Inside Saints Camp (ESPN.com)

TallySaint · 08-11-2005, 02:53 PM

Inside Saints Camp

Espn.com, Aug. 11

What's led to the secondary's improvement? Why is RB Deuce McAllister so happy? Those are just a couple of the things Len Pasquarelli touches on in his observations from Saints camp.

Story...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/train...26id%3d2131296

8)

saintswhodi · 08-11-2005, 03:57 PM

I like that blurb on Fakhir Brown and how he compares to McKenzie. What ha sbeen a weakness for us may definitely now be a strength.

TallySaint · 08-11-2005, 04:06 PM

There is no doubt that Haslett wants to embrace the offensive formula the Saints used at the end of last season, when they won their final four contests to finish at 8-8. That means using the fullback a lot as a lead blocker, pounding tailback Deuce McAllister into the line then throwing deep when the opposing safeties cheat up.

This may be the appropriate time to ask you guys what you think about Stecker. As always, thanks in advance for your responses.

8)

TallySaint · 08-11-2005, 04:13 PM

Also...

Thoughts on Deuce's durability.

8)

TheDeuce · 08-11-2005, 05:46 PM

First off, I think Stecker was a great backup RB last season. He finished the season with a rushing average of more than 4 yards per carry; for a backup that's pretty solid. Although he is a liability running inside the tackles, he has a great burst and has the ability to rip off twenty yard gains.

Also, I think Deuce is just a class act football player who understands that he wasn't in the best shape last season and he knows that his being out of shape was probably the reason why he got hurt. I doubt if we ever see Deuce like that again. I am predicting 1500+ yards for the big man this season.

Euphoria · 08-11-2005, 09:42 PM

Steckler is a good change of pace...

along · 08-11-2005, 10:40 PM

The Saints were smart not to just give Howard away in a trade, like to Dallas, this spring. This is the second straight year Howard will play for the one-year "franchise" qualifying offer and, though he would prefer a long-term deal in New Orleans, the guy just shuts his mouth, packs his lunch pail and comes to work every day. It's a big swallow for the Saints, having to carry a salary-cap charge of $8 million plus, but Howard is too talented a guy to sacrifice. He got a lot of his 11 sacks in '04 when he moved down inside to tackle, where he is just too slippery for most guards.

We need to get the long term deal
worked out and be done with it!!!

WhoDat · 08-12-2005, 10:25 AM

Along - I agree that we should try to sign Howard long-term to a more cap-friendly contract. He is still the best DE on the team. The issue with him is simply durability. But there's no doubt in my mind that he is the best D-line player we've got. Charles Grant was an absolute stud last year and I love the guy. But in only 10 games while often playing out of positioh Howard racked up more sacks than Grant did all season. That's huge.

As for Stecker - he is a great change of pace back, as Euph noted, and he should be used more often, IMO, on screens, in the flats, and on draws.

As for Deuce's durability, I think he'll be OK. He made it through a full season two years ago on his way to over 2000 total yards. This year, he'll have both Smith and Stecker to allow his to rest from time to time. I think Smith will see a lot of the inside and short-yardage pound it in there type runs, and Stecker will get his share too. I see Deuce being healthy and in great shape come the end of the regular season.

TallySaint · 08-12-2005, 11:23 AM

So we're expecting Smith to be the primary backup? Or will Smith and Stecker share time.

8)

Euphoria · 08-12-2005, 11:49 AM

I think you'll see Stecker as more of a 3rd down back and Smith to give a nice one two punch with Deuce.

08-11-2005, 02:53 PM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Inside Saints Camp (ESPN.com) Inside Saints Camp Espn.com, Aug. 11 What's led to the secondary's improvement? Why is RB Deuce McAllister so happy? Those are just a couple of the things Len Pasquarelli touches on in his observations from Saints camp. Story... http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/train...26id%3d2131296 8)

08-11-2005, 05:46 PM	#5
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	First off, I think Stecker was a great backup RB last season. He finished the season with a rushing average of more than 4 yards per carry; for a backup that's pretty solid. Although he is a liability running inside the tackles, he has a great burst and has the ability to rip off twenty yard gains. Also, I think Deuce is just a class act football player who understands that he wasn't in the best shape last season and he knows that his being out of shape was probably the reason why he got hurt. I doubt if we ever see Deuce like that again. I am predicting 1500+ yards for the big man this season.
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928

08-11-2005, 10:40 PM	#7
along 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 190	The Saints were smart not to just give Howard away in a trade, like to Dallas, this spring. This is the second straight year Howard will play for the one-year "franchise" qualifying offer and, though he would prefer a long-term deal in New Orleans, the guy just shuts his mouth, packs his lunch pail and comes to work every day. It's a big swallow for the Saints, having to carry a salary-cap charge of $8 million plus, but Howard is too talented a guy to sacrifice. He got a lot of his 11 sacks in '04 when he moved down inside to tackle, where he is just too slippery for most guards. We need to get the long term deal worked out and be done with it!!!
along 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 190	http://www.cdol.com/saints/domepatrol.html DEFENSE WILL ALWAYS RULE http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/...sty[1].gif

08-12-2005, 10:25 AM	#8
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	Along - I agree that we should try to sign Howard long-term to a more cap-friendly contract. He is still the best DE on the team. The issue with him is simply durability. But there's no doubt in my mind that he is the best D-line player we've got. Charles Grant was an absolute stud last year and I love the guy. But in only 10 games while often playing out of positioh Howard racked up more sacks than Grant did all season. That's huge. As for Stecker - he is a great change of pace back, as Euph noted, and he should be used more often, IMO, on screens, in the flats, and on draws. As for Deuce's durability, I think he'll be OK. He made it through a full season two years ago on his way to over 2000 total yards. This year, he'll have both Smith and Stecker to allow his to rest from time to time. I think Smith will see a lot of the inside and short-yardage pound it in there type runs, and Stecker will get his share too. I see Deuce being healthy and in great shape come the end of the regular season.
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. ThatÃ¢Â€Â™s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans SaintsÃ¢Â€Â™ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse \"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"

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08-11-2005, 03:57 PM	#2
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	I like that blurb on Fakhir Brown and how he compares to McKenzie. What ha sbeen a weakness for us may definitely now be a strength.

08-11-2005, 04:06 PM	#3
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	There is no doubt that Haslett wants to embrace the offensive formula the Saints used at the end of last season, when they won their final four contests to finish at 8-8. That means using the fullback a lot as a lead blocker, pounding tailback Deuce McAllister into the line then throwing deep when the opposing safeties cheat up. This may be the appropriate time to ask you guys what you think about Stecker. As always, thanks in advance for your responses. 8)

08-11-2005, 04:13 PM	#4
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Also... Thoughts on Deuce's durability. 8)

08-11-2005, 09:42 PM	#6
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Steckler is a good change of pace...

08-12-2005, 11:23 AM	#9
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	So we're expecting Smith to be the primary backup? Or will Smith and Stecker share time. 8)

08-12-2005, 11:49 AM	#10
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	I think you'll see Stecker as more of a 3rd down back and Smith to give a nice one two punch with Deuce.