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.