tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35198383217605600022024-02-19T07:56:46.587-08:00THE ONSIDE KICKMike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-17820631786829624122013-05-12T21:24:00.003-07:002013-05-12T21:24:29.221-07:00Mike Detillier's Take on the Saints' Draft
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
Black and Gold 2013 draft class and undrafted free agents hit the practice field
on Friday as part of the team’s rookie mini-camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">College
football analyst and NFL draft expert Mike Detillier shared his thoughts about
the team’s new additions and on some of the players the Saints’ front office
took a pass on in the recent draft, speculating which rookies will contribute
immediately and who will prove to be the team’s best free-agent pickup.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Were you
surprised the Saints passed on Jarvis Jones to select Kenny Vaccaro?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I was
not surprised, but I thought they would go after Jones. This team still is in
great need of a pass rush specialist. They also need a playmaker at safety and Vaccaro
is a playmaker, but more along the lines of LaRon Landry than an Ed Reed or
Earl Thomas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What
does this say about Jones that they passed on him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It means
they really believe that Victor Butler will be the "pass rush" specialist
for this team. Rob Ryan came on the radio with us and he talked highly about
Butler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Butler now becomes the teams'
biggest off-season free agent pick-up and he is the focal point of generating a
pass rush from that outside linebacker slot. He has flashed it at Dallas, but
he also has never been a fulltime starter and he always had DeMarcus Ware
taking on multiple blockers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If he
gets hot in New Orleans as a pass rusher, he will be the target guy for blocking
schemes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It is
something Joe Horn told me years ago, "There is a difference between being
a number one receiver and a “two guy”. You have to beat double coverage as a
number one receiver and the number two guy rarely sees it. It freaks a lot of
second receivers out when some teams make him their main guy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That holds true as a 3-4 outside linebacker as
a pass rusher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You
wrote in your book that Kenny Vaccaro is similar to LaRon Landry. Was that a compliment?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Absolutely<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People forget<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Landry is one of the best safeties in the game when he is healthy. Like
LaRon, Vaccaro is very physical, he comes up in a flash as a run defender, he
is an intimidator in the secondary and he matches up well with tight ends
downfield. Like LaRon, he doesn't have great hands. That surprised me with
LaRon because he was a quarterback in high school, but like Kenny he is not a
natural catching the ball. That is what makes people like Ed Reed, Earl Thomas,
Jairus Byrd and Charles Woodson special. Like Darren Sharper was, they are
ballhawks, but Kenny was a pick that I thought would go in that area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This team needs to become more physical and
Kenny gives them that feature. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But like
it or not for Saints fans Jarvis Jones and Kenny Vaccaro will always be tied together
because of where they were picked and right now there is no sure thing as a
pass rusher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On draft
night on the radio with Shariff Floyd and Jones on the board you said the
Saints would pick Vaccaro when they came up to pick. What changed things?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">An agent
friend of mine, who seems to always have a good read on where defensive backs
will go, told me if Vaccaro is on the board the Saints would take him even if
Jones was on the board. When I saw it occur I went with the strong tip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He was
wrong on one defensive back (Xavier Rhodes) and where he would end up, but he
was dead right about Vaccaro and we both had the word that Eric Reid would end
up in San Francisco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Is he
the free safety or strong safety of the future?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I think
like LaRon Landry<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his spot is at strong
safety. Kenny Vaccaro is tailor-made for that spot. In the game today you need
a physical presence at strong safety in run support and yet have the
flexibility to be strong in the coverage part of the game. This team has been
burnt so much by the athletic tight ends in the league. He is the one-on-one
matchup guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Who does
Vaccaro then light a fire under most: Roman Harper or Malcolm Jenkins?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Both are
professionals, but both know with a new defensive coordinator and Rob Ryan had
a big say on picking Vaccaro they will both be motivated to play better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It's
human nature to play harder or work harder when you are being pushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the long run Harper's spot will be filled
by Kenny. With the money he is being paid Roman knows that the team will thank
him for his overall play and his contributions to a Super Bowl run, but he most
likely will not be here in 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
season all three will be on the field in different spots and Jenkins used more
in nickel and dime schemes as a cornerback.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Did
maybe Jenkins' contract play a part in the selection of Vaccaro?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Malcolm
is in a new scheme and it will be interesting to see if he fits well with
Ryan's defense, but in this commuter league it is also about matchups and the
pick was all about getting more physical in the secondary and also having some
one to match up well in one-on-one situations downfield against the pass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This is
a big season for Jenkins to prove he is a "playmaker" at free safety,
but what I see from him is that he doesn't take good angles to the ball against
the pass and he misses too many openfield tackles. He needs to improve in those
areas. He will make some real big plays, like we saw against Tampa Bay, and
then whiff on others. I don't think his contract played a part in selecting
Vaccaro.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You
always say the draft is about value and addressing needs. Did the Saints do this
in this draft?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
Butler becomes a really good edge pass rusher, then yes they did a great job getting
value and filling needs. Vaccaro was a value pick and filled a huge void at
safety. Terron Armstead is a really good football player and to be honest with
so many offensive linemen getting picked in Round One I thought he might be gone
and I wrote in my book that he is a better today than Jermon Bushrod was when
he came out of Towson. In 2014 he is the starting left tackle for this team. He
is a very focused player, extremely athletic and he has the feet of a much
smaller player. Terron moves his feet so well for a big man and he has excellent
adjustment skills. He will need to make that adjustment to the NFL and learn
that from week to week you are going up against the best pass rushers the game
can offer on the left side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You
think Armstead will start at left tackle in 2013?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I think
the left tackle position is Charles Brown's to lose. It is not a question of
talent, but health. If he stays healthy Brown will start, but he has been
nicked up every year. I like Marcel Jones, who they picked up last season late
in the draft from Nebraska, but he is more of a right tackle and I think if he
can stay healthy he is the eventual replacement for Zach Strief at the right tackle
spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You made
that call on draft night on WWL Radio that Armstead would be the pick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you have any insight?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well, he
was the best offensive lineman on the board and certainly he fit into a big
need for this team. The coaches will love his work ethic and athleticism. He also
seemed to fit a mold of a small college player that this team has had a knack
for finding. Lucky call on my part. But all that said, this young man can play
football no matter where he went to school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When you
were talking about players available you also talked about John Jenkins and
that he would make a good pick, if they went for defense and then after the Armstead
pick they made the trade with the NY Jets and got Jenkins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
thought John Jenkins would go in Round Two. He is a huge man, a big space eater
in the middle and someone that could be a difference-maker at nose tackle if he
keeps his weight down and he gets motivated to give his all on each snap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Typically
big men wear down during games and this is where conditioning takes its toll. I
think as Saints followers we all remember that first season when Norman Hand
was with the team. He was a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>big
influence in the middle, but Norman was never the same after that 2000 season
because he was just wasn't in the best of shape after that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Just
watch the film of the last two SEC Championship games. Georgia's defense and in
particular their front line played at a very high level in the first half of
those games, but once LSU started to pound the rock Jenkins and that first team
unit wore down. Nick Saban did the exact same thing in 2012. He just fed the
ball to Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon and that huge offensive line just wore out
Georgia's front line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He also
needs to learn how to use his hands better to get off of blocks and I was glad
he told us on WWL Radio that night that he is going to work with former Atlanta
Falcons defensive end Chuck Smith-who specializes in hand usage and leverage.
If he is motivated and keeps himself in good shape he could be a B.J.
Raji-Green Bay Packers-type player. He has the talent, now it is up to Saints
defensive line coach Bill Johnson to get the best out of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How do
you see Kenny Stills fitting with the Saints’ offense?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kenny is
a great fit for the Saints. He played in a system similar to what the Saints
run and he excels as a route runner and someone that can really work the short
to medium range areas of the field. He has good hands and he is a good set-up
guy to get open downfield. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He has
good speed, but where he excels is in his ability to work that short area of
the field and that is what the Saints do so well offensively. Kenny's dad and
uncle played pro football so he knows what it takes to play in the NFL. He was
Landry Jones's "go-to" receiver the past two seasons and he knows
this game at a high level. Sure handed target and he can just corkscrew
defenders into the turf with his moves downfield.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Rufus
Johnson played defensive end in college. Will he make the adjustment to outside
linebacker?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well
Rufus got to over 270 pounds because he thought he would play defensive end in
the pros, so he will probably get lighter to play outside linebacker. I didn't
see a lot of tape on him, but he's athletic, he can get off the snap quickly
and you can clearly see he works hard on each play. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There’s
no “let up” in his play. His college coach, Cary Fowler, told me he was the
best defensive front seven player he had ever coached and his greatest strength
was his speed and his violent hands. Interesting player.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Before
the draft in our last one-on-one you talked about the Saints possibly picking Tulane's
Ryan Griffin in Round Six or if they picked up a 7th round pick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Saints were able to sign <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>him as an undrafted free agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you still high on him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yes I
do. He's smart, very accurate with his throws, he has the arm strength to make
all the throws in the book and he is tough. He didn't get great protection at
Tulane and he got the best aerial views of stadiums across Conference USA, but
he is a good player and the Saints knew all about him because he was coached last
season by Curtis Johnson, who was the Saints WR. coach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He has
the skillset and intangibles to play in the NFL. Last season Griffin and Ryan
Grant-the wide receiver at Tulane were terrific when they gave Ryan some time
to throw. In 2014 Ryan Grant will be a middle round draft choice and he's a
good football player also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
Saints signed as undrafted free agents three linebackers that you graded in
your book as middle round picks in North Carolina's Kevin Reddick, Stanford's
Chase Thomas and Nebraska's Eric Martin. Would you agree that the Saints’ front
office has an eye for unearthing hidden talent?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">No
question that since Sean Payton took over this team has built a reputation for
giving undrafted free agents a fair chance to make the team. For some guys they
just talk the talk, but with Payton and his staff, they have and agents know
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">With
Reddick his story is a lot like what we saw from Jo-Lonn Dunbar when he came
out of Boston College. Kevin is physical, a four-year starter for NC, he plays
the game on balance and he has a knack for fighting off blockers well at the
point of attack. He's a power player and instinctive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I am a
big Chase Thomas fan. He's smart, physical, he has quick read and react instincts
and he has a nice array of moves and countermoves to defeat his opponent coming
off the edge. Like Reddick he is a power player, but he was not the greatest
workout guy. The last two years on one of the toughest defenses in college
football Thomas racked up 32 tackles for losses and 16 quarterback sacks. He reminds
me a lot of Dezman Moses, who played at Tulane, went undrafted and started for
Green Bay last season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Eric
Martin is an interesting player. He basically was a special teams player until
the 2012 season. Then he blew up last season recording 59 tackles, 18 1/2 tackles
for losses and 8 1/2 quarterback sacks and 13 QB. hurries. He can cut the
corner fast and just looks as though he has a feel for pressuring the quarterback.
He is also a good special teams player. He was impressive last season at
Nebraska. In many ways he is a lot like Victor Butler was when he came out of
Oregon State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Which
rookie will have the biggest impact in 2013?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kenny
Vaccaro, no question. He has to play and play well early for the Saints for
their defense to get better. I like his work ethic, his football instincts and
I love what he brings to the table from a physical standpoint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Which
free agent will make the biggest difference on defense?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well ,
Keenan Lewis is the consensus pick by most observers <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>everyone, and I like the pick-up of Lewis and
I certainly like his match-up skills from a size and coverage standpoint, but Victor
Butler has to play like not only an average guy, but a cut above starter because
in this style defense his pass rush skills and pressure skills "potential"
has to turn into production. This team needs to create a pass rush and Butler
is the key.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On
offense it is TE. Ben Watson. He gives this team something the New England Patriots
have with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>now the Saints have two very athletic pass
catching tight ends and it will cause havoc for defenses to defend and give
them another big body upfront to aid the running game. This team needs to get
more physical in the running game and play a little "keep away" and I
think that means Mark Ingram becomes the bellcow runner too. Ingram is someone
who needs to get fed the ball more and let him get into his rushing groove and
I really believe Sean Payton wants that in this offense and have Pierre Thomas
be the second option in the running game and he will get a lot of touches as a
backup runner and also as a receiver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But the
biggest addition this season is having Sean Payton back. He gives this team
focus, a strong purpose and accountability. The Boss is back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, we’ll have to see if they can piece
together a good enough defense to combat the two powerhouse teams in the NFC
right now in San Francisco and Seattle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-40950733447150972602013-04-22T21:32:00.002-07:002013-04-22T21:32:19.680-07:002013 NFL Draft Interview with Mike Detillier, Part II
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the second part of the interview with college
football expert and NFL draft authority Mike Detillier, we asked the WWL 870 AM
commentator about where he saw the New Orleans Saints going in the first round,
running back Chris Ivory’s future with the Black and Gold and the team’s
priority areas to be addressed in the 2013 draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As always I am grateful for Mr. Detillier’s time and
for sharing his wealth of knowledge about the most exciting week of the NFL
without a game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1.If Barkevious Mingo is off the board but Jarvis
Jones is available, should the Saints select the Georgia linebacker and how
much of a concern is his neck condition?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I really think Jarvis might be the guy for them. He
has watched Mingo, Ezekiel Ansah and Dion Jordan just pass him up like he was
going 30 miles per hour in a 60 miles per hour zone due to the off-season
workouts though Jones has been the most dominant defensive player in the
toughest conference in college football the last two seasons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His neck is OK; it has been the workouts that have
dropped him. I wouldn’t hesitate a second to pick him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2.I have been hoping that the Saints would upgrade
their linebacker corps through the draft since 2009 when the Saints passed on
both Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews. Is this the year they finally use their
first round pick to strengthen the linebacker position?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">They need to. There is no sure thing with Martez
Wilson, Junior Gallette or Victor Butler. This team needs to upgrade their pass
rush first and foremost and it is not about scheme, but all about getting
better talent and using it correctly on defense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3.Is the position of outside linebacker still a
priority for the Saints when taking into account that defensive ends Junior
Gallette and Martez Wilson are being shifted to outside linebacker in the new
3-4 scheme? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, it is priority, but I do think the change will
help bring out the best in both Gallette and Wilson as players. They are best
suited to play the 3-4 than at defensive end in a 4-3. Especially in the case
of Junior. He looks like a natural as a 3-4 outside linebacker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4.Jumping back to the subject of the 2009 NFL draft
the Saints picked Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins in the first round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jenkins selection came with an expensive
opportunity cost when considering what the front office passed up on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Jenkins not having emerged as an elite
defensive back and with his contract up at the end of this season, should the
Saints address an upgrade and probable successor to Jenkins as free safety?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Saints have no big-time playmakers at the safety
spot. Jenkins has made some big plays on hustle and he is a good athlete, but he
is not a strong openfield tackler and he doesn’t have great ball skills. Darren
Sharper was special because of his ball skills. It’s an easy question to
answer, Yes, they need help at both safety spots because now the league has
turned into such a pitch and catch game and the Saints don’t match up well
against teams with athletic tight ends and they can’t come up with big
turnovers during crucial spots in a game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">5.You projected that the Saints will pick Fresno
State free safety Phillip Thomas in the third round with the 75th overall
selection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think Thomas will
remain on the board that long and would it be wiser for the Saints to make a
play for securing a second round pick to ensure his selection? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, I think he will still be there in Round Three.
Now, he is a ballhawk and he has excellent hands. I like him a lot and he has
good matchup coverage skills. People didn’t get to see him play a lot at Fresno
State, but he has excellent football instincts and a knack for tracking the
ball in flight. He needs to get stronger and upgrade his tacking skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">6.With Chase Daniel’s departure as a free agent to
Kansas City, the back up spot to Drew Brees has become a concern for the
Saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the team has signed
Seneca Wallace and Luke McCown and head coach Sean Payton’s track record of
keeping no more than three quarterbacks on the roster, do you see the Saints
using one of their limited selections on a quarterback?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, I see them using a late round pick on a
quarterback, possibly Ryan Griffin from Tulane. I have written for months that
he would be a great fit,.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team
should know plenty about him and he was coached by a former Saints assistant in
Curtis Johnson at Tulane. He has a strong arm, he has good mobility skills and
very good leadership skills. The problem at Tulane was protecting him. They
couldn’t do that part very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">7.How big of handicap is going into the 2013 NFL
draft without a second round selection ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s awful. Losing Sean Payton was a one-year major
hurt, but losing two second round picks are long range hurts. Those premium
picks are just a big dent to this team to try and piece together a respectable
defense because you are talented enough offensively to get back to the Super
Bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">8.Do you believe General Manager Mickey Loomis is
going to make a trade to add selections by either moving players out or trading
down?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I think he would like to, but you won’t know that
part until draft day. But to answer the question I would say yes. I think he
tries to maneuver to acquire extra picks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">9.Do you see running back Chris Ivory returning to
the team or is his second round tender too steep of a price for an interested
team to digest?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A second round pick was way too steep, but a fourth
rounder makes sense. Ivory will not return to this team in 2014 when his
contract comes up and so get some value for him and to be honest the Saints
have done a great job finding free agent halfbacks like Pierre Thomas, Ivory
and Travaris Cadet last season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind
linebacker, what would you say is the next greatest “need position” for the Saints?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Other than a pass rush, the biggest need is to find
a couple of ballhawks for the secondary at cornerback and at safety. I also see
them adding a wide receiver in the middle rounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">13.Longtime Saints defensive end Will Smith, the
lone player left on the roster from the Jim Haslett era, agreed to a
renegotiated deal to stay with the Saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though Smith has gotten relatively cheaper for the team’s tight salary
cap position, the big defensive end isn’t getting any younger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you see the Saints using one of their
early selections on grooming a potential successor to Smith?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I could see that, but I am intrigued on what they do
with Akiem Hicks, using him at both the nosetackle slot and at defensive end. I
think he is the key upfront. He has unlimited talent and I think it is more at
defensive end and teaming him up with Cameron Jordan makes a lot of sense for
this team in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A week
ago there was talk that the Saints might use their first round selection on a
wide receiver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think that would
be a wise move considering the defensive squad’s historically awful performance
last season?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I see them using a middle round pick on a wide
receiver. The talk of picking a wide receiver has all to do with trying to get
teams to trade up to get one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-48473641742996828132013-04-21T22:26:00.004-07:002013-04-21T22:26:45.419-07:00NFL Draft 2013: Mike Detillier Interview on LSU Prospects
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s draft week in the National Football League, an exciting
time even though preseason play is still three months away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">College football expert and NFL draft authority Mike
Detillier was kind enough to field some questions about the 2013 player
selection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The WWL 870 AM radio commentator and author of his eponymous
draft guide offered his take on how LSU’s draft declared talent would fare,
including a certain ballhawk whose tenure with the university football program
ended prematurely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The interview has been broken into two segments, the first
will focus mainly on the draft prospects of Louisiana college players and the
second will examine the draft from the New Orleans Saints organization’s
perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.Let me lead off with the question that is on the minds of
all of the Who Dat nation and the LSU fan base, if linebacker Barkevious Mingo
is still on the board when the Saints pick at the slot fifteen, do they select
him?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If he is there, and that is a big if, yes, I pick him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is going to be a better pro than college
player. He is a lot like Tamba Hali was when he came out of Penn State.
Undersized defensive end who is tailor-made to play a 3-4 outside linebacker
slot in the NFL. The Saints still need a dominant pass rusher in the worst way
and he could be that solution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.How will LSU players overall fare in the 2013 NFL Draft?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This will be the best draft class ever for LSU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mingo and Eric Reid go in round one. Kevin
Minter and Sam Montgomery go in the second round. Tharold Simon and Bennie
Logan go on round three and Lavar Edwards goes in the fourth round. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see Brad Wing, Chris Faulk, Michael Ford ,
Spencer Ware going late and P.J. Lonergan and Russell Shepard possibly getting
picked late also. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.Where do you see someone who is no longer affiliated with
the university, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Honey Badger Tyrann
Mathieu going in the draft?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Late second or early in round three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great punt returner and instantly he is the
3rd cornerback for 30 of the 32 teams in the NFL. Despite his off the field
concerns he is a playmaker of the highest order and he just has great football
instincts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.Former LSU punter Brad Wing is arguably the top punter in
the 2013 NFL Draft though like Mathieu, he has a history of conduct
problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you believe the Aussie has
matured enough to make it in the NFL and what round do you see him being
picked? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He has had some immature moments and that is why he last
until the fifth round. He is one of the most gifted punters I have graded in 10
years. Tremendous leg strength and hangtime and he is an outstanding
directional punter, but he has some troubling off the field issues and showed a
lack of judgment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.You have Tulane quarterback Ryan Griffin listed in your
draft guide as the twelfth best signal caller on the board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think the Saints will try to pick him
and by what round do you think he will be taken?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I think they will and I would say he will be around for
round six or maybe even as late as round seven.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.Your draft guide has to be one of the most comprehensive
breakdowns of the NFL draft available for public consumption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s almost 200 pages long, includes
information about team free agent signings and trades plus data that would be
helpful for fantasy football enthusiasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How many hours do you spend assembling this impressive football
reference and do you still have any available for purchase? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Way too many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take
a couple of weeks off in the summer, but every day I spend a few hours
evaluating talent at the college and prep level, everyday. I do a ton of radio
and TV shows, but I make time everyday to look at and grade players at the
college level.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had a great run this year and we are sold out and I want
to thank everyone that has ordered. There was a lot of interest in this year’s
draft class. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-1010026270298428452013-03-31T22:54:00.003-07:002013-03-31T22:59:29.925-07:00Deal of the Century: Saints Pull Megatrade with Colts<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Brees, Moore Go to Indy for Luck, Mathis, Draft Picks<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It will go down as either the day the New Orleans Saints
franchise began to die or the day it was reborn, though in the opinion of one
longtime NFL observer, it was a move both teams needed to make.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reports have spread the organization has traded franchise
quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Lance Moore to the Indianapolis Colts
in exchange for their starting quarterback Andrew Luck, Pro Bowl defensive end
Robert Mathis and their First (24<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> overall) and Third (86<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
overall) round selections in the 2013 NFL Draft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also as part of the agreement the Saints will swap fourth
round picks with Indianapolis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New
Orleans will send over their 109<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> overall selection for the Colts’ 122<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
overall pick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither team has a pick in
the second round, with New Orleans losing theirs as part of the NFL’s
punishment for the team’s alleged bounty scandal while Indianapolis sent its
second round selection to Miami as part of a previous trade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though the move will comes as a shock to the Black and Gold
faithful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to his and his
wife Brittany’s charity work throughout Katrina ravaged New Orleans, the future
Pro Football Hall of Famer is the most popular figure in the entire state of
Louisiana.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Brees isn’t just a great player; he is the franchise,” said
NolaFootball.com managing editor Danny Tompkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nobody did more to not only turn the
organization around but raise the spirits of the city as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand the reasons for (the trade) and
I think the Saints got great value considering what they gave up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t think I could have pulled the
trigger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Longtime Indianapolis sports writer L. Bridge Gerry also was
floored by what is being touted as the greatest sports trade of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“After losing Peyton (Manning), the franchise
just hasn’t been the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, Andrew
(Luck) is great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brought the team to the
playoffs in his first season, but number 18’s cleats are too big for him to
fill,” said Gerry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Brees on the other
hand can bring us to the next level this season.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brees is no stranger to Indiana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having spent four years with the Purdue
Boilermakers, Brees set team and Big Ten records that still stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year, Purdue’s trustees voted to name
their student-athlete study center after the Breeses, who had donated
$2,000,000.00 for its construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Brees’s following in Indiana is so strong that Lafayette, IN is the only
city north of the Mason-Dixon line that is part of the Saints radio network.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sports financial analyst Garret Hobart echoed Tompkins’s
comments about both the painfulness of the decision to move Brees but the
necessity as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Clearly the Saints were not making big splashes in free
agency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nine-figure contract was too
me much for the team to swallow,” said Hobart, referencing Brees’s then-record
setting $100,000,000.00 contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
front office was in a pickle; how do you not sign your team’s greatest player
ever but then how can you live with a contract that essentially prevents you
from fixing the worst ever defense?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hobart pointed out that with $40,000,000 of salary cap gap
and a young team, the Colts was the logical suitor for Brees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“His history with Purdue is huge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s certainly one of the greatest players of
all time and he’s the only person who could come close to plugging the hole
Manning left,” said Hobart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Saints pick up a proven defensive playmaker in Mathis,
who will put pressure on opposing quarterbacks that was lacking for the Black
and Gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mathis racked up 8 sacks last
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Luck, the Saints have their
young quarterback of the future and can now afford to buy him some protection
at tackle with the new cap space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though popular with local fans, Moore helped sweeten the
deal for the Colts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With his steady
hands making him a favorite target of Brees, Moore will also help the Colts as
a potential punt return option.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though the neither team’s front office have confirmed the
trade, player Twitter accounts flared up late Easter evening as news began to
spread about Brees’s departure for the north.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I feel numb,” tweeted tight end Jimmy Graham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All I can say is April Fool’s”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 355.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rest of this story is filler
in the event you scanned to the very bottom of this write-up to verify that it
is a prank and not an actual story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
said I bet that a bunch of people won’t bother reading to the end and will
simply stop reading after a few paragraphs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But to really mix things up I am going to throw in a few other quotes
from players.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 355.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Defensive end Will Smith, one of
the longest tenured players on the team, also tweeted his bewilderment with the
news of the Brees trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I feel like
someone dropped a piano on me,” tweeted Smith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 355.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Defensive captain Jonathan Vilma,
expressed his best wishes to Brees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Saints quarterback publicly backed his teammate throughout the Saints bounty
scandal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-50176616662396370422013-01-24T06:30:00.002-08:002013-01-24T06:30:56.754-08:00Mike Detillier's Top Players by Position for the 2013 NFL DraftThough we are still a week away from Super Bowl XLVII, it's not too early to start looking at this year's NFL draft, especially for the Black & Gold faithful coping with our team's first non-playoff season since 2008.<br />
<br />
WWL 870 AM commentator and college football expert Mike Detillier annually publishes one of the most comprehensive NFL draft reviews around, closely analyzing hundreds of players. In advance of the release of his 2013 NFL Draft breakdown, Detillier has shared his player rankings by position. <br />
<br />
(Saints fans might want to pay extra attention to the outside linbacker, defensive tackle and safety categories.)<br />
<br />
Detillier's 2013 NFL Draft Guide can be pre-ordered on his website, mikedetillier.com. <br />
<br />
Quarterbacks<br />
<br />
1. Geno Smith-West Virginia<br />
<br />
2. Matt Barkley-USC<br />
<br />
3. Mike Glennon-North Carolina State<br />
<br />
4. Ryan Nassib-Syracuse<br />
<br />
5. Tyler Wilson-Arkansas<br />
<br />
<br />
Halfbacks<br />
<br />
1. Giovani Bernard-North Carolina<br />
<br />
2. Eddie Lacy-Alabama<br />
<br />
3. Montee Ball-Wisconsin<br />
<br />
4. Andre Ellington-Clemson<br />
<br />
5A.. Joseph Randle-Oklahoma State<br />
<br />
5B. Johnathan Franklin-UCLA<br />
<br />
<br />
Fullbacks<br />
<br />
1. Lonnie Pryor-Florida State<br />
<br />
2. Zach Line-SMU<br />
<br />
3. Braden Wilson-Kansas State<br />
<br />
4. Zach Boren-Ohio State<br />
<br />
<br />
Wide Receivers<br />
<br />
1. Keenan Allen-California<br />
<br />
2 Cordarrelle Patterson-Tennessee<br />
<br />
3.DeAndre Hopkins-Clemson<br />
<br />
4.Terrance Williams-Baylor<br />
<br />
5A.Robert Woods-USC<br />
<br />
5B.Tavon Austin-West Virginia<br />
<br />
5C. Quinton Patton-Louisiana Tech<br />
<br />
5D. Justin Hunter-Tennessee<br />
<br />
<br />
Tight Ends<br />
<br />
1. Zach Ertz-Stanford<br />
<br />
2. Tyler Eifert-Notre Dame<br />
<br />
3. Jordan Reed-Florida<br />
<br />
4. Vance McDonald-Rice<br />
<br />
5A. Dion Sims-Michigan State<br />
<br />
5B. Gavin Escobar-San Diego State<br />
<br />
<br />
Offensive Centers<br />
<br />
1. Travis Frederick-Wisconsin<br />
<br />
2. Barrett Jones-Alabama<br />
<br />
3. Brian Schwenke-California<br />
<br />
4. Khalid Holmes-USC<br />
<br />
5. Dalton Freeman-Clemson<br />
<br />
<br />
Offensive Guards<br />
<br />
1. Chance Warmack-Alabama<br />
<br />
2. Jonathan Cooper-North Carolina<br />
<br />
3. Justin Pugh-Syracuse<br />
<br />
4. Kyle Long-Oregon<br />
<br />
5. Brian Winters-Kent State<br />
<br />
<br />
Offensive Tackles<br />
<br />
1. Luke Joeckel-Texas A&M<br />
<br />
2. Eric Fisher-Central Michigan<br />
<br />
3. Lane Johnson-Oklahoma<br />
<br />
4. Oday Aboushi-Virginia<br />
<br />
5. D.J. Fluker-Alabama <br />
<br />
<br />
Defensive Ends<br />
<br />
1. Damontre Moore-Texas A&M<br />
<br />
2. Bjoern Werner-Florida State<br />
<br />
3. Dion Jordan-Oregon<br />
<br />
4A. Sam Montgomery-LSU<br />
<br />
4B. Datone Jones-UCLA<br />
<br />
5A. Ezekiel Ansah-Brigham Young<br />
<br />
5B. Alex Okafor-Texas<br />
<br />
5C. Margus Hunt-SMU<br />
<br />
<br />
Defensive Tackles<br />
<br />
1. Star Lotulelei-Utah<br />
<br />
2. Johnathan Hankins-Ohio State<br />
<br />
3. Sheldon Richardson-Missouri<br />
<br />
4A. Sharrif Floyd-Florida<br />
<br />
4B. Jesse Williams-Alabama<br />
<br />
5A. Bennie Logan-LSU<br />
<br />
5B. John Jenkins-Georgia<br />
<br />
<br />
Inside Linebackers<br />
<br />
1. Alec Ogletree-Georgia<br />
<br />
2. Manti Te'o-Notre Dame<br />
<br />
3. Kevin Minter-LSU<br />
<br />
4. Jon Bostic-Florida<br />
<br />
5. Nico Johnson-Alabama<br />
<br />
<br />
Outside Linebackers<br />
<br />
1. Jarvis Jones-Georgia<br />
<br />
2. Barkevious Mingo-LSU<br />
<br />
3. Khaseem Greene-Rutgers<br />
<br />
4. Chase Thomas-Stanford<br />
<br />
5A. Arthur Brown-Kansas State<br />
<br />
5B. DeVonte Holloman-South Carolina<br />
<br />
<br />
Cornerbacks<br />
<br />
1. Dee Milliner-Alabama<br />
<br />
2. Xavier Rhodes-Florida State<br />
<br />
3. Johnthan Banks-Mississippi State<br />
<br />
4A. Logan Ryan-Rutgers<br />
<br />
4B. Jamar Taylor-Boise State<br />
<br />
5A. Jordan Poyer-Oregon State<br />
<br />
5B. Robert Alford-Southeastern Louisiana<br />
<br />
5C. Leon McFadden-San Diego State<br />
<br />
<br />
Free Safeties<br />
<br />
1. Eric Reid-LSU<br />
<br />
2. Kenny Vaccaro-Texas<br />
<br />
3. Phillip Thomas-Fresno State<br />
<br />
4. Tony Jefferson-Oklahoma<br />
<br />
5. Bacarri Rambo-Georgia<br />
<br />
<br />
Strong Safeties<br />
<br />
1. Matt Elam-Florida<br />
<br />
2. Robert Lester-Alabama<br />
<br />
3. Shawn Williams-Georgia<br />
<br />
4. T.J. McDonald-USC<br />
<br />
5A. Jonathan Cyprien-Florida International<br />
<br />
5B. Shamarko Thomas-Syracuse<br />
<br />
<br />
Punters<br />
<br />
1. Brad Wing-LSU<br />
<br />
2. Ryan Allen-Louisiana Tech<br />
<br />
3. Jeff Locke-UCLA<br />
<br />
<br />
Placekickers<br />
<br />
1. Dustin Hopkins-Florida State<br />
<br />
2. Quinn Sharp-Oklahoma State<br />
<br />
3. Caleb Sturgis-Florida<br />
<br />
4. Brett Maher-Nebraska<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-42307367110138774382012-11-29T22:45:00.002-08:002012-11-29T22:45:13.257-08:00Awful in Atlanta<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Five interceptions. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The “BrUnitas” streak ended.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An opportunity to break into the playoff picture squandered.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Game over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Season over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees had the second
worst day in his professional football career in Atlanta on Thursday night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His worst day of course being the final game of the 2005
season while with the San Diego Chargers when his shoulder got mangled against
the Denver Broncos.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday night football, the $100 million man was far
from bionic. It could truly be said
that the Saints’ best player cost his team the game and then some.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That it was to the benefit of the hated Atlanta Falcons
compounds things. Especially after the
egging the team’s bus received courtesy of some airport workers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I generally turn a blind eye to that kind of prankery, but I
hope the culprits are not just disciplined, but fired. To merely blow off this kind of antic at an
airport, a center of hypersecurity in our post-9/11, is to invite others to
push the envelope further.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Atlanta is not exactly a slice of heaven, it’s not
Caracas either. And it seems some its
denizens need to be reminded of this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When “hating” devolves to “assault”, serious punishment
needs to be meted out to underscore the severity of the crime. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What happened in the Georgia Dome on Thursday night was the
manifestation of a season that got cursed once word of the Saints’ “bountygate”
reached the public’s ears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“King Roger’s” wrath finally caught up with the Black and
Gold. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had the Saints not been hit with penalties to its draft,
front office, head coach and interim head coach, it’s likely the team would
have started the 2012 regular season no worse than 2-2, instead of 0-4. Had the road trip to Atlanta played out
exactly as it did in that scenario, the game would have been like a bad
hangover to be exorcised with a trip to the post-season, even if only as a wild
card.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead, many bad things converged in downtown Atlanta at a
most inconvenient time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Atlanta Falcons not only creeped that much closer to
securing the NFC South division and homefield advantage in the playoffs, they
did so at the expense of their rivals while leaving the field with Drew Brees’s
historic consecutive touchdown streak as an additional trophy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday night was a new low for the Sean Payton era
Saints. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brees failed not only as a passer but also as a field
general. He inexplicably wasted
precious seconds on the team’s last drive in the second quarter and then made a
poor decision to target a receiver a few yards outside the endzone instead of
taking a shot at the endzone or killing the clock by throwing the ball
away. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was Les Miles-like clock mismanagement and
uncharacteristic of the franchise quarterback.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Saints are not officially eliminated from contending for
a playoff spot, but the road to the post-season looks arduous. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to having to win the four remaining games on the
schedule, the Saints need the five teams ahead of them to practically
collapse. The early losses to the Washington
Redskins and the Green Bay Packers not only cost the team in the win column but
with tiebreakers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last season, the Saints were only a single play away from
hosting the NFC Championship game in the Superdome and possibly claiming its
second Lombardi Trophy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This season it was death by a thousand cuts with Brees’s
picks against Atlanta counting as five of the largest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 2012 Saints are a far better team than their record
reflects and the difference between where they are and where they should be is
coaching.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who Dats better hope Sean Payton doesn’t get too comfortable
in his Goodell-imposed Dallas-exile. </div>
Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-61836400909837076052012-10-18T19:50:00.001-07:002012-10-18T19:50:38.438-07:00The Onside Kick's Interview with Mike Detillier<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
College football expert and NFL
Draft guru Mike Detillier was kind enough to field some questions from The
Onside Kick concerning the opening third of the 2012 New Orleans Saints
season. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Detillier shared his thoughts
about whether the team has a reasonable chance of making the playoffs, the
wisdom of having a coach by committee system, Devery Henderson’s future with
the Saints and other questions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">What would you say is the biggest
problem affecting the team?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
A lack of team confidence and
attention to details. That is something Sean Payton was a stickler for and it
is missing right now. The win over San Diego helps, but this team has dug
themselves a huge hole and it will be tough to get to double digit wins.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
There is a certain swagger gone
from this team without the general leading the way. Sean was the emotional
heartbeat on this team.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
In a nutshell, team confidence
and the attention to the smallest of details are missing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="2" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Did you foresee a Payton-less Saints
squad struggling so much this year?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
No, I really thought they could
overcome this without him. I don’t think anyone thought this team would
struggle this badly early on. You thought with Drew Brees and basically most of
the offense back things would continue to work, but no one thought the defense
would struggle this bad and the lack of a running game and a commitment to the
run is alarming. You can’t be one dimensional in this league. It goes to show
just how much Sean Payton really means to this organization. His play-calling
skills are just unbelievable and Sean has the best offensive mind in the
business right now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="3" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Why have the Saints had such a hard time
establishing a run game?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
Well, first of all they have
fallen behind early in some games and went strictly to the pass, but there is
no true commitment to run the ball like what we saw down the stretch last year.
They are averaging about 19 rushes per game. Last season down the stretch it
was 27 and they are averaging under a yard less per carry. Losing Carl Nicks
hurt, but in this league you have to be able to run the ball when you need to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
So far, that has not happened and
there is no commitment to the run and late in the Green Bay game they didn’t
really try to when you could have tried and finish that team off. They did
replace one All-Pro guard with another. But Nicks is the best in the game
right now and he is really missed upfront.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="4" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Would you agree that the two best first
round draft picks since 2006 now play for other teams?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
I believe the move to cut loose
Reggie Bush and bring in Darren Sproles was a win/win for both the Dolphins and
Saints. Reggie was a good player when he was healthy, but he was always hurt in
New Orleans. He has stayed healthy and been super for the Dolphins and Sproles
has been fantastic in New Orleans. Bush wanted and needed a change of scenery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
Robert Meachem is a “chip” player
at best. He is not a #1 wide receiver in the NFL. At best he is a #2. He had a
role here in New Orleans and he did a very good job when healthy, but he got an
unbelievable contract in San Diego and so, he made the right choice and the
Saints did also to let him walk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
What is disappointing is not
getting really good production from Sedrick Ellis and Will Smith. Cameron
Jordan has good long-range potential and I like him, but right now Brodrick
Bunkley has been disappointing also. You are getting bang for your buck with
these guys with the exception of Jordan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
5. Considering his low yards per carry
average, would you write off Mark Ingram as a bust at this point?</div>
<ol start="5" type="1">
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
I don’t consider him a bust, but
he is someone that needs 12 to 15 carries to warm up as a runner and he won’t
get that in New Orleans. It is running back by committee and he has not shown
he can be that “closer” this team needs right now. He is not the most
sure-handed receiver also coming out of the backfield like Pierre and Sproles.
This team needs to get the ball in the hands of Pierre Thomas more and give
Chris Ivory his chance to be that thumper between the tackles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
Right now it is just not a good
fit for what Ingram does best and he never gets truly warmed up as a runner,
like what he did at Alabama. He was a real force in the 3<sup>rd</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and 4<sup>th</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>quarter of games in college, but we
haven’t seen that element in his play in the pros.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="6" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Do you see a future on this team for Joe
Morgan or Greg Camarillo??<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
Joe has big-play skills and
speed, but he is just not a confident player right now and he looks a lot like
a young Devery Henderson. He is just not making the catch out front with his
hands and he is letting the ball get too close to him. He also has a habit of
taking off before the secure catch. He has a big upside, but they will have to
be patient with his development. I love his ability to stretch the field and
his speed in the openfield, but right now he is just not a real confident
player and he needs to hone down his eye-hand coordination better and have a
better grasp of the playbook. He will admit he makes too many mental errors.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
On Camarillo, he is a good slot
receiver. He doesn’t have great speed and he is not real tall, but he is tough,
a smart route runner, he catches the ball cleanly and he has great rapport with
Drew. He just finds the open spots in a secondary and he catches the ball so
well. He is also a very good downfield blocker. He’s a good “fit” player on
this team.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="7" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Devery Henderson is one of only two
players left on the team from the Jim Haslett era. Do you think this
is his final season in a Saints uniform?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oh no, he is having an excellent season and Brees
trusts him fully. No one could have guessed when they both came out of LSU that
Devery would have the much better NFL career than Michael Clayton, but it is
not even close. I think he will be back and he has really improved as a route
runner and he still has that big play speed that can stretch a defense. Where
he has really improved is as a route runner and getting his head turned around
quicker to make the grab. Early on in his career he was not a good route runner
and he wasn’t looking the ball in good because he wasn’t getting his head
turned around quick enough. He will be back in 2013.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="8" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Saints signed three linebackers and
traded for one as well. Do you think shifting Martez Wilson to
defensive end was a wise move in retrospect?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Yes , it was the right move. Martez is
a natural as a pass rusher and he has the closing speed few have. He is still a
work in progress to get off of blockers in a quicker manner and he needs to
develop a better group of moves and countermoves.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> He is their most explosive pass
rush element, but he is really rough around the edges as a technician. His
speed and explosive qualities are the best on this team upfront and he should
get more playing time as the season goes along. If you play him fulltime teams
will run the ball right at him until he physically gets stronger at the point
of attack and understands positioning and leverage skills better. But he is a
real big-time element as a potential pass rusher, once he understands the
position better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="9" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Why aren’t Wilson and Junior Gallette not
getting more time at defensive end?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Good question. Steve Spagnuolo says Galette is his
best defensive front-line player, but he isn’t starting. That’s his call. They
need to be playing more and be out on the field in obvious pass rush situations
and I would like to see more of the four line set-up of Galette/Wilson at
defensive end and Cam Jordan and either Will Smith or Turk McBride inside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="10" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Do you believe the Saints should have
brought in a full-time head coach for the 2012 season instead of having a
rotating head coach situation?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
No, they did the right thing. Aaron Kromer is in a
tough spot. He is doing the best he can, but he knows he is just a part-time
coach and that puts him in a real difficult spot. This spot is unprecedented
and there was no real blueprint on what to do. The Commissioner really
overstepped his authority here and the incident never should have been dealt
with this harshly. I do know that Joe Vitt will bring some fire to this team.
That is his personality. But the hole is huge to climb out of. There is just no
real good blueprint to work off of.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="11" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Do you think letting Tracy Porter go to
another team was a mistake?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, but the injury issue was major for a long term
deal. He wanted to stay here but the deal with the Broncos was much better than
the Saints offer. Healthy he is a really good player, but he is awfully thin
and he has had a bunch of injuries to deal with on a yearly basis. He is really
missed in this secondary because of Jabari’s groin issues and he has excellent
cover skills. The problem is keeping him healthy. I would really want to see
him on this team and healthy. The young kids in Corey White, Johnny Patrick and
also Patrick Robinson are getting picked on, but they can’t cover forever.
There is no pass rush to aid them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Do you
think the Saints have a reasonable chance of making the playoffs this season?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Its’ reasonable, but it will be awfully tough. Drew Brees
and the offense will have to play great the rest of the way out for them to get
to 10 wins and you will need 10 wins to get to the playoffs. It’s a longshot
for them, but they are still an awfully good team on offense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="12" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">What two
things good came out of the San Diego win?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
First, the protection for Drew Brees was outstanding and
Marques Colston looks to be healthy. He has been a key the last two games and
when healthy he is one of the best “Big” wide outs in the game. I liked the
protection and the good health of Colston. Whoa, Colston is just unstoppable at
times and one of the most underrated players offensively in the game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Secondly, it would be the ability this defense, as leaky as
it is, to come up with turnovers. They are on the plus side right now. That
could help out greatly down the stretch. In 2009 that was the only time they
were in the plus category and they have shown a knack for getting some
turnovers. Now, they just need to stop people and produce a better pass rush on
a consistent basis in a league full of great signal-caller and the very best
group of wide receivers and pass receiving tight ends this league has ever had
at one time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-75880023073679397732012-10-09T16:56:00.001-07:002012-10-09T16:56:37.677-07:00Brees, Colston Break Records, Team Ends Losing Streak<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With suspended New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton,
interim coach Joe Vitt and general manager Mickey Loomis watching in person but
from a distance, franchise quarterback Drew Brees exceeded the record he shared
with NFL legend Johnny Unitas going into the game against the San Diego
Chargers having completed at least one touchdown pass in forty-seven
consecutive games.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Unitas record was set in 1960 and was tied by Brees last
weekend in Green Bay. Brees broke it on
a 40-yard completion to wide receiver Devery Henderson, one of the team’s two
players remaining on the roster from the Jim Haslett era.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that record-setting touchdown completion combined with
his other on-field accolades, Brees has all but locked up a first ballot
election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when his playing days are over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brees wasn’t the only member of the Black and Gold to set a
new statistical benchmark on Sunday night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wide receiver Marques Colston, a favorite target of Brees,
tied Joe Horn’s franchise record of 50 career touchdown receptions in the
second quarter, surpassed it in the third quarter and set a new mark in the
fourth quarter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to ending the team’s losing streak at four, the
Saints concluded another ignominious run when Roman Harper snagged an
interception in the fourth quarter.
Until then, a Saint safety had not intercepted a pass since the 2010
season.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The defense also had one of their better games attacking the
opposing quarterback, sacking the San Diego signal caller five times, almost
doubling the number from the previous four games.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite Brees and Colston’s respective record breakings, the
game ball for the win should not have been handed to a member of the Black and
Gold but to a member of the San Diego Chargers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Linebacker Demorrio Williams picked off Brees and brought
the ball back to the end zone. Had
nothing further happened, the game would have been essentially over right then
and there and the Saints would have stumbled into the bye week 0-5.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Linebacker Melvin Ingram got through the Saints offensive
line (not too grand of an achievement of late) and laid a late hit on Brees,
which led to a roughing the passer penalty that not only nullified the
Williams’s pick-six but returned the ball to the Saints offense with an extra
ten yards and a first down. Brees and
the Saints offense did not squander this gift and marched down the field
sixty-eight yards for a touchdown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It can truly (and finally) be said that an Ingram won a game
for the Saints.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And speaking of the other Ingram, the Saints offense was
handicapped once again by a non-existent running game.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The player the Saints coughed up a couple of high picks to
land in 2011 racked up all 16 yards on five carries. Running backs Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles did not fare any
better on the ground though they managed to pick up significant yards on
receptions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the bye week approaching, the Saints should both count
their blessings for snatching victory out of the jaws of defeat and figure out
a way to play better. The Chargers as
much lost this game through sloppiness as the Saints won it by hanging in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Saints have to establish a run game and the defense
needs to make big plays instead of giving them up on a consistent basis. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Otherwise, Sunday’s record-breaking victory will be a
rare highlight in a dismal season.</span>Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-3727285934891673622012-10-02T19:03:00.000-07:002012-10-02T19:03:19.426-07:00Making the Pilgrimage to Lambeau Field<i>Note: Rather than writing yet another installment of how the Saints played awful "this week", I've decided to write about the Lambeau Field experience instead. There are other places on the internet to find a detailed obituary of the Black and Gold's latest act of self-immolation.</i><br />
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Due to the boom in new stadium construction fueled by the increasing hunger for luxury boxes and further induced by a Super Bowl award, the NFL lacks venues that possess an aura that comes close to that of a Wrigley Field or Fenway Park.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">With one exception.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Lambeau Field is the only stadium that approaches those hallowed temples of sport in history and relevance to its particular game.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Over the years, the stadium has been expanded, upgraded and renovated (rather than torn down and built anew) and it's currently undergoing another addition with the installation of new seating in what I believe to be Lambeau's south end zone- work being financed from the latest sale of Green Bay Packer stock.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And though parts of the stadium are very modern, the bowl is different from any other in the NFL. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Lambeau Field, to me, is a cross brtween a midlevel college stadium and Las Ventas, Madrid’s bullfighting ring.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Allow me to explain as I know this is a tough description to fully grasp.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Like the domain of an Iberian matador, Lambeau is old and historic and like the referenced bull fighting ring, there are few chairs as most of the seats are in fact numbers stamped on a bleacher, but as in both venues, a seat cushion can be rented.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And like Las Ventas, where you sit can be important in terms of temperature. In a bull fighting ring, there’s Sol and Sombra tickets (sun and shade). In Green Bay, the visitor’s sideline is on the sunny side while the home sideline is in Lambeau’s shade. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The big difference between the two is that in Madrid the animal carcasses are in the middle of the stadium while in Green Bay they are all over the parking lots cooking on countless charcoal pits.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">LSU fans take pregame tailgating to a high level of luxury and extravagance, but tailgating at Lambeau Field is done on a widespread scale as if a grill is attached to every vehicle bumper.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And though Lambeau doesn't have the luxury coaches that populate the south side of Tiger Stadium on any given game day, Green Bay has to have the largest collection of retrofitted ambulances and school buses anywhere. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Like most college stadiums, Lambeau Field is a big bowl and adding to the collegiate feel of the environment there are male and female cheerleaders working the crowd on the sidelines. And in Green Bay the cheerleaders are dressed like cheerleaders and not strippers, with all due respect to the Washington Redskins’ First Ladies of Football.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Also worth noting was the post-game entertainment, something you see in AAA baseball stadiums and not the NFL. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">After the last players trotted from the field, the University of Wisconsin band, which performed the national anthem at the start of the game and played the halftime show, put on an encore show for almost 45 minutes, playing state and college songs and a few polka tunes (Saints fans have Get Crunk, Packers fans do the Chicken Dance and sing and dance to Roll Out the Barrels).<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">But what makes Green Bay the most unique is the fanbase.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Considering its miniscule media market and its location two hours north of Milwaukee, Green Bay should not have a professional sports franchise above the minor league level yet they have one of the most important teams in the league with a national fan base that penetrates every nook in the country. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There's even a Packers bar in Las Vegas.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And though New Orleans Saints fans are some of the most passionate in sports, the Green Bay fanbase is on another level. When their franchise was in financial trouble, people bought stock (in actuality <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">contributed as the highly restrictive stock does not yield any dividends to owners, has limits on its transfer and has a real worth far less than its cost).<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It took then-NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to keep the Saints in New Orleans and support for improvements to the Superdome have come from taxes. Also at one point Louisiana taxpayers were directly subsidizing the team.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There is a 20,000-person waiting list to buy Saints season tickets. The Packers' line stretches to 60,000.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">To say that the Packers are the heart and soul of the community would be an understatement. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The pews at Saint Agnes a few hours before kickoff looked more like a pep rally than parishioners gathered for Mass. Packer jerseys were everywhere and even the dressed up ushers were wearing Green Bay ties.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Green and gold candle glasses surrounded an image of the Blessed Virgin.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Packer fans have a reputation of being the nicest folks anywhere, though I can attest that isn’t universal. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It is true that some of the nicest people you will meet at an NFL game are Packer fans, though I found more than a few hostile ones around.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For example, I had never been taunted by someone in a wheelchair until this past weekend, and I had that novel experience twice in the less than friendly confines of Lambeau.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I found plenty of Packer fans to be snide, with more than a few going out of their way to approach me to ask “for real?”, either questioning my choice in NFL teams or being stunned that someone had the audacity to wear another franchise’s colors on their sacred ground. And the way the Saints have been playing lately, possibly both.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Also at the start of the game their announcer took a rather nasty dig at the visiting team when he encouraged over their public announcement system for the home team and fans to “send the Saints home packing with bags on their heads”.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I couldn’t imagine a class act like Jerry Romig saying anything remotely like that over the Superdome’s speakers.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They don’t always keep it classy in Green Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">While walking out I encountered a couple that do. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">An elderly husband and wife walked up to me to ask what I thought of their stadium. I really didn’t know how to answer because in terms of amenities, Lambeau Field is perhaps only a few rungs above the aptly named “Ralph” in Buffalo and the “Black Hole” in Oakland.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I expressed my admiration for their commitment to preserving tradition, celebration of history (outside the main entrance are gigantic statues of Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi) and refusal to conform or surrender their team. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Grandma, with a green and gold bow in her hair, wasn’t buying what I was selling as a compliment and shuffled off arms linked with her husband’s.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In my hesitation I could see their pride. The Packers are not just the big thing in Green Bay. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It’s their everything.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
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<pre style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: double windowtext 2.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
</div>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Tips for Hitting a Green Bay Packers Game<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Forget flying into their airport. Rumor had it that airfare direct to the city were in the high four-figures. Milwaukee, which has Air Tran and Southwest flights, is only a two hour drive away. If you’re determined to fly in as close to Green Bay as possible, consider Appleton, which is an hour south. Hotels in the area tend to book up well in advance of the game (the Packers play in Green Bay but are the pride of Wisconsin and have a national following).<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Milwaukee is home to one of the best brewery tours in America (Miller) and has outstanding German restaurants. Chicago is another option if flying into Milwaukee is too expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Because of the high demand of tickets, prices are high making a ticket to Lambeau one of the pricier regular season game tickets in the league. Stub Hub and Ticketmaster TicketExchange are two advance sale outlets though you could roll the dice and buy tickets from dealers outside of the stadium. Yet another quirk in Green Bay, there are actually licensed sellers in a designated zone that wear badges with license numbers. Online sellers were asking $180 with fees while the licensed onsite sellers were asking around $150. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Finally there is the matter of parking at Lambeau Field. You don’t. Since lot space is in high demand, short of buying a pass from someone on line, you will have to deal with bars, businesses and area homeowners who rent space in their lots, driveways and frontlawns. A property owner in the vicinity of the proposed Tulane Stadium should take their medication before looking at the parking scene around Lambeau Field on </span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gameday. Bear in mind that Lambeau Field sits adjacent to people’s backyards. Prices for parking can range as much as $35 for a premium spot at a nearby bar to $10 five blocks away at the Jimmy John’s. Also, the parking lots at Lambeau Field do not open until four hours before kickoff so there is a major traffic jam on the roads leading to the stadium where people start tailgaiting on the open roadway. <o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></tt></pre>
<tt><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Whether you’re a
cheesehead, a Who Dat or a Dirty Bird, Lambeau Field is a special place to
watch an NFL game and with the way the NFL schedule rotation runs, the Saints
are not guaranteed another game there until 2018, though it could be earlier
pending on how the Saints finish in relation to the Packers.</span></tt>Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-84380085667678107572012-09-24T20:36:00.002-07:002012-09-24T20:36:55.754-07:00Bring in a New Coach....NOW!<br />
<pre><tt>If anything has been learned over the past three weeks, it is that coaching matters.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>I was amazed the way area sports writers and talk radio hosts painted such a rosy scenario concerning the Sean Payton-less New Orleans Saints going into the 2012 season.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>They said grandly speculated that not having the head coach that hauled the Crescent City its first pro sports title would translate into no worse than two additional losses.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>I didn't think any of those guys could have passed a drug test then and now peeing a cup would be unnecessary with the piss-poor performance by all three Saints' squads, offense, defense and special teams (which is a polite way to say Garrett Hartley).<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>Three games into the season, the Black and Gold is three games down and staring at a probable fourth loss this Sunday when they head to Lambeau Field.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>And while bad officiating, continued sloppy play and bad luck have haunted the Saints this season, it can be said without a doubt that the Aaron Kromer interim-interim head coach experiment has failed miserably.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>And things won't get much better when interim head coach Joe Vitt is allowed to wear his headset again. I'm thinking that episode will more resemble the second coming of Rick Venturi, the last temp coach to win a game with the Saints, than a reasonably facsimile of the exiled Payton.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>Having a running back committee has marginally better than having the entire team coached by committee.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>This was never a good idea and the team would have been better off bringing in a retired NFL coach who was seeking one more bite of the apple to lead the Saints as Payton serves out his season-long suspension.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>The team’s lack of aggressiveness, discipline and direction are apparent and that the Saints are not the stuff of Bill Murray and Harold Ramis's self-trained platoon in Stripes.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>As much of a leader quarterback Drew Brees is, he cannot run the team and he needs to be free to focus on his job, just as coach Kromer needs to stick with dealing with a faltering offensive line that had been recognized not long ago as being the best in the NFL.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>Earlier this year, I penned an April Fool's column announcing that the Saints had signed ex-head coach Jim Mora to a one year deal.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>While that was written in jest, I can't help but think how having Mora back would raise the fans' morale while also bringing an intensity that isn't present on the sideline.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></tt></pre>
<pre><tt>The Saints cannot possibly look anymore foolish with Mora running the show than they currently do under Kromer.</tt><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></pre>
Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-12417849956896617822012-09-20T20:59:00.002-07:002012-09-20T20:59:28.678-07:00Week Three: Saints Stand at the Edge of the Abyss<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two games into the 2012 NFL season and the Saints already find
themselves two and a half games out of the division lead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Saints defense was once again exploited, but this time
by an offense that was only able to put ten points on the board the week
before. The once record setting Saints
offense found itself struggling to stay on the field and in the end was only
able to accumulate yards and points while trying to dig themselves out of a
deep hole.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sloppiness has plagued the Black and Gold thus far into the
2012 season and with 14 games left, the Saints still have time to compete for
the division title or land a wild card spot, but with every loss, the prospects
become dimmer and the need for help from other teams increase.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Especially with road trips to Atlanta, Tampa, Denver, Green
Bay and the New York Giants on the schedule.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there is any such thing as good news for the Saints and
their interim-interim head coach Aaron Kromer is that they will host what is
probably the biggest cupcake game against the also winless Kansas City Chiefs
on Sunday afternoon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Chiefs are awful.
But don’t my word for it; ask their sports talk hosts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On paper their offense looks impressive, averaging the fifth
most yards in the league but the devil is in the details. In points, the Chiefs are 20<sup>th</sup>
averaging 20.5 points. The Kansas City
defense has given up 37.5 points per game, worst in the NFL, and has been weak
against the run. But then again so are
the Saints, which have surrendered the most yards on the ground.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Saints have an opportunity to use the Kansas City game
to get back into contention by finally establishing their running game, getting
their defense clicking and allowing their franchise quarterback to play up to
the record contract he just signed by providing better pass protection and not
dropping receptions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a road trip to Green Bay on the schedule for next
Sunday, the game against the Chiefs is the Black and Gold’s best chance to stop
the slide and salvage the season.</span>Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-48636439177004230752012-09-12T20:45:00.000-07:002012-09-12T20:45:06.275-07:00After Being Home-Schooled by Rookie QB, Saints Need to Win in Carolina<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who Dat Nation, welcome to earth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure the core of the Super Bowl winning team from the 2009
season remains intact. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Minus the head coach of course.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this past Sunday proved that Sean Payton was being paid
over $7,000,000 a year for his Bill Belichick impersonations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And a few other players whose presence were sorely missed in
what was a brutal reality check for the Black and Gold, which was delivered in
part by the defensive unit led by former Saints head coach Jim Haslett.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The New Orleans Saints have struggled against the Washington
Redskins during the Sean Payton/Drew Brees era. Their lone win during that period was during the magical season
that was enabled by a miracle play by a wide receiver who currently wears
another team’s uniform.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the regular season opener, the Redskins beat the Saints
on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Rookie quarterback and second overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft
Robert Griffin III carved up the Saints defense while Brees was constantly
under pressure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Steve Spagnuolo-led defense was embarrassed, coughing up
459 yards to RG3 and Company, surrendering 306 yards in the air and 153 yards
on the ground. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And when number Nine managed to launch the ball, it ended up
being dropped by a receiving corps that no longer looks as deep as it did at
the beginning of training camp.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second year wide receiver Joseph Morgan proved to be no
successor to speedster Robert Meachem, who remains the Saints best first round
pick in the past seven drafts though he now plays for the San Diego
Chargers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually Morgan didn’t even look like a good successor to
practice squad favorite Andy Tanner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Sunday, the Saints face the 0-1 Carolina Panthers and
their own young talented quarterback in an all-important divisional match up in
Bank of America Stadium (nee Panther Stadium).
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good news is that the Cats, which were expected to be
the Black and Gold’s main threat for the division, also got off to a sputtering
start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Panthers racked up a pathetic ten rushing yards against
the Bucs and scored ten points, both lowest in the league. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sophomore quarterback Cam Newton threw for 303 yards and a
touchdown and will test the Saints’ lacking secondary. And though Carolina lost to Tampa Bay, their
defense proved to be stingy, giving up 16 points and only 128 passing yards,
the second fewest in the NFL.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Saints would find themselves in a major hole in the NFC
South if they end up dropping two in a row.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In Charlotte, Saints fans are going to learn if the
first game was a hiccup or an omen.</span>Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-4181132548794459982012-07-25T20:24:00.001-07:002012-07-25T20:24:11.991-07:00Saints Kickoff Training Camp on Thursday<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you ready for some football…practice?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The New Orleans Saints take the practice field at their
Airline Drive headquarters on Thursday afternoon, offering die-hard Who Dats
their first opportunity to see the 2012 team with their $100,000,000.00 star in
the huddle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first training camp session will be at 4 PM on Thursday
and is scheduled to last until 6:45 PM.
Admission is free to the outdoor sessions, as is parking at nearby
Zephyrs Field. However practices moved
to the indoor facility due to inclement weather are not open to the public.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Saints play their leadoff exhibition game in less than
two weeks when the Black and Gold travel to Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio for
the Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, August 5<sup>th</sup>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Below is the Saints’ public practice schedule, which is
subject to change, through the Hall of Fame Game.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday July
26<sup>th</sup> 4 PM to 6:45 PM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday July 27<sup>th</sup> 4
PM to 6:45 PM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday July
28<sup>th</sup> 4 PM to 6:45 PM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday July 29<sup>th</sup> 4
PM to 6:45 PM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday July
30<sup>th</sup> OFF</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday July
31<sup>st</sup> 4 PM to 6:45 PM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday August
1<sup>st</sup> 4 PM to 6:45 PM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday August
2<sup>nd</sup> 4 PM to 6:45 PM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday August 3<sup>rd</sup> 4
PM to 6:45 PM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday August
4<sup>th</sup> Travel Day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday August 5<sup>th</sup> Hall
of Fame Game (Arizona Cardinals) 7 PM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-61996420199601018172012-07-15T20:40:00.003-07:002012-07-15T20:40:51.701-07:00And the Who Dat Nation Said AmenThere was never a chance that the New Orleans Saints would not come to terms with their star quarterback, right?<br />
<br />
<br />
Sure, the San Diego Chargers let him walk after the 2005 season, but Drew Brees never meant to Land of Ron Burgundy that he means to Nola.<br />
<br />
And the quarterback is heavily invested here. New Orleans is not only his and his young (and expanding) family’s home but also the locale of his sandwich shop franchise. <br />
<br />
My concern throughout the contract process wasn’t Team Brees taking a big bite out of Tom Benson’s ample billfold but the salary cap opportunity cost of a stratospheric deal related to the team’s ability to land future free agents and the frazzled nerves of Saints fans who thought their hero might actually leave.<br />
<br />
Brees wanted to avoid the prospect of a one-year franchise tag deal just as much as Saints general manager Mickey Loomis wanted to avoid being known as the football executive who executed the greatest free agent signing in NFL history and the guy who later lost him through a trade demand.<br />
<br />
And it turns out the unjustly maligned Saints front office was not the unwilling suitor in the high-stakes contract dance, which made $19,000,000 plus offer. <br />
<br />
Brees and his agent wanted more and with the deadline approaching, they got it.<br />
<br />
Despite the class warfare and wealth envy that has become en vogue in the American political environment, Saints fans have good reason to be rejoicing over someone else’s good fortune. <br />
<br />
In relation to what other NFL players have made, Brees clearly outplayed the contract he signed with the team in 2006. Hopefully Brees will be able to replicate in the next five years what he accomplished in the past six.<br />
<br />
Brees has brought more joy to the people of New Orleans than any single person in the city’s history.<br />
<br />
He’s earned every penny of his considerable paycheck. <br />
<br />
And unlike some professional athletes, Brees is going to keep earning his new bigger paycheck. A second Super Bowl win would lock in the overachiever’s place in Canton on a first ballot. <br />
<br />
Being the highest paid player in the league is the MVP award Brees has been denied.<br />
<br />
Sports journalists are biased; the free market isn’t. <br />
<br />
Though inking Brees to a multi-year deal was a no brainer and the possibility of an accommodation not being reached infinitesimal, failure to do so would have sent the franchise on a downward spiral with rock bottom not hitting for a few seasons to go.<br />
<br />
It’s a scary yet unfortunately familiar place.<br />
<br />
In a rare exception for Saints fans, this is a “what could have been” situation that was mercifully avoided.<br />
<br />
The Saints have not only retained their superstar but the franchise core who possesses a gravitational pull for attracting and retaining talent. <br />
<br />
So long as Brees is healthy and taking the snaps, expect the Black and Gold to remain a part of the Super Bowl conversation for the next five years. <br />
<br />
The Saints didn't just sign a player; they extended their lease with greatness.<br />
<br />
Congratulations on the contract and welcome back number nine.<br />
<br />Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-54465345081156703522012-07-12T22:04:00.002-07:002012-07-12T22:04:47.216-07:00The Contract Clock Ticks Down on Brees, Saints<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The anxiety of Saints fans has reached DEFCON 1 as the
period to sign Drew Brees to a multiyear deal hits the two-minute warning this
weekend and runs down on Monday afternoon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Brees won’t be immediately joining another team if a
longterm contract isn’t reached on Monday, his future in New Orleans beyond the
2012 season could be in question and by extension the team’s ability to compete
over the next five years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would likely signal the disintegration of a team that has
largely stuck together over the past few years, bringing back unpleasant
memories from two decades ago when the wheels began to come off another
talented Saints roster.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sun began to set on the Jim Mora era on January 3, 1993,
which marked the last time a Saints team played in the post-season until Jim
Haslett became head coach seven years later.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The team core that had brought unprecedented success for the
franchise began to melt away after the 1992 season.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles marked the final
appearances of quarterback Bobby Hebert and linebacker Pat Swilling in Saints
uniforms, though the latter was traded.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The season after Hebert and Swiling’s departure, linebacker
Rickey Jackson won a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers and Vaughan
Johnson was with the Eagles. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last major exodus saw the remaining member of the famed
Dome Patrol, linebacker Sam Mills, and the franchise all-time leading scorer
Morten Andersen (kicker) playing for other teams in 1995. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The foundation of what was then the most successful team in
Saints’ history was replaced with a perpetual revolving door of underachieving
scrubs coached by burnouts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eleven years of on-field mediocrity did as much to
jeopardize the New Orleans franchise’s viability as Hurricane Katrina’s
thrashing of the Superdome. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brees has not just been a phenomenal player; he’s been the
top recruiter for free agents willing to take less money to be a part of his
team and the reason why so many other players have opted to stick around and
not seriously test the free agent waters.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day Brees trades his fleur-de-lis helmet for another,
Saints fans will once again witness an agonizing talent departure when their
contracts expire. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The collapse will not be sudden though the rebuilding will
be protracted. And painful. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drew Brees is not just the franchise player; he’s the
franchise core. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Black and Gold faithful have every reason to be anxious
for a longterm deal to be worked out by the Monday deadline at 3 PM New Orleans
time as there’s a lot more on the line than making a Super Bowl this season.</div>Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-29123460498749284192012-07-02T18:16:00.001-07:002012-07-02T18:16:04.267-07:00It's Time to End the Contract InsanityAllow me to start this column out by making a statement that would best made behind a screen of chicken wire: Drew Brees is not the greatest quarterback of all time.<br />
<br />
Willie Roaf was a better a tackle than Brees is a quarterback.<br />
<br />
Rickey Jackson was a better linebacker than Brees is a quarterback.<br />
<br />
And Morten Andersen was a better kicker than Brees is a quarterback.<br />
<br />
Roaf will be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this August. Jackson was enshrined in 2010. And Andersen, the NFL’s all-time leading scorer who went to seven Pro Bowls, will likely have a bust in Canton if the committee remember kicking is indeed an important part of FOOTball.<br />
<br />
If Brees’s playing career ended today, the Saints quarterback would likely get voted into the hall, though he wouldn’t be the slam-dunk Peyton Manning and Tom Brady will be when they’re eligible. <br />
<br />
Brees would need to win a second Super Bowl to guarantee his spot in the hall.<br />
<br />
That said, no player who has ever worn a gold helmet with a black fleur-de-lis has meant more to not just the franchise but also the city of New Orleans.<br />
<br />
Brees is to Nola what John Elway is to Denver, Dan Marino is to Miami and George Brett is to Kansas City. <br />
<br />
Number nine owns this town. He knows it. And perhaps more importantly his agent Tom Condon knows it.<br />
<br />
And if someone else ends up taking snaps for the Saints offense in 2013, the 70,000+ waiting list for season tickets would shrink fast. <br />
<br />
Even if Brees’s next few seasons don’t resemble the past few in the stat department, it is important to the franchise and the fans for him to have a contract that will allow him to end his playing career as a Saint.<br />
<br />
So who is at fault for the way Brees’s signing has been so drawn out?<br />
<br />
This blogger doesn’t have any scoop as to negotiations between the team and Brees/Condon, but a large part of the blame needs to be left on the doorstep of the Saints’ front office.<br />
<br />
Why did owner Tom Benson and general manager Mickey Loomis let negotiations drag out this far? <br />
<br />
Did the Saints’ braintrust really believe Brees could be signed at a lower price while the franchise quarterback was tearing up opposing defenses and the NFL record book?<br />
<br />
As much as I appreciate Benson’s post-Katrina commitment to building a quality team and Loomis’s moves to remake the Saints into a perennial Super Bowl contender, not coming to terms with Brees at an earlier and cheaper date boggles the mind.<br />
<br />
That’s not to say Brees and Condon are faultless as negotiations have entered overtime.<br />
<br />
<br />
Is Brees simply being greedy? <br />
<br />
Are the quarterback and his agent stalling until a late June arbitration hearing is held about Brees’s’ future franchise tag status? <br />
<br />
Or is Team Brees looking to play “negotiation chicken” up against the July 16th deadline for a multiyear deal?<br />
<br />
Is Condon letting his drive to ink a record contract for his client and his own reputation delay an agreement that could jeopardize the chances of Brees ending his gridiron days in a Saints uniform?<br />
<br />
Brees isn’t the only person whose tenure with the Saints is on the line.<br />
<br />
If Brees ends up playing for another team in 2013, Loomis can start cleaning out his office on Airline Drive. <br />
<br />
Loomis would go down in Black and Gold lore as the general manager who lost the team’s most important player and he would be lucky to land a gig as an executive in the Arena Football League. <br />
<br />
One has to think Loomis has lost more sleep over Brees’s contract than his own suspension for his connection with the Saints bounty scandal.<br />
<br />
Last season Brees demonstrated the kind of leadership that made Who Dats fall in love with him all over again when he organized voluntary workouts for his teammates at Tulane while the players and the league owners worked to reach a longterm deal. <br />
<br />
This year, Saints fans are being treated to something else: a multimillionaire quarterback and his agent publicly hemming and hawing over contract details with a franchise that has a track record of letting their great players go elsewhere in the face of prolonged negotiations. <br />
<br />
Both sides need to keep their egos in check and work out a reasonable contract that recognizes Brees’s value as an athlete and a pillar of the organization and the community without mortgaging the team’s future. <br />
<br />
Every dollar paid to Brees is one less buck the team can use to sign an offensive lineman or defensive back. <br />
<br />
To Brees’s credit, he has recently toned down his frustrations about the state of negotiations and has instead redirected his public grievances towards the league’s treatment of his coaches and teammates caught in the bounty scandal. <br />
<br />
As great as Brees is, the protracted haggling isn’t not making the Saints a better team. <br />
<br />
It’s time to get a deal done. Hopefully the upcoming arbitration ruling concerning another potential franchise tag will accelerate making a deal.<br />
<br />
Andersen, Jackson, Roaf, Pat Swilling, Archie Manning and Sam Mills all ended their playing days wearing the uniform of another team. <br />
<br />
For the sake of Saints fans everywhere, let’s hope Brees does not join that number.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-4173504002727524872012-05-01T19:40:00.000-07:002012-05-01T19:40:57.254-07:00Saints Draft 2012; Black & Gold Digs Deep for the Future<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am convinced that there are more drama queens in sports
journalism than there are in the soap opera circuit.</div>
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Do these commentators feel a need to be obnoxiously
hyperbolic in their evaluations?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Their Jim Rome aping reaches a climax during the NFL draft,
where men who last left it all on the P.E. gym floor engage in histrionics about
those drafted and the franchises that picked them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And I’m not engaging in this seemingly oxymoronic rant just
because sports writers/bloggers/talking heads all panned the New Orleans
Saints’ draft.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Though this is as good of a time as any to call these clowns
out for what they are: Joan Rivers jock-wannabes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And their collective grade on the Saints’ 2012 draft ranged
from a relatively charitable C- to an F.
</div>
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<br /></div>
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I would love to know what these geniuses thought of the
Jonathan Sullivan pick from 2003.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It goes without saying that I don’t concur with their
evaluations.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until King Roger I sees fit to smite the remaining members
of the Saints’ defense (the delay being as absurd as the NFL’s overreaction to
the so-called “bountygate”), the Saints didn’t really have too many gaping
holes to plug.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The biggest was the hiring of defensive coordinator Steve
Spagnuolo to replace the tarnished Gregg Williams, whose last contribution to
the team was abandoning it before he would have been exiled from the league.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I consider Spags an upgrade from the undisciplined “Double
G”, whose ego has cost the team dearly in the form of bad play calls and
franchise crippling scandal. </div>
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Beyond that, Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis made
selections with more an eye on the future than on the 2012 season while
enduring a public relations nightmare stemming from the bounties and an alleged
eavesdropping system truly worthy of the suffix “gate’ if true. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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If not true, then I hope Loomis and the organization take
ESPN to the cleaners for defamation.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The team’s first selection of the draft was third round pick
Akiem Hicks, a defensive tackle that was recruited by LSU but ended up at the
University of Regina. The Saints front
office and scouting department must have seen something they like about the
6’5”, 318 lb defensive lineman.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And he could not possibly be a worse selection than
Sullivan, whom I consider to be the biggest Black & Gold draft bust of all
time. Even if Hicks doesn’t pan out,
he’ll have cost the team less in opportunity cost and cash than the
aforementioned disaster.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it’s hard to argue with an outfit that plucked Marques
Colston from Hofstra, Jahri Evans from Bloomsburg and Jermon Bushrod from
Towson.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Actually a pick from the University of Georgia scares me far
more than someone from a small school. </div>
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<br /></div>
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If Hicks works out, I’ll finally forgive him for trading two
first rounders to snag “he who shall not be named ever again” in my column.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I also like the Nick Toon pick.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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The big receiver from Wisconsin has a pro-football pedigree
and will give the team its first real competition for a rare open receiver slot
in some time. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Toon will have to compete with Adrian Arrington (who has
seen sparing regular season action since being drafted late in 2008) and 2011
pre-season standout Joe Morgan to fill a roster spot that was vacated when free
agent Robert Meachem left for greener financial pastures in San Diego.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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The wide-receiver battle will be front and center in the
exhibition games.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The balance of the draft will likely need time to emerge as
on-field contributors. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Safety Corey White of Samford could be a rare franchise
beneficiary of the Commish’s vengeance.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If strong safety Roman Harper gets nailed with a lengthy
suspension, White will have an opportunity to demonstrate that his 5<sup>th</sup>
round selection was a worthwhile crapshoot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Guard Andrew Tiller of Syracuse and Tackle Marcel Jones of
Nebraska could be the low rounders that challenge the thus-far disappointing
Charles Brown (2010 second round selection) for a place on the team.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then again, the Saints’ 6<sup>th</sup> and 7<sup>th</sup>
round picks could be relegated to camp body/practice squad duty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rather than hyperventilate over Loomis’s picks, critics
should have faith in an executive who has often found better value below the
second round mark than he has above.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Besides, Loomis’s legacy will have more to do with his
ability to ensure that the Saints are the final destination in Drew Brees’s
playing career than what he did in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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That said, I thought the Saints soon-to-be suspended general manager drafted responsibly and merits no worse than a B-.</div>
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<br /></div>Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-56722728151541563692012-04-17T20:27:00.002-07:002012-04-17T20:31:48.480-07:002012 New Orleans Saints Schedule2012 New Orleans Saints Preseason Schedule<br /><br />Sunday, August 5th Arizona Cardinals 7 PM NFL Network <br /> Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio<br /><br />Thursday, August 9th @ New England Patriots 6:30 PM CST/FOX 8<br /><br />Friday, August 17th Jacksonville Jaguars 7 PM CST/FOX 8<br /><br />Saturday, August 25th Houston Texans 7 PM CBS<br /><br />Thursday, August 30th @ Tennessee Titans 6 PM CST/FOX 8<br /><br /><br /> 2012 New Orleans Saints Regular Season Schedule<br /><br />Sunday, September 9th Washington Redskins 12 PM FOX<br /><br />Sunday, September 16th @ Carolina Panthers 12 PM FOX<br /><br />Sunday, September 23rd Kansas City Chiefs 12 PM CBS<br /><br />Sunday, September 30th @ Green Bay Packers 3:15 PM FOX<br /><br />Sunday, October 7th San Diego Chargers 7:30 PM NBC<br /><br />BYE WEEK<br /><br />Sunday, October 21st @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12:00 PM FOX<br /><br />Sunday, October 28th @ Denver Broncos 7:30 PM NBC<br /><br />Monday, November 5th Philadelphia Eagles 7:30 PM ESPN<br /><br />Sunday, November 11th Atlanta Falcons 12:00 PM FOX<br /><br />Sunday, November 18th @ Oakland Raiders 3:05 PM FOX<br /><br />Sunday, November 25th San Francisco 49ers 3:15 PM FOX<br /><br />Thursday, November 29th @ Atlanta Falcons 7:30 PM NFL Network<br /><br />Sunday, December 9th @ New York Giants 3:15 PM FOX<br /><br />Sunday, December 16th Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12:00 PM FOX<br /><br />Sunday, December 23rd @ Dallas Cowboys 12:00 PM FOX<br /><br />Sunday, December 30th Carolina Panthers 12:00 PM FOXMike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-33499237179987670942012-04-01T09:59:00.003-07:002012-04-01T10:01:08.197-07:00HE'S BACK: After Parcells Turns Saints Down, Mora Rejoins Team<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3AMveUku5u7qWqxAAzaEAMnMzb-mNwWKWlM-dmWWjN6wKqEKCEj-6IWlALWcNSWm6IeN_se5fCVGJOxFy0dbEpofdEuotVJFpvImXQcjjTDnu4qJvwUyJK5dozPafvKcmkWss1_-if9L/s1600/mora+headshoot.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3AMveUku5u7qWqxAAzaEAMnMzb-mNwWKWlM-dmWWjN6wKqEKCEj-6IWlALWcNSWm6IeN_se5fCVGJOxFy0dbEpofdEuotVJFpvImXQcjjTDnu4qJvwUyJK5dozPafvKcmkWss1_-if9L/s200/mora+headshoot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726478234342740226" /></a><br />METAIRIE- Just as talk of future Hall of Fame football coach Bill Parcells’ coming out of retirement to temporarily assume coaching duties for the heavily sanctioned NFL franchise came to a halt when world leaked out of Airline Drive that former New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Mora will once again return to the Saints’ sideline.<br /><br />Though the details of Mora’s compensation package are unknown, the man who led the Black and Gold to their first winning season, playoff appearance and division title it was confirmed that contract was limited to the 2012 season.<br /><br />Schuyler Colfax of Pro Football Weekly first broke the story of Mora’s surprise visit to the Saints’ front office Saturday morning.<br /><br />Colfax reported that Mora was seen on a flight to Louis Armstrong International at 6:30 AM and briskly exited the terminal without comment and entered a black suburban with dark tinted windows.<br /><br />Parcells, who embattled and soon to be suspended Saints head coach Sean Payton considers a mentor and had personally recruited to temporarily assume the helm, declined to end his retirement, which would have delayed his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame by another five years even for a one-season coaching stint.<br /><br />Parcells was eligible for induction into the hall of fame earlier this year but was not voted in.<br /><br />Some gridiron analysts see the Mora hire as a “win-win” for the Saints, including NFL Watch editor Thomas Hendricks. “The Saints have practically lost the 2012 season between the Drew Brees contract distraction, the departure of key free agents and the loss of crucial draft picks and their head coach. Bringing Mora back will generate some buzz and give him one last chance to win that elusive NFL playoff game,” said Hendricks.<br /><br />John Breckinridge of The Pigskin Report concurred, opining on his website that “fans are going to pay attention just to watch the rants, with much inspiration from the Saints’ porous defense.”<br /><br />The 77-year old Mora started his professional coaching career with the USFL’s Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars before joining the Saints in 1986. In Mora’s first season with the Black and Gold, the team finished in fourth place in the NFC West though with a 7-9 record, one of the best in franchise history. In the strike-shortened 1987 season, More led the team to its first winning season (12-3) and playoff appearance, as a wild card. Mora had four more winning seasons as head coach and three additional playoff appearances, though success in the NFL post-season proved eternally elusive.<br /><br />Mora resigned as head coach in 1996 in the midst of a sputtering 2-6 season.<br /><br />In 1998, Mora assumed head coaching duties with the flailing Indianapolis Colts, ending his first season there with a 3-13 record. In Mora’s next season, the Colts won the AFC East division with a 13-3 record though lost to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional playoff round. Mora guided the Colts to another winning season in 2000 and a playoff appearance (wild card) though lost what would be his sixth and final playoff game, this time to the Miami Dolphins.<br /><br />Mora’s last season with the Colts was in 2001. After hanging up his headset, Mora became an analyst with Fox Sports and after being fired for making unflattering comments about then Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Michael Vick.<br /><br />Mora returned to New Orleans as a gameday analyst with local television station WDSU and his post-game tirades have been featured in Coors Light’s television commercials, including his rants about “Playoffs?!, “Diddly Poo”, “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda,” and “April Fools’!”.Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-6235582711796726632012-01-01T18:27:00.000-08:002012-01-01T19:30:14.585-08:00Saints Execute Encore Record PerformanceIt cannot be said that New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton played his starters out of pure vanity.<br /><br />It seemed that the Saint Louis Rams were within striking range of doing the job Seattle Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson fumbled last week. But it's been standard procedure for the Rams organization to frustrate the Saints one way or the other, punt returned Az Hakim excepted.<br /><br />The Saints go into the post season a bit sooner than preferred but with momentum they haven't had since the Jim Mora era.<br /><br />Last year the Saints limped into Seattle, one of the toughest venues to visit in football, with a banged up secondary, tight end and decimated ground game, the very recipe the league's first ever division winner with a losing record needed to deny the Super Bowl champs a Two Dat.<br /><br />During the 2009 "super season", the Saints backed into home field advantage on a three game losing streak and was reminded by the sports media ad nauseam that teams that bumble into the playoffs in a such a fashion don't win Super Bowls.<br /><br />And the Saints made history proving that they do now.<br /><br />Speaking of history, the Black and Gold made plenty of it against the pesky Carolina Panthers, the Bill Clinton-era expansion team that own a winning record against a New Orleans franchise that dates to 1967.<br /><br />Though they're not going to the palyoffs, the Panthers had turned their team around after finishing worst in the NFL last year largely due to the prize they reaped from that dis-stink-shun.<br /><br />Quarterback Cam Newton ought to be the hands down selection for rookie of the year and perhaps should have received a free trip to Hawaii in a few weeks.<br /><br />The Saints were lucky to escape with a win against the Panthers in Charlotte earlier this season but in the Mercedez-Benz Superdome on Sunday, even the cats proved to be just another victim of the NFL's most prolific offense in history with a defense that's not too bad either.<br /><br />Quarterback Drew Brees extended his own NFL single season passing record to 5,476 (Brees had 389 in the game) and stayed ahead of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who played on Sunday as well and ended the regular season with 5,235 passing yards, trailing Brees but besting Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino's long standing benchmark.<br /><br />Almost forgotten in the mix was Saints running back/punt reurner/kick returner Darren Sproles's own NFL record day as the free agent broke Derrick Mason's single season record for all purpose yards. <br /><br />Saints second year tight end and first time Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham exchanged the tight end single season receiving yards record with New England's Rob Gronkowski. It seemed that Graham would own the record but a Buffalo Bills turnover gave the Patriots a late opportunity to get the ball back in Gronkowski's hands, beating Graham out by 17 yards.<br /><br />San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winskow had set the mark during the 1980 season with 1,290.<br /><br />Though the Saints set many other league and franchise season records on Sunday, there is one important state of note that should be cited Brees now has 40,742 career passing yards, moving him past Hall of Fame quarterback and eternal Saints nemesis Joe Montana for eleventh on the all-time passing yards list.<br /><br />Brees can achieve first ballot induction status in Canton come February if he is able to add another piece of jewelry to his hand.Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-65483543628935368042011-12-26T23:23:00.000-08:002011-12-26T23:26:07.096-08:00Brees Extends Legacy, Saints' Winning StreakNOTE: The Onside Kick has been on "political reserve" most of the 2011 NFL Season due to time spent running for office and recovering from that exercise. Postings for the remainder of this season will likely be sporadic. <br /><br />Brees Extends Legacy, Saints’ Winning Streak<br /><br />It’s now called the Drew Brees record. <br /><br />At least for this week.<br /><br />There was much excitement and anxiety in the stands of the Mercedes Benz Superdome on Monday night and it had little to do with the Saints winning their division.<br /><br />The Black and Gold had the game put away in the third quarter and their hold on the NFC South was secure, the question that was on everyone’s mind was whether quarterback Drew Brees would finally break the Dan Marino passing record that eluded him on the final play in the 2008 season.<br /><br />Appropriately enough, it came on Brees’s final pass of the game. Even more appropriately enough, the record-breaking throw was for a touchdown to fellow San Diego Chargers castaway Darren Sproles. <br /><br />And then the dome erupted with joy comparable to Garrett Hartley’s NFC Championship game winning field goal.<br /><br />While it seemed after the first half the Marino passing record of 5,084 passing yards would be easily shattered in the third quarter, an interception, a big kickoff return by Darren Sproles, a clock eating Atlanta offense and a stiffening Atlanta defense that forced two punts made it appear that it would not happen until the season finale.<br /><br />But with just over five minutes left on the clock, the Saints defense forced the Atlanta offense off the field at the Dirty Birds’ own 33 yard line. Brees needed just over two dozen yards at the beginning of that drive to do it.<br /><br />Head coach Sean Payton helped facilitate Brees’s pursuit by calling four straight pass plays after a one yard gain by running back Pierre Thomas.<br /><br />With this latest milestone, Brees further increased his already legendary status in the Crescent City while also making a greater case for league MVP and later enshrinement in Canton.<br /><br />Winning a second Super Bowl would virtually guarantee him a golden jacket, though continuing his prolific passing on top of what he has already accomplished should be enough for a balloter who is not stuck in a major media market mindset.<br /><br />With the history-making Brees-to-Sproles touchdown pass, the Black and Gold polished off a 45-16 drubbing of the NFC rival whom the Saints may host again in two weeks during the playoffs in the event Atlanta goes to the post-season and New Orleans is unable to secure the second seed and first-round bye.<br /><br />In order for the Black and Gold to grab the second seed, the Saints would need to defeat the Carolina Panthers next Sunday and the 2-13 Saint Louis Rams would need to defeat the 13-2 San Francisco Forty-Niners on New Year’s Day.<br /><br />Though the Rams are playing at home, the Niners will be a heavy favorite and highly motivated, especially with post-season positioning on the line.<br /><br />Payton will have to make a decision whether to risk his playing starters next weekend as he did with terrible consequences last season when he was in a similar situation. <br /><br />Also worth considering is that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has racked up 4,897 passing yards this season and is in striking distance of the Dan Marino Drew Brees record.<br /><br />I would imagine the Saints head coach will have an eye on which quarterback takes the field for the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday before deciding how long or if he lets Brees amend his own mark in the gridiron history books.Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-61880286226124859402011-09-13T22:58:00.000-07:002011-09-13T23:00:33.987-07:00The Most Important Game of the Year...for Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkohLpT3ri_vLEQD069KE4cBGtEnlaPgI3hmy-d-p-3OQ5DAI6PTAhtdYg09VxPLySUDQqpcIqt0NFQPTskxJ2DEM7RhR_1ngAl7dk6bgWJJmO7p9kAGo1VtVSYX02ghS0EohkQLQWMUR/s1600/bigjerk.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkohLpT3ri_vLEQD069KE4cBGtEnlaPgI3hmy-d-p-3OQ5DAI6PTAhtdYg09VxPLySUDQqpcIqt0NFQPTskxJ2DEM7RhR_1ngAl7dk6bgWJJmO7p9kAGo1VtVSYX02ghS0EohkQLQWMUR/s200/bigjerk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652091101489053730" /></a><br />I have had the Chicago Bears visit to the Louisiana Superdome etched in my mind since January 2007.<br /><br />Due to the NFL’s brilliant (no sarcasm here…seriously) schedule rotation, the Monsters of the Midway were not due to visit the domed confines of Poydras and Loyola for four years after the Saints’ first trip to an NFC Championship game.<br /><br />Everything about that Soldier Field experience was miserable.<br /><br />The weather.<br /><br />The Saints’ ball handling.<br /><br />The final score.<br /><br />And most especially the Bear fans, or as I like to call them, Chicagoons.<br /><br />I wasn’t optimistic about the Saints’ chances of winning at Soldier Field, which is a surprisingly loud venue considering it’s an open air stadium. I didn’t think the Saints would adjust to the field and weather conditions without practicing in a similar environment. <br /><br />But I also wasn’t going to miss what was then the biggest game in Black and Gold history.<br /><br />The first omen of the misery to come was in the form of a pair of jackasses in Bears gear merrily pasting orange letters on a large blue sandwich board sign that read: Bears Finishing What Katrina Started.<br /><br />I felt an impulse to capture that image, so I turned my black and gold Saints hat around, walked up to tweedle-jack and tweedle-ass and asked to photograph the fruit of their labors. They happily obliged. After taking the picture, I turned my gold fleur-de-lis cap around to the front and commented “I’m going to make you famous” and walked off. <br /><br />Despite the best efforts of the Chicago Tribune to track the pair down, they remain anonymous to this day. But their “artwork” came to symbolize the abusive behavior more than a few Saints fans received at Soldier Field, including this one.<br /><br />Growing tired of the threats of physical violence and Katrina taunts from screwballs whose blood alcohol levels were increasing with the Bears’ score, I did what I rarely do: I left a Saints game early. Being a longtime Who Dat, I can stand losing a game..I just wasn’t game to losing teeth. <br /><br />And so I trudged out on to the frozen tundra along Lake Michigan, still happy about what the Saints had accomplished in the 2006 season though bitter about the lack of class and decency of Bears fans.<br /><br />Now, I would be remiss if I did not mention that the Bears players (not the fans) made it up in 2009 by defeating the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings, which contributed to the Saints’ securing homefield advantage during the playoffs. That game marked the first time I had cheered for Chicago in anything since the 2007 NFC Championship game, however my love for the Saints trumps my dislike of any team. Even the Dirty Birds.<br /><br />This week tens of thousands of Who Dats will have that Soldier Field experience on their mind as they stream into the Superdome. Doubtlessly the several thousand or so Bears fans who made the road trip to the Big Easy are also cognizant of what happened in the stands that day. <br /><br />I encourage Saints fans attending the game to be passionate this Sunday about their team not hostile to the visiting Bears fans. Show them how the best fans in the NFL behave and act. That’s not to say smacktalk is off-limits. <br /><br />That said I almost pity the Bear fan, who having had one too many hurricanes or handgrenades, decides to work in Katrina cracks into his rhetoric.<br /><br />The Saints fan being taunted might very well have lost more than his Archie Manning jersey in the storm.<br /><br />So I will close this with one request for the Saints: if you can’t bring back a second Lombardi Trophy this season at least beat the Bears.Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-72835955297422838652011-08-18T21:41:00.001-07:002011-08-18T21:43:14.115-07:00"Sack Happy" Saints Hope to Jump Start Offense Against TexansThe “new” New Orleans Saints showed something different in their exhibition game against the San Francisco Forty Niners last Saturday.
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<br />Beyond stifling the opposition to a total of 3 points, the Saints defense played like quarterback headhunters en route to racking up six sacks. Last season, the Saints ranked 18th in sacks with 33 or an average of just over 2 per game.
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<br />Though Heisman Award winner and first round draft pick running back Mark Ingram found the end zone, the Alabama product didn’t overawe in relatively limited action. Ingram had six carries for 23 yards, including his 14 yard score.
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<br />The longest run by a Saints player on offense was the scrambling backup to Drew Brees, Chase Daniels, who had a 19 yard run. As a passer, Daniels completed 13 of his 21 attempts (62%) for 129 yards.
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<br />The big stars of the game (Brees as not amongst this group completing a single pass out of his mere four attempts before being yanked) were kick returner Courtney Roby (though not as a kick returner) and wide receiver Joseph Morgan (as a kick returner).
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<br />Roby’s future with the team looked tenuous after running back/return specialist Darren Sproles (a relative of Roby) was inked after running back Reggie Bush was traded to the Miami Dolphins. Roby was the team’s leading receiver against the Niners making four catches for 42 yards.
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<br />Morgan, a rookie free agent who played two seasons at Walsh University (North Canton, Ohio), returned six punts, averaging 16 yards per return. Morgan’s big play was a 78 yard return to the end zone. Though still a long shot to make the Saints’ roster, Joseph helped attract notice in his first opportunity to shine in live fire.
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<br />Running back Joique Bell had an impressive punt return for 28 yards and led the team’s ground game with 52 yards on 9 carries (5.7 yard average). Bell was signed by the Saints last season to supplement the team’s grossly depleted running back corps in the postseason though he saw no action in the playoff game at Seattle.
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<br />Bell, Roby, Joseph and others who are playing for either roster spots with the Saints or with other teams have three “scrub” games left before the roster goes down to 53 players while Brees will have another opportunity to get comfortable with his changing offensive line.
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<br />The Saints visit the Houston Texans on Saturday at 7:00 PM.Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-58333838251101256672011-08-02T20:31:00.001-07:002011-08-02T20:31:24.730-07:00Saints Hold on to TE David ThomasThe New Orleans Saints announced on Tuesday evening that they have reached an agreement with reserve tight end David Thomas.<br /><br />Though very much in the shadow of hot prospect Jimmy Graham, who impressed the Saints organization so much they released Jeremy Shockey prior to the lock out, Thomas has been a key player in helping quarterback Drew Brees move the chains.<br /><br />The tight end backed up the oft-injured Shockey during the team’s Super Bowl run and also subbed in as fullback when Heath Evans went down during the week six road game against the Miami Dolphins.<br /><br />Thomas was pursued by the Saints front office after tight end Billy Miller suffered a season ending injury in an exhibition game against the Houston Texans in 2009. <br /><br />Though not as spectacular as his recent first round swaps in the 2011 NFL draft that bagged defensive end Cameron Jordan and running back Mark Ingram, the Thomas trade is perhaps one of general manager Mickey Loomis’s best deals. <br /><br />The Saints received the regular contributor from the New England Patriots for a 2011 6th round draft selection.<br /><br />In a recent interview, Brees publicly expressed his wish for Thomas’s retention with the team. <br /><br />Thomas’s re-signing is the latest step taking by the team to preserve the core of their offense. Center Jonathan Goodwin and fullback Heath Evans are the only two key players from the offense that have yet to sign contracts with the Saints.Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519838321760560002.post-56809101207227910822011-07-29T21:58:00.000-07:002011-07-29T21:59:09.145-07:00Saints Ink Last of Their “Big Three”, Hold on to HarperThe New Orleans Saints continue to score in the brief free agency period scooping up the last of their critical three unrestricted free agents, signing strong safety Roman Harper to a multiyear contract.<br /><br />The Saints organization had not released the details of the pact but media reports have it valued at $28,000,000.00 for four years with most of it guaranteed. <br /><br />The Saints had previously reached deals with wide receiver Lance Moore and left tackle Jermon Bushrod.<br /><br />Though Harper was brutally victimized by the Seattle Seahawks’ offense in the wild card playoff game, the former University of Alabama standout has generally played well for the Black and Gold, particularly under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. <br /><br />Of the Saints’ free agents, Harper’s departure would have been the most difficult to address prior to the start of the regular season. <br /><br />The Saints still have a number of positions to fill and a few more key personnel to try to retain, the most notable being starting center Jonathan Goodwin and backup tight end David Thomas. <br /><br />Extending guard Carl Nicks’s tenure with the team is another priority though as a restricted free agent, the Saints have the final say on his departure for the 2011 season.<br /><br />Harper, a second round selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, has gone to the last two Pro Bowls.Mike Bayhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708975902099081853noreply@blogger.com0