With the way the defense played in this game 31 points was more than enough. The offense can be happy with the overall performance but some opportunities were still squandered. The offensive line play wasn’t great and a few mistakes here and there prevented the Saints from really pouring it on. With tricky conditions you have to be pleased overall with the results, though. Hopefully this bodes well going into a game against the 32nd ranked defense in the NFL next week. Below are the grades:
Drew Brees: A+ (2.86) Surgical is the only way to describe his performance. He was methodical at working the medium to underneath routes. Given the conditions taking shots downfield would have been dangerous. He finished 29 of 36 for 375 yards, 3 touchdowns and no turnovers. He did fumble one on a bobbled ball but he was able to recover. He showed great athleticism, escaped a couple of sacks, and did a great job stepping up in the pocket to deliver accurate footballs. When Brees is on point like this it makes the Saints extremely tough to beat.
Mark Ingram: C+ (2.88) He finished with just 59 yards for 17 carries and a touchdown. The touchdown came on a 15 yard run at the end of the game, without it his stats would have been much worse. He was hit short of the first on a 3rd and 2 toss sweep. In general he didn’t read holes as well or hit them with his usual shiftiness. He also missed a blitz pickup. Not his best game, but the run at the end was nice. Sadly his best run of the game was called back due to a hold.
Pierre Thomas: A- (2.80) Why he doesn’t see the ball more is baffling to me. He’s always so hard to bring down and such a tough back. He had his trademark screen plays setting up blocks perfectly. He had screens of 39 and 31 yards early. He finished with 5 catches for 83 yards and 2 carries for 11 yards. If the Saints want to make the playoffs or have any success once in them, they’d be well served to lean on PT.
Khiry Robinson: C (2.67) He played a bit more than last week and looked to be getting back in the swing of things. He gave up a sack on a very poor blitz pickup which was most disappointing. Otherwise he caught the ball well and ran with effort despite rusty vision. He had 3 carries for 10 yards and 2 catches for 10 yards.
Erik Lorig: B- (2.33) By far his best play in the game was the seal block on the edge that sprung the Ingram touchdown run. That was a thing of beauty. His pass blocking on play action was very good. His blocking on running plays was spotty, though, and his lone carry for a yard made me miss Austin Johnson. Deserves an enormous amount of credit for making the tackle on special teams on a snap to the upback on a fake punt where he ends up just short of the first down. That play alone gives his grade a boost.
Travaris Cadet: C (2.29) Never got a chance at a return and was merely a decoy on offense the times he played. He lived a little dangerously on a couple kickoffs that he let roll into the end zone.
Nick Toon: C+ (2.47) He got a start and played a good deal in this game. Brees is starting to trust him more and develop some chemistry with him. Unfortunately that fumble on the opening drive just can’t happen and could have been a killer. He finished with a workmanlike 4 catches for 43 yards.
Kenny Stills: B+ (2.67) Quietly went about a solid 5 catch 67 yard performance. He’s really turning into a good route runner with reliable hands. He reminds me a lot of Lance Moore in his prime.
Marques Colston: B+ (2.36) A vintage Colston showing in this one where he played well. He finished with 5 catches for 65 yards and a beautiful touchdown catch. Only gripe was a low ball on a 3rd down throw where it was a tough play to make but he could have made that catch. The missed field goal would follow. In a down year this was definitely one of his better games.
Robert Meachem: C- (1.75) His lone target was basically a throw away where he was completely double covered. He didn’t bring much to the offense other then some deep routes that pulled the defense with him. Nice to see him back on the field, though.
Jimmy Graham: B+ (2.69) Graham came to play. There were a handful of throws where he didn’t dominate, namely a one handed grab he almost comes up with on a rare miss by Brees and an end zone target where he should be able to beat the guy covering him. But overall he made some nice plays and finished with 5 catches for 87 yards. I thought his blocking was good and the biggest play he had was a pass interference downfield which set up the first touchdown. As much as he gets hit downfield before the ball gets there it was nice to see a flag for a change.
Benjamin Watson: C- (2.17) A holding call negated Ingram’s biggest run of 23. His lone reception of 5 yards was short of the sticks and forced a punt. I thought his blocking overall was average. He did recover an onside kick.
Josh Hill: A+ (2.72) He continues to be a beast on special teams, first of all. He leads the team in tackles and added two more. How does a back end tight end keep being the tackler? I don’t know, but he’s awesome. He also caught 2 balls for 15 yards and 2 touchdowns. Had some good blocking as well. An outstanding game all around by Hill who is a terrific asset to the team. On both scores he was initially covered but as Brees rolled his way and looked off him the defender drifted which allowed Hill to open up and he did a nice job going to the pylon for scores.
Terron Armstead: C- (2.51) Struggled before leaving with the same neck injury. Got beat badly by Allen and blatantly held him to slow him down. I hope he’s ok, the Saints need him badly on Sunday.
Ben Grubbs: C (2.50) Gave up a huge pressure that led to Brees almost getting killed and then briefly left the game just after that. I’m not sure what happened but he was able to return pretty quickly and held up well afterwards. The run blocking was spotty.
Jonathan Goodwin: A (2.50) Best showing of the season in my opinion. Often gave Brees a clean pocket to step into. His physical push up the middle was consistent. Did a really good job doubling on an initial block and then rotating over to pick up delay blitzes. I did notice he looked slower on the screen pulls than the Goody of old but the injury might be affecting his movement in space a bit, but he still managed to disrupt tacklers enough to create an opening for PT.
Jahri Evans: B (2.64) He wasn’t necessarily dominant physically but he played a very clean game. He bought Brees time in the pocket and held his ground.
Zach Strief: B (2.67) Solid showing. Most of the good runs were off tackle to the right side. His pass protection was clean.
Bryce Harris: C- (1.83) Struggled mightily with Jared Allen and it caused at least a couple drives to stall. Gave up significant pressure and his pull/block on that 3rd down Ingram pitch was poor. Missing Armstead with that neck issue is a concern.
Senio Kelemete: B- (2.67) Played sparingly but held up well when he filled in for Grubbs at left guard. I really like this guy. He impressed me immensely when I saw him in camp and I believe the Saints have a good backup in him. He showed some things in his first snaps.
My Offensive Player of the Game: Drew Brees
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