On that first touchdown drive, Brees went after J-Joe for the first completion, but then the next three plays looked like a "find #25 and throw his direction" read for Brees. 1st and 10 at NO 35 M.Ingram right guard to NO 39 for 4 yards (M.Alexander). 2nd and 6 at NO 39 D.Brees pass short middle to L.Moore to HST 48 for 13 yards (J.Joseph). Pass 13, YAC 0 1st and 10 at HOU 48 D.Brees pass short left to D.Henderson to HST 34 for 14 yards (K.Jackson; D.Manning) [M.Alexander]. Pass 8, YAC 6 1st and 10 at HOU 34 (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to M.Colston to HST 24 for 10 yards (K.Jackson). Pass 6, YAC 4 1st and 10 at HOU 24 M.Ingram left guard to HST 20 for 4 yards (G.Quin). 2nd and 6 at HOU 20 D.Brees pass deep middle to L.Moore for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on HST-K.Jackson, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass 20, YAC 0 Agreed on the Bradie James criticisms. He's not making plays in the run game and putting him in coverage on a TE is not going to end well for the Texans. You can tell the Saints were showing more looks on defense - especially against the back-ups. Yates didn't have a chance, although it would've been nice to see him read hot a little more and get rid of it quicker. That being said, you can' t make a living doing that with the 2nd string OL in there.
I would say the TE thing isn't too bad as he was going up against one of the best. Problem with that is that NE has one, too.
And a lot of other teams we are going to play: Jags - Marcedes Lewis Broncos - Tamme and Dreessen Titans - Cook Packers - Finley Lions - Pettigrew Colts - Fleener I realize a lot of time we'll have Manning or GQ helping out on the TE, but that leaves one less person to help out KJ over the top. Also, not sure if we'll have Cushing cover the TE from his ILB position or if he'll be more around the LOS at all times. Might be a match-up other teams will try to exploit to counter the pass rush.
I'm not on Jackson or anyone else regarding Graham (well, James' attempt on that TD was pathetic regardless of who he was guarding - let me paddle at your arms without locating the ball). Graham is a guy that is a combination of size, speed, and hands that you're SOL as a 6-0 DB. We enjoy the same thing with Andre, and he displayed it last night. There's a big reason TEs are changing the game and why NE became so deadly with their double tight attack. You can't cover them 1-on-1. It has to be a focused scheme to keep them under control.
Last night was a chance to throw Kareem Jackson into the fire against the one team that exploited him most last year--and he didn't get murdered. That's a good sign. Even Jonathan Joseph if he gets thrown to 10 times a name will give up his fair share of completions. Around our full first team defense, with much better ball pressure and actual game planning from Wade Phillips, KJ will be a more than serviceable second corner. Our defense might even be better than last year's, that stats just won't show it due to our increased quality of competition. In terms of concerns on this team right now, you would have to rank it 1. The running game due to a weakened Oline; 2. The run Defense thanks to Bradie James and thinness out of the NT and ILB spots. Pun intended. Oh and above all that will be injuries. That short passing game with Keshawn Martin and Casey and Foster will become REAL important to preserving Schaub's well being if our line can't protect that well.
**In the process of making cuts. 15 moves we have to make, not necessarily all cuts. I would rather not talk about it now(because I haven't talked to all the guys.) **With this cut, you say "Who will we play Thursday?" You gotta have enough guys for Thursday. Also, at the same time, with a few vets, you consider cuts in terms of if I don't think they'll make the final roster,"Let me give them an opportunity to get picked up." **(Nose position): We should be fine with the guys we have. They'll bascially play the whole game. Earl came out fine. Crick can play nose. **Cody is doing great. Obviously all the news is excellent. He worked out today. He will practice this week. He and J.J. both back to work this week. **Probably not.(Not likely to see Cody/Watt Thursday) **Matt Schaub will not play. Debating w/ myself with T.J.. I need to take hard look and John Beck and Case Keenum. Question for me is will I play T.J.? **Newton did some good things. He's trying to become consistent, which is what we need. Butler had some positives and negatives. A very good battle. I'll make a decision in the next day or so. They both continue to do good things. **Last 2 weeks (2nd team offense) hasn't been good. Struggled up front w/ protection schemes. T.J. has maybe, he didn't play with the confidence he's capable of.(Losing confidence). I was disappointed. You got 4-5 sacks in that many plays (last night), that's not a good thing. It's that time of year where nothing is perfect. It hasn't been clean the last 2 weeks. **(Thoughts on D-Line): Everytime I turn on film, Jamison jumps out at me. The effort he plays with. Crick played the most of anyone on the team (last night). He has time to make up. He has some ability to help this team. **(If we should read into Newton starting the 3rd preason game, so that means he's leading): I'll let you know in the next couple of days. **(What do you like about Newton?): As I said, they're a little bit different. Newton is big powerful guy and younger. Probably making a few more mistakes than Butler. Butler has played more football than Newton. Butler is athletic and swings side to side. Built a little different. We went right down the middle with them. I think where we're at right now, we need to make a decision and move on and see how they handle it. **(Address kicking situation?): I'm not in a good mood today and that's the reason. We lost Randy. Randy is going on IR. He has torn a muscle in the groin area. I don't know the specifics. A long process back. Disappointing last half hour for me. It has been bothering him and he has continued to kick through it. A sad situation. He'll kick in this league. He'll go on IR. Thankfully we got Shayne, who has done a hell of a job. **(Isn't that convenient decision?): I feel bad for the kid. **(What do you like about Shayne?): Real consistent. Made every kick. Kicked off well. Guy throughout his career who has been accurate. It was right down the middle. Either one, we would have been proud with. We expect him to do well. **(Surprised with leg strength?): He has kicked well and done it in practice as well. Liked his kickoffs. **(Anyone else on IR?): Sunny Harris. Sharpton will go on PUP. Those are some things going on right now. **(How tough a cut at corner and are jobs still to be won there?): A lot of jobs to be won. The corner position--4, 5, 6, how many do you keep? Our safety position is competitive. How many do we keep? The back end of our offense line, that is competitive. A lot of questions that need to get answered. **(If not Holliday at PR, Martin is?): Yeah, he can do it. **(Return job?): Pleased with Trindon but we know he can't turn the ball over. Trindon can help this team with the way he has played this preaseason. When we go to set the roster, we have to look at the big picture. Is there room for just a returner? He's doing everything he can to answer that question. Martin, Keo, & Manning can all do it. We got some other options there. **(Will he continue to get all the returns?): Yes. **(How did Graham get so open last night?): He played well. Our tight ends as group played well. James has had a few fine weeks. We know what we'll get all the time from our TEs. **(Compare Garrett and OD?): They're similar. Both 250 players. Garrett has held his own at the LOS. Problem for Garrett is that he has been slowed by injuries in his career. **Ya'll saw how we were rotating recievers, that's how we'll do it when the season starts. ... Kevin Walter had a good preseason. **(Talk about Matt and where Andre is going into the season): Matt has had a good camp. Thought he was rusty and challenged when camp opened. That was tough on him but made him better. He has come a long way. Comfortable with Lestar, Martin, and Graham. Matt has grown into a better player over the last 3 weeks. One heck of a camp and last night was a great statement in that "I'm ready to play." Andre the best he has looked in a year. His process has been good. Last night a bump in the road. An excellent couple of weeks for him. **Lestar has played well. Comfortable with what he's doing. I can play him in a lot of spots. He won't bog down or it won't hurt him. It should help us keep Andre and Walter fresh. **(Arian?) He's been there everyday. Work habits are as good as anyone's. He's ready to go. He's done everything he can do. It was important to see him carry 15-20 times last night. **(Groin stopping Randy from kicking off better?) I think so. He was complaining about it. Kickers get dead legs. Usually you work out of it but looking at the last couple weeks, he wasn't himself but still was pretty darn good. You chart his kicks, they were different. **(Why now or why all the sudden?): He came in today and it was black and blue. He took some days off last week. Look at the game last night, he kicked fine. Everything was fine. Today, he can't pick his leg up and that's when we knew we had a problem. (Traditional FB week 1?): Yeah, we will. James is our FB. He's turned into a good one. **Then questions with the other two. We'll see.
I was a little surprised to see that after his performance in NO. I'm guessing that they feel he's the better guy once he gets the position down and it's worthwhile to speed up that process with actual game time. Here's hoping he makes big strides before the bye.
