Four games down and 12 to go for the New Orleans Saints. This week we have for you a little analysis at the quarter-pole and some thoughts on the renaming of the Superdome.<\/p>\n
Jake Lipsman<\/strong>-No thoughts really. \u00a0I probably favor the Lousiana Superdome as it was a bit more pure, but I\u2019m more concerned with what goes on inside the building than what it says on the outside. Jake Lipsman- <\/strong>Darren Sproles. \u00a0All of the playmaking ability we were concerned about losing in the Reggie Bush trade has come back better, tougher, and less expensive via the Sproles signing. \u00a0This was absolutely the right move for the Saints and it is paying obvious dividends. Jake Lipsman <\/strong>– 8. \u00a0The offense has been kicking on all cylinders, and the Saints showed in week 4 that they can win with the run as well as the pass. \u00a0They shut down MJD in week 4, but I need to see more consistency on defense before I bump this grade above an 8. \u00a0The Saints look like they can beat anybody, but they can\u2019t be allowing 40 points when it gets to crunch time in December and January.
\nJonathan Christensen <\/strong>– Not a huge fan of corporate sponsorships on stadiums, but it will alleviate pressure on the state. Fans are never going to call it the Mercedes Benz Superdome; that will never sound right. But, alas, the NFL is a multi-billion dollar business. The Saints are just getting a bigger piece of the pie. But could you blame them?
\nJake Madison <\/strong>– The money is only a good thing and the team could have found a much worse sponsor. Plus, I kind of like the way Benz-Dome sounds.
\nJoe Gerrity-<\/strong> I can\u2019t think of a classier name that one could reasonably expect to get. Perhaps we could have been the Bentley Superdome, but I\u2019m cool with Mercedes-Benz. At least it\u2019s not the Rick\u2019s Hustler Club Superdome.
\nDan Lawton<\/strong> – Corporate stadium sponsorships are, for the most part, lame, characterless and inevitable. \u00a0As far as they go, I think the Saints scored one of the most premier ones out there.
\nbothered.<\/p>\n2. Aside from Drew Brees, who has been the MVP so far this year?<\/h3>\n
\nJonathan Christensen<\/strong> – Darren Sproles. He has been the best offensive free agent addition to the Saints not named Drew Brees. His ability to stretch the field both in the passing and running game makes Sproles an intregal part of the offense.
\nJake Madison <\/strong>– It has to be Darren Sproles. He has been a huge factor on offense in the running and passing game, as well a game changer on special teams. What a great free agent signing.
\nJoe Gerrity-<\/strong> I\u2019m torn between a few guys, but I think right now it\u2019s Jimmy Graham. He\u2019s been the most consistent downfield target of Brees all year, catching nearly 44 percent (7 of 16) of passes over 20 yards, and he\u2019s turning into a pretty good blocker as well.
\nDan Lawton –<\/strong> Jimmy Graham. \u00a0The guy looks like a gazelle out there, the way he\u2019s burning secondaries, and he\u2019s only going to get better.<\/p>\n3. On a scale of 1 to 10, grade the first quarter of the season for the Saints.<\/h3>\n
\nJonathan Christensen –<\/strong> 8. So far, so good with winning games against Chicago, Houston, and Jacksonville, and losing a close one against defending champion Green Bay. Defensive consistency is an issue, but I think that will clear up in time.
\nJake Madison – <\/strong>8.5. The Saints only loss was the opening game against the Packers which went right down to the end. The Saints should feel confident that they can beat any team in the league. The secondary, however, has done nothing to inspire confidence and is a huge concern for the team going forward.
\nJoe Gerrity- <\/strong>7.\u00a0 Hard to see things working out this year with the pass defense in disarray. Something has to change.<\/p>\n