Michael Lombardi picks Saints to back in the Playoffs
July 17, 2008
Three non-playoff teams ready to make the leap – Michael Lombardi – SI.com
New Orleans SaintsThe Saints are another team that has improved this offseason. With a Pro Bowl player at quarterback in Drew Brees, and a schedule that has them playing the AFC West and the NFC North, I really like the Saints chances to take over the NFC South from the Buccaneers.
The Saints know how to score points on offense, ranking 12th in the NFL last year. When they can play with a lead like they did in ’06, they can become very dangerous. In 2006, the Saints had a plus-66 point differential in first-half points scored and allowed. In 2007, that margin was only 10.
This year, they don’t have to deal with the rugged opening schedule that was the result of their remarkable 2006 run. Brees will not be able to start the year as he did in ’07, throwing nine interceptions and only one touchdown in the first four games. My only concern is that the Saints need to find a big back between now and the end of the preseason. Once they add this player to their offense, they will be tough to slow down.
Add the Saints to the 2008 playoff roster.
Postscript: I know I am going to get e-mails from diehard Browns and Vikings fans, and the truth of the matter is I like those teams as well, but my editor only wanted three. So it is not that I don’t love those teams; I just happen to love these three a little more.
Defensive improvement key for Saints
July 16, 2008
- By SHELDON MICKLES
- Advocate sportswriter
- Published: Jul 16, 2008 – Page: 1C – UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.
If you’re tired of the dog days of summer (who isn’t?) and in need of a little pick-me-up, help is on the way: NFL training camps are just around the corner.
One week from today, the New Orleans Saints report to Jackson, Miss., to resume their quest for an elusive first Super Bowl appearance — an epic drought that now spans 41 seasons.
After a close call in 2006, when they reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time, followed by a huge disappointment in 2007, the Saints will get back to work.
But they won’t be starting from scratch. Beginning in mid-March, the Saints put 2‰ months of work into their offseason program to set the stage for their third training camp under Sean Payton.
So hitting the ground running and taking a step forward — instead of a giant step back — will be the goal when 80 players take the field the next morning.
Here are five areas the Saints must improve in (it’s no coincidence that the top three are on defense) to return to the playoffs and be a legitimate player in the Super Bowl sweepstakes:
1. Do a better job against the pass.
Was there any doubt this would top the list? The Saints ranked 30th in the NFL while allowing 245.3 yards a game last season, one in which they gave up a whopping 54 passes of 20 yards or longer.
They also surrendered 32 TD passes, tying them with the Detroit Lions for most in the league, which led to a re-tooling of the secondary.
2. Generate a better pass rush.
After getting just 21 sacks from their defensive line, the Saints addressed the deficiency by signing end Bobby McCray and taking tackle Sedrick Ellis in the first round.
McCray gives the Saints a better option in the rotation with Will Smith, who had a team-high seven sacks, and Charles Grant, who looks to bounce back from injury.
Ellis should provide a better rush up the middle although he was drafted to help stop the run.
3. Create more turnovers.
The Saints had just 23 takeaways last season, which tied for 26th in the league.
Only four teams had fewer interceptions than the Saints, who had 13, and they added just 10 fumble recoveries.
Taking the ball away and creating more scoring opportunities for their fourth-ranked offense will be a key to the season.
4. Run the ball better.
Injuries to Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister, who combined to miss 17 games, did the running game in.
As a result, the Saints averaged just 91.6 yards per game on the ground — which ranked 28th in the league.
The return of McAllister will go a long way to helping Bush, who flourished in 2006 when McAllister took some of the pressure off by rushing for 1,000 yards.
5. Get more consistency out of the wide receivers.
The Saints have a solid 1-2 punch in Marques Colston and David Patten, but Devery Henderson and Lance Moore dropped too many passes last year.
If they don’t improve, Robert Meachem will have the opportunity to step in as the third receiver and prove he isn’t a bust.
DREW BREES on USO tour Supporting the TROOPS!
July 16, 2008
Roger Goodell sounded totally spent over the phone from Afghanistan, but he also sounded totally exhilarated at the same time. That’s what taking a one-week trip to the twin war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan last week did for him.
“A life-changing experience,” he told me Friday, late at night his time, and early afternoon my time. “I’m absolutely exhausted, but it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever gotten to do.”
Friday is when Goodell, Osi Umenyiora and Drew Brees helicoptered into FOB Tillman, a base just 700 meters from the Pakistan border, and a base close to — and very similar to — the one that was attacked by Taliban extremists early Sunday morning, resulting in the deaths of nine American soldiers.
This Tillman base, as with many others in the Afghan war, is invented and built to gain a foothold in an eastern area of the country that sees an attempted daily influx of Taliban. The American troops must intercept the Pakistanis, then determine whether they’re either harmless (Bedouin tribesman, perhaps, or simple shepherds), or militants invading the country to try to drive out the Americans.
It’s not always easy to tell, and it’s not always easy to prevent the Taliban from secretly crossing the border and engaging in firefights with the Americans. On Sunday morning, somehow, the militants crossed the border, gained access to the small base and used grenade launchers and machine guns to kill nine and wound 15 American troops.
All of which made the will-Brett-Favre-play-or-won’t-he stuff dominating the football news rather insignificant to the Goodell party, back on American soil Monday.
“The news was a lot more personal than it would have been a week ago,” said Goodell, back at his Manhattan desk Monday afternoon. “And my first thought was: ‘Did I just meet these kids?’
Goodell said at FOB Tillman, 10 troops stood lookout on one hill near the base and 14 on another hill close by. These sentries were charged with securing the border and stayed atop the hills for days at a time. The base commander told Goodell that about eight kilometers away on the previous day, 70 soldiers from the base engaged insurgents in a firefight with no American casualties. On Sunday, men and women from the nearby base weren’t so lucky.
“What impressed me so much,” Goodell told me, “is of all the men and women we met at so many different bases, not a single one complained about anything — not their missions, not about how long they were there, nothing. It’s inspiring. We are so fortunate to have so many great people in service to our country. And I felt how meaningful and important the NFL is to these people.
“One of the most sobering moments of the tour was our return to Bagram Airbase [the main U.S. base in Eastern Afghanistan] from FOB Tillman. Shortly after we landed we were driven to an area on the flight line to take part in a Fallen Comrade Ceremony for two of our soldiers. Our entire group stood in a line on the airfield along with hundreds of other soldiers, paying our respects as the coffins were loaded into a cargo plane. It was absolutely quiet and emotional. My heart goes out to all the families as well as their fellow soldiers.”
I saw one of those on my USO trip to Afghanistan in March. Unforgettably emotional. I get choked up thinking about it four months later. I’ve got to applaud Goodell, Brees and Umenyiora for taking this trip, particularly so close to the season. I felt a searing gratitude from everyone I met in the military in my week overseas; I can only imagine how a marquee quarterback, a Super Bowl champion and the commissioner of the game were made to feel.
Not to get on my flag-waving soapbox here, but I’d really love to see a couple of coaches and more high-profile players go next year. Regardless of your feelings about these conflicts — and I admit I’m a card-carrying dove if there ever was one — we cannot do enough to show the men and women risking their lives how much we appreciate what they do. Stepping outside the cocoon of the NFL to do that is something more of our football heroes should do.
***
One comment on the Favre interview on Fox News last night. In retrospect, Favre should probably have told the Packers last March that he wouldn’t make a decision on his future ’til June 1, and if the Packers couldn’t live with that, they should release him. Hindsight’s 20/20. But it’s clear now we’re dealing with a player who thought he was convinced he was done but clearly wasn’t in a frame of mind to make any absolute judgments in late February or early March.
If you could hear the tone of the voicemail he left me in March — I was in Afghanistan, and he left me a three-minute message with the reasons for his retirement — you’d be amazed at his flip-flop now. I’ve played the message for people in the last couple of months, and invariably they say words to this effect: “Man, he’s done. He’s beat.” Just goes to show you it’s probably not a good deal with emotional people to rush into decisions.
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USO visit humbles Goodell – Peter King – SI.com
Saints Sign 5th-Round Pick DeMario Pressley
July 15, 2008
New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced today that the team has signed defensive tackle DeMario Pressley , the first of their two fifth-round draft choices, to a …
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
Saints “EXPERT” Picks are In
July 15, 2008
Well it is that time of year where all of the professional “experts” release their opinions of the upcoming NFL season.
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
Saints vs Bucs Road Trip
July 14, 2008
WHO: The NEW ORLEANS TAILGATERS and Friends (invite who you want)
WHAT: FOOTBALL New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay ROAD TRIP
WHEN: November 30, 2008 (This is the Sunday after Thanksgiving)
WHERE: Tampa, FL
TICKETS: Tickets will be ordered this week. Money is due when we order the tickets. We are going through the Tampa Bay Bucs ticket office group sales to get the tickets. The cost for the package is $150 per person which includes your ticket to the game and a tailgating party for 3 hours before the game. The tailgating party includes catered food, soft drinks, water, and BEER!!! All we have to do is SHOW UP party and go to the game!!!
LODGING: Where ever you want. Most of us are going to try to stay at the same hotel. Big Drew found a Residence Inn for about $120 a night.
TRANSPORTATION: CAR POOL, FLY, however you want to get there. Most of us that are going are just going to pair up and drive, but some of the crew have found flight at a decent price. Southwest did have a flight departing Friday and returning Monday for $270.
NCAA officials answer critics
July 14, 2008
A few minutes into the interview, the NCAA’s head of enforcement pauses to make himself clear.
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
New Orleans Saints Notes, Quotes
July 13, 2008
The Saints have hired Brian Adams as their assistant director of college scouting.
http://www.topix.com/nfl/new-orleans-saint…
Update from Iraq July 13, 2008
July 13, 2008
A photo of me at the famous cross swords leading into the stadium where
Saddam used to stand and shot his weapon in the air as he declared
victory over the U.S.
Gazing into crystal ball for look at Saints’ roster
July 13, 2008
Gazing into crystal ball for look at Saints’ roster
Posted by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune July 12, 2008 7:55PM
Categories: SaintsLet’s start with the obvious — it’s way too early to project the Saints’ final 53-man roster.
The first training camp practice is 11 days away. The first preseason game is two weeks after that. At least two or three of these guys probably will be injured. And that final roster probably will include at least two or three guys that aren’t even with the team yet.
But for the over-eager Saints fan, there’s really nothing better to do during these final, agonizing days of downtime.
In fact, you can turn it into a game and compete with your fellow football-starved buddies. Make it a confidence pool, ranking the guys you believe will survive the final cut from 1-53. . . . Just keep the wagers friendly.
Here’s how I see it. Keep in mind, I’m not strictly ranking these players from best to worst. It’s based on how much confidence I have each guy will make that final roster heading into the Week 1 home opener against Tampa Bay:
ƒ. QB Drew Brees, 2. RB Reggie Bush, 3. WR Marques Colston, 4. DE Will Smith, 5. DT Sedrick Ellis, 6. FB Mike Karney, 7. LB Scott Fujita, 8. G Jahri Evans, 9. DE Charles Grant, 10. LS Kevin Houser. . . . Not much explanation required for those guys.
ԟ. OT Jammal Brown, 12. OT Jon Stinchcomb, 13. LB Jonathan Vilma, 14. C Jonathan Goodwin, 15. DE Bobby McCray, 16. LB Scott Shanle, 17. CB Mike McKenzie, 18. CB Randall Gay, 19. G Jamar Nesbit, 20. S. Roman Harper. . . . Vilma and McKenzie are coming back from serious injuries, but only a major setback would shut them down for the year.
ԩ. WR Robert Meachem, 22. CB Tracy Porter. . . . They’re lumped together because they’re basically both rookies. They might not threaten the starting lineup, but the Saints will be patient with both high draft picks regardless.
ԫ. WR David Patten, 24. DT Brian Young, 25. TE Eric Johnson. . . . The Saints didn’t let them get away in free agency for a reason.
Ԯ. OT Zach Strief. . . . The most proven of all the Saints’ backups on the offensive line.
ԯ. S Kevin Kaesviharn, 28. S Josh Bullocks. . . . Kaesviharn has the early edge for the starting free safety job because he’s healthier, but both should have no trouble making the team at such a thin position.
Ա. RB Pierre Thomas, 30. RB Deuce McAllister. . . . Thomas also gets the edge because he’s healthier, and because he’s younger, and because he has more long-term potential. But I expect him to be backing up McAllister, who will bounce back from another knee injury.
Գ. LB Mark Simoneau, 32. P Steve Weatherford, 33. QB Mark Brunell, 34. TE Mark Campbell. . . . Weatherford joins this list of solid veterans, even though Coach Sean Payton was peeved at him for kicking to Devin Hester in Week 17.
Է. LB Troy Evans, 36. WR Terrance Copper. . . . Two of the most valuable special teamers on the roster.
Թ. OT Jermon Bushrod. . . . The Saints are excited about his potential. He’s my leading candidate for this year’s out-of-nowhere surprise story.
Ժ. DT Hollis Thomas. . . . A leading candidate for the opposite kind of surprise. He’s getting up in age, he’s always battling weight, and the Saints became very deep at this position when they drafted Ellis and DeMario Pressley.
Ի. CB Usama Young, 40. CB Jason David. . . . The cornerbacks are the biggest wild cards on this team, but the Saints likely will give both of these guys at least one more year to see how they’ve grown.
Խ. TE Billy Miller. . . . As valuable off the field as on, the kind of guy every locker room needs.
Ծ. LB Marvin Mitchell, 43. G Carl Nicks, 44. G Andy Alleman. . . . Some young guys the Saints seem to like.
Ձ. RB Aaron Stecker. . . . An older guy the Saints have always loved, because he can do so much on offense and special teams. I don’t think he’s going anywhere unless the Saints sign another veteran runner.
Ղ. S Chris Reis, 47. DT Antwan Lake. . . . Both guys have held steady jobs in the past, but my confidence is starting to fade.
Մ. K Martin Gramatica. . . . I think the Saints will want the proven veteran, at least early in the season.
Յ. DT DeMario Pressley. . . . Is he healthy and talented enough to avoid the practice squad?
Ն. WR Devery Henderson. . . . He always looks great in July and August, so I expect him to earn one more chance to realize his potential. But he’s in serious jeopardy if he can’t clearly establish himself ahead of Meachem, Lance Moore and Adrian Arrington.
Շ. WR Lance Moore. . . . The only way I expect the Saints to keep six receivers is if Moore earns his roster spot as a return man.
Ո. C/G Matt Lehr. . . . They need a backup center, and he’s the best they’ve got right now.
Չ. K Taylor Mehlhaff. . . . I say he wins the job as a kickoff specialist with the potential to earn the full-time gig.Just missed:
CB Jason Craft was the hardest guy to project because he could wind up as a starter or a casualty. If McKenzie is healthy, though, I don’t see six cornerbacks making the roster. Veteran Aaron Glenn is in that crowded mix as well.
WR Adrian Arrington has been very impressive so far, but I think he’ll start out on the practice squad because of the numbers crunch. I think QB Tyler Palko goes back to the practice squad as well.
DT Kendrick Clancy didn’t make my list, but he could easily beat out Thomas, Lake or Pressley.
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