Danno

Fox Team Report.
Special Project: Disappointing DT Jonathan Sullivan will be the personal offseason project of line coach John Pease. The 2003 first-round pick irked team officials with his poor conditioning and indifferent attitude last year. As a result, he has been ordered to drop about 30 pounds and spend the offseason in New Orleans, where he can be monitored daily. Sullivan needs to prove to coaches and teammates that he is committed to becoming a contributing member of the team. If not, this is likely his last chance with the Saints, who have already exhausted almost all resources in trying to salvage Sullivan.




The person most affected by the likely departure of offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy is QB Aaron Brooks. McCarthy served as a security blanket for the embattled Brooks throughout his tenure in New Orleans. McCarthy was the coach responsible for coaxing the 2000 trade with Green Bay for Brooks and was a loyal supporter. A new coordinator likely won't be as willing to forgive Brooks for his faults. At the same time, Brooks also might have to adapt to a new offensive system after playing in McCarthy's West Coast scheme for the past five seasons. For that reason, it's a big offseason for Brooks, who finished the 2004 season on a high note with a big win at Carolina. . . .


Back-up running back is a top offseason. RB Aaron Stecker proved to be a valuable addition last offseason but he's not the every-down back the offense needs if Deuce McAllister goes down. The Saints have plugged a variety of veteran cast-offs at the position over the years but none has proven effective. It's imperative that they address this spot in the offseason, preferably in the draft where this year's class is especially deep in runners. With so many needs on defense, the Saints can't afford to spend a top pick on a back. But a mid-round pick would be a wise investment. It wouldn't hurt to have a young runner push McAllister, who is coming off a disappointing season. . . .


The Saints want to re-sign reserve defensive lineman Tony Bryant, who will be an unrestricted free agent. Bryant's strength is his versatility. He can play end or tackle. At 6-6, he is effective at disrupting passing lanes and is also a factor on special teams where he is adept at blocking kicks.


[Edited on 24/1/2005 by Danno]

papz

We\'ll be fine, just got to have faith. Sullivan loses weight and becomes NFL\'s comeback player of the year. Wishful thinking isn\'t it?

Danno

At least they\'ve acknowledged that he\'s a problem, and are attempting to do something about it.
Baby steps.

saintswhodi

Good point Danno. Rarely has accountability been a priority here. Maybe the winds of change are blowing.

JKool

You know that you\'re in good position when your RB picks up over 1000 yards and it is called disappointing.

Danno

And its a bit worrisome when your all-world RB, who should be flirting with 2000 yards comes into camp fat, slow, out of shape, starts fumbling, gets injured, states he\'s a quitter, and people still ignore it because of what he did 1-1/2 years ago.

saintswhodi

Wow. That was wide open, but I won\'t take it. But I guess several players and a coach get ignored because of past deeds.

Danno

Don\'t try to lump me in with that group. I think you know better. I don\'t think I\'ve ignored anyone. On the contrary, I\'ve ruffled some feathers by pointing out many who shouldn\'t be ignored.

Funny, the 1st post after my comment about ignoring A problem is choosing to ignore it? I find the irony in that quite humorous. Did you do that intentionally? Very clever if so.

BTTT, He\'s not the main problem by far, but his play this year was a problem.

[Edited on 25/1/2005 by Danno]

GumboBC

I\'ve read Danno\'s posts for a long time. And I\'ve been impressed with the thought Danno has put in them.

Danno is one of the few who doesn\'t get caught up in the BS between certain members. Unlike me, I like to battle it out with some folks on here.

Danno also calls it like it is.

Deuce isn\'t the God some folks make him out to be. And Deuce was a PROBLEM this year. Like Danno said, he was for from the biggest problem, but he was a PROBLEM.

That said, I\'m not too worried about Deuce. Unless he gets hurt again and the running game suffers. Or he keeps fumbling the ball.

I live in Mississippi and the knock on Deuce coming out of college was that he\'s injury prone. In his short career he\'s had more than his fair share of injuries. That does have me worried somewhat.

JKool

A 1000 yard back isn\'t a problem.

A coach who expected a 2000 yard back and couldn\'t adjust his game plan IS a problem.

I\'m not saying that Duece is a man-god, but he is easily (injuries and weight included) still one of the better players on this team. Now that may be saying something about the quality of the other guys on the team.

I\'m inclined to think that if you think Duece is a problem, then you should be willing to say that there is no aspect of this team that isn\'t a problem. I\'m fine if you think that, but it is an odd way of putting things. When someone says x is a problem, I\'m inclined to think that x is something that needs somewhat pressing attention. Sure Duece would benefit from a bit better conditioning and coaching (e.g. attitude control), but he\'ll benefit a heck of a lot more from a pair of good tackles on our line, better playcalling, and a game plan that doesn\'t involve throwing for the last 20 to 30 minutes of the game.

"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks