Now can we start the football season?

Now that all the bullshit and daydreaming is over with, I mean. Seriously with all the purple prose being printed about the Saints this preseason, I was beginning to wonder just what the hell sort of medicinal herb the collective sports press had gotten into. Of the many publications picking the Saints as an NFC favorite this season, not one seemed to take very seriously this team's major defensive weaknesses. When mentioned at all, the Saints' defense was supposedly "much improved" by the offseason acquisitions of Kevin Kaesviharn (who doesn't start), Brian Simmons (who also doesn't start), Dahani Jones (who didn't even make the team), and Jason David (more on him later). Who could possibly have taken this as a good sign? People who follow, write, or blather about football for a living constantly harp on the axiom that "defense wins championships". Regardless of how reliable this cliche is, one would at least hope to see the majority of its promoters exercise some consistency when making their predictions.

But sportswriters, like most pundits... or people for that matter... are herd animals. The Saints surprised a majority of the punditry last season. Said punditry didn't want to burned this season. And so predictions are based more upon what's in fashion than on the nuts and bolts of the game itself. But this is nothing new. And, of course, there is an upside. In one night, the Saints managed to relieve themselves of the burden of much of their national bandwagon. If they aren't as good as the conventional wisdom originally thought, they probably aren't as bad as what will soon be written and said about them either. At least now they're free to find their own level without the burden of having to live up to the unreasoned expectations of the herd.

And now, on with the recap: (all game photos this season will once again be shamelessly stolen from the T-P/nola.com gallery)

• First, allow me to express my great relief to discover that the Saints are indeed not a major Super Bowl contender this season. This means that New Orleans will not, in the near future, be made to endure anything like the pre-game NFL OPENING KICKOFF 2007 PRESENTED BY SPRINT. A few quick observations about this ceremony.
  1. Isn't Kelly Clarkson's primary target demo 13 year old girls? I know there are many many 13 year old girls who like football... but why is this a good idea to feature this genre of entertainment at a football game?
  2. Isn't Faith Hill's target demo 13 year old girls who like to listen to someone sing like an old lady?
  3. Should anyone really want to listen to music created for a "target demo" at all?
  4. Why is soooo much of what passes for pop-culture these days oriented towards the 13 year old female demo? What does this say about us? I think it says something bad
  5. The choir that sang backup during the national anthem was called "Voices of Unity" Shouldn't "Unity" technically be expressed through only one "Voice"?
  6. Last night, John Mellencamp said, "When I wrote this song, my wife was only 13 years old." And there you have it.
  
  
  Mellencamp looks more like Frodo every time I see him
  


• Obviously, the Saints' major problem last night... and likely for the rest of the season... stems from their horrible ineffectual effort on defense. Last season, the Saints' D performed poorly against the run and was susceptible to the occasional big play. Last night, the Saints were wretched against the run and surrendered several big plays. The Colts' surging offensive line dominated the Saints up front opening the way for LSU product Joseph Addai to rumble for 118 yards and one touchdown. This is just fundamental football. If your defense gets manhandled this badly up front, your team is in for an old-fashioned butt-whooping.
  
  Hold that Tiger! Okay maybe next time.


• Bad Jason David: David, the Saints' marquee free agent acquisition this year, was burned by Marvin Harrison for the game's first score on a 27 yard pass to the back of the endzone. Admittedly, this was a beautifully executed pass and catch.
  Good Jason David: David, the Saints' marquee free agent acquisition this year, forced a fumble from Reggie Wayne, scooped up the ball and returned it 55 yards for a game-tying touchdown. Admittedly, he was able to do this because he had just let Wayne catch the ball right in front of him. Also this was the Saints' only touchdown of the game.
  Bad Jason David: David, the Saints' marquee free agent acquisition this year, went on to surrender two more touchdowns to Reggie Wayne in the second half; one for 45 and another for 28 yards as the Colts continued to dismantle the Saints' defense. Admittedly sometimes when a defensive back appears to be burned on a big play it's actually the fault of a safety or nickel back who was expected to provide help on the coverage. However, after the game, Daivd said,

  "All the plays you saw, that's on me," David said. "No one else to blame"

  
  Really Bad Jason David: During the fourth quarter, NBC produced a graphic which indicated that David, the Saints' marquee free agent acquisition this year, had been the target of Colts passing plays 7 times. 6 of those passes were completed for a total of 147 yards and 3 touchdowns. Wow.
  
  Jason David: The Saints' marquee free agent acquisition this year
  


• Meanwhile the Colts D had little trouble handling what was expected to be one of the league's top offenses this season. The Saints O-line was manhandled almost as badly as their defensive front. Even when there was running room to be had, the Colts swarmed quickly. I don't remember seeing a Colt miss a single tackle all night. For now we'll give credit to the Colts and expect the Saints' O to have better days in the coming weeks. That Saints defense, however may be another story.
  
  Give the one-armed man and the Saints' offense a mulligan... this time.


• Was there something wrong with Reggie Bush's shoes? He appeared to lose his footing on the turf several times. BTW, Bush this game: 3.2 yards per carry. Nothing new there.


• Uh oh, the kicker still sucks. This will cost the Saints a game at some point.


• Despite all of this, and despite the fact that the Colts had jumped out to a 14 point lead; early in the third quarter, I found myself texting to r that it wasn't yet quite so bad and there was plenty of time left to rally. Almost on cue, the Saints immediately mounted a gutsy drive into Indianapolis territory. A touchdown at this point would have had them right back in the game. Facing a crucial 3rd and 9 at the Colts' 48, Brees hit Eric Johnson over the middle for an apparent first down. But it was all for naught as the Saints were offside on the play. Penalties on big third downs like that will kill you every time. On the ensuing 3rd and 14, Brees was intercepted. I believe the kids are fond of saying, "And so it goes" here.

We'll have more on this if Soupy has anything interesting to say this afternoon. Otherwise, get over it. It's just one football game. There are fifteen remaining... seven of which I think we might even win.