Sunday, September 11, 2011
Packer post-mortem: Silver lining in defeat
As most Saints fans do their shizo ballet and again scream the sky is falling, I would like to offer a balanced analysis of the Packer loss this past Thursday night.
Going in, I figured this game could very likely be a loss. There were so many factors for Saints to overcome: unfurling of Super Bowl banner, opening night bright lights.. and oh yeah, a QB named Rodgers who was lighting up defenses in last season's playoffs like some Madden 2011 robot on steroids.
Even with all the hype of Saints off-season, if you cut through it all, the Saints were figuratively tied up, on the conveyor belt headed toward a Packer buzzsaw.
And for one quarter, the Packers literally were cutting up the Saints' D like a hot knife through butter (and didn't it look like Saints defenders had butter on their hands, arms and on their cleats as they wiffed all night long?). Rodgers had 3 TD passes in the first quarter.
All we Saints fan could do shake our head and say, "The Packers and Rodgers can't play this perfect all game."
Unfortunately, we were wrong. The Packers played an almost perfect game.
But ironically, the Packer perfection is the silver lining for the Saints' team and for their fans. (No, I'm not drinking the Buddy D funny juice...)
Let me do some splainin'.
The Saints' D got no pressure on Rodgers. Rodgers threw some incrediblly accurate passes to covered receivers. Saints' defensive line got stonewalled the entire game. Our cornerbacks thought playing 10 yards off of quick slant receivers was a good idea. Our entire secondary missed tackle after tackle after tackle. We got zero turnovers, and lost this battle at minus 1 compliments of a still-struggling Colston. We got behind by 14 before any of us could finish our first cold one, and the margin of Packer lead was double-digits throughout most of contest, which squashed any hope of sticking to the running game. Whew, my fingers are tired typing all the mishaps!
And this too: for almost the entire game, the Packers, with a double-digit lead, knew the Saints had to throw the ball, and Brees still had an incredible passing day, eclipsing 400 yards.
But despite the Keystone Kop defense of last night, here we were: no time on clock in regulation, the Saints lined up at 2-yard line with a chance to push this fiasco to overtime, and maybe win!
Alas, the slipper didn't fit this time, and one dubious play call later (yeah, let's run straight at BJ Raji, who's blown up every run plan tonight....) our Black and Gold bit the cheese.
Moral of this tale, you ask. The Packers played almost flawlessly, the Saints' played sloppy, poor football and yet the Saints came within 72 inches of tying the game. But reality is as Ricky Bobby said, "If you aint first, then you're last."
No doubt, there has to be concerns over the defense's inability to stop anything the Packers did last night.
An old axiom: effort is hard to correct, while execution can be. Against the Pack, the effort was there all night by all Saints. The execution? Not so much. So, rest easy, Saints' nation, execution can be corrected - and Payton and Williams are a great execution duo.
From this loss, I predict this: if the Saints play this exact game against the remainder of their schedule, they will end up 11-5 or 12-4.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Nurse Ratchet, another pill please
I still have not regained feeling in most of my extremities, as the shock of the Saints' stunning loss to Seahawks still numbs me.
After some mild electrical shock to revive my brain, I now offer my post-mortem of the Saints' 2010 season.
THEIR RECORD:
11-5 was more than satisfying. All things told, this record was exactly what they were, to paraphrase Bill Parcels.
Despite the typical lazyman journalism of citing the Superbowl Hangover, the Saints were unlike so many Superbowl winners; the Saints were consistent and earned a playoff berth.
Best win:
Hands down, the second Falcons game. This might have been only game that all 3 phases performed above average in the same game. For 60 minutes, the Saints reverted to 2009 form and played with total focus and incredible intensity.
Worst loss:
Tie: First Falcons' game and Cardinals. The Cards were and are a bad team, and the Saints simply were flat, played poorly and had no business losing this game. The Falcons' game, though Saints were totally outplayed, was devastating because it had Saints playing catch-up to win the division. And ultimately, this loss cost them home-field advantage...and their playoff life.
BIGGEST DIFFERENCE FROM SUPERBOWL WINNER TO THIS SEASON:
In hindsight, this is an easy answer: complete lack of explosive plays.
On kick returns, it was a miracle if Saints got past 20 yard line.
Defensively, the turnover-machine, TD-producing 2009 defensive team was almost non-existent in 2010.
Offensively, the quick-strike, homerun-hitting 2009 unit disappeared. Best example: Long passes to Henderson and Meachem were rare.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Morestead was spectacular all year, including becoming a weapon on deep kickoffs.
Hartley struggled mightily early in season, but ended the season making 11 straight FGs,
Biggest bust: the entire kick and punt return teams.
Hate to single out Roby, but he was below average all year. Sure sign of failure: it was time of rejoicing when a kickoff was returned past the 20-yard line or a punt was brought back more than 5 yards.
Best special teams player: Morestead.
DEFENSE:
Statistically the defense improved dramatically, jumping into the top 10 in total D and scoring D.
With that said, you would have thought the Saints would have gone 16-0.
But again, the defense couldn't produce big-time, game-changing plays. Fumbles caused and INTs were dramatically down.
Williams' signature attacking style never seemed to materialize or reap rewards
In fact, the back-breaking Lynch TD run was microcosm of this problem: no interior push, and then failed attempts at stripping ball leading to missed tackles.
Biggest bust on D: 3-way tie: Will Smith, Sharper and Greer.
Smith had only 5 sacks, down from 13 in 2009, and had little impact overall. Overall, the D-line never generated impact plays and had to be near bottom of league in total sacks.
Spectacular in 2009, Greer in second half of season was consistently beaten on deep passes, always seemingly a step slow and unaware of where ball was. Also he missed numerous open-field tackles late in season. Guess is he had an unreported injury.
For all the expectation coming off 2009, Sharper had zero impact, and was obviously several steps slow in pass coverage.
Most improved: Malcom Jenkins. Jenkins had an all-around great season, and was probably defensive MVP. His absence in playoffs had a dramatic effect on Saints D.
OFFENSE:
Was more than adequate all year, but never seemed to hit on all cylinders.
Brees posted incredible numbers again, with basically zero run game.
Yes, Brees' bonehead INTs are major concern, but more on this in a few.
Oh, let's address the never-ending, never-let-it-go subject of all fans and media: Not having a steady run game.
With constant revolving door of running back, Payton had no choice but to rely on passing game. In effect, quick passes became extensions of the run game. No game planning could cover up the deficiencies of Ladell Betts, Julius Jones and whatever other off-the-streets scrubs Payton had to rely on.
Want proof? Every screen pass run without Pierre Thomas was a complete, utter failure and joke.
And no run game had a crippling domino effect on the Saints offense:
- It crippled the Saints' effectiveness in the red zone because it made them completely one-dimensional.
- With no real threat of running the ball, defenses could tee up and relentlessly rush and blitz Brees. The Seattle disaster was final culmination of this: The Seahawks rushed only 3-4 guys, who had only one assignment to worry about: rush the passer and not have any run-stopping responsibility. The other 7-8 defenders than just play pass coverage. So Saints then have 5 receivers vs. 7-8 defenders.. get the picture?
For Brees to throw for 404 yards, and go 36-60 with this said, simply shows how great -and underappreciated - Brees is.
- No run game caused Brees to consistently do many un-Breeslike things, ie throw 22 interceptions.
The injuries to Bush, Thomas and Ivory, more than posting huge rushing totals, again took away so many bread-and-butter Saints' plays: screen pass, swing pass, play-action pass.
When you consider the ineffectiveness and lack of availability of running backs all year, Brees' season is more amazing.
No doubt, many of Brees backhanded and underhanded INTs looked like Aaron Brooks resurrected.
But my guess is Brees simply caved into the above-mentioned domino effect and his hyper-competitiveness took over.
Biggest bust on offense: Reggie Bush, hands down.
Saints now have to make what I think is an easy decision: part ways with Reggie Bush.
Due almost $12 million next year in his option year, Bush has worn out his welcome. All his professionalism and hard work mean nothing because Bush is constantly hurt. Brittle is being kind in describing him.
In 9 games, Bush had LESS THAN 500 YARDS total receiving, rushing and returns. Unacceptable on so many levels, I won't waste words describing it.
In the unimitatable words of Bobby Hebert when asked about Bush: who freaking cares, the guy is always hurt and you can't depend on him.
Best offensive player: Brees. Again think about it: every team had only to gameplan for one thing: Brees throwing the ball, and Brees still put up video game stats.
BIGGEST NEEDS FOR NEXT SEASON:
1. Press play.... "this is a recording...."
Every off season of the Payton era, experts, analysts and fans have screamed for an impact linebacker. Guess what they will all be screaming for again?
In all 4 wildcard playoff games this weekend, every team - except Saints - had exceptional pass-rushers.
2. Cut bait with Bush
The Bush experiment failed. Nuff said.
3. Press play #2... "this is a recording...."
Find a run-stuffing defensive tackle. Is there an echo in here?
4. Get Chris Ivory on a 24/7 conditioning/strengthening program to keep him on field.
Imagine if Ivory had been healthy all year... wow.
5. Draft/trade for a speedy, pass rushing defensive end.
6. Re-sign Pierre Thomas. And if you don't, burn every page of playbook that mentions "screen pass."
7. Adios Sharper. Great trash-talker on Twitter, but can't tackle or cover anymore.
8. Find a kickoff/punt returner.
9. Defense learn this: tackle first, strip second. Watch Marshawn Lynch run over and over, and over and over.
10. Cardio and pass coverage training for Roman Harper, after he gets out of psychological rehab from being toasted by Seahawks.
Great news of 2011 season is "next year" has great hope: Saints are only a player or two away from hoisting the Lombardi again
After some mild electrical shock to revive my brain, I now offer my post-mortem of the Saints' 2010 season.
THEIR RECORD:
11-5 was more than satisfying. All things told, this record was exactly what they were, to paraphrase Bill Parcels.
Despite the typical lazyman journalism of citing the Superbowl Hangover, the Saints were unlike so many Superbowl winners; the Saints were consistent and earned a playoff berth.
Best win:
Hands down, the second Falcons game. This might have been only game that all 3 phases performed above average in the same game. For 60 minutes, the Saints reverted to 2009 form and played with total focus and incredible intensity.
Worst loss:
Tie: First Falcons' game and Cardinals. The Cards were and are a bad team, and the Saints simply were flat, played poorly and had no business losing this game. The Falcons' game, though Saints were totally outplayed, was devastating because it had Saints playing catch-up to win the division. And ultimately, this loss cost them home-field advantage...and their playoff life.
BIGGEST DIFFERENCE FROM SUPERBOWL WINNER TO THIS SEASON:
In hindsight, this is an easy answer: complete lack of explosive plays.
On kick returns, it was a miracle if Saints got past 20 yard line.
Defensively, the turnover-machine, TD-producing 2009 defensive team was almost non-existent in 2010.
Offensively, the quick-strike, homerun-hitting 2009 unit disappeared. Best example: Long passes to Henderson and Meachem were rare.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Morestead was spectacular all year, including becoming a weapon on deep kickoffs.
Hartley struggled mightily early in season, but ended the season making 11 straight FGs,
Biggest bust: the entire kick and punt return teams.
Hate to single out Roby, but he was below average all year. Sure sign of failure: it was time of rejoicing when a kickoff was returned past the 20-yard line or a punt was brought back more than 5 yards.
Best special teams player: Morestead.
DEFENSE:
Statistically the defense improved dramatically, jumping into the top 10 in total D and scoring D.
With that said, you would have thought the Saints would have gone 16-0.
But again, the defense couldn't produce big-time, game-changing plays. Fumbles caused and INTs were dramatically down.
Williams' signature attacking style never seemed to materialize or reap rewards
In fact, the back-breaking Lynch TD run was microcosm of this problem: no interior push, and then failed attempts at stripping ball leading to missed tackles.
Biggest bust on D: 3-way tie: Will Smith, Sharper and Greer.
Smith had only 5 sacks, down from 13 in 2009, and had little impact overall. Overall, the D-line never generated impact plays and had to be near bottom of league in total sacks.
Spectacular in 2009, Greer in second half of season was consistently beaten on deep passes, always seemingly a step slow and unaware of where ball was. Also he missed numerous open-field tackles late in season. Guess is he had an unreported injury.
For all the expectation coming off 2009, Sharper had zero impact, and was obviously several steps slow in pass coverage.
Most improved: Malcom Jenkins. Jenkins had an all-around great season, and was probably defensive MVP. His absence in playoffs had a dramatic effect on Saints D.
OFFENSE:
Was more than adequate all year, but never seemed to hit on all cylinders.
Brees posted incredible numbers again, with basically zero run game.
Yes, Brees' bonehead INTs are major concern, but more on this in a few.
Oh, let's address the never-ending, never-let-it-go subject of all fans and media: Not having a steady run game.
With constant revolving door of running back, Payton had no choice but to rely on passing game. In effect, quick passes became extensions of the run game. No game planning could cover up the deficiencies of Ladell Betts, Julius Jones and whatever other off-the-streets scrubs Payton had to rely on.
Want proof? Every screen pass run without Pierre Thomas was a complete, utter failure and joke.
And no run game had a crippling domino effect on the Saints offense:
- It crippled the Saints' effectiveness in the red zone because it made them completely one-dimensional.
- With no real threat of running the ball, defenses could tee up and relentlessly rush and blitz Brees. The Seattle disaster was final culmination of this: The Seahawks rushed only 3-4 guys, who had only one assignment to worry about: rush the passer and not have any run-stopping responsibility. The other 7-8 defenders than just play pass coverage. So Saints then have 5 receivers vs. 7-8 defenders.. get the picture?
For Brees to throw for 404 yards, and go 36-60 with this said, simply shows how great -and underappreciated - Brees is.
- No run game caused Brees to consistently do many un-Breeslike things, ie throw 22 interceptions.
The injuries to Bush, Thomas and Ivory, more than posting huge rushing totals, again took away so many bread-and-butter Saints' plays: screen pass, swing pass, play-action pass.
When you consider the ineffectiveness and lack of availability of running backs all year, Brees' season is more amazing.
No doubt, many of Brees backhanded and underhanded INTs looked like Aaron Brooks resurrected.
But my guess is Brees simply caved into the above-mentioned domino effect and his hyper-competitiveness took over.
Biggest bust on offense: Reggie Bush, hands down.
Saints now have to make what I think is an easy decision: part ways with Reggie Bush.
Due almost $12 million next year in his option year, Bush has worn out his welcome. All his professionalism and hard work mean nothing because Bush is constantly hurt. Brittle is being kind in describing him.
In 9 games, Bush had LESS THAN 500 YARDS total receiving, rushing and returns. Unacceptable on so many levels, I won't waste words describing it.
In the unimitatable words of Bobby Hebert when asked about Bush: who freaking cares, the guy is always hurt and you can't depend on him.
Best offensive player: Brees. Again think about it: every team had only to gameplan for one thing: Brees throwing the ball, and Brees still put up video game stats.
BIGGEST NEEDS FOR NEXT SEASON:
1. Press play.... "this is a recording...."
Every off season of the Payton era, experts, analysts and fans have screamed for an impact linebacker. Guess what they will all be screaming for again?
In all 4 wildcard playoff games this weekend, every team - except Saints - had exceptional pass-rushers.
2. Cut bait with Bush
The Bush experiment failed. Nuff said.
3. Press play #2... "this is a recording...."
Find a run-stuffing defensive tackle. Is there an echo in here?
4. Get Chris Ivory on a 24/7 conditioning/strengthening program to keep him on field.
Imagine if Ivory had been healthy all year... wow.
5. Draft/trade for a speedy, pass rushing defensive end.
6. Re-sign Pierre Thomas. And if you don't, burn every page of playbook that mentions "screen pass."
7. Adios Sharper. Great trash-talker on Twitter, but can't tackle or cover anymore.
8. Find a kickoff/punt returner.
9. Defense learn this: tackle first, strip second. Watch Marshawn Lynch run over and over, and over and over.
10. Cardio and pass coverage training for Roman Harper, after he gets out of psychological rehab from being toasted by Seahawks.
Great news of 2011 season is "next year" has great hope: Saints are only a player or two away from hoisting the Lombardi again
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