Thanks for those of you that asked some questions on Facebook and Twitter. Happy to oblige, here are your questions:
@SaintsNationBlg even why do we suck this year?
— DocandRudy (@DocandRudy) November 21, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsHa! I love this question. Simple, yet so loaded. I keep saying the common denominator in all the close losses involved giving up huge plays in the passing game. Sure we’ve had bad turnovers by Drew Brees and other stuff happen, but you can always point back to the Saints’ secondary. Against the Falcons it was Matt Ryan’s drive setting up a game tying kick in regulation with no timeouts and less than a minute to work with. In Cleveland it was a 4th and 8 conversion on the final drive, followed by that long pass where the receiver got behind the defense. In Detroit it was that long pass to Golden Tate where Corey White gambled for the pick. And finally against San Francisco it was the ridiculous 4th and forever deep ball conversion to Michael Crabtree. So you can point to plenty things that need improvement, but the consistent problem causing losses is the secondary. It’s always going to be exposed in the 2 minute drill if it’s a liability, and it has been.
@SaintsNationBlg when do you think accountability will go from “it starts with me” and/or “I need to play better” to actually having changes
— KingofShrewsbury (@obiold) November 21, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
2015 at the start of next season? Making wholesale changes or even minor ones at this point is a tall order. Your roster is what it is, your coaches are the same. We’re 10 games in with 6 games left. At this point I think the changes come in the offseason. It’s a tired refrain, I agree, but the reality is you’re not going to have a huge philosophy change or bring in some gameplan altering player at this point. If a player is available at this point in the season that probably means he can’t help you. So if the results are going to improve that has to come from the players and the coaches the Saints have. Those lines you quote might be cliche but they’re true. At least for now. If the Saints stay on this course, finish with a losing season, and don’t make the playoffs, though, it’s going to make for a really unpredictable offseason. Should be interesting.
From Facebook :
Miranda Broussard Fendley DO THEY HAVE A BETTER GAME PLAN?? WHO DAT!!!!!
Well, the game plan changes every week based on the opponent. I don’t think the problem is X’s and O’s, though, I think it’s talent. The offense is #2 in the NFL. Yes the turnovers have been back breakers at times and the performance overall has felt disappointing, but you can’t really complain about having the #2 offense. The defense just hasn’t been very good this year and a lot of it is talent. Kenny Vaccaro has been a huge liability all year and the Saints never had a serviceable #2 corner. The pass rush has been a major disappointment too. We’ll see if that can change down the stretch. The game plan/coaches are solid in New Orleans. I have faith in Sean Payton and Rob Ryan. The problem right now is the talent not living up to expectations.
Charlie Bailey So what will the defensive backfield look like going forward, who’s gonna play FS and the 3 CB postions (if Lewis’ injury keeps nagging)?
I think Keenan Lewis is coming around, so hopefully he’s in the mix, but if he’s out the top 3 corners remain Corey White, Patrick Robinson and Brian Dixon. I think the Saints have been really happy with how well Robinson has played in the slot, so I think they’ll continue to try Dixon and White outside. White has struggled mightily, though, so at some point if Robinson keeps excelling maybe they should try him back there now that he’s built up his confidence. I don’t expect to see Stanley Jean-Baptiste much until next year. At free safety I think Pierre Warren is the starter down the road. He probably doesn’t start against the Ravens because he just came back to the team, but free is his natural position and I think once he’s up to speed he makes the most sense there. I’m going to guess that Marcus Ball will start Monday night, though. That’s just a hunch, but I think he’s got the best feel for what the unit is doing right now so he’ll be thrown into the fire at a slightly foreign position for him. And yes, that should be very concerning.
Kennan Whatley Will special teams (return game) ever see brighter days? What does the staff see in Cadet to keep him around?
Great question. Honestly, I thought Brandin Cooks was a poor fit at punt returner. That’s just not something he does that well. He’s a fantastic receiver and will only get better, but I’m not sure I see a future with him at that position. Not to mention he broke his thumb returning a punt. I think picking up Jalen Saunders is a step in that direction. I think he and/or Joe Morgan will get a chance this Monday night. The Saints need more explosiveness in the return game and have for a while now. I think the team likes Cadet’s versatility. Because almost every kickoff goes for a touchback these days anyway, it makes it harder to justify keeping a guy on your roster that only returns kicks. So you want a guy that can help you in other areas too, and the Saints like Cadet as a third down back. He does have very good hands coming out of the backfield. But ultimately his contribution as a returner has been poor. I’m with you, the sooner Cadet is replaced as a returner, the better. To be honest I’d be surprised if Cadet if back on the roster next season.
Nyck Taylor Will we win more games
Haha, worried about going 4-12? Well, the Saints play three more NFC South games. Two of those are on the road. As horrific as the NFC South has been all season, yeah, I can pretty much guarantee the Saints will win at least one or two more this year.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
