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
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
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
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
Friday, October 28, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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.htmSharp 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
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
Monday, October 24, 2011
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
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
Thursday, October 13, 2011
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:
Here is more on GreenEllis's big day and the Patriots victory over there AFC East rivals from
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.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
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.
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
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
Monday, October 10, 2011
REVENGE SEEKING SHOCKEY THWARTED BY REPLACEMENT GRAHAM
From Ron Green, Jr. of The Charlotte Observer:
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
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
Sunday, October 9, 2011
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.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Chad Jones Making Recovery Strides
Ex-LSU Tiger Chad Jones looking forward after running a 4.84-second 40-yard dash
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
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
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.
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.
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