By Chris Kidder
SportsOutlaw columnis
Whats a columnis? Is that porn related?
After two years of disappointing seasons overall, but strong finishes, one might discern a pattern in the way that Jim Haslett’s teams perform. One might even think that Haslett apparently thinks that the preseason continues all the way to week 8 or so. It takes a while for him to get his players to do what they’re supposed to do all year.
Uhm, did he forget 2001 and 2002 which were the complete opposite M.O. of 2003 and 2004?
The most recent fix is the promotion of Mike Sheppard, the former QB Coach, to Offensive Coordinator. This is good news for the passing game, and especially for Aaron Brooks, who has had some statistically good years under Sheppard’s watch.
I remember the talk being it was McCarthy\'s boy. How the heck does Sheppard now get credit for it?
It should also mean good things for the receiving corps, assuming that they stop their under-achieving ways. To that end, the Saints only offensive concern this year during the off-season needs to be looking at their WRs. Joe Horn is the only non-question-mark.
At 33, and unhappy with his contract, I think there\'s a question mark. And how convenient it is to forget the numerous key drops Joe had the year before.
It hurts me to say this, because I’ve been a big supporter of Jerome Pathon (especially back in his Indy days), but he needs to go. Perhaps a change of scenery would do him best, and right now he’s certainly not doing the Saints any good as a #3.
I think he\'d be a great #3. How is he not doing us any good?
Donte Stallworth has never lived up to the expectations placed on him since his rookie draft. The question is, can he ever live up to them? The Saints need an answer to that question sooner rather than later. No matter the answer, look for the Saints to draft at least one WR to take care of the issue.
We did. See Devery Henderson 2004. Donte answered the question last year with a solid campaign. I\'m more worried about #3 and #4 than I am Donte. And when did Donte have a rookie draft?
Top priority in the draft has to be in the secondary. Corner Back is top need, because coverage was sorely lacking last year, and corners that can hit will be at a premium. I’d look for the Saints to go CB in round one, unless the top safety prospect happens to still be on the board.
OK, he must have written it before we acquired Smith, and must not have noticed McKenzie and Brown last year, and obviously didn\'t watch our LB\'s, and probably didn\'t notice the 15 yards per carry versus our front seven all fricking year long. But I guess other than DT/SLB/WLB/FS/SS, CB is right up there near the top.
Jay Bellamy isn’t getting any younger (he’s 33), and he’s not performing to the level that was expected of him.
HUH????Bellamy played way better than anyone expected him too. Uhh, Joe\'s 33 also.
That means better tackling is needed in the secondary, all the way around.
I\'m thinking better tackling by our front seven might help more than better tackling by our DB\'s. And another thing...
McKenzie-Great tackler
Bellamy-Fantastic tackler
Brown-Good tackler
Smith-Excellent tackler.
How much better tackling does he want?
I’m not looking for this to be a great season from the Saints.
I assume from his above comments that he\'s predicting a bad season, BEFORE we signed free-agents and BEFORE the draft. Hmmm, yea, thats a good evaluation plan.
Actually, I’m expecting Jim Haslett to demonstrate once again why he should be pulled from the ranks of NFL Head Coaches. But if the moves that the team makes this off-season are wise, whoever inherits the squad from him will be set with some great young talent to build on.
Well he did hit this one dead on the head.
[Edited on 29/3/2005 by Danno]
03-29-2005, 03:10 PM
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