SaintNik

The Saints made a big mistake by turning Jerry Fontenot out to pasture this year. They were set on moving LeCharles Bentley from guard to center since they originally drafted him (he was considered to be the top center prospect coming out of Ohio St.) to replace Jerry and he had played so well at the guard position for two years that they believed now was the time. In fact, he was a dominant force at guard as a rookie and should have made the probowl that year and did so last year.

Fontenot was coming off of an excellent year himself last year having been named an alternate to the probowl. How do you demote then outright cut a player that has 15 years of experience and leadership that has started 96 straight games for your club? It has been said that Jerry wore down in the last 4 games. Hmmm? Maybe and maybe not. He may have just not played as well during that stretch as he did earlier. It didn't stop him from getting probowl consideration.

Our club has different players starting at the three interior line postions. Where is the continuity in that? Bentley has moved from a dominant allpro guard to a rookie center with two games under his belt. His overall game hasn't been poor but he hasn't dominated that spot yet and it would be foolish for anyone to expect him to do so after only 2 games. He and Brooks had two fumbled exchanges this past week. His shotgun snaps were horrible in the preseason and while improved, they are slow lazy lobs getting back to Brooks. This must improve as it has a negative effect on the timing of the entire play. I'm confidant he will improve in this area.

My suggestion would have been to have kept Fontenot and the continuity of the line intact. Let me check myself here. We subtracted to probowl players and added none. Answer is -2. They could have played Bentley at center after a games outcome was decided each week which would have rested the old man and would have given LeCharles game experience at the same time. DUH!

Moving forward. Jerry gets a call from the Bengals earlier last week and agrees in principle to league minimun terms to join them but is excused by their organization to allow for him to oversee his family needs during hurricane Ivan. He then joins the Bengals and gets two practices in with the team and suits up on Sunday. He starts and plays the entire game at center where he has just learned their blocking schemes. He makes the line calls. He executes the snap exchange and adjusts to the cadence of a QB that he just met. He mans his spot without a flaw. After the game he was awarded the game ball.

Good luck to you in your future Jerry as it appears you do have some gas left in your tank. Teach those kids along the Bengals line a few things while you are there. Someone here forgot your presence and influence made a difference.