Saints Sideline Blog

RIVER CITY REDEMPTION

Monday, October 3rd, 2011      Email Print

DATELINE: JACKSONVILLE, FL (Saints winning games they lost a year ago)

The Saints last trip to Jacksonville (aka The River City") was in December of 2003---many Who Dat fans will remember that one but would choose to forget it. The game climaxed with the infamous River City Relay.

Down by a touchdown and in search of a miracle, the black and gold almost collected one on Florida's First Coast. The final play featured a  "relay" involving the likes of Aaron Brooks passing the football to  Donte Stallworth ---who pitched it to Michael Lewis ---who pitched it to Deuce McAllister--- who pitched to Jerome Pathon, Courtesy a block from Brooks, Pathon finished off the anchor leg and galloped into the endzone with time expiring to bring the Saints within a point of a miracle comeback. John Carney's unpredictable and untimely MISSED extra point erased an amazing play and any thoughts of overtime. It made for a LONG trip home  even though it was a short flight. It was a game that typified the old Saints.

Fast forward eight years later---the Saints are back in the River City armed with a Super Bowl title and much more moxie. Sunday's win in Jacksonville symbolized the new and improved era---even more improved than last season.

Think about the Saints plight on Sunday---on the road against a subpar team (Jaguars) who possess a rookie QB (Blaine Gabbert). A year ago they faced similar situations. Subpar teams (Arizona & Cleveland) who had rookie QB's (Max Hall & Colt McCoy). The difference for the black and gold--last year they lose against the Cards and Browns--a year later they win handily and never trail against the Jags.

These new era Saints are always quick not to look ahead and rarely compare their play to a season ago but all the signs point to improvement. Versus the Jaguars ,New Orleans wasn't perfect with some untimely turnovers and a few defensive breakdowns--but the key was they never lost control of the game. The Saints defense pulled off the second half shutout and the offense was its typical...offensive self. Characteristics which were uncharacteristic a year ago.

Many players told me entering this game and coming off such an emotional win vs the Texans,they were mindful and motivated by thinking of last year's hiccups on the road against the Cards and at home against Cleveland. It was evident on the field as they showed the poise and resolve which were absent from both huddles last season. Chalk it up as a Super Bowl Hangover last year turned Post Lockout focus a season later.

The strange thing about last year's Saints was there penchant to play up to the level of their competition and conversely down to it as well. We've documented the speed bumps but last year they beat Favre and the Vikes in the season opener, were a  Garrett Hartley missed FG away from sweeping the NFC South champion Falcons, they upended the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, blew out  a talented Bucs team on the road---only to lose to Seattle in one of the biggest playoff upsets in league history?!!

Time well tell if these Saints can keep it up. They lost to the Packers in the opener but nearly tied it with an emotional fourth quarter comeback--- only to follow that up by besting talented teams in Chicago and Houston. All three games were emotional but unlike last season emotion carried over here in Jacksonville against a Jaguars team that might have beaten last year's Saints with their inconsistent play.

A year later New Orleans has more ammunition--see Sproles, Darren, an ever improving young tight end and an Ingram in their holster. The River City didn't bite these Saints like it did eight years ago. These aren't your father's or grandfather's Saints and the best news for any New Orleans fan--by the looks of its game versus the Jaguars, these Saints are looking better than last year's Saints so far. No "relay" needed this time around,

WHO DAT HITS

*GRAHAM GROWING--The growth spurt of Saints Tight End Jimmy Graham took another huge leap in Jacksonville and I'm not just talking about his slam dunk celebration after his only TD. A week after his 1st career 100 yard receiving game, Graham puts back to back ones together. This time how about 10 catches for 132 yards and a score. The second year Saints Tight End has had his head spinning in Sean Payton's playbook for the past year but tells me afterwards that he's much more confident and having the most fun he's ever had --- its showing up on Sunday's.

*ST PATRICK'S FIRST--Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson will never forget his first NFL interception which came in his home state against rookie Blaine Gabbert in the 3rd Qtr. The native Floridian received quality game and training camp snaps filling in for Tracy Porter and its paid off for last year's 1st round pick who seems to get better every week.

*JED HITS JAX: We haven't heard a lot from the Saints fullbacks this season (which usually means they are doing their jobs) but Jed Collins made his first Saints carry count---it was a TD to put New Orleans up 7-0. Yet another weapon for a unit which always does a great job of getting everybody involved.

*QUICK START: The Saints offense has been stellar this season but one of the few areas they have come up short in is producing points in the 1st quarter. Drew Brees told me afterwards that was a priority and clearly they took advantage scoring on its 1st two drives to jump out to the 14-0 lead. Its their best start of this young season.

*SAME OLE SPROLES: Another game, another taste of what Saint Sproles gives this football team. Against the Jaguars, Darren leads the Saints in rushing with 75 yards and is tied with Lance Moore for second with 5 catches--averaging 11.2 yards per.

*KASAY GETS HIS KICKS: The ageless John Kasay entered week four a perfect 6 for 6 but missed his first two field goals against the Jaguars. Still on the afternoon he hit three he should have from 38.39 and 21 yards out. On a week where Garrett Hartley was put on IR, Kasay continues to show why Sean Payton has faith in him.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT: Jacksonville may not have the atmosphere of Green Bay, the Cowboys' super stadium or the fanatical fan base of Philly but they have two things without peer. Arguably the best parking in the NFL for us TV hacks who often are sent along with our TV gear miles from the stadium. In addition, the Jaguars boost arguably the craziest mascot who was seen streaking across the field and creatively and fearlessly parachuting from the sky in his getup. Jacksonville also the home of the strangest grounds crew arrangement we've seen in some time---the crew mistakenly placed the arrow's next to the yard line numbers in the wrong direction on the Jaguar sideline---unfortunately symbolic of the team's offensive direction versus New Orleans.

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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