Based on how the game started it was clear the Saints were not going to be very good defensively. But as the game wore on the unit would make plays here and there. They are extremely young, they’re going to make mistakes, but they at least competed well. I think we’re in for a lot of frustration with these guys but they will occasionally surprise us this season. I saw some things I liked but there is a tremendous amount of work and improvement needed. This was by no means an elite offense they faced so giving up 31 points won’t cut it. Especially when it seems clear the offense is regressing. Below are the grades for the game. The letter grade represents the player’s performance in the game and the GPA will represent the cumulative performance over the course of the season.
Cameron Jordan: C+ (2.33)
I wish thing could’ve turned out better for Jordan because he was active and constantly getting after Carson Palmer. Unfortunately bad luck and a second too late resulted in not much impact on the game. Based on how he played there has to be optimism moving forward, though. He finished with 2 tackles, both in the backfield, and was one of the Saints best run defenders. He hit Palmer once and pressured him many times. He also had a defended pass that should have been an interception but he couldn’t hang on.
Akiem Hicks: D (1.00)
A complete non factor. He was invisible in this game. The Saints need more out of him if they’re going to be any better defensively.
Kevin Williams: C- (1.67)
He had 1 tackle, no visible pass rush and mixed results against the run. The Saints were not impressive on the interior.
John Jenkins: C+ (2.33)
In the first half he was pushed around, showed poor effort and seemed on his way out of the NFL. He did bounce back to get much more active in the second half, though, which was nice to see because his start was poor. He finished second on the team with 5 tackles but his space eating and leverage against the run has to improve.
Bobby Richardson: B- (2.67)
A quiet day but benefited from the Ellington non contact injury to make a run tackle at the line of scrimmage. He showed some nice effort and finished with 3 tackles.
Tyeler Davison: C- (1.67)
He was stonewalled and gave little push when he was in. He did field a kickoff and returned it 10 yards which was head’s up.
Travaris Barnes: C- (1.67)
Didn’t impress much in limited snaps. Failed to make a tackle in run support pursuit up the middle.
Kasim Edebali: C (2.00)
Quiet day and I didn’t feel he played enough. His pass rush was disappointing.
David Hawthorne: D (1.00)
He finished with 2 tackles. He was ok against the run at times but missed a couple tackles. He was torched by Darren Fells on a touchdown in coverage. Hopefully Ellerbe can come back soon.
Hau’oli Kikaha: B- (2.67)
A pretty good performance overall. I was mostly impressed with his effort against the run. His pass rush wasn’t great but he occasionally hurried Palmer. He finished with 5 tackles and forced a fumble for the defense’s lone takeaway.
Stephone Anthony: C+ (2.33)
He finished with 4 tackles including one for a loss on a nice run stuff. He showed off his speed and ability in coverage, though he had a bad drop on a must have interception. He over-pursued badly on one running play that led to a huge hole and gain. He still learning and needs to be more productive but I saw some promising things for sure.
Ramon Humber: C (2.00)
He was ok at times in coverage but that was about it. He finished with 2 tackles.
Delvin Breaux: C- (1.67)
He finished with 5 tackles and a defended pass. But we were all worried about Browner getting flagged when clearly Breaux was the one we should have been worried about. He used poor technique down the field which led to at least 4 flags being thrown on him. He had his moments including a big breakup to force a punt late but it was more bad than good. I still think he will be a good player, just a tough first game without Keenan Lewis in the mix. He did come up with the fumble recovery on Kikaha’s strip.
Brandon Browner: C (2.00)
Not too impressed overall by Browner. He was beat badly on a number of occasions starting with the first play of the game. At one point Fitzgerald embarrassed him on a double move only to see Palmer over throw the deep ball by 10 yards. Browner was physical and did have good coverage at times be he was fortunate Palmer didn’t victimize him more. Browner dropped two very makeable interceptions which was disappointing. He finished with 1 tackle.
Damian Swann: B (3.00)
He was flagged once for a facemask but I thought he competed very well. He was beat on occasion, sure, and Palmer tested him early and often. But Swann’s coverage was good and he contested every ball that came his way. He led the team with 6 tackles and showed he can play.
Kyle Wilson: D+ (1.33)
Came in and immediately got flagged for a big pass interference call. I thought it was a close call but probably right.
Rafael Bush: D (1.00)
It looked like he injured his shoulder or collarbone. I’m guessing it was affecting his performance because he was playing miserably. Missing tackles, bad angles, you name it. He looked hobbled. He finished with 2 tackles. Hopefully he’s ok
Kenny Vaccaro: C+ (2.33)
Vaccaro was pretty good overall in coverage. Quiet game, though. He had 2 tackles and a defended pass.
Jamarca Sanford: C+ (2.33)
Came into a rough situation playing out of position but filled in admirably. He had good reads over the top as the last line of defense in coverage.
Zach Hocker: A+ (4.33)
Who would’ve thunk it? Hocker gets the first A+ of the season and he deserves it. He went 4-4 with a long of 45 and made an extra point which is no longer a walk in the park. I wish the Saints had settled for less field goals but I can’t blame Hocker for that. Going with a guy that had no experience made me nervous but he stepped up and played excellent. All his kicks were perfectly down the middle. Those are all kicks I expect your average NFL kicker to make but given Hocker’s non existent history I’m very happy with his performance.
Thomas Morstead: C+ (2.33)
He’s still a beast on kickoffs and blasted almost all of them out of the end zone. The one that was taken out was returned for 43 yards so clearly the more touchbacks the better. He averaged just 42.8 yards per punt on 4 with 39 net. Not his best day punting. One was pinned inside the 20. He also had one downed at the 1 but a penalty gave the Saints a first down. He’s had better games.
Justin Drescher: C (2.00)
He was mostly fine but had a poor snap location on the first field goal that led to a bobbled hold.
Luke McCown: B+ (3.33)
Speaking of that first field goal, excellent job by “the backup” to quickly recover and get the ball in a position to be kicked. A miss there would have been horrible early game momentum against the Saints.
Marcus Murphy: C- (1.67)
Was never able to bring out a kickoff and awkwardly fielded a punt return before going 2 yards.
Don Jones: B- (2.67)
Excellent coverage and tackle on Morstead’s last punt. I guess that’s why they signed him.
My Defensive Player of the Game: Damian Swann
My Special Teams Player of the Game: Zach Hocker
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