Quote:
Originally Posted by DropIt
Watched that game as well yesterday, and the Rob Ryan defence just looks flat out bad as compared to last year. Also, what has happened to Marques Colston and why has Robert Meachem seemed to replace him?
|
Colston getting zero looks yesterday has most of the Saints beat writers scratching their heads, I believe I read it's the first time he hasn't been targeted in a game he played in since 2007. I'd say its due to that ugly fumble to gift the Falcons the W in OT, but with a 9 year vet and consummate pro like Colston, I highly doubt that from Brees/Payton.
If anything, it may have just been a result of too many weapons for Drew to play with, mixed with the passing game really struggling yesterday due to DL pressure from the Browns. That and the Saints run game was great for most of yesterday, which they leaned on a fair bit after some early struggles. Pretty much the only guy catching anything yesterday was Graham, despite tight coverage by one of the league's best in Haden. So after awhile, I think whenever Drew got in trouble, he'd default to Graham (which cost him a pick 6, after sailing one over Jimmy's head).
Colston is still a decent player, but going into his 9th year now and having battled nicks and bruises quite a bit over the years, I think it's finally starting to catch up to him. Combine that with quite a young, dynamic new receiving core in N.O. (Graham, Stills, Cooks, Morgan, Toon), and I think his time is beginning to wind down in this league. He's still an effective weapon (over 100 yards in week 1), but his best days are behind him.
Not sure why Meachem was seeing so many looks yesterday, I even said as much to my buddy when watching the game. IMO Meach is probably in his last year as a Saint, and I'm surprised he even lasted this year. He's a solid deep threat, but with Stills and Cooks seemingly already ahead of him, and Morgan and Toon knocking on the door (and Morgan playing a similar role), expect multiple catch days by Meachem to be few and far between this year.
As for the D so far...sickening. For the amount of money they spent in the off-season to improve what was on paper a top 5 D last year, its mind-bottling to see how much they've struggled so far. Like I mentioned in my last post, the #1 scoring team in the league after 2 weeks is now 0-2. Pick 6 aside, that shines very poorly on the D. The DL simply needs to get more (and by more, I mean any) pressure on the QB. For a DL boasting exceptional young talent with Cameron Jordan, Junior Galette (and his new big contract) and Akiem Hicks, only 2 sacks after 2 games - especially when one was against a leaky, banged up OL in Atlanta - is inexcusable.
That #2 CB spot is looking scary as well so far, it's bringing back painful memories of the Fred Thomas & later Jason David days. Patrick Robinson is a former 1st round pick (Florida St) and has been regarded since his draft year to be the most naturally athletic player in the secondary, but he seems to shy away from contact and needs more "edge" to his game. I'm not ready to give up on him yet, but I highly doubt Champ Bailey looked
that bad in TC (not that he would've been the answer either). Either way, Robinson, White, or whoever will be manning that #2 spot the rest of the way better be prepared to get picked on a lot, when opponents see the game tape. And if the DL keeps giving opposing QB's all day to throw, things could get ugly.
...all that said, I'm still hopeful. At the end of the day, the Saints are finally headed to the Superdome this weekend, and like Seattle, they're a completely different team at home. The offence - while still a bit sloppy - is off to its best start in 3 years, and the run game looks great so far (oh yeah, just heard an hour ago Ingram broke his hand and is out a month. UGHHHH..but I like what they have with Robinson/PT, if they can stay healthy). 0-2 sucks, but they just as easily could've been 2-0, and held leads in both games in the dying seconds. So far it doesn't look like anyone's going to run away with the South, so if they can pick up W's these next 2 weekends against the Vikings and Cowboys, they should be right back in the division race. If they can't, this may be 2007 & 2012 all over again.
EDIT: Yikes, apologies about the length, didn't notice that until now. I guess I had a lot to get off my chest after an 0-2 start...