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Before everybody started calling the New Orleans Saints, the “Aints”. I would like to take a second to analyze the key flaws in last nights game. Many adjustments need to made before next weeks game against the Chicago Bears, but with adjustments and preparations, New Orleans will be in good shape throughout the remainder of the season, I mean sheesh guys its just game 1, no need to grab the dreaded bag-o-shame.

Defense

The Saints defense was thoroughly tested against Superbowl MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Offense. Defensive key elements were missed and there were clear mismatches in coverage, not too mention open windows, missed tackles and huge coverage gaps. But against any other team, the Saints defense would have been in a better position to show advantages. And how soon we are to forget that Green Bay had one of the best offensive squads and receiver corps in the NFL. Against the Saints, the score wasn’t too far off from my prediction however, the game did come down to the last and final drive. Keep that in mind.

Offense

The problems on offense essentially boiled down too not taking full advantage against Green Bay defense. E.J Raji, Clay Mathews, and A.J Hawk are huge play makers for this defense, but not to leave out Sam Shields and Charles Woodson in the secondary. Scoring against the Superbowl MVP defense was not easy feat, especially with such speed on the field. And in my opinion too much faith was placed on the shoulders of rookie RB Mark Ingram, combined with the defense expecting a HB Dive on the final drive.

My Suggestions

My suggestions for the Saints is how I use them on Madden 12. I will give my reasons and logic of why these moves were made, but the factors are in personnel changes

Move Pierre Thomas to FB and actually use the FB. ( Pierre Thomas has speed, strength and keen field vision, moving him to FB would surely result in 3rd down conversion success for FB Dives.

Interchanging RB

Having Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram means you have potentially an elite RB corps (if used efficiently). With Pierre Thomas at FB, you can have Sproles in the backfield for counters, Ingram for HB Tosses and Ivory for draws. Utilizing the strengths and weaknesses in your RB’s can achieve maximum yardage and have the defensive coordinator tossing in bed thinking about how to combat your running attack.

Using RB as a Flanker or Splitter

Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas can catch open-field passes, this idea was inspired by catches that Reggie Bush made. In the shotgun formation having a RB across the middle against an unsuspecting defense on 3rd and 6 could result in a first down.

The Trickery

Moving Heath Evans to TE on formations that call for 2 TE’s or in an I-Formation having David Thomas at FB.  Moving David Thomas will provide good blocking up the middle or for tosses when pulling those guards. Or on play action he could be an open receiver resulting in 6 points or a first down.

If Micheal Vick Were White?

Many bring up the topic of racism and actions of professional athletes, and the ways in which they correlate. Many believe that minority players receive unfair treatment when it comes to the judicial system, but in many cases race isn’t the issue, seeing another individual succeed is.

Michael Vick was drafted in 2001 by the Atlanta Falcons, not too mention he was also drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 2000 MLB Draft. Many people don’t know this, or his decision to play professional football may have angered his would-be fans. He made his debut against the San Francisco 49er’s and from there made his name. Michael Vick was at one point, the highest payed black player in all professional sports. After allegations of said involvement in running and operating an illegal dog-fighting rink, he lost ever dime he ever made playing football. This lead to speculation. What if Vick were White?

Former Canadian and American Professional QB Todd Marinovich played for the Oakland Raiders in the 91-92’ season of the NFL. before his NFL Debut, Marinovich was arrested while attending the University of Southern California, for possession of cocaine. Which leads to question, are all felonies on the same level of equivalency? Is one felony more damning, then the other? If Michael Vick was arrested for possession of an illegal substance at Virginia Tech, would he have even made it too the NFL?

Many players in the league feel that Vick was treated unfairly by the Judicial System. Many feel as though they fail to realize that Vick wasn’t present at the dog-fighting arena, and the only evidence linking Vick to the case, is the fact that his cousin, was maintaining the premises, and it was Vick who owned the property. Vick’s cousin was not charged for operating the rink, but Vick was.

My opinion is, race isn’t a factor in this situation, but greed is. Race could be seen as an under-lying factor, but seeing a minority prosper while other white QB’s struggle to make they’re contract stipulations, could anger some “higher-ups” in the league and cause trouble when problems arise. Vick was/is an outstanding athlete, who always seemed to be on the receiving end of problems in the league. But in my opinion race takes a backseat to greed in the case of Michael Vick.