Winless In Seattle
Steve Sauro
Elliott SmithNFL Kickoff Game Recap: Saints/Vikings
September 10th 2010 21:11
New Orleans Saints 14, Minnesota Vikings 9.
I highly doubt that was the anticipated final score that the majority of (record breaking for an NFL opener) viewers were expecting.
It was much more of a defensive battle than I'm sure either team expected as well. Both squads were pretty thin in the secondary - New Orleans, in fact, only dressed 3 corners. And let's be honest, with names like Favre, Brees, Peterson, Colston, Bush on the field - you aren't looking for a field position battle type game.
In the end, I guess the game's final score reflected how close the game was supposed to be - albeit there were probably 28 less points on the board.
Here are a few things I took away from the game:
The Vikings defense is going to be good. And they are already in mid-season form.
Sure they lost the game. But holding the Saints to 14 points and Drew Brees to only 1 touchdown? In New Orleans? That's impressive.
Visanthe Shiancoe is going to have to step way up in Sidney Rice's absence.
Berrian isn't going to do much. Harvin is a widcard. Camarillo made an impressive grab, but it was his only grab. With Favre's gun-slinging ways - Shaincoe better be ready - cause he's about all they have.
Pierre Thomas is underrated.
After relying heavily on the pass (duh, it's the Saints) and not having much luck, the Saints came out for the 2nd half and ran the ball. Often and a lot. And it reopened that passing game. Then Thomas was able to play ball control and run out the clock.
Brett Favre isn't going to change his ways.
His last pass last year was an interception. One that he threw across his body and across the field. In traffic. I counted at least 5 more of that exact type of pass from him last night.
Boomer Esiason is an idiot.
Hey - he's a great guy (http://www.esiason.org/). He had a decent 14 year career himself. But here's the deal, Boomer, and I don't know if it's jealousy or what, but... Favre has had a far better career than you. And he's been doing it for longer. So to hear Boomer's post game thoughts on Favre that include starting off with "anyone who has ever played in the NFL knows what I'm talking about..." or how "unready Favre was mentally" it blows my mind. You know, Boomer, with your first statement there - you just told 99.999% of your listening audience they won't understand what your're about to say, so it's probably best to not continue to talk. Or maybe you weren't mentally ready for the broadcast. Or you'll sound like an idiot.
Adrian Peterson won't fumble much this year. But he won't have many break away's either.
Remember when Tiki Barber thought the best way to gain yards rushing was to throw the ball on the ground, kick it forward, and hope the Giants recovered it? Then he changed his grip? Believe all you want about AP's supposedly new "fall to the ground in a different position" technique - but he's clearly running with that ball tucked up under his arm much better and his hand over the point. And it's slowing him down a little.
Overall - not a bad way to break in the new NFL season! Here's to Sunday's!
I highly doubt that was the anticipated final score that the majority of (record breaking for an NFL opener) viewers were expecting.
It was much more of a defensive battle than I'm sure either team expected as well. Both squads were pretty thin in the secondary - New Orleans, in fact, only dressed 3 corners. And let's be honest, with names like Favre, Brees, Peterson, Colston, Bush on the field - you aren't looking for a field position battle type game.
In the end, I guess the game's final score reflected how close the game was supposed to be - albeit there were probably 28 less points on the board.
Here are a few things I took away from the game:
The Vikings defense is going to be good. And they are already in mid-season form.
Sure they lost the game. But holding the Saints to 14 points and Drew Brees to only 1 touchdown? In New Orleans? That's impressive.
Visanthe Shiancoe is going to have to step way up in Sidney Rice's absence.
Berrian isn't going to do much. Harvin is a widcard. Camarillo made an impressive grab, but it was his only grab. With Favre's gun-slinging ways - Shaincoe better be ready - cause he's about all they have.
Pierre Thomas is underrated.
After relying heavily on the pass (duh, it's the Saints) and not having much luck, the Saints came out for the 2nd half and ran the ball. Often and a lot. And it reopened that passing game. Then Thomas was able to play ball control and run out the clock.
Brett Favre isn't going to change his ways.
His last pass last year was an interception. One that he threw across his body and across the field. In traffic. I counted at least 5 more of that exact type of pass from him last night.
Boomer Esiason is an idiot.
Hey - he's a great guy (http://www.esiason.org/). He had a decent 14 year career himself. But here's the deal, Boomer, and I don't know if it's jealousy or what, but... Favre has had a far better career than you. And he's been doing it for longer. So to hear Boomer's post game thoughts on Favre that include starting off with "anyone who has ever played in the NFL knows what I'm talking about..." or how "unready Favre was mentally" it blows my mind. You know, Boomer, with your first statement there - you just told 99.999% of your listening audience they won't understand what your're about to say, so it's probably best to not continue to talk. Or maybe you weren't mentally ready for the broadcast. Or you'll sound like an idiot.
Adrian Peterson won't fumble much this year. But he won't have many break away's either.
Remember when Tiki Barber thought the best way to gain yards rushing was to throw the ball on the ground, kick it forward, and hope the Giants recovered it? Then he changed his grip? Believe all you want about AP's supposedly new "fall to the ground in a different position" technique - but he's clearly running with that ball tucked up under his arm much better and his hand over the point. And it's slowing him down a little.
Overall - not a bad way to break in the new NFL season! Here's to Sunday's!
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