Saints' HC isn't worried about potential problem heading into Week 5
The New Orleans Saints will be without one of their most important players once again heading into Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks. They will be without more than one important player, but the most notable is wide receiver Michael Thomas, cornerback P.J. Williams, and starting quarterback Jameis Winston. "Yeah, I think it's going to […]
The New Orleans Saints will be without one of their most important players once again heading into Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks.
They will be without more than one important player, but the most notable is wide receiver Michael Thomas, cornerback P.J. Williams, and starting quarterback Jameis Winston.
"Yeah, I think it's going to be Andy [Dalton]," Allen said when asked about who will start at quarterback. "Jameis [Winston] will be doubtful for this week."
All are very important, but arguably none more than Winston, who is the motor of the team on offense. He has been good this year when he is available, but Sunday he won't be, and for any other team, that poses a problem. That means the backup quarterback has to play.
But, as I said, that isn't an issue for the Saints. Andy Dalton played last week in the backup quarterback position against the Minnesota Vikings.
"I thought Andy did a nice job," Saints head coach Dennis Allen said when asked about how Dalton played. "I thought he performed well in the game. I really thought, probably in the second half, we got into a pretty good rhythm offensively, and I think he was operating pretty well. Again, like I said last week, that is why Andy is here. he is a proven vet and we feel like we can go in and play good football with him running the team."
Not every team has that luxury, but the Saints do. Dalton was once the franchise guy for the Cincinnati Bengals and took them to the playoffs five times. Dalton is also a three-time Pro Bowler, so it is safe to say he knows what he is doing.
In his first year in 2011, he made the Pro Bowl and took the Bengals to the playoffs, while putting up 3,398 passing yards and 20 passing touchdowns.
Dalton will be playing a Seahawks team that has nearly a completely different roster than what we are used to seeing from Seattle. Their secondary consist of Mike Jackson, Tariq Woolen, Josh Jones, and Quandre Diggs. Most of you know that secondary is not very good.
The Seattle Seahawks allow the fourth-most passing yards per game in the NFL with 230. They are also tied for fourth worst team sack numbers with seven total on the year, like the Saints.
In other words, Dalton won't have to worry about the secondary as much, and could have more time in the pocket than he did last week against the Vikings who have a much better pass rush.
Allen isn't worried about Dalton starting on Sunday, and you shouldn't either. He is better than probably 99% of the backups in the league, and could probably start for a few teams.
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