Saints game thoughts

[popanot]

Originally Posted by barrett

I lay the loss on Kubiak. Not for play calling. Not for redzone failures. Foster plays a part in both of those and we did score 33 and put up 500 yards. But Kubs froze up when we should have been putting them away and didn't do the things we do best (keep Brees off the field), when the game demanded it. He felt compelled to respond to the pressure Brees and co. were putting on him. In other words he was like a WR over the middle who hears footsteps.

And if Kubiak would have called runs (or even a mixture of run/pass) and we got stuffed people would be bitchin about that. You bring up great points and I don't deny Kubiak, Schaub and numerous others share the blame for the loss, but the fact is, the D sucked in the second half, namely the 4th QTR. They gave up 40 points. Sometimes you have to count on your D to stop the opponent (like the Saints did to us) when the game is on the line - or at least once in the 4th QTR. The 2nd 2pt. conversion showed everyone just how discombobulated and how bad the D was in the 4th. No pass rush and absolutely atrocious coverage on Moore and Graham, with sprinkle of choke from Kubiak and Schaub, did this team in.

EDIT: And my goodness, how long is this staff going to trot out KJ when he's clearly overmatched. No one could be any worse right now and he should be sitting the bench and only in there when we're in a blowout.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by popanot

And if Kubiak would have called runs (or even a mixture of run/pass) and we got stuffed people would be bitchin about that. You bring up great points and I don't deny Kubiak, Schaub and numerous others share the blame for the loss, but the fact is, the D sucked in the second half, namely the 4th QTR. They gave up 40 points. Sometimes you have to count on your D to stop the opponent (like the Saints did to us) when the game is on the line - or at least once in the 4th QTR. The 2nd 2pt. conversion showed everyone just how discombobulated and how bad the D was in the 4th. No pass rush and absolutely atrocious coverage on Moore and Graham, with sprinkle of choke from Kubiak and Schaub, did this team in.

EDIT: And my goodness, how long is this staff going to trot out KJ when he's clearly overmatched. No one could be any worse right now and he should be sitting the bench and only in there when we're in a blowout.

I understand that either running or passing can always be second guessed later if it doesn't work. My issue is not that we passed. My issue is that Kubiak has been around a while and we know how he wants to win games. He wants to throw to get a lead and then put it away with a very good running game. Just like last week in Miami.

But New Orleans offense and Kubs' lack of confidence in our defense panicked Kubiak. He reacted in a way he never has previously. It's like I said, I am sure Kubiak entered that game thinking, "I sure hope we have the ball and the lead and get to take advantage of the saints Run defense to close it out, instead of having to deal with them blitzing us while we try to come back." But when he got the golden opportunity, he froze up because of big bad Brees and Payton sitting on the other sideline.

I don't like the idea that New Orleans dictated the type of game we were going to play in the 4th quarter when we have the running game to dictate to them.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by popanot

EDIT: And my goodness, how long is this staff going to trot out KJ when he's clearly overmatched. No one could be any worse right now and he should be sitting the bench and only in there when we're in a blowout.

Yep, yep, and yep.

He's just not real good. I'm hoping that we see Harris some this week. Can't get much worse, and as best I can recall, he has some speed to him. KJ has poor closing speed, and is consistently trailing just about all WR's he covers.

Due to the pick/money factors, I'm guessing we will be seeing more of him/this most of the year. Don't like it, but facts are facts. Hopefully, we can get consistent pressure on the QB to hide him a bit more. Should see that this week, as the Steelers OLine is in shambles. Big Ben is tough to bring down, but at least the "should" be able to make him move around a bit.