The Saints have a number of issues at the moment, but if they’re going to have a chance to turn things around, it’s going to depend on quarterback Drew Brees.
But yesterday, he might not have been able to, after a hard hit in the first quarter left him shaking his arm, and admitting his shoulder affected a number of throws later in the game.
“Maybe on a few throws,” Brees said, via Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “I want to say a few balls downfield didn’t come out very well.”
The Saints aren’t a big deep-ball offense by design, but any limitation on Brees’ arm strength would be a factor. The longest pass he completed was a 24-yarder, which traveled about 10 in the air.
Saints coach Sean Payton said the short throws were by design, since their protection issues forced Brees to get it out quickly.
“I am looking at (the play sheet) with the idea that we have to get the ball out a little quicker maybe to help our offensive line out a bit, tempo wise, timing wise,” Payton said.
But if Brees wasn’t or isn’t physically able to deliver the ball downfield, it’s only going to add to a long list of problems for the 0-2 Saints.