Now that the NBA is behind us, it's time to get ready for some football, NFL style. I could find no better place to start than with my "Bayou boys" the New Orleans Saints. After a surprise 2006-2007 season the Saints struggled to find that same intensity in the 2007-2008 season. Looking around the web I find that not many people think the Saints will do better than 10-6 and be shot out the first round of the playoffs. Ofcourse that all comes from fans of other teams who probably know as much about them as I do about quantum physics.
With a trade down from 10 to 7 to pick up an impact player like Sedrick Eliss the Saints have filled a gap they have lacked since drafting a bust like Johnathen Sullivan a few years ago. Just like then New Orleans was in desperate need of both a DT and a CB. Also like then they did the same by passing up on the big name CB and going after a DT instead. Unlike then the Saints have more than likely found a gem. There is no question in my mind that Eliss will be every bit of what he was at USC and more this NFL season.
He's very explosive, with great technique and good using his hands to get around O-lineman. The Saints who play the traditional 4-3 defense will line him up over center and with his great strength and quickness will keep teams from doubling up on DE Will Smith. He's also is quick enough and has long reach to run down RB's and scrambling QB's in the back field. He'll keep QB's from having all day to pick apart the Saints very shady defensive backs.
One could arguably say he was better than home state hero Glenn Dorsey but for whatever reason didn't get the hype. All signs so far point to he is and was worth that trade down to select him.
Now granted we'll need to see what he is able to do against any teams starters but I'm going to go out on a limb and say he'll be the defensive ROY in 2008. As much as I love and respect Glenn Dorsey and wish him the best in his career, Eliss is a Saint now and I think he will have a bigger impact on this team than Dorsey will with the Chiefs.
What I truely like about Eliss is this young man has lots of class and is a very smart guy both on and off the field. He brings no baggage with him, which is something coach Sean Payton likes. Great players with good character. So I expect no trouble from this young guy down hear on the Bayou and we all know how influential 'Nawlins can be to some, I am a living witness to that.
In other Saints news which is sort of old now but DE Will Smith signed a multi year contract that makes him the third Highest paid DE in the league. This was a must for New Orleans to do and well deserved by Smith. Since becoming a Saint, after being selected with the #18 overall pick in 2004 out of the Ohio State University, Smith has started 43 of 62 games and has collected 265 career tackles, 33.5 sacks for minus 221.5 yards,12 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries and 12 passes defensed.
Smiths sack total through his first four years in the NFL is ranked third in franchise history. That's saying a whole lot when you consider some of the great defensive players such as Ricky Jackson, Pat Swilling and Sam Mills who have had the privelage to wear the Black and Gold for New Orleans.
This should be a a great season for the Saints and I fully expect a return to not only the top of the division but also the NFC playoffs. So to all those 10-6 predictions by the non-experts such as myself. I say sit back and begin to prepare yourself for a nice plate of Cajun injected deep fried crow,mmmmmmmm! very tasty!
This will be a very interesting season in the NFC South. I see the Saints and Buccaneers going toe to toe all year and those Panthers could have a hand in the mix too if their QB stays healthy...
Ellis certainly appears to be a good one. I heard him on The Best Damn Sports Show a while back and you're right, he is a thoughtful and well-spoken young man... I'm thinking the Saints have taken several big strides on the defensive side of the ball and they will be a force to reckon with.
The Saints much improved defensive line against a very aggressive Bucs o-line will be a battle that will more than likely decide the winner of the n.f.c. south. It's going to be fun.
Dwindy,
First let me say thx for stopping in and commenting, I always value your opinion. I have to disagree with you on both the Tampa and Carolina.
I think Tampa was just a product of a extremely bad NFC South last season. One in wich they was a shade better than the rest. Gruden has just about worn out his welcome and his scheme isn't all that anymore.
Carolina will be a little better than Tampa but Jake Delhomme (as much as I like to see home state players succeed) is washed up in my opinion. Without a consistant running game as well. They'll leave Panther fans wanting for a change after the season.
I see the Saints Running away with the division easily. Talent wise they are up there with the best the NFC has to offer. Which is a heck of alot more than any other NFC South rival. I'll be posting something soon on how I predict the NFC South to shape look come seasons end. thx again my friend.
aero13,
While I agree the Bucs o-line has improved I still think they aren't all they are cracked up to be. As I explained to dwindy Grudens philosophy is outdated. While Galloway continues to produce at his age one could only believe it'll not last much longer. Michael Clayton has become a nobody in this WR corp. Ike Killiard isn't all that and a bag of chips either. I like Jeff Garcia but he's no spring chicken himself. Defense is still where the Bucs are strong. Especialy with Gains Adams coming into fruation. As I said the Saints will leave evryone else in a cloud of dust in this division.
Yeah...as soon as I heard my boys drafted Ellis (I was in the mud at Jazzfest waiting for Billy Joel) I suddenly got giddy. I also heard from somewhere (may have been WWL...not sure) that they were close to signing Shockey, and also possibly adding Lamont Jordan from the Raiders. I'm itching to hear something about that.
plutonium,
Latest word on Shockey is that he is in heated battle with the GM of the Giants. He claims that someone from the front office put his issues out there in hopes of garnering teams to trade for him. He's not like that at all. The Bucs have interest as well in him. Although I think the Saints may have more to offer. will keep you posted as I get the news on that situation.
As for Lamont Jordan, I think that would be a move that is useless. Pierre Thomas is more than capable of filling in if Deuce isn't ready. I would rather see them get another LB instead. thx for stopping in and commenting.
agreed about Thomas. I can see why they'd want to bring in another RB, but I think that says more about what Mueller thinks about Stecker and Thomas than what it says about Deuce. Also...Mike Karney still plays for the Saints, right? As soon as Deuce went down, I had a vision of Karney blocking for Bush and making a nice tandem. But he seems to have disappeared. The guy's a beast!
gambitxxx
The Saints' front office were more than studious in their judgement. And the signing of Ellis was a damn good one to say the very least.
I think that the battles that'll ensue in the NFC South will go a long way in telling us who the contenders and pretenders'll be when it comes to the upcoming season.
The Falcons I for one believe are dead weight , so that'll leave a battle perhaps between the Saints, Bucs and Panthers as to who stands a legitimate chance to win the NFC South. And that's where the fun'll definitely be to begin with.
Plutonium,
With Mueller gone I think the Saints stay away from another back altogether unless needed later in the season. I agree and can't figure for the life of me why Karney wasn't used more when Bush became the primary back after Deuce's injury. He is as you say a beast!
Justan',
Good to see you around always like your comments. I'm not going to say anything other than the Saints is looking like a winner in the South just yet. Tampa last season to me was a product of a bad division and well someone had to win it. Carolina is a shell of what it once was. Both coaches are on the hot seat in my opinion. As for Atlanta that team warrants no consideration at all. They'll be a basement team for atleast 2 or 3 more years.
gambitxxx Gruden was definitely on the hot seat for the Bucs last year. This year it'll be John Fox with the Panthers. As for the Falcons I think that they'll be on the bottom of the division looking up when it's all said and done.
I don't think that they'll fully recover from the Vick fiasco for a while yet. So we'll just have to see how the Saints and Bucs matchup and fare against each other.
An 11-5 season may well win the division outright and perhaps lead to a playoff berth.
justan' aka tophatal ..........
Last edited by justanotherfan on July 1st at 1:38 PM.
I was upset to watch the demise of the falcons. As much of a Saints fan as I am, it made the game so much more interesting whenever you're at the Dome hearing their fans gloat about a 4 point lead, only to rub it in their face when the Saints take the lead back. Bucs fans usually don't make the journey, but there is a pretty nice rivalry there.
Question: What makes you say that Gruden's scheme isn't all that anymore?
justan',
I still see him going out if the bucs fall to third in the division. Fox even more if they don't win the division outright. We shall see as you said.
plutonium,
Yeah Falcons fans always travel well to the NOLA. I to love the friendly rivalry with them. That'll be dead for the next few years...how sad. The rivalry with the bucs is shaping up nicely after having loss twice to them last season but it isn't the same as Atlanta which has been our rival since the begining.
Answer: His style of coaching is old and stale in my opinion. there is nothing dynamic about it. Where as Sean Payton has brought a new twist to an old offensive scheme. Although having Bush and a heck of a QB like Brees has made that possible I still think he's have brought something sort of new to the table anyways. Just my opinion on that.
plutoniumx999
Gruden isn't as innovative as everyone tends to believe. I'm not saying that he's overrated but when it comes to assessing talent and his so called schemes. Tell me what has really achieved other than a Superbowl win ?
His greatest claim to fame is having taken Rich Gannon off the scrap heap. The Bucs' win of the Superbowl could've been achieved by a blind man in a darkroom. It's not as if the Raiders were all that inspiring in their play or Callahan's game planning.
And even Gruden's assessment of talent under the GM custodianship of Bruce Allen has been less than satisfactory over the years. Has he really had any players that've panned out over the years ?
..............
gambitxxx
The NFC South'll prove to be really intriguing. As the season develops it'll be fun to see who rises to the top of the heap.
The Saints have got to prove themselves and in particular Reggie Bush.
justan' aka tophatal ........
Last edited by justanotherfan on July 1st at 6:47 PM.
Justan'
I agree, especialy on the Bush part. If not Pierre Thomas will be waiting in the wings and has shown flashes of being a powerful and speedy runner.
gambitxxx
I personally would rather see Bush be used in a perfunctory role. Dual purposes as a receiver and runner.
But then again it's what best suits the needs of the team. And at this moment in time they feel that his use as it presently is , is allegedly best for the team.
I've a couple of posts up that I think that you might be interested in reading as and when you're ready. They're titled To Serve But To Do So With Distinction And Pride ! ... Moments Little Moments That So Clearly Define What A Team And Player Can Be About ! ...... Might I Have The Temerity To Suggest ? .....Since When Did The NBA Draft Become Something Akin To The Miss Universe Pageant ?
As and when you're ready I'll look forward to reading your comments.
Justan',
Bush could very well be converted to a reciever with ease. Pieere Thomas could be the RB if Deuce isn't ready and they could always go out on the market to pick up another back as well. I'll give Reggie though another year (meaning this one) to prove he can handle the load. If not it's time for him to switch hit.
I'll be over soon to check those out, Sounds interesting. Cooking some blackened chicken alfredo at the moment. Give me a few minutes to do so.
gambitxxx
In believe that the Giants'll follow suit and use Bush in such a way that they can get the best out of him as a running back and a receiver.
It's what deal of the Giants' success was predicated on when they won the Superbowl.
And it'd appear that other teams'll begin to follow suit with a similar strategy from now on.
The perfect breakfast as I see it.
You’re sitting at the table and your son is on the cover of Wheaties, your mistress is on the cover of Playboy, and your wife is on the back of the milk carton.
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