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DATELINE: Charlotte, NC/ November 8th,2010 (Saints dare we say, playing Super again)

 

In the Land of Nascar, the Saints received its second checkered flag in as many weeks. After driving off the road more than a few times in the first half of this season, it seems New Orleans is back on track and have now given the Who Dat's reason to dust off those Two Dat T-shirts again. Who would have ever guessed, New Orleans would see Drew Brees throw more interceptions in the 1st half of the year than ALL of last year, its kicker go through a confidence crisis, both Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas miss weeks of action and the defense only collect one defensive score--- yet this team is 6-3 and in prime position to make a run back to the Super Bowl. The latest hurdle were those Carolina Panthers who may be the worst team in the NFC but its still the NFL and Sean Payton's guys did what good teams do---they embarrass bad teams. 

 

The Saints finish off its first half by doing something they haven't done all year---they showed some consistency. Sure they're best all-around game was probably against the Bucs a month ago, but its best stretch was right before the break rebounding to beat the Steelers and following that effort up with a Carolina body slam which was the perfect way to say hello to its bye week. The first half saw plenty of bad bounces and untimely bumps and bruises but the NFL offices gift wrapped the bye week at the perfect time, almost halfway through the season. Halfway home, time to look back at the 1st half and deliver some hardware.

 

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE HALF/DREW BREES At times this was like picking your favorite Backstreet Boy-you wanted to circle none of the above. At times, the offensive line has regressed, with Bush and Pierre out its been running back by committee and no receiver has separated himself from the pack. Sure Drew Brees hasn't been himself and assured me after the Carolina game that despite some reports his knee is fine. Its no secret, Brees is the most irreplaceable Saint. When this offense has been at its best versus the Bucs, in the second half against the Steelers and all day against the Panthers-its been vintage Brees who gets the nod.

 

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE HALF/SEDRICK ELLIS: In a half where this Saints defense isn't forcing turnovers like it did a year ago, they have still proven to be a better unit than a year ago. Sure Roman Harper leads the team in tackles and solo tackles, Jonathan Vilma has been well Jonathan Vilma once again. In terms of big plays, Sedric Ellis has been the biggest force, From  the opener against Favre and the Vikings, the Saints defensive tackle hasn't let off the gas pedal since. Ellis leads the team with four sacks for a defense that has only allowed 4 TD's in its last 5 games and a big reason has been the goalline pressure this unit has applied to opposing offenses. Ellis has led the charge and is having his best season in the NFL.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE HALF/THOMAS MORSTEAD: An easy call here whether its pinning opponents back on punts by averaging nearly 47 yards per or kicking the ball off with ease where he's had three touchbacks so far, Money Morstead has delivered. He averaged 51 yards on four punts versus the Browns and kicked three more inside the 20 versus the Steelers. He has done everything but begin another second half with a vintage onside kick. No sophomore jinx for Saint Thomas who has picked up right where he left off in his super rookie campaign.

 

NEWCOMER OF THE HALF/CHRIS IVORY: Out of all the newbies, Ivory has delivered the most. 1st rounder Patrick Robinson has had his moments and rookie tight end Jimmy Graham continues to improve but Ivory has made the biggest impact. The class of a rookie class who went undrafted had a breakout game against the Bucs and has helped stabilize a running game without its two biggest stars. Sure Ivory has to work on holding on to the football and is injury prone but his play has given the Saints a solid 1st half boost.He led the team in rushing with 382 yards, averaging 4.9 a carrry. Amazingly though, Ivory is still looking for his first NFL regular season TD.

 

BIGGEST 1ST HALF SURPRISE/ HARTLEY'S HEARTACHE: After only missing two field goals in his first two seasons with the Saints, Garrett Hartley has seen his reputation get kicked around this year. He missed the would be game winner against Atlanta along with four more field goals in the first half of the season. As a result Hartley was benched in favor of friend and mentor John Carney who stepped in for a few weeks only to give the job back. Garrett has responded by making five straight before the break. Sean Payton has stood by his man, we will see if it continues to pay off.

 

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT: The NFC is still wide open but we're starting to separate the men from the boys. Here's my power poll at the NFL's version of the All-Star break.

 

(1) GIANTS- It seems everytime Tiki Barber criticizes Tom Coughlin, the G-men respond. They did it three seasons ago by winning a Super Bowl.and after Tiki started yapping earlier this season-suddenly the running game flourished, Eli Manning regained his old form and the defense got its groove back. They are the class of the NFC at the halfway point.

 

(2) FALCONS: OK they are a Garrett Hartley miss from being behind the Saints in this poll but the fact is they beat the Saints and are in first place in the NFC South. They are virtually unstoppable at home and are getting healthier on defense.The showdown in late December versus the Saints will be a biggie which may decide who wins the division. 

 

(3) SAINTS: Sean Payton and Company are fortunate the rest of the NFC has been slammed by parity. Preseason favorites in Dallas and Minnesota have fallen out of the picture but due to the Who Dat's recent play, they are right in the middle of the hunt to win the division and possibly collect home field advantage. The bye week comes at a perfect time as when they return they will be healthier and seemingly will have plenty of momentum to make a second half run.

 

(4)  EAGLES: A dangerous team with a resurgent Michael Vick and a now healthy DeSean Jackson. Fresh off a win against the Colts, this may be a team nobody wants to meet in the playoffs. The good news for the Saints, the Eagles have two games left against the Giants, the bad news they have two more against the Cowboys.

 

 (5) BUCS: Even though I like his moxie, Raheem Morris should amend his statement to say "We are the fifth best team in the NFC." Credit a young football team who has overachieved and performed well in the clutch. Still I think they are the first team in this top five to fall off the list.

 

UNTIL NEXT BLOG,

Mike Nabors

CST

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