New Orleans Saints Redux

Well, I guess all my earlier enthusiasm was unfounded.  Although an 0-3 start is not a complete death, it is a very difficult barrier to overcome.  And it won’t be possible to overcome it if things don’t change.  It is frustrating to see how ineffective the team has been.  Now, I’m not a professional football coach (I didn’t even play one on TV), but what sort of a football fan would I be if I didn’t have an opinion on how to fix this mess.

First, I will admit to not having seen the every play of every Saints game so far.  However, given the fact that since the first game, I’ve been saying the same thing as the announcers for nearly every play I have seen, I think it is worthy of at least a second thought.  That thought being, where are the big plays?

(On the other team’s offense.)

Somebody shut that heckler up.  Seriously, though, this was touted as one of the most potent offensive collections around.  This group was supposed to rival the elite groups.  They were supposed to be a high power, high scoring offense that would easily make up for any lack of potency on the defense.  (Even though the defense was also supposed to be better.)

Instead, we have a lack of offense that is so opposite of what it was supposed to be it is an embarrassment.  Expect to see the paper bags in the coming weeks.  Why is it that with such a high powered offense that is in a position to need to score that we settle for dump off 5-7 yard passes?  That doesn’t make sense.  One of the great things the new coaches brought in was a lack of fear in trying for the big play or the gadget play.  I’m not sure whether they’ve tried anything like that so far this year, but even if they have, last year’s gadgets won’t work.  If you don’t stay fresh, you will lose.

Drew Brees, in addition to having 7 interceptions on the year, has a measly 5.2 yards per passing attempt.  That means, for those of you not into football, every time he throws the ball, he averages only 5 yards.  Compare that to last year’s 8 yards per attempt and you can see the point.  Over the course of a game, that 3 yard difference adds up to more than 100 yards.  So why aren’t the Saints going for (and achieving) the big play?  I’m not sure, but I hope it isn’t because the coaches are trying to be a “real” football team.  I hope it isn’t that they thought the only way to succeed last year was on big plays and gadgetry and now we have to be a real football team.  That goes against the design and make up of the team.

So here I stand, still rooting for the Saints, with paper bag firmly in place, calling the coaches out.  Come on guys, where is the big play from this potent offense.  Geaux Saints.

CC