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Talk Saints with beat writer Jimmy Smith - New Orleans Saints Beat - Times-Picayune NFL - NOLA.com

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Talk Saints with beat writer Jimmy Smith (05/07/2008)

11:52 timespicayune - Hi, this is Times-Picayune sports editor Doug Tatum and we'll be live with Saints beat writer Jimmy Smith at noon.

11:56 timespicayune - A little news update on the Saints preseason schedule. The Saints will play at Arizona on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m., will host Houston on Aug. 16 at 7 p.m., will play at Cincinnati on Aug. 23 at 6:35 p.m. and will end their preseason slate with a game against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.

11:59 [Comment From mike]
What do you think the reason that the saints had their meltdown last year. It seemed to me even at the hall of fame game they did not have ths same intensity and didnt look like the same team as 06 Did coach Peyton not see these signals eary on?

12:02 timespicayune -
JIMMY SMITH: That's a very thoughtful way to open this week's chatfest, Mike. During training camp last year, I told anyone who asked that I didn't think the Saints would be doing as well in 2007 as they did in 2006. My editors thought I'd finally gone bonkers. But you've got to realize that no two seasons are alike. For the Saints in 2006, everything fell right, every bounce went their way, the planets were properly aligned. If you believe in fate, then 2006 was for you. It was different, no doubt in 2007. Those bounces didn't go the Saints way; passes that were caught were dropped, passes that were broken up the year before went for touchdowns. The Saints fell into an 0-4 hole and just couldn't get their heads above water. What does 2008 hold? Who knows. We haven't seen any of these new players on the field yet, so it's impossible to really get a handle on what the talent level will be. Stay tuned. Minicamp, our first chance to see the players on the hoof, so to speak, is at the end of this month. We'll know more in a few weeks.




12:03 [Comment From Daniel]
Has Alexander visited yet today?

12:03 [Comment From noel]
Any word on the visit by Shaun Alexander?

12:06 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: We'll pair this question, Daniel and Noel. From what we understand, Shaun Alexander is in today, or he might have arrived for his visit last night. Since the Saints did not address their running back position in free agency, it's likely they'll go after a veteran running back for training camp because of the sheer uncertainty regarding Deuce McAllister's rehab from a pair of knee surgeries. They'd probably like a veteran in camp to go along with Aaron Stecker because it was obvious last year that Reggie Bush wasn't going to be able to carry the load as the "featured" running back. Stecker is OK. but he's getting up in years and there's no guarantee he'd be the answer, either, if McAllister is slow in recovering, or doesn't fully recover. Pierre Thomas showed flashed in the one game in which he got the bulk of carries, but one game does not a season make.

12:06 [Comment From Tony]
Hi Jimmy, I want to know whats the deal with Shockey I think he will make the Saints hard to defend no matter who we play. So how close are we to closeing the deal?

12:06 [Comment From DONALD WALLACE]
WHAT'S UP THE JEREMY SHOCKEY THING? HAS THAT JUST FALLEN APART OR ARE THEIR STILL TALKS?

12:06 [Comment From Dave K]
What the word On Jermey Shockey?

12:06 [Comment From eddie]
i was wonder why the saints didnt get jermery shockey and if they want him so bad why they didnt get him?

12:09 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: For all you Jeremy Shockey fans out there, once again this week we'll address what we've been told from NFL sources: The Saints still want Shockey in a black and gold uniform on the field this season. Sean Payton loves the guy. What it takes to get him now, no one knows. There's next year's draft from which the Saints can send to the Giants; there are still players on the roster New York might covet. But, from what we're told, the deal is still a possibility. Why they couldn't get the deal done on draft day, we don't know.

12:10 [Comment From supernupe]
What undrafted rookies do you see really making the team?

12:11 timespicayune -
JIMMY SMITH: Unfortunately, supernupe, we won't be able to see the players during the rookie minicamp this weekend because it's closed to the media. Therefore, we won't get an opportunity to make any value judgments until the end of May. Check back in June.




12:12 [Comment From Timmy Smythe]
There are rumors circulating that Saints are planning to have 1st round pick big Sederick Ellis jump through a ring of fire at the next Hornets game. Any truth?

12:14 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: That's a wonderful visual image, Timmy, a 300-plus pounder bounding off a trampoline going through a ring of fire. Certainly it would have to be a might big ring, and they'd likely have to have quite a few fire units on call to extinguish that one.

12:15 [Comment From Mike]
What players from the '07 draft do you expect to see fighting for a starting spot? Meachem, Young, Bushrod, Alleman?

12:17 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: Well, Mike, I don't see any of the 2007 draft picks coming in as starters in 2008. Look at the players who stuck around last year: Robert Meachem, Usama Young, Andy Aleman, Jermon Bushrod. None of those guys will be able to unseat starters in front of them this year, barring injury. Remember Meachem was the only first-round draft pick last year to never play in a game. He wasn't even active. It was a redshirt season and it's going to be tough for him to break through in 2008. Young would be the closest because of the uncertainty of the cornerback position, but even that would be a reach.

12:17 [Comment From Bobby]
any news on training camp location?

12:17 [Comment From Dave K]
where is training camp going to be held at this year? Will it be back in Jackson,MS?

12:18 timespicayune - DOUG TATUM: Bobby, Dave K., we haven't heard anything from the Saints on the location for training camp. As soon as we know you'll know.

12:18 [Comment From Chuck]
Who do you see playing major roles in the secondary and why -- and who won't be and why not?

12:18 [Comment From dwayne]
what are the saints doing to upgrade the safety position? any plans to maybe move Jason david there since he is more accustomed to playing in space?

12:21 timespicayune -
JIMMY SMITH: Chuck, you've got your eye in the defensive backfield. There are a couple of guys you won't see anymore, Fred Thomas and likely Jay Bellamy. Though you might not like it, you'll still see Jason David. We won't know how healthy Mike McKenzie will be until he gets on the field. Obviously Randall Gay and Aaron Glenn will get a chance to make an impact as will Tracy Porter. And dwayne, I see a bigger role for Kevin Kaesviharn this season. Whether he unseats Josh Bullocks remains to be seen. We'll know more in August.



12:21 [Poll popup] So the draft is over and rookie camp is getting ready to begin. Looking ahead now, how well do you think the Saints will be this season? View Results

12:22 [Comment From Daniel]
I've been a fan for 20 years now and i have a bad taste in my mouth after giving up 2 first rounders to move up and get Jonathan Sullivan. Now we move up and get Sedrick Ellis. Your thoughts on the comparison of the two DT's coming out of college their years?

12:24 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: Daniel, the entire Johnathan Sullivan saga would be enough to leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth. I wasn't on the beat for much of the Johnathan Sulliavan fiasco, but I was there for his final days as a Saints player, during one of Sean Payton's first minicamps. I recall seeing Sullivan more on his knee than on his feet. He was woefully out of shape. Sedrick Ellis probably isn't as much of a reach for a trade up, if we can believe what we've read and seen in highlights. Again it's tough to judge until we see him on the playing field. But I wouldn't press the panic button just yet.

12:24 [Comment From John B]
We made some moves to upgrade our D, but do you think it was enough

12:27 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: So far, based entirely on what we've seen on paper, John B., I'd have to think that the defense should be better than it was a year ago. We have to couch that, however, by saying everyone thought the moves the Saints made defensively in the 2007 offseason were significant upgrades as well. Everything is going to hinge on the health of Jonathan VIlma and if he can regain the playing capability he had before knee surgery. It's a bit of a risky signing, but the Saints didn't give up much int he trade, so the risk-reward factor leans heavilty toward the reward side.

12:27 [Comment From JSR]
Do you think losing Jeff Faine and depending on an injury plagued Jamal Brown will leave us with a bad offensive line next year? sometimes last year it seemed drews quick release, not excellent blocking, was keeping him from being lunchmeat

12:30 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: That's an insighful query, JSR. Having a quarterback with a quick release, and good field vision, is an offensive lineman's dream. Losing Faine, I think, is a blow. The center is responsible for all the line calls and Faine was adept at making the proper decisions and communicating that through the rest of the line. GIve Goodwin a chance, though. He played well in the two games he started last season and should be an adequate replacement. The Saints have a solid left tackle backup with Zach Strief behind Jammal Brown, so that's really not a concern.

12:30 [Comment From Christa]
What is the latest on Vilma's knee and Morgan's achilles? Any info on Morgan's condition in regards to his concussions?

12:30 [Comment From WhoDatHornet]
Do you have any updates on the status of deuce and McKenzie? how is the rehab coming along?

12:31 [Comment From Marian]
Any updates on Deuce's recovery?

12:31 [Comment From Chris from Orlando, FL]
Have we heard anything more regarding the health of Jonathan Vlima? Is he projected to be ready for OTAs?

12:31 [Comment From TY]
WHAT'S THE HEALTH STATUS OF DEUCE & JONATHAN VILMA?

12:33 timespicayune -
JIMMY SMITH: Christa, we really don't know how Vilma and Morgan are progressing because we've yet to see the players on the field. If we're given access to view any of the OTA sessions, which we're supposed to under media access rules, we'll have a better handle on those guys before minicamp, which we'll definitely see. As far as Deuce and McKenzie, the same goes. Deuce apparently has gotten on the field for some light work, but he's being smart about how much he tests both of his knees. By the first week in June, after the minicamp concludes, we'll be able to tell you a great deal more.




12:34 [Comment From AL]
Last year's pass rush was terrible and our defensive scheme of never blitzing on third and long didn't help. Do you think there will be adjustments in the overall defensive scheme to maybe make the defense more aggressive. If we are going to be aggressive on offense might as well do it on D as well...

12:36 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: That's a good question, AL. I think much of the Saints passing scheme last year was based on the fact that there wasn't a great deal of confidence in allowing the secondary to play in man-to-man coverage that much. If the defensive coaching staff feels the secondary can handle more man coverage this year, then it's likely they'll bring a little more pressure from the defensive front and linebackers. Those tendencies won't really develop until the staff knows what kind of secondary coverages they'll be comfortable with.

12:38 [Comment From Guest]
With the number of drops that we had last season with the receivers, why wasn't that position addressed at all? I do mean seriously addressed. i think a lot of times when drives stalled last year there was a drop on third down somewhere yet we are going with the same group of receivers.

12:41 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: Even the normally sure-handed Marques Colston had a few drops last year, Guest. That's just part of the game, And it seems that Devery Henderson can catch the long ball but sometimes has trouble with the routine possession type passes. That said, Colston, David Patten and Henderson form the nucleus of a solid set of receivers. Thrown Terrance Copper into the mix and it's a pretty good group of pass catchers. Consider Reggie Bush a receiver as well, and quite a few NFL clubs would be happy putting that set out in four or five receiver formations. As we said to start off this chat session, no two years are alike. What happened last year isn't necessarily going to repeat itself this year.

12:41 [Comment From Chuck]
Will Charles Grant make more impact this year or did we overpay to lock him up?

12:43 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: When the franchise tag was placed on Charles Grant last year, Chuck, it automatically raised his price. The Saints had to pay him the going rate for top defensive linemen. Whether that was a mistake remains to be seen. Based on Grant's output last year, you'd have to say he was overpaid. In his defense, though, he was playing much of the second part of the year with a torn ligament in his ankle which diminished his effectiveness. You'd have to think that if Grant drops some weight in the offseason and plays healthier, he could make more of an impact.

12:44 [Comment From Ralph (Harvey)]
Is Payton going to stop calling plays like a drunken 16 year old playing X-Box? or is he going to continue to call unneccessary trick plays and going for it on 4th-and-2 in the 1st quarter?

12:46 timespicayune - JIMMY SMITH: Put away your Sean Payton Voodoo doll, Ralph. He's not going anywhere. But he's probably not going to change the way he's calling plays, either. He's a cutting-edge offensive play caller and he'll continue to take chances based on his personnel. Don't think you'll see the double-reverse at tne end of a game with the outcome on the line the way you did last year against Tampa Bay in the Superdome.

12:46 [Comment From Robert F]
you think we should look at Adam A since the bears released him?? i still think we need help at the saftey position.

12:47 [Comment From mike b]
DO YOU THINK WE WILL GET OTHER DEFENSIVE HELP/

12:48 [Comment From patrick]
any chance the saints will look at archauletta?

12:49 timespicayune -
JIMMY SMITH: That's an intriguing though, Robert F. Adam Archuletta had some interesting years in the league but he does have some age under his belt as well. Surely the Saints will do their due diligence to see if there's anything left in his tank. But your assessment that the team could use some more help at the position is sound. Someone in previous chats had offered the opinion that Mike McKenzie could make a move to safety. Perhaps the Saints have some in-house moves planned in that direction if they feel there's no one on the open market who could be of assistance.




12:50 [Comment From JoeZeppi]
I love how some posters are asking you to predict the future. Tell me oh wise one! Just what was the logic behind picking the kicker in the draft when we seemingly could have picked him up as an UFA?

12:53 timespicayune -
JIMMY SMITH: GIve me a moment, JoeZeppi while I finish pondering which numbers to punch on tonight's Powerball drawing ticket . . . . .Obviously the Saints picked up the kicker because they liked him and figured, or heard, that another team was going to use a draft pick on him meaning he wasn't going to be available as an udrafted free agent. The kid has a strong leg and Payton hasn't been hesitant in the past to carry two kickers on the roster, one for field goals (John Carney) and one for kickoffs (Billy Cundiff). It wouldn't be a surprise, therefore, to see that happen again with Gramatica handling the routine field goals.





12:53 [Comment From LG Esquire]
Do you get the feeling that Reggie will be returning more punts this year ala Devin Hester? If he can impact a game like Hester does in the return game he should be used.

12:55 timespicayune -
JIMMY SMITH: The Saints have to figure out a way, LG Esquire, to get the ball into Reggie Bush's hands. He has proven he can be a playmaker. Having him return more punts is a viable option, depending upon how heavy a load he's carrying in the offense. If Deuce McAllister is back, or if the Saints are happy with another running back there, and feel as though Bush wouldn't be t aking too much of a beating as a punt returner, then sure he could be put back there to return more kicks. He'd be a dangerous returner. As dangerous as Hester, we don't know. But it would be nice to find out.





12:58 [Comment From Buzz]
Any news on contract extentions for Will Smith, Marques Colston, and Jhari Evans?

1:00 timespicayune -
JIMMY SMITH: Will Smith and Marquest Colston share the same agent, Buzz, Joel Segal, who has his hands full trying t get a big contract for another one of his clients, Glenn Dorsey. But now that the draft is over, and Segal is in his negotiating mode, I'm sure he'll be calling the Saints to begin working on lucrative extensions for Smith and Colston. Haven't heard any rumblings about Evans' deal, though.




1:00 timespicayune - Thanks for dropping by. You can replay this chat any time on nola.com. Come back next Wednesday at noon as beat writer Mike Triplett gives his insights from the rookie mini-camp.

I Live In Beastmode!

JKool

MM to safety. There is an interesting idea. Do we have to CBs that can really game then? This would certainly help with the Bullocks dispute (if MM is healthy enough to move inside).

Of course, if MM is fully healthy, I don't see why we'd give up our best cover guy to play the middle.

Here's something I don't really get: why are people so uppity about our selecting a DT in round one? Sure, Sully sucked (on a reasonable understanding of the word "sucked" - i.e. he did in fact suck at the game of football), but that isn't a reason to never select a DT in the first round. Do people just not understand that?

"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks

JKool

PS - Nice find. That was very interesting.