BillyCarpenter1

Yes, Sullivan is playing this week. Kenny Smith should also be available this week to rotate with the starting D-linemen.

Tweeky, you are right about some of the key players being out on defense this year with injuries. However, out of all the players you named, only one of them has ever proved himsef, and that is Darren Howard. Tebucky has more playing experience than the others but he still has to prove himself as a starter. I think Tebucky is suppose to be back this week also.

I believe that Ruff is an upgrade over Hodge and I don\'t beleive that these other players being out will dramitically hurt our defense. I think the BIG problem with this defense is that Rick Venturi puts them in predictable situations. He needs to be more aggresive. I\'m not saying that we have the talent on defense to be the Bucs, but we have enough talent on defense to be better than what we are, if Rick would be more aggressive.

lumm0x

I guess we could sum it up by saying..

Venturi needs to stop being Venturi, McCarthy needs to stop being McCarthy, and Brooks needs to start being Brooks.

BillyCarpenter1

Yeah, LummOx. That pretty much sums it up. I haven\'t commented on Brooks, because I know where it will lead, but Brooks needs to step his game up. But, it won\'t do any good for Brooks to step his game up, unless EVERYONE else on the offense steps their game up. Brooks needs to make better decisions than what he makes sometimes and needs to do whatever it takes to keep the chains moving. I don\'t want to see him trying to force things or trying to win the game by himself though. That\'s usally when mistakes happen. Regardless of what plays McCarthy calls, I would like to see Brooks make the decision to run when things break down.

[Edited on 11/10/2003 by BillyCarpenter1]

saintz08

WEEK SIX: Chicago Bears

The Bears have gotten their running game cranked up the past two weeks as Anthony “A-train� Thomas has gone over the century mark in both games. The Bears also got their first win of the season last week against the Oakland Raiders. Kordell Stewart returns to the Big Easy as a starting quarterback for the first time in his career. Marty Booker, a Louisiana-Monroe graduate, also returns to Louisiana to play in an NFL game for the first time.

The Bears defense is led by All Pro Linebacker Brian Urlacher. Chicago’s run defense has given up an alarming 168.5 yards per game. If the Saints are going to have success, it will be on the ground.

WHAT ABOUT THE SAINTS

When you have a defense that can’t get off the field on third downs, and the offense can’t stay on the field for more than three downs, the football team will lose. The offense has been flat all season long, which has put too much pressure on the injury-plagued defense. Even if the defense was healthy, due to the off-season moves, or lack thereof, this team came into the season as basically the same team last season. Their success last season was an explosive offense and solid special teams, which allowed them to win shootouts by outscoring their opponents. When they lost, it was due to turnovers, costly penalties, and too many three-and-outs. Not surprisingly, those same reasons that caused them to lose last year are causing them to lose this year and the biggest difference is that they have committed these errors the entire season with the exception of the second half against the Texans.

KEY MATCHUPS

RB Deuce McAllister vs. LB Brian Urlacher-Urlacher is the only playmaker on the Bears defense this season, and he will have to be a one-man wrecking crew against the run if the Bears are going to have any success against Deuce McAllister. Deuce could finally break out for over 150 yards and several touchdowns.

LB Orlando Ruff vs. RB Anthony Thomas-Ruff was brought in to stop the run, and the main weapon the Bears have is Thomas. Thomas will run for his third consecutive 100-yard game if Ruff has a bad game. If Thomas can control the Saints’ defense, they will be in the game until the end.

QB Aaron Brooks vs. QB Kordell Stewart-these two underachievers will both have to have error-free games in order to win the game for their perspective teams. Whatever quarterback loses could be on their way out as the starter for their team.

\"Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn\'t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed.\" - George S. Patton
On another note, I\'ll take a bite of that crow 08. - Saintfan
Brooks is a moron!! - Halo

WhoDat

The Bears have finally started to get their running game rolling like it was supposed to be, and yes, they look a lot like Carolina on O, except of course they have a QB who can hurt you with his feet and at least one big-time receiver in Marty Booker.

On D, they are the same old Bears. Physical up front, with an oportunistic secondary that can have 2 picks or can get beat for 3 or 4 scores. Expect them to stack it up and play to stop Deuce and the short passing game.

Our D will give the Bears 17 points off of one long drive behind A-Train, one big play from a receiver, and a good punt return followed by some Kordell scrambling. In order for us to win, the Saints STILL NEED TO OPEN UP THE OFFENSE (they did a little bit last week), and use the pass to open up the run. Throw on 1st down. If it\'s second and ten, don\'t run Deuce on a dive or trap. Stay out of third and long, and put the ball 15 to 20 yards down the field on outs and crosses. That\'s my opinion.

One other note on Brooks. I think the idea that Brooks is a scrambler is pretty off-base. He did run around a lot in 2000, but name a time since then that he\'s used his feet to make plays. He has long rubbery legs, his feet are not particularly quick, and he\'s slow. He\'s is not a running quarterback. He\'s an ELUSIVE quarterback. He should use his escapability to create time to throw the ball, or McCarthy should move the pocket or roll him out and give him the option to run or pass and put LBs and CBs in a bad position where they have to make a decision. Brooks isn\'t a true pocket passer, but he IS becoming that kind of QB. He just needs to be patient, deliver the ball on target, and continue to learn how to better read defenses and find ways to exploit his opponents. If the first read is a 6 yards quick slant to Horn, but you see Stallworth on a nickel corner or Deuce or Conwell split out against a LB, your first read NEEDS to change to that route. I don\'t think Brooks sees that, or maybe McCarthy doesn\'t let him make that change. Who knows, but something needs to change. I think we all agree on that.

[Edited on 12/10/2003 by WhoDat]

\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. That’s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans Saints’ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse


\"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"