Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

CHANGES ON THE WAY
After another disappointing season, Saints coach Jim Haslett isn't likely to accept the status quo

Sunday, January 09, 2005
By Jeff Duncan
Staff writer

Continuity and stability were the buzzwords for the Saints last offseason. But a mainly status-quo offseason resulted in yet another 8-8 season.

Clearly, status quo won't cut it this spring. Changes, as coach Jim Haslett insisted Monday, must and will be made. How extensive the changes are, on and off the field, remains to be seen.

Haslett huddled with General Manager Mickey Loomis in lengthy postseason evaluation sessions all week in an effort to hammer out an offseason game plan. Neither Haslett nor Loomis has revealed details of their plan. But in conversations with numerous team sources, a picture is starting to emerge.

One primary objective of the plan is to restructure the football operations, in particular the personnel department. Coaching changes also appear to be imminent. Several coaches on the offensive staff, including coordinator Mike McCarthy, quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard and offensive line coach Jack Henry, could be headed elsewhere. That could require Haslett to make the most important staff hire since selecting Rick Venturi as defensive coordinator in 2002.

In return for the overhaul, Haslett is seeking a two-year contract extension, the idea being to end the relentless speculation about his job security.
If Haslett is not appeased, he could force owner Tom Benson's hand. A buyout could be negotiated. That possibility, though, appears remote as both Loomis and Benson appear willing to work with Haslett.

Team officials expect a decision to be made by Benson as early as Monday.

Once Haslett's future is determined, the brain trust can turn its attention to the roster.

Thanks to Loomis' prudent accounting, the Saints are in good shape against the salary cap for a second consecutive season. They are projected to enter free agency at about $20 million less than the projected $85 million salary cap.

Much of that money will be dedicated to long-term extensions for running back Deuce McAllister and possibly wide receiver Joe Horn, as well as re-signing priority unrestricted free agents Jay Bellamy, Steve Gleason, Jason Craft and Tony Bryant. Restricted free agents James Allen, Mel Mitchell and exclusive rights free agents Howard Green and Talman Gardner also must be offered contracts.

Signing McAllister and Horn, two of the team's most productive and popular players, are top priorities. Both players have indicated a desire to remain in New Orleans. Both are grossly underpaid by market value, and should demand lucrative deals. ...

Releasing veteran wide receiver Jerome Pathon, who is due a $2.5 million base salary and $650,000 roster bonus this spring, would clear $2.3 million.

The Saints could clear more by releasing or restructuring deals with veterans Ashley Ambrose ($1.8 million), Derrick Rodgers ($1.7 million) and Orlando Ruff ($1.2 million).

The Saints also must decide what to do with defensive end Darren Howard. At one time team officials were resigned to letting Howard leave in free agency. However, the five-year veteran played so well late in the season that the team is re-evaluating his situation. ...


...
On offense, retooling the line is the top priority.
...
Don't expect Riley back.
...
The development of Henderson could cost Pathon his roster spot.


It's a decent year for two of their primary areas of need: linebacker and offensive line. Tackles Jonas Jennings, Floyd Womack, Kareem McKenzie and Floyd Womack are on the market. Linebackers Kendrell Bell of Pittsburgh and Edgerton Harwell of Baltimore will be top prospects.

...

The draft grows deeper by the day as several underclass prospects declare their eligibility. This year's class is top-heavy in defensive linemen, running backs and receivers, all areas of strength for the Saints. That could push a top cornerback, linebacker or offensive linemen to them at No. 16.


Free agent acquisitions Brian Young, Aaron Stecker and Jamar Nesbit played key roles and were solid additions to the locker room. Ditto for Jason Craft, who was acquired in a trade with Jacksonville.
Jeff Duncan can be reached at jduncan@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3405.

Entire Article,,,

http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...5477253230.xml

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

Nice post Danno. Good find.

I\'m ready to buy into the hype for next year! I\'m excited - genuinely.

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

I think Haz wants to see changes in how the personell is handeled -- or who\'s handeling it. He\'s taken the critisism for every move this team has made, but we might be about to learn that it wasn\'t Jim pulling those strings.

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

It would\'ve been a better read if it mention the firing of Venturi ;)

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

I have to say that I\'m split on this. I\'m glad that changes will be made. That Jim realizes that gives makes me happy. Of course, this is not something different than what we\'ve seen every other offseason - a new philosophy and new promises and plans about how fix the problems. I believe that the Saints will never be successful so long as they make changes in scheme, strategy, personnel on and off the field, and attitude every year. I guess I\'m happy to hear it, but I still have reservations.

I\'ll go on record right now and say that if McCarthy leaves and Venturi stays, this team will get worse before it gets better. I don\'t like this at all.

Please God, no. Benson - make him prove it. Don\'t make the same mistake you made with Brooks... again.

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

WURD :D :D :D :D

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

Changes. Yes, I think SOME changes need to be made.

Starting with Venturi. The defense started playing much better once they got away from playing that read and react crap.

In fact, the defense started looking downright dominant.

I\'ve always hated that read and react defense. It was rumored Venturi was no longer calling the shots on defense.

I think a change there might be good. But if Venturi was calling the shots the last 4-games, I can live with him coming back.

Mike McCarthy.. There\'s nothing wrong with him. It\'s not his fault Deuce got hurt or the offensive line couldn\'t block. I see nothing wrong with his playcalling.

What we really need are a couple of more \"football\" players on defense and we need to rework our offensive line.

Believe me. Coaching isn\'t going to make our offensive line good.

And coaching alone isn\'t going to make our defense as good as it needs to be.

Coaches change all the time and more times than not it doesn\'t make much of a difference.

PLAYERS, NOT COACHES, WIN BALL GAMES!!

Parcells will tell you the same thing.

The Patriots aren\'t winnning games by coaching alone. They are an extremely talented team.

As a matter of fact, NO TEAM is winning on coaching alone. It\'s about 75% players and 25% Coaching.

I have spoken :cool:

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

How can you not see what so many of the rest of the fans are seeing? Deuce\'s injury has nothing to do with this conclusion. First of all, he sux at calling plays whether Deuce is in or not. Secondly, he has sucked the last couple years - or at least it has become more pronounced lately.

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

I\'m with Scotty on this one. While McCarthy may be a decent coordinator, I believe his influence has gotten stale here. I don\'t know if he\'s gotten into a rut or what, but it seems like that\'s what it is. This offense needs an injection of new blood, somebody who has a similar offensive philosophy but also has some original ideas. Call me crazy but what would you guys think of Sean Salisbury as QB coach and Jim Fassell as OC if he doesn\'t get a head coaching gig? I know Dennis Green was pretty high on Salisbury before this season and he came pretty close to leaving ESPN. And Fassell did pretty good calling the plays for the Giants. Think about it, Brooks is just as good as Kerry Collins ever was and we have a better receiver corps than NY ever did while he was there. Just a thought......

[Edited on 10/1/2005 by kevinn1972]

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

I just have blame McCarthy for the mistake he made for the 1st half of the season with two tight ends and no fullbacks. It seems like he finally realized that the TE couldn\'t run block or be effective in the passing game, but I don\'t believe he need to be fired.

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

Guys, I have no problem with people being upset with McCarthy or blaming him for the offense\'s poor play this year. But think about - the offense\'s play in terms of production didn\'t change much from the first game to the last. What made the difference was the defense. Between Haslett, Venturi, Loomis, Mueller, and McCarthy, I ranked McCarthy last in terms of fault for why this team is the way it is. His unit has been top ten up until this year. I\'m not saying he\'s great, but if a coordinator has to go, it damn well better be Venturi.

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

Then why oh why WhoDat did he change the offense???????

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

Bye Bye Rick Mueller. Maybe Haz wasn\'t picking his players

Bye Bye Mike, and please take Rick Venturi with you. This probably doesn\'t bode well for Aaron Brooks either. A whole new Offensive staff may warrant pulling the trigger on a Brooks swap/trade.

Is this a change from previous years? Was Haz screaming and no one was listening? I certainly hope this was the case.

That would be today fellas.

I\'m starting to think signing Horn is more important than signing Deuce, unless we can insert some weight/fitness clauses into his contract.

Bellamy-see ya

Gleason, Craft, Bryant, Allen, Mitchel, Green, Gardner - low cost keepers, but bring in some competition.

What the heck was all that talk in the papers/radio about his salary being HUGE next year. Thats not exactly what I\'d consider huge. I like the extension idea to lower cap.

If he wants anything close to Portis or Tomlinson I show him the door.

Bye Jerome.

Don\'t let the door hit ya.

I like both of these options. I just hope we get something for him. A perfect trade would be to swap Howard for a true 2-gap DT.

He\'s the Grady Jackson of O-linemen. He\'ll leave and have success elsewhere but his old inconsistency habits will resurface eventually. KC knew it, now we know it.

Edgar and Pork chop!

SIGN BOTH! Watson can probably play WLB as well as MLB.

Linebacker! LINEBACKER!!!!

Now go get a 2-gap DT, and a stud LB.

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

Maybe not, but what in the heck will keep them from leading the league in false starts (often on first down, for chrissake!) and holding penalties? These are mental mistakes. Are the O-linemen poorly coached or are they just morons?

For that matter, who\'s finally gonna teach Leon how to read a defense? Who had started calling the plays when our defense improved?

In fact, if coaches don\'t do anything, why do we need them at all? We should just clear the sideline and let Leon draw the play on the ground with a stick. He IS great, after all...

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

It was a mistake, no question. And he\'s not perfect either - far from it. Here\'s my point: Look at the main players (personnel wise) involved and consider:

Venturi - inherited a defense that lead the league in sacks two years in a row, that was nasty and attacking. Went big, then went fast. Changed to a read and react scheme. Defenses finshed 18th, 23rd, 27th, and 32nd - or something like that. When it was rumored that Jim or someone else took over more of the play calling, the defense turned around. Clearly this guy needs to go.

Haslett - took Ditka\'s team to the playoffs in his first year. Since then he has revamped the players twice to get \"his\" team with the same results every year. Inconsistent, undisciplined, underachieving. At some point, the guy has to be held responsible for not turning this thng around.

Mueller - got in on his brother\'s shirt tails. It certainly seems by the decisions that have been made and the information coming out now the guy isn\'t worth his salt. I think everyone agrees that we need better talent evaluation.

Loomis - This guy can name two NFL formations - the nickel and dime. He\'s done a fantastic job with contracts to keep this team in great cap shape for 3 years. That\'s about it. He doesn\'t seem to know football and he is better served on the business operations side, and dealing with contracts.

McCarthy - took a traditionally terrible offense and made it dangerous. I don\'t remember how the offense finished in 2000, but the last 4 years, if memroy serves, he\'s got two top ten finishes, once at 11th, and this year, the worst yet, 15th. We\'d all s--t our pants if the defense finished 15th. His playcalling can be questionable, and this year was bad. I just don\'t think you flush him b/c of that. I mean - the knocks on that side of the ball are inconsistent play from the line and QB (I don\'t know how HE fixes that. I guess you have to hold him responsible, but it\'s not like he\'s getting the draft picks or FAs that the defense is), and an oft injured RB over the last few seasons. I just think that if the Saints keep anyone, it should probably be him.

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

Seems to me this year McCarthy\'s brain went the way of Venturi\'s. If it ain\'t broke, let\'s fix it and screw it all to hell. That offensive change was a HUGE mistake and cost us some games, I feel. Defense didn\'t help, but 7 points against Seattle and the Cards is just ridiculous.

And I just can\'t get by the not scoring in the first quarter bit for the vast majority of the year. What is he doing all week? That kills me. It was an albatross around the whole team\'s neck until the special teams got us some first quarter points late in the season. Why can they score in the second half and not the first if they gameplan all week? Surely some of this is McCarthy. Certainly he doesn\'t deserve as much of the blame, but if you see a pile of turds on your porch, do you try to distinguish one turd from the others or hose off the whole stinking pile?

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

I agree Whoodi - the whole pile of deserves to get sprayed the hell out of here. But that won\'t happen. Thus, if forced to distinguish between the, I\'ll take the beagle-sized well formed (McCarthy) over the Rottweiler-sized mushy (Haslett) or the giant liquidy mess of Great Dane (Venturi).


Why was that?

[Edited on 10/1/2005 by JOESAM2002]

Changes on the Way (TP must read)
 

I lost my lunch on your colorful analogy WhoDat :puke: , but I see what you are saying.