BRIGHTER NOTE

     If anyone told me that the Saints would be 7-9 at the end of this season, I would have kindly shared my anti-depressants. Now that it is the team's reality, some things have surfaced this season that could clearly be considered the cause of such a doozy of a season. Things such as team character issues and Coach Payton chasing down and benching guys. Plus, the future of Rob Ryan is up in the air. But amid all the frustration, there are some bright spots to this roller coaster of a season. What you ask? Well, take a look at the Packers and Saints  highlights from week eight. Or how about the Saints versus Panthers in week nine. Better yet week 15 against the Chicago Bears. This team has had spurts of  greatness, but we already knew that. But at the top of my list, has to be the endurance of Drew Brees. 

And now that players are prepared to clean their lockers, Who Dat Nation should look forward to the future. First, rooting for our Pro Bowl selections, Jimmy Graham and Jahri Evans. Then, playing seek and find Saints players in Carnival parades. Soon thereafter, looking  forward to the upcoming NFL Draft. And finally, the return of Jonathan Vilma.

Saints fans should put this season behind them and Count their Blessings. We could be starting Luke Mc Cown next season......Just a thought.

A final toast of the season,

 To, Curtis Lofton for ranking 4th in the NFL in tackles this season. Lofton hasn't been given enough credit for his consistency on defense this year. 

To, Junior Galette for sacking Josh McCown in the endzone for a safety.

To, Cameron Jordan, for sacking Josh McCown in the fourth bringing 3rd and long.   

To, the Saints offensive line that kept Drew Brees intact for the most part this season. Breesus didn't miss a game this season due to injury.                                                                  

That's the last  round for 2014. Until next season,
                                                                                                  Cheers,
                                                                                                      SC

OVER AND OUT

Aside from Jalen Saunders 99-yard kickoff return, the Saints performance against the Falcons this week was such a doozy. They were punked. Drew Brees was intercepted once. Jimmy Graham fumbled at the goal line. The Saints defense gave up too many yards and the offense gave up whatever else they could give up. Their playoff chances are kaput and the division title is nonexistent The Saints haven't been swept by the Falcons since 2005. That was the year the region was uprooted by Katrina. Wish there was something I could say or do to make things better for Who Dat Nation. The fact of the matter is that this season is a reflection of who we really are. Who are we? Inconsistent, talented, powerless, talented, sluggish, talented. Here's my point, this team can have all the talent in the world but when you don't have chemistry, discipline or your intentions aren't where the planets are aligned, then you will falter. You will be good and you will be terrible! Some may think its gris-gris or that the team has run out of luck. But no matter what the reason, it has to be fixed.....for the better.

So now, with one game left in the season we look ahead to the draft and figure out what this team needs. Any suggestions? They've got talent.

It would be ugly to not raise a glass for the one person who has been waiting all season to make his debut.

A TOAST, to JALEN SAUNDERS. For the best return all season long.




                                                                                                                        CHEER UP,
                                                                                                                               SC

****please drink responsibly. Age 21 and older. Always choose a designated driver.

DATS STILL POSSIBLE?!?!?

Out of all the possible scenarios that would get the Saints (6-8) into the post season, there is one that is highly likely; SAINTS and Browns Win and Saints are in.  The rest is just a mix and a mingle but very likely as WWL Radio has it so eloquently laid out. Just as always, the Saints control their own destiny. It won’t be easy this Sunday as they face the Falcons (5-9) in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Shockingly, both teams haven’t played up to their talent this season and should feel lucky to even be battling for a division title and a playoff berth. Problems on defense and inconsistent play on offense is the reason that the Saints and the Falcons are sitting worse than mediocre. The previous contest between the two teams ended with the Saints on the losing end. That key first matchup this season was an overtime heartbreaking loss in Atlanta that set the tone for most of the season. Although the Falcons started the season looking much more like a championship caliber team, they too find themselves in much of the same jammer that the Saints are in.  

But Rob Ryan will have the last word…… AND HE NOW HAS THE FLOOR.

Much has been said about this newly revamped Saints secondary packed with what I like to term gnats. A gnat is a defensive player most likely in the secondary but can play other defensive positions. They are always around the ball or they are always a factor in the play bugging the heck out of a receiver or opposing quarterback. Rob Ryan has unleashed a few of them. They are Pierre Warren, Marcus Ball, Kasim Edebali, Terrance Fredericks and Jamarca Sanford. Kenny Vaccaro has already made his debut a season ago. With the exception of #killem kenny, the rest of them will be faced with the biggest test of the start to their NFL careers. If that makes any sense to some of you. 

When Matt Ryan and the Falcons starring Julio Jones enter the Dome on Sunday, those gnats will most likely be ready to swarm around a hip-injured Jones or a Roddy White and whoever else thinks they will run, carry or catch anything. Trust me on this one. Before I get too deep with these guys and before my offense gets jealous, let’s get to the keys to the game.

 

Keys to the Game:

 OFFENSE: protection, perfection and detection

Beef up Protection- Drew Brees has been sacked five times in the last three weeks. If the Saints plan to make a run for the postseason, protection has got to be on the top of their Christmas list. The Falcons will be looking to lay career ending hits on Breesus.  

PERFECTION LIES IN THE UNKNOWN- Falcons defenders will be all over veteran Marques Colston and breakout star Kenny Stills. If Payton can get the virtually unknown Jalen Saunders in the mix, the Falcons defenders will be off balanced all afternoon.

 GIVE IT TO STILLS AND PEACE will BE STILL-  In other words, while balancing the run and pass, remember there are far too many weapons on this Saints offense. Kenny Stills will be a primary target who is efficient and precise in catching the ball. I wouldn’t try and set the tone with that same opening scoring deep route that the Saints usually try against the Falcons each year. Try it later. Maybe second quarter ish but if it’s open, take it. This will shut down any trash talk of Julio and Roddy. #lettherebepeace

Detect the dunk - Drew Brees will and must find his other favorite target. Just because the game has opened up for other players on the offense in the last few weeks, don’t feel totally upset about using Jimmy Graham as a decoy. He understands. He MAY get open a couple of times this Sunday afternoon. And he should definitely throw away a few duckies in this upcoming game. How does 30,000 dollars sound? DUNK! ITS WORTH IT!

DEFENSE

FIND THE BALL- I already know that those gnats have their assignments. But with trash talking Roddy White on field with his P-N-C, Julio Jones, not only do they need to make a statement but they need to make one early. That'll be their (White and Jones) #twobit^change.


STICK IT TO HIM- If Akiem Hicks is available Sunday, he along with Cam Jordan and Curtis Lofton will need to bring down the buttress of protection for Matty ICE. "Duh." you say? In the last three weeks, Ryan has only seen the ground twice. #potatoes


Score Prediction: SAINTS 31 vs Falcons 20
                                                                                    
                                                                                            Cheers,
                                                                                                SC


Injury Report

 New Orleans Saints:

OT Terron Armstead (Neck) - Questionable

S Jamarca Sanford (Hamstring) - Questionable

DE Akiem Hicks (Ankle) - Questionable

 

Atlanta Falcons:

G Jon Asamoah (Back) - Questionable

WR Julio Jones (Hip) - Questionable

Limited - Sunday Status

S William Moore (Foot) - Questionable

DB Josh Wilson (Hand) - Probable

WR Roddy White (Knee) - Probable

WR Harry Douglas (Foot) - Probable

****please drink responsibly. Age 21 and older. Always choose a designated driver.

UNPREPARED TO CLIMB

      Apparently, the Chicago Bears were unprepared to climb the obstacle of Josh Hill. The Saints fullback scored a career high two touchdowns in Monday night's primetime victory. Both scores came deep in the redzone. The first for eight yards and the second, a seven yard scamper.  Hill who has lots to celebrate this Christmas is having a productive season on and off the field. This season Hill has 14 receptions for 176 yards and five touchdowns. With two games remaining in the regular season, look for the fullback to be an even bigger threat while Graham is continuously swarmed with defenders or gnats. As for his off the field blessings, Josh is expecting another football-sized gift under the tree. To find out more, check out the post by John DeShazier on the New Orleans Saints website.   

     The Saints convincing victory out in Chicago this week sent volumes to members of the bandwagon. Thanks for making the trip lighter. The drizzle and chilly temps couldn't stop the real severe weather threat in a Brees' offense. Even the defense got in on the action. Whatever changes Rob Ryan made in eight days, worked. Gnats like Pierre Warren and Marcus Ball came to show the rest of the NFL in front of a nationally televised audience that they came to play and show out. Warren, the rookie from Jacksonville State, has four pass deflections, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a recovery in the last two games. And for Ball, a Georgia native, he too has become a gnat with great potential. Ball  played in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts before signing with the Saints this season. Keep an eye on these two, especially against the Falcons. Wherever the ball is, there too will you find Pierre Warren and Marcus Ball. If they stay on board with the Saints, the defense will be a forced to be reckoned with.....again. To make my point clearly understood, the Saints will be a championship caliber team.

A toast to:

Josh Hill. Why? Read the first paragraphs. The boy is on fire. Always alert and on time.

Akiem Hicks. Why? For sacking Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

Pierre Warren. Why? The rookie had two interceptions in Monday Night's show down.

Pierre Thomas. Why? For returning to the Pierre of old. The veteran Saint running back, is credited with a 40-yard catch and run.


Great performance heading into week 15.

UP NEXT, the 5-9 Atlanta Falcons.
                                                                                                                    CHEERS,
                                                                                                                        SC




*you must be 21 years of age or older to drink. Always have a designated driver.

CRACKING THE WHIP

IF THIS HUMP DAY IS ANY INDICATION OF HOW PISSED HEAD COACH SEAN PAYTON IS IN REACTION TO THE 41-10 ASS KICKING THE CAROLINA PANTHERS HANDED THE SAINTS, I DON'T WANT TO LIVE TO SEE THURSDAY.

TODAY, PAYTON SHELLED OUT A PINK SLIP TO JOE MORGAN AND EVEN BENCHED STANDOUT, KENNY VACCARO CITING CHARACTER ISSUES.

SOME MAY AGREE ITS A LITTLE HARSH BUT THE MOVE IS THE RIGHT ONE.

IT'S A BITTER PILL TO SWALLOW BUT HE'S GOT TO MAKE A STATEMENT.

THE INCONSISTENT EFFORTS OF THE TEAM THIS SEASON HAS RAISED SOME EYEBROWS. DURING PRESEASON, THE TEAM  WAS SLIGHTED TO BE A MAJOR PLAYOFF CONTENDER AND SOME ANALYSTS EVEN PREDICTED THEM TO MAKE A TRIP TO THE SUPERBOWL.  BUT NOT THIS TEAM, NOT THIS YEAR.

THE TEAM  HEADS THE DIVISON AT FIVE AND EIGHT, BUT EVEN THE WILD CARD SLOTS ARE FILLED.  NO BIGGIE. THIS TEAM HAS ISSUES. MAJOR ISSUES.

TRUTH BE TOLD, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY ARE. BUT I DAMN SURE PLAN TO   FIND OUT.

SHORT AND SIMPLE. 

                                                                                                                      PHOOEY,
                                                                                                                           SC

NO CATCH, NO PROBLEM

Maybe its a good thing Jimmy Graham and Drew Brees didn't hook up in Game 12. Maybe its smart that he appeared to be more of a decoy for the Steelers defense to swarm around . But really??? No Catches? None? All 6 feet 7 inches of  orange-ginger... no stats? It's not that Drew Brees didn't see him. It's not that his performance was poor. He was ready and focused on every down he entered. But it just didn't happen. Maybe it was the gnat-style defense that the Steelers play. It wasn't a terrible thing that he didn't catch a pass. It caused some unfamiliar to the rest of the world to gain national attention. Players like receiver Nick Toon, tight end Ben Watson and fullback Eric Lorig played a much bigger role in Sunday's game. Did I mention that Patriots Rob Gronkowski reeled in seven catches for 98 yards but no touchdowns all in a losing effort? It wouldn't be characteristic of Jimmy Graham to care that much if any that he didn't get the touches he's used to. After all it was only one game and it ended in victory. But if you let him tell it, he would probably say something along the lines of "I'm good. we still won." And in addition to that, Breesus wasn't anything short of miraculous. Drew threw five touchdowns and performed like the god-like creature of old.

But, for some reason, We can't have everything we want all of the time. Apparently. The Saints are 5-7, allegations of clashes between Rob Ryan and Sean Payton have surfaced and talks of Drew Brees being traded... possibly. Of course all three aren't chatty catty little hood rats. They're professionals and deny all claims. But I guess, its as they say.... A victory makes all the bitterness and anxiety, go far away.

Let us toast,

To: #Kill'emKenny Vaccarro. Why? # 32 intercepted a pass intended for Darius Heyward-Bey.

To: Nick Toon. Why? For showing up and showing that he still can be relevant on this team after missing most of the season. Toon fought his way to the endzone and scored a touchdown.

To: Ben Watson. Why? For scoring a 15-yard touchdown. Oh and for being so vocal and accurate about the Ferguson ordeal.

TO: CAMERON JORDAN, or Rex Crushmore for tipping and intercepting Big Ben in the third.

Up next, Carolina Panthers (3-8-1)

                                                                           Cheers,
                                                                              SC
 *you must be 21 years of age or older to drink. Always have a designated driver.