A View From the Other Side: Stung by Colts, Pats lack signature win

When New Orleans hosts New England on Monday night, you’ve likely read as much about the Saints as you possibly can.

But what do you know about the Patriots?

That’s where A View From the Other Side comes in. Every Friday during the Saints' season, WWL-TV.com will ask five questions to at least one beat writer covering the Saints’ opponent that week.

Today we talk with Ian Rapaport of the Boston Herald, a dear friend of the EOSB from the days of covering college sports. He has been with the Herald since this past summer. Prior to that, he worked for the Birmingham News, covering Alabama for more than three years. Before heading to the Magic City in Alabama, he covered Mississippi State for the Jackson Clarion Ledger, where the EOSB met him covering a Sugar Bowl.

He does masterful work. If you want to check it out, you go to the Rap Sheet, where his coverage is updated daily.

WWL-TV: Two weeks ago, the Patriots could have knocked off nemesis and undefeated Indianapolis, but fell short. Do you get the sense from the players that beating the undefeated Saints would atone for that at all?

Ian Rapaport: The Patriots have a 7-3 record and an offense that scores almost as much as New Orleans’. But they really do have a lot to prove. Their season lacks a signature win, a big-time road win and a complete win against a sound opponent. Beating the Saints would answer all those questions in an otherwise unimpressive season.

The Colts loss stung. No doubt about that. A 17-point lead in the fourth quarter vanished and the players were gutted. It’s tough to take the sting off that one, even with a team as high-powered as the Saints. Ending their undefeated string would help wash away the memories of that one. It’s almost like that Colts game left unfinished business, so if the Patriots could take care of the Saints, the emotional lift may do wonders.

WWL-TV: What do you see as the weakest part and the strongest part of this New England team?

IR: This probably isn’t the best news for Patriots fans, considering the Saints have made scoreboards explode inside the Superdome all year with their offense, but the pass rush is still a weak link. Tully Banta-Cain has been impressive, morphing from a situational player to an every-down end who specializes in getting after the quarterback. But he needs help.

Derrick Burgess does bring some pressure, but it hasn’t meant sacks. Adalius Thomas helps at times, and defensive coordinator Dean Pees has recently begun mixing in corner and safety blitzes. But the lack of constant pressure has exposed a secondary that can make plays but doesn’t blanket receivers.

The strength, as always, is the passing game. Tom Brady regained his form from before his surgery, though it took a few games. Without any more rust, he’s had five consecutive 300-yard games. He still struggles some in the second half as teams adjust, but perhaps that complete game is coming.

WWL-TV: The Saints lead the NFL in interceptions with 20, including five returned for touchdowns. Do you expect Tom Brady to attack the defense regardless?

IR: One of Brady’s strengths is his supreme confidence. He is well aware of the Saints’ prowess at returning interceptions for touchdowns, and he’ll have to be aware of Darren Sharper at all times. Ball security is always at a premium and he hates throwing interceptions. Yet, the fact that he’s thrown four of them over the past four games means he’s still attacking defenses. Don’t expect it to change.

When Jets CB Darrelle Revis was covering Randy Moss, Brady didn’t shy away from throwing into the matchup. Against the Ravens, he respected Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed immensely, but didn’t throw away from him. Brady will have to be smart, and so will his receivers. But he’ll still do what has to be done to get his completions.

WWL-TV: Everyone knows about Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Tom Brady. Is there anyone else Saints fans should watch out for, be it on offense or defense?

IR: The big names you know and they’ll figure prominently. But recently, the Patriots offense has received injections from some unfamiliar faces. And just like the Saints, the fact that there aren’t just three weapons separates it from the offenses around the league that are simply, really good. Julian Edelman is a rookie former Kent State quarterback who looks like Wes Welker Jr. Isaiah Stanback is a former practice squad quarterback who has contributed. Sam Aiken is the special teams captain who can go deep.

One of the more interesting stories has been at running abck, where Laurence Maroney has shaken off some criticism to be, well, steady. And that’s been an improvement. He gains the tough yards now, putting his head down and settling for three yards. That’s chewed up the clock and built some consistency on offense to sustain drives. Finally, tight end Benjamin Watson is always a guy to watch on third downs, provided the Pats don’t need to keep him in to block.

WWL-TV: When the Patriots lost to the Jets earlier this season, Wes Welker was out with an injury. Why is Welker so important to an offense that has Randy Moss?

IR: If anyone ever had any doubts as to the effectiveness of Welker, they were erased against the Jets. After missing the first meeting against New York, all Welker did was turn in a career day, making 15 catches for 192 yards. While defenses stretch out to guard against the deep ball to Moss, Welker torches them in the middle of the field.

He’s not the fastest or the strongest or the tallest, but he understands defenses better than anyone, gets out of his breaks without slowing down and can focus longer than any defender. And after the catch, few are more devastating. It can be argued that Welker is what makes the Patriots offense go.