Saints and Panthers

[Paintballr]

So just thought I'd share a couple thoughts from yesterdays game.

First quarter started out pretty rough but the game picked up and actually became a good one. When was the last time we actually hung on to a game till the final play almost? Even though we lost, I'd rather lose like that than what we have been doing.

Big play that helped the Saints was the revenge of Jason Kyle. I remember a couple people mocking on here a while back the way he hits/linebacker play(even though he is just a long snapper) he made a big play.

On the Goodson face mask. My god what was the delay? They showed the replay from behind a official, which was so clear as day and he wasn't even the one that threw the flag? It was the main ref also....anyways...

Defense just kept picking us apart. It was a couple of things. Soft zone with no pressure=Brees picking us apart. Wouldn't be surprised if we do draft another DT in the early rounds next year.

Any word on Smith's injury? I know its Monday and usually run tests today to see what the extent was. Loved the stupid "who dat" chant while he is laying on the ground. It's gonna suck having him out now....think about it. That double team that Smith was requiring all game, now can be put on Gettis or Jarret or LaFell. Thats our 3 starting receivers people....

Gettis should get some props from the game today. Made some smart catches and I wouldn't be surprised if these two become the old smith and jake.

Offensive line still makes me feel sick just watching it. They made some improvement late in the game with running etc....but when it comes to passing plays Jimmy just has no time what so ever. I still believe we use our first pick next year on a LT/RT. Anyone agree with me?

End of the game. Smart play by fox with the last timeout with under two minutes to go. Saved a rushed 4th down or a delay of game and a long 4th down with that. Now was it Jimmy's fault with lack of knowledge of the play clock? Or the play coming in late/lineup late? Who knows but they need more practice with this. My god lack of protection on that play? Did you see how fast they got to Jimmy? Thank god he can actually move his feet. Jake would have been down.

On the Williams cut back. We've see him do that plenty of games and actually break it. If you look at the replay he would have still lost a yard or two if he just kept going straight. Then a sack right after that is what really hurt us. Terrible pass protection once again. People really think Otah will help with this part of the game? lol

Outside of the few miscues they look better. Actually stayed in the game till the end. Hope we can get over the hill and actually beat the Bears.

[marcopolo]

on the williams cut back... defenses know to stay at home now, to contain DT

[hsfolk]

Sedrick Ellis played his best game as a Saint yesterday

[Paintballr]

on the williams cut back... defenses know to stay at home now, to contain DT

I mean thats the whole running style of D-Will. If you see him come in to the game, stay at home. We obviously still don't know how to do that with our CB's and DE but it works sometimes. Other times it can be awful.

[MamaSaint]

Y'all are much better than your record shows. Since I live in NC, I watch your preseason games, etc. & follow y'all fairly closely. Clausen is definitely going to have growing pains. Drew Brees had a bad year in San Diego before he settled into the position.

Even though I obviously was not there, I apologize for the bad timing of the Who Dat chant when Smitty was down. Believe it or not, *most* Saints fans really respect him as a rival and competitor. I truly believe it was not an intentional display of disrespect. I've seen many people on the Saints board say the same thing. I sincerely hope his injury isn't serious & I hope to see him on the field when I go to the game in Charlotte in November.

Jan

[Cat'sGrowl]

Y'all are much better than your record shows. Since I live in NC, I watch your preseason games, etc. & follow y'all fairly closely. Clausen is definitely going to have growing pains. Drew Brees had a bad year in San Diego before he settled into the position.

Even though I obviously was not there, I apologize for the bad timing of the Who Dat chant when Smitty was down. Believe it or not, *most* Saints fans really respect him as a rival and competitor. I truly believe it was not an intentional display of disrespect. I've seen many people on the Saints board say the same thing. I sincerely hope his injury isn't serious & I hope to see him on the field when I go to the game in Charlotte in November.

Jan

Drew Brees had a FEW bad years in San Diego before he came on.

I'm not sure the people here are patient enough to give Jimmy a FEW more WEEKS.

[Paintballr]

I'm all for the growing pains of clausen. If yesterday is a "growing pain" then I'll be happy. Its the other aspects of the game that we have yet to perform at the level they are being paid for.

[Paintballr]

Y'all are much better than your record shows. Since I live in NC, I watch your preseason games, etc. & follow y'all fairly closely. Clausen is definitely going to have growing pains. Drew Brees had a bad year in San Diego before he settled into the position.

Even though I obviously was not there, I apologize for the bad timing of the Who Dat chant when Smitty was down. Believe it or not, *most* Saints fans really respect him as a rival and competitor. I truly believe it was not an intentional display of disrespect. I've seen many people on the Saints board say the same thing. I sincerely hope his injury isn't serious & I hope to see him on the field when I go to the game in Charlotte in November.

Jan

Yeah I appreciate it. I mean I know a select few on here that shouldn't represent the majority of the Panthers fan base. Its like that everywhere and I assumed so.

[fft22]

on the williams cut back... defenses know to stay at home now, to contain DT

D-Will had also torched the Saints' D early in the game on a cutback. Like he does. Every. Single. Time.

[Maxie]

I thought the Panthers battle hard and gave a good account of themselves particularly considering they were on the road.

It also looks like you guys have a couple of players on defense that are gonna be pleasant surprises. The LB (no.50) maybe? I"m assuming he's the guy filling in for Thomas Davis, is one of the players that I'm thinking of. He played really well.

I know the Saints aren't exactly hitting on all cylinders yet but, they played as well yesterday as in any of the first 4 games so, it's not like we totally laid an egg. I'm not sure how many times we turned it over but, the two turnovers I remember were certainly forced. You know, actual takeaways by the Panthers. It's not like we just laid it on the carpet or threw it straight to someone. The Lance Moore fumble particularly was an excellent defensive play.

Clausen played probably as well as can be expected considering it's early in his rookie season. I think you guys should just stick with him. By midseason he'll probably be better than Moore if he's not already

I thought the biggest difference in the game was the fact that (and I know you guys don't need me to tell you this) the Saints were able to load up on the run as well as send extra people at the passer when they chose to because they didn't think Carolina was a threat to consistantly make them pay for doing this. I'm not really blaming your coaches or any one particular person, it was just because of a number of factors probably. Having S Smith miss part of the game and a rookie QB was probably part of the reason.

A play or two here or there and you guys certainly could have won it, conversely, from the Saints standpoint, we certainly left some points out there too with drops and not finishing some long drives that could have given us some breathing room in the 4th qtr.

Good luck the rest of the season. 0-4 is a big hole, especially since there's some doubt about how long your coach will be here but if your QB progresses quickly, I can see the Panthers getting on a roll at some point before the season's end