Saints earn solid marks in blowout victory

Quarterbacks – Drew Brees was superb Sunday against a beat-up Buccaneers’ secondary. It doesn’t make up for falling flat in the big games this month, but it’s a reminder of his dominance.

Grade: A

Halfbacks – It appears that Mark Ingram has firmly established himself as the featured back for the Saints. Personally, I believe Pierre Thomas is the best back. But I support playing one guy exclusively – no matter who it is.

Grade: B

Receivers – Brees completed three-of-three passes to Marques Colston; four-of-five passes to Lance Moore and two-of-two passes to David Thomas. That’s offensive efficiency from a group that saw seven guys have 20 or more receiving yards on the day.

Grade: A

Offensive line – This could be written almost every week – the Saints’ offensive line was solid. They were a bright spot in the win. When the team is clicking – they usually are the bright point. With the bulk of that group tied up into the future, that’s even better.

Grade: A-

Defensive line – Doug Martin came into Sunday’s game red-hot. He left with just 16 yards on nine carries. That’s progress for a unit that has been gashed multiple times this season.

Grade: B+

Linebackers – The leading tackler among Saints’ linebackers on Sunday was Jonathan Vilma with two stops. That, obviously, could be better. They were the low point on a sunny day for the team.

Grade: C-

Defensive backs – Lo and behold – after being outmanned for most of the season, the Saints’ defensive backs had their best game of the season. The unit intercepted four passes and kept an explosive Tampa Bay offense out of rhythm throughout the game.

Grade: A+

Special teams – The Saints’ special teams units did a fine job in all phases in Sunday’s victory. He’s hidden by a powerful offense, but Thomas Morstead is a heck of a punter.

Grade: B+

Coaching staff – The Saints’ coaching staff said before the game that the team would shift its attention toward the evaluation of younger players with the team eliminated from the playoffs. I assume by that, they meant throwing the ball up 30+ points late in the game with Drew Brees still in the lineup? While a journalist may disagree with those tactics, the fact that the team led by multiple scores late is worth a high mark.

Grade: B+

Overall – The Saints won and made a statement to a rival going into 2013 – that’s the good news. The bad news is that if they continue to roll and finish 8-8, they will push their draft pick back as many as seven to 10 picks. That may not sound like much, but in a draft devoid of elite-level first-round talent, every pick counts.

Grade: B