FOX 8 Sports Director John Henry Smith gives his weekly thoughts to readers about the previous week's Saints game in this column called "5 Things I Think About..."The 9-0 New Orleans Saints after their 28-23 win:
1. JASON DAVID ANYONE?The play of the Saints 2nd teamers stepping up to effectively replace starters has been a great storyline so far this season. But now the injuries are starting to pile up to the point where the team’s performance (more so on the defensive side, of course) is really starting to be impacted. Missing both starters at defensive tackle has allowed running backs to run wild the last month. And, missing 3 starters in the defensive backfield allowed the Rams to complete as many touchdown passes (2) in their game with the Saints as they had completed all year. If Darren Sharper, Jabari Greer, and Tracy Porter are out any length of time—and it certainly looks like at least Porter is out for awhile-- the Saints may have to hit the very picked over free agent market. Among the defensive backs available this time of year: former Saints Jason David and Mike McKenzie.
2. ANTHONY HARGROVE NOT PLAYING THAT WELL Hargrove has been one of the replacement defensive tackles the Saints have been employing. Even though he won defensive player of the week last week, I got the impression that teams were gaining a lot of yardage over his spot in the line. Against the Rams, he did make a great hustle play to chase Steven Jackson down 30 yards down field on a run. But I also noticed that Steven Jackson ran for 100 yards in the first half when Hargrove got most of the playing time at one tackle spot. In the second half, Demario Pressley seemed to get most of the snaps at that position. Steven Jackson only gained 31 yards in the second half. I’m just sayin’…
3. EDGE RUSH IS GETTING TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT ON SAINTS FIELD GOALS Have you noticed that the edge rushers are getting an awful lot of penetration on Saints field goal and p.a.t. attempts? I have. I’ve also noticed that Darnell Dinkins appears to be having particular trouble moving laterally at a quick enough pace to get to some of these rushers.
4. DEVERY HENDERSON HAS REALLY IMPROVEDDevery Henderson is no longer just a long ball receiver. He’s making the type of short, tough catches that he simply did not make—even last year. He’s really becoming a complete receiver.
5. GREAT "NO CHALLENGE" BY PAYTON ON THE COLSTON FUMBLE
What a difference a week makes! After calling a timeout last week to decide on calling a failed challenge that would go on to cost the Saints another timeout, Sean Payton very wisely-and very quickly-made the right decision not to challenge Marques Colston’s fumble out of the Rams endzone. I think it really speaks to Payton’s ability to fix a problem quickly and efficiently.
