Tuesday, Nov. 30
November 30, 2010
HPD reaches out to area’s needy with food boxes
December 2, 2010
New Orleans Saints:
Quarterbacks: Drew Brees wasn’t so hot in the second and third quarters, but he started well and he finished even better to beat a pesky Cowboys team.
GRADE: B+
Halfbacks: The Saints steadily got 4 or 5 yards a pop running the football. Don’t tell that to Sean Payton, though, who continues to throw like running is banned in several states, including Texas.
GRADE: B
Wide Receivers: Marques Colston eclipsed 100 yards again, while Devery Henderson pitched in 97 more. To top it off, the Saints got the big one from Robert Meachem in the last drive of the game, iced off by a Lance Moore touchdown. What a unit.
GRADE: A+
Offensive line: The Saints struggled to protect Brees against Dallas’ tough pass rush, but a lot of that had to do with the team’s unwillingness to run the ball. The unit can only do so much.
GRADE: B-
Defensive line: Dallas really struggled to move the chains via the ground, netting just 63 yards combined between Marion Barber and Felix Jones.
GRADE: B+
Linebackers: Playing against a team like the Cowboys, tackling is a must, because of their check-down passing attack. Jonathan Vilma and Scott Shanle combined for 18 tackles in a stout performance.
GRADE: B+
Defensive backs: Malcolm Jenkins made the play of the game to save the day, which is a good thing. But it was the defensive backs that helped get them into that mess to start with.
GRADE: C+
Special Teams: I’ve been told that Reggie Bush makes the Saints decisively better. If by “better,” we mean better at fumbling, then I guess that’s true. And don’t say he was rusty, because he got hurt fumbling, too. On the plus side, Garrett Hartley looked good.
GRADE: C
Coaching Staff: Drew Brees is one of the best football players in the world. And I understand that. But the Saints rely on him far too much. With a 17-point lead, the Black and Gold didn’t even try to run the ball, which allowed Dallas to hang around and ultimately take the lead. It was close, but it didn’t necessarily have to be.
GRADE: C+
OVERALL GRADE: They don’t all come easy, but a win is a win. Sure, Dallas’ record isn’t so good, but they aren’t nearly as bad as the standings say under Jason Garrett’s tutelage. Good, solid win.
TEAM GRADE: B+
LSU Tigers:
Quarterbacks: Jordan Jefferson truly is a lot better than he was in the beginning of the season. He really is. But that doesn’t exactly say much.
GRADE: C+
Halfbacks: Stevan Ridley powered forward for 80 more yards with two touchdowns. The Tigers won’t lose a single halfback in their current stable, while adding Kenny Hilliard into the mix next year. Look out.
GRADE: B+
Wide Receivers: With an inconsistent group all season, Les Miles went to some of the younger receivers like Kadron Boone, Chris Toliver and James Wright. When Jefferson had time to throw the football, big plays were there.
GRADE: B
Offensive line: Easily the weak part of the offense on this day. From twice snapping it over Jefferson’s head to consistently having pitiful pass blocking, LSU was outworked up front.
GRADE: F
Defensive line: Their grade won’t be much higher than the offensive line’s grade. There was pressure on Ryan Mallett throughout the game, but Knile Davis absolutely ate LSU for breakfast in the second half.
GRADE: D
Linebackers: The 4- and 5-yard gains by Davis never got too much farther down the field thanks to Kelvin Sheppard and the LSU linebackers.
GRADE: B
Defensive backs: Everyone except Karnell Hatcher gets an A. Hatcher gets an F. We’ll average the two grades.
GRADE: C
Special Teams: LSU forced a turnover on downs in special teams and had countless solid returns. This unit kept the team in the game.
GRADE: A
Coaching Staff: The LSU offense was entirely too watered down against a weak Arkansas front. But it’s not like they could have protected either quarterback anyway. The entire LSU game plan was just sort of bland.
GRADE: C
OVERALL GRADE: There’s no shame losing to Arkansas on the road. But just giving up in the second half like that is where people will have an issue. All things considered, a 10-2 season for a team young like these Tigers, that’s pretty special.
TEAM GRADE: B-
LSU kicker Josh Jasper attempts a field goal during a game last season. With the Tigers’ offense struggling in the red zone, Jasper hit three field goals Saturday to spark LSU’s offense. STEVE FRANZ n LSU SPORTS
