gumbeau

Lots of injuries right now. Most seem to be minor.

I think teams have recognized that players playing through the pain doesn't help the team effort.

Favre proved that with the Jets and the difference in Will Smith this year versus last year is proof that a small injury is enough to make a good player average.

The Saints are 8-0. They can afford the risk of sidelining players with minor injuries to give them time to heal. The schedule is fairly easy the next two weeks and neither team will affect the tiebreakers except for conference losses.

I hope the coaching staff has decided to get to the post season as healthy as possible. Of course, it is a risky road, because the Saints haven't reached the postseason yet. However, with a three game lead in the division and a one game lead on home field advantage the Saints are in a position to risk allowing players to heal.

The Saints have to smell the post-season about now. One game away from a winning season. The division crown is a maximum of 5 wins away, probably less. Home field advantage is what this team is fighting for at this point unless there is a major collapse. A .500 record for the rest of the year wins the division unless Atlanta wins out. These Saints aren't a .500 team, especially when you consider the remaining schedule.

Of course everyone will continue to repeat the mantra of "one game at a time" but you know a coaching staff this savvy is thinking tactically week to week and strategically looking forward to being the best team possible when it counts.