We knew this game would most likely be a shootout and we knew the offense would have to be near flawless to have a chance at giving the team a win. And yet, we still kind of expected it. Instead, we were rewarded with a 0 point effort in the first half. Anything that happened after that was just stat padding formality because the damage was done. As horrific as the defense was, and that may be putting it mildly, this game was over at the end of the first half because the offense couldn’t score points. Drew Brees made a terrible mistake, the unit came up just shy on a couple of third downs, and they were killed by a missed field goal. It flat out wasn’t good enough, and fairly or unfairly, this team will need to score in excess of 30 points if it wants to win games. Three turnovers certainly don’t help the cause. Here are the grades:
Drew Brees: C+ (2.67) The numbers look pretty good but they don’t tell the story. 32 of 44 for 340 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. A lot of those yards were gained in the second half. He also scrambled once for a first down for 6 yards. Overall the offense was out of sync early and his poor interception with his team down 10-0 quickly made it a 17-0 which was the nail in the coffin. It’s just too bad because those first two drives were going well and on two fourth and shorts they decided to punt and then they missed a field goal. You wonder if those drives and kept going if the whole complexion of the game changes. Brees kept things interesting but he just didn’t start off the way he needed to. He’s yet to have a GREAT game this season and the whispers of decline are starting to rear their ugly head.
Travaris Cadet: C (2.00) I’m at a loss for why he saw the ball so much as opposed to PT. He finished with 1 carry for 1 yard on the opening drive. It was a toss sweep to the short side of the field on a 3rd and 3 play. I hated the play call personally because I’ve already seen the Saints attempt to run it in Cleveland (prior to a timeout). The Cowboys weren’t surprised by it, and Cadet was hit near the line of scrimmage before taking out Terron Armstead with a blow to the back of the head. He did show good hands finished with 6 catches for 59 yards, 31 coming on a pass down the sideline where Brees sold it well with a good pump fake to freeze defenders. He’s a decent pass catching option and nothing more. He also had a fumble to end the final offensive series.
Khiry Robinson: B (2.84) He had 87 yards on 8 carries and probably should have seen more carries. Of course 62 come on one second half breakaway, so we’re really talking about a pedestrian 7 carries for 25 yards. He was taken down a little too easily and didn’t run through tackles I normally see him break. He also had 2 receptions for 18 yards. Overall his stat line is generous but he did pass protect pretty well, held on to the football, and amassed over 100 yards from scrimmage. The 62 yard run was also apparently the longest run for the Saints since Deuce McAllister in 2004, meaning it’s the longest run since Sean Payton has been a coach.
Pierre Thomas: C+ (2.67) Hard to grade a guy that barely sees the field. His 4 touches in this game are shocking and hard to justify. He had 2 carries for 8 yards, including a meaningless clock run out draw before halftime. He also had 2 catches for 15 yards. I wish he had been used more, but the times he was in he was fine.
Austin Johnson: C (2.42) Another 3rd and short first down carry. He’s been rock solid in that department as his lone carry went for 2 yards. His blocking otherwise was average.
Marques Colston: C (1.92) Despite constant attempts to go his way, this was a disappointing game for Colston. On 10 targets he had 5 catches for 50 yards. A couple were errant throws by Brees where Colston did a good job of getting a paw on the ball to force an incompletion (instead of a possible interception). He had a couple drops in traffic, but deserves credit for an unreal 4th and 2 one handed grab to keep a drive alive. It was a mixed bag for Colston but he’s just not making those plays in traffic as consistently anymore. He was also fortunate not to have a fumble called on him for one of the drops. Otherwise he did have some nice plays too, just not as reliable as we’ve grown accustomed to.
Kenny Stills: C+ (2.22) He converted a 3rd and very long with a beautiful catch on the sidelines, doing a great job of keeping both feet in. Just after that, he got behind the defense and raced down the sideline for a 46 yarder. He finished with 2 catches for 62 yards. Later in the game Brees tried to hit Stills on the same pass as the first completion and while it was a bit high that’s a ball Stills needs to come up with. Unfortunately he dropped it. The two catches were nice, but not enough consistent production.
Brandin Cooks: C+ (2.67) He had 5 catches for just 31 yards. He also had 2 punt returns for 15 yards. His main issue continues to be attempts to bounce things outside, only to cut inside, and back outside again. The “dancing” everyone referred to as Reggie Bush’s calling card. His lack of size showed on a throw at the sticks, too, where he made a nice catch but was stopped just short of the first down. He’s improving but he still has a ways to go. He’s not giving the Saints’ offense enough explosive plays at the moment.
Robert Meachem: D+ (1.92) He’s not giving the offense much right now. His lone target was tipped by a linebacker dropping into coverage which led to the interception. Meachem did make the tackle at least. Otherwise a very quiet day from the aging veteran.
Jimmy Graham: B- (3.25) His grade would be better if he didn’t kill the offense with a second half fumble as they were trying to mount an improbable comeback. He was too quiet early, but slowly started getting involved to finish with a 8 catch, 86 yard, 1 touchdown performance. Like Brees the stats were good, but the turnover and the slow start is what most Saints fans remember.
Benjamin Watson: C+ (2.08) He had 1 catch for 7 yards and did a good job making the effort to convert a 3rd down, ending up just short of the sticks. His pass protection was decent overall, and he did a good job drawing the double team to set up Hill’s score. Still, he’s never really been as good as most Saints fans hoped he would be in this offense.
Josh Hill: B- (2.75) By contrast with Watson this guy continues to impress and improve. At some point you had to wonder if he’ll supplant Watson as the #2 tight end before the season is over. He had one reception for 12 yards and his second score in as many games. I saw him specifically throw a good block and a bad one.
Terron Armstead: INC. (2.78) He only played one drive before Cadet’s knee to the back of his helmet took him out of the game. So he gets an incomplete. Hopefully he returns as soon as next week.
Ben Grubbs: B- (3.09) I’d say he was one of the better linemen on the day but his run blocking wasn’t as good as his pass blocking which was very clean overall.
Jonathan Goodwin: C+ (2.92) Give him credit for playing on a sore ankle just a week removed from the injury. The guy is a warrior. You could tell he wasn’t getting quite the push he normally does in the run game, though, and he wasn’t moving as well laterally in pass protection. To be expected considering. On the opening drive he had a blatant hold on a passing play that wasn’t called. There was more up the middle pressure than usual.
Jahri Evans: C (3.09) Surprisingly poor performance for Evans who was pushed around a bit and not great in pass protection at times. He had his hands full with Jack Crawford and once gave up a sack. He also allowed a QB hit on another occasion.
Zach Strief: B (2.67) His pass protection was the best of the bunch in my opinion. Strief has played well this season. His size and strength allows the Saints to rely on him for steady play, and he’s done a nice job coming into his own. No major mistakes in this one, a clean game, though he can still improve the run blocking.
Bryce Harris: C+ (2.33) Considering what I expected to see with him being thrown into the fire at left tackle, he came out ok. There’s no question Brees felt rushed to get rid of the football, and pressure was felt from his side. But Brees’ pocket presence bailed him out mostly. He did get a holding call on a running play and a false start penalty. And while that’s regrettable, it’s to be expected from a guy that comes in like that. Overall he deserves credit for coming in and showing his experience to hold it down.
My Offensive Player of the Game: Khiry Robinson
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