PFF Review of Tampa Game Performances

Jabari Greer--"On a standout day for the entire Saints defense, no player made more of an impact than Jabari Greer (+5.0), who earned his highest grade of the year, and the highest grade he’s received since he became a Saint in 2009. Targeted 10 times on the day, he allowed just five completions for 63 yards. And of the five balls thrown his way that weren’t completed, Greer got his hands on four, breaking up a pair of passes to go along with two interceptions." Also, Greer was given the game ball by PFF.

Will Smith--"Just a week ago we were rebuking Will Smith for his poor and invisible play this season. Against Tampa, however, he played a significant role in pitching the shutout. Smith (+4.1) flashed the rare ability that made him one of the league’s highest paid defensive ends. He had his most productive game of the season rushing the passer, finishing with a sack, two hits, and three hurries — six disruptions in all. More impressive, though, was his performance defending the run."

Junior Gallette--"Playing 37 snaps, he notched eight pressures on just 31 pass rushes. It’s that kind of productivity that will have the Saints strongly thinking about letting Smith go this offseason and going with Galette full-time at DRE."

Patrick Robinson--"Allowing just two catches in 45 snaps in coverage, Patrick Robinson gave up 0.64 yards per snap in coverage, a mark that led the team." Wow, we were all bitching about PRob, too.

Drew Brees--"Brees (+6.2) completed 74% of his aimed passes for four touchdowns, notching his highest grade of the season. It may not have been the most impressive passing display we’ve seen from the Saint QB — this was his fourth-best performance in terms of completion percentage and passer rating, and just his eighth-highest YPA on the season — but he played an efficient game and, in just his fourth game this season without an interception, avoided the killer mistakes that have doomed them in recent weeks. Of course, it helps that he was pressured on just 21.9% of snaps after facing heat over 40% of the time last week, but Brees is still deserving of praise, particularly for his play against the blitz. On the nine snaps Tampa sent extra rushers, he completed eight of nine passes for 12.2 YPA and a touchdown."

Joe Morgan--I just thought this was funny. "After catching two passes for 61 yards, Saints’ receiver Joe Morgan actually lowered his season average to 41.2 yards per reception."