(10-13-2019, 08:08 PM)Bullseye Wrote: In the offseason when the schedule was announced, this looked like one of the tougher games of the season. Even with Brees out, their defense would be a challenge for the team. Nevertheless, it was disappointing to lose this hard fought game. My thoughts...
1. One of the fears I had was that once teams got tape on Minshew, they would begin to adjust and reduce Minshew's effectiveness. Although the teams coming up in the next few weeks don't have the kind of personnel the Saints offer, it appears they now have the approach to defending Minshew. The Saints seemed to make it a point to keep Minshew inside the pocket to limit his effectiveness. Minshew had his worst statistical game as a pro. Granted, they were helped a good deal with the Jaguars being saddled with horrible field position, but the Saints executed a good defensive game plan.
Smart strategy defensively by the saints. Will be interesting to see how Flip and Minshew counter this approach when/if other teams are able to employ it.
2. The one thing the Jaguars could get going offensively with any degree of success was Leonard Fournette. He had between 70-80 yards rushing for the game, and had one really nice run to the left taken away due to a holding call on Will Richardson. But I think as teams continue to adjust to Minshew as described above, Fournette becomes more important. Even if Foles returns to the starting lineup, having a credible running game will be key to keeping him upright.
I actually thought we should have focused on using Fournette a bit more in the second half.
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4. To hold the Saints to 13 points is a sign of a good defensive effort. Two good individual veteran performances from an overall good team performance were turned in by Taven Bryan and Tre Herndon. Taven Bryan didn't seem to get much playing time, but the action I saw he exploded off the snap and was disruptive, drawing a holding penalty on a play he should have made a tackle for a huge loss. He already has more explosive and disruptive plays so far this year than he had all of last year. As for Herndon, I thought he did an outstanding job covering Ted Ginn on vertical routes. Despite his age, Ginn is still among the fastest in the league, but Herndon provided good coverage against him.
Herndon gave up a couple of catches in man and a couple more in zone, but played well for a backup covering a guy like Ginn much of the time. I think Herndon has a future as a quality nickel for this team or another.
5. Hope Swaim and Lee are okay. Neither one of those injuries looked good.
6. Wingard had another good special teams play, making a good tackle on punt coverage.
They had him in on a dime package late in the game I noticed.
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comments in red
Good notes as always, Bullseye.