Throw a Heisman Trophy winning running back in front of the Saints on Draft Day and they just can't help
themselves. It's like dangling a T-Bone Steak in front of a salivating bulldog, and they will trade away their life savings and first born to put themselves in position to make the pick if necessary. Since 1981, the Saints have drafted four Heisman Trophy Running Backs: George Rogers, Ricky Williams, Reggie Bush and most recently, Mark Ingram. You can also include Earl Campbell in the mix, whom the Saints traded for in 1984, reuniting then Coach Bum Phillips with his former All Pro running back from the Houston Oilers. Obviously, there was a fairly wide time gap between Rogers and Williams, but the irrestible Heisman attraction never faded away.
The jury is still out on Ingram after just one season, but it is safe to say that Rogers, Williams and Bush never
met the high expectations that Saints fans had for them when their names were called within the top five picks on Draft Day. Dealing with "off the field issues" has been a common denominator that plagued our first three Heisman draft choices. Rogers and Williams each battled highly publicized drug use, while Bush dated Kim Kardashian which was probably even more damaging; and he also had some lingering unfinished business from his college days at USC that became an added distraction.
So, what does the Saints disappointing track record with Heisman Trophy running backs mean for Mark Ingram's career? Maybe nothing at all. But he didn't exactly burst out of the gate in his rookie season. Character issues certainly don't seem to be a problem with Ingram, but like many great running backs he has shown to be injury prone. After missing two games mid-season with a bruised heal, a sprained toe kept Ingram out of the last 4 games, and he ended the season rushing for 474 yards on 122 carries and scoring five touchdowns.
Even with the setback from injuries, Ingram's non-spectacular numbers must be put in perspective when comparing to the Saints other Heisman winners. When Rogers, Williams and Bush were drafted they were each expected to be the savior from the very first moment they put the Black and Gold jerseys over their custom made suits on the NFL Draft stage. When Ingram was drafted the Saints already had their savior in Drew Breesus, they just needed to add a downfield running dimension added to the roster of disciples, which Bush obviously lacked. However, it was free agent Darren Sproles that proved to be the best weapon in providing both a vertical running game along with being dangerous in open space as Bush was.
With the addition of Sproles to the arsenal of other playmakers that Brees has at his disposal to distribute the
ball to, evaluating the success of Ingram can be tricky. Playing tailback in the Saints pass-oriented system, Ingram would be getting less carries as the featured back anyway. But sharing time in the backfield with the very capable Sproles, Pierre Thomas and even Chris Ivory, his potenital number of carries per game are even less likely to reach any significant level.
At 5-9 and 215 lbs, Ingram's compact size and acceleration has often drawn comparions to all time NFL leading rusher Emmitt Smith. However, the concept of NFL running backs carrying the ball 25-30 times a game and wearing down defenses is so 1992, and Coach Sean Payton is definitely an offensive innovator, not a traditionalist.
Considering Ingram's circumstances, should his success be judged by the traditional criteria of rushing yards and touchdowns? Or should it be by yards per carry? The "team oriented" approach to judging Mark Ingram would be if his career with the Saints helps bring the team another or multiple Lombardi Trophies, regardless of statistics. However, Reggie Bush for all of his faults did that, and he was gone after only one more season.
My guess is that when it comes down to it, Mark Ingram's value to the Saints will ultimately be judged by the same way it is for every other NFL player, regardless of former Heisman Trophy winner or not. And that is by the principle that overrides both statistics and championships, presenting itself in the form of the question, "What have you done for me lately?"
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
DARREN SHARPER: THE MISSING FACTOR
Does Darren Sharper still have anything left in the tank? If so, Mickey Loomis please bring him out of retirement.
During the Saints 2009 Super Bowl season when Sharper was the starting free safety, the defense displayed many of the same vulnerabilities that have plaqued it in 2010 and 2011. While Who Dat Nation has been blessed by a Black & Gold Golden Age over the last three seasons, the defense's tendency to give up big chunks of yard on the ground along along with an inconsistent pass rush under former Coordinator Gregg Williams' heavy blitz scheme have continued to be works in progress. In what has been particularly
gut-wrenching for Saints fans, these flaws have been put on full display while ending the Saints playoff march towards a Lombardi repeat. The highlight clips of running back Marshawn Lynch stiff-arming his way right through the Saints defense for his 67 yard touchdown run to clinch the Seahawks 2010 Wildcard win, and 49ers quarterback Alex Smith going untouched leading his team down the field before throwing the 14 yard game winning touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis with nine seconds left seems to have run endlessly.
The Saints Super Bowl winning defense unit of 2009 also at times gave up too many big plays on the ground and gave the quarterback too much time in the pocket. They did not seem to display the kind of toughness that would draw comparisons to the Dome Patrol, the Steelers Steel Curtain Defense of the 1970's or the 1986 Chicago Bears defense under outspoken coordinator Buddy Ryan. However, the 2009 Black & Gold Defense did one thing very well that compensated for the amount of yards they gave up that the 2010 and 2011 versions have failed to replicate. They created turnovers as if it was widespread grand theft larceny. They snagged twenty one interceptions, five of which were returned for touchdowns. Including Tracy Porter's pick six off of Peyton Manning in the final minutes of the Super Bowl, which forever will be one of the greatest plays in franchise history.
This past year the defense had nine pass interceptions returning only one for a touchdown. That's quite a dropoff. WWL Radio Hosts Deke Beleveia and Bobby Hebert had an over the air contest in 2009 for coming up with a nickname fo the defense. Fans would often call in suggesting names like Swamp Dawgs and Dome Patrol II. I never called in, but my idea was Den of Thieves because they were constantly taking the ball away from the opposing offense.
Nine of those twenty one interceptions in 2009, came at the hands of the hands of 13 year NFL veteran Sharper. Sharper not only had a nose for the ball, but a nose for the end zone. He returned three of those picks for touchdowns and had a fourth called back on a penalty. His 376 interception yards set a new NFL single season record. Darren Sharper only had one full season as a Saint, but I would argue that he has had as great an impact of any Saints defensive player in franchise history with the exception of Rickey Jackson (that would just be blashphemy). Sharper resigned with the Saints after becaming an unrestricted free agent in 2010. However, health issues kept his playing time at a minimum, and the likely future Hall of Famer eventually retired.
I don't want to sound overly critical of the current Black and Gold defense. They have produced some standout performances over the last two years. In the 20-10 victory over the Steelers in the Superdome on Halloween Night in 2010 and their sack fest of Chicago Bears Quarterback Jay Cutler early this season in that 27-9 victory they definitely demonstrated they could play old school, hard-nosed football. However, the thieving ways that marked the unit when Sharper patrolled the secondary seems to have disappeared. I am also confident that had Sharper been back there against the 49ers, Vernon Davis would have been held in check and not caught the winning touchdown pass.
Malcolm Jenkins, Sharper's replacement at free safety, is an incredible talent with a high degree of playmaking potential. But with just three interceptions over his three year career, he far falls behind Sharper in creating turnovers. I sometimes wonder if Jenkins, who was the Saints first round draft pick at cornerback out of Ohio State in 2009, would be a better fit at his original position or at strong safety. At 6 feet, he seems a litttle short for free safety. Ironically, in the 2008 BCS National Championship between Ohio State and LSU, Jenkins intercepted a Matt Flynn pass which led to a Buckeyes touchdown. After he was drafted by the Saints, I wondered if his interception in the Superdome would be a foreshadowing of more to come.
Hopefully under new Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo it will be, and the big shoes left behind by Sharper will finally be filled. Jenkins best day as a pro is already linked to Spagnuolo. Two of his three career interceptions came against Spagnuolo's St. Louis Rams in 2010, one of which he returned 96 yards for a touchdown.
At the age of 34, Darren Sharper intercepted nine passes and outraced players much younger to set up Drew Brees and the offense in excellent scoring position, or he just took it all the way back himself. Three years later, I say he is still good for four interceptions and a touchdown return. If Father Time hasn't totally physically wiped out Sharper, then General Manager Mickey Loomis should make an offer to resign him. Or at least hire him as the new secondary coach to replace Tony Oden who has gone to the Jaguars. Maybe some of his turnover creating tendencies would then rub off and the void would be filled.
During the Saints 2009 Super Bowl season when Sharper was the starting free safety, the defense displayed many of the same vulnerabilities that have plaqued it in 2010 and 2011. While Who Dat Nation has been blessed by a Black & Gold Golden Age over the last three seasons, the defense's tendency to give up big chunks of yard on the ground along along with an inconsistent pass rush under former Coordinator Gregg Williams' heavy blitz scheme have continued to be works in progress. In what has been particularly
gut-wrenching for Saints fans, these flaws have been put on full display while ending the Saints playoff march towards a Lombardi repeat. The highlight clips of running back Marshawn Lynch stiff-arming his way right through the Saints defense for his 67 yard touchdown run to clinch the Seahawks 2010 Wildcard win, and 49ers quarterback Alex Smith going untouched leading his team down the field before throwing the 14 yard game winning touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis with nine seconds left seems to have run endlessly.
The Saints Super Bowl winning defense unit of 2009 also at times gave up too many big plays on the ground and gave the quarterback too much time in the pocket. They did not seem to display the kind of toughness that would draw comparisons to the Dome Patrol, the Steelers Steel Curtain Defense of the 1970's or the 1986 Chicago Bears defense under outspoken coordinator Buddy Ryan. However, the 2009 Black & Gold Defense did one thing very well that compensated for the amount of yards they gave up that the 2010 and 2011 versions have failed to replicate. They created turnovers as if it was widespread grand theft larceny. They snagged twenty one interceptions, five of which were returned for touchdowns. Including Tracy Porter's pick six off of Peyton Manning in the final minutes of the Super Bowl, which forever will be one of the greatest plays in franchise history.
This past year the defense had nine pass interceptions returning only one for a touchdown. That's quite a dropoff. WWL Radio Hosts Deke Beleveia and Bobby Hebert had an over the air contest in 2009 for coming up with a nickname fo the defense. Fans would often call in suggesting names like Swamp Dawgs and Dome Patrol II. I never called in, but my idea was Den of Thieves because they were constantly taking the ball away from the opposing offense.
Nine of those twenty one interceptions in 2009, came at the hands of the hands of 13 year NFL veteran Sharper. Sharper not only had a nose for the ball, but a nose for the end zone. He returned three of those picks for touchdowns and had a fourth called back on a penalty. His 376 interception yards set a new NFL single season record. Darren Sharper only had one full season as a Saint, but I would argue that he has had as great an impact of any Saints defensive player in franchise history with the exception of Rickey Jackson (that would just be blashphemy). Sharper resigned with the Saints after becaming an unrestricted free agent in 2010. However, health issues kept his playing time at a minimum, and the likely future Hall of Famer eventually retired.
I don't want to sound overly critical of the current Black and Gold defense. They have produced some standout performances over the last two years. In the 20-10 victory over the Steelers in the Superdome on Halloween Night in 2010 and their sack fest of Chicago Bears Quarterback Jay Cutler early this season in that 27-9 victory they definitely demonstrated they could play old school, hard-nosed football. However, the thieving ways that marked the unit when Sharper patrolled the secondary seems to have disappeared. I am also confident that had Sharper been back there against the 49ers, Vernon Davis would have been held in check and not caught the winning touchdown pass.
Malcolm Jenkins, Sharper's replacement at free safety, is an incredible talent with a high degree of playmaking potential. But with just three interceptions over his three year career, he far falls behind Sharper in creating turnovers. I sometimes wonder if Jenkins, who was the Saints first round draft pick at cornerback out of Ohio State in 2009, would be a better fit at his original position or at strong safety. At 6 feet, he seems a litttle short for free safety. Ironically, in the 2008 BCS National Championship between Ohio State and LSU, Jenkins intercepted a Matt Flynn pass which led to a Buckeyes touchdown. After he was drafted by the Saints, I wondered if his interception in the Superdome would be a foreshadowing of more to come.
Hopefully under new Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo it will be, and the big shoes left behind by Sharper will finally be filled. Jenkins best day as a pro is already linked to Spagnuolo. Two of his three career interceptions came against Spagnuolo's St. Louis Rams in 2010, one of which he returned 96 yards for a touchdown.
At the age of 34, Darren Sharper intercepted nine passes and outraced players much younger to set up Drew Brees and the offense in excellent scoring position, or he just took it all the way back himself. Three years later, I say he is still good for four interceptions and a touchdown return. If Father Time hasn't totally physically wiped out Sharper, then General Manager Mickey Loomis should make an offer to resign him. Or at least hire him as the new secondary coach to replace Tony Oden who has gone to the Jaguars. Maybe some of his turnover creating tendencies would then rub off and the void would be filled.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Give The Game Ball To Pierre Thomas
The unsung hero for the Saints in their 45-28 wildcard victory over the Detroit Lions last night was running back Pierre Thomas. Drew Brees continued his record setting streak by throwing for the most yards in a playoff game with with 466 and completing 33 out of 43 passing attempts with no interceptions.
However, the game ball should definitely go to Thomas. While the offense sputtered in the first half as the Lions outplayed them, it was Thomas who kept making the big play and bailing the Saints out whenever they dug themselves in a hole. His statistics were impressive, but not eye-popping as Brees' 466 passing yards. Still, he was the Saints leading rusher with 66 yards on 8 carries and also caught 6 passes for 55 yards. Pretty good average yards per touch.
What was most impressive though was that he seemed to make all of his plays in traffic. Seldom did Thomas touch the ball last night when there were not already three Lion defenders all over him. Yet, regardless of whether he got the ball on handoff, pitch out or on a screen pass Thomas continued to out muscle the would-be-tacklers to pick up the necessary yardage for the first down or even more, as it should be pointed out most of the plays that Thomas made were on third down and led to a Saints conversion.
The Saints offense resumed to its natural form in the second half putting up a 35 point onslaught, as Brees was able to utilize more of his weapons with multiple running backs and wide receivers scoring touchdowns. As one of the few members of the Black & Gold to contribute for all 4 Quarters, I was glad to see Thomas get in the end zone too, becaming the final Saint to score on a one yard touchdown run with 3:36 remaining in the game.
Between now and the NFL Draft in April, increasing attention will be given to prospects as they go through workouts at the NFL Combine, play in all star games and see television reports on where scouts and media pundits such as ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay rank them. Sometimes you have to wonder how valuable all this ranking of draft prospects is. Thomas was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Illinois in 2007, and he has certainly proven to be more valuable than that.
However, the game ball should definitely go to Thomas. While the offense sputtered in the first half as the Lions outplayed them, it was Thomas who kept making the big play and bailing the Saints out whenever they dug themselves in a hole. His statistics were impressive, but not eye-popping as Brees' 466 passing yards. Still, he was the Saints leading rusher with 66 yards on 8 carries and also caught 6 passes for 55 yards. Pretty good average yards per touch.
What was most impressive though was that he seemed to make all of his plays in traffic. Seldom did Thomas touch the ball last night when there were not already three Lion defenders all over him. Yet, regardless of whether he got the ball on handoff, pitch out or on a screen pass Thomas continued to out muscle the would-be-tacklers to pick up the necessary yardage for the first down or even more, as it should be pointed out most of the plays that Thomas made were on third down and led to a Saints conversion.
The Saints offense resumed to its natural form in the second half putting up a 35 point onslaught, as Brees was able to utilize more of his weapons with multiple running backs and wide receivers scoring touchdowns. As one of the few members of the Black & Gold to contribute for all 4 Quarters, I was glad to see Thomas get in the end zone too, becaming the final Saint to score on a one yard touchdown run with 3:36 remaining in the game.
Between now and the NFL Draft in April, increasing attention will be given to prospects as they go through workouts at the NFL Combine, play in all star games and see television reports on where scouts and media pundits such as ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay rank them. Sometimes you have to wonder how valuable all this ranking of draft prospects is. Thomas was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Illinois in 2007, and he has certainly proven to be more valuable than that.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Saints vs Lions Playoff Matchup Pits MS Coast Players In Trenches Against Each Other
It will be Saint Stanislaus going up against Moss Point in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Saturday when the Saints host the Lions in the first round of the NFL Playoffs. In order for Saints defensive tackle Tom Johnson of Moss Point to get his hands on Quarterback Matt Stafford and slow down the Lions passing attack, he'll have to get by veteran Offensive Guard Stephen Peterman, who grew up practically next door to the Superdome as a former St. Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaw in Bay St. Louis.
Here is more on the matchup between Johnson and Peterman, who also faced each other earlier in the year, from Al Jones in The Sun Herald. They each express mutual admiration for the other from their previous matchup.
South Mississippi players go head to head
Moss Point’s Johnson, St. Stanislaus’ Peterman will face off Saturday
But Johnson well remembers facing Peterman, a physical 6-foot-4, 323-pound veteran of seven years.
“We went back and forth all game long,” Johnson said. “And we look forward to facing each other this time around, too. I want to play my best to help my team win, and he will do the same.
“Stephen is very strong and aggressive. He also has good hands and plays very physical. I am quicker and I rely on my speed.
“I know the last game was a war up front with him, and I expect the same thing this time around. We played a three-man front last time and there were times when I was at the nose position. When that happened, he would help out with a double team and did so very aggressively. It was a good matchup then and will be the same this time. It will be very physical.”
Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/01/05/3668427/south-mississippi-players-go-head.html#storylink=cpy
Here is more on the matchup between Johnson and Peterman, who also faced each other earlier in the year, from Al Jones in The Sun Herald. They each express mutual admiration for the other from their previous matchup.
South Mississippi players go head to head
Moss Point’s Johnson, St. Stanislaus’ Peterman will face off Saturday
But Johnson well remembers facing Peterman, a physical 6-foot-4, 323-pound veteran of seven years.
“We went back and forth all game long,” Johnson said. “And we look forward to facing each other this time around, too. I want to play my best to help my team win, and he will do the same.
“Stephen is very strong and aggressive. He also has good hands and plays very physical. I am quicker and I rely on my speed.
“I know the last game was a war up front with him, and I expect the same thing this time around. We played a three-man front last time and there were times when I was at the nose position. When that happened, he would help out with a double team and did so very aggressively. It was a good matchup then and will be the same this time. It will be very physical.”
Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/01/05/3668427/south-mississippi-players-go-head.html#storylink=cpy
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Nicks vs Suh. Cornhusker vs Cornhusker.
Great article from Clarion Ledger Rick Cleveland this morning on the challenges the Saints offensive line faces in blocking Detroit Lions Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh who was suspended during their regular season matchup. Much of the responsibility for keeping Suh off of Drew Brees is Offensive Guard and fellow Nebraksa Cornhusker Carl Nicks who had faced a much younger Suh occasionally in practice at Nebraska. Filling in for Suh during his suspension was Mobile native and former Auburn All-American Nick Fairley, who also proved to be a handful and got a sack on Brees. The Lions defensive line is definetely the team's greatest strength, however they are coming off definitely their worst performance after former LSU QB Matt Flynn set franchise records throwing for 480 yards in a reserve role in the Green Bay Packers
45-41 victory over the Lions.
NEW ORLEANS — The NFL's brightest spotlight almost always shines on the quarterbacks, especially when one of them is named Drew Brees.
Here Saturday night in the Louisiana Superdome, we may have that rare exception. If NBC cameramen are doing their jobs, their focus often will be on New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks and their personal battles with Detroit Lions All-Everything (including bad boy) tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Whoever wins those battles gives their team the best chance to advance.
For full article: http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120105/COL0504/201050334/Taming-Suh?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p
45-41 victory over the Lions.
NEW ORLEANS — The NFL's brightest spotlight almost always shines on the quarterbacks, especially when one of them is named Drew Brees.
Here Saturday night in the Louisiana Superdome, we may have that rare exception. If NBC cameramen are doing their jobs, their focus often will be on New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks and their personal battles with Detroit Lions All-Everything (including bad boy) tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Whoever wins those battles gives their team the best chance to advance.
For full article: http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120105/COL0504/201050334/Taming-Suh?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p
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