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