Saints, NSU struggle

Nicholls:

Quarterbacks – Landry Klann was actually better this week than he was last week. We’d still like to see the Colonels’ quarterback hit deeper passes, though.

Grade: C+

Halfbacks – The good news is Nicholls rushed for 200-plus yards against Tulsa. The bad news is LaQuintin Caston will miss a lot of time with a broken clavicle. He’s the heart of the Nicholls team. That’s very bad news.

Grade: B

Receivers – Nicholls broke a few long passes in this game – that’s a plus. But these guys just don’t have a ton of big play ability.

Grade: C

Offensive line – Klann was sacked five times. It’s becoming apparent that he’ll have to make quick decisions back there for the Colonels.

Grade: D

Defensive line – Usually a stout unit, Nicholls allowed 333 yards rushing on 45 carries against the Golden Hurricanes. Combine that with a zero sack evening and that’s bad news for this unit’s grade.

Grade: F

Linebackers – Obviously, the run defense wasn’t amazing. But the Colonels’ linebackers were pretty stout in keeping Tulsa from stretching short passes into bigger gains.

Grade: C+

Defensive backs – Tulsa had fewer than 200 yards passing and completed just above 50 percent of their passes. This was the bright spot of the game.

Grade: B+

Special teams – The Colonels missed a field goal and failed to convert an extra point try. This has to get better before conference play rolls around.

Grade: D

Coaching staff – Let’s be honest – Nicholls was a huge underdog against Tulsa, who is annually one of the most explosive teams in the country. But Nicholls should at least be competitive in these games. Allowing 28 first quarter points and taking a 42-9 deficit into halftime is anything but competitive.

Grade: D

Overall – This isn’t the start that Nicholls wanted. Yes, the Colonels’ offense played better in their second game of the season, but the team’s defense crumbled before a high-powered Tulsa offense. Losing Caston will be a huge blow to the Colonels. I am curious to see how the team responds in his absence.

Grade: C-

Saints:

Quarterbacks – For the second week in a row, the Saints’ defense takes all of the lumps for a loss (rightfully so). But for the second week in a row, Brees isn’t himself. The $100 million man has to get right – fast.

Grade: C+

Halfbacks – Pierre Thomas had 110 yards on nine carries – a 12-yard per carry average. Mark Ingram had 53 yards on 16 carries – a 3.3-yard per carry average. Shouldn’t Thomas get 16 carries and Ingram nine? Is that too much to ask?

Grade: B

Receivers – Jimmy Graham was solid and Darren Sproles was his usual dominant self. But Marques Colston and Lance Moore combined for just five catches and 79 yards. That’s not good enough.

Grade: D

Offensive line – The run blocking was better – much improved. But Brees is taking too many licks. The minor ankle sprain he suffered could be a prelude to something worse in the future if this doesn’t get fixed.

Grade: C

Defensive line – Cam Newton, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart all did whatever they wanted on the ground for Carolina. That’s not good – not at all.

Grade: D

Linebackers – How bad would this defense be without Curtis Lofton? Take away his 10 tackles (most of which came in the open field), and who knows how many yards Carolina might have had on Sunday.

Grade: B+

Defensive backs – They can’t cover anyone down the field and they can’t tackle in the open field. These guys are a bunch of winners, folks. Yes, that is sarcasm.

Grade: F

Special teams – Garrett Hartley bombed one home from deeper than 50 yards out. That’s a good sign. The team also kept dangerous Joe Adams in check.

Grade: A-

Coaching staff – The Saints’ formula without Sean Payton is becoming pretty simple – the original game plan will be the game plan for all 60 minutes of the game. These assistant coaches are proving unwilling or unable to make in-game adjustments and that is just crushing the Saints right now. No offense to these assistants, but Bill Parcells would have been a better fit. They should have written the Tuna a blank check to come out of retirement for a year.

Grade: C-

Overall – Neither Carolina nor Washington are good football teams. Collectively, the Saints’ two opponents already boast losses to the Bucs and Rams this season. But against New Orleans, everyone’s offense will have a field day. If the Saints can’t beat Kansas City at home on Sunday, it’s time to seriously consider buying a white flag to begin waving for the duration of the 2012-13 season.

Grade: D

LSU:

Quarterbacks – In the red zone, Zach Mettenberger struggles to make plays in a condensed field. Everywhere else the dude is money. Another solid day at the office for the Tigers’ slinger.

Grade: B

Halfbacks – We’re up to six down, 24 to go on our Kenny Hilliard 30 touchdown counter. What once seemed like a stab in the dark has now been upgraded to merely a long-shot. Either way, Hilliard is a monster.

Grade: A

Receivers – One week after being plagued by drops, the LSU receivers hung onto the football better against Idaho. It was encouraging to see Russell Shepard make a play or two down the field. If I had a dollar every time that’s happened in his LSU career, I’d now have exactly $1.

Grade: B+

Offensive line – Throughout Saturday’s TigerVision telecast, they kept showing a graphic that labeled the LSU offensive line as the 2nd largest in America. That’s good for run blocking, but bad for pass blocking. These guys have lots of size, but struggle athletically sometimes to protect Mettenberger.

Grade: C+

Defensive line – I was somewhat disappointed that LSU didn’t record a sack against Idaho quarterback Dominique Blackman. But the team’s rushing defense continues to be as stout as they come. How about big Lavar Edwards snagging a pass out of mid-air and bringing it home for six?

Grade: B+

Linebackers – The LSU linebackers are an underrated group. Young and inexperienced, these guys have become a very pleasant surprise.

Grade: A-

Defensive backs – Jalen Mills is going to be an absolute star. He had another significant game. Kudos to Ronald Martin for a two interception night at safety.

Grade: A

Special teams – Brad Wing is an NFL-caliber punter right now and he’s only a college sophomore. The Aussie pounded home three more punts that were downed inside the 20-yard-line in the Tigers’ easy win.

Grade: B+

Coaching staff – LSU struggled in spurts in the opening half, but roared in the second half to outscore the Vandals 35-0. Whatever Les Miles told his team at halftime worked.

Grade: A-

Overall – With three games under its belt, two things are becoming obvious about this year’s LSU team. The first is that it can score points and move the football on its own. The second is that they are not as explosive on defense as they were last year, but make up for it with talented players who understand the scheme. When unknowns like Lavar Edwards and Ronald Martin can each record pick-sixes on the same night, you know you have immense depth.

Grade: B+