It is almost upon us oh brethren. Yes indeed the New Orleans Saints are about to begin the defence of their Super Bowl crown right here in New Orleans and it is time to get excited.
Pretty much all the starting line up are back for another tilt at the title and all noises coming out of training camp are of a unified collective intent on Two Dat'in. Praise the Lord!
Up first are the NFC Championship game losing Minnesota Vikings... now remind me once again who beat dem? Ah yes if it ain't good ole Sean and the boys.
The Vikes will be hungry for revenge and with a D-line and the duel threat of Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre they will be tough cookies. If Williams can cook up anything like the gameplan he produced for the Championship game then we should be in business.
Last time the defensive genius sent Darren Sharper on blitz packages through the A gap unchecked to put hits on Favre boy. This time around it will be someone else hounding the NFL great. If we can once again get to the man and make him release before he's set then we stand a chance... just all shout for Hargrove to fall on that ball should you see him picking it up and running on a fumble recovery... bigman you ain't no full back but we love you just the same.
AP if you can continue turning that ball over to our D we sure would appreciate it.
On the other side of the ball Drew Brees is back to command the league like only his sheer perfectionist streak can. I'm hoping we can jump out to an early start to pile on the pressure for the road team. Let's be hoping for the same noise intensity as last time to really put the cat amongst the pigeons.
A good start to the season sure will settle nerves and give the whole league something to think about so let's pray for an all round great team display and a healthy return for number 9 in whom we all trust.
Showing posts with label Minnesota Vikings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minnesota Vikings. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saints Vs Cowboys Game Summary
I was going to write my usual quarter by quarter report but two things happened:
1. It was Saturday night and I needed a break after a long hard week and,
2. We went to a rib shack pre game and I could barely move as game time approached (burnt ends, pulled pork and cream corn for those that are interested... My night definitely peeked at that point but more on that later).
So the Cowboys came to the Dome and the air of anticipation was thick with excitement. Could we remain unbeaten? Could we pretty much secure that home field advantage that we all hanker for? Could our D start making tackles again at the point of contact? The answer to all 3 was a big resounding NO.
It's the Super Bowl or nothing
Now I'm not worried about the undefeated record. Sure it would be nice for the record books but if I could trade the perfect season for a Super Bowl title no question which way I'm leaning. Hell I'd take the Giants record of a couple of years back in return for that nice silver trophy they named Vince.
So now that Albatross is removed from around our necks. How we respond will be key. My hope is that it re-energises the whole roster because, make no mistake, we've had this loss coming for a while now.
You can only ride your luck for so long and finally it has run out despite a great attempt by the Cowboys kicker to hand us an extra dose just for old time’s sake.
Back to basics for the Saints
What's important is the team gets back to basics and does it fast. They need to remember how to execute on offence in the first quarter again. Not since the Giants game back in week 6 have we really come out and dominated that period. Why not?
It is key to the way our team plays when it is at its best. If we can jump out to the early lead it gives the D every chance of making the big play as the opposition look to chase the game. It’s what they are built for afterall. They are no all consuming stop em and hurt em D. They are a big play ‘do just enough to get the ball back in the O’s hands’ type unit. But they’ve not been given that chance of recent and so we’ve not seen the best of them for some time now.
It's easier said than done of course. It's not like the Saints O goes out there and intentionally self destructs in the early rounds... but they do. They've got to get back to running the ball, building drives, mixing it up more. We seem to have the horn for going for it all on the 1st play from scrimmage. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't. But when it don't the pressure on the D increases and frankly we ain't good enough on that side of the ball to hold most potent attacks.
Saints D needs license to practise
Which brings me to another point. It's time to start practising full body contact tackling in practise. Put the D up against the practise squad and let them go all out on making a tackle at the point of contact because patently we've forgotten how to do it. Yes we risk injuries to an already fragile unit but frankly if these guys don't get this side of their game fixed and fixed up sharp it doesn't matter how banged up the D is come the playoffs as we won't have a hope in hells chance of stopping the likes of Adrian Peterson.
Man I'm ranting. OK get perspective. It wasn't all bad, far from it, but this has been coming for a while and needed saying. Coach Payton and the boys know all this shit anyway so it's not like it's news to them. Bar for Devery Henderson dropping a certain touchdown (after putting 3 passes on the floor last week - bad time to pick up a bad habit) this would have been a tie and another over time game which could have gone either way. As it was we lost because we didn't get into the game until the second half.
Finally some good news
Now onto the good news. The Carolina Panthers did us a hell of a favor last night to run over the Minnesota Vikings and hand us back pole position for home field advantage. Knock over the Tampa Bay Bucs next Sunday and we should be there which then means we can rest up some starters for the closing Panthers game.
Some people are against that but for me the perfect record has gone, we've got too many banged up to risk them in such a meaningless game and it gives them the best part of 3 weeks to retrain and refocus. Also I would pull Drew Brees for that final game because the way Julius Peppers got to Favre last night does not bode well for Drews health given the way DeMarcus Ware was all over Jermon Bushrod Saturday night. It's not worth risking the health of our ace in the pack for such a potentially meaningless game.
Ahhh, that's good. Feel's like I've got some off my chest. What d'yall think? Am I being too hard on the boys? Like telling your kid not to play with matches it's only cause I care.
Right, so anyway, back to them Ribs... F*ck me if they weren't the best thing I've eaten since birth... Oh right I forgot, only my inner monolgue is interested in talking about BBQ ribs!
Til next time, big love to the Who Dats.
P.S. Vilma is excused from the Saints D tackling rant... He's the only one that showed up again in that area of the team.
1. It was Saturday night and I needed a break after a long hard week and,
2. We went to a rib shack pre game and I could barely move as game time approached (burnt ends, pulled pork and cream corn for those that are interested... My night definitely peeked at that point but more on that later).
So the Cowboys came to the Dome and the air of anticipation was thick with excitement. Could we remain unbeaten? Could we pretty much secure that home field advantage that we all hanker for? Could our D start making tackles again at the point of contact? The answer to all 3 was a big resounding NO.
It's the Super Bowl or nothing
Now I'm not worried about the undefeated record. Sure it would be nice for the record books but if I could trade the perfect season for a Super Bowl title no question which way I'm leaning. Hell I'd take the Giants record of a couple of years back in return for that nice silver trophy they named Vince.
So now that Albatross is removed from around our necks. How we respond will be key. My hope is that it re-energises the whole roster because, make no mistake, we've had this loss coming for a while now.
You can only ride your luck for so long and finally it has run out despite a great attempt by the Cowboys kicker to hand us an extra dose just for old time’s sake.
Back to basics for the Saints
What's important is the team gets back to basics and does it fast. They need to remember how to execute on offence in the first quarter again. Not since the Giants game back in week 6 have we really come out and dominated that period. Why not?
It is key to the way our team plays when it is at its best. If we can jump out to the early lead it gives the D every chance of making the big play as the opposition look to chase the game. It’s what they are built for afterall. They are no all consuming stop em and hurt em D. They are a big play ‘do just enough to get the ball back in the O’s hands’ type unit. But they’ve not been given that chance of recent and so we’ve not seen the best of them for some time now.
It's easier said than done of course. It's not like the Saints O goes out there and intentionally self destructs in the early rounds... but they do. They've got to get back to running the ball, building drives, mixing it up more. We seem to have the horn for going for it all on the 1st play from scrimmage. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't. But when it don't the pressure on the D increases and frankly we ain't good enough on that side of the ball to hold most potent attacks.
Saints D needs license to practise
Which brings me to another point. It's time to start practising full body contact tackling in practise. Put the D up against the practise squad and let them go all out on making a tackle at the point of contact because patently we've forgotten how to do it. Yes we risk injuries to an already fragile unit but frankly if these guys don't get this side of their game fixed and fixed up sharp it doesn't matter how banged up the D is come the playoffs as we won't have a hope in hells chance of stopping the likes of Adrian Peterson.
Man I'm ranting. OK get perspective. It wasn't all bad, far from it, but this has been coming for a while and needed saying. Coach Payton and the boys know all this shit anyway so it's not like it's news to them. Bar for Devery Henderson dropping a certain touchdown (after putting 3 passes on the floor last week - bad time to pick up a bad habit) this would have been a tie and another over time game which could have gone either way. As it was we lost because we didn't get into the game until the second half.
Finally some good news
Now onto the good news. The Carolina Panthers did us a hell of a favor last night to run over the Minnesota Vikings and hand us back pole position for home field advantage. Knock over the Tampa Bay Bucs next Sunday and we should be there which then means we can rest up some starters for the closing Panthers game.
Some people are against that but for me the perfect record has gone, we've got too many banged up to risk them in such a meaningless game and it gives them the best part of 3 weeks to retrain and refocus. Also I would pull Drew Brees for that final game because the way Julius Peppers got to Favre last night does not bode well for Drews health given the way DeMarcus Ware was all over Jermon Bushrod Saturday night. It's not worth risking the health of our ace in the pack for such a potentially meaningless game.
Ahhh, that's good. Feel's like I've got some off my chest. What d'yall think? Am I being too hard on the boys? Like telling your kid not to play with matches it's only cause I care.
Right, so anyway, back to them Ribs... F*ck me if they weren't the best thing I've eaten since birth... Oh right I forgot, only my inner monolgue is interested in talking about BBQ ribs!
Til next time, big love to the Who Dats.
P.S. Vilma is excused from the Saints D tackling rant... He's the only one that showed up again in that area of the team.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Reggie Bush mph
Last season the Reggie Bush mph display read a cool 22 as he returned a punt for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. That was said to be only marginally slower than Usain Bolt when he clocked a new World record in the 100 meter sprint at the Beijing Olympics. So I got to wondering, just how fast can Reggie Bush push it this year?
To start with I've put this calculation together:
Reggie Bush mph = Criticism by media and some Saints fans + restricted playing time / natural ability x point to prove
By this calculation I would say Reggie Bush is due a big game and a big game means big speed. Why?
Reggie is totally committed to the Saints cause, is blessed with frightening natural ability and has been restricted to bit part roles all season. His contribution in 2009 has been sound rather than spectacular but that is not for a lack of trying.
Against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 by way of example he caught 7 passes for 37 yards and carried the ball twice for a further 16. All good and respectable and part of a team ethos that helps the Saints to win so who cares right? Right. But you know, you can only keep a rocket on the pad for so long with engines burning before thrust beats gravity and heads for the stars. So it will be with Reggie Bush one week very soon.
Rocket Man Reggie Bush
In fact I can see it coming against any number of scheduled opponents with the St. Louis Rams first up. Whoa Betide Donnie Jones (Rams Punter) if he should kick it Reggie's way without sufficient hang time because this Sidewinder is coiled and ready to strike. Should Jones heed his coaches' advice and punt it out of bounds at every opportunity there's always the hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Washington Redskins. Or maybe Reggie is saving it up for the New England Patriots in prime time or, huc ttt, America's Team on December 19th.
Whichever it is I'm willing to take bets Mr. Bush has the ability and desire to get it done and break his speed record for good measure. Just remember that when he does finally take a long one for 6 be sure to check your speed gun for the Reggie Bush mph may be faster than you think.
The Usain Bolt and Reggie Bush mph challenge
To start with I've put this calculation together:
Reggie Bush mph = Criticism by media and some Saints fans + restricted playing time / natural ability x point to prove
By this calculation I would say Reggie Bush is due a big game and a big game means big speed. Why?
Reggie is totally committed to the Saints cause, is blessed with frightening natural ability and has been restricted to bit part roles all season. His contribution in 2009 has been sound rather than spectacular but that is not for a lack of trying.
Against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 by way of example he caught 7 passes for 37 yards and carried the ball twice for a further 16. All good and respectable and part of a team ethos that helps the Saints to win so who cares right? Right. But you know, you can only keep a rocket on the pad for so long with engines burning before thrust beats gravity and heads for the stars. So it will be with Reggie Bush one week very soon.
Rocket Man Reggie Bush
Whichever it is I'm willing to take bets Mr. Bush has the ability and desire to get it done and break his speed record for good measure. Just remember that when he does finally take a long one for 6 be sure to check your speed gun for the Reggie Bush mph may be faster than you think.
Monday, September 28, 2009
NFL season taking shape
After week 3's results some definite prospects are emerging. The Jets, Saints, Ravens, Colts, Broncos, Giants and Vikings have all jumped out to 3 and 0 starts. I don't think I would have wagered on that combination of teams being where they are. Only the Ravens, Colts and Giants would have taken my money before the season to be in that select band so it definitely makes for an exciting start to the season.
I watched the Jets v Titans match up and was really impressed with Mark Sanchez. He showed guts on his run for the early touchdown, lowering his head and then making a second effort to get the ball across the plain of the goal line. That's the kind of leader a team respects and follows. Thereafter he was on and off but he made enough quality throws and learned from some early ball handling mistakes to lead the Jets to victory. If I was a New York fan I would be very happy with his development to date.
Speaking of QB's the old boy Kerry Collins threw some absolulte rockets in the game. On one drive in particular, I think it was in the third quarter, he threw 3 passes that were just unplayable by the defence. The old boy still has it in him to produce the goods although I don't think the Titans are now anybody's pick to go all the way. They just don't have enough weapons to get it done this year.
I also watched the second half of the Dolphins Chargers game (I'm kind of glad my girlfriend pulled me away from the first half as it doesn't look like I missed much). At least the second half came to life once Rivers started connecting on some deeper throws. Again laser like accuracy from the big man. I didn't like Norv Turners play calling in the backfield though. I think he should have mixed it up more between Sproles and Bennett. The Dolphins D was able to key in on Sproles too much and I think would have had less success had Bennett been used more working the inside.
Other notables from week 3:
I watched the Jets v Titans match up and was really impressed with Mark Sanchez. He showed guts on his run for the early touchdown, lowering his head and then making a second effort to get the ball across the plain of the goal line. That's the kind of leader a team respects and follows. Thereafter he was on and off but he made enough quality throws and learned from some early ball handling mistakes to lead the Jets to victory. If I was a New York fan I would be very happy with his development to date.
Speaking of QB's the old boy Kerry Collins threw some absolulte rockets in the game. On one drive in particular, I think it was in the third quarter, he threw 3 passes that were just unplayable by the defence. The old boy still has it in him to produce the goods although I don't think the Titans are now anybody's pick to go all the way. They just don't have enough weapons to get it done this year.
I also watched the second half of the Dolphins Chargers game (I'm kind of glad my girlfriend pulled me away from the first half as it doesn't look like I missed much). At least the second half came to life once Rivers started connecting on some deeper throws. Again laser like accuracy from the big man. I didn't like Norv Turners play calling in the backfield though. I think he should have mixed it up more between Sproles and Bennett. The Dolphins D was able to key in on Sproles too much and I think would have had less success had Bennett been used more working the inside.
Other notables from week 3:
- Brett Favre with yet another come from behind win as the seconds ticked off the clock. Just a born winner and I for one am glad he's still in the league.
- The Detroit Lions finally win their first game in 19 attempts. Well done guys. Being a Saints fan I know what it is to be the butt of the jokes and it does get a bit tiring so hats off to you. Hopefully you can at least have one week of respite.
- The Saints running game helped the Saints to a 3 and 0 start (what? you didn't really think I wasn't going to mention this did you?). It's great to see a more balanced offence and a D that is now 5th in the league (5th!!) against the run. If we can keep that up and stop a few more big plays in the secondary we've got a chance to go far this year.
- The Cleveland Browns... is this the worst team in football? It's close but I think they edge it.
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