NFL Week 20

[Robear22]

'dogue, down in N'awlins, they call it the "gris gris" (pronounced "gree-gree" for all y'all unfamiliar with the dialect in southern Lousy-ana), and yah, they done gon' put the gris gris on the Bears Sunday.

Ozzie, I'm sure you'll see plenty of Deuce, and you won't like it much, 'cuz he's gonna rack up another 100+ yard game once y'all drop into that cover 2 and stop loading the box to keep Brees from killing you fast.

You choose against this offense: die fast or die slow, but die you will.

If we get the ground game going on our side you may not see much of the field to begin with. Brees, Bush, and Duece can only look from the sideline.

 

[Gard]

My hats off to you for a very honest and objective post. This is going to be a good game and whoever comes out will have been through a real battle.

I have changed my mind about you Sundogue, you aren't that bad of a Packer lover.

I agree, this is not likely to be a "blowout" game, more like a slugfest. Going to be fun to watch...of course, my house will be empty except for me, I get a bit TOO "into it" for my wife to be around during a Saints game!

And yeah, the 'dogue is a pretty stalwart dude, for a Fudgie Yacker backer!

 

[clavefa]

'dogue, down in N'awlins, they call it the "gris gris" (pronounced "gree-gree" for all y'all unfamiliar with the dialect in southern Lousy-ana), and yah, they done gon' put the gris gris on the Bears Sunday.

Ozzie, I'm sure you'll see plenty of Deuce, and you won't like it much, 'cuz he's gonna rack up another 100+ yard game once y'all drop into that cover 2 and stop loading the box to keep Brees from killing you fast.

You choose against this offense: die fast or die slow, but die you will.

Deuce getting a 200 yds does not guarantee a win.

On defense i think it's putting pressure on Brees and not letting him have too much time , same for the saints d on Grossman.

I just can't wait for sunday to get here, my fingers are getting tired from all this typing.

 

[Sundogue]

If you look at this Saints offense it's just their version of the way the Rams played offense during the Greatest Show on Turf era. Something the coach Smith is very familiar with.
Granted it is not an easy team to defend..you just can't give the QB enough time to make his reads.
Yeah it can rack up yards , but once the field shortens up we'll see i expect to see Duece running it.

No, it's not really the Rams version of offense. Somewhat similar in how they use Bush (like Faulk), except Deuce provides a different look than Faulk in their running game. Whereas Faulk provided the running and passing game out of the backfield, Deuce provides the run, and Bush provides the pass.

It's much harder to defend two guys out of the backfield than one. With the Rams, if you could get a handle on Faulk, you had 'em. With the Saints, if you get a handle on Bush, you still have Deuce to worry about...and visa versa.

Much more problematic. Then add to that the receivers and the QB...well, we're not talking about the Bears here.

Defensive edge - Bears
Offensive edge - Saints

I think the Saint's edge on offense far outweighs the Bears edge on defense.

The only intangible I give the Bears is Hester...and that's one big intangible! But the Packers (who had pretty rotten special teams) controlled him. So if the Saints can lock up Hester, New Orleans gets the edge...

...and the win.

 

[Gard]

If we get the ground game going on our side you may not see much of the field to begin with. Brees, Bush, and Duece can only look from the sideline.

Well, Brian Westbrook is more of a stud than anyone in the blue and orange, and other than one play where the Saints D was just totally out of position, they totally shut him down Saturday night. The stats are misleading, a 62 yard run will do that. Y'all better have something special that no one has seen, if you think that the Bears are going to establish a solid running game against the Saints.

 

[Adam Barkley]

I just hope the Saints lose so Gard can go back to his cave till next year. If they win, I think I'll have to avoid TB so I don't hear him talking about how the Saints already have the Superbowl in the bag. And how their (very pedestrian) running game is unstoppable. And their QB. And their WRs. And how their defense is the best that ever played. How they'll sack Manning 50,000 times. And break up the routes of the best WRs in football. And they'll hit Clark (You can't stop Clark! ) harder than Lynch did a couple years ago. And manhandle the best O line in foosball. And break Bob Sanders' healthy knee. And eat the Colts children. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah.

 

[clavefa]

No, it's not really the Rams version of offense. Somewhat similar in how they use Bush (like Faulk), except Deuce provides a different look than Faulk in their running game. Whereas Faulk provided the running and passing game out of the backfield, Deuce provides the run, and Bush provides the pass.

It's much harder to defend two guys out of the backfield than one. With the Rams, if you could get a handle on Faulk, you had 'em. With the Saints, if you get a handle on Bush, you still have Deuce to worry about...and visa versa.

Much more problematic. Then add to that the receivers and the QB...well, we're not talking about the Bears here.

Defensive edge - Bears
Offensive edge - Saints

I think the Saint's edge on offense far outweighs the Bears edge on defense.

The only intangible I give the Bears is Hester...and that's one big intangible! But the Packers (who had pretty rotten special teams) controlled him. So if the Saints can lock up Hester, New Orleans gets the edge...

...and the win.

Hellooo thats what i was saying , it's the OLD RAMS offense
but you throw in Deuce.. it's a lot easier to get running yards when the D is spread as witnessed last week when Alexander got big chunks, but how many times we're the 'hawks stuffed on 3rd and short?.

Intangibles well NO's NEVER been in a game this big so i think it's the inexpierience that is gonna hurt them.

Edge BEARS

 

[Sundogue]

If we get the ground game going on our side you may not see much of the field to begin with. Brees, Bush, and Duece can only look from the sideline.

That's a big if. But possible.

What I see as the key to this game is what the Bears do on defense. If they can shut down Deuce with just their lineman, they have a better chance.

If however, they have to get their linebackers into it every running play...and more importantly, if they have to bring up the safeties to shut down Deuce, then I'll take the Saints receivers one on one, and Bush out in open space any time.

 

[Sundogue]

Hellooo thats what i was saying , it's the OLD RAMS offense
but you throw in Deuce.. it's a lot easier to get running yards when the D is spread as witnessed last week when Alexander got big chunks, but how many times we're the 'hawks stuffed on 3rd and short?.

Intangibles well NO's NEVER been in a game this big so i think it's the inexpierience that is gonna hurt them.

Edge BEARS

This Bears' team has never been in one either. I don't see too many players or coaches on this Bear's team from '85. Lovie's got the assistant coaching experience and Rivera has playing experience, but they ain't playing.

There's no experience working for either side.

 

[clavefa]

This Bears' team has never been in one either. I don't see too many players or coaches on this Bear's team from '85. Lovie's got the assistant coaching experience, but he ain't playing.

There's no experience working for either side.

you forget a couple of playoff losses this decade....
on which a few of the players on this team we're on.
How many playoffs have the Saints been in or even battles for the division crown....0.


so yeah EDGE BEARS

 

[Sundogue]

you forget a couple of playoff losses this decade....
on which a few of the players on this team we're on.
How many playoffs have the Saints been in or even battles for the division crown....0.


so yeah EDGE BEARS

I'll give you a slight edge on that one...but it is slight, and certainly nothing to really hang your hat on as something that is going to be meaningful in this game.

Unless of course, you talking about the Bears experience in losing big games.

 

[Gard]

No, it's not really the Rams version of offense. Somewhat similar in how they use Bush (like Faulk), except Deuce provides a different look than Faulk in their running game. Whereas Faulk provided the running and passing game out of the backfield, Deuce provides the run, and Bush provides the pass.

It's much harder to defend two guys out of the backfield than one. With the Rams, if you could get a handle on Faulk, you had 'em. With the Saints, if you get a handle on Bush, you still have Deuce to worry about...and visa versa.

Much more problematic. Then add to that the receivers and the QB...well, we're not talking about the Bears here.

Defensive edge - Bears
Offensive edge - Saints

I think the Saint's edge on offense far outweighs the Bears edge on defense.

The only intangible I give the Bears is Hester...and that's one big intangible! But the Packers (who had pretty rotten special teams) controlled him. So if the Saints can lock up Hester, New Orleans gets the edge...

...and the win.

Maybe I see this through black & gold colored glasses, but I'd say he's pretty "on" with his assessment: The Saints O is NOT the '01 Rams O.

It's much more dangerous, mainly because of the 2 back situation. Both guys are starters on any NFL team, and they're both on the field at the same time once in a while. That must cause major headaches for a defensive coordinator!

Another plus is that unlike Kurt Warner, Brees doesn't get ruffled if you hit him a few times or he's playing "from behind". That's how the Saints took advantage of them back in '01, they rushed Warner hard from different directions on every play and he got "happy feet". Brees does NOT do that.

 

[Gard]

I just hope the Saints lose so Gard can go back to his cave till next year. If they win, I think I'll have to avoid TB so I don't hear him talking about how the Saints already have the Superbowl in the bag. And how their (very pedestrian) running game is unstoppable. And their QB. And their WRs. And how their defense is the best that ever played. How they'll sack Manning 50,000 times. And break up the routes of the best WRs in football. And they'll hit Clark (You can't stop Clark! ) harder than Lynch did a couple years ago. And manhandle the best O line in foosball. And break Bob Sanders' healthy knee. And eat the Colts children. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah.

...look at who's talkin'!!! You've already got the Colts in the SB!!!

You REALLY think they can shake the Pats curse?



And you're wrong, I'd be VERY nervous about the Saints versus EITHER team from the AFC...moreso about the Pats, but they're both scary.

That said, I still say the Saints take it this weekend.

 

[clavefa]

I'll give you a slight edge on that one...but it is slight, and certainly nothing to really hang your hat on as something that is going to be meaningful in this game.

Unless of course, you talking about the Bears experience in losing big games.

touche

Gard...

Hellooo thats what i was saying , it's the OLD RAMS offense
but you throw in Deuce..

Don't forget NFL coaches are Big copycats , a lot teams run variations of either WCO or The Spread O, it's not rocket

science it's 22 individual battles going on at the same time, the team that win more of those of course has the best chance to win the game.

 

[clavefa]

Oh BTW Bears fans are going to hire the best Voodoo person in 'Nawlins to put a hex on Brees and make him channel

AARON BROOKS

 

[Adam Barkley]

You REALLY think they can shake the Pats curse?

Yep, I do. Brady has no go-to passing threat anymore and Sanders, Harper or Bethea will pick him off everytime he or Gaffney makes a mistake (4 the last time they played). No Rodney Harrison or Ty Law. Manning has experience beating the Pasties now. Colts D is playing like the Bears D early in the season. And despite a bad stats day for Manning, they marched the ball down the field to put the nail in the Ratbirds coffin and burnt 7 and 1/2 minutes off the clock doing so. Not to mention the best D in the land still allowed the Colts to convert on 50% of their 3rd down situations.

I could go on.

 

[Gard]

Oh BTW Bears fans are going to hire the best Voodoo person in 'Nawlins to put a hex on Brees and make him channel

AARON BROOKS

Not possible, there isn't ONE practicioner in N'awlins that would hex the Saints, not even the most evil, vile, nasty one. They know that the rest of 'em would gang up on 'em and that would NOT be pretty.

The person on the field Sunday with the best chance of channeling AB is definitey NOT Brees, it's the Gross-man, and you KNOW that is true.

 

[Gard]

Yep, I do. Brady has no go-to passing threat anymore and Sanders, Harper or Bethea will pick him off everytime he or Gaffney makes a mistake (4 the last time they played). No Rodney Harrison or Ty Law. Manning has experience beating the Pasties now. Colts D is playing like the Bears D early in the season. And despite a bad stats day for Manning, they marched the ball down the field to put the nail in the Ratbirds coffin and burnt 7 and 1/2 minutes off the clock doing so. Not to mention the best D in the land still allowed the Colts to convert on 50% of their 3rd down situations.

I could go on.

Hey, I hope you're right, I like the Saints chances against the Colts better than I do against Belichick & Brady!

 

[Gard]

OK, just got this one from a buddy in Baton Rouge (he's a TBer, but not very active), and it seemed appropos for this thread:

Boudreaux & the Devil

Boudreaux died and was on his way down to Hell. In anticipation, the Devil turned up the thermostat to make it extra warm for Boudreaux.

When Boudreaux arrived, the Devil asked, "Hey Boudreaux, how do you like the heat down here?"

Boudreaux says, "Mais, it's just fine. It reminds me of Bayou PonPon in July."

That made the Devil mad. That night, he turned the thermostat up all the way it could go. Man it was hot!

When Boudreaux woke up, the Devil asked him, "NOW how do you like it down here?"

Boudreaux says, "Mais, it's fine. It reminds me of August on Bayou Lafourche."

As you might expect, that made the Devil all the more mad. Well, that night, he turned the thermostat down all the way it could go! The whole place frosted over. Icicles started forming from the rafters.

When Boudreaux woke up, the Devil asked him, "How you like it NOW, Boudreaux?"

Boudreaux, shivering, through blue lips, says, "Mais cher, I'm one happy Cajun!"

The Devil was infuriated! He yelled, "What do you mean you're one happy Cajun?!!"

Boudreaux, still shivering says, "The Saints done won the Superbowl!"

 

[Pacman]

.....I'll have to avoid TB so I don't hear him talking about how the Saints already have the Superbowl in the bag. And how their (very pedestrian) running game is unstoppable. And their QB. And their WRs. And how their defense is the best that ever played. How they'll sack Manning 50,000 times. And break up the routes of the best WRs in football. And they'll hit Clark (You can't stop Clark! ) harder than Lynch did a couple years ago. And manhandle the best O line in foosball. And break Bob Sanders' healthy knee. And eat the Colts children. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah.

You won't have to hear any of that - because they're going to be playing the 3-time Superbowl Champion New England Patriots on the 4th of February! Don't feel too bad for Peyton, he'll still make it into the hall of fame. Just like Marino