1. With the amount of money that the Saints have invested in Drew Brees, being one of the highest paid players in the league, and being that he is a future first-ballot hall of famer, one would think he would be able to overcome the rain and the wind in the first half in order to throw the ball where it needed to be.
I was really disappointed in his play in this game, especially in the first half. He is supposed to be the man that would carry this team, and he was unable to do that. I acknowledge that his play improved in the second half, but it was too little too late.
Russell Wilson played well despite the elements.
With a qb that is paid as highly as Drew Brees, one would think that he would be able to play more consistently well when on the road. This past season, Drew Brees developed a knack for throwing crucial interceptions on the road, which ultimately costed us games against inferior opponents, such as the Rams and the Jets.
I guess it could be worse. At least Joe Flacco, with his enormous salary, isn't our quarterback. That would really suck.
2. The Seahawks were simply the better team last Saturday, and throughout the year. In the NFL, the difference between a good team and a better team is a team's ability to turn the ball over on defense, their ability to avoid costly mistakes/turnovers, and their ability to capitalize on the other team's mistakes.
The Saints simply couldn't do it when given opportunities last Saturday. Thomas Morestead had a punt that went less than twenty yards. Shayne Graham missed both of his field goal attempts. Those things were not counted as turnovers, but they may as well have been, because in a game of this magnitude against an elite team, such mistakes are just as costly as a turnover.
As for the turnover, Mark Ingram fumbled the ball in Saints territory, which led to a Seattle touchdown. That was probably the play of the game, because the Saints were thought to be playing well, and were in the game, but it was over after that.
The Seahawks were able to make field goals, convert on third downs, and stop the Saints on third and long. The Saints weren't able to do those things.
The Seahawks had a twenty yard punt themselves that the Saints were unable to convert it into anything, much less use it as an opportunity to seize the momentum. The defense also had numerous three and outs which could have been momentum changers, but once again, the Saints offense couldn't do anything with the opportunities.
3. The Saints defense deserves almost all of the credit for the Saints' turnaround in 2013. It was the defense that held their own on the road, and not the offense. It was the defense that was put in bad positions, because of mistakes by the offense. And we are accustomed to seeing the complete opposite, so kudos to Rob Ryan. I'm looking forward to seeing the defense grow with another year of working under his system.
With that being said, all season, the Saints defense had almost no ability to force fumbles, and get interceptions, which could have been the difference in some of the Saints' losses. Going forward, the they need to find guys, regardless of position, who can force turnovers. The Saints must acquire another db, whether it be a safety, or a cornerback that can snag interceptions.
It would be nice to see Cam Jordan and Junior Gallette swat at the ball when bearing down on a qb, before bringing him down. It would also be nice to acquire an aggressive safety/cornerback with soft hands, who can snatch interceptions. The Saints would be unstoppable with those two things.
4. Going forward, the Saints absolutely must improve the personnel on the offensive line. This cannot be understated. There were far too many holding penalties that crippled drives. There were far too many instances where Saints offensive linemen missed blocks. And there were far too many instances where they were simply manhandled by opposing defenders.
Although he was a Pro Bowler, Ben Grubbs was horrible, and got man-handled by opposing interior defensive linemen on numerous occasions. Jahri Evans had far too many holding penalties. Zack Strief is serviceable, but there are better players out there. Brian De La Puente simply isn't getting the job done at a high enough level to be a starting center on a Super Bowl contender, such as the Saints. Terron Armstead's play towards the end of the season was encouraging, but it would be great if the Saints brought in a veteran to provide some competition to see if he can seize that starting left tackle position.
Priority number one, and it isn't even close, will be to draft and/or acquire via free agency a few mauler-type offensive linemen with a mean streak, who get downright nasty when run blocking, and who can protect Drew Brees.
The Saints' offensive line was the reason for the Saints struggles on the road. Period. And going forward, they will be the difference in whether or not the Saints ever return to the Super Bowl in the foreseeable future under Sean Payton.
5. With all that being said, I have complete trust in Sean Payton and Micky Loomis. As long as they and Drew Brees are a part of the Saints organization, they will always be contenders for a Super Bowl win.
I love Coach Payton's quote on the window of opportunity to be Super Bowl champions. He said, "And honestly, the window (of opportunity), as long as I am head coach here, we're trying to slam it open always."
I got so fired up when I read that, and I already can't wait for next season to start.
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