Any good news at LB?

SaintsJam · 08-04-2006, 04:11 PM

Anyone hear or see anything out of the LB'ers. In particular the following three:

Scott Fujita
Jay Foreman
Tommy Polley

Thanks for any info......

mjf150 · 08-04-2006, 04:39 PM

According to the excerpt from the following article, Polley seems to be the front-runner to replace the recently retired Simmons:

The 6-foot, 240-pound outside linebacker was expected to boost a unit for the Saints that had struggled to perform last season. Tommy Polley, another off-season free-agent signee, could move into the role Simmons was expected to fill.

Payton said Polley, in his sixth season out of Florida State, has caught on quickly to the Saints scheme. Polley has played with Baltimore and St. Louis before joining the Saints.

ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“HeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s getting a ton of reps,ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? Payton said. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“HeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s in a lot better shape than when we signed him in the spring. All those things are pluses. The more work he gets in, the better off heÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s going to be.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬?

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pb...PORTS/60803026

TheDeuce · 08-04-2006, 07:00 PM

Here's an excerpt from an article pertaining to Simmons' retirement, which includes something positive IMO:

Simmons' replacement in camp has been Tommy Polley, another newcomer who signed with the Saints in early June.

Polley, 28, has been a starter for most of his five years in the league, four with St. Louis and last year with Baltimore. He started 15 games for the Ravens last season and finished with career highs of 134 tackles and four sacks.

Polley said he would have been projected as a backup if he returned to Baltimore, which wouldn't have sat well with him after last season. But he did not get much interest on the open market, which he said was a surprise.

"I was surprised. I'm still surprised. But what can you do?" Polley said. "Go out there and show everybody they made a mistake, like I've been doing."

Payton said he was glad the Saints grabbed Polley when they did, because of the unexpected need at the position and because Polley has performed well.

http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index...l=1&thispage=2

And here's an article about Kuale:

JACKSON, Miss. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â€Â Former LSU linebacker E.J. Kuale, an undrafted free agent, is making an impression on the New Orleans Saints coaching staff after one full week of training camp.

Kuale, whoÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s been working as the second-team weakside linebacker since practice began a week ago, received praise from coach Sean Payton after ThursdayÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s second practice.

ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“ItÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢ll be exciting to watch him in the upcoming weeks,ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? Payton said when asked about KualeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s progress so far. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“He understands that heÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s got a great opportunity at linebacker and a guy like him, with his ability to play on special teams, thatÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s going to be crucial to him.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬?

ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“I feel like IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢m doing OK, but IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢ve got a lot more things that I can improve on,ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? Kuale said. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“I have to eliminate the mistakes and practice perfect. If I do that, theyÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢ll notice me a lot more than they are now. ItÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s hard to make a 53-man roster, but the fewer mistakes you make the more they notice you.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬?

http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/s...?showAll=y&c=y

I haven't heard anything about Foreman or Fujita, but I would like to hear a progress report on them. I expect that Fujita will be the starter no matter what. He just seems like a solid player.

TheDeuce · 08-04-2006, 07:04 PM

I really don't understand why Polley didn't get more interest. Here's a guy who racks up 134 tackles (in only 15 games) on that Ravens defense, I think he led the team in tackles, and nobody really wants to pick him up? What? That's more tackles than Urlacher. I'm pumped that he's here. Last season we had three LBs who wouldn't have started on any other team in the NFL, and now I believe we have at least two that are solid starters (and Polley could be more than that).

papz · 08-04-2006, 07:10 PM

Me either but I'm glad we signed him. He was better than anything we had and hopefully he can ring up 100 tackles for us.

hagan714 · 08-04-2006, 07:57 PM

relax guys. we are better than last year.

along · 08-04-2006, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by hagan714

relax guys. we are better than last year.

I sure hope it show in reguler season!

8)

JOESAM2002 · 08-05-2006, 06:27 AM

Believe me, we are much better at linebacker this year. Polly,Fujita,Fincher and Kuale have been impressive in camp. As I said in another thread, Colby is down on the depth chart right now but don't count him out. This kid has speed to burn for a linebacker. He's working hard to improve in all areas of his game.

D24pick · 08-05-2006, 10:11 AM

We are way better, and I see us making more plays this yr...Polley is superoverrated so I wouldn't count him, neither would I count out Colby...I've heard that Kuale is making the most progress, pretty good to hear from a UDFA...And Fincher will play hard, hes a Romanoski type player, and he surely has a motor

JOESAM2002 · 08-05-2006, 11:38 AM

I had a chance to talk to Fincher for a short time yesterday. He says he's busting his azz trying to learn the defense and wants to be the starter. This guy is very intense. After talking to him , I have no doubt that he will do exactly what he says he'll do.

08-04-2006, 04:11 PM	#1
SaintsJam Rookie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ponchatoula, La Posts: 22	Any good news at LB? Anyone hear or see anything out of the LB'ers. In particular the following three: Scott Fujita Jay Foreman Tommy Polley Thanks for any info......

08-04-2006, 04:39 PM	#2
mjf150 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 747	According to the excerpt from the following article, Polley seems to be the front-runner to replace the recently retired Simmons: The 6-foot, 240-pound outside linebacker was expected to boost a unit for the Saints that had struggled to perform last season. Tommy Polley, another off-season free-agent signee, could move into the role Simmons was expected to fill. Payton said Polley, in his sixth season out of Florida State, has caught on quickly to the Saints scheme. Polley has played with Baltimore and St. Louis before joining the Saints. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“HeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s getting a ton of reps,ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? Payton said. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“HeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s in a lot better shape than when we signed him in the spring. All those things are pluses. The more work he gets in, the better off heÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s going to be.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pb...PORTS/60803026
mjf150 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 747

08-04-2006, 07:00 PM	#3
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	Here's an excerpt from an article pertaining to Simmons' retirement, which includes something positive IMO: Simmons' replacement in camp has been Tommy Polley, another newcomer who signed with the Saints in early June. Polley, 28, has been a starter for most of his five years in the league, four with St. Louis and last year with Baltimore. He started 15 games for the Ravens last season and finished with career highs of 134 tackles and four sacks. Polley said he would have been projected as a backup if he returned to Baltimore, which wouldn't have sat well with him after last season. But he did not get much interest on the open market, which he said was a surprise. "I was surprised. I'm still surprised. But what can you do?" Polley said. "Go out there and show everybody they made a mistake, like I've been doing." Payton said he was glad the Saints grabbed Polley when they did, because of the unexpected need at the position and because Polley has performed well. http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index...l=1&thispage=2 And here's an article about Kuale: JACKSON, Miss. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â€Â Former LSU linebacker E.J. Kuale, an undrafted free agent, is making an impression on the New Orleans Saints coaching staff after one full week of training camp. Kuale, whoÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s been working as the second-team weakside linebacker since practice began a week ago, received praise from coach Sean Payton after ThursdayÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s second practice. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“ItÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢ll be exciting to watch him in the upcoming weeks,ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? Payton said when asked about KualeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s progress so far. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“He understands that heÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s got a great opportunity at linebacker and a guy like him, with his ability to play on special teams, thatÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s going to be crucial to him.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“I feel like IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢m doing OK, but IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢ve got a lot more things that I can improve on,ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? Kuale said. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“I have to eliminate the mistakes and practice perfect. If I do that, theyÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢ll notice me a lot more than they are now. ItÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s hard to make a 53-man roster, but the fewer mistakes you make the more they notice you.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/s...?showAll=y&c=y I haven't heard anything about Foreman or Fujita, but I would like to hear a progress report on them. I expect that Fujita will be the starter no matter what. He just seems like a solid player.
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928

08-04-2006, 07:04 PM	#4
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	I really don't understand why Polley didn't get more interest. Here's a guy who racks up 134 tackles (in only 15 games) on that Ravens defense, I think he led the team in tackles, and nobody really wants to pick him up? What? That's more tackles than Urlacher. I'm pumped that he's here. Last season we had three LBs who wouldn't have started on any other team in the NFL, and now I believe we have at least two that are solid starters (and Polley could be more than that).
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928

08-04-2006, 09:54 PM	#7
along 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 190	Originally Posted by hagan714 relax guys. we are better than last year. I sure hope it show in reguler season! 8)
along 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 190

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08-04-2006, 07:10 PM	#5
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744	Me either but I'm glad we signed him. He was better than anything we had and hopefully he can ring up 100 tackles for us.

08-04-2006, 07:57 PM	#6
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	relax guys. we are better than last year.

08-05-2006, 06:27 AM	#8
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	Believe me, we are much better at linebacker this year. Polly,Fujita,Fincher and Kuale have been impressive in camp. As I said in another thread, Colby is down on the depth chart right now but don't count him out. This kid has speed to burn for a linebacker. He's working hard to improve in all areas of his game.

08-05-2006, 10:11 AM	#9
D24pick 500th Post Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Orleans Posts: 578	We are way better, and I see us making more plays this yr...Polley is superoverrated so I wouldn't count him, neither would I count out Colby...I've heard that Kuale is making the most progress, pretty good to hear from a UDFA...And Fincher will play hard, hes a Romanoski type player, and he surely has a motor

08-05-2006, 11:38 AM	#10
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	I had a chance to talk to Fincher for a short time yesterday. He says he's busting his azz trying to learn the defense and wants to be the starter. This guy is *very* intense. After talking to him , I have no doubt that he will do exactly what he says he'll do.