The New Orleans Saints Are 1 Kick Away From 4-0 and Are Finding Ways To Win

I've been listening to many negative and worrisome comments regarding the World Champion New Orleans Saints this year.  Fans seem to be a little nervous that the offense isn't scoring as many points as last year and while I admit that I much prefer the games where you can sit back and watch the offensive machine at work rather than the nail biters, there are many reasons for the lack of scoring and offense this year, not the least of which is injuries.  Another reason is every team they play this year is looking to be the team that beats the current Superbowl Champs.  I believe though, it's the injury situation that has taken a toll more than any other factor but yet, they are still 3-1 and players are stepping up and getting the job done.

Let's talk a little about the injury situation.  First, they lost running back Lynell Hamilton for the season, to a knee injury on a freak, no contact play in training camp.  Next they lost P.J. Hill.  Both Hamilton and Hill were expected to make significant contributions this season after Mike Bell left in free agency.  To compound the frustration at that position, a very promising young back, Chris Ivory, was injured in the second preseason game and is only now beginning to return to form.  He's doing a great job running but hanging on to the ball is another matter.  He's had 2 critical fumbles in 2 weeks. I do believe they have found a real talent in Ivory and he will contribute more and more as the season wears on and he stops putting the ball on the ground.  Then, Jonathan Cassillas, who earned a starting linebacker job in training camp and was finally looking like the player they thought he could be, went down for the season with a knee injury.  Darren Sharper, the starting safety, who had a career year last year did not practice in training camp or play in preseason because of a knee, was put on the PUP list which means he's not available for the first 6 games of the season.  Granted, Malcolm Jenkins has stepped up and played well and  is  the future at that position,  he's not anywhere near being the player Sharper was for us at the beginning of last season.  Usama Young has also filled in but was injured and out for the Atlanta Game as well.  In the San Francisco game, Reggie Bush went down with a broken leg and will be out 4-6 weeks.  His loss is immeasurable.  Whether he gets the ball or is a decoy on a play, he occupies no less than 2 defenders and helps free up his team mates.  The Atlanta game was a physical, hard fought battle and they  lost Pierre Thomas and Roman Harper for the next game against the Panthers and possibly more (I'm hoping they'll be back this week).  Harper's replacement, Pierson Preileau was injured during the game this week and was replaced by Chris Reis who went down as well and is out for the season, was replaced by Usama Young.   Betts and Ivory both played well in Thomas' absence and both should have a future with this team.  I really liked what I saw from Betts this week.  He appears to be fully recovered from his knee injury  Randall Gay suffered a concussion in the San Francisco game and was out for the Atlanta game.  He plays in nickel coverages and probably is on the field 50% of the defensive snaps.  In the Panthers game this week, Robert Meacham finally looked like he is  getting healthy after a frustrating off season and preseason with an injury.  Meacham had his best year as a professional last year and hopefully he can return to form soon. Then today we find out that our ace corner, Tracy Porter, is out for 2-4 weeks with knee injury. 

Now for the good news, Drew Brees is healthy and Sean Payton is still the coach and they are still finding a way to win even if it's not they way we as fans would like.  A win is a win.   We are 3-1 and most of those injured players will be back, at worst, in about 3-4 weeks and ready for the stretch run to put the Saints back in the hunt for another Championship.  So relax and enjoy the ride.