New Orleans Saints seek more consistency on game day
November 18, 2008
Posted by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune November 15, 2008 5:03PM
Categories: Saints
David Grunfeld, The Times-PicayuneVeteran Deuce McAllister says Saints players need to realize ‘they may not get another play.’KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Saints need to go on a spectacular run during the next seven weeks to make the playoffs. Probably nothing less than a 6-1 record will do. But this isn’t just a math problem anymore.
After a convincing 34-20 loss last week to NFC South-rival Atlanta, and an even more thorough 30-7 loss at Carolina in Week 7, the Saints aren’t just worried about making up ground in the division race.
What they need to do, first and foremost, is prove that they’re a bona fide playoff contender — something they haven’t done for going on two years now.
“We’re well beyond saying we could be or should be 6-3 or whatever, because you look at these two games against divisional opponents on the road where we had very lackluster showings and just felt like we were outplayed, ” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. “It seemed like they played with more intensity and more emotion, which is not us at all. We’re going to have to fix that.”
The Saints (4-5) will start the repair work on the road this afternoon against the young but improving Kansas City Chiefs (1-8), who have been putting up a fight against good teams in recent weeks.
It’s a game the Saints should win. But they haven’t exactly been following the script this season.
Early in the season, their losses were frustrating but supposedly fixable — a last-minute meltdown at Washington and near comebacks at Denver and against Minnesota that were thwarted by missed field goals.
The last two losses have been especially disturbing, though, and they have firmly entrenched the Saints at the bottom of the division.
“If we want to try to make something of this season, it’s got to start immediately, ” linebacker Scott Fujita said, “because our room for error now is gone.”
Fujita said the answer is simple — and it has nothing to do with personnel changes, game-plan tweaks or revamped practice habits.
It’s all about playing better on game day.
“I just keep talking about Sundays, ” said Fujita, who lamented that the Saints felt like they had great practice weeks and plans heading into the Carolina and Atlanta games. “We talk about character all the time, and that’s great, and that’s one of the things I like about this team is that we have good guys who can rebound from disappointment. But at the same time, it comes down to playing on Sundays.
“Performing and making plays. That’s the thing we have to start doing more consistently. And that’s what’s been holding us back.”
Fujita used himself as an example, citing a play at Atlanta where he was called upon to blitz quarterback Matt Ryan. He said he forced Ryan to dump off a quick pass, but he feels like if he had gotten there a half-second earlier, he could have forced a sack or stripped the ball.
Fujita said he and the rest of the Saints defense haven’t been making enough of those game-changing plays. And those half-seconds, he said, are where games are won and lost.
Tailback Deuce McAllister echoed that sentiment, saying he doesn’t think the team needs to change its approach leading up to games, but guys have no choice but to feel a sense of urgency.
“Guys have to understand that you may not get another play, ” McAllister said. “So when you have that opportunity to make a play, you’ve got to make it. Because our numbers and our chances are running out.”
McAllister had just five carries for 18 yards at Atlanta after the game went south quickly — even though Saints Coach Sean Payton insisted that he thought the Saints could run early and often against the Falcons.
But the veteran tailback said he doesn’t have any problem with taking a back seat to the passing game as long as it leads to success.
Brees, who has been throwing the ball an average of 40 times per game, also said he doesn’t think the Saints need to drastically alter their style or emphasis on offense, depending on what the game plan calls for.
Today, for instance, the Saints might choose to run the ball a bit more because the Chiefs have the league’s worst rushing defense. Regardless, both players said the key is buying into the plan and having confidence in it.
“It’s the same thing that got us out of that 0-4 hole last year, ” Brees said of the Saints’ four-game win streak last October and November that brought them back to .500. “Just getting back to what we do extremely well, the things we are all very confident in.”
Left tackle Jammal Brown said the best way to stay confident after a drubbing like last week’s 34-20 loss at Atlanta was to “look forward to practice, as tough as that sounds.”
“You can let yourself see that there are positive, good things out there, whether it’s (receiver Marques) Colston making a long catch, or me picking up a blitz, ” Brown said. “Those things give you confidence.”
A win at Kansas City would certainly help, too.
Then maybe a Monday night victory over Green Bay, to prove the Saints can hang with other top NFC contenders.
Then after that, a win at Tampa Bay would be a breakthrough moment, showing they can step up in one of these NFC South showdowns on the road.
Sure, that sounds like a lot to ask. But the Saints have learned over the past two years that they won’t just get invited to the playoffs based on preseason expectations.
They’ve got to play their way in.
Jeremy Shockey still trying to get untracked for New Orleans Saints
November 14, 2008
Posted by Teddy Kider, The Times-Picayune November 13, 2008 8:18PM
Categories: Saints
Chris Granger, The Times-PicayuneInjuries have slowed tight end Jeremy Shockey since the Saints traded for him before training camp.Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey chuckled Thursday when, on his way to lunch, he was asked to describe what this season has been like for him. “It’s been a quick transition, ” Shockey said.
“Obviously the trade went down. It was a very fortunate opportunity to come play for this organization. And I got hurt obviously in camp, which you never really want to do, is get hurt out of football season, so it’s been kind of a roller coaster. But again, like I said after the game, I’m not going to sit and mope about it. I’m going to get better, do everything I can do to get my foot better and to help this team win.”
That, in brief, has been Shockey’s season — he went from healing last season’s broken leg to a preseason groin problem with a new team and eventual sports hernia surgery, and now he has an ankle injury to worry about.
Shockey has 24 catches for 223 yards and no touchdowns this season. Even if he is able to play every game the rest of the season, he is on pace to post career lows in catches, yards and touchdowns in his seventh season in the league and his first away from the Giants.
“I know it’s been tough on him, because he’s used to being able to get a lot of playing time, make a lot of plays and get the ball thrown to him a lot and all those things, ” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. “Just at this point, it hasn’t happened yet, really because of being banged up in a number of ways.
“He’s going to be just fine, but the timing of it is, hey, we’re entering the latter part of the season here, and still he hasn’t been able to be out there a whole lot. But we’ll continue to work toward that, and when it happens, it’ll happen, but I don’t know when. We continue to work. I continue to gain confidence in him. We continue to build that chemistry, and at some point here, it’s going to click.”
The chemistry between Shockey and Brees was in question Sunday, when Brees could be seen yelling at Shockey during the Saints’ loss to Atlanta. Shockey, Brees and Saints Coach Sean Payton were all quick to dismiss the importance of the shouting, with Shockey saying Thursday that he and Brees are “very close, ” but the criticism that has followed Shockey throughout his career ensued.
“I’m glad I have a quarterback that really cares a lot, that comes up and expresses his feelings, ” Shockey said Thursday.
He added, discussing the criticism: “I don’t really listen to it that much anyways. I go home, watch the news. There’s more important things, more people died and things that happened than some things that happened on the sidelines.”
Still, Shockey has not been a red-zone threat, or even the additional consistent offensive weapon that Payton probably expected when he traded with the Giants.
Chuck Cook, The Times-PicayuneBilly Miller has been effective at tight end, with at least 53 yards receiving in each of the past three games.Instead, the Saints have found most of their production at tight end from 31-year-old Billy Miller, who began the season behind Shockey and Mark Campbell on the depth chart. Miller, who now has five consecutive games with at least three catches and 53 yards, was not even on the roster for one of the Saints’ early-season games, against Washington.
“I always set personal goals for myself at the beginning of the season, and my goal this year was to have the best season of my career, ” Miller said. “I trained really hard in the offseason, and I felt that it was a possibility for me. Even when they signed Shockey, I kept those goals.”
Miller has 28 catches for 388 yards this season, both third on his team, and he is on pace to set career highs in both of those categories. He already has more yards than he has had in any other season except 2002, when he had 51 receptions for 613 yards with the Texans in their inaugural season.
“I’m definitely not as fast and as nimble as I used to be, but the longer you play, the more the game comes to you, ” Miller said. “You understand defenses. You understand how to play this game. Realistically, I haven’t been playing tight end as long as some of these guys. I came into the NFL as a wide receiver, and the tight end position is just coming to me. And it has been for a while, but it’s just all starting to make sense, reading defenses and reading coverages and finding those holes.”
The Saints are hoping that Shockey will find those holes, as well as the comfort that seems to exist between Miller and Brees.
Payton continues to maintain that injuries are the main factors holding Shockey back, and the Saints plan to continue trying to find a balance in playing time among Shockey, Miller and Campbell.
Miller, meanwhile, has one goal for the rest of the season, besides continuing his best year and helping the Saints climb over .500. He wants to score a touchdown, something he has done only twice in the past 3 1/2 years.
“I definitely need to score, ” said Miller, whose last touchdown came last November. “I’ve gotten hit a couple of times harder than I’ve ever been hit this year, so it’d be nice to get a reward for it and get in the end zone. I’m working on it. We’ll see.”
Reggie Bush looking less likely to play this week for New Orleans Saints
November 14, 2008
Posted by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune November 13, 2008 10:15PM
Categories: Saints
Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneReggie Bush is still hampered by a knee injury and may not return to the Saints’ lineup Sunday at Kansas City.Saints tailback Reggie Bush did not practice on Thursday, leaving his status for Sunday’s game at Kansas City in serious doubt. Both he and Coach Sean Payton, though, said they remain optimistic that he might be able to play if he has a good practice today.
Bush said he didn’t feel any ill effects after he practiced on a limited basis Wednesday for the first time since he had surgery to repair torn meniscus in his left knee on Oct. 20, but the team held him back as a precaution.
“We rested Reggie with the idea that we’ll be able to get him snaps (Friday), ” Payton said. “You’re always guarded about a re-injury and being smart, but I was encouraged with where Reggie was today after yesterday’s practice.”
“It’s just kind of day to day, ” said Bush, who wasn’t as definitive about his status this week as he was last week, when he said he’d “definitely” be back in time for the Kansas City game.
He will likely be listed as questionable on the Saints’ official injury report today, leaving his status in doubt until the team releases its inactive list an hour before kickoff Sunday.
Receiver Marques Colston, who has been bothered by a lingering knee injury, was limited in practice Thursday, but he is much more likely to play Sunday.
Left tackle Jon Stinchcomb (calf) returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday, a good sign that he could play Sunday.
Center Jonathan Goodwin (knee) appears doubtful, though, after sitting out Thursday’s practice. Payton said he was less encouraged by Goodwin’s progress than he was with Bush’s.
Fullback Mike Karney (knee) and cornerback Aaron Glenn (ankle) did not practice and almost certainly won’t play. Everyone else should be good to go.
INJURY COUNT So far this season, 13 of the Saints’ 22 projected starters have missed at least one game due to injury, combining to miss a total of 29 games.
That number will climb to more than 50 games with Charles Grant, Mike McKenzie and Tracy Porter out for the remainder of the season, and fullback Mike Karney certain to miss at least two or three weeks with his current knee injury.
DORSEY’S LEARNING CURVE: Former LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey has been off to a somewhat slow start in his rookie season with the Chiefs, though he has played in every game and recorded his first career sack last week against San Diego.
“There are good days and bad days, but it’s getting better every week, ” said Dorsey, who has 31 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in nine starts. “(The biggest adjustments are) just technique-wise and the game speed, getting used to everybody being as good as you are, and just trying to come out and work on everything, because everybody’s good.”
Dorsey, whose progress was slowed by a sprained left knee during the preseason, has been more consistent against the run. It’s hard to tell since the Chiefs rank last in the NFL in run defense (172.3 yards per game), but their young defense has been steadily improving in that area in recent weeks.
Chiefs Coach Herm Edwards said Dorsey is “a sponge” who is eager to learn and has shown improvement each week.
Perhaps Sunday will give him the motivation to turn the corner. Dorsey, who is from Gonzales, said he grew up as a Saints fan, and he has about 40 family members coming in for Sunday’s game.
“They’re Saints fans, but they’re going to root for the Chiefs on Sunday, ” he said.
Dorsey, who was the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft, almost became a Saint on draft day.
The Saints offered a trade to Kansas City to move up from the No. 10 spot, which included their first-round pick in 2009, but the Chiefs wanted Dorsey. Instead, the Saints traded up to the No. 7 slot, where they drafted Southern Cal defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, who has shown some great promise as a pass rusher and run stuffer this year.
“That would have been cool too, ” said Dorsey, who said he was aware of the possible trade. “But I’m a Chief. I’m happy here. I’ll be happy wherever I go.”
BREES’ PASSING PACE: Saints quarterback Drew Brees is well ahead of pace to break Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in a season. Marino threw for 5,084 yards in 1984. Brees has 2,985 yards through nine games — more than any quarterback in NFL history through nine games — putting him on pace for 5,306.
Brees needs 211 yards this week to have the most passing yardage through 10 games.
He also is close to breaking his own team record for 300-yard passing games in a season. He had eight in 2006, and he has seven already this season. The NFL record for 300-yard passing games in a season is 10.
LOCKER-ROOM NOTES: All of the Saints players had new “Saints Edge” T-shirts in their locker this week — a gift that came courtesy of veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, who makes such gestures every year. . . . Linebacker Scott Fujita, meanwhile, was ashamed to have some Southern Cal gear on display in his locker. The Cal alum lost a bet with some friends when his Bears lost to the Trojans last week, so he’s been wearing a USC jersey and cap to work each day.
New Orleans Saints tailback Reggie Bush does not practice but still might play at Kansas City Chiefs
November 14, 2008
Posted by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune November 13, 2008 1:39PM
Categories: Saints
Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneReggie Bush is hopeful he’ll play this week against Kansas City.Saints tailback Reggie Bush did not practice Thursday, but he and Coach Sean Payton are still optimistic that he might be able to play Sunday at Kansas City. Bush said his knee felt fine after his first practice on Wednesday, but Payton said he wanted to give him a day of rest on Thursday before getting him back on the field Friday.
“It’s just kind of day to day,” said Bush, who wasn’t as definitive about his status this week as he was last week, when he said he’d “definitely” be back in time for the Kansas City game.
In other words, he is decidedly questionable at this point, which is what he’ll probably be listed at when the official injury report comes out tomorrow.
Payton said he’s less optimistic about center Jonathan Goodwin, who did not practice Thursday with his own knee injury. Left tackle Jon Stinchcomb, however, returned to practice on a limited basis with his calf strain on Thursday and has a good chance to play this week.
Receiver Marques Colston was limited Thursday with his nagging knee injury, but he’s expected to play Sunday. … Cornerback Aaron Glenn (ankle) and fullback Mike Karney (knee) did not practice. Everyone else should be good to go Sunday.
First-and-10: New Orleans Saints finally get back to basics
November 14, 2008
Posted by Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune November 13, 2008 12:28PM
Categories: SaintsSome New Orleans Saints appetizers before Sunday’s must-win-or-the-season-really-might-be-over game at Kansas City on Sunday:
First take …
The good news is the Saints went back to basics in practice this week. In an effort to rectify their problems (turnovers, run blocking, tackling), they worked heavily on fundamentals in their drills.
The bad news is they should have done this a month ago. It might be too late now.
It’s become almost routine to see Drew Brees doing his conductor work at the line of scrimmage, frantically trying to audible to a new play, changing protection schemes, moving personnel around, etc.
The Saints are so concerned with trying to outsmart or “out-scheme” the opponent that they forget about what wins football games: blocking and tackling.
Watching Mike Martz futilely trying to send in a new personnel group instead of just spiking the all in the 49ers’ now infamous final-minute fiasco on Monday night reminded me of the Saints. Too many bells and whistles and not enough blocking and tackling.
It does you no good to run empty backfields and four-receiver sets if you can’t convert second-and-2 or third-and-1.
Maybe the Saints have finally learned that lesson.
Unfortunately, it might be too late.
… And 10 (more observations)The Saints
1. Casual locker-room observation of the week: Each player found a surprise in his locker this week: a new “Saints Edge” T-shirt, courtesy of teammate Hollis Thomas. Thomas designs shirts and wanted each player to receive one as a gift. If you recall, the idea behind the slogan was to reclaim the edge the team played with in 2006. Other than the opener against Tampa Bay, the Saints appear to have left that mentality in Jackson, Miss.
2. Off-the-field note of the week: Tom Benson will be at Fair Grounds Race Course on Friday to present the trophy for the Si Cima Stakes, the main stakes race on opening day of the 2008-2009 meet at the venerable race course. The stakes honors the multiple-stakes winning Louisiana bred mare that also the first thoroughbred owned by Benson. Benson and wife Gayle will be in attendance Friday to present the Si Cima trophy to the owners of the winner.
3. Quote of the week: “We’re tired of sitting here talking about getting over the hump. We’re not that team. We’re not a .500 team. Obviously that’s the way we’ve played for the last year and a half. That’s not the type of team we are.” – Saints quarterback Drew Brees, summing up the feelings of every player in the New Orleans locker room.
4. Didya notice of the week: It didn’t garner much attention but Saints Coach Sean Payton admitted the team considered former Patriots cornerback Ty Law as a possible replacement for Mike McKenzie when they placed the veteran corner on injured reserve this week. “We talked about it. As soon as we had Mike’s injury, we went to our short list and he was a player that was on that list,” Payton said. “You kind of go through that exercise – even on the plane ride home you’re beginning to call agents and come up with your plan.”
5. Fact of the week:Courtesy of STATS, Inc., quarterback Drew Brees’ 294 passing yards in the fourth quarter last week is the most in a quarter since 1991 and could be an NFL record. STATS, Inc. and NFL statisticians were still conducting manual research of past games at mid-week to determine if it’s a record or not. The problem is the league didn’t start keeping quarter-by-quarter stats until 1991 so researchers are having to go through the game books by hand to determine if it’s a record or not. In other words, this could take awhile.
6. Encouraging stat of the week: In 41 games with the Saints, Brees already has 20 games with 300 yards or more passing, a club record for reaching the milestone. In fact, Brees has double the number of 300-yard games than the second man on the list, Aaron Brooks with 10. The others: Archie Manning with nine and Jim Everett with six. Since arriving, Brees has posted four of the five 400-plus-yard passing days in franchise history. He also has seven of the top eight single-game yardage totals.
7. Disturbing stat of the week:The Saints have issued an NFL-high 10 replay challenges of officials’ calls this season. They have had two overturned. Their 20 percent success rate is the second worst in the league for teams with more than three challenges. San Francisco is 0-for-7. Denver is 1-for-5. Either the Saints have been involved in an abnormally high amount of controversial plays or they’re needlessly challenging too many calls.
8. What I liked from Week 3:The new additions to the kicking game have added some juice to the Saints’ special teams. Kicker Garrett Hartley was solid on field goals and kickoffs and Glenn Pakulak might have the strongest leg of any Saints punter since Mitch Berger. Courtney Roby has added some much-needed speed on kickoff returns. It’s early but on first impression all three areas look to be upgraded.
9. What I didn’t like from Week 3: Fullback Mike Karney had nine snaps–NINE! For a team that claimed it planned to run the ball on the Falcons that’s egregious. I know Karney was injured in the second half and the lopsided deficit forced the Saints into their two-minute offense for the entire fourth quarter but you almost get the feeling Sean Payton would rather operate the entire game in a two-minute offense than use Karney and Deuce McAllister to run the ball.
10. Fearless prediction for Week 4: In this spot a week ago, I predicted Marques Colston’s breakout game, and I’ll go out on a very shaky, vulnerable limb and predict a similar day for tight end Jeremy Shockey. Call me crazy, but I think Brees and Payton are going to go out of their way to get the fiery tight end back in the fold. After last week’s debacle in Atlanta, look for the Saints to call Shockey’s number early and often.
New Orleans Saints must count on backup corners Jason David, Usama Young
November 14, 2008
Posted by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune November 12, 2008 7:59PM
Categories: Saints
Chris Granger, The Times-PicayuneSecond-year cornerback Usama Young will likely have a chance to make up for lost time when the Saints play the Chiefs this Sunday.This isn’t exactly a dream scenario for the Saints, having to turn to underachieving cornerbacks Jason David and Usama Young with the season on the line. The secondary was struggling even before starter Mike McKenzie went down with a season-ending knee injury last Sunday and veteran backup Aaron Glenn aggravated a nagging ankle injury.
Now they’re down to veteran Randall Gay, David and Young as their top three corners as they head into this Sunday’s game at Kansas City — the first of many must-win games the next seven weeks.
But if there is a silver lining to be found, perhaps being thrown in there will give David and Young a chance to spark their flickering careers.
“I think the NFL is a lot about opportunities and what you do when you get the chance and the opportunity to play, ” said David, who could vault back into the starting lineup Sunday after being inactive for the past two games. “It’s really rare in this league, not so much to get a second chance, but to get a second opportunity to show what you can do.
“I think one thing with me, I just enjoy playing football. Whether I’m inactive one week, just being out there in practice is a blessing, or playing special teams. And just having this opportunity again is a blessing, and hopefully I make the most of it.”
David, 26, had an infamously rough season in 2007 after he signed with the Saints as a restricted free agent. He started 12 games and intercepted three passes, but he was repeatedly burned with deep passing plays.
He has shown some progress this season, playing well in some brief opportunities as the No. 3 nickel back. Last season he often got caught sneaking a peek into the backfield while receivers ran by him, but this season he has done a better job of keeping the receiver in front of him.
His best moment was an interception in Week 6 against Oakland. But when Glenn returned from his ankle injury in Week 8, David became the odd man out on the roster.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of making plays, ” David said. “I think the plays will come to you if you’re just doing the right thing, doing your job and in the right position.”
Young, 23, was making excellent progress in training camp and was making a strong push for the nickel back job, but he suffered a hamstring injury in the second preseason game against Houston. The second-year pro from Kent State seemed to get lost in the shuffle after that.
The Saints kept seven cornerbacks on the roster to start the regular season, and Young didn’t really work his way back into the mix until veteran Jason Craft was cut, Glenn injured his ankle and rookie Tracy Porter suffered a season-ending wrist injury.
“It did hurt, it did hurt, ” Young said of the injury setback. “But now I’ve got a chance later, later, later on down the line.
“It’s crazy. I was talking to some of the guys about that, if you remember when people were actually talking like, ‘Why did they keep so many corners?’ And now we’re down to a very few, and we’ve had to pick up more (young backups Leigh Torrence and David Pittman, who were signed this week). So nobody thought it was going to turn out the way it has.
“You don’t look forward to anyone going down, especially teammates, friends, but since they are, you’ve got to step up. That’s what everyone is looking for you to do. Leaders went down, and you’ve got to stand up and make some plays.”
The Saints drafted Young early in the third round last season because of his impressive display of athleticism in college and in pre-draft workouts. He has great speed and leaping ability, which has turned heads in each of the past two years of training camp.
But he has yet to translate it into his play consistently. Although he has emerged as one of the Saints’ top special teams players, he has played sparingly on defense. He has been credited with just four career pass defenses and no interceptions.
Young was particularly disappointed with his performance last Sunday at Atlanta, and Coach Sean Payton said Young struggled. Though he didn’t allow any blatant big plays, he said he made mental errors and didn’t make any good plays on defense or special teams.
“When you get beat, those mistakes stand out even more, ” Young said. “So I was just disappointed. I know that I can play better.”
On the surface, Kansas City doesn’t appear to have an imposing offense, but second-year quarterback Tyler Thigpen has been on a hot streak, throwing for six touchdown passes with no interceptions in his past three games.
The Chiefs have two dangerous receiving threats, tight end Tony Gonzalez, a mismatch against the Saints’ safeties, and physical receiver Dwayne Bowe. Gay, who is the most physical of the Saints’ corners, likely will match up often against Bowe, his former LSU teammate.
Although Gay also struggled last week at Atlanta, both Young and David know that Thigpen likely will throw at them often.
“They’ve been picking, picking, picking (on the entire secondary) throughout the year, so it’s not going to stop now, ” Young said. “We’ve got to make something negative happen for them to stop throwing the ball. We’ve got to make some plays.”
Reggie Bush’s status for New Orleans Saints-Kansas City Chiefs game Sunday uncertain
November 14, 2008
Posted by Teddy Kider, The Times-Picayune November 12, 2008 7:56PM
Categories: Saints
MIchael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneReggie Bush says playing against Kansas City is a possibility, but not a certainty.Saints running back Reggie Bush returned to the practice field Wednesday for the first time since undergoing knee surgery, but he was noncommittal about playing Sunday.
“I think it’s definitely a possibility, ” Bush said about playing at Kansas City on Sunday. “I’m going to do everything I can to try to get back this week. I’m always optimistic about coming back as soon as possible. So we’ll see what happens. I’m not saying no, but I’m not saying yeah, either. We’ve just got to see how everything pans out up until game day.”
Bush participated in Wednesday’s practice on a limited basis, wearing a heavy knee brace that he said would likely be replaced with a lighter sleeve by the time he plays in a game.
Wednesday’s session was Bush’s first since he tore the meniscus in his left knee against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 19 and underwent surgery to repair it.
“It’s my first day out, so I’m not 100 percent, ” Bush said after practicing. “I wasn’t expecting to be 100 percent today, but I was just expecting to get out there, run around a little bit, get the feel back.”
Saints Coach Sean Payton said Bush “got a fair amount of reps” Wednesday, but Payton, as expected, did not give Bush’s status for Sunday’s game.
Since Bush was injured, the Saints have beaten the San Diego Chargers in London, had a bye week and lost to the Atlanta Falcons on the road. The Saints’ opponent this week has allowed the most yards per game (406.2) and the most rushing yards per game (172.3) in the NFL.
Bush said he wants to get back on the field to help his team, but “you’ve got to worry about your health first.”
“I don’t want to go out there and make anything worse, so obviously I’m going to do the right thing, take the right precautions to make sure I’m 100 percent before I step back on the field, ” Bush said.
OTHER INJURIES: Also limited at Wednesday’s practice was Saints receiver Marques Colston, who had some swelling as a result of a knee problem that has bothered him for about a year and a half, according to Payton.
Four players missed Wednesday’s session: cornerback Aaron Glenn (ankle), fullback Mike Karney (knee), center Jonathan Goodwin (knee) and right tackle Jon Stinchcomb (calf).
Stinchcomb said he is “hopeful” that he will be able to play this week. “Oh, it’s still sore, ” Stinchcomb said. “It’ll still grab my attention from time to time, but I’m rehabbing and trying to get the work in, so it should be good to go when I need it to.”
Running back Aaron Stecker (hamstring) also was on the injury report, as was kicker Garrett Hartley, who injured his back on a tackle against the Falcons, Payton said. Both Stecker and Hartley had full practices.
ROSTER MOVES: The Saints released defensive tackle Remi Ayodele from the active roster and replaced him with cornerback David Pittman, a Gramercy native who attended Northwestern State and last played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2007.
The Saints also released linebacker Ben Moffitt from the practice squad and replaced him with fullback David Kirtman, who played with Bush at Southern California and was last with the San Francisco 49ers.
New Orleans Saints Insider Mailbag: Where’s the running game, pass rush and creative play-calling?
November 14, 2008
Posted by Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune November 12, 2008 5:13PM
Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneDeuce McAllister and the Saints running backs performed well in limited use last week.The New Orleans Saints’ disappointing 34-20 loss to the Falcons generated an unprecedented number of questions to this week’s mailbag.
Among the topics in today’s installment: the defense’s inability to pressure the quarterback, the Jeremy Shockey-Drew Brees sideline incident and Sean Payton’s coaching philosophy and aversion to the running game.
I’ll have a second — even longer — installment of the mailbag on Friday.
Q: The Saints had 17 carries for 105 yards while the Falcons had 36 carries for 113 yards. All of our backs performed well given the limited amount of carries. Omitting the runs from Brees and Henderson, our backs were averaging 4.6 yards per carry. It appears that the running game was effective. Why didn’t Sean Payton use the run more? Brian, Baton Rouge.
A: Payton blamed the lack of balance on the game situation i.e, the huge deficit, but that doesn’t explain why he gave up on the run so early. It appears to me that Payton gets impatient with the running game and doesn’t truly value its long-term affect in a game. Part of it, also, was the Saints failure to run the ball in short-yardage situations. Twice the Saints had manageable short-yardage situations – second-and-2 in the second quarter and second-and-1 in the third quarter – and tried to run the ball and got nothing. On the former, Grady Jackson drilled Pierre Thomas for no gain. On the latter, Aaron Stecker was hit for a 3-yard loss. Those failures tend to sap Payton’s confidence in the running game. Short-yardage has been a problem all season. Remember, the Saints have played the past two weeks with a new center and rookie left guard. They are still learning and it’s showed in missed assignments.
Q: I enjoyed the article you wrote on Jeremy Shockey this week. I was wondering though, do you see this as motivating to Jeremy or will he just become disinterested. I’d love to know your opinion. I would guess the former. Mark Bobrowski, Chicago, Ill.
Chris Granger/The Times-PicayuneJeremy Shockey is downplaying the shouting incident with Drew Brees last week.A: Excellent question, Mark. I think we’re going to find out real soon how Shockey reacts. From a body language standpoint, I liked the way Shockey handled the exchange. He looked Brees right in the eye and appeared to take everything in. I also liked the way he addressed the situation afterward with reporters. He didn’t make excuses and definitely fell on the sword. Those are all positive signs. And I agree with Brees and Shockey that the whole sideline incident might be getting overblown. The issue wasn’t the exchange it’s that Shockey didn’t appear to know what was going on in the two-minute drill. The mix-up that sparked the incident wasn’t the only time Shockey appeared confused. He also looked flummoxed in the two-minute offense on the Saints’ drive before halftime. On two separate plays, you can see Brees directing him at the line of scrimmage just before the snap. Maybe this isn’t a big deal. Maybe it’s to be expected from a newcomer who’s missed so much time because of injuries but it’s still a concern and likely why the club chose to go with Billy Miller down the stretch instead of Shockey. The stakes are too high for the Saints right now to depend on him if he isn’t 100 percent sure of what he’s doing. The Saints talk all the time about the receivers “painting the right picture” ofr Brees and I think Shockey is going outside the lines too often right now. That said, I expect Shockey to take it to heart this week. He’s a prideful guy and understands that his reputation was tarnished in New York. He needs to take advantage of this second chance and resurrect his career because if he fails in New Orleans not many teams will be lining up to take him after that. It definitely will a story line worth following down the stretch.
Q: I read in your blog how we fans cry for more blitzing on defense and you said that they seem to get burned when they do blitz. Did you ever think it’s because the only players Gibbs seems to blitz are safeties and cornerbacks? We hardly ever blitz linebackers and we never send Fujita at the quarterback. Why is that? It’s time to call a spade a spade and the defense of Gary Gibbs is lacking any creativity at all. Shane Powell.
A: Shane, I think the word I used was “clamor” not cry. Actually, the Saints blitz their linebackers quite often. I don’t have the exact statistics but I’d say they send Jon Vilma and Scott Shanle on most of their blitzes. They like to use the zone blitz where they drop an end into coverage and send the linebackers to the other side, overloading the protection. Fujita doesn’t blitz as much because he isn’t in the Saints nickel package. He’s the linebacker that comes out on passing downs when the offense goes to multiple-receiver sets. The problem isn’t that the Saints don’t blitz. It’s that they don’t blitz successfully. The defenders, regardless of who blitzes, never seem to get there. The Saints haven’t recorded a sack by a defender other than a lineman since Week 4. That’s unacceptable when you consider how often they’ve blitzed in that span. At some point, the blitzers have to get there and the Saints simply don’t get there often enough.
Q: Why the heck would a quarterback of Drew Brees’ ability throw the first pass of the game into double coverage when he had time? It seemed to be one of the most egotistical things I have ever seen a quarterback do. It’s like he said, yeah, you can try to defend us, but this is gonna work. Also, do you think that the organization is willing to give the $$ needed to score Nnamdi Asomugha if he should happen to get out of Oakland? Rumor is that they will franchise him again if he doesn’t sign a long term deal. Whatever compensation it would take to get him is worth it. Christa.
A: Sean Payton called the first snap “a shot” play. In other words, they were taking a shot down the field for a big play. It was a long shot at best. Devery Henderson was never open but Brees said he was trying to give his receiver a chance to make a play. If you remember he did the same thing earlier this season on the flea-flicker to Robert Meachem against Minnesota. Meachem was double-covered but somehow came down with the ball for a big gain. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I wouldn’t get my hopes up about Asomugha. The Raiders plan to franchise him. In fact, his looming cap charge is one of the reasons the Raiders released DeAngelo Hall. They know they need to clear room on the salary cap to keep Asomugha on board.
Q: Why can’t the Saints get any pressure on the QB? Why we are not a physical team and can dominate people in the trenches? What does Payton have to say about that? Jason Sims, Houston.
A: The Saints aren’t getting the pressure from the front four that they expected when they made long-term contract offers to ends Charles Grant and Will Smith. The Saints have 14 sacks and rank 28th in the league in sacks per pass play. That’s an ominous number when you consider the Saints openly said in the preseason that they planned to put the onus on the front four to pressure the quarterback. The bad news is I don’t really see the situation getting better. For whatever reason, Smith looks a step slow compared to previous years and could be suspended soon for four games because of the StarCaps scandal. Grant is out for the season. And no one inside is getting much pressure other than Sedrick Ellis. The Saints could really use a hybrid end/linebacker type to use on passing downs. They drafted one a few years back in Rob Ninkovich but injuries wrecked his career. It might be time to draft another one this year.
Q: What is your opinion of the competence of the conditioning staff and the results on the team? Seems four biceps/triceps muscle injuries is a tad high. Guy King, Dallas, Ga.
Chris Granger/The Times-PicayuneHollis Thomas was one of two Saints players who suffered a torn biceps injury.A: Guy, unless I’m mistaken, the only players with biceps/triceps injuries that I’m are of are Charles Grant and Hollis Thomas. I don’t think you can blame a team’s conditioning staff for muscle tears. These kind of injuries have escalated around the league in recent years because of the emphasis on strength and bulk. It’s pure physics. A player can become vulnerable if his muscularity exceeds what his skeletal structure can support. Muscle tears also can happen if you don’t hydrate properly.
Q: Jeff, any chance that Payton brings in a consultant next year to help him prepare this team physically for the season? This team lacks toughness and, in my opinion, Payton’s light training camp doesn’t adequately prepare our players for the rigors of an NFL season. Let’s bring in Bill Cowher in the spring to develop a training plan and during camp let him tear into this team. That way maybe the Saints could hold up against the more physical teams, or at least come out of the games largely intact. Thoughts? Michael Cerniglia, New Orleans.
A: Trust me, Michael, the Saints aren’t lacking for conditioning. They run one of the most physical camps in the NFL. I’ve talked with numerous veterans who’ve played for other teams and they all say the Saints feature more full-pads workouts in camp than any other team they’ve played on. In my opinion, there are plenty of physical players on the team, Deuce McAllister, Will Smith, Jammal Brown and Mike Karney to name a few. Those guys are as physical as any in the league. However, by virtue of the style of play and philosophy, the Saints aren’t really considered a physical team. Toughness isn’t instilled in the team on a daily basis because the players spend so much time pass blocking and playing gap-control defense.
Q: Looking ahead to the draft in April, exactly what draft picks still remain that have not been traded away? Do you think management thought it was this year or else by trading away so many picks? How many of the Saints players lost there trade value due to such poor performance this year? (Charles Grant and Will Smith come to mind). Oh, and one more, do you think that these players were out of shape at training camp and that’s why so many of them are on the StarCaps diet? Mike Maifield, New Mexico.
A: The Saints have a first-rounder, a third-rounder, a fourth-rounder and a seventh-rounder. There’s a caveat, however. In all likelihood, the Jets will get their third-rounder because of conditions in the trade with the Jets. If Jon Vilma plays a certain number of defensive snaps then the Jets receive the Saints’ third-round pick and the Saints get the Jets’ fourth-rounder. Since Vilma plays nearly every down it’s almost a certainty that the clause will be triggered. So it looks like the Saints will have two fourth-rounders instead of a third- and a fourth-rounder. Not sure what management was thinking but it’s clear they felt the value of the players they were acquiring (Vilma, Shockey, Adrian Arrington) was greater than what they dealt. Time will tell. There’s no question Charles Grant and Will Smith have little trade value right now. Neither has played well enough to justify their contracts and few teams will be willing to take on those big cap figures for players that produce so little. The main reason most of the players were taking StarCaps was to make their weight target and avoid fines. Each player has a weight limit he must maintain throughout the season. He is fined if he fails to “make weight.” Such fines can get expensive. In the case of Deuce, Will Smith, Jamar Nesbit and Charles Grant, all four are players who genetically are going to have to battle weight gain throughout their career and are getting up in age. It makes sense that they would take a supplement to try to get an edge.
Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneThe Saints identity is that they are a wide-open passing team.Q: Each successful organization in the world has a dedicated mission statement, a crystal clear vision and values, and a culture that it creates – yet also feeds off of. What is Sean Payton’s mission for the team, his vision for the future? What’s its identity? Right now, I would say it’s a team more interested in offensive statistics than putting points on the board. What is Payton building, or is he actually tearing something down? What is the culture in the locker room? With the Brees/Shockey “communication style,” the examples made of the kicking team, and the odd game decisions such as passing up the field goal and move into desperation in still the first half, I am not sure it’s a good one. Tony Robinson, Humble, Texas.
A: That’s a lot of questions, Tony. Let me see if I can answer them all, in order. Payton is big on mission statements. When he came to the Saints he installed a number of placards around the locker room with motivational aphorisms like “Play hard. Play smart,” etc. I think he values intelligence, discipline and mental toughness in his players and coaches. He wants smart, disciplined teams that don’t beat themselves. He also detests mental mistakes. Those are the characteristics he values above all others. The Saints have a lot of high-character guys in their locker room. Their leaders are smart, tough, disciplined guys like Brees, McAllister, Vilma, Scott Fujita, Jon Stinchcomb and Billy Miller. As far as an identity goes, the only thing Payton’s Saints can really hang their hats on is their wide-open passing attack. Face it, the Saints have one of the most high-powered, dangerous offenses in the league. However, Payton’s teams are starting to look more and more like the Mike Martz St. Louis Rams. Not to defend him, but Payton hasn’t had a lot go right this season, what with injuries, drug suspensions and some costly officials’ calls. That’s no excuse for the 4-5 record but it seems like all of the good karma the team experienced in 2006 has inverted on them this season.
Q: With the play of our defense will the Saints ever be able to attract top-notch talent at cornerback? Also, how will it affect Jon Vilma when it is time for him to re-sign? With our defense not being able to consistently sack or exert legitimate pressure on opposing quarterbacks, it always puts defensive backs in adverse situations. Who will take money to only have their name end up being sullied? Any agent knows it will be the last contract their client will sign that will pay with their client’s actual talents. Jesse, New Orleans.
A: Money talks in free agency, Jesse. If the Saints offer a top free agent cornerback the most money he’ll take it — plain and simple. Look at Drew Brees. In 2006, he accepted the Saints contract over an offer from the Dolphins because it was more lucrative even though New Orleans had little to offer otherwise. Remember, at the time, the city was still pretty much in recovery mode. The franchise was in a state of flux, and the team was coming off a 3-13 campaign yet they still were able to land Brees because they offered more money than the Dolphins. That’s almost always the case in free agency. These guys are professionals, you know. The Vilma situation could get interesting. If the season goes south, it wouldn’t surprise me if he elected to test the open market. He’s having an excellent season and could probably command a good deal on the open market. If the Saints lost him it would create a huge void in the defense. Obviously, the Saints are going to do everything they can to persuade him to stay here but he’d be foolish not to look around and test the waters. At this stage of his career, Vilma wants to win a championship and if he doesn’t feel confident it’s going to happen in New Orleans he’ll likely take his services elsewhere. That said, the Saints went out on a limb to trade for him so he might be loyal to the club and give them first crack at an offer.
Four players sat out New Orleans Saints practice
November 14, 2008
Posted by Teddy Kider, The Times-Picayune November 12, 2008 2:40PM
Categories: SaintsThe Saints had four players sit out of Wednesday’s practice: cornerback Aaron Glenn (ankle), fullback Mike Karney (knee), right tackle Jon Stinchcomb (calf) and center Jonathan Goodwin (knee).
Running back Reggie Bush (knee) and receiver Marques Colston (knee) practiced on a limited basis, while running back Aaron Stecker (hamstring) and kicker Garrett Hartley (back) were on the injury report but had full practices.
New Orleans Saints sign David Pittman at cornerback
November 14, 2008
Posted by Teddy Kider, The Times-Picayune November 12, 2008 12:01PM
Categories: SaintsThe Saints signed cornerback David Pittman, a Gramercy native who went to Northwestern State and last played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2007. They also put fullback David Kirtman, who played with Reggie Bush at USC and was last with the San Francisco 49ers, on the practice squad.
To free up spots, the Saints released defensive tackle Remi Ayodele from the active roster and linebacker Ben Moffitt from the practice squad.
Also, Bush returned to practice Wednesday morning for the first time since having knee surgery. More to come on the blog later in the day…
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