QBREES9

93 Octane: First loss a reality check for New Orleans Saints
By The Times-Picayune

New Orleans Saints defensive end Bobby McCray is in his sixth NFL season, having spent his first four years in Jacksonville before coming to New Orleans as a free agent in 2008. The former Florida Gator has established himself as a speedy pass-rushing threat, rotating into the lineup with starting ends Will Smith and Charles Grant.
McCray has agreed to share his thoughts with Saints fans through a blog this season. Here is his final installment.

"The first loss of the season was very tough, but it also brought us back to reality. We almost kind of felt invincible. That was 13 weeks of being virtually invincible, coming back in the second half, even down 24-3 (at Miami), finishing games. We were doing a great job. Then I think at some point we just got kind of accustomed to that, coming back at the end. We still feel like we can use that later on. If we do get caught in a bind, we know we can finish. But it kind of brought us back to reality, just kind of bit us in the ass. Just starting slow, starting slow, and the other team finished and we didn't get it done. But that was because of our mistakes, and we've got to be able to go back and correct it.

"Going undefeated would have been a great accomplishment. While it was within our grasp, we were going to try to bring it in. That would have been good for the fans and the whole town of New Orleans. But at the same time, that weight is off our back. We lost one we didn't intend to, but (stuff) happens in this league.

And that was just one, and hopefully it will be our only one. Now we're just focused on Tampa, all our attention is going toward them and trying to get this No. 1 seed, "Unfortunately that doesn't leave a lot of time for Christmas. But our families understand, in this profession, it's going to have to be a couple hours that have to go toward football. That's just the part of football season. We're going to take the morning off, open presents with the little one. My son's here, so we're going to open up presents and probably have a brunch or something like that.

Actually he'll probably be too busy and I'll be chasing him around, so there's no time to eat. But it's just a good time to enjoy the great holiday that morning and relax and be with your family. Then once we do that we come in, get our work done, and focus in on Tampa again.


"I'm a last-minute shopper. As of right now (Thursday afternoon), I haven't done any shopping. My fiancée has done a majority of the shopping. I have no idea what's under the tree. But I'm going to meet up with Will (Smith) right now and try to knock out some last-minute shopping. I mean, for a kid, all you have to do is just go to a Toys R Us or a Wal-Mart and just grab some toys. It's like, what can you get for a spoiled 5-year-old? But you know what he likes, more Power Rangers, maybe a bike. You just kind of go with the flow and see what he throws out from commercials. And something for your wife or girlfriend and the family, mom and dad.


"And 93 Octane wishes a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all the fans, and thanks for reading. The fans are doing great this year. Let's just finish it out strong, and hopefully we can bring one home."

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

" Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph "

saintsfan1976

Dang, I almost forgot McCray played for the Saints.

G504

Good points. Undefeated would have been nice, but we're chasing our first Super Bowl, and this is the best chance we're had in our history. That's still attainable. Nice to see the team still focused on that. Still ... would have been nice to be called the greatest team of all times, which very few outside of the Bayou probably will now. Lord knows we've been called the worst team of all times (unfairly) more than a few times.

RealDeal37

YEA, well u can blame (GW) for that...
We should be seeing alot of McCray at DE, not Grant. Grant has NOT performed like he should be. He started the season strong, but after week 5, he has been extremely below average & pretty much non-excistant.
If u can remember before the season started, GW said he can care less who is the supossive starter or highest paid player... (The BEST player at the possition) WILL start, bottom line. Well, i must say, he has gone the opposite way of that comment. I remember when the league talked of WILL & GRANT possibly being suspended, but they never did. I also remember McCray say'n if that happen's, that he WILL take the starting job at one DE spot or another & he should've... That being GRANT's DE spot.
Grant was decent back when he was 100% healthy & acted as if he were actually play'n for sumthing, now it seem's as if now that he got his huge contract, he can slack up, (B/S)... If i were GW, i'd yank his A$$ & McCray would be start'n. McCray is twice the player of Grant, everyone know's that. McCray is FAST, unlike Grant. McCray play's at 100% every play, unlike Grant. He has the attitude to bring anyone outta there game mentaly, unlike Grant & last but NOT least, McCray is like a QB magnet when it comes to get'n sack's, unlike Grant... So basicly, logicly & without a doubt, Grant needs to carry his fat A$$ on sumwere & that's, that!
Oh & as far as alot of fan's are say'n, about switching Grant to DT, B/S, hell NO. Sed, of course is our best, when healthy & Ayodell & Hawthorne have actually played well. Sed is the only true run stopper, but the other's are get'n better. I would'nt dare put Grant at DT, hell NO... We need player's who are & will give there all on every play, bottom line!!!

"CHARLES GRANT" ( R.I.P )
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