Saints Sideline Blog

A “RUN” AWAY

Monday, December 20th, 2010      Email Print

A "RUN" AWAY
 
DATELINE: BALTIMORE, MD/ December 20.2010 (At least the Crab Cakes were good??!!)
 
The Saints hardly lack that flair for the dramatic, so when Lance Moore pulled down the tipped pass in the endzone against the Ravens to tie the score at 24 in the 4th quarter -c'mon didn't you feel that "here we go again" feeling? This has been a team which has feasted on the big play late from Darren Sharper forcing a fumble against the Steelers to Malcolm Jenkins stripping the Cowboys to the No Brainer freeze---you get the point, these Saints always seem to find an unusual way to win games. In Baltimore to quote the Ravens--never more. Sure, this game had its share of crazy moments from Moore's catch to Le'Ron McClain dropping a sure TD pass to the Saints fumbling on consecutive plays only to recover and have Garrett Hartley boot a 47 yard field goal--but in the end it didn't matter as this team couldn't stop the run nor could it run the ball leading to the Ravens "running" away with a game which delivered the Saints a rare road loss.
 
Sean Payton told me afterwards the gameplan was not to establish the run early, which was obvious. Brees and company aired it out the first six plays of the game. Play number seven saw Reggie Bush thrown for a two yard loss and on play number eight Pierre Thomas reeled off an 11 yard gain---it would be the longest of the day for the black and gold. With Chris Ivory on the sideline with an injured hammie here was the damage from your Saints running backs:
    
                             ATT        YDS           AVG
Pierre Thomas          6            20             3.3
Julius Jones             4            11             2.8
Reggie Bush            4            -4             -1.0
 
All told the Saints ground gains--- 27 YARDS??!!  You're not gonna win many football games doing that but its a credit to this offense that despite the lack of production on the ground the air attack kept the black and gold alive against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Conversely, the Ravens ran all over the Saints. Ray Rice played the role of the Grinch who stole away the Saints 6 game winning streak. I'm sure all you Saints fans cringed each time Rice was anywhere near the ball and for good reason. He ran over the Saints defense for 153 yards on the ground, averaging 4.9 a carry. For good measure, his back up Willis McGahee averaged 7.6 a carry. All told the Saints were outrushed 208 yards to 27--simply the difference in the ballgame.
 
This Ravens runaway proved to the NFL that its offense can keep pace with the high octane Saints. Its a unit which is overshadowed by Ray Lewis' dynamic defense but this group can put some points on the board too. Malcolm Jenkins told me the gameplan was to stop the run and put all the pressure on Joe Flacco. Instead, it was Rice applying the pressure which in turn took it off his QB. Lesson learned for a Saints team who despite the loss find themselves in virtually the same playoff position as it did at the beginning of the day. Sure a win would have made Monday night's game against Atlanta a little more interesting but its remains a biggie for the Saints nonetheless. New Orleans will make its way to Hotlanta hoping its running game can heat up as well, if not this season could "run" out of time sooner than any of us expected.
 
WHO DAT HITS
 
JAMMIN JIMMY: We knew Rookie Tight End Jimmy Graham played some hoops at Miami as he reminded us all with his celebration slam dunk after his first of two TD's in Baltimore. What we didn't know is how much this guy would contribute in his first season. He has become quite a weapon for Drew Brees where Graham is now tied with his mentor Jeremy Shockey with 3 trips to the end zone this season.
 
SEVENTH HEAVEN: Speaking of Atlanta--how big would this upcoming game be if Hartley kicks the chip shot 29 game winner in New Orleans back in September? That was a low point for the Saints kicker who has rebounded quite nicely of late. His field goal against the Ravens was his 7th straight and he's now hit 11 of his last 12!
 
BALTIMORE BIGGIES- Before New Orleans came into town, the Ravens offense didn't have many big plays to speak off--that all changed Sunday afternoon. Baltimore had 6 plays of 20 yards or more (only 4 all year coming in) and 2 over 40 yards---they didn't have one play over 40 all season entering the contest.
 
NOBODY ASKED ME BUT: OK Tis the Holiday season, so let's do some last minute Saints Shopping---tight budget this year but I pass out the following gifts
 
PAYTON'S PRESENT: A lifetime supply of Juicy Fruit and we'll throw in a rush of book sales as a stocking stuffer
 
BREES BONUS: What do you give to the man who has it all?---how about some extra sleep on Christmas day (new baby and all)
 
O-LINE OFFERING: A healthy hamstring for Chris Ivory and a few gift cards to Bed Bath and Beyond.
 
SANTA SHOCKEY: A brand new tattoo (your choice Jeremy??) and an all expenses paid trip to Vegas.
 
REGGIE'S REWARD: An apology from the Downtown Athletic Club (see Newton, Cam) and a reality show of his own.
 
SHARPER SALUTE: A cover on GQ magazine and a handful of playoff turnovers.
 
HARPER'S GIFT BASKET: A case of "Just for Men" and some extra oxygen
 
HAPPY HOLIDAY'S....UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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