As part of our coverage, the Press Democrat proposed to Mike Triplett of The New Orleans Times-Picayune an exchange of questions, to which he readily agreed, so the PD could cast light on the Niners and Triplett could cast light on the Saints for Bay Area readers. Here are five questions and answers about the Saints plus a bonus question.
1. The Saints beat the Niners at Candlestick 25-22 in September, 2010. Are the Saints a better team now? How much better do Darren Sproles and Jimmy Graham make them?
TRIPLETT: “The Saints have mostly the same players, coaches and philosophy. But clearly they’re playing much better right now. They’re absolutely locked in on offense, playing as well as they have during any stretch in the Brees-Payton era – and that’s saying something. It’s not just Brees, either, but the terrific offensive line and underrated run game as well. And, yes, Sproles and Graham have emerged as two of their three most dynamic playmakers, along with receiver Marques Colston. They are definitely upgrades over Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey, whom the Saints had in 2010. This team is really, really hard to defend because it’s so deep and versatile.
“The Saints were far from locked in on that night at S.F. Brees threw for only 254, and the Saints ran for only 50 yards. I expect them to be much more in sync this time around, but I do think the combination of that swirling wind and that outstanding 49ers defense will cause them more problems than anything they’ve faced all year.
“As for the Saints’ defense, it’s about the same as it was in Week 2 last year and every week since. They have a lot of experienced, battle-tested players. They play very well over long stretches and force a lot of punts and field goals. But they also give up a handful of big plays every week without forcing enough turnovers. They let the 49ers hang around in that game last year even when Alex Smith wasn’t playing with the confidence he is now. They need to be better this time around.”
2. In the 2011 regular season the Saints scored touchdowns in 69.4 percent of red zone trips, but only 31.8 percent of the time on grass. Why such a large disparity between indoor and outdoor offensive efficiency for the Saints? Will this be an issue at Candlestick?
TRIPLETT: “The Saints are definitely best suited for playing in domes, with the fast track and controlled weather conditions. And like I said, the wind at Candlestick can mess with some of those deep balls they like to throw. But some of those stats came from earlier in the year when they were a little more inconsistent. The way they’ve been playing over the last two months, I fully expect their offense to make the trip with them out west. I think the 49ers will have to find a way to score at least 25-plus to win this game.”
3. Where are the Saints vulnerable to what the Niners do?
TRIPLETT: “That turnover ratio obviously sticks out like a sore thumb (plus-28 for the 49ers, minus-3 for the Saints). If those trends continue, with the 49ers able to chew some clock and manage the field possession, maybe steal a short touchdown drive, that’s certainly a formula for nullifying the Saints’ offense. I also think the 49ers’ defense will be the best the Saints have faced all year. Not only can they bring pressure without needing to blitz, but they also have some talented athletes who can match up with the likes of Graham, Colston and Sproles.”
4. People in the Bay Area aren’t as familiar with Drew Brees. What are his strong and weak points? Where is he vulnerable?
TRIPLETT: “Brees sees the field about as well as any quarterback that’s ever played the game. He has such a good feel for where things will open up – or where he has an opportunity to “throw a receiver open.” Everyone knows he shattered Dan Marino’s yardage record this year, but he also broke the NFL completion percentage record at the same time (71.2 percent). The previous record holder? Drew Brees, in 2009.
“He’s got a great offensive line, and he has the trust to step up into the pocket behind his guards to avoid edge pressure. He also makes quick decisions and gets rid of the ball to avoid sacks. And he doesn’t play favorites. He throws to the open man in the progression, spreading the ball all over the field.
“Not many weak points, obviously. He will take some risks down the field and try to force balls sometimes, which leads to interception opportunities. He got away with a couple of those the other night against Detroit. But usually those risks pay off.”
5. Why are the Saints a tough matchup for the 49ers?
TIPLETT: “The offense, obviously, is playing about as well as any offense in NFL history right now. And even when they get off to a slow start, like they did against the Lions with just 10 first-half points, they can get to 45 points in the blink of an eye. So even if the 49ers manage to get a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, the Saints can make that up quickly. … If the 49ers are the ones who have to play catch-up, though, that’s a tall order for their offense.
“And I think the Saints defense is a bit underrated. They don’t get consistent pressure on quarterbacks, even though they blitz like crazy, and they haven’t forced enough turnovers this year. But they have great confidence in themselves, and they routinely come up big in big situations.
“Plus, they can nullify the Andy Lee factor with punter Thomas Morstead, the NFC Pro Bowl alternate who’s every bit as good.”
BONUS: Does Sean Payton hate Jim Harbaugh? Are their personalities similar or different?
TRIPLETT: “Honestly, I never got to the bottom of those preseason rumors that Payton was miffed at Harbaugh for not calling him. For all I know, it was fiction. But both guys are certainly intense, aggressive coaches who will be plenty motivated to pull out all the stops in this one, whether they like each other or not.”
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I don’t know who Thomas Morstead it, but there’s absolutely no way he’s as good as Andy Lee. NOBODY is.
He only set the record for touchbacks this year on kickoffs.
@Keith
So, teams started on the 20 then.
A lot of teams tried to take the ball out. And were stopped shy of the 20. So, which is better for a Defense. To have the opponent start at the 20 or at the 15?
Besides your guy only lead in touch-backs because Janikowski was injured. And your guy plays indoors at least half the year.
And, our punter is only equaled by the guy across the bay.
60 yard punt out at the 1.
60 yard punt out at the 5
These happened in the same game.
Moot point when we’re talking about a punter.
I know he’s also the Saints kickoff specialist, but unless they move the KO point back to the 30, the record is going to get broken again… and again… and again.
That record reflects the potent offence, not any kicking prowess, now that the kick-off’s have been moved up.
That kid across the Bay is pretty damn good. His name has slipped my mind.
Shane Lechler
those are some of the questions i wished was asked/answered by coach,but that will only happen when frogs fly. what kind of questions did you submit grant?will that interview be posted?
Yes, I’ll post that shortly. He had a lot of praise for the Saints.
thx
I see this game as a close one. In my early years (Joe Montana) was my favorite player of all time. But then I am a Saints fan and had to have somebody to cheer for after the regular season ended. With that said, I have the utmost respect for the 9′er org. JH has done a tremendous job for you guys this year. I do believe that the Saints will win this game. I know as 9′er fans, you believe in your team as well. Good luck and I can’t wait for Sat. to get here. Good luck to you. May the best team win.
No!!
You are supposed to get all mad and stuff.
civil discourse…..wth..i would have never guessed it(lol)
@east
Yeah.
We have a guy named who dat who is falling for everything we dish at him though. : )
aprreciate the love and i know its going to be one heck of a game.im just pulling for the niners!!!
@ds…i know..i just prefer to not hide behind a computer screen.i believe in fandom,but civility should always reign supreme.there are several posters i wish that would stick strictly to football.since ive been on here,ive learned more about the 9ers than i thought i knew.living on the east coast its hard to know all the local lore and tales.thats what i like to hear-not all the name calling and snide remarks.
@east
“thats what i like to hear-not all the name calling and snide remarks.”
I agree. That is why I stopped contacting several others here. I don’t know if they are the same ones you are referencing. I know what is going to happen if I engage with them, so I choose not to do so.
It is the best solution I have found. If you are aware of any other solutions, I am open to them.
Sadly, I have probably had more good conversations with some other teams fans than our own because they are not as mad about the Niners/Niner fans as some here are.
Way to show sportsmanship and class. Its a dying trate. Now get the **** out! lol Im kidding.
MD, I like it…lol!
Thanks for the classy post, Keith. I think I can fairly say there’s not much love for the Saints around here, but plenty of respect. You’re right about JH doing a tremendous job with his new team. Payton hasn’t exactly embarrassed himself, either! If everyone plays to his potential, this should be a great game, and should let us know if the old saw about Defenses winning championships is still accurate, or whether an outstanding Offense, like the Saints have, can overcome it.
Other than a Niner win, what I’m most hoping for on Saturday is a tough, clean game, with no injuries to either side, and no game-deciding calls made by the Zebras. And oh yeah, a Niner win!
@rusty..thats my wish also about the zebras.man.this weekend it was bad for them guys.i saw some calls that even ray charles couldve called.i just hate it when there is so much hype surrounding a game,that its overshadowed by some outrageous calls.
Just admit you are a Saint’s Fan!!!! No 9er fan would post your blog!
Moorstead is every bit as good as Lee? Ye ok!
Hey Grant,
Please post the answers to the questions Triplett has for you as well. Will be interesting to read…thx.
My answers were the “five reasons the Niners have a good chance to beats the Saints” blog.
Got it! thx.
If the Saints turned over the ball like they did in the Detroit game 9ers will win the game. 9ers have to eliminate the Big Play down field, play error free football and pressure Brees. Special Teams will play a huge roll in this game with field positioning as well as possibly scoring some points. I think the Saints are just as concered with the 9ers as the 9ers are with the Saints. Only we have them at home and we are still 3 1/2 points under dogs which is just fine with me.
We’re going to need more then 28 to beat the Saints. Hope JH is getting Kaepernick ready for the 4th quarter, he’s a very accurate Passer.
After three quarters, Detroit was up by only a field goal. Once the Saints took the lead, the Lions folded and fast. They left WRs wide open, Stafford threw two INTs, and the missed tackles continued. The Niners have had five come from behind victories in the fourth quarter this year. They also preserved wins against several opponents in the fourth quarter. The Niners tackle better than the Lions D. Our secondary has shown great discipline. This game could be a close one. If it is, let’s hope the referees have a good game. We’ve paid our dues with four TDs called back this year for dicey referee performances. (Bengals, Baltimore, Arizona and Rams road games). I realize it’s part of football and every team has bad calls but at this stage of the season I am hoping the referees are not a factor. In Harbaugh and his staff and the TEAM, the TEAM, the TEAM we trust.
The Saints are 0-4 in away play off games. Is it a pattern or are a coincidence? You would think they’d be a step slower on natural grass. If the Niners get pressure up the middle they win. Can they sit back in coverage with 7 or 8 and defend Brees? I watch replays of America’s game all the time, especially the Niners 84 season. Dan Marino reached unheard of heights that season and received all the hype. The Niners pounded him after the first quarter on nearly every play, to which Keena remarked, once you start pounding a quarterback, no matter who they are, they become very ordinary.
AS is 0-3 against the saints
brees is 5-0 against the niners
i think this is true
i like it. Definately some similarities here!
Anrew from R… – I actually liked that post. Good example of high powered unstoppable offense (Marino/Dolphins 1984-85) that was shutdown by Niners in 1985 Super Bowl!
I remember the hype of Marino and his top two WR’s Mark Clayton and Mark “Super” Duper.
Montana & Co. torched them and Carl Monroe got his “15 minutes of fame” by scoring first TD in that game!
Andrew not Anrew…..sorry
in coach harbaughs presser today he”we ask for no quartes.and take no quarter.”im thinking he hasnt forgotten pre-season and the blitzes.i know i havent.
QB: Edge Saints
RB: Even
WR: Edge Saints
TE: Even [Graham is a better receiver than VD, but nowhere near as good of a blocker]
OL: Edge Saints
CB: Edge 49ers
S: Even
LB: Edge 49ers
DL: Edge 49ers
ST Coverage: Edge 49ers
ST Returns: Even
K: Edge 49ers
P: Edge 49ers
Saints win a blow out 10%
Saints win a close game 20%
It goes right down to the end 30%
49ers win a close game 30%
49ers win a blow out 10%
Coaching: Edge 49ers
Predition: 49ers 34, Saints 24
Saints passing against 49ers rush and coverage = edge Saints
Saints rushing against 49res run defense = edge 49ers
49ers passing against Saints rush + coverage = edge 49ers
49ers rushing against Saints run defense = edge 49ers
49res ST against Saints ST = edge 49ers
Saints have the much better QB and a much better offense , but we have a lights out defense and special teams, and that is why we play the game. Also we have Akers, maybe he will kick 10 field goals on Saturday. We really can win with no turnovers.
special teams will be about even IMO…..niners will have long fields to drive….niners have not proven to be a long drive team….they are a short field team….
NO is a long field driver
special teams are not even, both of our kickers are all pro this year and our coverage units could have had two more pro bowlers
@big niner
The Niners go into each game having a better D and special teams.
I think that has a lot to do with how conservative the play-calling has been.
I am a Saints fan and I respect what the 49ers have done this year. They are clearly moving in the right direction. As with most Saints fans, I have long (and dark) memories of our come-from-ahead losses to the 49ers back in the bad old days. I expect a competitive game but I believe the Saints offense will be up to the challenge.
Having said all of that I’m not sure the 49er defense is as good as its stats indicate. These stats are definitely padded by the six games played against NFC West opponents (all bottom third in the league in total offense, rushing offense, and passing offense). The Saints have put up their league leading offensive numbers against some pretty good defenses this year. The 49er defense has not fared well in losses and close wins against quality offenses. The only thing that really scares me is the 49ers ability to cause and recover fumbles. The Saints will have to work extra hard to protect the ball to pull out a win. If they get ahead by 10 or 14 points the 49ers will be hard pressed to catch up. Good Luck on Saturday
WhoDat!
@johns1959
The Niner Run D did something nobody ever did. Going back before the NFL was actually the NFL.
And you might want to check out who the RB’s are in our division.
One is in Seattle. A guy named Lynch. You know about him. Or at least the cleat size he wears.
Another is Jackson. A guy who is just as fast as anybody else, can block like nobody else (but FG) and can catch the ball well. He is a big body who can crush open the middle and has the speed to get to the outside. But of course you know of this RB as well.
Those are 4 games out of 16, or 1/4 the season right there.
Add to that the NY Giants, Pit, Baltimore, Cincinnati and you have some decent RB’s and or run based teams.
We allowed our first rush TD where the next best rush D had allowed 6 already. Not even close.
Every season has a #1 rush D. No team in pro football history has done what this team has done. We are way better than #1. Just a problem with how society has not created anything higher than a #1 rank.
I was hoping we would see the Saints again after what happened preseason just like a lot of niner fans. Now lets get it done and unleash our hounds!
the wild card in this game will be aldon smith
but how often will he be in base defense……NO has great 1st and 2nd down success in moving the chains
they’ll put him in on other downs
Nickel will be our most used personnel group this game. Aldon will play the vast majority of snaps.
great idea, Grant, and a great read.
Bree’s is a formidable talent. luckily, so are Willis, Bowman, Smith and some other Niners. i’d feel better with young Ronnie Lott or Deion Sanders in the d-backfield, but hey, new legends may be created. Go Niners!
28-19 Niners victory.
COME ON SATURDAY! I can’t wait, it’s killing me!
He’s been drinking that purple juice. Their defense is not good, we have the best punter. Our Lb’s will shut their running game down! they ran for 160 yard against Detroit. Did Detroit even play in this game. We will tackle and intercept them.
They were no swirling winds last year at that game. I was there and the game weather was nice. So they did not “let us hang in the game”. We should have and could have beat them. How is Sproles a better play than the all world Bush? no way that little shrimp is as good as Bush. If Bush hadn’t requested to be a full time player, he’d still be there.
They are playing on grass, infact I hope the greens keeper keeps it nice and long and over waters it. They haven’t faced a defense like this. Our D this year is way better all around than the last time we faced them. Plus, Alex looks more confident and won’t over look a wide open reciever down the sidelines like he did with Morgan that game. It’s a different Alex this time.
My match ups:
Graham Vs Willis= the multiple all pro LB will shut him down and frustrate him between the 20′s. The redzone might be more difficult due to Grahams jumping ability.
Sproles VS LB’s= Bowman will “TEBOW” him, and Willis will shut the running game down. Our D line is not weak like the Lions and their over rated SUH!
BreesVs secondary= our pass rush will make it difficult for him to have time to throw. He’ll stay away from Rodgers and Goldson will make them PAY!!
On offense, a combination of Gore and hunter will keep them off guard but our secret weapon is KW and Peele. Peele has good hands.
I hope Ginn can provide a spark coming back, hungrier than ever.
Vd will get off and they can’t cover him.
final score 24-10 niners.
This game will be a measurement stick where we are against the very good teams in the league, can we compete because of our special teams and defense is second to none, although we have a offense that takes very little risk and is horrible on third down conversions and has a horrific red zone game. Can we over compensate our weaknesses? We shall see. The Lambs beating the Saints gives me hope, but certainly not over confidence.
I don’t know if we’ll improve on 3rd down, but I think we will in the red zone…the practice vs the starting defense has already shown benefits and my impression is that they have been saving some plays for just this situation. We’ll see.
Scheme…scheme…scheme…C’mon coach Vic, let’s bring home some New Orleans bacon….sliced!!
Stated this yesterday, but, feel like repeating myself (won’t be the last time) – OF COURSE, the 49ers need to sack/hit Brees a few times to win this game; they won’t win if he’s got lots of time to throw. BUT …. Alex has to have a killer game, his BEST game, he needs to make BIG plays and throw TD passes (obviously the OL has to have a top game too). Tebow just had a “signature game” early in his career. Will Alex have one Sat?
That is all you need to know about the Saints:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD-izt4pE34
Couldn’t you have managed to post something with less class?