Michael Lewis
 

Many fans have predicted that Michael Lewis days as a Saint were probably done. Bringing in Aaron Stecker and drafting Devery Henderson could have reduced the beer mans value in the return game and many think he is to small to be on the field as a wideout, which could lead to him being traded or outright cut by opening day.

Has everyone forgotten that Michael has been there and done that in the return game. He had an off year last year but much of that was due to the lack of play by the supporting cast in the return game. Many of the regular special teamers were injured early as well. These other guys have potential maybe but have yet to do anything. So far Devery Henderson is dropping and mis-judging the ball left and right on punt returns and Stecker is recovering from surgery and is still an unknown. It may be that by opening day neither of the two of them are lined up deep for kickoff returns. It could be that Donte' Stallworth is along with M. Lewis.

So far Michael Lewis has drawn praise from the coaching staff and all on-lookers in all of the offseason workouts. He not only is consistent catching the football in the return game but also in the passing game. He couldn't catch a cold when he first signed with the Saints but has put in the work to develop his game. He saw little action as a receiver last year but caught most everything thrown his way. Mike Detillier in his 06/13/2004 collumn lists Joe Horn, Donte' Stallworth, Devery Henderson, and MICHAEL LEWIS as LOCKS to make the final 53 man roster as receivers this year. Look for the Saints to get him on the feild more often this year in the spread formations and find ways to get him the ball. Also look for #84 to have a better year in the return game as well.

Michael Lewis
 

Ok ....say M Lewis make the team. I heard Haz & Co. plan to keep 6 WR but realistic by 1/4 of the season their will be 5. Who do you think will not be here?

1.Derrick Lewis
2.Germaine Crowell
3.Talman Gardner



[Edited on 17/6/2004 by ami2kind4words]

Michael Lewis
 

Derek Lewis.

Michael Lewis
 

I don\'t know... I think M. Lewis is the one not making the team.

[Edited on 17/6/2004 by Euphoria]

Michael Lewis
 

I guess whoever gets caught up in the numbers game will be labled \"Team Cancer\" by the more insightful people here.

They\'ll also complain we ran off yet ANOTHER quality player.

But I remain hopeful, ignorance is temporary, but stupidity last forever.

Michael Lewis
 

I want to see Michael Lewis back next year. I agree with Gator\'s assessment of the Beerman\'s performance last year, but I want to give the guy another chance. What\'s more, if nothing else, Lewis is a great special teams tackler.

Maybe my response is a little sentimental, oh well. I want to see the guy succeed just one more season at least.

Michael Lewis
 

He\'s decent at tackling, but that\'s overshadowed by his ability to chase down the ball carrier. At 5\' 8\", 165lbs...and he\'s 32 years old, it\'s not like he\'s laying the wood left and right. But, he will chase your ass down and drag you down from behind.

Michael Lewis
 

We really only lost 1 solid special teamer from last year in Fenderson. You might add Rasby to that list.
But we signed and drafted several who\'ll upgrade the ST tremendously, if they make the team.
Stecker, Henderson, Hal, Hilton, Gardner, Brockrath??, and even Mel Mitchell (assuming he doesn\'t win the starting job) are all excellent upgrades to our special teams unit from last year.
Michael Lewis may now be the 3rd best PR/KR option we have.
I like Lewis and hope he makes the team, but it wouldn\'t surprise me to see him cut or traded for a late rounder.

Michael Lewis
 

For all that Michael Lewis lacks he makes up for in heart and determination. I like the guy and think that his heart and will to succeed will prevail. Go Lewis!!!!!

Michael Lewis
 

Gotta pull for the little man, the long shot who could. However, I do agree that he seemed extremely tentative last season, not like the all-out performance we were used to.

Michael Lewis
 

M. Lewis has a ton more NFL game experience than D. Lewis (who also seems like only a moderately good receiver anyway, given his NFLE play). I don\'t see why M. Lewis, though a tad small, but with hands and some value on special teams (espc. his experience playing there against NFL returners), wouldn\'t have a better chance than D. Lewis.

Michael Lewis
 

I don\'t see why M. Lewis, though a tad small, but with hands and some value on special teams (espc. his experience playing there against NFL returners), wouldn\'t have a better chance than D. Lewis. [/quote:e41799be78]reasons:
1. The guy is 32
2. being beat up last year made him extremly cautious returning kicks.
3. Devery Henderson was pick too high not be able to contribute on ST and if he is not capable Aaron Stecker will be his back up.
4. Derrick Lewis is by far a better WR, just was look over cuz M. Lewis fit a need @ ST.

5. M. lewis will make a better trade bait cuz of exp.

[Edited on 17/6/2004 by ami2kind4words]

[Edited on 17/6/2004 by ami2kind4words]

Michael Lewis
 

A2K4W,

Excellent points. However, it is not clear to me that a guy who has very little NFL experience should be ranked higher that a player who can play punt and kick COVER even if he is not going to be our returner AND catch passes from AB. It just seems to me that D. Lewis is a bigger gamble.

I think that if there is a trade involving a WR this year it will be Pathon - he is going to get us the best value (M. Lewis\' performance as a KR last season will not make him a popular trade target).

It is my understanding that D. Lewis\' performance has been inconsistant at best - of course, that is just as memory serves (which is unreliable). Thus, I am skeptical of your claim that M. Lewis beat him out only because he was a better fit on ST.

Michael Lewis
 

D Lewis is coming along nicely... caught 2 touch downs in the NFLE championship.

Michael Lewis
 

I like Michael Lewis, but there\'s no way he\'s making the team. As a returner you can put Stecker, Henderson, and Stallworth back there. As a receiver it ain\'t even close. Horn, Stallworth, Pathon are all coming back. Henderson is obviously going to make the team. That\'s 4. Gardner and Crowell make 6. Michael Lewis was special on this team when he was faster than everyone else. But a healthy Henderson and Stallworth and you\'ve got two burners that are prototypical WRs as well - rather than a guy who would be average size for a high school wideout.

Michael Lewis
 

Ouch. Harsh reality, Whodat, but probably true. :(

Michael Lewis
 

yeah I agree he won\'t make the cut... when you have others who can fill those shoes and play else wheres... M. Lewis is gone.

Michael Lewis
 

WR will be a tough cut, but I believe M Lewis will make the squad. If the Saints can keep McAfee 3years without playing RB, I think they can do the same with M. Lewis the thing is he actually plays WR. He\'s a better return man than Stecker, how may many punt and kick returns has Stecker ran back for TD\'s? 0! Stecker is good, but not a homerun threat, M Lewis is also better than Stallworth (not in terms of speed) but hands and decsion making, Donte made me cringe last year watching him return kicks. Finally his production was limited to his groin injuries, what man can run with that injury? If M. Lewis has recovered fully from that injury, whoever he teams with to return kicks will be very formidable. But M. Lewis will be the man on Special Teams!

Michael Lewis
 

There\'s a guy on this team that\'s a very good return guy. His name is Ronney Jenkins. He\'s as fast as Michael Lewis and he\'s been just as productive as the Beer Man.

Ronney Jenkins stats: http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/188096