NFL: ESPN's Cowherd predicts, 10-6 falcons?

[markdzul]

Now now guys, If Guido wants to look at his Saints through rose colored glasses who are we to rain on his parade?? Lol. In all reality Beef makes some great points about continuity. Why do you think we put so much effort into resigning as many of our players as we could. It sucked to lose Lofton, but we have some young talent and Lofa will help in experience.

I have said before I expect us to win between 9-11 games with our schedule. Division schedule will be huge. If we sweep the Saints I see us closer to the 11 win side. Carolina and Tampa will be improved over last year, there is no doubt about that, but I do feel we can more than compete.

[AsylumGuido]

(05-09-2012 09:24 AM)Falconidae Wrote:  So, replacing Payton, Nicks & Meachem with Vitt, Grubbs & Arrington isn't going to affect your team at all?

Replacing Nicks and Meachem is not almost totally intact. PFF rated Nicks the 27th best player overall last year, Grubbs didn't make the top 101 list.

Implying there's no drop off between those two is like claiming that there's no drop off replacing Brees with Romo.

There will be plays during the year that won't work because Nicks isn't in there- maybe a dozen during the year, maybe 2-3 a game, enough to cost a game or two.

What they're really going to miss is the in-game play calling from Payton, he's a master of calling the exact right play at the exact right time. Saints are going to miss that.

Don't think that Cowherd's 7 win prediction is accurate, unless there's a lot of locker room strife because of bountygate, but don't see a 12-13 win season either.

First of all, let's address Sean Payton. He is clearly the biggest loss to the Saints. But, one thing Payton has done in his six years with the Saints is to surround himself with a very detail oriented offensive staff. On the other hand, he has always given full rein on defense to the DC. Of course, that got out of hand with Gregg Williams. Coach Spags should put a much better defensive product on the field this year. He is great at applying pressure with the front four. He is also planning to crowd the WR's. The Saints were killed last year by Williams' tendency to give the WR 10-15 yard cushion at the line.

But, back to the offense. As I said, Payton has built an excellent offensive staff that know exactly how he wants things run. This year will be a year of WWSPD (what would Sean Payton do). Offensive game planning has been handled since 2006 by a combination of Payton, OC Pete Carmichael and Drew Brees. After six years Carmichael and Brees can handle it for a season on their own. The Saints should once again be one of the, if not the best offensive team again this season.

Yes, Carl Nicks was a stud (5th round pick). So is Jahri Evans (4th round). So will Ben Grubbs (1st round). The Saints develop great guards. Grubbs is an excellent run blocker and was clearly the best offensive lineman for the Ravens. Grubbs was also rated as the second best free agent guard behind Nicks. I don't expect any drop-off what so ever with the line. In fact, I expect a better run game.

Now to Meachem. He was the #6 receiver on the Saints offense last year behind Graham, Sproles, Colston, Henderson and Moore. The Saints' 4th round pick and son of all-time great WR Al Toon, Nick, is already being touted as the next Marques Colston and should make an immediate impact. As for Arrington, he finally began to get playing time at the end of last season and was looking great. Robert Meachem will not be missed at all. I am expecting Toon to be a solid upgrade.

The team will also be playing with a huge chip on their shoulders. It is clearly an "us vs. the world" scenario. As you know, I follow every Saints player on Twitter and they are all extra motivated and united on both offense and defense. Curtis Lofton has noted how strong the locker room is and how well he has fit in.

While Payton may not be in the meetings or on the sidelines, he will absolutely be there with his influence. For a single season what he has built is strong enough to stand on its own.

[AsylumGuido]

(05-08-2012 09:52 PM)phocis850 Wrote:  What your saying is that your coaching staff doesn't make a difference. So that Sean of yours isn't really that "genius" that everyone claims he is.

I addressed your concern above. Not many teams would have a chance of weathering something like this. Because of Payton's solid infrastructure the Saints are one team that can and still excel.

[ATLBound]

(05-09-2012 10:31 AM)AsylumGuido Wrote:  I addressed your concern above. Not many teams would have a chance of weathering something like this. Because of Payton's solid infrastructure the Saints are one team that can and still excel.

What is going to be missing are the subtle things that you don't see? It feels like you are undermining what he does with his players or sees himself.

What about changing the whole gameplan because of how the other team is playing? Nobody is gonna see that like Payton is. I don't any coach that gives all of their secrets and notes to any other coach bc they know at some point that coacb can use that against them especially in the NFL where coaches change scenery often.

What about telling the particular player "Hey the defender is playing you like [this] and if you do [that] then you can beat him"

I promise you they cannot mimic Payton for the whole year and even if they are able mimic him to some extent, like a previous poster said it's those 3-4 plays that they can't and those 3-4 plays can dictate the outcome of the game.

If I were in yiur position I would think my team wpuld win as well, just like I did when Vick left BUT I also knew that I couldn't underestimate the strong advantage that Vick gave us at times. In Payton's case it is worst.

I feel your homerism is causing an unconscious disrepect attitude towards the importance of Sean Payton and Carl Nicks as well. Those dudes matter a great deal, even the leadership qualities of Vilma. Those things are not as easily replaced as you make it seem.

[AsylumGuido]

This bit here pretty much echos my thoughts on the Saints this season.

9 Reasons the New Orleans Saints Can Improve, Vie for 2013 Super Bowl

1. Roger Goodell Has Motivated This Team
2. Do It for Their Coach
3. Super Bowl in Their City and Stadium
4. Drew Brees
5. Curtis Lofton
6. Remi Ayodele
7. Greater Dependence on the Running Game
8. Spagnuolo's Blitz Light Scheme
9. A Different Voice Might Be a Good Changeup


#6 might have flown under the radar this week. The Saints signed free agent Ayodele and now have the perfect DT rotation for Spags' defense. Brodrick Bunkley, an earlier FA signing, teamed with Sed Ellis and Tom Johnson should bring the type of pressure needed to free up the ends.

[ATLBound]

I give you props bc you seemingly havw answers for everything but can you honestly say the can mimic Payton 100% for the whole year?

I ask this because all it takes is one play a game and that one mishap can turn into 3 and keep going AND if they get it wrong they have to figure it out themselves because they are not "SUPPOSED" to talk to Payton all year to correct any mistakes

[ATLBound]

(05-09-2012 10:51 AM)AsylumGuido Wrote:  This bit here pretty much echos my thoughts on the Saints this season.

9 Reasons the New Orleans Saints Can Improve, Vie for 2013 Super Bowl

1. Roger Goodell Has Motivated This Team
2. Do It for Their Coach
3. Super Bowl in Their City and Stadium
4. Drew Brees
5. Curtis Lofton
6. Remi Ayodele
7. Greater Dependence on the Running Game
8. Spagnuolo's Blitz Light Scheme
9. A Different Voice Might Be a Good Changeup


#6 might have flown under the radar this week. The Saints signed free agent Ayodele and now have the perfect DT rotation for Spags' defense. Brodrick Bunkley, an earlier FA signing, teamed with Sed Ellis and Tom Johnson should bring the type of pressure needed to free up the ends.

#5 and #9 are EXTREMELY reaching

Matter of fact #2 and #9 somewhat contradict eachother

So they are doing it for a coach that they ratger not hear from?

[AsylumGuido]

(05-09-2012 10:48 AM)ATLBound Wrote:  What is going to be missing are the subtle things that you don't see? It feels like you are undermining what he does with his players or sees himself.

What about changing the whole gameplan because of how the other team is playing? Nobody is gonna see that like Payton is. I don't any coach that gives all of their secrets and notes to any other coach bc they know at some point that coacb can use that against them especially in the NFL where coaches change scenery often.

What about telling the particular player "Hey the defender is playing you like [this] and if you do [that] then you can beat him"

I promise you they cannot mimic Payton for the whole year and even if they are able mimic him to some extent, like a previous poster said it's those 3-4 plays that they can't and those 3-4 plays can dictate the outcome of the game.

If I were in yiur position I would think my team wpuld win as well, just like I did when Vick left BUT I also knew that I couldn't underestimate the strong advantage that Vick gave us at times. In Payton's case it is worst.

I feel your homerism is causing an unconscious disrepect attitude towards the importance of Sean Payton and Carl Nicks as well. Those dudes matter a great deal, even the leadership qualities of Vilma. Those things are not as easily replaced as you make it seem.

I don't think you know how involved Carmichael has been over the years. He has always been intricately involved in the halftime adjustments. Just as Payton learned from Parcells, he has passed that knowledge along to Carmichael. They have talked about that. That is why Carmichael is so highly regarded around the league. I do not doubt that he will get the next big opening next season as a head coach.

Yes, Payton will be missed, but the offensive talent as a whole has improved and the defensive talent and scheme has improved immensely. Yes, Carl Nicks is a great player. But so is Ben Grubbs. Don't forget that the Saints have lost a Pro Bowl offensive lineman each of the previous two years to free agency and plugged the hole and remained the best offense in the NFL. You are putting far too much value on the loss of Nicks.

As for Vilma, there are plenty of leaders in the clubhouse, including Curtis Lofton. Which brings up another point? How is your defense going to handle losing the leadership of Lofton? I'm sure they will handle it just as well as the Saints.

[AsylumGuido]

(05-09-2012 10:56 AM)ATLBound Wrote:  #5 and #9 are EXTREMELY reaching

Matter of fact #2 and #9 somewhat contradict eachother

So they are doing it for a coach that they ratger not hear from?

Did you read the article? The titles are somewhat weak. I agree #9 sounded weird, as well. Even the author mentioned something about that.

As for Lofton, he is a clear upgrade to Vilma. I watch every Falcons game and Lofton is constantly making plays that Vilma can no longer pull off.

[RFlagg]

(05-09-2012 10:51 AM)AsylumGuido Wrote:  This bit here pretty much echos my thoughts on the Saints this season.

9 Reasons the New Orleans Saints Can Improve, Vie for 2013 Super Bowl

1. Roger Goodell Has Motivated This Team
2. Do It for Their Coach
3. Super Bowl in Their City and Stadium
4. Drew Brees
5. Curtis Lofton
6. Remi Ayodele
7. Greater Dependence on the Running Game
8. Spagnuolo's Blitz Light Scheme
9. A Different Voice Might Be a Good Changeup


#6 might have flown under the radar this week. The Saints signed free agent Ayodele and now have the perfect DT rotation for Spags' defense. Brodrick Bunkley, an earlier FA signing, teamed with Sed Ellis and Tom Johnson should bring the type of pressure needed to free up the ends.

Oh, so Brees has signed? I keep hearing Saints fans over and over say it's not a problem, the deal will get done. But it hasn't yet, and reports seem to indicate that the sides are still far apart. Brees is not happy about being tagged and wants a ton of money. He wants his contract front loaded. The Saints are offering him less than what he's asking and are trying to back load the contract.

And I've got to wonder how much cap space the Saints have left. Since Vilma's suspension is in the appeals phase, his numbers are still counting towards the cap. If his suspension is reduced or over turned, that will be 2 million less that can go to Brees. Brees wants $23 million per season average on a front loaded contract. I seriously doubt the Saints have the cap space, even without Vilma, to afford that.

With Drew Brees, the Saints will be a more than formidable team. Without him...