Mickles: Time for Saints' midseason grades
You can e-mail Sheldon at smickles@theadvocate.com or by telephone at (225) 388-0443.
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Before the New Orleans Saints kick off the second half of their 16-game regular season with Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, it’s time to take a look back before they go forward.
As usual, there have been some ups (big wins over Tampa Bay and San Diego, and the NFL’s top-ranked passing game) and downs (close losses to Washington, Denver and Minnesota, and lots and lots of injuries).
But overall, the good has outweighed the bad — barely — which is evidenced by their 4-4 record. It’s not great, but at least they’re still in the playoff hunt going into the final eight games.
As can be expected from a 4-4 team, the Saints unofficial midterm grades are a mixed bag:
PASSING OFFENSE: With MVP candidate Drew Brees leading the way, the Saints have the NFL’s top-ranked passing unit at 314.4 yards per game. The loss of some of his top targets has not stopped him from throwing for a league-high 2,563 yards and 15 touchdowns with 11 completions of 40 yards or more after having eight last season. The best part is Brees spreads the ball around with six receivers having at least 200 yards so far. GRADE: A.
RUSHING OFFENSE: While the Saints seemingly can throw the ball whenever they want, they continue to struggle at running it. Their running game falls 28 spots behind the passing game in averaging just 88.8 yards per contest. The disturbing part is they’re averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. The Saints would like to look past it because three backs have missed time with injuries, but they must do better to have a shot at making the postseason. GRADE: D.
PASS DEFENSE: The Saints have done a much better job defending the big pass, allowing just one completion of 40 yards or more after being hit for 15 a year ago. The problem is they still rank 25th in the NFL in giving up 237.3 yards per game. They’ve also allowed 12 TDs despite several injuries in the secondary. The pass rush still hasn’t been what they thought it would be with just 14 sacks so more pressure could help. GRADE: C-minus.
RUSH DEFENSE: It could be better, but it has been after being pounded for 295 yards in the first two games. Since then, the Saints have tightened it up and have given up just 578 yards and a 96.3 average in six games. They’ve also allowed just 3.9 yards per carry after giving up 5.8 per carry the first two weeks. GRADE: C-plus.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Because they’ll be using their third punter and third kicker of the season this week, you can tell it hasn’t been great. The Saints haven’t been great in kick coverage and they’re only 9-of-14 in field goals. The only saving grace is Reggie Bush’s three punt returns for touchdowns. GRADE: C.
COACHING: Inconsistency has hurt, but Sean Payton and his staff have had to deal with a long injury list, a hurricane the week before the season opener and a weeklong stay in London. It could be better; then again, it could be worse. GRADE: B.
As usual, there have been some ups (big wins over Tampa Bay and San Diego, and the NFL’s top-ranked passing game) and downs (close losses to Washington, Denver and Minnesota, and lots and lots of injuries).
But overall, the good has outweighed the bad — barely — which is evidenced by their 4-4 record. It’s not great, but at least they’re still in the playoff hunt going into the final eight games.
As can be expected from a 4-4 team, the Saints unofficial midterm grades are a mixed bag:
PASSING OFFENSE: With MVP candidate Drew Brees leading the way, the Saints have the NFL’s top-ranked passing unit at 314.4 yards per game. The loss of some of his top targets has not stopped him from throwing for a league-high 2,563 yards and 15 touchdowns with 11 completions of 40 yards or more after having eight last season. The best part is Brees spreads the ball around with six receivers having at least 200 yards so far. GRADE: A.
RUSHING OFFENSE: While the Saints seemingly can throw the ball whenever they want, they continue to struggle at running it. Their running game falls 28 spots behind the passing game in averaging just 88.8 yards per contest. The disturbing part is they’re averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. The Saints would like to look past it because three backs have missed time with injuries, but they must do better to have a shot at making the postseason. GRADE: D.
PASS DEFENSE: The Saints have done a much better job defending the big pass, allowing just one completion of 40 yards or more after being hit for 15 a year ago. The problem is they still rank 25th in the NFL in giving up 237.3 yards per game. They’ve also allowed 12 TDs despite several injuries in the secondary. The pass rush still hasn’t been what they thought it would be with just 14 sacks so more pressure could help. GRADE: C-minus.
RUSH DEFENSE: It could be better, but it has been after being pounded for 295 yards in the first two games. Since then, the Saints have tightened it up and have given up just 578 yards and a 96.3 average in six games. They’ve also allowed just 3.9 yards per carry after giving up 5.8 per carry the first two weeks. GRADE: C-plus.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Because they’ll be using their third punter and third kicker of the season this week, you can tell it hasn’t been great. The Saints haven’t been great in kick coverage and they’re only 9-of-14 in field goals. The only saving grace is Reggie Bush’s three punt returns for touchdowns. GRADE: C.
COACHING: Inconsistency has hurt, but Sean Payton and his staff have had to deal with a long injury list, a hurricane the week before the season opener and a weeklong stay in London. It could be better; then again, it could be worse. GRADE: B.
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