The Saints are back; 49ers not so much
I have been cautious about proclaiming the New Orleans "back" until we saw some consistency. Scratching out a low-scoring win at home against the Falcons didn't exactly inspire confidence.
With that said, I just watched the Shortcuts from the Saints-49ers game and could not have been more impressed. While Alex Smith played one of the worst quarterback games I've seen all year, Drew Brees played one of the very best against a secondary that has been playing well. Some of this may sneak into Goal Line Stand tomorrow, but here's what I noticed.
* Brees is getting great protection again; he hasnt been sacked in four weeks. That has allowed New Orleans to go deep often. For the second straight year, I swear Brees' arm-strength has improved as the year wore on. Maybe I'm imagining things or maybe it's something to do with his shoulder surgery. But it's a good sign when he's firing 40-yard passes to Marques Colston and David Patten (who beat Nate Clements). He also threw a lot of mid-range darts in this game.
* Colston didn't start and wasn't always in 2-WR sets. All the wideouts rotated, including Terrance Copper, with Colston and David Patten getting the most snaps by far. Since they go three wide so often, there are enough snaps to go around. But Lance Moore appeared to be fourth on the depth chart, so hes not worth owning. Colston scored three times, but he could have scored five times! He was targeted on a jump ball, and drew a 40-yard PI in the end zone.
* Sean Payton making NFL flotsam like Patten look like stars is a sign this offense is back. Patten will be inconsistent, but I think he's worth owning in deeper leagues.
* Maurice Hicks was on the field before Michael Robinson, including a first down carry. Both played, but it's a sign that Robinson would probably split carries if Frank Gore ever stays hurt. Considering how terrible this offense is, Robinson isn't worth owning in most leagues.
* Alex Smith needs to show something in the second half of this season or the 49ers might bring competition for next year. The 49ers are probably worse this year than Smith's rookie year. FootballOutsiders ranks them as the worst team in the NFL despite a couple close wins. At least Vernon Davis looked like a primary receiver on many plays, a sign he could be a TE1 the rest of the way.
Comments
What does this mean for Gore's outlook this year and in a dynasty league in your opinion
Posted by: Anonymous | October 31, 2007 12:54 PM
Hey Gregg,
Do you consider Bress an every week starter like he was considered before the season, or should I still plug in someone like Phil Rivers who is facing a league-worst Minn. secondary?
Posted by: Tony | October 31, 2007 01:05 PM
I would use Rivers this week but Brees has some tasty matchups the rest of the way and into the FFL playoffs. Keep Brees and you might be able to shop Rivers for a hole in your team cause it looks like Brees stopped taking the stupid pills.
Thank god cause Eli was not going to win be a championship.
Posted by: Beau | October 31, 2007 04:31 PM
Alex Smith definitely played poorly on Sunday, but it's tough for me to call it one of the worst QB games of the year when you take into account a) he played with a separated shoulder, b) he completed over 50% of his passes, and c) he threw a TD and no picks.
Posted by: JD | October 31, 2007 06:10 PM
i took Bree and Colston over Brady and Moss in my draft, this week made me feel a little better.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 31, 2007 06:53 PM
I finally gave up on Gore.
Just dealt him and Boldin for Marshawn Lynch. I love Lynch's schedule especially the next 2 weeks and my playoff weeks of 14, 15, 16.
I still have Edwards, Ocho Cinco, Curtis, Jennings and Santana Moss at WR and now have Barber III, Lynch, Jacobs, Watson, Fargas at RB.
10 team league and I am 5-3 with 2nd most pts.
Was it a smart deal?
Posted by: Frank | October 31, 2007 09:43 PM
Yeah, it is a gamble. I just don't see that 49ers offense getting any better - the O-line is brutal and they are always playing from behind.
I also did pick up Keith off the waiver wire since I had an open spot so I think of it as Gore/Boldin for Lynch/Keith.
Boldin is also not 100% and if or when warner gets hurt again, their offense is going to be brutal.
Thanks for the input!
Posted by: Frank | October 31, 2007 10:08 PM