Back to Buffalo: How the Saints Showed Sunday They Got "It"

I think most Saints fans would agree that Sunday's win in Buffalo was the most complete game the Saints have played so far in their fast 3-0 start.

Some might complain that the offense looked a little out of sorts. And frankly, it's true, they definitely were: especially the always-precise passing game.

But in truth, that's also the biggest reason for optimism for this year's version of the New Orleans Saints. Let's be honest, there's no way New Orleans could realistically contend for a title with the defense and running game of the past few years.

But now those two elements of the football team look like strengths. And before we freak out about the passing game, let's remember Sean Payton is one of the best play-callers and play-designers in the entire NFL, and he knows the passing game. That will get righted quicker than you can say "boo."

Let's take a look back at the tape to see where some of the issues in the passing game were, and how they can be fixed.

Film Review

Offensively, the Saints actually looked really good in the first half, with the exception of a couple timely mistakes. There was a penalty that stalled a drive.

On another, it was a poorly run flat route by Devery Henderson where he drifted up the field making it impossible for him to come back on a short throw by Brees. If he simply runs the route flat, he makes the catch, and probably beats DT Marcus Stroud up the sideline for a first down and more.

On the final drive where a conversion was possible, Brees actually chose Shockey over a much more open Henderson, which would've led to a first down and another chance at seven instead of settling for a short field goal.

There were two other plays where balance on the receivers' part cost the Saints a completion, and therefore a possible conversion.

You could blame it on field conditions, or on the players just not concentrating enough to stay low and compact in and out of their breaks.

As for some of the protection issues, it was caused in large part to some blitzes and stunts and twists that Buffalo had not previously shown, and the Saints simply did not respond to them quickly enough.

The other half of the problem though was an offensive tackle bending at the waist and allowing the pass rusher to cross his face.

For the most part these are all concentration issues more than physical limits of the players. The offensive staff, I'm sure, emphasized these things on Monday while reviewing the film.

Attention to detail must be emphasized more on the offensive side of the ball. These little things can make a huge difference in a close game.

There were a few other plays where Brees made a poor read on his choice of who to throw the ball to. We all know Brees will police himself and clean that up.

On the defensive side of the ball, there are very few things to be critical of. Gregg Williams had a tremendous game plan and the players executed it nearly flawlessly.

I found it interesting that the Saints used three down linemen exclusively. There was not one play on the day that the Saints used more than the three on the line. Also, Bobby McCray lined up as an edge rusher (or outside linebacker) and did an adequate job in that role.

The Saints substituted liberally on the line, and it did not seem to matter who they put in the game; they contributed significantly.

Will Smith had a wonderful game, as he was around the ball constantly and did a really good job getting penetration in the running game, in addition to setting the edge and keeping contain.

Charles Grant definitely stepped up with good gap assignment in the running game and showed a burst we haven't seen in awhile when rushing the passer. And Sedrick Ellis was his usual disruptive self.

Out of the linebackers I thought Scott Fujita played his best game of the season. He did get beat one time in coverage when matched up with Josh Reed because he overextended towards Reed instead of staying compact and allowing Reed to come to him. Aside from that play though, Fujita was a disruptive force in the backfield and played well in coverage.

In the secondary, Roman Harper was quite impressive again when he came up to play the run. He did a wonderful job of tackling and even played pretty fairly in coverage.

I would be remiss to not mention how outstanding the running game was offensively. The offensive line was the key as they got off the ball and provided some really clean holes for Lynell Hamilton, Reggie Bush, and Pierre Thomas to run through.

Bush looked very quick, and I thought ran very well and with conviction. He hit the hole hard and just got what he could. Of course Thomas looked wonderful, running with great pad level, burst, and vision.

It's really scary for defenses to look at the Saints balanced offense. They know Brees will not be off too many more times this season, yet they still have to contend with Thomas, Bush, and Bell when he is back.

The Saints won ugly Sunday, but it was a good kind of ugly. It was the type that often wins games in the playoffs.

We can trust Brees likely had his worst game of the season (although he didn't throw an interception), meaning watch out, NFL. These Saints are for real. Let's just hope the injury bug doesn't bite too hard.

Up next is another 3-0 team, the Jets. I'll give you a defensive gameplan preview over the next day or two, and then an offensive preview shortly thereafter. Until then, Geaux Saints!