TallySaint

- The whole McNair vs. Titans use of facilities seems a little bizarre to me. The arbitrator's decision ws a good one, right? Maybe one of you can expound on what the heck is going on up there in Tennessee. Weird, man.


- The Jets not picking Leinart (or even Cutler) really surprised me. Not saying D'Brickshaw or even C Mangold were bad picks. They chose QB Clemons in the second round. Don't know much about him other than he had success at Oregon and a bum ankle took him out during the 2005 season. Early talk from camp is he's doing just fine. Jets fans are hoping so. Pennington looks a little "iffy" at this point. I guess Ramsey's still in camp. Bollinger? Anyhoo, I guess the only person more surprised NY didn't snag Leinart was Leinart himself.


- Someone here mentioned what many of us were thinking - Bush falling in our laps saved us from screwing up a first round pick. It's water under the bridge, but I'm a little curious who we'd actually have picked otherwise. I understand many of you are a little jaded by past regimes' choices. I'm kinda on board with Peyton and gonna trust his decisions. Gut feeling. Nothing to back it up (sorry whodi )


- A hungry, new, young, first-time head coach is exciting, isn't it? What many fans wanted came true - Haz, Brooks and Venturi are gone. 2006 in the Dome. Seems Peyton has hired as good a staff as possible. Probably a little tough luring coaching talent to 'Nawlins these days, if you know what I mean. Gibbs has a decent resume and I'm here to tell ya, snagging Henshaw from the Titans was huge. Many fans see Peyton and staff's moves as suspect - big safety/corner numbers come to mind. Who knows what he's thinking. Maybe he's lookin' for a decent backfield or a Sammy Knight or two in the bunch. Heaven knows, a little competition at DB isn't a bad thing.


- The general consensus here is we are nowhere near a 3-4. Let's set our current talent aside for a moment or two on discuss, civily, what defense would suit us best if talent was present. Which scheme would serve us best against NFC South opponents, for instance. I'm mostly curious about scheme specifically, not whether we are better equipped to run one or another. I appreciate all your comments and I'm learning alot from them.


- Don't know much about the Cardinals O-line or running game. But if they're up to snuff, Leinart, weenie arm or not, is gonna have big fun with those WR's.


- Tags retirement isn't a good thing. He was/is rock-steady in our corner. Some here poo-pooed him for sending our home game to the Giants. Don't hold that against him. A call had to be made soon after Katrina. At the time that decision was made, Tags had to consider that many southern "home" venues may have been tied up in relief. Many comments about his move were a little short-sighted, in my opinion. The logistics alone made it a no-brainer. I won't go into the possibility of a Saints move down the road. Tags shored up Benson up in a timely manner. I suspect when Benson talks move again, we're gonna miss Tags.


- The Carolina offense is gonna be the bomb. Assuming the O-Line holds up, they are almost to the point of re-loading. Jake turns out to be the real deal. Back-up Wienke is more than adequate. There was talk when Jake missed some time that Chris could move on in. Keyshawn, as much as we love him, is a key addition. He's not the threat Smith is, but he'll be lined up on the other side. Maybe Peyton's attention to safety will be worth the effort... Foster's injury concerns are well noted. Goins is rock steady. Expect Willams to explode by mid-season. Watch him run. Watch him catch. He'll add that little swing pass to an already potent offense.


- I reserved the book "The Great Deluge" at my local library. Someone here recommended it.



Thanks for listening.


8)

My Guardian Angel wears a hard hat.

TallySaint

Edgerrin James



8)

papz

I'll comment on a couple of things...

I'm not surprised a bit that the Jets picked neither Leinart nor Cutler. Let's not forget, when healthy, Pennington was one of the top passers in the league. Provide him protection, and you'll see him rack up completed passes. One of the most efficient quarterbacks in the game. On Clemens being selected in the second was probably a better fit than the other two. In Oregon, Clemens had to deal with the elements as he will have to in New York. Leinart is use to throwing in perfect weather as was Cutler. Had he not been injured, Clemens being a late first wouldn't have been a stretch.

I'm also excited on what a new coach and staff can do for the already talented Saints. We've been hearing every year since Haslett was here that we were one of the most talented teams in the NFL. Yet, we have nothing to show for it. Hopefully now we'll be able to show it... because if we don't, I guess there are a lot of people around the league, media, fans, etc. who have no idea what they're talking about... which includes myself.

3-4... I can definately see us gravitating towards it. I'm sure we won't use it a lot this year, but we'll have some packages in our playbook. If our defense struggles, and the 3-4 shows promise, I can see it implementing it full time in 2007. We should have good size cap room and it will be the second year in our so-called rebuilding process... I expect us to make "significant" (a couple of big name) acquistions next off season. The 3-4 is not something I'm against (I think we're only 1 player away from a 3-4)... though I'd like to give Sully one more chance in this 4-3.

On Leinart... he doesn't have a wee-arm people. He doesn't have a rocket Manning arm, but it's strong enough and he'll have plenty of success throwing to Boldin, Fitz, Pope, and Edge. Their future is extremely bright... young talented offense w/ a young outstanding defense. All the players and talent is there... when they mesh, they are going to become a powerhouse.

Carolina... my other favorite team. Don't really have to say anything about them except that they're going to win the division... with us coming in second hopefully. Trying to be as optimistic as I can but winning the division probably isn't going to happen. Sorry if I bursted someone's bubble.

Fan - "Papz you're a Saints fan... you're not suppose to root for them too."

Me - "Bite me."

hagan714

Matt will have a great career. Period.
The Jets have QBs. I never thought they would trade up for Matt. Bush was possible. They know why there QB was on the IR. No line. they had a great draft and filled the holes in the right order thru the draft, Clemens will now get the time he needs to heal and learn the offense. when Chads contract is up he will be able to step right in and play.
Quarterback
P. Ramsey - battling for the #2
B. Bollinger - competing with Ramsey for the long term #2
V. Testaverde - last year if that. Asst, coach in the the future.
Kellen Clemens - looks to be a starter in the nfl for a long time.

3-4 is not so far off as we think. All four of the LB signed along with the curent players we have the skills needed. DE can be used. They are bid enough and fast enough. The only hole is at NG/DT. The secondary is better set than we think also. All the talk about having 7 safities on the team is bull. We have 4 true safties and 3 CB/S hybreds on the team. Our nickle and dime packages have improved greatly. One is abit long in the toooth and one is a backup/ST. So relax gang they are all needed. At CB we have well one true CB who at the best is a #2. 2 Aged veterans and some young guys that may surprise.so I feel good with what I am seeing in the next 3 years.
OL is my main concern. Not so much the personel as to the time it takes to play together. Sleest steppest learnung curve on the team followed by the LBs.
I agree with you Paz talley you are pushing it. But I have to admit the panthers are the team to beat

TallySaint

I hope to learn how to spell Payton soon.


8)

xan

The Jets had a great draft. After watching the 100th replay of Pennington then Fiedler becoming turf turkey loaf and seeing the utter inadequacy of their o-line during that game, it's really no wonder about their draft.

Like most good organizations, the NFL has rarely had a major swing in policy once they decide to do the right thing. Tags leaving may not be as much of a blow to New Orleans as one might think. The League, while it has had moments of embarrassment, has taken a proactive stance on most social issues and has held steadfastly to their commitments despite what some might call "compelling economic incentives" to do otherwise. The league and its owners are making more money than any other professional organization in modern history, they really don't need to fix something that isn't broken.

I've got a random thought, too. I've read recently (can't find the link, sorry) that "New Orleans" being 60% of pre-Katrina population and that the huge fan base in the Lower 9th Ward that has been displaced is what is causing the viability concerns for "the League." First, is it my imagination, or are people really of the belief that New Orleans is simply Orleans Parish? Second, when did economists base community economic viability on how much unemployed welfare squatters watch tv and buy merchandise?

Calvin: "I wish I was a Tiger."
Hobbes: "Common lament."

NOSaints

I don't think that it matters where the fans materialized from, but materialize, they did. 55,000 season tickets speak volumes and is what will make or break the Saints staying in New Orleans. My question is will these numbers increase in the next few years? if the Saints start winning, I think people will buy tickets ... and then hopefully businesses will start buying luxury boxes. Ultimately I think the luxury VIP box sales will bring in the most revenue and will convince both the league and Benson that the Saints should stay in new Orleans. One can only hope.

hagan714

Once Tommy Boy finishes the suites they will be easier to rent