Officials not laughing at Spencer’s gifts
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New Orleans Saints:
Quarterback: There were approximately five or six passes in this game that would have been intercepted if anyone other than Drew Brees was throwing the football. This guy makes risky decisions, but continuously throws the ball where only a Saint can catch it. It truly was a terrific show of accuracy again for No. 9.
GRADE: A
Halfbacks: Chris Ivory and Ladell Betts aren’t exactly Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, but they did an admirable job filling in. Minus an Ivory fumble, they’d have gotten a B, but we’ll give them a C+ for their troubles.
GRADE: C+
Receivers: We just discussed how Drew Brees puts the football in the perfect positions more often than not. But that doesn’t mean the Saints’ receivers will catch it when he throws it. They had more than a half-dozen drops Sunday. Those kill an offense.
GRADE: D
Offensive line: Brees took a few sacks and the Saints never got off on a long run play. But we won’t penalize these guys too much, because the Panthers do have a very stout front line.
GRADE: B-
Defensive line: It was mean and nasty in those trenches, but the Saints held their own. Holding DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to 100 combined yards rushing isn’t so bad.
GRADE: B
Linebackers: The unit as a whole played OK. But they had a critical mistake that nearly cost the team the game when they let Stewart get free on a long pass play. Those are killers.
GRADE: C
Defensive backs: These guys didn’t do a ton wrong, but was that good play or the product of competing against a rookie quarterback?
GRADE: B
Special Teams: The Saints didn’t hit a big return this week, but they scored their special teams points by way of the field goal. John Carney looked like his old self Sunday.
GRADE: B
Coaching Staff: The defensive plan against the Panthers’ struggling offense was pretty good. But I’m not sure the Saints’ offense was aggressive enough on Sunday. You need to chop down an inferior opponent. The Saints didn’t do that. They let them stick around, and they almost lost because of it.
GRADE: C
OVERALL GRADE: How much longer can the Champs play subpar football before people get worried? The Panthers had been kicked around by everyone they’d played this season. But the Saints were just a few yards away from losing to these guys … in the Dome. It’s got to get better for the Black and Gold. When it happens one week it’s a fluke. But it’s four-straight weeks now, and the Saints still are struggling on offense.
TEAM GRADE: B-
LSU Tigers:
Quarterback: Jordan Jefferson was terrible – again. But Jarrett Lee rose to the occasion and hit several big plays to save the game. There is hope for the LSU signal callers if Les Miles plays the right guy: Lee.
GRADE: C
Halfbacks: Stevan Ridley is just a man amongst boys right now. Another 100-yard game for him equals success for the Tigers’ backfield.
GRADE: B+
Wide Receivers: It’s amazing how productive these guys are when they get the football in space. Four LSU receivers had three or more catches this week. Hooray Jarrett Lee!
GRADE: A-
Offensive line: Lee was sacked twice, but the LSU offensive line pushed forward for 219 yards rushing. That’s about as good as you can ask for in a conference game.
GRADE: B+
Defensive line: There was some good and some bad. Sure, they got five sacks. That’s terrific. But they allowed a 100-yard rusher for the first time this season.
GRADE: B-
Linebackers: Much like the defensive line, these guys struggled for the first time this season in the run game. Not their best effort of the year.
GRADE: C+
Defensive backs: Tennessee had just 121 yards passing. The LSU secondary is probably the best in America. It’s a shame no one across the globe can see it.
GRADE: A
Special Teams: LSU was good in return coverage, but not as good on returns themselves. The decision to try a 54-yard field goal – that was just silly.
GRADE: B
Coaching Staff: LSU had two quarterbacks playing in a rotation. One was playing well, one wasn’t. So why exactly did Jefferson keep going onto the field? And that goes without mentioning the near disaster in clock management that the Tigers had again. I thought that problem was fixed and done with. Apparently not.
GRADE: F
OVERALL GRADE: LSU ran the ball well and played good defense. They also might have found a steady quarterback, too, which is much-needed. But Les Miles’ internal clock continues to be approximately 10 minutes behind real time, and it nearly cost LSU again. If they can overcome he and Gary Crowton’s shortcomings, the Tigers will be fine. If not, things are about to get nasty.
TEAM GRADE: C
LSU senior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard makes a tackle during a game last season. Sheppard has been one of the anchors in the Tigers’ highly rated defense in 2010. STEVE FRANZ – LSU SPORTS
