OT: Why is New Orleans' Offense So Bad?

[maverick4]

Drew Brees has been one of the NFL's top 10 QB's for a few years now, and last year the Saints Offense was pretty formidable. What happened between last year and this year?

This is my theory:

Drew Brees excels at throwing to his tight end; he did it in San Diego, and in his first year with the Saints. Last year, Colston was his favorite target, but Colton was basically a WR playing in the TE position or in the slot.

Colston isn't extremely fast, and by moving him outside to one of the WR spots this year, it has stopped the offense. Drew Brees relies on speed receivers on the outside to create room in the middle for his tight end. By no longer having speed on the outside (shifting Colston to WR), the field becomes smaller, and that is why Brees is struggling.

We saw something similar last year when New England's receivers sucked. It shortens the field immensely to not have speed on the outside, and hurts and middle passing game as well as the running game. However, Brees strugges even more from this, because his arm is not as strong as Brady's.

 

[dhamz]

Offensive line has stunk. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Offensive line has stunk. Nothing more, nothing less.

Exactly. It's tough to go through your reads when you're running for your life.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Mungo]

look at there schedule last year, it was a joke. Nevemind most of the offense was new, how teams would even begin to scheme up against them? who knows. This year, its no secret what there plan is, on top of a stronger schedule, offense line is terrible, and yea Bress is just as bad so far.

 

[Mogamedogz]

#78 is especially woefull. Man that guy sucks arss.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

#78 is especially woefull. Man that guy sucks arss.

You mean RT Jon Stinchcomb? He's actually a natural Guard(and Jim Haslett said a couple of years ago he's not ready to play)-it's no surprise he can't handle speed rushers(the Chicago DEs schooled him in that NFC Title game).

Here is the biggest woe:

OL stinks-last year, they were able to get by this b/c they had Joe Horn-who excelled at running those quick underneath/inzone routes. When he was there, they were able to at least get an uptempo passing game in rhytm, which pretty much loosened up the OL(and they were able to run the ball from there). Now-Colston is just a #2, and Devrey Henderson can only run bombs, otherwise, he can't get separation.

So now-all you have to do is rush 4 and drop back 7-that way, none of the NO's receivers will be able to get open, and even a 4 man rush can get past that leaky OL. Yeah-it's so bad that they can't open up running lanes either.

If anything-them over-achieving last year was the WORST thing that could happen to this team-they were in a "rebuilding" year, and they still have too many holes to fill. 1/2 of their D, which played so well last year-reality is that they're nothing more than backups.

 

[NYPatsFan]

I think I saw or heard a stat that said that Brees was pressured on 22 of 27 (approx.) passsing plays in the game. No QB can succeed under that kind of pressure.

 

[rabthepat]

Reasons why I think new Orlean's Offense is struggling;

1) Drew Brees is playing inconsistently as he did from time to time in San Diego.
2) Reggie Bush is not a running back nor is he a receiver. He is a slash player who is depended on too much to make things happens. Slash players can't carry teams.
3) The receiving core is average.
4) The offensive line is average.
5) Poor play calls by coaching staff.
6) Last year's results are last years results. Expectations are exceeding team's abilities.

 

[PonyExpress]

IMO the Saints did not come out ready to play this season. They seem unprepared for the speed or violence of the NFL regular season, lacking the will and toughness that other teams flaunt. I think this reflects on poor preparation and dedication during the offseason by the team as a whole. The whole world had been blowing smoke up their collective arse all offseason, they hit the banquet circuit like SB victors, they were in every commercial, and started to believe that excellence was their birthright, and that this season would be an extension of last season. Drew Brees missed much of the spring with a dislocated lebow from the pro bowl, and his leadership may have been missing. The front office made some bad moves, signing Jason David to big money, failing to upgrade a stop gap sub par LBing corps, failing to sign a legit veteran WR, drafting a WR project in Rd 1. Payton went soft on his team during workouts. He strikes me as the kind of young guy who's too friendly with his players and yearns to be liked by them. That leadership style leads to soft teams and inconsistent play.

 

[unoriginal]

1) Drew Brees is playing inconsistently as he did from time to time in San Diego.

Rubbish. Brees was bad in 2002 and 2003. Then the team revamped their offensive tackles, bringing in LT Roman Oben in FA and RT Shane Olivea in the draft. And then, amazingly enough, Brees looked good.

I'm suggesting that a short pin-point pocket passer like Brees is somewhat sensitive to 6'6" DEs in his face every time he takes a 5 step drop.

 

[zarakotas5]

Rubbish. Brees was bad in 2002 and 2003. Then the team revamped their offensive tackles, bringing in LT Roman Oben in FA and RT Shane Olivea in the draft. And then, amazingly enough, Brees looked good.

I'm suggesting that a short pin-point pocket passer like Brees is somewhat sensitive to 6'6" DEs in his face every time he takes a 5 step drop.

Agreed, the Flying J's OL is being exposed. A lot of it is, in fact, because of the departure of said receiver, Joe Horn. Despite him being known as the highlight reel on SportsCenter, he was the safety valve/threat. Always open and always relieving pressure.

Colston is good. Don't look there. He just isn't the savior. Now that Duece is gone, so is the running game. Bush isn't the rushing answer. NO is really screwed.

 

[gomezcat]

As someone who has Brees in my FF team, and Jake Delhomme on the bench (for the moment), I tooo would like to know the answer...