Trials and Tribulations

It's another week in the NFL season and it so happens that my beloved New Orleans Saints are 4-1. While watching the game on Sunday it felt somewhat reminescent of previous years except for the fact that the defense got a stop, we had some calls go our way at the end, and Reggie won it for us. Still false starts, 3 and outs, plus you could tell the crowd was definitely not into that game until the Bush return.

Here are some of the things I noticed from the game and my experience watching the game.

1. Saints fans are to complacent with the fact that the Saints will revert to their old ways. During the game their were points when you could feel the frustration seeping through the screen into our hearts as the Saints struggle to muster first downs in the second half. Let's set the facts straight. These are not the same Saints you and I remember. They are talented on offense with a balanced attack and their defense has been steady enough to keep us in ball games. So if the Saints can change we should to. Stop the disbelieving and start believing that this team has a chance to win. Payton called out the fans after the game saying it was only loud on 3rd downs. He's right. The Dome needs to be rocking on every down the opponent has the ball. If teams like Cleveland, Jets, Green Bay, and even Houston can be loud why can't we be the loudest.

2. Defense gave up some yards rushing again and this is starting to be a trend. The power sweep play is the one that kills me. You know it's coming. Everyone knows it's coming and yet we have a difficult time stopping it. Galloway shredded through our secondary very comparable to Donald Driver in week 2. I know our defense is still gelling, and we've come a long way from last year, still I would like to see us start improving in the rush defense category. Roman Harper's injury will be a big hurt to our secondary especially with the way he plays up in the box. Omar Stoutmire will be replacing him which means you will be seeing more blitz packages in order to give the secondary some help.

3. Duece was loose. I think Sean Payton is starting to see the dividends that pays off from running Reggie and then subbing in Duece. It creates a dicatomy that is rival to what other teams strive for in their running game. A different speed and look. I love the fake reverse draw up the middle. That play has been huge for us. Love to see more Duece in the later stages of the game when we build a lead. Seemed to abandon Duece after halftime.

4. Mental mistakes. There were some false starts at the beginning of the game, during crucial goal line situations, and during drives that Payton will address. I know that some of the false starts were coming from guards pulling. I just don't want the ghost of Victor (Ignatius) Reilly haunting us all season. There were also some key drops from recievers that Brees will fix during the week with some extra practice.

5. Special Teams. Wow. Our special teams has been huge for us at home. Scoring on block punts and punt returns. This bodes well for the offense. Hopefully getting us some momentum to start drives. I think the Saints were really hurting when they let Bobby April go. They are starting to regain some of that special teams swager that can change a game. Now I get excited every time the punt team comes on the field.

Sean Payton said it best. "We are always trying to get better as a team. It's easier to do when you win. I don't think we've put it all together as a team yet." Which means the Saints are only going to get better. FAITH!!!!!