Saints apparently thinking small - and why that's OK

pakowitz · 03-06-2004, 01:37 PM

STAFF, WIRE REPORTS

NFL free agency begins today - but the headlines are already written.

The Niners are getting rid of Jeff Garcia. Terrell Owens and Dennis Northcutt forgot to file the proper paperwork, nullifying their free agency.

Jay Fiedler is getting rid of the Dolphins. The Redskins hope to make Clinton Portis the highest-paid rusher ever.

Now, the New Orleans Saints are saying we shouldn't expect any splashy free agency moves.

Nice.

"Unlike past years," FFMastermind.com notes, "the Saints aren't in the market for any of the big-ticket players who are expected to be available."

Still, that doesn't mean it's time to panic.

As SI.com's Peter King rightly notes: "The lesson of the Patriots' two Super Bowl wins in the last three years is a simple one: Don't become entranced by the big-money free agents."

New Orleans is expected to follow that script.

Look for the Saints to be more interested in a small but smarter signing like, say, Kendrick Clancy of Pittsburgh rather than a headline-grabbing but iffy choice like Javon Kearse of Tennessee.

Partially, that's because New Orleans has a roster with only a few obvious weaknesses, and they are all on defense. Too, the Saints have already tagged Darren Howard, so they can now begin taking an earnest look at other positions of need there.

For the rest of this article, click here:

http://www.thenewsstar.com/saints/ht...F3E3367B.shtml

pakowitz · 03-06-2004, 01:39 PM

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer listed the Saints as a possible suitor for Seahawks\' Darrell Jackson, a third-round draft choice in 2000. Last season, Jackson had more receiving yards (1,137 to 1,110) and touchdown catches (9 to 7) than Steve Smith - who just got a new $28 million contract from Carolina - on 20 fewer receptions (68 to 88), according to the PI. ... The (New Orleans) Times Picayune reports interest by the Saints in DT Brian Young of St. Louis. ... ESPN Insider had New Orleans interested in Oakland OL Matt Stinchcomb. ... The Washington Times says the Redskins are looking at Saints tight end Walter Rasby - calling him Washington\'s \"top target\" at the position. ... Mel Kiper ranked Saints fullback Terrelle Smith as the top free agent at that spot. The St. Louis Post Dispatch had him listed at third - and said Fred McAfee was \"worth a look\" for special teams. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Smith may be visiting the Steelers. ... Pasquarelli reports that Eagles linebacker Carlos Emmons could land in New Orleans if Philadelphia doesn\'t keep him.

rusta · 03-06-2004, 02:04 PM

smaller but smarter signings? ok i would be happy with even that at this point

but we aren\'t even doing that much, we aren\'t doing anything, i\'m saying pull a skins type offseason but we do have some holes

deadflatbird · 03-06-2004, 04:11 PM

Redskins have been pulling these types deals for years now... and where has it got them?

saintz08 · 03-06-2004, 06:00 PM

As SI.com\'s Peter King rightly notes: \"The lesson of the Patriots\' two Super Bowl wins in the last three years is a simple one: Don\'t become entranced by the big-money free agents.\"

Loving these comparisons to the New England Patriots , they do not go after big name big money players because they have key players in key positions who excel and lead the team .

Offensive leadership under center :

New England

Brady -\"It\'s about playing football. I\'ve never played this game for anything other than absolutely loving it,\" he said. \"You have to improve mentally. I like to be perfect every play.\"

Brady\'s enthusiasm on the field is unbridled. After throwing a touchdown pass in Washington to Givens, a seventh-round pick, he rushed down the field with a big smile and pounded on the receiver.

The Patriots have responded to his enthusiasm and leadership, and now offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who suffered serious complications from offseason gastric bypass surgery, is back.

New Orleans
Brooks - QB Aaron Brooks may have improved in some statistics from his previous years but he still seemed to lack the ability to take over/lead the team when they needed him to most. When you have a RB like McAllister going for over 2,000 total yards, the quarterback position receives no pass when it has a supporting running game to help him out.

Defensive leadership in the middle :

New England
Ted Bruschi - \"He\'s our leader, he\'s a vocal leader. He\'s an inspirational leader. He\'s everything to this defense. We have a lot of guys who step up in a leadership role, but Bruschi is the man in the middle. He took on that role and he ran with it. It\'s kind of like (quarterback) Tom Brady on the offense. We go where he goes.\"

New Orleans
Most likely a player to be named later

Seems like an interesting comparison to me ....

03-06-2004, 01:37 PM	#1
pakowitz The Dark Overlord Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,450	Saints apparently thinking small - and why that's OK STAFF, WIRE REPORTS NFL free agency begins today - but the headlines are already written. The Niners are getting rid of Jeff Garcia. Terrell Owens and Dennis Northcutt forgot to file the proper paperwork, nullifying their free agency. Jay Fiedler is getting rid of the Dolphins. The Redskins hope to make Clinton Portis the highest-paid rusher ever. Now, the New Orleans Saints are saying we shouldn't expect any splashy free agency moves. Nice. "Unlike past years," FFMastermind.com notes, "the Saints aren't in the market for any of the big-ticket players who are expected to be available." Still, that doesn't mean it's time to panic. As SI.com's Peter King rightly notes: "The lesson of the Patriots' two Super Bowl wins in the last three years is a simple one: Don't become entranced by the big-money free agents." New Orleans is expected to follow that script. Look for the Saints to be more interested in a small but smarter signing like, say, Kendrick Clancy of Pittsburgh rather than a headline-grabbing but iffy choice like Javon Kearse of Tennessee. Partially, that's because New Orleans has a roster with only a few obvious weaknesses, and they are all on defense. Too, the Saints have already tagged Darren Howard, so they can now begin taking an earnest look at other positions of need there. For the rest of this article, click here: http://www.thenewsstar.com/saints/ht...F3E3367B.shtml

03-06-2004, 01:39 PM	#2
pakowitz The Dark Overlord Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,450	Saints apparently thinking small - and why that's OK The Seattle Post-Intelligencer listed the Saints as a possible suitor for Seahawks\' Darrell Jackson, a third-round draft choice in 2000. Last season, Jackson had more receiving yards (1,137 to 1,110) and touchdown catches (9 to 7) than Steve Smith - who just got a new $28 million contract from Carolina - on 20 fewer receptions (68 to 88), according to the PI. ... The (New Orleans) Times Picayune reports interest by the Saints in DT Brian Young of St. Louis. ... ESPN Insider had New Orleans interested in Oakland OL Matt Stinchcomb. ... The Washington Times says the Redskins are looking at Saints tight end Walter Rasby - calling him Washington\'s \"top target\" at the position. ... Mel Kiper ranked Saints fullback Terrelle Smith as the top free agent at that spot. The St. Louis Post Dispatch had him listed at third - and said Fred McAfee was \"worth a look\" for special teams. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Smith may be visiting the Steelers. ... Pasquarelli reports that Eagles linebacker Carlos Emmons could land in New Orleans if Philadelphia doesn\'t keep him.
	I Live In Beastmode!

03-06-2004, 02:04 PM	#3
rusta 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 361	Saints apparently thinking small - and why that's OK smaller but smarter signings? ok i would be happy with even that at this point but we aren\'t even doing that much, we aren\'t doing anything, i\'m saying pull a skins type offseason but we do have some holes
rusta 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 361

03-06-2004, 04:11 PM	#4
deadflatbird 100th Post Join Date: May 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 255	Saints apparently thinking small - and why that's OK Redskins have been pulling these types deals for years now... and where has it got them?

03-06-2004, 06:00 PM	#5
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020	Saints apparently thinking small - and why that's OK As SI.com\'s Peter King rightly notes: \"The lesson of the Patriots\' two Super Bowl wins in the last three years is a simple one: Don\'t become entranced by the big-money free agents.\" Loving these comparisons to the New England Patriots , they do not go after big name big money players because they have key players in key positions who excel and lead the team . Offensive leadership under center : New England Brady -\"It\'s about playing football. I\'ve never played this game for anything other than absolutely loving it,\" he said. \"You have to improve mentally. I like to be perfect every play.\" Brady\'s enthusiasm on the field is unbridled. After throwing a touchdown pass in Washington to Givens, a seventh-round pick, he rushed down the field with a big smile and pounded on the receiver. The Patriots have responded to his enthusiasm and leadership, and now offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who suffered serious complications from offseason gastric bypass surgery, is back. New Orleans Brooks - QB Aaron Brooks may have improved in some statistics from his previous years but he still seemed to lack the ability to take over/lead the team when they needed him to most. When you have a RB like McAllister going for over 2,000 total yards, the quarterback position receives no pass when it has a supporting running game to help him out. Defensive leadership in the middle : New England Ted Bruschi - \"He\'s our leader, he\'s a vocal leader. He\'s an inspirational leader. He\'s everything to this defense. We have a lot of guys who step up in a leadership role, but Bruschi is the man in the middle. He took on that role and he ran with it. It\'s kind of like (quarterback) Tom Brady on the offense. We go where he goes.\" New Orleans Most likely a player to be named later Seems like an interesting comparison to me ....
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020	\"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

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