TODAY'S CATCH

    When the Saints face the Miami Dolphins in front of a home crowd Monday night, it will be interesting to see how well the defense prepared for Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill and his surprisingly surging offense. In week three, the Dolphins shocked the Atlanta Falcons beating them 27-23.

    The Dolphins aren’t known to have many notable superstars but whatever Coach Philbin has put together, it’s obviously working at the start of the season. Now granted, the Fins have only faced one real test against the Falcons and maybe a hurdle against the Andrew Luck-driven Colts'. The Browns are still an awful team. So now the Dolphins are among the undefeated. Will the Saints defense be the ultimate test for Ryan Tannehill? Rob Ryan’s gang held the Arizona Cardinals to a measly seven points in week three. The exhausted Arizona defense attempted to contain Drew Brees and his nearly complete offense. FOX Sports analyst Howie Long used the expression “Blown Away” to describe his reaction to the Saints 31-7 beat down of the Cardinals and the black and gold’s 3-0 start.

Without further ado, I’d like to make a toast?

A toast:

To: Robert Meachem. Why? After being cut by the Saints and a waste of time with the San Diego Chargers, Big Meach caught a TD pass from the familiar arm of Drew Brees. 

To: Jimmy Graham. Why? For burning the Cardinals secondary for a TD and topping it off with his signature slam dunk.

To: the Saints Defense. Why? The Saints racked up four sacks, intercepted Palmer twice and successfully blockaded the Cardinals offense with a goal line stance.

To: Who Dat nation. Why? The deafening commotion had an affect on Carson Palmer's attempt to hear the plays. The crowd forced the quarterback to cover the ear holes on his helmet to communicate with play callers on the sideline.

The team will need that same energy tonight to help defeat the Dolphins.

Keys to the game:

Offense: Protect Drew Brees. Brees was sacked too many times in week 3.  The usually immobile     quarterback has started to recognize when to run and when to stay put.

The rushing game must pick up. (RB) Khiry Robinson can potentially become an asset to the ground attack as evident by his debut in week three. Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram are still capable of sharing the load   but getting Robinson in the mix would be sort of puzzling to defenses. Ball security is always a no-brainer!

 Defense: Mix it up a bit. Blitz, Blitz, Blitz. Stay in Tannehill’s face. Make him force throws. Tight secondary coverage.  The stud, Kenny Vaccaro, is still becoming a disturbance for opposing offenses. #kill’emKenny#32! He clearly has an instinct for the ball.

Special teams: Field position. Giving Drew Brees a short field would be baffling to the Dolphins defense.  With all the weapons of “mass secondary destruction” in Graham, Colston, Moore, Meachem and now Stills, decent field position would allow Brees to throw quick strikes to the endzone. If this scenario becomes a re-occurrence, look for the secondary to play tightly. Doubling Jimmy Graham or any of the wide-outs will open up the running game.

Notable Injuries: 

S Roman Harper

DT Broderick Bunkley 

Prediction: Dolphins 10  Saints 24

SEASON PREDICTION: SAINTS 11-5.  

WHO DAT NATION STAND UP!!!!!!!!!                                                            

                                                                                                         Cheers,

                                                                                                            SC

****please drink responsibly. age 21 and older. always choose a designated driver.

 Ruffling More Feathers?  

After almost giving Who Dat nation a cardiac arrest, the Saints who sit atop the NFC South with a 2-0 record, stunned the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) on a last minute drive that set up a Garett Hartley field goal.

Forecasters did predict accurately it would be cloudy, but with a chance of WHO DAT? A game delay due to weather forced the teams to their respective locker rooms for more than an hour. When play resumed, the wet field didn't seem to have much of an influence on offensive strategy. It was mainly the defense of both teams that set the tempo for most of the game. 

Here’s a round starting with the Saints’ defense.

A toast:

To: Malcolm Jenkins. Why? He intercepted Bucs’ Quarterback Josh Freeman’s pass and returned it 31-yards.*

To: Jimmy Graham. Why?  Tampa’s busted coverage led to Graham’s wide open touchdown in the first quarter. The defense left what was virtually known as Revis Island, deserted. 

TO: Cam Jordan. Why? On a Blitz, Cam sacked Freeman causing a fumble. The Saints recovered.

Next up : Arizona Cardinals 

          Given the 2-0 start, it’s probably too soon to start planning trips to New Jersey to what is now being deemed the “Storm Bowl.”  The back-to-back wins are just two reasons to parade through the streets months before Carnival season. No need to break out the umbrellas just yet until after a victory over the next opponent, the Arizona Cardinals.

         The Cards (1-1) are coming off a win against the Detroit Lions (1-1). Arizona trailed for most of the game but the Lion’s mistakes led to a comeback. If it had not been for running back Rashard Mendenhall’s touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals would be sitting at 0-2. Not to mention, New Orleans-native Tyrann Mathieu’s drive-ending tackle to secure the Cardinal’s victory. 

         Mathieu, also known as “The Honey Badger,” is clearly making a name for himself in the Southwest. It will be interesting to see how well he performs in front of the home crowd.  Hopefully, this week he doesn’t take what he wants. 

         Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who is probably the face of the Cardinal’s franchise, is questionable for Sunday’s match-up.  If anyone else is thinking like a coach, Fitz should make an appearance but it may be a game-time decision. Mendenhall is also listed as questionable.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Defense:

           In order for the Saints to be successful against the Cardinals offense, they must contain the running game. If Mendenhall is a go, remember he is still battling a toe injury.  If he’s listed as out, expect Alfonse Smith, a fourth year man out of Kentucky to carry out the rushing attack.  Larry Fitzgerald is a load to defend. He’s much like Marques Colston in that you can double him up, but his athleticism and flexibility will put you to shame.  Take notice his longer, slender build and ability to leap for the catch. The one thing that separates him from Colston is speed. #Playreceiverstightly. #sayhellotomylittlefriend#32

 Offense

After a dismal performance against the Bucs, Drew Brees and the Saints must be on one accord this week. The interceptions made a week ago, nearly killed the team.  Especially, the one tossed directly to Mason Foster for a touchdown.  It is vital that the Saints front line protect Brees and give him time to see down field to make safe decisions. Ball security is a must.  Keep the ball high out of reach from LSU standouts Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson. Any mishaps on offense and the afternoon will be a long, miserable one.  The Saints have the upper hand though with home field advantage.  As always, Who Dat Nation will be a factor.

Special teams

Special Teams this week has to get back to the basics. The focal point this week, field position. Rack up yards on kick-off and punt returns. Not penalties.  #BALLSECURITY

Notable injuries

Roman Harper is out against the Cardinals

Prediction: Cardinals  21 Saints 30

Next week’s post  will contain the season record prediction.                              

                                                                                                        

                                                                                                     Cheers,

                                                                                                        SC

*Courtesy of  NFL.com

****please drink responsibly. age 21 and older. always choose a designated driver.

" Kill'em Kenny"

       After a slow start in the season opener, the New Orleans Saints (1-0) turned up victorious in the end.

 Toasting usually makes for a great ending but after a kick to the guts of the Atlanta Falcons, I must pull out the hops and brew up a round myself. 

A Toast:

     TO:  Kenny Vaccaro. With only seconds left, Vaccaro batted down Matt Ryan’s pass to Tony Gonzales to seal the Saints win. He sent the Falcons on what probably will be one of their longest plane rides back to Georgia this season. Imagine if the safety had been a Saint during the 2011-2012 run in the play-offs, against the San Francisco 49ers. Remember the final defensive drive?  Quarterback Alex Smith’s touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with Roman Harper defending? The score ended the Saints second run at the National Championship. Maybe, just maybe if Vaccaro had been birthed a few yrs earlier...

   (#killem’kenny is the newest slogan when referring to the talent of Kenny Vaccaro on opposing players. Not meant to be too dirty.)

    TO:  Kenny Stills. Eventhough the rookie wide receiver let a few big ones slip through his grips, he came up big with his longest catch of 67-yards.  No touchdowns yet, but the rookie outshined veteran receivers Lance Moore and Marques Colston. OK, maybe not totally outshined but #84’s jersey was called upon more times than anyone else. Could this be beginners luck? Probably not. The upcoming duels should squash any doubt.

Next up, the (0-1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After an impressive drive to take the lead against the New York Jets, the Bucs suffered a heartbreaking loss in the final seconds. The Jets were without their starting quarterback Mark Sanchez. West Virginia product, Geno Smith, led the team to victory.  All this means is that Tampa will be looking for a win. Not desperate yet, but a loss to the Saints on Sunday could turn out to be factor at the end of the season. Sunday will also be the return of notable former Saints, (OLB) Jonathan Casillas and (G) Carl Nicks.

Saints Keys to the game:

DEFENSE:

 Saints’ Defense needs to stand firm. Tight coverage is a must if they want to shut down Freeman’s weapons: Running Back Peyton Hillis, Wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. If the Saints’ defense blinks, these key veterans will likely burn them.

THE ISLAND: Newly acquired Cornerback Darrelle Revis who suffered a knee injury during the 2012 season is back. With all the hype surrounding “Revis Island,” it will be interesting to see how well the veteran corner performs against the powerful Saints offense. Hopefully, for the Saints, he has some off-season rust. Who will he cover? Colston, Stills,or  Moore? Does Colston still have the speed left to rack up yards after the catch? Can he athletically battle Revis in the endzone?  Rookie receiver Kenny Stills has the speed but he can make the big catches? He dropped a few in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Dropped passes and deflections could bring Revis Island back to life.  Lance Moore may be a better, more secure target for Brees.

   

OFFENSE:

Simple: CATCH THE BALL, SECURE THE BALL and RUN LIKE HELL!!!

Seriously,  turnovers will be the determining factor in Sunday's game in Tampa. Also, controlling the time of possession is major when going against a potentially powerful offense led by Josh Freeman. The Saints need to make as many successful trips in the red zone as possible. Be patient. Let the big play open itself up. Don’t force anything.  Let the run set up the switchblade.  

PREDICTION:BUCS 13 SAINTS 27

                                                                                                         CHEERS,

                                                                                                             SC

****please drink responsibly. age 21 and older. always choose a designated driver.

DADDY'S BACK

 

      On Sunday when the New Orleans Saints take the field against their rival, the Atlanta Falcons, Who Dat nation will be ecstatic about the return of head coach Sean Payton. Sporting a protruding super hero-like chest and a much tighter jawline, Saint’s fans can accurately predict what has been occupying the majority of the coach's suspension. SOME HEAVY LIFTING!

       During the season opener expect the decibel levels in the Mercedes Benz Superdome to be eardrum-damaging. It will be interesting to see how the defense adjusts to new coordinator, Rob Ryan's, scheme. With Jonathan Vilma on injured reserve at least until week seven expect veterans and rookies on defense to look to other captains on the field in Jabari Greer and Roman Harper.

 

OFFENSE

It’s crucial that Brees stays healthy. WHY? There's no Chase Daniels to fall back on. Although Luke Mc Cown is a seasoned veteran and Ryan Griffin is rookie out of Tulane signed to the practice squad, neither will be able to drive this team deep into the post season.

 

 

A Toast...
   TO: Robert Meachem on his return.

   TO: The blind side. With the release of Jermon Bushrod, the shoddy protection on the left side should cease.

 

 
DEFENSE

Will they be fast enough to rumble with younger wide receiver corps? Will they be able to swiftly adjust to Ryan's scheme? Game one will be the test.

 

A Toast...

 

  TO: Kenny Vaccaro. Not only is he a stud, but most importantly he’s aggressive and has an eye for the ball. Vaccaro is not afraid to serve a hit that will knock an equilibrium off its balance. During training camp, teammates and coaches ripped the safety apart for laying season ending hits n causing receivers to walk off the training field. If this is any indication of how the season will go, opposing offenses better have depth where ball carriers are concern. Julio and Roddy, #SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND#32!!!

 

 TO: Will Smith. Why? For his sportsmanship. After being inaccurately moved from defensive end to outside linebacker, the longest tenured Saint did not make a fuss. The move may have been the reason why he was injured in the first place. As a result, this might as well be his last season as a Saint. After walking off the field during preseason with a knee injury, the team reported his season was over.

 

 SPECIAL TEAMS

    While there shouldn’t be any fake punts in the season opener or onside kicks to start the half, expect lots of deceit from Sean Payton to swing momentum with the fan base in mind.

A toast…

TO: WHO DAT NATION. YOUR INPUT WILL BE A MAJOR FACTOR THIS SUNDAY.

 

Prediction: Saints24 falcons 12

 

                                                CHEERS,

                                                  SC

 

****please drink responsibly. age 21 and older. always choose a designated driver.