Now that the dust has settled and the week is wrapping up, it’s time to look at the Saints and Sinners for Week 8.
SAINTS
Lance Moore: Despite a below average day from his quarterback, Moore had a very good game, catching 7 passes for 74 yards and a late touchdown. Moore continues to be a consistent threat for the Saints, and his presence, especially on 3rd downs, is felt by opposing defenses.
Will Smith: Smith amassed 2 sacks in Sunday’s game, increasing his total to 4.5 for the season. Smith is the most consistent of the Saint pass rushers, and he will need to continue to pressure the quarterback in order for New Orleans to have more success.
Thomas Morstead: Now I’m grasping for straws. Morstead had 6 punts, averaging 40.3 yards per kick. Three of those punts landed within the opposing 20 yard line. Morstead has quietly had a Pro Bowl-caliber season. As the season wears on, special teams will become more important, and may be the determining factor in some close games. Morstead is a valuable weapon in controlling field position not only in the punting game, but on kickoffs as well.
SINNERS
Gregg Williams: After Rams RB Steven Jackson absolutely torched the Saints defense during the 1st half of last week’s game, one would assume that proper halftime adjustments would be made. Not so much. Jackson continued to pound the ball against a Saints defense that looked unprepared and comparatively weak. Jackson is a very good back, but the lack of focus on stopping the run has to fall on the defensive coordinator.
Saints OTs: When Chris Long looks like his dad circa 1984, you have a problem. Long had 3 sacks against the Saints, and the offensive line had no real plan to stop him. Add sacks from fellow DE Robert Quinn, DT Fred Robbins, and LB James Laurinaitis, and the Saints had a pretty miserable day trying to protect Brees. The most frustrating part? This unit handled Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney handily a week ago. Consistency is the name of the game in football, and it was certainly lacking on Sunday for the line.
Sean Payton/Pete Carmichael: Payton/Carmichael deserve part of the blame for not even attempting to run the ball. Yes, Ingram was out. Yes, the Rams jumped out quickly in the second half. That doesn’t negate the fact that the offense was totally unbalanced, thus allowing the Rams defense to blitz Brees and focus mainly on the pass, which they did successfully. At least pretend that you have a slight interest in running the ball, fellas. I think Brees would appreciate it greatly, and I know that Saints fans would for sure.
