A rough day for the Saints offense. We’re used to casting stones as the defense lately… well really in the last decade more or less, but it’s rare to see the Sean Payton offense produce so little. They were off to a fast start, too, with 14 points off their first 3 series. They would never score again, though. A combination of penalties, poor play up front, lack of execution, injuries and momentum really prevented any kind of consistency. Below are the grades:
Drew Brees: C- (2.93)
He took more hits and if you go back and watch the game/tape, the ball comes out weird in the second half. He stuck mostly with short throws, but the ball came out wobbly downfield. And you could see on a couple deep balls to Cooks and Watson that the arm strength wasn’t there. Another example was an out to Cooks late thrown low. I think he either re-injured his arm or perhaps he needs to re-hit rehab. I think his poor throwing is as much to blame for the offense faltering as anything. He finished 19 of 28 for 209 yards, 2 touchdown and 2 interceptions. It will be interest to see if he missed any time this week at practice. The protection up front was poor, to be sure, and it was only a matter of time before the play up front came back to cost him physically. Neither interception was awful, both good defensive plays, but if his arm is healthier he probably makes better throws on both.
Mark Ingram: B (2.73)
Had a 70 yard run which was the longest of his career. He showed great power and vision there. He was “nicked” per Sean Payton and played little afterwards. He had 5 carries for 77 yards and 3 catches for 21 yards. Too bad he didn’t see the ball more.
C. J. Spiller: C- (2.30)
Finally got a chance to run the ball more with Ingram banged up and didn’t produce. He had 2 catches for 10 yards and 8 carries for 24 yards. Didn’t have great blocking up front be didn’t show great vision, either. He still looks a little slow running to me compared to the usual CJ Spiller. He returned 3 kickoffs back for 19.7 per return – nothing special. His best return was called back due to a penalty. Fumbled once.
Tim Hightower: B- (2.67)
Ran the ball pretty well late. It was in garbage time but he fell forward and ran with authority. Finished with 46 tough yards on 11 carries.
Ben Watson: C- (2.83)
Came back down to earth with times of poor blocking and a pass interference play that still didn’t prevent Perry Riley Jr from coming up with a sick interception. He had 3 catches for 19 yards. One run stuff happened on a play he was blown up on.
Josh Hill: C+ (2.10)
Had his moments as a blocker but a complete afterthought on the team now. It seems like Hooman has passed him on the depth chart. No targets. This has mostly been a season to forget. He did have 2 special teams tackles, though, which boosts his grade.
Michael Hoomanawanui: D (1.95)
As the “fullback” he completely whiffed on a couple crucial short yardage blocks. Was also roasted in pass protection on a blind side sack of Brees. No targets. Not a good contribution.
Marques Colston: C- (2.07)
Brees’s pass to Colston on the INT was high but once again that’s a ball he needs to come up with. He doesn’t, and it leads to an interception instead. There’s been too much of that from the veteran this year. Otherwise, a pedestrian 3 catches for 22 yards.
Brandin Cooks: A- (2.80)
It’s sad to see such a fantastic performance get lost on such a miserable game. Watching the game over again the contribution from Cooks was just really, really good. He did a little of everything. Ran after the catch, got in space, showed good hands, looked tough, looked explosive… all of it. Unfortunately a horrible drop before halftime on a 3rd down play costs him the A or maybe even an A+. I’m not going to harp on it too much because the defense is so bad it didn’t matter, but man, he has to have that ball. He also couldn’t come up with a low throw on an out but that was mostly on Brees. Finished with 5 catches for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns. Also had a run for 11 yards. One of his best games as a young Saint.
Willie Snead: C- (2.83)
His lone catch was called back due to a penalty. He was targeted one other time on a wobbly ball from Brees thrown well wide. He wasn’t moving well and made no impact due to his knee injury.
T. J. Graham: C+ (2.67)
Caught two wide receiver screens for 25 yards to make him the second leading receiver on the team. Yes, seriously. The first was on 3rd down well short of the first down. The second one was a nice play where he looked fast after the catch. Had mixed results as a gunner on special teams but did notch a tackle.
Brandon Coleman: C+ (2.13)
Had 1 catch for 14 yards on his lone target. Continues to give little contributions. I liked what I saw from him as a gunner on punts, he almost came up with a fumble recovery.
Terron Armstead: C (2.92)
He looked a little slow and banged up to me. Didn’t do a great job run blocking and was flagged for a bad false start. Not his best day but give him credit for gutting it was. Was pulled late to rest him since there was no point.
Tim Lelito: C+ (2.11)
It seemed like the Saints were alternating him at Kelemete at left guard depending on the drive. I saw some decent things from him late run blocking for Hightower. He did get a play blown up on a run early, though.
Max Unger: C (2.80) Didn’t get the push he usually does. A neutral performance overall. Good in pass protection, spotty run blocking.
Jahri Evans: C- (2.62)
It’s tough to see such a legend struggle with injury. He’s just not the same and like with Colston, father time is undefeated. His typically clean pass protection involved him getting exposed on a couple bull rushes, one which resulted in a sack.
Zach Strief: B- (2.07)
Fantastic pull and effort block on the edge to spring Ingram’s 70 yarder. His pass blocking was good. Unfortunately he also had a killer holding penalty.
Senio Kelemete: C+ (2.05)
Thought he did an ok job the times he was in. Curious to see how left guard plays out from here. This rotation they had going was a first.
Andrus Peat: B- (2.62)
Blocked pretty well late coming in for Armstead. Granted the Redskins probably weren’t trying too hard at that point, but I thought it was encouraging.
My Offensive player of the game: Brandin Cooks
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