Tuesday, September 26, 2006

We're 3-0!!! The Saints are in first place!!!

Bless You Boys!!! What a game! If there was ever a time to be proud of our New Orleans Saints it's today. They came home, they showed up, and they kicked ass. I can't boast too much because the season just started and we have a long way to go. Still, I continue to believe that Sean Payton is putting together one of the more disciplined teams in the NFL. Only two big bone head penatlies really hurt us: Jamal Brown's holding call after a huge Duece run and Deloatch's late hit on the Falcons return guy. Both of those calls would have received an angry scowl from our former predecessor (Haz), but Payton jumps on your ass in front of everyone letting you know that you let the team down.

This is a good practice to coach this season because by next year everyone on the team will know whether you've got the balls to back up your tirade. Payton runs a tight ship, good focus, and more importantly preparation. You rarely see a player out of position. I know Saints fans everywhere complain about Mike McKenzie's play. Still you have to admit the guy tackles, matches up against the opponents best receiver all game, and never bitches or moans about the lack of safety help. Last night he got nailed on a long pass by Vick, but the ball was perfectly thrown to the outside shoulder of the receiver and the receiver gave him a push off with the left arm. Not too mention the Saints had Roman Harper (safety) playing up near the line of scrimmage all game guarding Algie Crumpler or spying Vick.

There was a lot of emotion going into last night's game in which the players rode sky high all game. It was the most dominating defense I have seen from the Saints since the Dome Patrol Days. Here are a few things I would like to see more of in the future.

1. Reggie Bush running straight ahead instead of towards the sidelines. He had one nice run up the middle, but two to three he tried to bounce out for little or a loss.
2. Stretch the field more. Use Brees arm to throw some deep balls and open up the field some more. When DeAngelo Hall went out the game I figured we would attack down the field instead we played it close to the vest.
3. Fujita's sack celebration. I loved it. It was so cool that I wish the whole defense would do the same thing anytime they make a big play. Almost like a Japanese thank you ( two hands coming together like you were praying).
4. Sean Payton showing the fist pump a la Gruden style. It was funny and yet symbolic after Deloatch recovered the punt block in the endzone. I've noticed that Payton is very animated guy even though he doesn't always appear to be going insane.
5. Defense to keep up the intensity each game. If the defense can swarm and ball hawk like they did last night, the Saints are going to be able to win those close games.

All of last night's images will forever stay with me sort of like the 2000 Wild Card game. If anything at all the game provides a lasting memory of something good in our Post-K world in which things are slow to change, easy to forget, and difficult to rebuild. The diversion will last for a couple of days then we need to start focusing in on the direction. If we want the Saints to stick around New Orleans we are going to need more business, better schools, and less crime. All of the things we strived for before Katrina. So if the Saints can make believers out of us, why can't we make believers out of the Saints. Bless You Boys!!! Gotta have FAITH!!!

1 Comments:

At 6:38 PM, Blogger dillyberto said...

Thank you for putting together a solid commentary.

Last night was a shocker.

Draining emotionally

Physically exerting

socially irresponsible

I cannot elaborate on all that happened at 1500 Poydras.

It wasn't heaven

It wasn't Iowa.

It was New Orleans. People hugging strangers in the street. We were at our best.

the very best.

(What happens now?)

 

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