole and gains a massive 1 yard more.  3rd and 7.

Draw play Pierre Thomas and after spinning, twisting and dancing he takes it 19 yards to the Bucs 7.  Great run by Thomas.  That's 92 off 11 carries today for the Saints ace number 23.  I think I'm going to ask for a Pierre Thomas jersey for Xmas... but then I've asked for a Mike Bell jersey already... and a Darren Sharper jersey... and a... basically I want them all, OK?

1st down and goal.

Mike Bell drives up the middle for 2.  2nd and goal at the 4.

Mike Bell battles his way for 3 and a half yards.  3rd and goal.

Mike Bell dives over the pile and... TOUCHDOWN!!  And the 2 Bucs fans still in the stadium are booing bless their little crying hearts.  Great effort again there by the Saints RB's and linemen on that drive.  Talk about a perfectly balanced offence who can dominate through the air or ground on consecutive drives.

Is it a Bird?  A Plane?  No it's SuperBell

Saints 38 Bucs 7.  So that's 38 unanswered points?  Most excellent.

1st down Bucs at their own 20.

Freeman to someone for 6.

Derrick Ward pounds out a load up the middle for a 1st down at the 35.

Freeman looks deep to someone who wasn't there but Usama Young is called for doing something bad (pass interference).  Bucs ball at the Saints 45.

Freeman to Bryant who gets hammered after a pick up of 6.

Freeman to Winslow for 4 and a 1st at the Saints 35.

Freeman decides it's time to throw to a Saints player again but this time Chris Reis decides we've had enough interceptions for the day and drops the ball.  2nd and 10.

Freeman looks for a Buc this time and completes to Ward for 4.  3rd and 6.

Freeman to Ward again for a couple so we're looking at 4th and 2.

Freeman drops back and throws to a camera man with a long zoom lens on the sidelines.  I'm assuming he didn't want his picture taken so was trying to take the cameraman out... it's literally the only thing I can think of given that a guy paid millions of dollars threw a ball so beyond any team mate on 4th and 2.  Those 2 Bucs fans left in the Disney World stadium look bemused.

1st down Saints at their own 27 with 6.47 on the clock.

Mark Brunell checks into the game as Drew Brees hits the showers early to clip his toe nails as he's taking Mrs Brees out for a steak dinner tonight.

We're quickly to 3rd and 3.

Future Saints Hall of Famer Lynell Hamilton takes it 2 yards to bring up 4th and 1 and Sean Payton is going for it... and gets it, no sweat.  Hamilton ran hard.

Hamilton again for 5.  Next up Hamilton slips on that banana skin from the 1st Quarter and only picks up 1.  3rd and 4.

Hamilton picks up a couple more to bring up 4th and 2.  Hamilton gets the call again and he's stuffed for a loss so the Saints give up the ball on downs and I give up writing about it as there's only 2 mins left and this one is in the bag.

No sooner do I write that than Freeman bombs the ball straight to Chris Reis who adds another pick to the Saints tally and takes the team total to 20.  We now lead the NFL in takeaways and wrap up the game with a nice pretty red bow.

So can I first thank Josh Freeman for being such an obliging host today.  It's rare you encounter an opponent who is so willing you to win on their home turf.  Secondly start to whisper it and then get louder and louder:

N.O. Ten and 0
N.O. Ten and 0
N.O. Ten and 0
N.O. Ten and 0
N.O. Ten and 0!!!!

NO Jerseys Vs Bucs 3rd Quarter

Welcome back to the half empty Bucs home for the second half of this divisional matchup with the Saints leading the Bucs 17 to 7.

The Bucs will start at their own 9 after a penalty on the kick off.

Freeman to Graham for 5 and is wrapped up by Malcolm Jenkins.  2nd and 5.

Cadillac Williams is pounded to the turf by the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (Will Smith) to bring up 3rd and 1.  Nice play Saints sack king.

The Fresh Prince run stopping

Roman Harper takes Williams legs in the back field but Williams is able to dive forward for a 1st.

Freeman wide for a pick up of 5.  Back up CB Leigh Torrence has popped his shoulder making the tackle and the Saints secondary continue to drop like flies.  He looks in agony on the sidelines.  Fingers crossed he'll be OK.  Do we even have another CB on the sidelines? 

2nd and 5.  Scott Fujita blitzes from the outside and gets Freeman who spills the ball to Anthony Hargroves.  Another Saints forced turnover and a great effort by Scott 'I'm da man' Fujita.

Saints ball at the Bucs 15.

Pierre Thomas up the middle for 2.

Brees on a screen pass to Thomas who is up-ended after a pick up of 2 bringing up 3rd and 6.  If we get this we can put the game away.

Brees to David Thomas and... TOUCHDOWN!!  The Saints legend TE in the making grabs his 1st TD of the season and gets props from Jeremy Shockey on the sidelines.  I think Shockey is trying to convince Thomas to get some tattoos if he's going to qualify for legendary status.

Jeremy Shockey Tattoos - A must have for all Legends!

Saints 24 Bucs 7.  10.36 in the 3rd.

1st down Bucs at their 20.

Freeman to someone for 4.  2nd and 6.

Williams hard running up the middle... come back Sedrick Ellis!!  Picks up 5.  3rd and 1.

Graham is stopped short by Will Smith but he can't wrap him up so the Bucs have a 1st down at their 31.

Freeman does his slippery eel bit again and breaks one for 14 to the Bucs 46.  If he could pass as good as he can run he would be a great Quarterback... but he can't... so he's not.

1st down Bucs.

Freeman to Graham for 5.  2nd and 5.

Freeman overthrows his next man AGAIN.  3rd and 5.

Freeman looks over the middle and decides Jonathan Vilma deserves an interception and throws to him.  That's the Saints 19th pick of the season.
Thanks Josh.

1st down Saints at their 45.

Brees incomplete.  Now Brees hands off to Pierre Thomas who sees day light and picks up 17 big ones to the Bucs 38.  Great run Pierre.

1st down Saints

Bell breaks one 28 yards and then gets 15 taken off for trash talking as he got up.  Sales of the Mike Bell jersey look set to drop.

1st down Saints at Bucs 24.

Drew Brees to Marques Colston for a pick up of 8.

Mike Bell on a draw play and... He picks up 13.  Excellent head down running by the Bellmeister.

1st and goal at the Bucs 3.

Mike Bell up the middle and... TOUCHDOWN!!  Great hard running on that drive by the Saints backs and Mike Bell jersey sales go through the roof once again.  Hey, what can I say, I'm fickle!

The Mike Bell Jersey - Get it whilst it's HOT!

Saints 31 Bucs 7

1st down Bucs at their own 20.

Josh Freeman tries to throw to a Saints DB but opts for some Buc for a 6 yard pick up.  2nd and 4.

Freeman to Bryan for 12.  Leigh Torrence made the tackle and goes straight back out the game as he's popped his shoulder again. 

1st down Bucs.

Freeman pressured and throws the ball at the turf.

This time a miracle is witnessed as Freeman completes to Winslow for 6.  3rd and 4.

Freeman again throws to a crowd of Saints and it goes incomplete.  Is he color blind perhaps?  Even if he was the Bucs would be black and the Saints white so that theory doesn't work.  Theory 2: Josh Freeman is a bit shit?  Yep that's the one.

1st down Saints at their own 18, 2.38 in the 3rd.

Mike Bell over left tackle for 3.  2nd and 7.

The Mike Bell jersey containing Mike Bells body takes the ball 2 more to bring up 3rd and 5.

Drew Brees yells at Jeremy Shockey to catch this pass and... Jeremy Shockey takes it for 13 to the Saints 36.

1st down Saints.

The Pierre Thomas jersey containing the body of Pierre Thomas takes the ball 23 yards to end the 3rd Quarter and I'm off to grab a beer.  See you in the 4th.