Sizing Up The Competition: New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees Image: ngngsports.com

Team: New Orleans Saints  (0 – 4)

Offense
Points: 27.5 (10th)
Yards: 401.5 (8th)
Pass: 320.8 (3rd)
Rush: 80.8 (26th)

Defense
Points: 32.5 (29th)
Yards: 463.2 (32nd)
Pass: 276.5 (24th)
Rush: 186.8 (32nd)

Injuries

DNP: WR Lance Moore (Hamstring) – DE Turk McBride (Ankle) – LB David Hawthorne (Hamstring) – RB Travaris Cadet (Shoulder) – DT Broderick Bunkley (Illness)

Limited: S Roman Harper (Hip) – LB Jonathan Casillas (Neck)

Week 5 is almost upon us and the Bolts have a tough one to play in New Orleans. The Saints plan on releasing their final injury report sometime later today. That says plenty about the possibility of receiver Lance Moore missing Sunday nights game. Of course this will not rattle quarterback Drew Brees who could brake Johnny Unitas record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (tied at 47). He will still have Marcus Colston and of course Ex-Charger Darren Sproles to help Brees avoid disappointing his suspended coach Sean Payton, who will be allowed to attend the Sunday Night game to see the Saints quarterback reach this milestone. I do give credit to the Saints, they’ve been doing everything right on offense. What has rained on the Saints parade is their defense and the lack of pressure they can’t seem to apply on opposing quarterbacks.

The Saints defense has been one of the worst this year so far. The Saints defense is last in total yards and rushing yards allowed. Which is the main cause of that horrible loss to Kansas City. Of course the biggest surprise is the lack of Pass Rush displayed by New Orleans. In the past they have had success with rushing only 3 or 4 men but this Spangnuolo zone pressure scheme is less than up for this challenge. They have given quarterbacks all the time in the world to make things happen. They will however be blitzing like crazy trying to get after Philip Rivers, but with Gaither back from injury, I feel a bit confident Rivers will be standing up right most of the day and be able to scan the field. But the true weakness would be the run defense for these Saints. Averaging 186 rushing yards per game (32nd), it would not be the ideal time to send another massage to Ryan Mathews. This would be a perfect game for him to try and regain the “speed of the game” back and his confidence to catapult him into that next level in his career. That was key for Kansas City and it should be the route San Diego should go in defeating this winless beast. This team will be out for blood to avoid a 0-5 start since 1996, when they finished the season with a 3-13 record.

The addition of Chris Carr to provide a more experienced secondary was a good choice before facing this aggressive offense, who will of course be picking on Antoine Cason, as most teams have during this 4 week run. If our defensive line gets pressure, they could force Brees into making a mistake. Remember, I said “could”.

Bolt Addicts, I want to say this will be a good game. It will come down to the turnover and the team with the most mistakes. The Charges have a great chance in coming out of Louisiana with a win but I just don’t believe that the Saints could walk away from that game 0-5.

Let me know what you’re thinking Bolt Addicts. What’s your main concern this week against the Aints. We welcome your opinions.