Brian Allen's NFL Football fan blog

This is the kind of game the Saints often find a way to lose. The Chefs' offense has been improving and they had Larry Johnson back from his - um, off-the-field issues. Drew Brees was spectacular as always but the true star of this game was the defense. They stuffed the Chiefs on two crucial goal line stands, sacked the mobile Thigpen four times and came through when they had to.

New Orleans won't impress anyone by beating the Chiefs, but they'd have certainly been embarrassed if they hadn't. While Kansas City looks like it has finally found a decent QB, any team that expects to go the postseason should handle up on KC. Pierre Thomas had what may be a breakout game with 88 yards rushing, 56 receiving and a rushing touchdown. Since Deuce ain't getting any younger and still has a steroid suspension looming, we'll need someone to pick up the slack even after Reggie Bush returns.

Continue reading "Saints Dodge The Tyler Thigpen Bullet"

Thus ending Brad Johnson's NFL career. Both would be the correct move and this team's season is hanging in the balance. No sooner than Cowboy fans could rejoice over a great one-handed Roy Williams grab, they had to gnash teeth over another Johnson interception. That one was one tackle away from a Pick Six. Maybe Wade Phillips and Brad Johnson could be put together as a package for the Raiders.

Continue reading "The Brooks Bollinger Era Should Begin In a Few Minutes.."

OK, who had Week 6 in the Pacman Jones blowup office pool? How big of an idiot are you when you're down to your last chance to play football and you get into a fight with one of the guys the team pays to make sure you don't get into fights? This is beyond stupid. This is Gus Frerotte jamming his head into a wall stupid. This is Ricky Williams last 2-3 years of behavior stupid. But more than anything, it's Pacman Jones stupid.

This scenario is so ridiculous if it were written for classic HBO sports-com 1st and 10 you wouldn't believe it. The only thing less shocking than Pacman getting into trouble again is that the Dallas Cowboys' "internal investigation" determined Pacman won't be disciplined by the team. In related news, an internal investigation by AIG said none of their executives will be disciplined by the team either.

Continue reading "Pacman Strikes Again"

And of all the questions he could have asked me -  about the meaning of life, why we're here, or did I really kiss (name deleted) in high school, he wanted to know if the Saints were going to lose to the Oakland Raiders.

God, I wish I knew. If there's anything we've learned about the Saints it's that they can beat any team in the league and also lose to any team in the league. A Saints fan doesn't get to have the confidence and faith that say - the New York Giants have in their team. We don't even get to have the overconfidence that Dallas Cowboys fans have. Unfortunately, a loss to the train wreck that is the Oakland Raiders  (at the Superdome no less) is a realistic possibility.

God knows that's not what I want to see happen. But after losing to the Minnesota Vikings after statistically dominating said Vikings, pretty much nothing this Saints team does surprises me very much.

Continue reading "My Brother-In-Law Called Me From His Hospital Bed.."

It would be a serious case of I Told You So Syndrome to mention I didn't support trading for Shockey to begin with. But I wouldn't be a good blogger if I didn't mention it, so I told you so Saints. His injury problems aside, his being a cancer in the locker room aside, Shockey has put together one decent statistical season in this league.

Out for between 3-6 weeks for a sports hernia, it's safe to say he won't be a top tier tight end this year either. I move to another easy but necessary writing ploy. Voodoo references and the Saints are about as new and refreshing as the sketches at the Emmys Sunday night. But seeing the injuries this team is piling up, someone sticking pins into voodoo dolls is as plausible an explanation as any.

Marques Colston, one of the best receivers in the game, is out after thumb surgery. The Saints' already suspect defense has been victimized by injuries to Mike McKenzie and Randall Gay, who left Sunday's game. Leading receiver David Patten left Sunday's game with a strained groin and left tackle Jammal Brown injured his groin as well. If Patten can't return for Sunday, the Saints starters at wideout are Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem and Lance Moore. The only secondary in the league that should be scared by that trio is the secondary it practices against every week.

Continue reading "Shockey Out for Possibly Six Weeks! Shoot This Horse Already"

I've got to be honest. I didn't give the Saints much chance against a Broncos team that is currently firing on all cylinders. But if they hadn't spotted the Broncos a 21-3 lead New Orleans could have pulled this out. Yeah, and if a frog had wings it wouldn't bump its ass on the ground. I know.

But as far as positives we can take away, Reggie Bush is really a huge factor in the Saint offense now. He's arguably Brees' primary receiver right now. They've got to do whatever it takes to get him the ball. If the team can somehow tread water until Colston's healthy they could still make the playoffs. And I'm actually impressed the defense didn't give up more points the way the Broncos have been playing.

Continue reading "Saints Fall Just Short Of Broncos, 34-32"

Stop me if you've heard this one - The Saints offense does everything it needs to do but the team loses on a late defensive collapse. There is not much that hurts worse than seeing eternal WR disappointment Santana Moss streak past your secondary into the endzone.

And it's an NFC loss, while the Panthers win over the Bears. I can't get enough of a read on the NFC yet to know if that's an upset. Parity is runnin' wild.

Continue reading "Decimated Saints Defense Can't Hold Skins in Loss"

I nearly fell from my chair when Brees hit Robert Meachem with a TD. The Redskins looked surprised too, because they didn't seem to account for him well at all.

Continue reading "A Meachem TD! Do You Believe?"

Now, the news that Marques Colston is out for 4-6 weeks hits New Orleans fans where it really hurts. Colston had grabbed more passes than any receiver in history through his first two seasons. The third-year is often when wide receivers have their breakout years. That can't be the case for Colston now, at least statistically.

SaintsInsider.com reports that SS Roman Harper, LB Scott Fujita and CB Randall Gay will all miss Sunday's game vs. Washington with various injuries. Other than that, everything's great.

Continue reading "Injuries Pile Up for Saints"

The offense looked great and even more importantly the defense held up. They did that even without star corner Mike McKenzie, who got scratched Sunday. Saints fans have to be pleased opening the year with a win over the defending division champions.

For those who poo-poo the stat about the NFC South's last-place team winning the division the following season, did you see how good the Falcons looked?

Reggie Bush had a solid performance, putting up what became the game-winning score on a 41-yard TD from Brees. And stop me if you've heard this story before, but Robert Meachem started the season on the inactive list. He still has yet to dress for a regular-season game for the Saints.

Continue reading "Saints Do Everything They Need to Do Against Bucs"