New Orleans

[Harlan Huckleby]

I don't like that Saints lost ugly and Packers won pretty. This is going to be tough game.


(You had your celebration. All business now.)

[smuggler]

They're giving up almost 30 points a game and our passing game should be at its best in the dome. Anything can happen, but I feel pretty good about this game.

[3irty1]

The part that sucks about the Saints is you know that they'll get their shit together eventually. I just hope we get the same version that the Cowboys and Lions got.

We match up terrifically IMO.

[Bossman641]

The Saint defense is horrible, but I keep fearing their offense will get it going at some point. I hope we get the hobbled J Graham. I think the secondary can shut down the Saint WR.

[smuggler]

Packers 48 Saints 31

[Guiness]

The part that sucks about the Saints is you know that they'll get their shit together eventually. I just hope we get the same version that the Cowboys and Lions got.

We match up terrifically IMO.

Brees seems to be playing well, but he's about the only one on that team. Defense is looking awful. I think the Pack should concentrate on ball control over quick strikes, because Brees is one of the few guys in the NFL that I think could match Rodgers TD for TD, possession after possession.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I just hope we get the same version that the Cowboys and Lions got.

Just a second now. They went into Detroit and had them on ropes until very end. Lions won by one point.

[Fritz]

Just a second now. They went into Detroit and had them on ropes until very end. Lions won by one point.

The Saints' passing attack hurt Detroit . . . wait for it . . .

over the middle.

Sound familiar? And that Detroit defense is playing really, really well right now. Sure, the Saints only scored 23, but that was against a very tough D.

This is going to be a difficult game. Drew Brees is going to tear up the middle of the field. Watch AJ Hawk/Lattimore/Barrington/Jones get torn up over the middle.

[MadScientist]

Just a second now. They went into Detroit and had them on ropes until very end. Lions won by one point.
A Megatron-less Detroit that hadn't scored 20 points or hit 300 yards in either of the two previous weeks, and they gave up 14 in the final 4 minutes, along with 344 yards. NO did move the ball well against a tough Detroit defense, but NO's defense is a weak spot.

Therefore based on the logic of NFL predictors, this should be a low scoring defensive battle.

[3irty1]

Just a second now. They went into Detroit and had them on ropes until very end. Lions won by one point.

You can't just discount the part where they shit down their leg on defense, then shit down their other leg on offense, then shit up their back (imagine they were sitting in a bike seat) on defense, then slipping in the pool of shit and drowning on offense.

[KYPack]

HH is right, the Ain't are gonna be pissed.

NO's D let em' down yesterday is true.

Sunday nite game, They will be pissed and sky high.

Both D's are very vulnerable over the middle, NO has real problems at safety.

Dunno if it's a trap game, should be a shootout.

We've got to be ready.

[denverYooper]

HH is right, the Ain't are gonna be pissed.

NO's D let em' down yesterday is true.

Sunday nite game, They will be pissed and sky high.

Both D's are very vulnerable over the middle, NO has real problems at safety.

Dunno if it's a trap game, should be a shootout.

We've got to be ready.

Yeah, I don't think it's a trap game because NO is a dangerous team with a high-end QB. I still have flashes of that stomping they put on GB a few years back in the rollerdome.

[pbmax]

Yeah, I don't think it's a trap game because NO is a dangerous team with a high-end QB. I still have flashes of that stomping they put on GB a few years back in the rollerdome.

So does Mark Tauscher. Ouch.

[pbmax]

Two fewer chances Packers will be on Sunday Night Football

Adam SchefterVerified account
‏@AdamSchefter
Networks have made their choices as to what games to protect so they can't be flexed to Sunday nights:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0aF6g8IgAAu2BG.jpg:large

[Maxie the Taxi]

New Orleans is a different team at home. Kind of like Seattle in this regard. This will be a tough win for the Pack.

The good news is that Drew Brees has turned into Jay Cutler as of late. He's putting the team on his shoulders and making pressed throws into coverage. We must be able to keep pressure on Brees. Their running game isn't as potent as in years past.

The bad news is the Saints collapsed in Detroit and each player is accepting responsibility. They will all be out for redemption next Sunday and they will be sky high and confident on their home field.

It's going to be a hell of a game.

[channtheman]

Two fewer chances Packers will be on Sunday Night Football

Adam SchefterVerified account
‏@AdamSchefter
Networks have made their choices as to what games to protect so they can't be flexed to Sunday nights:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0aF6g8IgAAu2BG.jpg:large


More chances for the networks to switch our nationally televised games. Great!

[denverYooper]

Where has Jimmy Graham been?

[Cheesehead Craig]

So long as red makes the game day thread we should all be fine.

[gbgary]

Pack have won two road games in a row. need to keep that going. the o has really righted it'self from earlier in the season. the d has improved a lot two. the turnover ratio has got to be off the charts. i think the Pack win this by at least 10.

[pbmax]

Where has Jimmy Graham been?

Injured. Or am I missing the joke?

[Joemailman]

I just hope the Packers make some adjustments with their silent snap count so we don't see a repeat of the Miami game where the Dolphins seemed able to anticipate the snap.

[pbmax]

I just hope the Packers make some adjustments with their silent snap count so we don't see a repeat of the Miami game where the Dolphins seemed able to anticipate the snap.

+1

[3irty1]

The Saints are a lot better than their record, the 2nd ranked offense in football technically. Its a good matchup for us though IMO and it looks like NO is going to have a pretty long injury report too.

[mission]

I was more worried about the Miami game than I am this one. They really have no talent on defense and running game really isn't a threat.

Get some pressure on Brees and it's no problem.

[denverYooper]

Injured. Or am I missing the joke?

No, I really didn't know. Thanks.

[denverYooper]

I just hope the Packers make some adjustments with their silent snap count so we don't see a repeat of the Miami game where the Dolphins seemed able to anticipate the snap.

Agree.

Was this happening in the Lions game too? Maybe it was just more obvious in Miami.

[denverYooper]

Adam Lefkoe ‏@AdamLefkoe 1m1 minute ago
The New Orleans Saints haven't lost at home, under Sean Payton, since January 2, 2011.

[3irty1]

Adam Lefkoe ‏@AdamLefkoe 1m1 minute ago
The New Orleans Saints haven't lost at home, under Sean Payton, since January 2, 2011.

I think their record on Sunday night is even more impressive.

[denverYooper]

Evan Silva ‏@evansilva 9m9 minutes ago
4 games this week have over-unders of 50+. (That's a lot):

GB @ NO 54.5
SD @ DEN 51.5
CHI @ NE 50
WAS @ DAL 50

Surprised PHI @ ARZ only 48

[Maxie the Taxi]

Tom Crabtree was resigned by the Aints yesterday.

[KYPack]

We are jinxed down there.

Gris gris for all players.

[3irty1]

Tom Crabtree was resigned by the Aints yesterday.

Wow I didn't realize they had released him. Not going to lie, I would have appreciated stealing him back. He's definitely a Jag in most aspects of his game but he's worlds better than anything we've got as a blocker.

[pbmax]

Wow I didn't realize they had released him. Not going to lie, I would have appreciated stealing him back. He's definitely a Jag in most aspects of his game but he's worlds better than anything we've got as a blocker.

Apropos of that, Rodgers is getting mega coverage about his blocking being the reason he saw more snaps Sunday.

Tyler Dunne ‏@TyDunne 8m8 minutes ago
#Packers Notes: Richard Rodgers' blocking gets him on the field ... http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/blocking-is-richard-rodgers-other-talent-b99374462z1-279864752.html …

Wes Hodkiewicz ‏@WesHod 1h1 hour ago
Also, #Packers TE Richard Rodgers makes strides in his blocking, Mulumba update and 2013 7th-rounders get their shot http://pck.rs/1tH2m8s

This despite his error (McGinn dinged his for partial responsibility) getting Rodgers sacked and two bad run blocks. Actually Bob said the most promising block throw by a TE was by Bostick in limited action.

[Guiness]

Pierre Thomas has been ruled out.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/21/report-pierre-thomas-out-2-3-weeks-with-shoulder-injury/

[3irty1]

Appropos of that, Rodgers is getting mega coverage about his blocking being the reason he saw more snaps Sunday.

Tyler Dunne ‏@TyDunne 8m8 minutes ago
#Packers Notes: Richard Rodgers' blocking gets him on the field ... http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/blocking-is-richard-rodgers-other-talent-b99374462z1-279864752.html …

Wes Hodkiewicz ‏@WesHod 1h1 hour ago
Also, #Packers TE Richard Rodgers makes strides in his blocking, Mulumba update and 2013 7th-rounders get their shot http://pck.rs/1tH2m8s

This despite his error (McGinn dinged his for partial responsibility) getting Rodgers sacked and two bad run blocks. Actually Bob said the most promising block throw by a TE was by Bostick in limited action.

Man, I feel like I could cut up a couple minutes worth of evidence saying just the opposite from the Miami game. He wasn't the only one who was horrendous but he probably was the worst runblocker on the field.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Pierre Thomas out is a big plus for us.

Bostick didn't help himself Sunday with a dropped pass.

[Guiness]

Man, I feel like I could cut up a couple minutes worth of evidence saying just the opposite from the Miami game. He wasn't the only one who was horrendous but he probably was the worst runblocker on the field.

I mentioned in another post, it doesn't seem to be inline blocking he excels at, it's the open field stuff, springing WR's for big gains.

[pbmax]

If you go to Twitter, Ty Dunne from JSO has some cutups on Vine of good Rodgers and bad Rodgers blocking in the Panthers game. Let's just say if he is better than Q, its a race to mediocre. But he seems very willing and likely will get much better.

He gets Kuechly in one of them.

https://vine.co/u/951004048419647488

[King Friday]

Aaron Rodgers eats defenses like this for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Saints have huge offensive numbers because they HAVE to score 40 just to win. Rodgers throws for 195 and 3 TDs and sits out in the 4th quarter.

Saints will come out with some emotion and keep pace early, but their defense will be gassed in the second half and Lacy is going to pound them to death.

[Packerfan64]

The Packers defense is superior to the Saints defense, so I expect to see 28+ points from Green Bay. Brees will have some success but I don't see them scoring more than 24.

[pbmax]

FYI, New Orleans is ranked 21st, Green Bay is 3rd. It seems to be a rule that ST and Defense can't be good at same time. ST ranking falling as D picks up.



TEAM tDVOA lstWK DAVE RNK W-L oDVOA oRNK dDVOA dRANK stDVOA stRNK
1 DEN 48.7% 1 44.2% 1 5-1 31.4% 1 -18.2% 2 -0.9% 20
2 BAL 28.5% 2 26.1% 2 5-2 16.2% 4 -8.8% 6 3.5% 8
3 GB 26.1% 4 25.6% 3 5-2 19.9% 2 -4.4% 10 1.8% 14
4 SEA 22.7% 3 21.0% 4 3-3 15.5% 6 -8.1% 7 -0.9% 21
5 IND 19.4% 13 18.1% 5 5-2 8.7% 8 -5.6% 9 5.1% 4
6 PHI 14.5% 6 12.6% 7 5-1 -2.9% 18 -6.3% 8 11.1% 1
7 DAL 13.7% 10 12.2% 8 6-1 16.5% 3 1.3% 19 -1.6% 22
8 SD 13.2% 8 13.2% 6 5-2 15.7% 5 4.7% 23 2.1% 11
9 KC 9.9% 14 7.2% 9 3-3 6.6% 10 -1.4% 14 2.0% 13
10 MIA 6.8% 17 4.8% 11 3-3 5.6% 11 -11.1% 3 -9.9% 32
11 NE 5.7% 11 6.2% 10 5-2 1.8% 16 0.1% 16 3.9% 6
12 DET 5.2% 7 4.0% 12 5-2 -11.3% 26 -24.9% 1 -8.4% 31
13 CIN 2.7% 5 2.2% 13 3-2-1 1.9% 15 1.7% 20 2.5% 10
14 PIT 2.2% 20 2.0% 14 4-3 5.6% 12 7.4% 26 4.0% 5
15 ARI 0.6% 19 -0.5% 15 5-1 -11.2% 25 -10.0% 5 1.8% 15
16 BUF -0.4% 18 -1.0% 16 4-3 -16.5% 29 -10.5% 4 5.5% 3

[pbmax]

TEAM tDVOA lstWK DAVE RNK W-L oDVOA oRNK dDVOA dRANK stDVOA stRNK
17 CLE -0.9% 9 -3.4% 20 3-3 5.4% 13 5.8% 25 -0.5% 18
18 ATL -1.8% 12 -2.6% 19 2-5 7.6% 9 16.0% 31 6.6% 2
19 CHI -1.9% 16 -1.4% 17 3-4 1.5% 17 -1.8% 12 -5.2% 28
20 SF -4.5% 15 -3.4% 21 4-3 -3.2% 21 -3.4% 11 -4.7% 27
21 NO -4.6% 25 -1.5% 18 2-4 11.8% 7 17.7% 32 1.3% 16
22 NYG -5.6% 21 -5.3% 22 3-4 -2.9% 19 1.0% 18 -1.7% 23
23 HOU -9.2% 24 -9.1% 23 3-4 -4.9% 23 -0.3% 15 -4.7% 26
24 WAS -10.3% 23 -10.7% 24 2-5 -3.0% 20 0.3% 17 -7.1% 29
25 CAR -12.4% 22 -11.4% 25 3-3-1 2.3% 14 14.0% 29 -0.7% 19
26 TEN -14.1% 26 -13.3% 27 2-5 -5.2% 24 5.3% 24 -3.6% 25
27 NYJ -14.7% 28 -13.7% 28 1-6 -16.2% 28 2.3% 21 3.9% 7
28 STL -15.7% 27 -12.9% 26 2-4 -4.6% 22 12.2% 28 1.1% 17
29 OAK -22.3% 29 -21.4% 29 0-6 -16.0% 27 8.4% 27 2.0% 12
30 MIN -29.2% 30 -23.7% 30 2-5 -29.8% 32 2.8% 22 3.3% 9
31 JAC -29.8% 31 -27.9% 31 1-6 -28.7% 31 -1.4% 13 -2.4% 24
32 TB -49.0% 32 -39.3% 32 1-5 -25.8% 30 15.0% 30 -8.2% 30

[pbmax]

Also of note, Football Outsiders has Miami ranked 10th (http://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2014/week-7-dvoa-ratings) overall and Advanced NFL Stats has described them this way:

Brian Burke @Adv_NFL_Stats · 11h 11 hours ago
Just peeked at the efficiency rankings. MIA #2??? But consider #1 pass D, #9 run D, #1 run O, and #2 least penalized. But pass O bad (#31).

[King Friday]

Man, I feel like I could cut up a couple minutes worth of evidence saying just the opposite from the Miami game. He wasn't the only one who was horrendous but he probably was the worst runblocker on the field.

But go back and watch that play where Starks picked up the 3rd and 10 on the last drive. Rodgers wiped out the DE...turned up-field and shielded off a LB from Starks when he first caught the ball...then got in the way of another LB or DB to give Starks a chance to pick up the 10 yards. Without Rodgers, that play doesn't get the 1st down.

TE is a far different position in the NFL than it is in college. Rodgers has the smarts to be an effective blocker...but it will take some time for him to get there. To me, he's looking better each week...but he's still below average at this point.

[Patler]

If you go to Twitter, Ty Dunne from JSO has some cutups on Vine of good Rodgers and bad Rodgers blocking in the Panthers game. Let's just say if he is better than Q, its a race to mediocre. But he seems very willing and likely will get much better.

He gets Kuechly in one of them.

https://vine.co/u/951004048419647488

Thing is, the good blocks are very good blocks. The kid barely has his feet wet as a pro, and he has some very good blocks on tape. That puts him light years ahead of Finley, Quarless and every other TE the Packers have had as rookies recently. He appears to have made huge strides from what he looked like most of the preseason. Inconsistency is to be expected from a rookie at any position, especially in blocking by a TE who apparently did little blocking in college.

[KYPack]

I was going to post about that play in the Fin game, King.

P is right, I don't JMF made a block his rookie season.

One of you TE's, make the jump, a TE threat is all we need to make this O unstoppable.

[George Cumby]

Thing is, the good blocks are very good blocks. The kid barely has his feet wet as a pro, and he has some very good blocks on tape. That puts him light years ahead of Finley, Quarless and every other TE the Packers have had as rookies recently. He appears to have made huge strides from what he looked like most of the preseason. Inconsistency is to be expected from a rookie at any position, especially in blocking by a TE who apparently did little blocking in college.

A coach's kid. He's willing, if not yet able. JMike was able but lukewarm, although I do recall him decelerating someone early in his career.

[pbmax]

A coach's kid. He's willing, if not yet able. JMike was able but lukewarm, although I do recall him decelerating someone early in his career.

He got quite good at chipping. If he got to a guy already engaged with a lineman, the Dline guy was in trouble. But he was less interested in one on one blocking.

[Fritz]

It'll be interesting to see a couple things: one, how this D does indoors on a fast track, and two, how Bulaga does indoors, on the road, on a fast track.

[pbmax]

Advanced NFL Analytics (http://www.advancedfootballanalytics.com/index.php/home/analysis/team-analysis/77-team-efficiency-rankings-week-7?showall=&start=2) has the Packers at 4 and New Orleans at 15. Interesting, according to their efficiency ratings, Packers D ranks higher than Packer O (6 to 10) which is good because New Orleans has the 2nd ranked offense, but 28th rated D.



RANK TEAM LAST WK GWP Opp GWP O RANK D RANK
1 DEN 1 0.68 0.53 1 1
2 MIA 4 0.61 0.49 14 2
3 IND 15 0.61 0.52 4 7
4 GB 9 0.59 0.51 10 6
5 SEA 3 0.58 0.56 6 16
6 DAL 6 0.57 0.50 3 22
7 DET 7 0.55 0.48 21 3
8 KC 14 0.55 0.56 22 14
9 BAL 11 0.55 0.47 9 9
10 WAS 12 0.54 0.48 5 10
11 SF 5 0.54 0.52 18 5
12 CIN 2 0.54 0.49 8 17
13 SD 10 0.53 0.47 7 15
14 CLE 8 0.51 0.48 11 19
15 NO 13 0.51 0.45 2 28
16 NE 16 0.50 0.49 17 11
17 CHI 18 0.49 0.50 16 26
18 HOU 21 0.49 0.50 13 27
19 CAR 17 0.48 0.50 20 18
20 TEN 19 0.48 0.53 24 23
21 PHI 24 0.48 0.50 25 12
22 PIT 20 0.47 0.47 12 21
23 BUF 23 0.47 0.51 28 4
24 NYJ 25 0.46 0.53 27 13
25 NYG 22 0.46 0.49 23 25
26 ARI 26 0.45 0.52 26 24
27 JAC 31 0.43 0.52 31 20
28 STL 30 0.42 0.48 15 30
29 MIN 27 0.41 0.48 32 8
30 OAK 29 0.38 0.51 29 29
31 ATL 28 0.36 0.47 19 32
32 TB 32 0.33 0.46 30 31

[Bossman641]

Under Payton (meaning excluding the Bountygate year), Saints have won 19 straight at home and are an insane 17-1-1 against the spread. We absolutely need to get off to a fast start Sunday night.

[pbmax]

Ryan Wood ‏@ByRyanWood 36m36 minutes ago
#Packers Insider blog: Secondary less than full strength with Morgan Burnett, Sam Shields not practicing. http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/insidersblog/2014/10/22/secondary-less-than-full-strength-with-burnett-shields-not-pracitcing/17722699/ …

I apparently missed something regarding Burnett's status. Anyone got an idea?

[rollo]

Saw something about Burnett's injury being related to his calf, no other info though.

[Guiness]

Any information on the severity of Shields injury? All I've seen is 'knee'.

[QBME]

Saw something about Burnett's injury being related to his calf, no other info though.

Yep - calf is all they're saying.

[rollo]

Looks like McCarthy brought up the injuries during his press conf today but I didn't see anything specifically mentioned or asked about Burnett. Maybe there's another report out there that is more in depth than the one I just read though.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Hey, most people should be thrilled. Last summer, lots of people were calling for Wunderkinds Micah Hyde and Clinton-Dix to start ahead of Burnett.

Guess Burnett has showed you idiots.

Actually, I think I was one of the people hoping Burnett would get beat out. He really has been a pleasant surprise. Maybe the competition lit a fire? More likely, he was better than we thought all along, and his shitty partner at safety last year put more pressure on him.

[Fritz]

He has a calf.

I have two.

[mission]

Under Payton (meaning excluding the Bountygate year), Saints have won 19 straight at home and are an insane 17-1-1 against the spread. We absolutely need to get off to a fast start Sunday night.

Sounds like they hired some hackers to get in on the visitors' radio signals.

[Tyrion Lannister]

Hey, most people should be thrilled. Last summer, lots of people were calling for Wunderkinds Micah Hyde and Clinton-Dix to start ahead of Burnett.

Guess Burnett has showed you idiots.

Actually, I think I was one of the people hoping Burnett would get beat out. He really has been a pleasant surprise. Maybe the competition lit a fire? More likely, he was better than we thought all along, and his shitty partner at safety last year put more pressure on him.

Not I.

Burnett is no Darren Woodson but he's 100 times better a saftey than Micah "Hands of Steel" Hyde.

[George Cumby]

He has a calf.

I have two.

Counting your date?

[pbmax]

Sounds like they hired some hackers to get in on the visitors' radio signals.

I am going with this if the Packers lose.

[wist43]

This game will be interesting b/c it is the type of game that Capers would usually sit back and let the veteran QB pick us apart. If he comes out with pressure and tight coverage we should be alright, but that is a big IF - Dom is still Dom.

We should win this game. NO is struggling, and we're playing okay... but they certainly have the weapons to put a beating on us. It's a 'pick em' game.

[pbmax]

Shields and Burnett still not practicing. But Datone Jones is back. And so is Stark Plug.

[Fritz]

Counting your date?

I'm going to have a cow over this comment.

Wait a sec. Thought I just read, PB, that Datone is likely going to be out again.

Dammit, is it one of those high sprains again?

[HarveyWallbangers]

This game will be interesting b/c it is the type of game that Capers would usually sit back and let the veteran QB pick us apart. If he comes out with pressure and tight coverage we should be alright, but that is a big IF - Dom is still Dom.

We should win this game. NO is struggling, and we're playing okay... but they certainly have the weapons to put a beating on us. It's a 'pick em' game.

Hard to say we should win. The Saints are a different team at home. They are 10-0 at home the last two years and 3-10 on the road. They are 2-4 partly due to only playing 2 home games this year and losing some close road games. There is a reason they are favored. Next to Philly (and the match-up problems they present), this will be our toughest game.

[3irty1]

Hard to say we should win. The Saints are a different team at home. They are 10-0 at home the last two years and 3-10 on the road. They are 2-4 partly due to only playing 2 home games this year and losing some close road games. There is a reason they are favored. Next to Philly (and the match-up problems they present), this will be our toughest game.

The whole 19-0, 17-1-1 against the spread numbers under Payton at home more or less show what we already know: that the Saints have been really good. That 1 loss against the spread? That was this years home game against a terrible TB team that went into overtime. Their away record is like 9-14 or something but thats with 4 away losses this year to screw up that ratio too. By any measure they just don't have it going on this year compared to years past.

All belief that we should lose this game seem to be based primarily on this notion of a voodoo curse. NO looks out of voodoo to me. The ghost of NO is good enough to be dangerous but not enough to make this more than a Packers vs Packers game. I agree with Wist, an average day wins this game and looks good doing it.

[smuggler]

3irty1 deserves a Citizen Kane clap for that shit. Where's ole Orson when you need him??

[pbmax]

My one big concern with New Orleans is venue and the Packer O line. They have to vary the snap count to give the tackles a chance to get off the line before the DEs. Otherwise, M3 will just try to run to counter the speed, and that might not be enough.

[Pugger]

My one big concern with New Orleans is venue and the Packer O line. They have to vary the snap count to give the tackles a chance to get off the line before the DEs. Otherwise, M3 will just try to run to counter the speed, and that might not be enough.

I thought I heard their pass rush is nothing to write home about.

[Bretsky]

Hard to say we should win. The Saints are a different team at home. They are 10-0 at home the last two years and 3-10 on the road. They are 2-4 partly due to only playing 2 home games this year and losing some close road games. There is a reason they are favored. Next to Philly (and the match-up problems they present), this will be our toughest game.


Agree; NO is near unbeatable at home. It will take a great effort by Dom and the defense to help keep us in this one. They were both tremendous last week though; who knows what will happen

[call_me_ishmael]

Not I.

Burnett is no Darren Woodson but he's 100 times better a saftey than Micah "Hands of Steel" Hyde.

lol, sweeping declaration right there. C'mon man, 100 times? He is slightly better if that.

[smuggler]

I agree the primary difference is ball skills. But yeah, hyperbole....

[pbmax]

I thought I heard their pass rush is nothing to write home about.

That might be. But the way the Packers have been snapping the ball, it makes a difference. If the O sticks with a predictable count by the center on silent shotgun snaps, NO will look much faster.

I wonder if Rodgers goes under center more.

[pbmax]

Agree; NO is near unbeatable at home. It will take a great effort by Dom and the defense to help keep us in this one. They were both tremendous last week though; who knows what will happen

We'll see. 3irty1 has a point about this year. So far at home the Saints beat the Vikings (no Peterson and Casswater at QB) 20-7. Then they nearly lost to the Buccaneers 37-31.

[Joemailman]

We'll see. 3irty1 has a point about this year. So far at home the Saints beat the Vikings (no Peterson and Casswater at QB) 20-7. Then they nearly lost to the Buccaneers 37-31.

Certainly can't rule out the possibility though, that the Saints came out flat at home against teams they expected to beat. Those two games were sandwiched around a game vs. Dallas. They won't be flat against the Packers. They need this game worse than the Packers do. Whatever New Orleans is capable of, I'll bet the Packers will see their best effort.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Certainly can't rule out the possibility though, that the Saints came out flat at home against teams they expected to beat. Those two games were sandwiched around a game vs. Dallas. They won't be flat against the Packers. They need this game worse than the Packers do. Whatever New Orleans is capable of, I'll bet the Packers will see their best effort.

I agree. Big, big game for them...and us. If we want to think of ourselves as Superbowl material, this is where we've got to show up big time. I sure wish we had a playmaking TE...

[Pugger]

Hey, most people should be thrilled. Last summer, lots of people were calling for Wunderkinds Micah Hyde and Clinton-Dix to start ahead of Burnett.

Guess Burnett has showed you idiots.

Actually, I think I was one of the people hoping Burnett would get beat out. He really has been a pleasant surprise. Maybe the competition lit a fire? More likely, he was better than we thought all along, and his shitty partner at safety last year put more pressure on him.

I think this is the truth.

[Fritz]

I am starting to worry about Datone Jones. Hampered by an injury last year. This year, starting to miss games again. Is it another dreaded high-ankle sprain? Is he turning into another Nick Perry?

He better come back after the bye, and be healthy, dammit!

[pbmax]

He practiced Thursday, but it out for the game. A little progress.

[Fritz]

Ted doesn't have a great recent track record on first-round picks.

Bulaga-Sherrod-Perry-Jones.

I don't know how much their various injuries have played into this.

Nonetheless, Ted's not exactly lighting it up, though Clinton-Dix, knock on wood, seems like the real dea.

[Pugger]

Ted doesn't have a great recent track record on first-round picks.

Bulaga-Sherrod-Perry-Jones.

I don't know how much their various injuries have played into this.

Nonetheless, Ted's not exactly lighting it up, though Clinton-Dix, knock on wood, seems like the real dea.

Bulaga, Perry and Jones can play but they have had issues staying healthy and you really can't put that on Ted. He's not that clairvoyant.

[Fritz]

Bulaga, Perry and Jones can play but they have had issues staying healthy and you really can't put that on Ted. He's not that clairvoyant.


That's really where the debate begins. I can't, myself, say for sure that Bulaga would've been the left-tackle-for-the-next-ten-years guy we thought or hoped he'd be when drafted. Is he a little slow-moving because of injury, or is he not what Ted thought, exactly?

Same with Perry. He's been healthy, knock on wood, yet he's not a full-time, effective outside linebacker. He's a niche guy, which is not what you hope for with a first round pick. Is that injuries which held him back, or was he never going to be that guy?

Same with Sherrod. Would he ever have been that Chad Clifton clone we hoped for? It's hard to say.

I used to think it was more a failure of these guys due to injury, but now, having them all be healthy yet not really playing like first rounders, I wonder.

[smuggler]

Sherrod is done, but the others still have hope.

[pbmax]

Tom Crabtree released by Saints.

[Maxie the Taxi]

If you were Stubby, would you use the no huddle offense in New Orleans to start the game? On the one hand, you have the advantage of catching a so-so NO defense out of position. On the other, you invite mistakes and miscommunication in that loud, crazy venue. Plus, you risk giving Brees more playing time if you go three and out too many times.

[smuggler]

I think the running game had more success last season when they went to a more normal offense after the Rodgers injury.

[pbmax]

I think the running game had more success last season when they went to a more normal offense after the Rodgers injury.

They've run the numbers though and Lacy actually does better this year in shotgun snaps.

But in NO I want a varied snap count, if Linsley can do it in no huddle, great. If not, get under center.

[Fritz]

Agreed. If Linsley's not ready to vary the count in no-huddle, you can't give NO that advantage. Not especially when Bulaga, on artificial surfaces, plays like he's stuck in mud.

I read yesterday that Brees goes over the middle on 56% of his passes. Ruh roh, Rastro.

The middle of the Packer defense - that great black hole.

[smuggler]

Lol... a Jetsons reference. We're officially fucked.

[Infamous]

Saints will come out with some emotion and keep pace early, but their defense will be gassed in the second half and Lacy is going to pound them to death.

Unfortunately, the exact opposite happened

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

That's really where the debate begins. I can't, myself, say for sure that Bulaga would've been the left-tackle-for-the-next-ten-years guy we thought or hoped he'd be when drafted. Is he a little slow-moving because of injury, or is he not what Ted thought, exactly?

Same with Perry. He's been healthy, knock on wood, yet he's not a full-time, effective outside linebacker. He's a niche guy, which is not what you hope for with a first round pick. Is that injuries which held him back, or was he never going to be that guy?

Same with Sherrod. Would he ever have been that Chad Clifton clone we hoped for? It's hard to say.

I used to think it was more a failure of these guys due to injury, but now, having them all be healthy yet not really playing like first rounders, I wonder.

Bulaga hasn't played as well as I thought he would when we drafted him, but lets remember we don't win the superbowl in 2010 without him. That alone + him being a decent player make him a fair pick. Perry and Jones I can't say the defense would be any better or worse if they were on the team or not. That says a lot. And Sherrod....I mean wow.

[Patler]

Wasn't Bulaga pretty much rock solid in 2011? He had some bad moments at the start of 2012, but then again was playing very well before the injury. With a serious hip injury in 2012 and an ACL tear in 2013, he might never be the same as he was, and/or he might not yet be fully recovered from the ACL. He could be a better player next year, even if never again what he might have been.