I am taking a page from one of my former teachers for the New Orleans Saints’ “Fleur de Keys” to victory over the Green Bay Packers.  During my residency training, one attending surgeon told me there were 4 P’s to stop bleeding: pressure, platelets (sticky stuff in our blood that makes it clot), patience and pray.  He said either they will stop bleeding and get better or they will……well, uhh, not get better(you get the picture).  Luckily this is just football, but I here are my “P’s” to help stop the New Orleans Saints’ bleeding.

Pressure:  I’ve been preacher it from the beginning.  Pressure the QB!  With the increase in mobile quarterbacks (Vick, Newton, RGIII, Aaron Rodgers, etc…), the defensive end position is morphing into a more athletic position.  The speedier defensive end Junior Gallete may need to get more playing time.  An effective pass rush would help to induce errant passes and leave the secondary less vulnerable to big plays.  If Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers has all day to sit in the pocket, he will definitely dissect the Saints’ secondary.  Even the best of CBs can’t cover wide receivers forever…and the Saints definitely don’t have the best.

Protection (Platelets):  I wonder if Aaron Kromer’s head coaching responsibilities are affecting the offensive line.  Drew Brees has had “happy feet” in the past, but this year he has had good reason.  He has been hit, hurried, hassled and harassed in the Saints’ three losses.  The offensive line needs to be “sticky” and keep Drew Brees upright.  Otherwise, Green Bay’s 3-4 defense, which is lead by Thor-like ILB Clay Matthews, will pursue Brees and the ball with reckless abandon.  Behind “Thor” is a secondary, anchored by DB Charles Woodson, which ranks as the NFL’s best against the pass.  This could prove to be a long day for the New Orleans Saints’ offense.  There is hope if they have the next “P”.

Patience:  This is as much for my Who Dat Nation as it is for the team.  If waiting on a delayed parade during Mardi Gras season has taught us anything it is how to be patient.  We may have to show some, okay a lot, of that this season.  As far as for the Saints’ game plan, patience with the running game is key.  With the 26^th ranked run defense, the Packers may have an Achilles heel in their defensive game. Running the ball successfully can draw the defensive backs closer to the line of scrimmage, opening up the passing game and making play action more effective.

Prayer:  Inherent in their name, the New Orleans Saints should have a direct line to a higher power.  We may need some “divine intervention” to help us get over this “mountain” in the road.  With fingers laced and turning white from being clinched so tightly, all the Who Dats are still saying “Bless You Boys”.

Stay Strong Saints fans…all bleeding stops at some point…

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Written by Keila

Keila’s sports oriented family taught her the love and appreciation of all sports, especially football. Some of her fondest family memories are of Sundays in front of the television watching battles of the gridiron. As a child, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Keila would often say, “the first black female NFL coach. “ As a native of New Orleans, she has been a devoted Saints fan since the time she could say “Who Dat.” After graduating from Xavier University in New Orleans, her quest for higher learning brought her to Atlanta, Georgia, where she currently resides. Living in the land of the New Orleans Saints’ archrival has not proven to be difficult for her. Living in a “house divided”, as her husband is fan of the home team, can sometimes be challenging. Keila has been able to cultivate a love for sports, including football, in her two sons and has even managed to groom them into young Saints fans (even though her husband might say otherwise).

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