Mike Bell had a great game (143 rushing yards), in part thanks to some great pancake blocks by Jahri Evans. The Saints right guard toyed with the Lions. On one Bell romp, Evans drilled #50 Ernie Sims into the ground.
Bell has to do a better job of holding on to the football. His fumble and subsequent Detroit return for a touchdown helped get the Lions back in the game in the third quarter. Bell has fumbled three times in 204 NFL carries. That is once every 68 touches. In comparison, Eagles runner Brian Westbrook has fumbled 3 times in 1,260 rushes.
Heath Evans had an outstanding game. He proved his worth as a pass receiving, catching a screen from Brees and running 13 yards for a touchdown. Evans also did a good job blocking in the run game. His block was key in a Mike Bell 22 yard run.
Welcome to the NFL Malcolm Jenkins. The Saints first round pick was beaten on a 64 yard pass play from Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson. Johnson caught a slant, broke Jenkins' tackle and was finally ruled out of bounds at the Saints three yard line. The play was Jenkins first after replacing Tracy Porter.
The Saints had a John Carney field goal blocked. Anthony Hargrove was beaten inside by Dwayne White, who penetrated and blocked the field goal attempt. The next time Carney attempted a field goal, Hargrove was replaced by Saints center Jonathan Goodwin.
Ed Daniels
Monday September 14th