Linebacker Scott Fujita said all the right things after the Saints won their first Super Bowl in franchise history a little over a month ago. Now he’s off to Cleveland after signing a 3 year, $14 million deal with the Browns.
Throughout his 4 seasons in New Orleans, Fujita professed his love and affection for the city and the Who Dat Nation. With all of that in mind, Fujita opted for financial security. It’s a part of the business, the ugly business that fans sometimes get too emotional over. The Saints didn’t value his services as much as the Browns, and that’s the bottom line.
You can fall in love with the team, just don’t fall in love with the players. Most of them will eventually leave the team. It’s only a matter of time and of course dead presidents. WWL NFL analyst Mike Detillier agrees, “Like it or not - basically it’s part of the business. You just don’t know what type of deal someone is going to get from another club.”
I’m sure the Saints would have loved to have him back in black and gold as they embark on a repeat effort in the 2010 season. The Browns are trying to change the culture in Cleveland and are in search of a veteran to help in that process.
Detillier added that Fujita is at the stage of his career where he has to look out for the best interest of his long term future. “Listen, this is part of the business. This is the last contract he is going to sign as an NFL player. You got to do what’s best for you.” Fujita was a starter for four seasons in New Orleans, and he was one of the first players Sean Payton brought in during his first year at the helm in the Big Easy.
So what’s next for the Saints as they search for a replacement?
“There is nobody on the roster today that will fill that role,” Detillier explained. With the loss of Fujita, the Black and Gold are able to sign an unrestricted free agent in the same financial realm. However, the pickings are slim. “You would look around, but there isn’t a lot of talent on the unrestricted market,” said Detillier.
Now the Saints will likely turn their attention to next month’s NFL draft in their search for a replacement. Two college players come to mind for Detillier, “Darryl Washington and Jerry Hughes (both from TCU) are similar type players.” In the meantime, if the Saints can’t find a replacement for Fujita via free agency, they could chose to address another position. “Do you now say, ‘You know what? I don’t’ see anybody out there, do I go after maybe a defensive lineman?’ since you’ve cut loose Charles Grant,” Detillier asked.
Make no mistake about it, Fujita will be missed in New Orleans - both on and off the field. Let’s not forget the NFL is a business. Yeah, I know it’s disappointing to lose a fan favorite, but the real favorite should be the fleur di lis on the helmet not the name on the back of the Jersey.
The LSU Tigers open an unusual series of baseball games today. They will alternate contests through Sunday against Pepperdine and Brown.
“This is a unique weekend for us. It’s kind of exciting, actually, to play two different opponents this weekend - kind of a tournament type atmosphere,” LSU Skipper Paul Mainieri told WWL Radio.
The games start with Pepperdine tonight at the Box in Baton Rouge.
LSU is 7 - 0 and atop the baseball rankings. Mainieri says, however, the Tigers face a challenge in Pepperdine.
“They’ve got two outstanding pitchers that will be pitching against us on Thursday and Saturday, and they’ve already beaten two top ranked teams… We know we’re going to have our hands full with them.”
The LSU pitching staff will be tested as they have to send players to the mound over a four game stretch in four days.
“There’s no question that we are going to have a challenge on our hands. We’re playing two tough teams, but also because of the format, we are going to be playing four consecutive days,” said Mainieri.
With at least 36 innings scheduled between Thursday and Sunday, the Tigers will need to dig deep into their bullpen.
“The pitching is going to have to step to the forefront here… that’s a lot of innings to be pitched,” Mainieri added.
LSU will have to run the gauntlet with their pitching staff still missing their top arm. Ace pitcher Anthony Ranaudo was scratched from last Friday’s start with soreness in his right elbow, but his recovery appears to be coming along fairly well.
“It’s getting better, he doesn’t feel the discomfort in his elbow like he had been,” explained Mainieri. What’s the next step for Ranaudo? “We are waiting for it to become asymptomatic where he doesn’t feel any symptoms at all.”
Mainieri hopes to get Ranaudo some work on the side in a bullpen throwing session on Tuesday, and expressed some optimism about the return of his ace to the pitching rotation next Friday, March 12th, against Kansas.
Sophomore left-hander Chris Matulis (above) will start Thursday’s game for LSU against Pepperdine. Matulis pitched in a relief effort versus McNeese State last Wednesday, working five shutout innings. He allowed four hits, no walks and got five strikeouts.
LSU junior right-hander Austin Ross will start Friday’s game versus Brown. Sophomore right-hander Joey Bourgeois starts Saturday’s game against Pepperdine. The LSU pitcher for Sunday’s series finale versus Brown will be determined as the weekend unfolds.
Today is the deadline for an NFL team wants to apply the franchise tag to a player. Teams can use the designation for players they don’t want to hit the free agent market that opens on March 5th. The Saints don’t appear as though they will use such the tag. Each NFL can only franchise one player a year.
The tag binds the player to the team for one year, if certain conditions are met. A “nonexclusive” franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position in the previous year, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. A nonexclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if he signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, is entitled to receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.
Several defensive playmakers are scheduled to hit the open market in 2010. The pool includes plenty of talent at defensive end, which appears to be an area of need for the Saints. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says, however, “The Saints can’t sign an unrestricted free agent unless they lose one in the same ball park financially.”
Defensive End’s Julius Peppers and Jarvis Green won’t have the franchise tag strapped to them by their respective teams, the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots. If the Saints should happen to loose one of their free agents -such as Safety Darren Sharper or linebacker Scott Fujita- who could they target on March 5th?
“The guy I’d really like them to bring in would be Jarvis Green, but I think financially it’s not going to be able to work,” said Detillier. Again, the current collective bargaining agreement requires the final 8 playoff teams in each conference lose a free agent of a similar monetary value before they can sign one. It is another effort to level the playing field and achieve parity in the NFL.
The Saints still have some time to lock up safety Darren Sharper before March 5th. When should the Who Dat Nation start to get concerned if Sharper and the Saints can’t come to terms on a contract agreement?
“I think right off the bat, listen this is a limited free agent market, that offer (from another team) is going to come in pretty quick,” Detillier pointed out.
The Saints appear all right letting Sharper test the field, but they’ll find out quickly what kind of attention he’ll get on the open market.
“I think within the first couple of days you’ll find out if there is a team out that is willing to put up a lot of money and really make it interesting,” said Detillier.
Linebacker Scott Fujita is the other defensive starter that will likely hit free agency. Detillier says Fujita will get some attention as well. “He’s another veteran up in age, a solid performer. He could get a look see by another NFL team.”
However, if the Saints are going to lose a free agent, Detillier says it would be Sharper. “When you look at the list of unrestricted free agents that linebacking corps has a number of different people there.” Detillier thinks Fujita will be back in black in gold for the 2010 season, but isn’t so sure about Sharper. “I think Scott will be back, the biggest question mark I have is Sharper.”
Free agency begins March 5th, again the rules are little binding and hindering for the top 8 playoff teams in each conference under the current collective bargaining agreement that run’s through the 2010 season. Sure there is a possibility the NFL and the players association could come to terms on a new agreement before the start of free agency, but it doesn’t appear likely.
Saints running back Reggie Bush is scheduled to make $8 million next season. That’s an awfully expensive price tag for such a streaky player.
However, Bush is in the driver’s seat. He would tempt the open market and likely cash in, so the Saints will either pay him or rework his contract. He’s valued more by the Saints than by other NFL teams, and Saints coach Sean Payton likely wouldn’t part ways with the electric Bush for anything other than a first round pick. So, a trade seems unlikely.
WWL NFL Analyst Mike Detillier points out that if Bush gets what is currently due to him in his contract, “he would be the highest paid running back in the NFL.”
Detillier says the Black and Gold need to renegotiate. “You would want to cut another deal with him, and have that more palatable for you financially.”
Defensive end Charles Grant is likely the one starter that won’t return next season. “Charles Grant won’t be on this football team next year,” Detillier predicts.
Grant’s production has dropped, he’s 31 years old, and he’s coming off his second triceps surgery in as many seasons - not to mention his salary is scheduled to increase to $4 million next season. There is always the possibility he could take a pay cut from the robust $63 million deal he signed in 2007. However, because no salary cap exists for the 2010 season, the Saints could release Grant without taking a major hit against the cap.
How much is Drew Brees worth?
We’re about to find out. Brees has 2 years remaining on his current 6 year 60 million dollar contract that ranks in the middle of the pack for QB’s in the NFL.
He’s no middle of the pack quarterback! That was evidenced by his MVP performance in Super Bowl XLIV.
The Saints and Brees will likely enter discussion soon on a new deal. If you’re his agent, you’re thinking in the neighborhood of about $18 million a year for number 9.
The World Champion New Orleans Saints still have some time to revel and party with their fans celebrating with the Lombardi Trophy in hand. However, the Saints have a couple of guys that will hit the open market as unrestricted free agents this off-season.
Safety Darren Sharper and linebacker Scott Fujita are the two starters that are unrestricted. Fortunately the Saints look like they should be able to keep both of them. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, the 2010 season will be played without a salary cap. There are some twists and turns, however, to adding unrestricted free agents.
As one of the final four playoff teams, the Saints are not allowed to sign any unrestricted free agents from other teams unless that player is released and passes through waivers, or unless the Saints lose one of their unrestricted free agents to another team first. For example, the Saints can’t let go of tight end Darnell Dinkins and then pick up someone like defensive end Julius Peppers. The would have to instead lose on of the guys listed below.
Here is the complete list of unrestricted free agents for the Saints:
Safety Darren Sharper
Linebacker Scott Fujita
Quarterback Mark Brunell
Defensive Tackle Kendrick Clancy
Tight End Billy Miller
Tight End Darnell Dinkins
Tight End Dan Campbell
Center Nick Leckey
Safety Pierson Prioleau
This past off-season, the Saints singed Sharper to a one year - 1.7 million dollar contract. The front office for the Black and Gold has a couple of options here if they chose to retain the 33-year-old veteran. They can use the franchise tag on him - which would cost them over six million dollars for one more season - or they can work out a multi-year contract. Sharper told me that he want’s to retire here in New Orleans, and feels he revitalized his career with 9 interceptions this year.
NFL analyst Mike Detillier says, “How he approaches the game I think it’s infectious to that young group. He would be somebody that I would really really want to bring back.”
Sharper could get some attention on the open market, but given his age likely will be very affordable. I think you’ll see Sharper back in a Saints uniform for the repeat attempt in 2010.
Linebacker Scott Fujita is 30 years old, and one of the longest tenured Saints under Coach Sean Payton. He was signed on the same day as Drew Brees in 2006. The open market doesn’t look lucratively for Fujita, meaning he’ll likely return for the right price. Fujita has a great affinity for the city, and is one of the leaders in the locker room for the Black and Gold. New Orleans would like to get younger at both linebacking spots, but because they can’t sign an unrestricted free agent, that will likely provide even more incentive to keep their own players.
Back up quarterback Mark Brunell is 39 and could return on the cheap. At the same time, the team could go in another direction and choose to develop a younger signal caller to serve as Drew Brees’ primary back up. Tight end Billy Miller has been a great find for the Saints, and was bounced on and off the roster during his time here. He will not command top dollar. Millers spent the season on injured reserve with a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in the pre-season, but stuck around throughout the regular season serving as one of the chief locker room leaders for the Saints championship run this season. Provided he recovers from his injury, Miller will likely return in 2010.
Special team ace and back up safety Pierson Prioleau is a favorite of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. He’s followed him at just about every team Williams has coached. That likely means his return to the team as well. Dinkins, Campbell, and Leckey are 50/50. Defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy is expendable with the solid play of Anthony Hargrove and Remi Ayodele.
Now taking a peak at the restricted free agents, here is where it get’s a little tricky for the Saints. New Orleans has 21 restricted free agents. Five of those are starters, and three are Pro Bowlers.
Offensive tackles Jammal Brown, Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief; guard Jahri Evans; running backs Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell; receivers Lance Moore and Courtney Roby; tight ends David Thomas and Tory Humphrey; fullback Kyle Eckel; safeties Roman Harper, Usama Young and Chris Reis; cornerback Leigh Torrence; defensive tackles Anthony Hargrove, Remi Ayodele and Rodney Leisle, defensive end Jeff Charleston and linebackers Marvin Mitchell and Anthony Waters.
Here is the way it works for restricted free agents. The Saints will have a chance to match any offer a restricted free agent gets from another team. If they chose not to match the offer, they can receive draft picks as compensation. Which pick the Saints would get depends on the dollar amount of the contract the restricted free agent is offered. If the Saints really value a restricted free agent, they would tender him at 1st and 3rd round draft pick compensation at the price of just over $3 million. If a team offers more money, and the Saints don’t match that offer, they would receive 1st and 3rd round draft pick’s from the team that signs the player.
Conceivably the Saints could afford to keep all of their restricted free agents, or hammer out long term deals with all of them. Furthermore, the Saints could chose to use one of the offensive lineman in a potential trade.
We don’t yet know when free agency will start. The NFL and the Players Union are still in negotiations.
Well Who Dat Nation, we have arrived in South Florida, and the town is a buzz.
Despite some rain, the weather is awesome! I gotta tell you I felt like a kid all over again stepping off the plain yesterday and realizing that the team that I rooted for as a youngster is truly playing in the Super Bowl.
All week I’ve been wondering if this was some cruel joke or a dream, but it’s real. We are living the Who Dat dream.
It’s truly amazing. I, like you, have shed tears over this team. I had my heart broken, and enjoyed some great memories. However, the memories we are about to create over the next week will last us a lifetime.
I can’t believe that in my first year covering this team as the Saints sideline reporter, I am at the Super Bowl with the Black and Gold.
I grew up watching Bobby Hebert quarterback the Saints to their first play off game, he was my idol as a kid. Now I’m spending a week with him in South Florida covering my favorite team in the biggest game ever.
Are you kidding me?!?
I know that we all want the week to fly by and for game day to arrive, but I would argue the days can drag out for a while. This is an experience that will never come again.
I’ll keep you up to date throughout the week on the happenings from the Super Bowl, so check back often.
The fans wanted it, now it’s real. Deuce McAllister is back with the Black and Gold.
After rumors started swirling, WWL’s Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic broke the news that sources confirmed to him the Saints had signed the franchise’s all time leading rusher to the 53 man roster.
Sources also confirmed that Deuce is not going to play tomorrow, but will likely be an honorary captain against the Cardinals.
WWL NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says while it looks like Deuce may not play this weekend, he could play a role in the NFC Championship if the Saints advance.
“A ‘W’ this Saturday gives you a week for Deuce to kinda get himself back in football shape, and then you can get him ready for next Sunday’s game,” Detillier explained. “You’re bringing him in the hopes that you can win this week, and then you have a week with him working out with the team to help you out against either Dallas or Minnesota.”
Detillier says bringing Deuce in just for inspiration doesn’t make sense.
“You don’t need inspiration when you are in the divisional playoffs. What you need is good players to help you win.”
Get the camouflage and grenades out Who Dat Nation, it’s time to infiltrate enemy lines!
The Arizona Cardinals come to town this Saturday for the divisional playoff contest with the Saints. Make no mistake about it, to stop the Cardinals you have to rattle QB Kurt Warner.
“When he’s got time, he’s so smart and so accurate that there’s no way you can stop him,” the voice of the Cardinals Dave Pasche told me. Getting pressure on Warner is going to be the focal point for the Saints, but they can’t blitz him on every down.
WWL’s Bobby Hebert says, “You have to mix it up. If you constantly blitz him, they are gonna pick it up at some point and hit you for a big play. You have to play coverage and rely on your front four to generate enough pressure to get him uneasy in the pocket.”
Defenses have had limited success getting to Warner this season, sacking him just 26 times in the regular season. Pasche says if there is a weakness on the Card’s offense, it’s up front. “The offensive line is inconsistent, but if they protect Kurt Warner it’s gonna be hard to beat the Cardinals.”
Keeping number 13 upright will be paramount for Arizona. “If Warner is under duress, it’s gonna be hard for the Cardinals to win because he’s not the same quarterback,” Pasch said. What makes it so difficult to get to Warner? “The running game with Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower make it difficult to sack Warner, defenses can’t load up on the pass,” Pasch replied.
Arizona, averaged 93 yards on the ground in the regular season, but it was just enough to keep defenses honest.
What about the Cardinal defense? “They are underrated. They get pressure on the quarterback,” Hebert explains. Arizona sacked Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers 5 times last week and tallied 46 quarterback take downs during the season. They are solid at stopping the run at times, allowing 112 yards per contest in the regulars season. They held Green Bay to 90 yards in their win over the Packers in the wild card round.
“If you look at the stats, they might be deceiving. They are really good against the run. Darnell Docket (defensive lineman) and Karlos Dansby (linebacker) make a lot of plays in the running game” Hebert Said. Peeling another layer of the onion, the Cardinals weakest component on defense is susceptibility against the pass. During the regular season, Arizona allowed 233 yards on average though the air. Last week against the Packers, Rodgers sliced and diced for 403 yards. “Yeah, they couldn’t stop the Packers receivers last week, and the Saints have a better receiving corps than the Packers. The Packers ripped off chunks of yards, and got a number of pass interference calls, and illegal use of the hands last week,” Bobby added.
All in all it’s gonna come down to turnovers, as it does in the regular season. The Cardinals were minus 7 in the giveaway/takeaway ratio this season and plus 2 last week. “If the Saints are plus 1 or even, they win the game,” Herbert said.
Where can the Saints offense take advantage of the defense Bobby? “You can be that number 27 Michael Adams has a big bull’s-eye on his chest this week when Drew Brees drops back to pass.” Adams is the Cards’ nickel corner and dime corner. “When he’s on the field, Drew will go after him. I would. He’s clearly the weak link on that team. He struggled last week with pass interference calls and covering the receivers,” Hebert said with a wry smile.
Congrats! You’ve successfully completed your mission behind enemy lines. You will be rewarded for you efforts this Saturday at around 6pm with a Saints victory!
The defending NFC champions come to the Superdome Saturday to battle the number 1 seed New Orleans Saints.
The Cardinals have been down this road before. Last year they knocked off the number 1 seeded Carolina Panthers at their place, and catapulted themselves into the NFC championship game where they dispatched the Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona.
When you look at the Cardinals, you might see a familiar sight. “The Cardinals offensively are almost a mirror image of New Orleans in the way they throw the football down field,” explained WWL’s NFL analyst Mike Detillier. “They’ve got a solid running game too.”
The Cardinals made their surprising run to the Super Bowl last year with an opportunistic defense and explosive offense. Sound familiar? It does to me. That kind of describes the 2009 New Orleans Saints. Detillier says the advantage in the trenches goes to the Black and Gold. “I think the Saints are better up front along the offensive line, but I think there are a lot of similarities between the two clubs.”
The Cardinals have lost 5 of their last 6 road games, while the Saints have dropped two straight in the friendly confines of the Superdome. Cardinal running backs Tim Hightower and Chris “Beanie” Wells spearhead a resurgent rushing attack for Arizona. “They’ve run the football solid now, with that combo, I think the Saints have the advantage up front though” Detillier said.
You may look at the Cardinals allowing 45 points in the wild card round win over the Green Bay Packers and be licking your chops knowing that Drew Brees is capable of a similar output, but don’t be fooled. “Defensively they are an underrated football team, this is what got them to the championship game last year,” says Detillier. “They’re pretty stout against the run, but they’ve given up some yards in the passing game.”
Saints quarterback Drew Brees agrees with Detillier’s analyses of the Arizona defense. “They definitely have some guys on defense that can make some plays, they have a very good pass rush up-front. We’re gonna have to have a great plan, and I know we will,” Brees insisted. He added that starting fast will be paramount for the Saints on Saturday. “You want to be on the better end of the big plays in the passing game and the running game.”
Conventional wisdom might point to a shootout in the Dome Saturday. I don’t see it that way. I know Warner and the Cards offense just hung up 51 points one of the top defenses in the NFL (The Green Bay Packers). But, try this on for size. Kurt Warner is 9 and 3 in the post season. Pay close attention to the losses. Two of those three losses have come in the Superdome, one at the hands of the New Orleans Saints. Remember? “Hakim drops the ball, Hakim drops the ball!”
As hot as Warner can get, he can also be ice cold if you get pressure on him. “It’s gonna have to be a mix of coverage skills, dropping back and showing him some different looks. “Also getting pressure right in his face, right up the middle will be key,” explains Detillier.
No disrespect to the Cardinals and Kurt Warner, but they won’t get it done this week against the Saints. My prediction: New Orleans 38 Arizona 17.
The Saints have the best record in the NFC at 13 and 3, are the number 1 seed in the NFC play off race and will be playing at home! Despite all of that, some analysts say they may be an underdog in the divisional playoff game on Saturday, January 16th. Underdog? Yeah, that might be the case for the Saints as they enter the post season.
“We don’t accept that underdog role, but if that’s something that people want to put on us, that’s fine. That’s the nature of the game, but we’re confident we have a good team in here. We have the confidence we can go out there and put together a good product for the people of New Orleans,” said cornerback Jabari Greer.
Six weeks ago the Saints were the odd’s on favorite to win the Super Bowl, now the shine has kind of worn off the black and gold after stumbling to a three game losing streak to finish the regular season.
How can that be? How can the Saints be considered an underdog in the play offs? Look no further than their two game losing streak. I know they’ve lost their last three, but can you really count the “preseason-like” finale against the Panthers in week 17? The same analysts that were punching the ticket for a Black and Gold Super Bowl are now burning the Saints, even dispatching them as early as the divisional round. Those same analyst are citing the Saints inability to stop the run and the pass during their two game swoon.
Greer says the finish by the Saints hasn’t swayed the team’s confidence. “I think we’re confident in the team we have and our coaching staff. Anytime you can face adversity and bounce back the way we have.”
Of the 6 NFC play off teams, the Saints have the worst statistical defense. They are currently 25th in the NFL in yards allowed (357.8 yards per contest), 26th in passing yard allowed (235.6) and 21st against the run (122.2 yards per game).
You have to take into consideration that the Saints defense has missed several key starters for a large portion of the season. Linebacker Scott Shanle has missed two games with a concussion, linebacker Scott Fujita missed four games with a knee injury, defensive tackle Sedrik Ellis was out for three games as well. Safety Darren Sharper missed two games - including the season finale. Cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter also missed several weeks of action.
When the Saints were playing well on defense, the aforementioned players were healthy. ”You know injuries play a big role, but every team is dealing with injuries. That’s where not having the depth that you need is so important,” former Dome Patrol linebacker Pat Swilling points out.
Now it hasn’t been all bad for the Saints defense dealing with the injury bug. They are among the league leaders in forced turnovers and are plus 11 for the season in the turnover differential, and they’ve been solid in red zone defense.
“That’s a stat that a lot of fans don’t necessarily like, but that’s the truth, they’ve given up a lot of yards between the 20’s but inside the red zone the Saint defense has done a great job of keeping teams to field goals instead of touchdowns,” explained WWL’s Bobby Hebert.
With the bye week, the Saints should be completely healthy on offense and defense leading up to the divisional playoff contest on January 16th.
Saints linebacker Scott Shanle is ready, “I’m looking forward to getting everyone back, I mean it’s been a long time since we all stood in the huddle with the guys that played during the majority of the season.”
Another concern for Saints fans has been the lack of scoring power from the Saint offense. After lighting up the scoreboard for much of the season, the high octane Black and Gold posted just 17 points against Dallas and 17 points against Tampa in two losses. The Saints only scored 10 points against Carolina, albeit with mostly reserves playing in that game.
The defense has as much to do with the Saints offensive explosiveness as the offense does. “Anytime you’re turning the ball over and creating a short field, you know Drew is able to get the ball on the opposing team’s 45 going in. Then you’re able to turn that into points, but when your guys are hurt, that makes a big difference. Turnovers -or the lack there of- have been a huge difference in the last few weeks. The defense hasn’t been able to force that many over the last month of the season, and that makes a big difference in how effective the offense can be,” Swilling added.
Cornerback Jabari Greer made his return to the defense last week against Carolina after missing the previous 8 weeks. It may sound strange, but it’s interesting to see the difference in this defense when number 32 is on the field. WWL’s Bobby Hebert agrees, “Yeah, the scheme is so different both in the run and the pass. A healthy Greer and Porter allow Gregg Williams to employ more man to man coverage and get more people in the box to stop the run. Not to mention, Greer is the best cover corner on the team.”
Do teams actually attack the Saints defense differently when Jabari is in the game?
“Absolutely, you can see that. The weak spot is harder to find in the passing game. They try to go after the nickel or the linebacker, and the player that benefit’s the most from Greer being in there, is safety Darren Sharper. He can take more chances because he knows that Greer doesn’t need a lot of help.”
Listen Who Dat Nation, I know you might be concerned about the Saints heading into the post season. Rightfully so, however, they will be healthier during the post season than they were in the middle of the regular season. That will be a huge advantage. They’re confidence isn’t shaken by their stumbling finish.
“However, we gotta get it done. We’ll get it done. We have great confidence with the guys on our team. Everybody knows what they need to do,” Reggie Bush told me before taking some time off during the bye week.
Most of the Saints players will have had three weeks to get well rested and healthy before they play January 16th. They will have no excuses in the divisional round. Relax, I think you’re gonna see the Saints that you saw in week 6 and 7 - more than the Saints of week 15, 16, or 17. What’s the temperature in Miami right now?
