Some bad news.....
 

I hope everyone had good holidays and maybe some folks who had it rough during the storm were able to come together and celebrate the things that are good in life.

OK....I got a few things listening to WWL and ESPN radio today that I thought I would share. All of these things are random, so I apologize if any of it is redundant. I'll try to keep it short.

- John Clayton called the Saints job the least desirable of all the HC vacancies. No surprise...just sux to hear it nationally.

- There seems to be an approaching sentiment that Leinart will not accept a pick from the Saints. I'm not a huge fan of him as a pro, but if we did take him and he did shoot us down, it would be just another kick in the nuts. In most cases, I hate guys that do this, but I was thinking last week....a freaking star in Hollywood, with superstar ass and titles every year to a beat up city with a terrible front office and an uncertain future. Granted, he would be rolling in it, but we're all familiar with the minds of these primadonnas. I would imagine any top ten pick could try to wiggle out of the big easy.

- LeCharles was on with Bobby and Kenny and I really wish everyone could hear it. Definitely a sharp dude, but I disagreed with most of his opinions. Said Haz and AB were victims of circumstance, which is just ridiculous. He discussed Horn's saying we need a coach that doesn't take any crap (agreed), but also said that Horn was one of the first ones who would get roped in by such a coach (also agreed).

He kept calling out the " media whores" on the team. I can't imagine that's anyone but Joe.....I mean who else could it be? It definitely seemed like he thought Horn was a problem. I'm not saying that I agree, cuz i think Horn brings it every week, but he has been hurt alot lately and I do think some of the antics are poorly timed. Post Katrina, I think joe was a great rep for the team...who knows what his teammates think.
He also said that teams like the giants and bengals are successful because they don't have any of these media whores. Ummmm.....Chad Johnson makes Horn look camera shy, so that opinion is clearly stupid.

Last, he said there are a few guys on the team who just have to go. Obviously he was not talking about AB, who I think should be first out the door. But he had already defended AB throughout the interview. LeCharles was very candid...he did not take shots at the front office, just this mysterious group of bad guys on the team. He said the core was there to win, the bad apples just need to be weeded out. Very interesting, since we've been doing that for 5 years :)

I don't think Bentley is coming back based on his tone. He said he loved the fans, the media, etc. I just think that there will be an exodus from NO and it will serve to perpetuate Benson's claims when he can't get top FA's, draft picks or coaches. It's a vicious circle of self sabotage and I think we all know that he's capable of such jackassery. Amazing to think that a 78 year old gazillionaire would go to these lengths to spend the last years of his life running this business elsewhere.

Anyway, just sharing some reports (and a few opinions). The Bentley stuff is obviously paraphrased, but I would say that all of the core points are accurate.

RE: Some bad news.....
 

Just hope Leinart does not do that. or just trade him away.

First off, if my options are LeCharles or Joe, bye bye Joe. I didn't want us to give him an extension last year. He's 34 now, and coming off his worst season as a Saints, where he didn't play through injury like he used to.

Next, we got kicked by pretty much everyone yesterday as the worst spot for draft picks and coaches. Jaws, Clayton, PTI. Everyone. Last interview I heard with Leinart, he said he would go to whatever team picked him, and try to help them win. Let's hope he remains a stand up guy If not, draft him, then trade him for the world like San D did with Eli. Do yout hink the team who takes Cutlet would be happier with Leinart? I do.

That seems to be the prevailing thought these days, whod. So, sorry if I stirred any BS....there are just so many reports out there and you try to put them all together. The best thing to do is wait and see, but when do fans ever do that?

With regard to Horn....I agree with you. I have defended this guy before, but I get so tired of him opening his mouth when he shoudn't. I thought the crying about Tags stuff was crap after he had said he didn't want to talk to him. It seems like Joe is often just a sound bite guy who says what it takes to get the headline. It's not Joe's job to criticize the line....the receivers certainly were hot and cold this year...mostly cold. And, while I know Joe will play hurt, he was a non factor this year.

I like Horn, but I always go back to the Minnesota game a couple of years ago. He went over to them, talked a bunch of crap, they said it woke them up....they kicked our ass. He's also stupid to say that the team needs a hardass when horn clearly benefits from the lack of one...he has pretty much done as he pleases for his entire tenure. A parcells/belechik guy would be Horn's worst nightmare.

Re: RE: Some bad news.....
 

I would be really interested to see the expression on Tags face for sure .

He met with the players and Alumni of U.S.C. when he went to L.A. , a few months later one slaps him when he is trying to settle things down in New Orleans .

You didn't stir up anything yas. You reported Saints news, I applaud you for that. A lot of the media is down on our franchise, and rightfully so. I am not gonna say it isn't justified, but they act like we don't have options, which we do. Leinart could refuse us, then we have other options. We stick it to him, draft him and keep him. We stick it to him, draft him, and then trade him. Or we don't draft him. Seems pretty simple. If he is gonna be a guy that thumbs his nose at us, after saying how much he admired Tulane players for what they fought through, F him. But until HE says it, we just have to let the media speculate. It's what they get paid to do.

I am mentally storing up all these predictions so I can compare them later and figure out how full of crap the experts are...We need a better offensive mind as a coach and a better disciplinarian... I was also shocked when Horn got that long contract extension

The media is going to beat the Saints organization down until they submit. They have made a habit of that over the years. This organization gets absolutely no respect, but then again, where do they deserve it. I don't blame the media for saying these things because the majority would want Leinart to end up in a larger market. Leinart, IMO, would be dream for the Saints from a marketing standpoint, but a nightmare for the media. The media is just being the media when it comes to the Saints. They don't want to see any big names coming out of college in New Orleans. They are saying the same about coaching candidates as well. They aren't really mentioning any big names for the Saints head coach position except for maybe Martz. They are saying that no one will be knocking down the door to coach or play for this team. That is their OPINION, only. I disagree completely with the majority of things they are reporting. The only difference between them and me is that I'm replying to posts on a fan website and they are on national television. But, I'm a Saints fan, so I'm supposed to defend my team when the media kicks them in the mouth.

And, truthfully, I'm not certain Leinart is right for us. He is certainly a hollywood darling and I like the exposure. But, this team could possibly benefit from a vet QB this year and then see where AMAC is before getting another guy that we know is a year or two from winning. If AMAC and Leinart both "arrived" at the same time, that would kinda suck for a team with other, equally pressing needs. (LB, OL)

I do like Matt...despite the "playa hating" thing that hides in the back of most people's minds. Seems like a decent dude...as do Bush and Young. The franchise does need a new face. I mean, right now it's Horn.....and that is no different than the last few years. They tried with AB, but, well, ya know. Will Smith? Solid as hell, but young.

Re: RE: Some bad news.....
 

DO just hope we get him.

I'm with you, I don't "feel" it with Leinart... the whole USC team has gotten so hyped up in the last 3 years... they are media darlings indeed... I thought of Gino Torretta when I saw Leinart.. now I see a taller Danny Wuerfell... weak arm in a great system with great athletes around him and very good coaching...

.. I'll tell you, a guy that's growing on me is Vince Young... I see Vick's mobility but with passing skills... he may not have the ability to change directions like Vick has, but the kid can run it with the best of them, with the added bonus that he looks like he can throw it...

Torretta? That's a good call TR.

I just think it's very hard to truly evaluate Leinart when his O is so good. It's almost like taking a free agent off a Belichik defense, but we don't know anything about that :|

Vince Young sure "looks" like AB in uniform, but he is much more poised in interviews and stuff. I'll bet their height/weight are very similar, but Vince's strides seem a bit quicker.

And with regard to Danny boy....did ya see the special during the Sugar bowl. He deserves alot of credit for staying involved down there even though his career was not good. Lots of good work he's doing in NO. Hats off.

Oh, I love Danny W. He's one of the true good guys...

Vince is waay faster than Brooks, and seems not only to have a brain, but be coachable as well... I'm sure he's going to post 4.4's - 4.3's at the combine, if he decides to come out... I guess that would be determined after the Bowl... if the Longhorns win (and I will be cheering for them to win ) is going to be hard for Vince not to come out...

... there are some very good players coming out this year.. I love AJ Hawk's speed and range at LB; there are a few good DT's... but I think Vince Young will put fannies in the seats, and as long as he keeps on saying what he's saying, i.e., the right things to say to the media, he'll be supported, if not loved, in N.O....

... just imagine the Young vs Vick forum flamewars :)

First, I don't think Young goes near a 4.3. 4.4 maybe. But 4.3? Uh uh. I am willing to bet his combine speed will be a surprise as it won't appear as fast as his game speed.

Next, he still has work to do mechanics wise. He made a huge leap from last year to this year, but he needs another season of polish. Unless we have a veteran QB who can start next year while he works, I don't see this is a good choice.

Also, the Leinart/Toretta comparisons are quite unfair. I don't recall Toretta losing his entire receiving corps and still being the best QB in college football. I also don't recall Toretta being called the best 3 straight years, and projected as a consensus top pick for two years. As a matter of fact:

So I don't know how he reminds anyone of a guy picked int he 7th round. Simply cause he won the Heisman? So did Jason White, and he is no longer in football even. Unfair comparison all around.

I was talking as a pocket passer who posted great numbers and won a Heisman. I don't particularly remember the draft when Gino came out, but he just appeared to be a "system" guy.

I'm not trying to take anything away from Matt...I really have enjoyed watching him play. The 4th down throw vs Notre Dame was as good of a throw as I've ever seen.

I just have this feeling that I fear he will end up like Torretta (obviously with more money). I see your point, though. Maybe an overstatement with the Torretta comparison, I just wonder if Leinart's arm will fizzle in the league.

In the back of my mind that I try to block out, I have a small feeling he's going to turn out like Cade McNown. Ekk! But I'm all for taking Leinart... he has a lot to bring to the table and he's not McNown, Gino, etc. He's Matt Leinart and I hope we do draft him.

There wasn't the love affair with the 'canes back then (actually, I don't think the media likes the U very much) as the love affair with the Trojans these past couple of years... he may have "lost" his 2 WRs of 2003, yet in 2004 he seemed to throw to wiiiide open WRs who were much faster than the secondaries covering them, while not a single defensive player lay a hand on him. And this year he had Reggie Bush...

What reminds me of Torretta is the play on the field, not the hype... Torretta, like Leinart, stood in the pocket, untouched, with all the time in the world, just waiting for the stud receivers to get a few yards of separation, then throwing floaters...

TR, I still STRONGLY disagree with you comparing Leinart to Toretta, cause he was under heavy duress in the Fresno State game AND the Notre Dame game, and played like a star, BUT I will agree with you that if Vince Young comes out, i'd be looking strongly at taking him. Wow. I thought he was gonna take another year, but damn if he don't look ready now.

Vince Young is the real deal...I can't remember who it was, but someone on this site or several people said he was a "raw quarterback"...That is a load of crap from someone who did not watch any film and just digested some dumb critics column and spit it back at us...

After watching my first full game of that guy last night I have to totally disagree, VY is the total package...I was not aware of this but he lead the nation in passing effeciency, rushed for over 1000 yards if you count the rose bowl and passed for a butt load of yards with sophomore and freshman WR's...If he comes out he will be a top 5 pick, I say top 5 because I don't think Houston wants him cause they have Carr and need a player like Bush if he comes out...