Saints Running Game Emerges Into One Of League's Best

You might not have noticed but the New Orleans Saints now rank No. 8 in the NFL in rushing and are an even more impressive fourth in yards per carry.
When did this happen?
The Saints have quietly and gradually ascended the league rushing rankings over the course of the season. Their 205-yard night against the Giants two weeks vaulted them into the top 10 for the first time in a while.
For full article:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/12/lions-saints_film_study.html

Favre Denies Any Interest In Playing For Bears

Shelve your Wranglers and put those No. 4 Bears jersey orders on hold. Brett Favre says he's happy being retired.
"Inspite (sic) of reports about playing with various teams, I'm enjoying retirement with my family and have no plans to play football," Favre said in a statement Tuesday night.

Favre

One day after a source told ESPNChicago.com's Michael C. Wright that Favre would listen to the injury-riddled Bears if Chicago came calling, a high-ranking Bears source told ESPN's Ed Werder on Tuesday that the team has no interest in signing the 42-year-old quarterback.
For full article:  http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7325244/brett-favre-denies-contact-teams-says-no-plans-play-football

Archie Recommends Against Peyton And Andrew Luck Playing On Same Team

Peyton Manning tutoring Andrew Luck next season in Indianapolis? While it sounds like a dream partnership, Peyton's father Archie doesn't think it's such a good idea.
"I don't think it'd necessarily be great for either one," Archie Manning told FOX Sports Radio on Tuesday, according to ProFootballTalk. "I think Andrew's the type of mature player ... he can walk right in. I mean, these other three or four guys that are playing this year, [if] they can walk in and contribute, Andrew can, too."

“ I doubt if either one wants to play on the same team.
” -- Archie Manning
on son Peyton and Andrew Luck potentially playing together

The winless Colts are on the fast track for the No. 1 pick, largely presumed to be Stanford's Luck. Colts vice chairman Bill Polian has said he would be open to taking a quarterback in the first round in April's draft and has said he's spoken with Peyton Manning about eventually drafting the future Hall of Famer's successor.
To continue reading:  http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7324506/archie-manning-says-peyton-manning-andrew-luck-duo-indianapolis-colts-not-good-either

Saints WR Coach Curtis Johnson Named Head Coach At Tulane

NEW ORLEANS - All of Curtis Johnson's families were at Tulane University's Wilson Center Monday afternoon as the Saints wide receivers coach was named the Green Wave's new head football coach.
There was his wife Angel and many other members of his family, who made the short drive from the River Parishes. There was his Saints family, including head coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and a half-dozen of his wide receivers.
And his new family – the Tulane family – was out in full force to welcome the New Orleans native and St. Charles High graduate to his new home.
It was a historic afternoon as Johnson, the 39th head football coach in Tulane history, became the first African-American to take over leadership of the program.
To continue reading:  http://www.sportsnola.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=578119&Itemid=578

Mobile's Nick Fairley Likely Starter For Suspended Suh Against Saints

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Nick Fairley was drafted to team with Ndamukong Suh as part of a powerful young defensive front in Detroit.
Now, the Lions are hoping he can help replace Suh after the star defensive tackle was suspended.
“I’m a competitor,” Fairley said. “I’m up for any challenge. Any challenge they throw at me, I’m ready for it.”

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/11/30/3605806/lions-hope-fairley-can-replace.html#ixzz1fIdRu0BF

GO FOR IT MIKE SMITH!

ATLANTA -- One way to win a game is to let another team lose it. New Orleans Saints fans know this misery more than most. For years, the Saints seemingly invented ways to lose games they should have won. They were masters at the art of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. And some of the most heartbreaking losses came at the hands of the hated archrival Falcons.
On Sunday, Atlanta returned the favor.
To continue reading:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/11/new_orleans_saints_win_as_atla.html

WALTER PAYTON REMEMBERED WITH HALL OF FAME TRAIL MARKER IN COLUMBIA

Before he became the NFL’s all time leading rusher. Before he won a Super Bowl ring. And before he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Walter Payton played the drums in his high school band in Columbia, Mississippi. He picked up an additional extra curricular activity at the beginning of his junior year when Coach Ralph Boston convinced him to join the football team. Abiding to Coach Boston’s suggestion, Payton literally ran into the history books and became one of the greatest and most admired athletes our country has ever seen. As a senior at Columbia High School, Payton turned down his only Division I scholarship offer to play for the University of Kansas, and instead chose to stay close to home and attend college at Jackson State, where he became teammates with  future Hall of Famers Robert Brazile and Jackie Slater.

At Jackson State, Payton went on a record setting tear that would last throughout his football career. He rushed for an astounding 65 touchdowns during his college career and was named All American. Selected by the Chicago Bears as the 4^th overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, Payton’s stock was much higher coming out of college than high school. Despite putting up league leading numbers, Payton’s Bears teams were mediocre for the majority of his pro career. Then in 1983 Mike Ditka was named head coach and improvements were made. With the program on the rise, the 1984 team went 10-6 and Payton broke Jim Brown’s all time NFL rushing record that season against the Saints on a crisp October afternoon at Soldier Field. The improvement was exponential the following year as the Bears capped the regular season with a 15-1 record before cruised through the playoffs and crushed the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl 46-10. However, the win was bittersweet for Payton. In a coaching decision he still expresses deep regret for, Ditka elected to give the ball to William "Refrigerator" Perry on a goal line touchdown run, denying Payton his best Super Bowl scoring opportunity.
Payton retired after the Bears 1987 playoff season concluding an amazing 12 year career in which he was named to the Pro Bowl nine times. He had only missed one game during his whole NFL career. Payton’s endurance and physical dominance over opponents were due largely to his grueling off season training workouts. In what left many invited NFL player workout guests losing their lunch, Payton spent the off season running up enormously steep rock-filled hills that he had searched and found both in Mississippi and Illinois.
As expected, Payton’s final football destination was the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He was elected as a first ballot Hall of Famer in 1993. In what was of the most memorable and emotional inductions speeches ever, Payton’s young son, Jarrett, who would later star at the University of Miami, introduced his father in a way that moved Payton to tears. Standing behind the microphone n his newly yellow Hall of Fame Jacket and speaking with a trembling voice, Payton accepted defeat to his over the bet they had about which one would cry first.

Even though Sweetness is no longer with us, his career came full circle last Tuesday. The Pro Football Hall of Fame made a road trip from Canton to Columbia to unveil a trail marker plaque honoring Payton in his hometown. I learned about this event from a coworker who had mentioned she was attending. My coworker, Mrs. Barbara
Rooks-Jackson, received both her Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Jackson State, where she was a student from the late 60's through the early 70's. She is as strong a JSU supporter as you are going to find and taught there for a few years as well. And although she claims to have only been an "inactive" member of the J-Setter Dance Team, her dance moves tell otherwise.

Barbara is also very close friends with the Payton Family and had made plans to ride to Columbia with Walter Payton’s sister and niece, along with another close family friend. After following back up with Barbara and pressing her for more details, she spoke with Payton’s mother, Mrs. Alyne Payton, and I was graciously invited to attend as well. I still had a conflicting event on Tuesday afternoon and wasn’t sure I could make it, but on the way to work that morning a truck pulled out in front of me out of nowhere that had a bumper sticker on it which read "NFL Alum" on it with a miniature football image between the two words. So, I took that as a sign to make honoring Walter Payton my first priority for the day.

The road from the Coast to Columbia, as do all roads, regardless of your starting point and destination, goes through Hattiesburg. From the main exit off of the great Highway 59 bypass, you can either go east on Hardy Street towards the University of Southern Mississippi Campus, or go west on Highway 98 towards Columbia traveling for about five to seven miles through the newly developed Oak Grove community of upscale strip malls, trendy chain restaurants and hotels. At the last major intersection in Oak Grove you can turn left and it will lead you to the double decker Oak Grove Warriors football stadium, which I will put up against any high school stadium they have in Texas. Prior to this football season, this is where an ESPN crew had been camped out each August on the Brett Favre retirement report for what seemed like a full decade.  Throwing passes to high school kids on this football field had become a preseason ritual for #4 to determine whether he had the desire and ability to go another season. Consequently, the Oak Grove Warriors have developed a strong track record of churning out some pretty good wide receivers, including the late Steve McNair’s son, Steve McNair Jr.

The remaining estimated 25 mile stretch of four lane highway before you get to Columbia is filled with timber plots, pastures, gas stations and churches. As I crossed from Lamar County into Marion County on this picture-perfect fall afternoon, I found it very ironic that somebody who became the best at what he did by sticking his helmet into the chest of much larger defenders, and barreling over them on brutal, chilly Sunday afternoons in one of our nation’s largest most condensed cities had come from such a rural, peaceful setting. Running up those hills in the off season obviously had a lot to do with it.

For the past week the focus of the whole sports world seemed to be on what was scheduled to happen on Saturday in Tuscaloosa as the #1 ranked LSU Fighting Tigers were coming into T-Town to take on the #2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. It had been hyped as the game of the century and the media coverage rivaled even that of the Super Bowl. From what I understand, Bryant-Denny Stadium holds a maximum of 100,000 fans while the City of Tuscaloosa was expecting an excess of 160,000 visitors.

There are a projected 6 first round NFL draft picks between the Tigers and Crimson Tide.  It is unlikely that any of them will come close to matching the type of Pro Career that Payton had (Alabama's Trent Richardson will definitely turn some heads though). The eyes of our football crazed nation may have all been on the scene in Tuscaloosa, which obviously has an incredible football history, but as I was driving it also dawned on me that the birthplace of arguably the greatest running back of all time was just as significant. And when I finally reached the Columbia City Limits, I knew I was in Pigskin Holy Land.

The ceremony took place at the Charles L. Boston Athletic Facility named after Payton’s high school coach who is responsible for jumpstarting Payton's football career. The building sits next to the Columbia High School football stadium located across the street from the school itself behind a city park in the middle of town. As I turned off of Columbia’s main thoroughfare, Broad Street, past the park and towards the football stadium, I could see that the locals had beaten the Hall of Fame in creating a hometown tribute to Payton. In the south endzone, where Payton ran for so many touchdowns, stood a statue that had to be none other than Sweetness himself.

While turning into what appeared to be the practice field to park, two fellows who had obviously just parked themselves were crossing the street.  One was athletic build who I recognized immediately from his playing days with the Miami Hurricanes to be Jarrett Payton. He had his hand turned up towards me, but I could not tell if he was waving, or thought I was getting ready to run him over.

Once inside I found Barbara and she immediately started enthusiastically introducing me around to Payton’s many family members. It was a special treat getting to meet Payton’s mother, Mrs. Alyne Payton. At my senior year of high school football banquet held at the end in the fall of 1989 she was recognized having come as the guest of one of my teammates. When I mentioned that fact to Barbara after meeting Ms. Payton, she asked who my teammate was and I said "Gary Wiley." A few minutes earlier I had met the other family friend that had driven down with Barbara and Payton’s sister and niece. We both acknowledged that each other looked familiar but could not place where we had met. Barbara then called the same lady back over for a reintroduction and I found out that it was Gary’s mother. So, I caught up on Gary and was glad to learn that he was living in Raleigh and refereeing Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference college football games in the Virginia and North Carolina area.

In addition to the many Payton family members in attendance, the audience also included his high school teammates and Coach Boston. Bob Hill, his head coach at Jackson State, was also there and was recognized. Sitting in the very back, divided up into three different seating areas, were the three local high school football teams. Current players from Payton’s alma mater, the Columbia Wildcats, were sitting next to their two fierce county rivals, the East Marion Eagles and West Marion Trojans. As the purpose of the event, was to help honor the connection between Payton’s hometown roots and his athletic success, I thought it was very fitting that the area high school players who were actually currently going through the high school football competitive experience were invited.

A representative from the Hall of Fame spoke first followed by Walter’s older brother Eddie Payton, who spoke on behalf of the family. Eddie is the current Jackson State Golf Coach and is a well known local public figure. He also had his own professional football career that preceded Walter’s, returning punts and kickoffs in the NFL for six years before finishing with the Minnesota Vikings in 1982. Eddie made the deliberate attempt to speak as if he was his late younger brother standing before them. He gave much credit to his parents for the discipline that they instilled, stating that they followed the Golden Rule precisely "Spare the Rod Spoil the Child" to which the whole erupted in laughter.

With his mother and Walter’s Widow, Connie, standing beside him, Jarrett also addressed the crowd. It was his first trip to Columbia since he was a toddler and he apologized for the way he may have acted during his previous visit. It was also obvious that revisiting his father’s hometown and connecting to his Mississippi roots was very meaningful to him and this time it was Jarrett holding back tears during a Hall of Fame speech. Glancing at his mother and then back at the crowd, he spoke of his high admiration for his father and that it was his character much more than his football ability that stands out in his memory about him.

The cover draping over the plaque was finally removed and as expected individuals came up to get a closer look at it and take their own pictures. Its permanent placement location within Columbia has not been decided on yet. A small reception held afterwards in a side room while a Walter Payton highlight reel video played on the TV. Eddie had recognized a friend and member of the Jackson State Community during his speech named James Hartsfield. Barbara introduced us during the ceremony. We shook hands and he looked me in the eyes and said, "Do you remember me?" His face definitely looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place him.

He quickly followed up and said, "I refereed your sister’s basketball games." Then said something that really shocked me, "Your sister was a hell of a basketball player!" While my sister, Cleta, did get her fair share of playing time, I really didn’t think her hoops performance was so exceptional to warrant that kind of praise, and I am confident she would tell you that too. But, James who told me he refereed for 23 years, would be a far better judge of basketball skills than myself, so I will refer to him and give Cleta her due for being "one hell of a basketball player."

James was an institution as a basketball official calling games between St. Richard’s, my elementary and junior high school, against our conference rivals St. Mary’s, St. Therese, Holy Family, St. Andrew’s and the Mississippi School for the Deaf. I also learned from Barbara that when she was a freshman, James was the punter for Jackson State football team. Because of his ability to boot the ball, his nicname was "The Golden Toe" or sometimes just "Toe" for short.

The crowd also ventured out during the reception to the football field to get a closer look at Payton’s south end zone statue which was sculpted by a local artist. Dressed in helmet and shoulder pads, with the #34 printed in the middle of his jersey, he carried the ball in his right hand in permanent stutter step form. While waiting my turn to get closer and take a picture, I overhead Bob Hill, a big man with a big personality, tell a story about recruiting Payton to a few people standing around him.

This part of the story was left untold, but obviously when Payton was coming out of high school in the early 1970's, sports integration in the South was still in its transitional stages, and the recruitment of black athletes by Southeastern Conference and other Division I southern schools was not widespread. Hill was at one of Payton’s games along with a handful of white coaches from much larger universities. While I didn’t quite catch what type of celebratory gesture Payton had made after big play, the other coaches were turned off by it and started commenting and writing notes that he was a troublemaker. At that point, Hill said "he put the word out" adding to their concerns about Payton in hopes they would back off from recruiting him. Hill’s story drew large laughs from the small group gathered around him and I thought it was hilarious too.

Never discount a young kid playing the drums . . . . . . .

- Win

SCHIZOPHRENIC SAINTS

The Saints responded to what many pundits have referred to as the poorest performance of the Sean Payton era in last week's 31-21 loss to the pitiful St. Louis Rams, by settling the score with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 27-16 victory in what was a very complete performance.  Great article from Clarion Ledger columnist Rick Cleveland on this pattern of inconsistency that the Saints have displayed this season, especially in the last four weeks:

Uneven outings make New Orleans hard to figure

NEW ORLEANS — You watch these New Orleans Saints play every Sunday and there comes a time when you want to steal a line from the old What's My Line? game show hosts:
Will the real New Orleans Saints please stand up?
Are they the New Orleans Saints who controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in Sunday's 27-16 conquest of the Tampa Bay Bucs?
Or are they the Saints who sleepwalked through a 31-21 trouncing at the hands of the previously winless St. Louis Rams the previous Sunday?
To continue reading:  http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20111107/COL0504/111070329/Uneven-outings-make-New-Orleans-hard-figure?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports

LOUIS WAS THE ONLY SAINT TO SHINE ON THIS ALL-SAINTS DAY

In their previous victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the New Orleans won the Lombardi Trophy, went to Disney World and had a parade held in their honor.  Apparently they were expecting more accolades after last week's 62-7 beatdown of the Indianpolis Colts.  No,t to try to bring down the bull of a running back that is the St. Louis Rams Steven Jackson.  But the 2011 Peyton-less Colts hardly resemble their 2009 AFC Championship squad, and the Saints don't appear to be quite matching up to their 2009 Championship form either.  Perhaps the inspired play by Jackson and the rest of the Rams was motivated by a case of city sibling rivalry with the St. Louis Cardinals who had just come off of a World Series Championship, and were honored in the Edward R. Jones Dome prior to kickoff.  Whatever the case, the only Saint worth honoring on this All Saints-Day was Louis (strictly sports speaking of course).  Still loyal to the Black & Gold though.

Here is more from Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune describing as what he saw as the worst performance of the Sean Payton era:

Shocking would be an apt description for what took place. No one saw this coming. The Rams hadn't won a game all season. The Saints were coming off an epic 62-7 shellacking of the Colts. The question coming into this game wasn't if the Saints would win, but if they would run up the score as they mercilessly did to the Colts a week ago.
Maybe the Rams were motivated by NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin's prediction that the Saints would hang 60 points on them.
Maybe they were inspired by the presence of so many St. Louis Cardinals players, who received a rousing round of applause from the crowd when they were honored as World Series champions during the first quarter.
Whatever the reason, the Rams (1-6) played with more fire, energy and effort than the Saints (5-3) and outplayed them in every phase. The Rams dominated and deserved to win.
For full article:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/10/new_orleans_saints_lackluster.html

Wide Reciever Mike Wallace Is Key Factor In Steelers Matchup Verse Patriots

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers matchup at Heinz Field today is arguably the highest profile NFL game of the week.  Despite their 5-1 record, the New England Patriots have the worst pass defense in the NFL.  Keying the Steelers ability to exploit this rare weakness for the Patriots is New Orleans native (O. Perry Walker) and former Ole Miss Rebel wide receiver Mike Wallace who has burned the Pats in the past. 

Here is more on the importance of Wallace for the Steelers in today's game from ESPN AFC North blogger Jamison Hensley:

Off to the races: The biggest mismatch at Heinz Field is Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace against the Patriots secondary. Last year, Wallace burned New England for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
Full article:   http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/34417/final-word-afc-north-30

    

Moss Point's Tom Johnson Realizes Dream Playing For Nearby Saints

METAIRIE -- When Tom Johnson was a youngster growing up in Moss Point, he had a dream.
Like many young boys, he spent hours playing football with an eye on the big prize, a chance to play on the biggest stage in the world -- the National Football League.
The dream and commitment came true this season.

Johnson is member of the New Orleans Saints defense. He said he still pinches himself daily to make sure it’s not a fairy tale.
Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/10/27/3537210/johnson-lives-nfl-dream.html#ixzz1c5sEXCyo

JaMarcus Russell Speaks Out

Former Number 1 NFL draft pick LSU Quarterback JaMarcus Russell recently granted an interview to Sports Illustrated's L. Jon Wertheim in a barber shop in the Mobile neighborhood where he grew up.  Russell speaks very candidly about his situation, including the criticism against him and off field challenges he has faced in this very thorough interview:

The Man Who Isn't There

The No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft should be out on the field commanding an NFL team this Sunday. JaMarcus Russell, though, is home in Mobile, absorbing shots to his character and resting on what's left of his $39 million. The most maligned figure in football tells his side.

For full article:  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1191566/1/index.htm

Sharp Shooting Brees Executes Colts

Great article from Clarion Ledger Columnist Rick Cleveland on the Saints domination of the Colts Sunday Night.

Instead of Manning vs. Brees, we got Brees vs. Curtis Painter. Might as well have been an art contest between Picasso vs. your house painter. Both Brees and Painter played their college football at Purdue. Both play the position of quarterback. Both are right-handed.
And that's where the comparisons begin and end.
Instead of a marquee matchup and an exciting game matching two of the most accurate quarterbacks in NFL history, we got a Drew Brees clinic. The toast of New Orleans completed 31of 35 passes for 325 yards and five touchdowns. He threw more touchdowns than incompletions. Yes, and In the fourth quarter, he rested.
For full article:  http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20111024/COL0504/110240330/Near-perfect-Saints-ride-near-perfect-Brees-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|s

MY PREDICTION: PETE CARMICHAEL WILL COACH THE MIAMI DOLPHINS IN 2012

Following their 62-7 demoloshing of the Indianpolis Colts, New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton awarded the game ball to Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael.  With Payton being regulated to watching the game from the press box after suffering a torn MCL in a sideline collision last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carmichael was handed the play calling duties and called the entire offensive onslaught.  While it would be very difficult for Carmichael to match the success of his play calling debut, if he comes anywhere close to it, his chances of being on the Saints sideline for next season greatly decreases.

Could Payton's sideline barring injury mean more doors will open for Carmichael?  Yes, it definitely does.  Granted the Colts defense didn't exactly bring back many reminders of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Steel Curtain defense of the 1970's, but you have to feel good about how Brees & Company were just flawless their domination .  With the winless St. Louis Rams coming up next, the chances to light up the scoreboard for consecutive weeks is highly likely.

I may be getting a little ahead of myself, but should the Saints offense maintain its stride throughout Carmichael's play calling duties, look for his name to rise to the top of the inevitable NFL head coaching vacancies at the end of the season.  Where I believe Carmichael will end up:  The Miami Dolphins.  I like their head coach Tony Sparano but the chances of him keeping his job are slim to none. 

A young aggressive, innovative play caller like Carmichael would be a burst of fresh air for the offensive anemic, winless Dolphins, where he would once again be assigned the job of finding open space for Reggie Bush.  The Dolphins just must do like they have been doing and not win any games in order to remain in the hunt for getting first crack at drafting Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck.

My instincts tell me that Carmichael and Luck would be an ideal fit.  Luck would certainly benefit from having his first NFL head coach be one that helped mold Drew Brees into the Quarterback he is today. And it would be a golden opportunity for Carmichael to follow up on his experience with Brees and Payton by having such a young, highly accurate passer like Luck to help develop into a top flight NFL quarterback.  

However, after watching Sunday night's game, regressing beyond that of the Indianopolis Colts would be quite a challenge, even for the Miami Dolphins.  Carmichael would then be stuck with Matt Moore.  Unless of course the Colts determine Peyton Manning still has some good years left in him after sitting out this season with a neck injury, and draft Alabama Running Back Trent Richardson with the first pick.  Which is what I would do if I was General Manager Bill Polian.

Regardless of which team gets the very first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, mark my words, "Pete Carmichael will be offered the Miami Dolphins head coaching job for 2012."

That's my Nostradamus NFL coaching change prediction and I'm sticking to it.

- Win

Former Rebel and New Orleanian BenJarvus Green-Ellis Bulldozes Over Jets

Ole Miss and New Orleans St. Augustine Alumnus BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a career game in the New England Patriots 30-21 victory over the New York Jets rushing for 136 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns. 
Here is more on GreenEllis's big day and the Patriots victory over there AFC East rivals from
USA TODAY:

Green-Ellis runs for 2 TDs, Patriots beat Jets

By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY

But all the drama was ultimately seized by the home team, as the Patriots exposed a Jets weakness — the run defense — as if it were a scab to be ripped apart.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis right. Green-Ellis left. Green-Ellis up the middle.

The Patriots kept moving the chains with the 215-pound back, and despite knowing exactly what Bill Belichick's team was trying to accomplish — chew the clock — the Jets' 28th-ranked defense was too feeble to do anything about it when it mattered most.

For full article:  http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/story/2011-10-09/Jets-Patriots/50713476/1

Giving Sproles His Space

Great article posted by Chris Brown on Grantland.Com about how effective the Saints have been in creating the necessary space for Darren Sproles to best utlize his speed, and how this trend has spread with small, lightening quick running backs across the NFL.

NFL Strategy: Darren Sproles and the Rise of the Space Player

Saints coach Sean Payton knows how to use space players. Before Sproles, New Orleans had Reggie Bush, whose career has been disappointing given the massive hype with which he entered the NFL. But even though Bush hadn't developed into the star they hoped he would be, New Orleans wanted to keep him because he was the kind of space player that their system needed. Bush left for the Miami Dolphins during the frenzied fall free-agent season, so the Saints found a new space guy: Darren Sproles.¹ The ex-Charger signed within 24 hours of Bush's departure, on the explicit rationale that Sproles would be the new Bush.
For full article: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7064975/darren-sproles-rise-space-player

REVENGE SEEKING SHOCKEY THWARTED BY REPLACEMENT GRAHAM

From Ron Green, Jr. of The Charlotte Observer:

Tight end Jeremy Shockey pulled on a red shirt and camouflage print pants late Sunday afternoon in the quiet of the Carolina Panthers' locker room, sighed deeply and looked into the faces and cameras staring at him.
This one, Shockey said earlier in the week, was different because he had been released by the New Orleans Saints after last season and he had taken it personally. The Saints had decided to go with six-foot, six-inch tight end Jimmy Graham, who spent Sunday afternoon tormenting the Panthers.
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/10/09/2679313/rough-day-for-ex-saint-shockey.html#ixzz1aNtyyfxD

SAINTS CLOSE VICTORY OVER PANTHERS SIGNIFIES NARROWING OF THE COMPETITIVE GAP

From ESPN.COM NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas:

Thoughts on the New Orleans Saints’ 30-27 victory against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium:

What it means: The gap in competitive balance between the top and bottom of the NFC South has narrowed. The gap in the standings has not. As they’ve been doing most of the season, the Panthers kept things very close. They played a New Orleans team that’s been to the playoffs the past two seasons very tightly. But, ultimately, Drew Brees and the Saints rallied to score (on a touchdown pass to Pierre Thomas) with 50 seconds remaining. That puts the Saints at 4-1 and, depending on how Tampa Bay does in its later game at San Francisco, no worse than a share of first place in the division. The Panthers are much improved and there’s little doubt they’ll pull off some upsets later in the year. But the bottom line is Carolina is 1-4.
To continue reading: 
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/26012/wrap-up-saints-30-panthers-27

THE HEISMAN REMATCH: MARK INGRAM VS CAM NEWTON

The State of Alabama's Heisman Trophy showdown between Mark Ingram and Cam Newton makes its NFC South debut today when the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers meet at noon in Charlotte.  Newton is 1-0 in the lone showdown between the Heisman winners leading Auburn back from a 24-0 defecit to win 28-27, solidifying his hold on the Heisman race en route to Auburn's National Championship.  With his impressive early season passing numbers, Newton has even exceeded the early high expectations that come with being the #1 overall NFL draft pick.  Today will be the Saints first match up against him and as the AP article below from the Baton Rouge Advcoate indicates, Newton looks like he will be a long term challenge/headache to the Saints for years to come. 

Former Alabama Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram has also been a bright spot for the Saints, showing the same type of burst of explosiveness that we saw during his college career and picking up the tough inside yardage that Reggie Bush was so often unable to get.  With the Saints running back trio of Ingram, Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas, don't expect Ingram's rushing statistics to be on the same level as Newton's passing numbers.  However, the Panthers biggest weakness is their rushing defense and a big reason while improved, they are still just 1-3.  So, look for the Saints' pass-happy offensive attack to be a little bit more run balanced today, which will help eat up clock and keep Newton off the field.

Even though I am not an Alabamian, I have watched every single Iron Bowl that I can remember.  I've never had a dog in that fight, but have always been highly entertained by the close contests and heated rivalry.  Today I do and I'm rooting for Ingram to settle the score.

WHO DAT BABY!!

Saints begin era vs. Newton

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton is learning how much he hates losing. He doesn't like it, either.

Carolina's rookie quarterback sat stewing in front of his locker at Soldier Field following last Sunday's 34-29 loss to Chicago. When a teammate tried to approach him to offer encouragement, Newton shrugged him off and went back to his slow burn.

The Panthers (1-3) have fallen short in three of their first four games, leaving Newton and many of his teammates aggravated over their inability to close games out.

To continue reading:  http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20111009/SPORTS/110090365/Saints-begin-era-vs-Newton?odyssey=mod_sectionstories

Chad Jones Making Recovery Strides

Ex-LSU Tiger Chad Jones looking forward after running a 4.84-second 40-yard dash

By Keith Peneguy, The Times-Picayune The Times-Picayune
Chad Jones, the former LSU standout football and baseball player who almost needed his left leg amputated after a 2010 car accident, took some major steps in his rehabilitation Wednesday -- some rather brisk steps.
In an attempt to showcase the progress he has made since the horrific one-car accident, Jones ran a pair of 40-yard dashes in front of a crowd of about 300 spectators at St. Martin's Episcopal School in Metairie on Wednesday.

He dazzled his onlookers, sprinting to the finish line in 4.84 seconds in his first run. Minutes later, he clocked a 4.90.
To continue reading:  http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2011/10/ex-lsu_tiger_chad_jones_lookin.html

"Live From the Mercedes-Benz Superdome!" Not Exactly Rolling Off My Lips

The recent announcement of Mercedez-Benz buying the naming rights to the Superdome eliminates the $13.8 million annual payment made by the State of Louisiana according to the article below.  Not sure how I feel about this (nor was I asked), although the funds were definitely needed.  The Superdome is such a classic icon that it seems having a corporate name attached to it would somehow lessen its authenticity, even though its existency depended upon a government sponsor since it was built.  Mercedes-Benz is obviously a classic to me, but it also seems a bit ironic to me that the home of a fan base that takes such pride in its blue collar image is now named after a luxury car maker.  The Zatarain's Superdome falls off my lips a little more naturally, but as good as their packaged Jambalaya is I doubt they have the purchasing power of Mercedes-Benz to buy the whole building.

NEW ORLEANS -- The home of the New Orleans Saints and site of six Super Bowls will be renamed the Mercedes-Benz Superdome under a deal with the German automaker announced Tuesday.
The deal will allow Mercedes-Benz USA to have its name associated with championships in college and pro football and men’s college basketball over the next 16 months -- plus an NFL team that has gone from a doormat to Super Bowl winner. The stadium also hosted a Republican presidential convention and a visit from the pope, and once served as refuge for thousands of miserable victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The team holds authority to sell naming rights to the 73,000-seat, state-owned stadium through their lease, which runs through 2025.

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/10/04/3484655/mercedes-benz-buys-superdome-naming.html#ixzz1ZxJ1r8Or

Big Weekend For Gulf Coast Running Backs Across College Football And The NFL

Gulf Coast native running backs put on some superb performances throughout college football and the NFL this past weekend.

Pensacola's Trent Richardson ran all over his home state team in Alabama's 38-10 domination of Florida, gaining, 181 yards and scoring two touchdowns to also boost his Heisman Trophy candidacy.
Ole Miss running back Brandon Bolden of Baton Rouge got into the end zone for the first time this season with a two touchdown performance in the Rebels 38-28 win over Fresno State.  Bolden only had 43 total yards but he did it just on 6 carries for an impressive 7 yards per carry average.
Slidell High School and Tulane Alum Matt Forte had 205 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the Chicago Bears 34-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
And Perry Florida's LeGarette Blount bulldozed over the Indianapolis Colts defense for 127 yards rushing on 25 carries.  Blount's 35 yard touchdown with 3:15 left to play sealed the victory for the Bucs.

Cameron Jordan Meeting Early Expectations

He hasn't gotten a sack yet, but his solid play against the run and ability to grasp the pro game, has earned Saints first round draft pick defensive end Cameron Jordan a starting position in his first four NFL games.  Nice feature from James Varney of The Times-Picayune on Jordan's progress:

New Orleans Saints rookie Cameron Jordan proves to be answer at defensive end

In at least one sense, New Orleans Saints' first-round draft choice Cameron Jordan has fulfilled what the club had hoped for him: he is a starter. In fact, Jordan has started every game at defensive end in his rookie season. Although he has yet to get one of the glamour stats of his position - a sack, a forced fumble or, best of all, a sack that causes a fumble - Jordan has been there against the run. He has been credited with four solo tackles and three assists in three games.
To continue reading:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/09/new_orleans_saints_first-round_1.html

LaRon Landry Makes Strong Return In Redskins Loss

Playing for the first time since November 15, 2010, Washington Redskins Strong Safety LaRon Landry made an enormous presence in his team's 18-16 loss to the archrival Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night.  He had been out with injuries to his achilles and then hamstring according to http://www.redskins.com/. 

It was evident that Landry, a former All American at both LSU and Hahnville High School in Boutte, LA, was ready to get back to his hard hitting ways.  He tackled Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones on the very first play of the game, tomahawked the ball out of the arms of wide receiver Kevin Ogletree causing a fumble, blew up Cowboys wide receiver Laurent Robinson on a pass forcing an incompletion and pressured Tony Romo to get rid of the ball early on a safety blitz leading to an underthrown pass that was intercepted by Kevin Barnes.

Ogletree's fumble was recovered by cornerback Josh Wilson at the Cowboys ten yard line and led to a Redskins field goal.  However, the offense's inability to get a touchdown was typical of their ineptness, and the reason they were unable to get a victory, despite a strong defensive performance against a Dallas Cowboys offense that was only slightly better.

Landry, who has had some of his best career performances against his nearby hometown New Orleans Saints, is now under the tutelage of former Saints Coach Jim Haslett.  Haslett, as you probably know is now the Redskins defensive coordinator; and just like when he was coaching the Saints, the Redskins are much stronger defensively.  However, this time, Haslett can't be held responsible for the offense's inefficiencies, which the Aaron Brooks' led Saints offense certainly was under his reign.

During the 2009 Saints Super Bowl run, they were barely able to get out of Washington with a victory.  An 18 yard field field goal by Garrett Hartley in overtime clipped the underachieving Redskins 33-30, to extend the Saints winning streak to twelve games.  In that contest, Landry had 12 solo tackles and three pass defenses (stats via Wikipedia). 

The previous year the Saints also visited Washington, but came away unsucccessful.  It was during the second week of the season, and took place on a blistering hot September afternoon with temperatures in the high 90's.  Making the elements even more challenging were the black jerseys the Saints wore, as the Redskins naturally opted for their home team whites.  I was still living in DC and attended the game, along with a good number of other who dat fans. 

Midway through the fourth quarter with the Saints in the lead and facing third and long, Drew Brees threw a pass over the middle to Reggie Bush, who had picked up a few extra yards before Landry solo tackled him in the open field.  Landry's stop prevented  the Saints from picking up the first down giving the momentum back to the Redskins, who made a very rare touchdown winning drive when quarterback Jason Campbell threw a scoring bomb with under a minute left to Santana Moss. 

The last lead of the game for the Saints came on a Bush touchdown punt return early in the fourth quarter.  With only about ten yards of open field remaining between him and the end zone, Bush turned back and waved at the last defender chasing him.  It reminded me very much of the NFC Championship Game against Chicago when he did the same thing on the screen play that he had gotten loose on, and I knew it would come back to bite us.  Just a few minutes later, Bush had once again found the open space he is so dangerous in, but at that moment Southern California born speed could not match the toughness born of the Gulf Coast and the SEC, causing the momentum to shift and the tables to turn

- Win           

Spear In Back Ignites Saints 4th Quarter Comeback

Great article from Jeff Duncan of The Times Picayune on the Saints 4th Quarter comeback victory over the Houston Texans yesterday which was triggered when cornerback Kareem Jackson speared Drew Brees in the back late in the third quarter:

Drew Brees leads epic fourth-quarter comeback for New Orleans Saints

You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Drew Brees. Not in his house. Not with his good buddy on the sideline. And not on the five-year anniversary of one of the most important wins in Saints history.

The Texans messed with Brees on Sunday and didn't live to tell about it.
They returned to the Lone Star State beaten and wiser, having learned a valuable gridiron lesson: When you're fortunate enough to have the Saints and Brees down, the last thing you want to do is kick him. Or in Kareem Jackson's case, spear him in the back.
To continue reading:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/09/drew_brees_epic_fourth-quarter.html

Fresh Prince Of Sacks Returns To Saints Defensive Line

Defensive End Will Smith returns to the New Orleans this Sunday for their home game against the red hot
2-0 Houston Texans after serving a two game league suspension for use of a banned weight-loss substance.  Arguably, the Saints best pass rusher, Smith's absence was felt in their opening loss to Green Bay, but the defense managed just fine the following week against the Chicago Bears, battering Quarterback Jay Cutler sacking him 8 times while also forcing endless knockdowns.

With their highly balanced offensive attack, the Texans will undoubtedly provide the Saints defense a greater challenge than the Chicago Bears did.  Quarterback Matt Schaub is one of the league's highest rated passers and his primary target, wide receiver Andre Johnson, is regarded by many as the number one deep threat.  Smith's return has come at just the right time.  According to Sean Payton he has had a great camp.  Let's hope the rust has been knocked off.

Here is the first part of Brett Martel's AP story on the return of Smith published in the Biloxi Sun Herald:

A sack leader is back

METAIRIE -- As pleased as Will Smith was to be back at practice on Wednesday, he seemed even happier that he no longer has to worry about the specter of a suspension that has weighed on him for three seasons.
“I’m just glad to put it behind me,” said Smith, who in 2008 tested positive for a diuretic that is banned by the NFL because it can be used to mask steroid use.
“I know the coaches were always concerned about it, the fans, everyone was always concerned about it, and I’m happy that it’s over with now so I don’t have to worry about it and can just focus on football, focus on the Houston Texans and focus on the rest of the year.”
Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/09/21/3449827/a-sack-leader-is-back.html#ixzz1YhpduzYL   

Belhaven Alum Tramaine Brock Is NFL Interception Leader For San Francisco 49ers. Yeah, That's Right.

While researching the statistical leaders on the NFL.com website Monday night in an effort to make better decisions about my fantasy football team "yallaintgotachance" playing in the Ms. Mae's Bastard Sons league, I made a surprising discovery.  At the top of the interceptions leaders list was a name and picture that rang a bell, Tramaine Brock of the San Francisco 49ers.  So, I clicked on his name to access his profile, and right there it stated, college Belhaven and hometown, Gulfport, Mississippi.

 I could not have been more shocked that the little tiny school located just up the street from where I grew up had produced the leader of any NFL category.  Not Miami, USC, Florida, Ohio State, but Belhaven. Soccer teams and Singing Christmas Trees I give Belhaven credit for, but not for producing top notch NFL cornerbacks. If memory serves me correct, the school did not even field a football team untill about 15-20 years ago.  I had read during the preseason that Belhaven had a player in the NFL, but the name had escaped me, and I had wrongly assumed that he would be way down the depth chart and would be lucky to still be on the team when the regular season started.  Shame on me! 

Technically, Brock is not the league's interception leader.  He is tied for two with several other players, having intercepted a pass in each of the 49er's first two games.  For that reason, the leaders are currently listed in alphabetical order and the name "Brock" is the undisputed leader on that end, so what the heck give him the tiebreaker!                 

Now for a little more on Brock:  Even though Gulfport is listed as his hometown, it was nearby Long Beach where we went to high school and played for the Bearcats.  Coming out of high school, he was a two star recruit according to Scout.Com and enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, helping the Bulldogs win a national championship his sophomore year.  After community college, he spent a year at the University of Minnesota before transferring to Belhaven for his senior season, where he had 6 interceptions for the Blazers.  Now you may think the year he spent playing for Minnesota somehow dilutes this rags to riches story, but he definitely came to the NFL straight from the Blazers and not the Golden Gophers!

This is Brock's second year in the league.  He was an undrafted free agent for the 49ers in 2010 and finished up the season on the practice squad.   With the pass-happy NFC West that the 49ers play in, Brock definitely has the opportunity for quite a few more picks this season.  If he keeps it up, we could have another all pro player coming out of the Gulf Coast, and the first one from Belhaven.

Also listed among the NFL's statistical leaders is running back Fred Jackson of the Buffalo Bills, who leads the league with 229 rushing yards.  His alma mater is Coe College.  Where the Hell is that?

- Win

Tulane's Matt Forte Provides Bears Only Offensive Spark In Return Trip To The Dome

It was a complete game for the Saints both offensively and defensively in their 30-13 victory over the Chicago Bears, yet at times Slidell High School and Tulane alum Matt Forte gave the defense fits as the shifty and elusive running back rushed for 74 yards and caught 10 passes for 117 yards.

Here is an article from Jimmy Smith of The Times Picayune on Forte's return trip to the Dome:

On Sunday, this time wearing the colors of the Chicago Bears, Forté, the Slidell High School alum, provided the bulk of the Bears' offense in a 30-13 loss to the Saints, accounting for 166 of Chicago's 246 total yards, sending about 20 family members in attendance home satisfied with Forte's effort but disappointed in the game's outcome.
"It was nice to play in front of my family," Forte said quietly in front of his locker in the Bears' dressing room. "We didn't get the win, but this just gives us motivation to come out and work harder in practice. This was fun. It reminded me of the time we played LSU in the Dome."
For full article go to:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/09/matt_forte_is_offensive_bright.html

Destrehan's Ed Reed Continues To Pick 'Em Off

Big opening game for Baltimore Ravens Free Safety Ed Reed who had two interceptions in his team's 35-7 win over their divisional rival Pittsburg Steelers.   Reed, a native of St. Rose, Louisiana just outside of New Orleans, was All State at Destrehan High School before going onto an All American career at the University of Miami.  I've always thought it ironic that with rich history Miami has had of getting All American defensive backs right out of their own backyard in South Florida, arguably the best they have ever had comes from South Louisiana.  Now in his 10th NFL Season, Reed's two interceptions Sunday, which also happened to be his 33rd birthday, gives him an amazing 56 for his career.  Reed, who led the NFL interceptions in 2010 with 8, now also moves into second place in total intercpetion return yardage, trailing only Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Rod Woodson.  It is pretty much certain that Reed will join Woodson in Canton one day.

Here is the link from The Baltimore Sun to Reed's post game interview:   http://www.baltimoresun.com/videogallery/64673665/Sports/Ravens-Reed-This-is-just-game-one

 

Cheeseheads Don't Get Crunked

Here is an excellent article from Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune constrasting the different celebration styles between Packers fans and Saints fans.  Let's just say that Packers fans are a little more subdued.  It is very reflective of the NBC promo for tonight's game in which a group of happy, peaceful Green Bay fans enjoying a neighborhood cookout are intruded by a Brass Band leading a group of Saints fans doing a Second Line Parade.  While the article focuses on the different collective personalities of both fan bases, it also makes the comparison between the similar playing styles that each team shares with their quick strike offenses and opportunistic defenses.

Can't wait till kickoff!

Green Bay Packers' celebration in stark contrast to New Orleans Saints'

By Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune
GREEN BAY, WIS. - About 40 people gathered in front of a wooden fence across the street from Lambeau Field on Monday to take part in what has become a ritual in this tradition-rich football town. The second annual Fence Paint & Tailgate Party attracted a small army of grandmothers, toddlers and businessmen decked head to toe in green and gold and armed with paint cans and brushes.
For full article:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/09/they_love_their_packers_but_gr.html

Jimmy Graham: The Next Kellen Winslow, Sr.

The Saints had many positives in their 40-20 preseason win over the Oakland Raiders, but for me the biggest had to be the play of tight end Jimmy Graham  who led the team in receiving with 5 catches for 73 yards.  Graham, is quickly developing into one of the league's premiere young talents, and is providing strong justification for the trading of Jeremy Shockey.  The former Miami Hurricane Basketball player did not play football until his senior year catching a modest 17 passes and 5 touchdown receptions. 

Just like other tight ends who come from basketball backgrounds (ie; Antonio Gates), Graham is proving how much of an effective receiver he can be, and is fitting into the Saints' offensive scheme very well.  Graham actually reminds me alot of Kellen Winslow, Jr., another tight end from "The U" that preceeded him. Especially in the way that both Graham and Winslow spread the field.  Graham even seems more like the college version of Winslow, than the actual Winslow does now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

If Graham keeps progressing like he has been and continues to have an All Pro Quarterback throwing to him, he could even reach the level of achievement of Winslow Jr's father, former San Diego Charger Hall of Fame Tight End, Kellen Winslow Sr.  Of course, the elder Winslow also benefitted from having Dan Fouts as his Quarterback.  Which brings up a question as I consider what Graham could mean to the Saints long term.  Is the Saints offense the NFL's modern version of Air Coryell?  With Sean Payton as Don Coryell, Drew Brees as Dan Fouts, Robert Meacham as John Jefferson,  Marques Colston as James Lofton, and back to Graham as Kellen Winslow, Sr.?

Considering Brees' previous tenure in San Diego and it also being the hometown of Reggie Bush, the
pass-happy comparisons between today's Saints and the Chargers of the late 70's and early 80's can go on for awhile.  Yes, I know including Reggie is a stretch since he is in Miami now, but he is still a part of the Saints' modern era and is so closely associated with the Southern California lifetstyle.  And since Reggie worked out so much better as a receiver than a "true running back", that also fits in with the Air Coryell passing attack.

Comparing the Saints to yesterday's Chargers also connects to me on a personal level .  In 1979, the Saints had their first non-losing season in franchise history finishing at 8-8 and the excitement was felt all the way to Jackson.  Towards the end of that season with things going pretty well, my dad took me to my first ever Saints game so that we could also Be in that Number (even if by wins and losses it was only around 500).  The opponent was Air Coryell and the San Diego Chargers.  After walking up the long ramps inside the Dome which seemed like it took forever, we finally reached our section entrance.  As I saw the field and stands of the Superdome in person for the first time, I was in complete awe with wide opened eyes.

I was not prepared for though what happened next.  A murder was about to take place.  The perpetrator, however, was easy to spot and there were no shortage of witnesses  He had a lightening bolt alongside his helmet and a laser-cannon for an arm.  Dan Fouts simply annihilated the Saints.  The Hall of Fame Quarterback waisted no time going for the kill, throwing 5 touchdown passes in the first half giving the Chargers a 35-0 halftime lead. 

Dad had already given up by the second Fouts' touchdown pass, but we hung on untill halftime, then left and went to a watering hole to wait until the end of the game for his friends that we had rode down with from Jackson.  I don't remember much after that, except that my dad was drinking from a tall, thin glass unlike any I had ever seen at home, and that the final score was 35-0.  The Saints were obviously able to stop the pain when we were not in their presence.

Of course there is one major difference between the modern Saints and the San Diego Chargers of the Air Coryell era:  We have a Lombardi Trophy. 

Yes, Defense does win championships, something the Charges back then lacked.  Thank you, Gregg Williams and Jonathan Vilma.  Now, let's get these missed tackles corrected before September, 8th.  They are bringing back too many Marshawn Lynch flashbacks.

- Win

    

Saints' Offense Hits Stride Verse Raiders

OAKLAND, CALIF. - Looking for a rock-solid performance to send the preseason toward its anticlimactic finish, the New Orleans Saints got what they wanted Sunday in a convincing 40-20 victory.

The Saints' starting offense moved with precision and efficiency, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal on the team's first three possessions and converting two-thirds of the third-down situations it faced.

The defense, while allowing its concentration to flicker here and there and consequently missing a tackle, made Oakland work for what it got and came up with the turnover it needed at the end of the first half
To continue reading:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/08/new_orleans_saints_get_just_wh.html

Protecting Saints RB Darren Sproles Causes Brief Team Scuffle

Good feature article from the Associated Press on Darren Sproles's transition to the Saints.
By GREG BEACHAM
Associated Press
OXNARD, Calif. -- When the New Orleans Saints’ defense stayed on top of Darren Sproles a bit too long during a practice drill earlier this week, most of the offense jumped in to rescue the new running back, setting off a brief scuffle on an otherwise peaceful California afternoon. Safety Malcolm Jenkins even grabbed hold of tight end Jimmy Graham’s facemask before everybody calmed down.

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/08/26/3378498/sproles-grateful-for-new-start.html#ixzz1WGYvN0zD

Cam Jordan Adjusting To The NFL

TIM ISBELL/SUN HERALD Cam Jordan

By James Jones, The Sun Herald
“Our mom wouldn’t let us play football until we were mature enough,” Jordan said. “When me and my brothers turned 13, we got thrown into football. We found the love for football. My dad was always around to help us.”
Jordan said he doesn’t feel any pressure to surpass the expectations of Steve Jordan, who had 498 career receptions and made the Pro Bowl from 1986 to 1991.
“It’s a privilege to play in the NFL,” Jordan said. “Not many people get to do this.”
Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/08/24/3373481/saints-expect-jordan-to-anchor.html#ixzz1W2WYrjb3

Was Saints Poor Defensive Performance Against Houston A Preview Of Regular Season Or Not?

Bothered by Saints' bad night in Houston? Forget about it.
By Ed Daniels
Concerned about the lousy performance by the New Orleans Saints defense in Houston?
You shouldn't be.
You shouldn't be concerned about the 436 total yards gained by the Texans, including 208 yards on the ground. Or by quarterback Matt Schaub's 12 completions in 16 attempts for 163 yards.
Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is always willing to confront the obvious: his defense was bad, but only in a preseason game
Full Article:  http://www.sportsnola.com/sports/saints/saints-news/574478-bothered-by-saints-bad-night-in-houston-forget-about-it.html

Robert Irsay Lost In Hattiesburg, Is Favre Farm His Destination?

Colts owner tweets he's in Hattiesburg

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay posted on his Twitter account that he was in Brett Favre's hometown, but the quarterback's agent says he has not heard of any interest from the Colts.
The 41-year-old Favre retired in the offseason after a 20-year career and lives in Hattiesburg.
"Brad, I'm in Hattiesburg ... is it right or left at the Firechief?" Irsay tweeted Sunday, presumably referring to former Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress, who traveled to Mississippi last July in an apparently successful attempt to keep Favre from retiring.
For full article:  http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp11/story/_/id/6883018/indianapolis-colts-owner-jim-irsay-tweets-brett-favre-hometown

Stinchcomb Released By Saints

Few on New Orleans Saints roster saw Jon Stinchcomb's release coming

By John DeShazier, The Times-Picayune NOLA.com

Jon Stinchcomb was not among the New Orleans Saints' untouchables.

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Saints offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb blocks for Drew Brees during the preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers at the Superdome last Friday.

No shame there.
But that doesn't mean you could see his release Monday coming from a mile away, doesn't even mean you could have spotted it on the horizon with a pair of binoculars.
To continue reading:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/08/few_on_new_orleans_saints_rost.html

Saints Will Hold Extra Week Of Training Camp In Southern California

New Orleans Saints wanted to extend camp, move to better weather in California

By Mike Triplett, The Times Picayune

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton said there were a number of reasons for the team's decision to head West for an extra week of training camp in Oxnard, Calif., from August 21-28.
Most importantly, Payton said he wanted to extend training camp for an extra week during this abbreviated NFL offseason. He wanted the extra time to build team camaraderie and continue to install the team's playbook.
In order to do that here in Metairie, the Saints might have had to switch hotels. But Payton said he liked the idea of taking camp on the road to a new location anyway. He said the team considered a few locations, but Oxnard was the top choice and fit into the travel plans between exhibition games at Houston and at Oakland.
For full article go to:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/08/new_orleans_saints_wanted_to_e.html#incart_mrt

Saints Team To Beat According To Washington Post Blogger

Don’t fall asleep on the New Orleans Saints this season

By Anthony Stalter

What people remember is how the Seahawks embarrassed them in last year’s playoffs. But the Saints were doomed long before that. Drew Brees wasn’t the same player he was in 2009, Sean Payton wasn’t the same play caller, and Gregg Williams’ defense wasn’t as opportunistic. Then the inevitable happened: injuries started to mount and when players at key positions failed to pick up the slack, the Saints struggled. Simply put, the wheels fell off and it allowed the Falcons to seize control of the NFC South.
But the Falcons have depth issues heading into the season, which is one area the Saints addressed this offseason. On defense, they wanted to get stronger up front, so they signed the highly underrated Aubrayo Franklin, as well a player in Shaun Rogers who can be destructive when he’s motivated. They also replaced the oft-injured Reggie Bush with Darren Sproles, whom Payton will love drawing up plays for. The signings of Turk McBride, Korey Hall and Fabian Washington didn’t turn heads like the Eagles’ additions of Nnamadi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins and Ronnie Brown, but those three players are the types of veteran acquisitions that Super Bowl-caliber teams make in the offseason.
For full article go to:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-league/post/dont-fall-asleep-on-the-new-orleans-saints-this-season/2010/12/20/gIQA5Pu52I_blog.html

Manning Offers Colts Discount

Manning proves his mettle with request to make less money

By Mike Lopresti, Gannett

Makes you wonder if the apocalypse is coming. Ah, but we're talking Peyton Manning. He values team priorities like he throws touchdowns, or maybe that should be the other way around.

He stood there Sunday describing his new five-year $90 million deal that had been downsized by the Indianapolis Colts, because that's what he wanted. He asked, they cut. It was like watching a man walk into an IRS office and insist on a tax increase.

For full article go to:  http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2011-07-31-peyton-manning-contract_n.htm

Malcolm Jenkins Could Go Down As One Of The Best Saints Of All Timce According To Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams

Could Malcolm Jenkins become the Rickey Jackson of free safeties for the Saints?  Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams believes Jenkins could become one of the best players in franchise history.  From the Times Picayune:

New Orleans free safety Malcolm Jenkins is wise beyond his years

By Jeff Duncan

In his first meeting with reporters at training camp on Saturday, the New Orleans Saints' loquacious defensive coordinator dropped a doozy about free safety Malcolm Jenkins.
"If he stays healthy, he'll go down as one of the better Saints of all-time," Williams said.
For full article:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/08/new_orleans_free_safety_malcol.html

Julio Jones Signs Contract With Falcons

Wide Receiver Julio Jones, the 6th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and a native of Foley, has signed a 4 year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.  Here is the article from Al.com: 

Julio Jones gets $16.2 million over four years from Falcons, according to report

By Don Kausler Jr.

With a contract in the hands that helped him set receiving records at Alabama, Julio Jones is on his way to training camp with the Atlanta Falcons.
Jones signed a four-year contract worth a guaranteed $16.2 million on Thursday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and then the first-round draft choice was able to attend a team meeting.
For full article: 

Reggie Bush Continues Traditon Of Saints Heisman Trophy Running Backs Leaving To Play For Dolphins

Here is the Times Picayune's Jeff Duncan on the Reggie Bush Trade To Miami:

In Miami, Reggie Bush will get what he wants most: The ball and the spotlight

The New Orleans Saints pulled off a major coup in the wee hours of Thursday morning by trading Reggie Bush to Miami.

John McCusker/The Times-PicayuneReggie Bush's price was too much for the New Orleans Saints, so he was dealt to Miami.

The deal is a win-win for the Saints, even if they lost a key part of their offense.
And make no mistake, Bush, for all of his shortcomings, was a critical weapon in Sean Payton's high-octane attack. The Saints offense will be different without Bush. It'll still be potent. But it won't be nearly as versatile.
For full article go to:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/07/bush_column.html

Training Camp, Sweet Training Camp For Pensacola's NFL Players

Sitton, local stars back to NFL

By Bob Heist The  Pensacola News Journal
"As a player, we've been up in the air over this whole thing, really, since March," said Sitton, the starting right guard for the reigning Super Bowl champion Packers. "It's been a long process, probably a little bit too drawn out, but now it's time to go back to work.
"For me personally, I had a good vacation, but this was too long. Playing football is what I do and I'm really glad we're getting back to that."
For full article go to:  http://www.pnj.com/article/20110726/SPORTS/107260308/Sitton-local-stars-back-NFL?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports

Gulf Breeze's Doug Baldwin Signs With Seahawks

From The Pensacola News Journal

What a ride for Doug Baldwin: From Gulf Breeze to the Seattle Seahawks

By Bob Heist

"I remember growing up and knowing Derrick Brooks and Emmitt Smith came from Pensacola, Florida," Baldwin said. "That was all I wanted to do — to be just like them. I remember being 8 years old and envisioned myself being 25, 26 and wanting a young kid growing up to be like Doug Baldwin.
"Obviously, I'm not like Derrick Brooks and Emmitt Smith right now, but this is the first step to living a dream that they helped to create for me."
For full article go to:  http://www.pnj.com/article/20110727/SPORTS/107270334/What-ride-Doug-Baldwin-From-Gulf-Breeze-Seattle-Seahawks?odyssey=mod_sectionstories

Favre Comeback Just A Rumor According To Bus Cook

Agent: Talk of Favre’s return is ‘speculation’

ASSOCIATED PRESS

HATTIESBURG -- Brett Favre’s agent says talk of his client attempting another NFL comeback is just “speculation.”
Bus Cook said on Monday morning that Favre hasn’t talked to him about any sort of comeback and to his knowledge, Favre “hasn’t talked to anybody else about a comeback” either.
Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/07/25/3299134/agent-talk-of-favres-return-is.html#ixzz1TD1Rg0UX

Marshall Faulk Honored Alongside Former High School Coach At New Orleans Sports Hall Of Fame Induction

On the same night that Marshall Faulk is inducted into the Allstate Sugar Bowl Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame, his former coach at Carver High School, Wayne Reese received the coveted Eddie Robinson Award.  During Faulk's speech he gives special tribute to the influence that Coach Reese had upon him. 
Below is the text of Faulk's speech from the article published in The Times Picayune.

Marshall Faulk proud to take stage with his former high school coach, Wayne Reese

By Chris Abshire, The Times-Picayune NOLA.com

"At the time, what was asked of me as a football player, I had no idea," Faulk said. "The sacrifice, making me play different positions, him teaching me the game -- I thought he was just trying to keep me out of trouble by having me come up to Carver at 6 (a.m.) or 7 every morning to clean the boiler room or work out. But I learned that's what it takes to make it in life. So Coach Reese, thank you. I'll forever be indebted to you."
For full article go to:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/07/marshall_faulk_honored_by_home.html

Kevin Faulk Discusses Impact Of NFL Lockout

In the following article from the Lafayette Advertiser, Carencro, LA native and and former LSU great RB Kevin Faulk, who is entering his 13th season with the New England Patriots, discusses the challenges of trying to overcome his torn ACL injury without having access to team trainers during the NFL lockout.  Faulk also points to the positives of building team unity through the player organized workouts.

Faulk facing questions as well

In his 13th season as an NFL running back, Kevin Faulk has pretty much seen it all.

The scenario he's currently returning to, however, is new even for a veteran like Faulk.

The former Carencro High and LSU star migrated north again this weekend awaiting the start of the NFL season with the New England Patriots with more than one question mark in his mind.

To continue reading go to:  http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20110724/SPORTS/107240336/Faulk-facing-questions-well

Eli Manning's Special Cause: The Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital

The following article from the Clarion Ledger provides an excellent account of how The Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson has benefitted greatly from Eli Manning's dedication and special interest.

Eli Manning works magic for children's hospital

By Billy Watkins
The photograph is on Archie and Olivia Manning's refrigerator in their Oxford condominium.
It shows their youngest son, Eli Manning -- then a star quarterback at Ole Miss - during one of the traditional pregame team walks through The Grove. He is holding the hand of a little girl, who looks to be about 4 years old.
"Yeah, I do remember that," says Eli, the 30-year-old quarterback of the National Football League's New York Giants. "We were about to cross the street and head into the complex when the little girl just walked up beside me. Her mom was out in front, trying to get a picture of us ... and all of a sudden the little girl just reached up her hand toward me. So I reached out and held it as we walked."
To continue reading go to:  http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110724/FEAT/107240330/Eli-Manning-works-magic-children-s-hospital?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p

Free Agents Sharper and Harper Discuss Their Situation At Co-Hosted Football Camp

From The Times Picayune:

Darren Sharper, Roman Harper waiting to see if they'll remain New Orleans Saints

Published: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 5:59 AM

By Hunter Paniagua, The Times-Picayune NOLA.com

Darren Sharper and Roman Harper wore the same gray T-shirt Wednesday at the Sharper-Harper Football Camp, an event they host together.

Whether the two players will wear the same uniform in 2011 remains to be seen.

Both will become free agents when the NFL lockout ends, which, according to reports, could happen as soon as Friday. When that happens, the players will have decisions to make regarding where they play next season.

For full article go to:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/07/safeties_harper_sharper_waitin.html