William Short
October 12, 2010
Trial in Gulf oil spill cases postponed
October 14, 2010
New Orleans Saints:
Quarterback: Drew Brees was picked off three times. That hasn’t happened since last October. This was not Drew at his best – not even close.
GRADE: C-
Halfbacks: Not being able to run the football is one thing. Fumbling the ball and letting the other team scoop and score? That’s worse. Pierre Thomas needs to heal up ASAP.
GRADE: F
Receivers: There were a few drops, but all-in-all, the group got open and made plays when they had time to get down the field. This was about what you’d expect from these guys. It’s not their fault their quarterback was color blind.
GRADE: B
Offensive line: The Saints couldn’t run the football and Drew Brees was getting hit as he threw all game long. This team’s inability to run the ball is the difference between their offense this year and their offense last year.
GRADE: D
Defensive line: The golden star performer for the Saints – hands down. Arizona had just 41 total rushing yards, and the Saints’ defensive line sacked Max Hall four times.
GRADE: A
Linebackers: One of the strengths of the Arizona offense is their halfbacks catching the football out of the backfield. The Cardinals didn’t get that going thanks in part to a strong effort from the team’s backers.
GRADE: B+
Defensive backs: Larry Fitzgerald got free a few times too many. The Saints’ defensive backs are injury depleted. The Cardinals just couldn’t take advantage of it due to a rookie quarterback.
GRADE: B-
Special Teams: I thought John Carney was the answer? He’s not. There’s a reason why the team cut him last year. His mishaps were one thing. Poor kick coverage is another. The Saints’ special teams was poor Sunday.
GRADE: D+
Coaching Staff: The Saints called the right plays. The receivers were open. Drew Brees just didn’t hit them. That’s a once in a lifetime occurrence. The fault runs deeper than Sean Payton right now.
GRADE: B
OVERALL GRADE: When it happens one week, it’s a fluke. When it happens five weeks in a row, it’s a pattern. The Saints’ offense cannot score points. They just can’t. Through five games last year, the team had scored 192 points. Through five games this year, the team has 99 points. That’s a total of 15 touchdowns off last season’s pace. There’s a significant problem there.
TEAM GRADE: C-
LSU Tigers:
Quarterbacks: Jordan Jefferson wasn’t great, but he was efficient and more consistent than he’s ever been. Jarrett Lee was nothing short of amazing. Best game of the season for this group, hands down.
GRADE: A-
Halfbacks: Stevan Ridley moved the chains when he needed to move the chains. Michael Ford, Spencer Ware and Alfred Blue also did their thing, too. This is a strong point of this team.
GRADE: B+
Wide Receivers: The unit as a whole didn’t do a ton. But Terrence Toliver had the best game for an LSU receiver in recent memory.
GRADE: B
Offensive line: Can you think of a game in recent memory where Florida got less of a pass rush than they did Saturday? LSU’s front dominated the Gators early and often.
GRADE: A
Defensive line: On the other side of the ball, can you think of a game in recent memory where Florida rip a long run? Combine that with John Brantley being sacked three times and hit about two dozen more times, and you have the gold star performers of the game.
GRADE: A+
Linebackers: Florida has speed – tons and tons of speed – but the LSU linebackers do, too, and they kept the Gators playmakers off balance all night.
GRADE: B+
Secondary: Aside from a few small gaffes, this was the status quo for the LSU secondary. But Patrick Peterson needs to get some Gatorade in his body. He cramps up every game.
GRADE: B
Special Teams: Ultimately these guys won the game with the fake field goal. But that play wasn’t even executed right. Not to mention, the game would have already been in the bag had the unit not allowed Florida to return a kickoff for a touchdown in the first place. That’s without mentioning Patrick Peterson’s muffed punt, too, that gave Florida seven points.
GRADE: D
Coaching Staff: Alas, we get to the coaching staff – the group who got an F last week. This week? A total 180. The Tigers managed Jefferson and Lee magically and kept the Tigers calm and collected no matter how badly they attempted to stub their toes. The fake field goal? That’s the Mad Hatter at his best. A masterful performance from Les who is in good graces again – at least for now.
GRADE: A-
OVERALL GRADE: People didn’t like LSU against Tennessee. But there wasn’t much not to like against Florida. LSU was three plays away from demolishing the Gators … IN THE SWAMP … a place Miles had never won. If LSU can clean up their turnover addiction and get continued quarterback consistency, this team will be a force.
TEAM GRADE: A
Nicholls Colonels:
Quarterbacks: The Colonels amassed just 68 passing yards, while throwing two interceptions. But that was actually good compared to what could have been. We’ll explain why later.
GRADE: C+
Halfbacks: Jesse Turner did what he could with the holes he was given – none. More than 40 yards on 11 carries when the offensive line blocks the way they did isn’t bad.
GRADE: B-
Wide Receivers: Brad Nelson had a big day, but the Colonels weren’t able to stretch the field – they didn’t have time.
GRADE: C
Offensive line: – Nicholls’ quarterbacks got sacked 12 times. That’s not a type-o. They got sacked 12 times. That’s inexcusable – and you can’t beat anyone blocking that way.
GRADE: F
Defensive line: Sam Houston was able to pick up five and six yards on the ground like clockwork to create second and short situations throughout the game.
GRADE: C-
Linebackers: The defensive line struggled, the linebackers didn’t exactly seal the gaps much, either.
GRADE: C
Defensive backs: By far the best game of the season for the Colonels’ secondary. Nicholls allowed just more than 100 yards passing and got an interception.
Easily their best so far.
GRADE: A
Special Teams: Nicholls hit a few long returns, while not allowing any long returns. Good day for Colonels’ special teams.
GRADE: B-
Coaching Staff: The coaches are at a crossroads right now. The spread out look they want to do offensively isn’t working. But this team is building for the future and not for the 2010 season, so they have to stick with it. As of right now, it looks ugly, though.
GRADE: C+
OVERALL GRADE: You just cannot let your quarterback get sacked 12 times. That should be a number you allow for eight games, much less in one. You can’t win when you play that way. You just can’t. Nicholls needs to do some soul searching to get that front five fixed, because they won’t win another game this season if they don’t.
TEAM GRADE: D
LSU senior wide receiver Terrence Toliver tight ropes the sideline during a game last season. Toliver shined bright Saturday, hauling in two touchdown receptions in LSU’s 33-29 win against Florida. STEVE FRANZ – LSU SPORTS
