Saints Sideline Blog

“GIANT” STATEMENT

Monday, October 19th, 2009      Email Print

DATELINE: New Orleans,LA  Monday October 19th, 2009  (Beating Big Apple was a Big Easy!!!)
 
Upon further review, WOW! Are you kidding me? The Saints played New York but clearly they were the Giants. From the opening drive, it was all New Orleans who are still unbeaten and believe it or not still haven't trailed this entire season. Yes I said the entire season. In what was supposed to be a battle of unbeatens.it was the Saints who lived up to the hype of a game which was over in well, a New York minute. Drew Brees led seven scoring drives which saw seven different Saints find the endzone. Take away a Jonathan Vilma helmet to helmet hit , which nullified another Darren Sharper pick six and the Saints may have put "50" on a team many "previously" considered the best in the NFL. Instead, the Saints made it look easy where look out Who Dat Nation, many around the country are touting the Saints as the best team in the league as we move the chains into late October.
 
Sean Payton doesn't like that kind of talk and has stressed to his team, "not to eat the cheese." Translation: don't believe the hype. The Saints are talented and the coach knows they are also veteran savvy. The great thing about this team isn't just consistent great play this season but the consistent locker room demeanor following every victory. The Saints are saying all the right things after making all the right moves. New Orleans refused to make this game as big as the media and fans wanted them to, a great sign that the Saints understand you don't win anything in October but are setting themselves up for something special possibly in January.
 
For the first time in 16 years, the Saints are 5-0 but history is a powerful teacher. Back in 1993, New Orleans won its first 5 games only to finish 8-8 and not make the playoffs. That's a powerful motivator for Payton but you get the feeling this team won't need it. They are talented and as balanced and deep as any squad in the NFL. Its well documented that the Saints defense is more improved than any unit in the league and what other team can boast an offense with so many weapons? The answer...nobody. New Orleans has three running backs who could ALL start for many teams, a wide receiver depth chart which is deeper than the Grand Canyon and how about its most underrated unit in an offensive line which lost All-Pro Jammal Brown and hasn't lost a beat.
 
The Saints have also made great adjustments off the football field. For the first time in six years, they collect a victory off the bye week. Drew Brees said changing up the routine helped tremendously against the Giants where this team was better rested and more mentally sharp then in years past. The result a huge statement game against the Giants where the black and gold will take its 5-0 mark to Miami this weekend. Did we say Miami?? That is the site of this year's Super Bowl, the way New Orleans is playing, this could be the first of two trips to South Florida.
 
"WHO DAT HITS"
 
FUJITA OUT: Not much bad news in this game except for the status of Scott Fujita who suffered a calf injury in the 1st Quarter and missed the rest of the game. He was fitted with a walking boot and there is no word on his status for the Dolphins game.
 
MIGHTY MARQUES: Only Joe Horn and Eric Martin have more career 100 yard receiving games than Marques Colston. Drew Brees favorite target had 8 catches for 166 yards against the G-men, where he averaged over 20 yards a catch. Its Colston's first 100 yard game of the season but the 12th of his career.
 
MOORE OF LANCE: Many forget Lance Moore was the Saints leading wide receiver last year.He played like it against the Giants where after battling injuries he was back in old form catching everything in and out of traffic with 7 catches and a score.
 
JEREMY SPOKEN: Jeremy Shockey admitted it was different facing his old NY mates but his performance was nothing personal. The Saints Tight End was politically correct afterwards but Vilma told me after the game, it meant a lot to the former Giant and "we had his back all week."
 
ROMAN RULES: The improved play of the defense mirrors the improvement of Roman Harper. He played one of the best games of his career against the Giants where he had a sack, a forced fumble and 4 tackles.
 
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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