On paper they didn’t match up that well did they? The last but one Super Bowl Champions with their star quarterback playing exceptionally well, against the rebuilding Jaguars and their rookie signal caller.
Yet credit to the Jacksonville defense. They made plays and never let the Saints run away with this as they would have against many other teams whose offense was … shall we say stuttering?
That said the gulf in class between the two sides was evident at most points in the game and so New Orleans, while happy with the win, will be more than a little bit disappointed they weren’t able to vanquish the Jags sooner. They’ll face tougher tests then a rookie quarterback in only his second start, and will need to be more careful with the ball if they’re to be the team they want to be.
Still, there was plenty for both teams to be encouraged by so how about we look at that?
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Saints – Three Performances of Note
1) Sophomore Star
Over the past few years the Saints have invested a number of high picks in defensive backs. They have their star FS, Malcolm Jenkins. They have the man who picked off Peyton Manning and ran it back in the Super Bowl, Tracy Porter. And if he could play Blaine Gabbert every week, I’d be finding a superlative to describe the development of Patrick Robinson (+4.2). Robinson has had a so-so start to the year, giving up a touchdown and allowing 10 of 14 balls thrown his way to be complete before Sunday, so this was something of a coming out party for the former Florida State CB. On Sunday he didn’t allow any of the four balls thrown his way to be complete, while managing to record a pick and break up another pass (although that really should have been an interception). What’s more he came up to help in run support, with his tackle for a loss with 10.03 left in the third being a real lesson to Cecil Shorts III in how to contain a cornerback in run support. A perfectly positive game – not often you say that for a defensive back.
2) A Perfect Match
I’ll admit it. When the Saints picked up Darren Sproles (+3.0) in free agency I figured it was an unnecessary move. They already had the excellent but prone to knocks and niggles Pierre Thomas, and had found a one-two punch to that in first round draft pick Mark Ingram. Well through four games it’s safe to say that, not for the first time, I was wrong. Sproles has become the player New Orleans so desperately wanted Reggie Bush to be, and while handing the ball to Bush felt like a chore, Sean Payton simply can’t find enough ways to get it to Sproles. Nothing highlights how dangerous Sproles is like the play with 13:00 left in the third quarter, taking a simple toss play off left end, making a sharp cut that caught the FS out of position, and turning on the jets for a big gain. You simply have to account for him on every play, whether he’s lined up in the backfield (21 times), in the slot (eight times) or split out wide (six times). What a weapon.
3) ‘That’ Problem
It was a good day for the Saints defense, but it wasn’t flawless. If you’ve read my work before, you'll know my feelings on the Saints linebackers, in that I'm not their biggest fan. How can I be after another performance where they showed nothing to get excited about? Jonathan Vilma (-0.8) wasn’t terrible, but will accept some of the responsibility for some horrible drop technique on the Jags touchdown, while Scott Shanle (-2.4) had a largely quietly game except for a couple of drive sustaining penalties. Still at least there is new blood getting a chance, right? Well JoLonn Dunbar (-2.4) comprehensively lost his battle with Marcedes Lewis who for the most part had no problems blocking him out of the game. Then you have Jonathan Casillas (-1.4) who should be thanking Gregg Williams for the scheme that sees him coming unblocked or stunting into a free shot at the QB. Other than that, what does he really do (answer – gave up a penalty for a late hit)? The Saints have tougher tests to come and need someone in this unit to step up.
Jaguars – Three Performances of Note
1) Playing It Safe
Could it be? Could Jacksonville have found the answer to their safety problems? Dawan Landry (+1.2) has made a steady start to life in Florida, and what’s more, the Jags could have found the perfect complement for him in Dwight Lowery (+2.9). The former Jet had the kind of day in coverage you just don’t see from a guy in a Jaguars uniform, breaking up two of the six balls thrown at him (including a beautiful pass deflection on a deep ball that would have gone for six), while allowing just two completions for six yards. What’s more, on one of those completions he closed so quickly on the receiver he was able to turn a quick out into a tackle for a loss. The move for Lowery may have been the quietest made this off season, but it may prove the most astute.
2) Rookie Woes
Okay, so after that second half display you have to talk about Blaine Gabbert (-2.9). He came out of the locker room after a decent enough first half and threw three positively graded balls compared to eight negatively graded balls. Whether it was throwing a screen pass exceptionally high to ruin the receivers momentum, or overthrowing open receivers (as he did on numerous occasions) he looked every bit the rookie from the third quarter onwards. Jags fans shouldn’t be completely disheartened as they build towards the future. He made a number of good throws in the first half, peaking with a perfect throw, splitting three zones for his touchdown throw to Zach Miller. Passes like that are nice teasers, but he will walk out of this game knowing he needs to be more consistent. He walked away throwing one pick, but that was down to three more being put on the turf by a Saints unit suffering from butterfingeritis. If there is one glaring area for him to work on it’s his work with the blitz. He scored a -5.0 rating in this area, completing just 16.7% of passes on the 21 occasions Gregg Williams sent five or more men after him.
3) Sophomore Slumps
This time last year I was writing about Tyson Alualu (-5.1) as a potential rookie of the year. This year I’m writing about how disappointed I was in his performance. He was always going to be in for a tough time against Pro Bowl guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks, but Alualu made it far too easy for them. Showing no discipline (unless the scheme requires him to simply sell out up field on every play), Evans and Nicks were able to use his desire to penetrate against him, riding him away from the point of attack with such ease it hardly seemed a challenge for them. After a hot start to life in the NFL, it’s safe to say his star is very much on the wane.
Game Notes
● Even if you include drops, Gabberts completetion percentage only shoots up to 47.6%.
● The Saints defense broke up seven passes, while missing only three tackles.
● Despite running 40 pass routes, Devery Henderson was targeted only once.
PFF Game Ball:
Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints
He was too much for Jaguars LBs to handle, and while the receivers were largely contained, Graham made a number of key plays.
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