Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
First off, thanks for all the notes to the mailbag. Sorry I can't answer every single one, but a lot of you were asking similar questions so I tried to select ones that would represent what everybody's wondering about the New Orleans
Saints.
Michael in Fort Lauderdale writes: I think the
Saints need a running game to take the next step foward. I dont see Bush as an every-down back. You don't think Duece will be back.That leaves Pierre Thomas. Do you think they will upgrade the position or stick with what they have?
Pat Yasinskas: I definitely think this is an area the
Saints need to upgrade in the offseason. Let's face the facts. There's no future here for Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush is a hybrid between a running back and a receiver and Pierre Thomas is just a guy. Bush has lots of talent and value, but you need an every-down back to pair him with. Thomas has looked good at times and has averaged 4.7 yards a carry, but I don't know that I can do that over the long haul and with more carries. I think the
Saints have to find a consistent runner in the draft or free agency. I also think they have to make more of a commitment to the running game.
Richard in Baton Rouge writes: Lance Moore's name does not appear on the Pro Bowl ballot. Somewhat difficult for him to get votes. 3rd year in a row the
Saints will have a deserving Wideout sitting at home. (Colston, Colston, Moore)
Pat Yasinskas: Agreed and it shows another flaw in the voting system. But Moore will at least get some votes from coaches and players when it's their turn to vote.
Muggs in green bay writes: first off love your coverage of one of the most entertaining divisions do you think duece could became a coach with the
saints or an advisor and 2nd do you think that the
saints will draft a running back in the 3rd or 5th like green out of iowa?
Pat Yasinskas: Not sure what Deuce McAllister's long-term goals are, but I'm certain the
Saints would gladly make room for him as a coach or in some other capacity. He's easily the most popular player in franchise history and his suspension is not going to diminish that. And, yes, I definitely see the
Saints either drafting a running back fairly early or signing one in free agency.
Blaine in Lafayette, LA writes: Mr. Yasinskas, i am an administrator of the Saints Fan website, Blackandgold.com. Here lately, alot of our members have been downing Reggie Bush because of his latest injury and because of his poor rushing efforts. Also, they have been proclaiming Pierre Thomas as the best RB that the Saints have and that Bush should be traded. Ive tried on many occasions to explain to them that defenses key on Bush and game plan against him and along with the Saints inability to run block exceptionally well, has caused Bush's rushing numbers to be miscued. Yet, they just keep using his poor statistical numbers(3.9 ypc) and Thomas' (4.6 ypc) as reason that Thomas is the better RB. Now, i will agree that PT is a very good RB but i just cant say that he is better than Reggie in spite of his better statistics because it is my belief that Bush does things that the statistics do not show. Could you please send me your perspective on this issue? thanks, Blaine Bourg Administrator BnG.com
Pat Yasinskas: I'm going to back you up here and say flat out that Reggie Bush is better than Pierre Thomas. And I'm not saying Thomas is a bad player -- I'm just being honest and saying Thomas is average. As for Bush, I can understand the frustration. But the guy has the potential to score every time he touches the ball. Is he an outstanding conventional running back? No. But he brings rare talent as a receiver and a return man and he can be dangerous as a running back. I'd like to see the Saints finally figure out how to use Bush properly. I think he's got to be in a tandem with a guy who can run between the tackles. And some improved run blocking up front would help, too.
Jay in SC writes: What will happen with the
Saints logjam at receiver in the offseason? They have Adrian Arrington currently on IR, and Henderson and Moore, both free agents, have played very well. Not to mention Courtney Roby looks like a keeper in the few games he's played on special teams. Could Meachem be expendable?
Pat Yasinskas: Very possible. You have to assume the
Saints will do everything they can to keep Devery Henderson and Lance Moore around because they both have had nice seasons and Marques Colston will bounce back once he gets fully healthy. That's a great trio right there and I know the
Saints liked what they saw from Arrington before he got hurt. It's always painful to give up on a first-round pick, but Meachem hasn't shown much of anything in two years and it could be time to pull the plug.
Kevin B in Boone County, KY: It's been brutal to watch my favorite team, the
Saints, this season. I would have to say, many times they have simply been outcoached. Would you agree with that? It's a shame to see Deuce going out like this and I wonder why Sean hasn't given him touches. It seems like every time I saw McAllister get carries, he was moving forward, unlike Bush. Is Deuce more banged up than he shows or is it Sean just isn't giving him carries for another reason?
Pat Yasinskas: I'll agree with you that they've been outcoached at times. I think Sean Payton is smart and innovative, but I also think he outthinks himself and tries to get too fancy at times. Sometimes, you have to just stick with the basics, like running McAllister. Obviously, it's too late to debate that and it didn't happen. But I think the
Saints could have had another win or two if they had just been a little more conventional at times.
j in NC writes: Why do you still bother to update the status of
Brees and his attempt at Marino's record? The majority of those yards have come in garbage time in meaningless losses. Dan Marino also had significantly less pass attempts and a much better record.
Pat Yasinskas: Well,
Brees is on pace to break the record for passing yards in a season and we have to acknowledge that. But your points are well taken and I agree that the significance of
Brees' yards haven't been nearly as important as Marino's were to that Miami team.
JT New Orleans writes: What are your thoughts on
Brees' colossal "unclutchness" against the Bucs? The 0-17 record when trailing after three quarters speaks for itself.
Pat Yasinskas: If
Brees were a college player, I think that game would have ended his chances at the Heisman Trophy. At very least, I think that loss ended any talk of him as an MVP candidate. His numbers have been nice, but they haven't really mattered at crunch time, as we said in the above question and answer.
ESPN - Mailbag: New Orleans edition - NFC South
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