Quick Cap: New Orleans 28, Seattle 17

the rams could get it together the next 2 games, win them, go into the bye, and then get steven jackson back after it and still win the NFC west. seriously. at 0-6, the rams are only 3 games out. with some luck, the beat the 'hawks next weekend, and are only two out. there is hope.

I had a worse feeling about this game then I did the Steelers game

I don't know what to say other than we might finally see less Alexander

was broken and depressing in so many ways. Awful special teams play, lackluster secondary work, receivers not receiving, poor blitz protection, that inexplicable jump ball by Beck, Shaun being Shaun, and truly bizarre 4th quarter play-calling by the walrus. Even more frustrating because we had a chance to win this.

I've attended 19 games at Qwest Field over the past few years. None was more deflating than this one.

The most obvious aspect of this nausea-oleum was that the Seahawks very clearly underprepared for the Saints. I don't think potentially good teams necessarily take 0-5 teams for granted, but whatever happened in practice didn't show up on the field.

Brees was never under an iota of pressure, but threw like he was in a hurry. Thing is, every Saint was on the same page. The differences between Reggie Bush and Shaun Alexander are arena-sized in their obviousness. Bush has about a million adjustment steps that you can see in slo-mo; Shaun is... (sigh) You know, I'm just not gonna heap on 'em. As long as he's the focus of our running game, we're not going to have a running game.

Everyone in Qwest was depressed. I couldn't get money out of the ATM because the system was unavailable, meaning I couldn't even drink my way to peace in the second half.

The one bright spot was Leonard Weaver. And I don't have anything particularly revelatory to say about him. Nice job.

I agree with Morgan. This is not a contending team. They look panicked. They're slow. They're taking too much time. They're leaving too much of themselves exposed. The decision-making has to be called into question. The fans are tired of the foregone predictability.

The Saints are better than their record, but still -- this was one of those games where you feel like shaking someone.

Everything about them screams 9-7 (or 8-8, but hey I'm an optimist!).

Weaver- 3 carries 40 yards
Shaun - 14 carries 34 yards

Weaver also did a nice job catching some passes (expect for that one he easily dropped)

I know that this probably isn't the best way to look at the running game, since all of Weaver's yards came on one play, but I think everyone gets the picture.

Kudos to the Saints, this looked a lot more like their team from 2006, I think they've already dug themselves to big of a hole, but hey...you never know.

Honestly, it doesn't hurt anymore.  The first two L's hurt because I thought this was a team that could make a real run at a superbowl, now I know they are a 9-7 team, so going 10-6 would be a plus for me.

Reluctant game balls:
Weaver and Mebane.  Mebane seemed to be in the backfield a lot, Bush was probably too elusive for him to make the tackles however.

John,

Please make sure you touch on the following in your recap.  I'm just an fan who drinks too much at the game.

Hill- is he hurt.... or are Bush and Eric Johnson that good?
Jennings- Is that two weeks in a row that he was AWOL all game?
D-line- Tough for the secondary to look good when Brees is counting 5 alligator in the pocket.
Burl and Obu- Really?  do they ever run a full route?  Is it acceptable to run up the the CB and tickle him instead of getting any separation?
Russell-only guy who puts the ball carrier on the ground everytime he touches them.

I don't know..... I'm sad.  MH called an awful game.  SA is done.  Momo will never (and shouldn't) get a chance.  Weaver looks good because everything else looks so bad.  Kerney is Wistrom.... contrary to my week 1-2 excitement/expectations.

Are we average?  Are we below?  Don't answer that one please.

It's frustrating.

I think one thing is clear though, regardless of the  running game, and Shaun Alexanders talent at this moment, i think it's fair to say we several other important things to worry about.

I'm not defending Shaun, nor am i giving him praise, however it should be noted that in comparison to some of the holes Reggie Bush was getting to run through tonight, Shaun was like a magnet to defenders. It seemed like we weren't able to create much running space beyond the first level. I know Shaun is in decline, that's fine, but our passing game was not in good sync, and i wasn't full impressed by our blocking either.

I was most upset by our defense, it was frustrating, and almost felt like the last few years were over. I don't know what exactly was happening, but a defense with our team speed should be able to get in the right spots without being completely taken out of the play.

As far as our team, it's so difficult to tell right now. Is the absense Branch and Burleson really throwing Hasselbeck off this much? Is our d-line finally catching up to us? Undersized, injured, and aging. The speed is great, so is the hustle, but i couldn't believe the lack of penetration.

I hope Tru and Locklear stay in response to your post.

Don't think that Bears/Seahawks game is going to be on Sunday Night...just a gut feeling.

I blame 80% of it on the coaches.  I think Holmgren wanted to establish the run, but when we got into a 21-0 hole early, he couldn't.  I think our defense should've keyed onto Reggie Bush because they went to him 4 or 5 times in a row, in just spurts.  Very dumb.  In the first 3 drives by them, I don't think we blitzed once, and for some reason our front four could create no pressure.  Hasselbeck and Holmgren acted like they've never seen a blitz before, I mean, c'mon, just because the game tape says they can't pass rush doesn't mean that we can just keep 5 guys back and H-Beck can avoid the pass rush with his spidey sense and his happy feet.  That being said, Morgan is right, after our loss to the Steelers I thought our season was over (if you think winning the SB is the ultimate goal) because there's now way we're beating NE or Indy.

Get it done, Holmgren.