Playcalling on the final drive...

[xav8tor]

Cam didn't disagree with the play calling, he only stated that they should have gotten a first down by executing better. What that means is that the play calling was fine, they just didn't perform. Which isn't the argument that you're trying to make, and you're misusing Cam's words to make your point.

I am not remotely doing anything of the sort, but I do agree with the rest of your post. I am addressing those who say the defense SHOULD have been on the field again. Many in this thread think the team/coaches INTENDED that. I may not be a football guru but I knew Brees having a football in his hands again was NOT desirable. I questioned THAT. Others explained it was better to put the defense on the field, rather than make a play and a first down. I got suckered in and bought their rationalization. Then Cam said, not so fast xav8tor, you were right, we never intended to let NO have the ball again. To intentionally do so would have been stupid. We didn't mean for that to happen. That is the only point I am trying to make by quoting him. It was NOT a "smart decision." The fact that the NO O got back on the field was a failure to execute, regardless of what plays were called.

[Floppin]

I am not remotely doing anything of the sort, but I do agree with the rest of your post. I am addressing those who say the defense SHOULD have been on the field again. Many in this thread think the team/coaches INTENDED that. I may not be a football guru but I knew Brees having a football in his hands again was NOT desirable. I questioned THAT. Others explained it was better to put the defense on the field, rather than make a play and a first down. I got suckered in and bought their rationalization. Then Cam said, not so fast xav8tor, you were right, we never intended to let NO have the ball again. To intentionally do so would have been stupid. We didn't mean for that to happen. That is the only point I am trying to make by quoting him. It was NOT a "smart decision." The fact that the NO O got back on the field was a failure to execute, regardless of what plays were called.

I'm pretty sure no one seriously said that we intended to give the ball back to the Saints. That's just ludicrous.

[xav8tor]

....and you prove my point

See post above. How the heck am I proving your point that it was a "smart decision" to put the defense back on the field when our own QB says that was NOT intentional, but the result of a failure to execute on offense. I'm not questioning play calling per say, I did, and am, questioning why NO was allowed a chance to tie the game.

[davos]

Not looking too much into it but think using Stew would make more sense instead of DeAngelo to run for a first up the middle. And the Cam draw play doesn't bother me a lot but for that type of bidness we should use Tolbert or Stew.

[panthers55]

I think calling safe plays that don't involve throwing the ball down field makes sense. But running up the middle doesn't. If all you were going to do is run the clock, then why not take a knee which is much safer?? If you want to pick up the first down and want to be safe why not let Cam take the ball on the end around after faking to Williams. It is safer to not even hand off to Wiliams and keep it yourself then it is to hand it off and risk a fumble plus with everyone crashing down, it is likely you could pop one if you break 1 tackle.

If Brees had thrown a Hail Mary and they had scored you would be talking a different tune. The reality is it worked out for us this time but running straight ahead isn't exactly a great play most of the time.

[xav8tor]

Making them use their timeouts and relying on the defense, which had played relatively well all game was a smart decision.

I'm pretty sure no one seriously said that we intended to give the ball back to the Saints. That's just ludicrous.

He did.

[Peppers90 NC]

I understand run, but why did we have to run up the middle where all their men were stacked? At least try to get a first down.

outside runs are a waste of time with this team and are more prone to a turnover or loss of yards. kinda like the cards game, they did a toss and he fumbled almost blew it for them.

[megadeth078]

If Brees had thrown a Hail Mary and they had scored you would be talking a different tune. The reality is it worked out for us this time but running straight ahead isn't exactly a great play most of the time.

How would this scenario not be the defense's fault? You're telling me if the defense allows Brees to complete a Hail Mary for a score, we're going to look straight towards Chud and say he cost us the game? The defense doesn't need to have their hands held, they proved that throughout the game. We put them in the right position to end the game, and they deserved the benefit of the doubt. If the defense lets Drew Brees lead an 80 yard drive without any timeouts, that is completely on them. To all the people that are saying "we shouldn't have given Drew Brees a chance"......we didn't.

[Actionman0z]

Sometimes I feel like we over think stuff on offense. I really enjoy keeping the defense guessing, and running plays that cause mis-direction, but we're gonna really need to look at a simple 3 step/screen package to slow down the Giants pass-rush. I understand its about doing what we are good at, but at the same time, we need to do things to keep D's off balance. Lets get it on Thursday.

[chknwing]

rushing 3 and dropping 8 on the saints last play, was brilliant

[SOJA]

He did.

Yea you're right I WANTED to not get a first down running the ball, simultaneously making them stop the clock.....wow

[SOJA]

See post above. How the heck am I proving your point that it was a "smart decision" to put the defense back on the field when our own QB says that was NOT intentional, but the result of a failure to execute on offense. I'm not questioning play calling per say, I did, and am, questioning why NO was allowed a chance to tie the game.

you proved my point because I said no matter what people were going to be unhappy, clearly you're quite butthurt over the issue

[Snake]

I dont think Chud knew how to milk a lead. He will learn.

[PantherGuy]

Of course I don't think we should have passed at all. But I do think that running something more creative than 3 runs up the middle would have been better. Of course you don't want to run the risk of going out-of-bounds, but a B- or C-gap run to the side of the field with more space may have been more effective. I was a bit nervous about giving the ball back to the Saints, even with no TOs and less than a minute to go.