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Why I don't Fear the Saints - trickworm - 09-20-2010 12:35 AM
To be honest..and I don't mean to sound like I'm talking out my azz because we won big today...I've put a lot of thought and research into this opinion since training camp...but I ain't scared of the saints..at all. Lemme tell ya why.
1. While they are a prolific offense, with some balance in the run game, I believe our defense is optimally built to defend the saints style of offense. With the improvements we made on defense, we will cut down on cheap deep completions, rb's catching the ball out of the backfield and running free, and they will not run the ball on us. Just won't happen.
Yes, they will get their passing yards. They will score some points on us. But they will have problems scoring on us from the 10 yard line and closer. If they don't score from the 15 out...they'll be kickin field goals. Historically, teams that make their living passing the ball have issues scoring close to the goalline, which compresses the field making the secondary's job much easier.
Now, the saints do execute their short passing game well close to the goalline..but against teams they have run the ball well against.
2. While the saints improved their dline somewhat, they did not improve at LB, and they are not deep at DT. I have all confidence that we will be able to run the ball on them...without a problem.
And if the run game is going...Ryan will execute the passing game well. He just needs to watch the int's. IMO..He's gonna throw less int's this year, but all the balls thrown high vs. Pittsburgh had me concerned. He has to correct that, or int's will come by the bushel, especially against the saint secondary.
We will have to put up 28+ points to beat them. We have to maintain possession...I believe we can do that.
3. The comedown factor.
The saints have been on a streak of all good since the SB. They rolled through the playoffs, the SB, and on into this season with no team challenging them at all...they faced no adversity for a minute. If we go in there and smack em in the mouth early...they will have somewhat of a comedown. How much is in question, as they are a tough, resilient, team that ain't gonna lay down for nothing, but when anyone has gone through a period of good, easy times, a sudden dose of bad, hard times can be difficult to deal with. It's been a while since someone smacked em in the mouth on their home field.
4. Coaches..
I believe that the Coaching battles between Smitty and Peyton, one an offensive guy, the other a defense guy, are undereported and overlooked. These two seem to be at their best when going against one another...both bring their A games and their lunches. If you pay attention, you'll notice that both will install plays and schemes that haven't been seen yet on film when they play. It's a chessmatch between one of the brightest designers of offense in the game, and a solid, experienced, defensive coach who isn't flashy or counted amongst the greats, mainly because he believes that teams that run complex ever changing defensive scheme's are more prone to make mistakes.
The saints have been the best offense in the NFC south since Smitty and BVG got here. Therefore, the saints get the most attention from the d coaches. IMO..Smitty and BVG know the saints offense almost as good as Peyton does, and they know how to go about minimizing the saints attack. Last year the defense actually showed flashes of this against the saints. I believe they now have the pieces on defense to attack the saints how they want and need to. And I'm sure they are sick of getting their azzes whipped by Peyton too.
5. Schedule: Even if we lose Sunday, the end of the schedule really isn't pretty for the saints. Mostly road games against playoff teams where weather could be a factor. They finish with:
@ Dallas
@ Cinci
vs. St. Louis
@ Baltimore
@ Atlanta
That's not pretty. A big dose of physical running teams with good defenses. Not the type of team the saints are best at beating.
To conclude:
While the saints have all the appearance of a juggernaut with their gaudy offense and a defense that led the league in turnovers last season, they do have weaknesses that can be exploited. They are not unbeatable. I believe they are the style of team that we are best built to play against.
And while we have proven nothing yet on the field, I am optimistic we can beat them on their field Sunday. I don't fear them..at all.
RE: Why I don't Fear the Saints - StPatrick - 09-20-2010 03:14 AM
As a Saints fan, i actually thought that was a great post. This is my first time on this forum, decided to look around and see what the fans of other teams were talking about. I thought you made a lot of great points. The only point i really disagreed with was the comedown factor. The only team we really rolled over in the playoffs was the Cardinals. We faced pleanty of adversity in the NFC Championship game, and the superbowl. The championship was an overtime victory, and yes i know how everyone feels about the way that went down. Another point is, in the superbowl we were down early, and came back in the second half to win.
I do agree that Payton and Smith have a great coaching battle when these two get together. The last few matchups have been very close, and honestly id have to say other than maybe the Redskins miracle, the loss to the cowpukes, or the comeback in miami last year, the falcons games really worried me the most down to the end. They were GREAT games.
RE: Why I don't Fear the Saints - trickworm - 09-20-2010 03:39 AM
(09-20-2010 03:14 AM)StPatrick Wrote: As a Saints fan, i actually thought that was a great post. This is my first time on this forum, decided to look around and see what the fans of other teams were talking about. I thought you made a lot of great points. The only point i really disagreed with was the comedown factor. The only team we really rolled over in the playoffs was the Cardinals. We faced pleanty of adversity in the NFC Championship game, and the superbowl. The championship was an overtime victory, and yes i know how everyone feels about the way that went down. Another point is, in the superbowl we were down early, and came back in the second half to win.
I do agree that Payton and Smith have a great coaching battle when these two get together. The last few matchups have been very close, and honestly id have to say other than maybe the Redskins miracle, the loss to the cowpukes, or the comeback in miami last year, the falcons games really worried me the most down to the end. They were GREAT games.
Welcome to the boards.
When I say adversity, I mean smacked in the mouth like we were by pittsburghs dline last week. Yeah, those were close games, but no one came out of the gates and dominated you. That's what I meant.
Yeah, those were great games...and I expect the same this season. Looking forward to the new stuff both teams will roll out, especially us on defense.
RE: Why I don't Fear the Saints - StPatrick - 09-20-2010 03:48 AM
(09-20-2010 03:39 AM)trickworm Wrote: Welcome to the boards.
When I say adversity, I mean smacked in the mouth like we were by pittsburghs dline last week. Yeah, those were close games, but no one came out of the gates and dominated you. That's what I meant.
Yeah, those were great games...and I expect the same this season. Looking forward to the new stuff both teams will roll out, especially us on defense.
Thanks for the welcome.
I know that steelers game was a very physical, tough game for you guys. I have to admit i didnt watch the entire game but i did see a lot of it. It really just seemed like a grind, and the first team to make a defensive mistake was going to lose. The saints opened against a very physical vikings defense, so i thought, but im not quite sure how they measure up this year. I did think the vikings really punched us in the mouth with their running game. If they would have given the ball to AP late in the game, they probably would have won, or made the game a heck of a lot more interesting than it was already.
RE: Why I don't Fear the Saints - Sporkdevil - 09-20-2010 10:35 AM
(09-20-2010 03:48 AM)StPatrick Wrote: Thanks for the welcome.
I know that steelers game was a very physical, tough game for you guys. I have to admit i didnt watch the entire game but i did see a lot of it. It really just seemed like a grind, and the first team to make a defensive mistake was going to lose. The saints opened against a very physical vikings defense, so i thought, but im not quite sure how they measure up this year. I did think the vikings really punched us in the mouth with their running game. If they would have given the ball to AP late in the game, they probably would have won, or made the game a heck of a lot more interesting than it was already.
Vikings have looked pretty terrible this year. Whether or not they even make the playoffs, they seem to be the one with the Superbowl (or playoff?) hangover oddly enough.
I think a lot of us (or maybe just me) really underestimated the Steelers defense, and they blew up the Titans as well.
Whether or not I am underestimating the Saints team, I think they had real problems that they continued to ignore in the offseason and missed a lot of opportunities to improve their LB and DT positions, and really, their weak tackles.
I suppose we will see, but I think our team right now is far superior than the injury riddled one that played such a close game last year.
Oh, and enjoy your short week you punks!
RE: Why I don't Fear the Saints - falcon057 - 09-20-2010 10:43 AM
(09-20-2010 03:48 AM)StPatrick Wrote: Thanks for the welcome.
I know that steelers game was a very physical, tough game for you guys. I have to admit i didnt watch the entire game but i did see a lot of it. It really just seemed like a grind, and the first team to make a defensive mistake was going to lose. The saints opened against a very physical vikings defense, so i thought, but im not quite sure how they measure up this year. I did think the vikings really punched us in the mouth with their running game. If they would have given the ball to AP late in the game, they probably would have won, or made the game a heck of a lot more interesting than it was already.
Today I may be one of the biggest 49ers fans around! Speaking of a a very physical, tough game for you guys. see you Sunday
RE: Why I don't Fear the Saints - phocis850 - 09-20-2010 10:48 AM
Last year we were the only team to have given the Saints a hard time winning. Even when we played them all banged up we still had a chance.
We have nearly all our starters back, plus some new faces (will cause some mistakes), but our D is more poised than ever to play the Saints.
I think the Saints will have a 300+ passing game, but fall short getting to the endzone many times.
I believe the Falcons will get 230+ passing yards, but 150+ rushing yards. We will also fall short getting into the endzone (maybe 2TD and 3 FG's)
Final IMO:
Saints 23
Falcons 20
Ouch I know.
RE: Why I don't Fear the Saints - bF™ - 09-20-2010 10:59 AM
The thing that worries me the most is their oline and run game. We have struggled against big lines and power run games. Their pass game will get yards but we matchup a lot better (similar to 08) on defense.
On the flipside we should be able to run on them but we HAVE to get someone other than Roddy involved. Greer is one of the best corners in the game, although Roddy did almost score 2 tds with 100+ yds. Gonzo should have a good day agaisnt their linebackers and safeties. Harper worries me a bit.
We can definitely win this one
RE: Why I don't Fear the Saints - st. diehard - 09-20-2010 12:26 PM
(09-20-2010 10:59 AM)bF™ Wrote: The thing that worries me the most is their oline and run game. We have struggled against big lines and power run games.
I also think its the Oline that's driving the Saints. Yes, Brees is great and Sean inventive, but the interior of that line consistantly keeps Brees clean and allows the backs to grind. Both guards are starting to get their props and the center is underrated.
There's lots of flash with both our teams, but to me, the biggest key next weekend will be them vs your new DT rotation.
RE: Why I don't Fear the Saints - RFlagg - 09-20-2010 02:54 PM
(09-20-2010 12:26 PM)st. diehard Wrote: I also think its the Oline that's driving the Saints. Yes, Brees is great and Sean inventive, but the interior of that line consistantly keeps Brees clean and allows the backs to grind. Both guards are starting to get their props and the center is underrated.
There's lots of flash with both our teams, but to me, the biggest key next weekend will be them vs your new DT rotation.
I actually think the biggest key will be the Saints recovery time from the game tonight in San Fran. Falcons have already started watching film and game planning for the Saints while New Orleans won't be able to do that until tomorrow morning, at the earliest. Unless Payton gives the team a rest from harder practices this week, I think they may come out a little slow.
Of course I could be wrong, and it wouldn't be the first time.