4.22.01

  The day after Deuce day and I have to make some comments. I don't want to….I have to! ;)

Day two of the draft is in progress as I write this and I am anxiously awaiting some more Mule and Haz magic.

As for our number one…I am not surprised. I am surprised Deuce dropped to us and being that he did, how can you pass on a complete RB like Deuce when he drops into your lap?? You can't…and Haz and Mule did the right thing by picking him and passing on Heap and Smoot. Ricky will just have learn to live with the competition…something he's never really had to do…… to deal with sharing the spotlight. And when you think about it, it may very well be exactly what the doctor ( or psychologist) ordered. This move will either get Ricky over the maturity hump or push him further into the dark introverted freaky funk he's been living in. Time will tell and I can't wait for the ride!

Adding the complete RB Duce to the current offensive is scary…I can't see anything but TDs. What an attack!!!!! I'm quivering with anticipation!!!!!! …what do you do as a defense to defend this attack??? …….Who do you key on???? Ricky ??? Duce???? Blake/Brooks???? Horn???? Cam??? Connell???? The possibilities are endless and the potency…. frightening!

The keys to it all hinge on… ALWAYS NUMBER ONE….. players must remain healthy for the most part.

But the really big question: How will Ricky deal with Duce's selection, the message it sends and the repetitive media interrogations…firing dumbass question after dumbass question in rapid succession?? That's what it will become… a vigil to see when and what pushes Ricky over the edge and stuff him…in a fetal position…in the bottom of Duces locker!

Hope it doesn't happen and I really …for Ricky's sake…hope he can deal with the added attention…like he needed that. I truly hope he rises to the challenge…shows some maturity and starts worrying less about Ricky and more about the TEAM!!!

Well, now that the draft is upon us….. Saintly action will increase. So I reckon I'll be updating reagular…mini-camps, training camp, preseason, SB run…..hhhhheeeeerrreeee I gooooo……sttarrrtingggg tooo qqqqquuiiirrrrrrrrvvvvvvvvvverrrrrr with antttiiccipationnnnnnn!

7.31.01

  Well...I lied. I said I'd be back soon and it's been months. Since the locust story didn't work last time I don't know what to say, other than it's summertime...vacation with the family, yard work and sloooooow Saints news.

I post a lot on theWhodatZone so I spew forth my opinion and insights daily( ....if you haven't been there you are missing the best source for Saintly news, info, discussion and facts)... RUN DO NOT WALK there!!! I'll keep my Saintly haven updated more frequently as Saints' camp and the season wear on.

Now onto the draft and other Saintly topics.

Duece...what was up wit dat?? It was shocker but I think it was more "taking the most talented" player than for sending Ricky a message. He'll add a great dimension the Saints offensive attack....whether it be out of the backfield with Ricky as FB or split out. Of course the numbskull needs to get his butt to camp and stop listening to his greedy agent...just play!

Sedrick Hodge...LB...GREAT PICKUP!! He should develop into a solid LB and will see some limited action this year. Kenny Smith...DT....GREAT PICKUP!! He too will develop into a solid player and will add much needed depth to the DL. Moran Norris ....FB....good pickup and has GREAT POTENTIAL!! He's a tough bruiser, like T. Smith and can run to boot. I look for him to play this year and have a special freshmen year. Onome Ojo.....OJO!!!! I LOVE THIS GUY!!! Everything I've read and heard tells me he has the heart, desire and talent to be a very special WR in the NFL for years to come. He WILL see action this year and will make the highlight films. Mitch White and Ennis Davis rounded out the draft and have potential and may make the developmental team. Overall I give the Saints a B= this year...the added needed depth and speed and I belive found several diamonds in the rough.

Well, training camp has started and all I can say is...IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!

I was dyin' over hear with little to no Saints news...well, that's not true, the off season was full of Saints news....news of a possible move! Sickening!!! All I'll say is if the politicians let the Saints get out of NOLA....they are stoopider then day look! The Saints bring in millions of dollars of revenue to the city AND state, no to mention the pride and prestige of being only one of 32 cities lucky enough to be in the elite "NFL Club". Can NOLA support an NFL team?? Sure!! But the damn local businesses will have to start, finally, to kick in some support. Given the number of hotels and restaurants in the area that benefit DIRECTLY from the Saints, couldn't they each buy a couple of dozen season tix to give of as a comp or perk?? I just don't understand the shortsightedness of the politicians...local and state. And Morial is a true idiotic egomaniac!!

But, no bother....the Saints will stay...even if Benson doesn't get the new stadium...which I believe is a no brainer...BUILD IT!! Let's see a new shiny stadium pumping in money to local businesses or a housing project with gunfire??? Heck they don't even have to build it on the St Thomas HP...just build it!

And what if the BlueRibbon committee says no to the new stadium and Benson says to heck with it??? I believe the Saints are sold to LOCAL BUYERS...Benson, OBVIOUSLY, want the Saints in the area and short of getting what he deems necessary, he said he would sell 'em. And if that's the case, they stay put.

Enough of this...I could right a book with my thoughts on the matter and if you added up all my posts from the WdZ...I already have.

The pointless-injury season....err...I mean the preseason gets started soon and I'm looking forward to seeing my Saints on the field...AND to get a gander at these new uniforms.

I won't stay away so long next time as the action is picking up in camp and I'll have lots to say. I'm so far behind that it took this installment just to get to training camp battles and highlights. The battle at QB comes to mind and my thoughts on that have come full circle. Blake or Brooks...Brooks or Blake...all I know is this TEAM won't make as big a deal out of it as the media already has. I pray, no matter what Haz's decision, the media and large group of over reactionary fans can give it time!

8.16.01

  Man...am I the only one tired of waiting for the action to start...for real?? And just like anything else...as soon as it gets it will be over before you know it.....and then another off season....EGADS!!

Well, the first preseason game was less than spectacular. Many were expecting revenge for the playoff loss. But alas the outcome was the same and some of the plays looked the same.....a long TD to Moss...no room to run for the Saints and Daunte running anywhere he pleased. But it's only preseason and I don't put any importance on a first preseason win.

Both #1 lines looked pretty sad...the Dline put no pressure on Daunte and when they did...he scrambled for BIG yardage! The Oline gave Brooks some time to throw but sadly no lanes to run. This is an awesome Oline but they do seem to have problems run blocking.

Brooks looked awesome...how can a perfect 10 for 10 not. He will be ....and is the starting QB!! No doubt. Poor Blake was given the second string line to block the first string Vikings line and it wasn't pretty.

Deuce looked like he was nervous ...fumbling numerous times. He looked sad. He's paying the price of his holdout. He wasn't a fumbler in college so I look for that to be a temporary problem.

Boo Williams looked great!! Versus the 2nd/3rd stringers he gained over 100 yards ...watch out Wheatley. Mitchell better get over his nick and go out there and show his stuff. Cam got back to practice today and I pray he cane remain healthy...but Boo's performance was encouraging. I feel better we won't be without a RECEIVING TE if Cam can't go.

Oh no...it's OJO!!! He caught his first TD..and not his last! I like this guy and with Connell nursing that hammy, OJO will see time and will make some waves.

Terrell Smith got out there and made some hits...glad to see it...I LOVE HIS HEART!!! Hope his back can withstand the punishment he puts it through!!

Now on to the lowly and rapidly sinking Cowpies...poor Dallas...NOT!!!

It's preseason and all I want is to look at the players and get out without any....hmmmmm...without any I-words. Here's to a good over-hyped scrimmage.

Oh yeah...Ackerman took his cut, good!! We need the depth!! Love the depth!!

09.07.01

  WoooWhooooo....it all counts for here on out. Will we live to regret this?? Will Saints teams of years gone by rear their ugly heads??? Geeezzz....what do ya think...this ain't your Dad's Saints...this is the New New Orleans Saints!!

We have a chance to do something no other team has ever done in the history of the NFL.... play (and WIN) the Super Bowl at their homefield. Is this lofty goal obtainable? DAMN STRAIGHT!!!

The way I see it the Saints will at worst finish 12-4.

Crazy?

Yep.... crazy 'bout dem Saints!!

With the team healthy working in their second season under the Haz/Mule/Zook system anything is possible. Keys are NO INJURIES!! Of course that is the case for every team every year but the 2001 Saints is a talented team. If anything they maybe be alittle weak in the secondary.... but the D as a whole will handle the best Os in the league.

If you've been around here since I started in '99, then you know...I WILL NEVER PICK THE SAINTS TO LOSE! That was hard in Ditka's final year but hey I'm a crazy fan.

This year will be no different except that they *could* concievably pull it off. Trust me! But I'll go 12-4 just to keep the guys at the sanitarium off my scent.

So let's rock!!!

Well this should be a W. It's the first game...a little rust...a few mental errors but guess what, the Saints are the better team on both sides of the ball....PERIOD!

The bills have an Oline with 3 new players..and this doesn't bode well for their QB, Rob Johnson. He already leads the league with a sack every 6.6 pass attempts....OUCH!! And the newly pieced together bills Oline is facing a seasoned sack leading Saints Dline. Saints get 6 sacks ...with CONSTANT pressure on the wary RJ. Moulds is dangerous and may sneak in for a TD but to no avail. The bills have very promising RB in Travis Henry but the rook is in for a rude intro into the REAL NFL season...the bills Oline is their weakest link...g'bye!!

The bills do have a D and they are implementing the dangerous 46 D. They are hoping to pressure and confuse the Brooks....sophomore season, youth....blah, blah blah....did they SEE Brooks last year?? His inaugural game was IN St. Louis vs the Rams...W...then he faced the whiners IN SF....W.

Brooks may make a mistake but the things he makes happen will FAR outweigh any mistake he makes. He's got a healthy Ricky, Terrell Smith, and Cam. Horn has Co in Connell and Jackson is picking up where he left off in the win vs the lambs in the Dome. Now through in Deuce and speedster Beerman Lewis returning kicks and shortening the field...my god it's gonna be a sweet beginning.

Ricky runs for a TD.... Lewis returns one all the way for a TD and HELLO!! My boy OJO catches one in the back of the end zone...a dangerous rookie WR in the Red zone...MARK MY WORDS....oh and Carney adds two FGs!

Saints WIN!!!

Saints 27  
bills 10

  09.26.01

I neglected my recap of the Bills game: with the cancelled week of football and still reeling from the 9.11.01 attacks…the trivial and insignificance of all this was obvious. But to get back to normalcy I'm back and I've got my Cruel Shoes on.

The Saints sucked the first half in Buffalo…..well the O sucked…the D was strong for the duration. Did you expect them not to be? Holding the Bills to 6 points…all in the first half and making several stands in the red zone….I LOVE this D!!! The Beerman injured his ankle early and missed most of the game. Sammy Knight single handedly lit a fire under the lethargic O by handing them three gifts. Three ints in week one! Sammy is on track and if it continues as expected he's Honolulu bound! JJ picked up where he left off last year racking up 3 sacks…you go old man! ;)

If the catalyst for the O turn around isn't attributable to Sammy then it most certainly was Connell's spectacular TD catch that kicked it into gear…what concentration…what balance!

OMG!!!! Cam caught a pass…AND he got up all by himself afterwards!!!! I like most have been disappointed by Cam's lack of time on the field due to injury so excuse me if I'm a little skeptical about his resiliency. It is apparent his role in the O is key and if he can stay on the field the Saints O is gonna light up the NFL…he's a HUGE threat in the seam and in the redzone! Keep it up Cam!!

Ricky got off to a slow start…extremely slow start. But come the second half, his superior conditioning as well as that of the Oline was apparent as he rumbled for 93 yds and scored on a 19yd catch. He ran well in the second half and I can't wait to see him get his 1800+ yds this year!

  09.26.01

  Well...what can I say. The excitement of the Bills win and anticipation of kicking the whiners' collective ass was quickly replaced with shock, anger, grief, rage, patriotism, uncertainty, rage…….

God Bless the souls lost in the hijacked planes, WTC, Pentagon, Firemen, Police, Rescue Crews, and AMERICA! They want a jihad? Then they will see what the USA is made of. They thought that their terrorist attacks would send us running in fear but they will feel the wrath of the USA…united in resolve to bring their reign of terror to a conclusion. Be careful what you ask for bin Laden…cause you will surely get it! FOAD

Ok… now on to the Saints.

New York, New York….God Bless you!
But this is football and the Saints are coming to town to kick NFC ass!

The giants have a solid D…much like the Saints. The offense is able but the Saints are bringing their blossoming offense…loaded with a plethora of weapons. Too much for the giants to handle.

Early the emotions will be high….the first home game after the 9.11 attacks. The game will be tight with the giants even leading. But similar to the Bills game the Saints conditioning, superior depth and talent on BOTH sides of the ball will extinguish the emotional surge fueling the giants competitive fires. Brooks will get his groove and throw for 245 yds and two TDs…one to Horn and one to …..you guessed it OJO!!! Ricky will run in one on his way to racking up 122 yds rushing 56 yds rec. And I would be remiss if I neglected the D…I LOVE our D!!

Why??

Cause I love a hard hitting snot knocking never give up D and we got one….one of the best in the NFL!! I see Collins being harassed relentlessly Sunday (5 sacks!!) and I think we all know if you rattle Collins he gets antsy, makes poor decisions and BAM….. INTS!!!! Sammy gets one, Jay gets one and Thomas takes one the distance for a TD!!

The Beerman should be back to 100% this week …thanks to the 21 day break. He should rack up the yards and ….BAM scores on a punt ….79yds!!

SAINTS WIN!!!

Saints 35
giants 13

  10.06.01

Man what a horrible game! Ugly is as ugly does. Many blame the refs....some blame Turley....some blame McCarthy...some blame Brooks.

I give credit to the giants and cast a dissaproving glare towards the rest.

I yelled at the screen numerous times...Brooks holding onto the ball too long....or completely ignoring a wide open Ricky in the flat...and like you too observed...he'd force the ball in or just plain throw a terrible ball.

I pray it is rust! I pray it is growing pains.

What the heck happened to this offensive powerhouse we kept hearing about during training camp? Everyone "looked" so crisp and sharp....we just knew the Saints would score a TD on every possession. Ricky 100+ yds rushing every game ...another 50+ in rec. Brooks tearing up the league with smart bombs to Horn and Connell. Cam living up to his potential...oh and Deuce lined up with Ricky ....confusing opposing Ds thereby making the Saints O a formidable weapon.

Rust?

Come on....what is training camp for? Indy (save this past week) hasn't looked too rusty...neither has Denver or a slew of others. Granted the 21 day layoff didn't help but it sure as heck shouldn't have TOTALLY disabled the O....an O that was already "slow starting" in the opener. Training camp, preseason games, practice....COME ON GUYS!!! A slow start is inexcusable, imo, these guys should be marching up and down, to and fro, hither and thither.......

I know the Giants have an awesome D, I know about the layoff, I know this..., I know that...., I know Brooks is still coming into his own, I know all the realities (real and imagined ;) )........

but you *do* know what I'm talking about....y'all feel the same ...come on admit it! :p

I want POINTS!!! I want TDs!!!

The onsides kick was pure Haz and he would be heralded a genius had it worked...in hindsight...terrible move....but had the play been executed correctly it would have easily worked....BAM!! I liked it!!

The officiating???? Well they were active but many of the calls were justified. Turley killed the Saints with his hot head and stupid play....I love the man....awesome ...but stoopid stoopid penalties...his first killing a sure drive....at least 3 on the first series!! Different game if we score first!!! Some of the flags were flagrant bad calls and Haz will have a lot to say....oh yeah, replaying a spot?!?!?!! Gimme a fuggin break!! I know it's part of the replay but no how no way it should be.

Horn's comments were a bit extreme "Having to beat the refs and giants.." and the giants penalty yds were close to the Saints. The refs calls effected the game by not allowing the Saints to get into sync.

A couple BIG plays by the giants were the difference in the game. After all after all was said and done….the Saints had a shot at forcing OT at the end. Watch the tape, learn, practice and get ready to kick the vikes' ass (don't take me literal on that Kyle!!!).

  10.06.01

I'm off to do some scout camping so I'll make this short and sweet.

The Saints have a huge purple monkey on their back and this week we get rid of the grape ape. The Saints have got to come out hot...no time to waste.

The vikes have some small poor tacklers in the secondary...let's see if we can get Ricky back there with some passes in the flat. Ricky should be able to put up some good numbers rushing as well...the vikes DLine ain't what it use to be. Let's use the run to open the pass....K?

The vikes are a potent offensive team and the Saints must not let moss, carter and daunte play pitch and catch. The vikes no longer have the running game they had last year...so we should be able to double up on the WRs and the front 4 should be able to handle the run. The Saints can not let daunte sit and the pocket...so pressure is a must!!

The vikes special teams are anything but and Lewis will have a career day!!

Ricky finally gets that 100+ yds game... 178yds rushing and 83 yds recieving...two TDs. Brooks settles in early ...throws for 302yds and two TDs...one to Jackson and one to Horn. Lewis gets a TD on a punt return.

SAINTS WIN!!!

Saints 35
vikes 17

  10.12.01

What a raucous crowd at the Dome....woooowhoooooo!

The Saints set the tone early with a sack on the vikings first play. The Saints did an excellent job ALL DAY of containing Daunte. Unfortunately, Moss and Carter got open a few times....Moss got a TD... Carter FUMBLED!! ;) That was a HUGE play and in conjunction with the strip of Daunte returned for a TD by Oldham....man it was sweet to see the powerful viking O being stymied and beat up by the Saints!

Trouble in the redzone for the Saints....COME ON MAN!!! Penalties and poor execution resulted in Carney hitting five FGs...should have been at least 3 TDs and two FGs. But oh well...I love complaining about a win. ;)

Ricky ran well in the second half...once again the Saints OLine and Ricky...and T Rex... pound the opposing D into submission.

Gotta love 'dem lines!! Unfortunately, JJ hurt his tricep and will have to sit out next week but the Saints will make due just fine. For a team that had NO DEPTH last year, they sure are deep. Amazing what a great GM/Coach tandem can do for ya.

  10.12.01

The Saints are looking to string together two wins. And the panthers are the unwilling contributors.

The Saints D is DOMINATING....oh sure, they gave up some passes last week, but that was the Vikings, this is the panthers. Weinke's learning curve just grew exponentially...the Saints are gonna confuse him and pound him...OUCH! Weinke's looked good but has made some poor decisions as well and the Saints D will facilitate his confused progress. He's hit some of the tall panther WRs but not enough to help.

JJ get a tricep strain last week and will have to sit out this week....DAMN!!! He's on track to a record year for sacks. But these guys are more about the TEAM and what it takes to win!! Howard will slide over to JJ's spot and Willie Whitehead will step in for him on the left end. Watch out for Willie!!

I see 6 sacks on the day for the D and three picks!! Man o man I love DEFENSE!!

Ricky should have another field day....only this week the holes will open sooner. Brooks will settle in and the O will get on track...EARLY. No record day for Carney this Sunday!

I look for plenty of yardage to go around...Ricky out of the back field, Ricky between the tackles, Cam...that's right, CAM over the middle. Horn, Jackson and Connell will all get their share of balls.

The Beerman gets to the endzone this week...write it down!

Ricky gets 173yds rushing and 38 yds receiving...one TD. Brooks settles in early ...throws for 358yds and two TDs...one to Horn and one to Cam. Lewis gets a TD on a punt return. Carney has a slow day...only three FGs!

SAINTS WIN!!!

Saints 37
panthers 10

  10.20.01

That was close!! A game that was looking like a blow out quickly became a close battle. Fumbles opened the lead up for the Saints...they quickly jumped out to a 17-0 lead off of panther turnovers. However with Brooks struggling to beat the constant heat and the Beerman putting the ball on the turf inside the Saints 20, the game in the fourth was close...the Saints clinging to a lead. Then BAM!! ST breakdown....the panthers return a punt for a TD and the Saints trail them with under 2 minutes.

UNBELIEVABLE!!

The game looked well in hand early. But the panthers blitzed Brooks into a state of dicombobulated funk....he had balls batted down, he threw the ball into the ground at potential receivers feet, he over threw, he was confused and it showed. For the Saints to go as far as we all hope....Brooks MUST get his head together....and play like he did on the final drive of the game. He drove the team down for a TD with 1:48 on the clock and NO timeouts (of course Brooks is the reason for that...gotta STOP that AB)!!

Granted the panthers foolishly eased up on the blitz packages but Brooks looked sharp ....hitting Jackson for a first on a crucial 4th and 10....he scrambled for a first AND out of bounds to stop the clock (he MUST roll and scramble more...that's the type of QB he is...PERIOD!!). Then after a few prerequisite flags and what not...Saints have the ball on the 1 with 1 second remaining. I told Dina and Marc who were watching with as much anticipation and anxiety as two people can stand that in this situation....RUN RICKY!!

Run Ricky Run....was the chant as Brooks pitched the ball.....man that had to be one of the most exciting and stressful Saints games in recent memory...and one that should have been a rout by the Saints.

Arron will find his groove...he will improve his performance. It's just taking a little longer than this die hard rose colored glasses wearing fan imagined.... no bother however...yet cause 3-1 is 3-1!

10.20.01

The Saints play the hated falcons in the Dome on Sunday...and that only means one thing to the falcons...BAD NEWS!!

The Saints are ranked 4th in overall D thus far and this game will only improve that.....the falcons will find it impossible to maintain anything resembling a pocket for Chandler...he will be hit often....I look for 7 sacks in all...5 on Chandler...then 2 on Vick who comes in for a the battered Chandler in the third. Heat on the QB and blitzes on a rook like Vick...look for 4 ints!!!

JJ didn't rest his tricep last Sunday....he really needs to take this SUnday off...it is more important he be 100% vs the lambs than 70% this week and next. Whitehead, LaRoi, Hand and Howard will do fine....trust me JJ...sit it!

So out of those four ints one will be taken back for a TD by Clemons.

The falcons are ranked dead last in defense....hehehe! They have no rush to compliment there two fine corners so look for some pick and catch. This *should be* Aaron's coming out party.. 297 yds passing with 3 TDs. Cam came up with 2 TDs last week...he will get another this week ...as well as Horn and Connell. Horn should break the century mark in receiving yards...no problem!!

Ricky has been running like an animal...he's one tough SOB. Look for him to continue to punish the NFL. Ricky gets 159yds rushing and 38 yds receiving...2 TDs.

The hated falcons will try in vain to stay with the Saints...2 FGs, a TD and a missed 2 point conversion will be all they can muster...and I'm being generous!

SAINTS WIN!!!

Saints 38
falcons 12

10.22.01

Ugly!! Pathetic!! Discouraging!!

Just a few of my initial thoughts about the Saints performance against the falcons. That was a game the Saints must win if they hope to make the post season. You MUST defeat lesser opponents!!

The O continues to struggle and the rest of the NFL knows just how to help to continue that trend. Blitz Brooks!! He is not making his decisions fast enough, he can't make his reads properly when the heat is on and that's not a good thing.

Is part of the problem McCarthy's play calling?? Sure, Brooks needs to roll and scramble more and McCarthy's coaching him otherwise but I believe that the source of the problem is Brooks. He's still learning and he's not picking it up fast enough..PERIOD! He's got more to learn and I say let him learn it from the BENCH!! The falcons are the last in the NFL vs the pass... number 31. And they were able to stop Brooks.... turning him into a babbling Brooks with stunts and blitzes. The line will not be able to pick up every blitz so it is up to the QB to read the blitz and make the D pay for it by hitting the man in single coverage....by swinging the ball out to the safety valve....by moving up into the pocket or rolling out. Brooks is to confused to make any decision let alone the correct one.

The Saints are 3-2 with the lambs up next. The way the O has performed lately ....3-3 is a very likely. In addition the Saints D has been porous vs the run and is always good for giving up a couple of long passes. That doesn't bode well considering the lambs, whiners and dolts loom in the near future.

After witnessing yesterday's performance I am more than disappointed in the Saints thus far....maybe it's a case of playing to the level of your competition....maybe it's over coaching of the QB...maybe it's scaling down the O for the QB..... It's more than anyone thing but whatever combination of things it is....IT MUST STOP NOW!!! The Saints are not playing like a team destined for the SuperBowl, let alone a playoff spot.

So RUN!!! ...do not walk Brooks to the bench and bring on Blake!

10.23.01

Ok....I'm better now. I was just PO'd and frustrated and unfortunately manifested my disgust for the TEAM'S performance into calling for Brooks' benching.

He doesn't have to RUN to the bench (as long as he doesn't crash and burn ;) ....

but the TEAM better learn to play to their strengths, adjust, play it one game at a time and PUT SOME POINTS ON THE BOARD!!!

10.28.01

After the performance last week...heck, the performance of the O the last few games how can the Saints possibly put up enough points to beat the wittle wambs? They will have to step up BIG TIME!!

The loss last week brought back the old feelings....reminiscent of bad days gone by....like the Saints can't do anything right and will self destruct. BUT THIS IS NOT THE SAME OLD SAINTS!!!! It'll sink in eventually!

Roaf is out so maybe they let Brooks play more on the move....rolling out, moving pockets. Maybe McCarthy opens up the play book a little.

Last year was a pleasant surprise...the wins came through blood, sweet and tears. Coming into this season, expectations were high.....the wins were just suppose to come. The lambs were gonna be our only opposition in the West. Teams would crumble before the mighty all potent O...the D would squish opposing teams.

Maybe the Saints believed this as well. Here's a quote from Brooks that leads me to this conclusion:

"We know we're a good team on the road," he said. "We just have to play Saints' football. No matter what the predicament is, we have to play like that. It's going to be a great game -- a highly-anticipated, long-awaited game."

......highly anticipated and long-awaited...hmmmmmmmm, sounds like looking ahead to me, but maybe I'm wrong.

I'm thinking the loss last week to the falcons came at a good time. Truly a wake up call!!

"Hello?!?! Anybody there??"

Haz will have this team fired up....like they're gonna need inspiration.

If the Saints can move the ball well....in other words if the freaking O gets their collective shit together ..... the Saints will win.

So let the game begin!!!

The Saints MUST knock the snot out of two people.... Warner and the lambs RB! They "say" Faulk is out...so let's knock the dung outta Trung!!

Run Ricky....use the pass to open the run!! Hit some quick slants!! Throw a couple long and EARLY to a streaking Horn or Connell or OJO (if he's active) or McGarity!! Cam over the middle!!! Activate Boo and let's open this O up and see what it can do!!

SAINTS WIN!!!

Saints 33
wittle wambs 28

  11.3.01

Man oh man...3 outta of 4 ain't bad! Does Haz have Martz's number or what?

The game started off miserably with the lambs going up by 14 four minutes into the game. And at half where down 24 - 6. It looked bleak and I was expecting a long day filled with disappointment and disgust. But .....SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE!! It was the lambs and their fans that had their fill!

HEHEHE!

The Saints came out in the second half on fire....pissed off! A half time speech by Turley (as well as Haz) had the Saints playing for pride.

They came out the second half and started with a TD! Brooks hit Horn who ducked under two defenders and raced in for the score! Kickoff...Knight picks off Warner ...something they are both getting use to! Saints get a FG. Kickoff....FUMBLE!! Brooks hit Horn for his second TD!!

On Howard's int, as he returned it, he opted to lay the wood to Warner rather then gain another ten yds...heck he may have scored. I'll give Warner credit...he got up but he was never the same.... he had gone to bright-light land. The hard hitting Saints had the lambs jumping at their shadows....WRs dropping balls, short arming catches...it happens EVERY TIME the Saints play them....just between you and me, the speedy lambs WRs are whimps....guess that's why they're so fast...RUN AWAY....RUN AWAY!!!!

Hey man this is a game now..Saints 31 lambs 24......

NEVER...I mean NEVER count the Saints out. They always *know* they can win any game... Haz knows it, McCaerthy knows it, Brooks knows it, Turley knows it, Horn, Howard, LaRoi, Jackson ......they all "know" they can win every game if they play smart error-free football for 60 minutes. Never give up!!!!

Brooks threw three TDs: two to Horn (46 and 6 yds) and one to Jackson (49 yds). Carney hits a few FGs ...the Saints scored 25 points in the 3rd quarter the lambs ZERO. Never have Saints fans witnessed such a spectacular come back.

The 4th quarter saw the lambs tie it at 31 ...only to lose on a Carney FG with :13 seconds left. The Saints were set to kick it with 1:55....too much time to give the lambs and remain calm. But an offsides gave the Saints a FIRST down which enabled them to run the clock down.

UNBELIEVABLE GAME!!!!!

The bad I saw was the Saints' continued inability to score TDs in the red zone...again Carney hits FIVE FGs in a game. Convert a few of those into TDs and the Saints blow their opponent away...EVERYTIME! They *must* fix this. And they will!! When they do...WATCH OUT NFL...THERE'S A NEW "GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH"!!!

WOOOOOWHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Saints kick the lambs in the nads!!!!

Of course the lambs whined as usually and continued blaming themselves for losing to the Saints instead of just admitting the better team won...ADMIT IT!!! If a TEAM beats your group 3 out of 4 times...hmmmmmmm...sounds like the better team is the Saints (regardless of what happened in 2000)!!

  11.04.01

This should be a game that the Saints can run wild but by no means should they STOP passing.

The jets are dead last at defending the run...and that means Ricky should be able to rack up HUGE numbers! With Ricky running for large hunks of land, Brooks will be able to continue what he started last week. AB needs to keep his rolling, running and passing ways....the Saints should be able to control the clock and put up lots of points (I'm being conservative in my prediction.

The jets aren't 4-3 for no reason...the ONLY reason is Curtis Martin! He's the leading risher in the NFL right now. The jets have a great Oline opening holes but will they be able to protect interception prone Vinny?? No way!! Hehehe....

Look for Sammy to get a pick as well as Mathis.....with 5 sacks the jets will be lucky to put up any points.

Ricky gets 197 yds rushing with 2 TDs, Brooks throws for 278 yds and 2 TDs, Horn breaks the century mark and Deuce..that's right Deuce gets a TD on a swing pass.

SAINTS WIN!!!

Saints 31
jets 17

  11.5.01

Terrible! Ugly!! Dumb and dumber!!!

Brooks is back to his old ways. Poor decisions and poor throws...fumbled snap??? FUMBLED SNAP?? How many times have we seen that?? TWO INTS in the red zone!!!! ARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! That's at least six points right there!!! Over throwing ....under throwing.....Brooks doesn't seem to be able to put ANY touch on the ball. He can't make a quick decision...he's too tentative. He's not playing smart football. Brooks' growing pains are killing the Saints....that in conjunction with poor offensive game plans by McCarthy. I called for his benching after the falcons game and then backed off. Another showing like the one vs the jets and Haz MUST sit him to salvage the season....cause the Saints will NOT win with Brooks playing like he did last night....PERIOD!

Brooks rolling, the moving pocket, and scrambling worked like a charm last week...why oh why change that? God knows the OLine is not living up to expectations and tend to do better blocking on the move then firing off the line. Six sacks and no running lanes, guess we do have the most over rated OLine in the NFL!! The Jets have(had) the worst run defense and the Saints run...what...20 times? Granted the holes weren't there early but keep pounding Ricky in there...God knows Brooks ain't gonna pass us to victory on a regular basis.

And what is up with Horn?? He talks the talk but sure as shit ain't walkin' the walk. His play to date has left much to be desired...dropped passes and a fumble. Come on!!!

So, due to an OUTSTANDING defensive performance, the Saints had a shot to tie it with under two minutes. The Saints can move the ball in the two minute drill...I'll give 'em that! Maybe we need to run the no huddle and simulate the two minute drill throughout. The D is presently the only strength of this team. The Saints drove to the 5 yard line on a Brooks runs. The Jets' Robinson tackles him grabbing his face mask and tried to get Blake to do a Linda Blair Exorcist thing with his head...Turley would have none of that....and proceeded to kick his ass...yanked *his* helmet off and tossed it 30 yds across the field. Nice job protecting the QB....STUPID move throwing the helmet. Saints get an unsportsman like 15 yard penalty and Turley gets the boot. So it's 1st and 17 from the 20 instead of 1st and goal from the 2. The Saints probably could have pounded it in from the 2...but we'll never know. Brooks sure couldn't get it in from the 20!

I LOVE Turley's fire and toughness...but he MUST learn to control it. He fires the team up ...like last week, but he'll also piss off the D when his lack of discipline negates the D's stellar performance....holding the Jets on downs...stopping them on three plays for NO GAIN!

The Saints lose the games they should win and that ain't good. So now at 4-3 the Saints are in 3rd behind the whiners...and now must travel to whinerville to try and stop the whiners potent offensive....stop their own downward spiral and .....PUT SOME POINTS ON THE BOARD!!!! Haz is gonna have to make a move at QB if Brooks can't get things going CONSISTENTLY!!!

  11.11.01

Well better late then never....I'm listening to the anthem as I write this.

;)

Kinda hard to get over confident after last week....but the Saints play well on the road and with their backs against the wall...and that it is.

This is a MUST win...and win it they will.

Brooks and the OLine step it up....the D plays as good as ever...Ricky runs wild!

Saints WIN!!!!

Saints 33
whiners 27

  11.12.01

So close and yet.......

OUCH...that loss hurt! The Saints battled back but came up short. Some crucial dropped passes and uncharacteristically horrendous tackling by the D....BAM Saints can't over come. A late swing pass in the waning minutes of the first half turned into a 63 yard run by Barlow....TERRIBLE TACKLING!!! The whiners go up 21-11 at the half.

Early it looked like it was gonna get really ugly but the Saints hung tough and fought back to take the lead in the fourth. The D stepped it up and started pressuring Garcia more and the Saints were immediately tackling the whiner WRs after the catch. The Saints held the whiners scoreless long enough to take the lead 27-21 on some strong running by Ricky and great catches (and runs for yards after catch) by Jackson. Horn caught two TDs (one in the first half) on beautifully thrown balls by Brooks.

However after a Ricky fumble the whiners scored quickly and took the lead. Ricky lost the handle fighting for more yardage and I love to see his "never give up" attitude.

No problem Ricky shit happens....we'll get 'em next time.

The Saints get the ball and drive to score.... having to settle for a FG when Ricky missed a ball thrown behind him but that *did* hit him in the hands....GOTTA CATCH THOSE!! It would have been a spectacular catch but instead it was a tough miss....

oh well, shit happens....we'll get 'em next time.

No problem though...there is over 7 minutes left...surely the Saints' D will hold ant we get the ball back...drive down....score and WIN!!!

But alas it was not to be for on this afternoon in whinerville, in the closing minutes of the game, the Saints D forgot how to tackle....over pursuit was the norm....and Hearst helps the whiners kill the clock!!

Oh well, shit happens....we'll get 'em next time!!

4-4 is a tough place to be but most definitely NOT the end of the world or the season!!!

As pointed out by DougB from the WdZ Saints forum....the Ravens started 5-4 last year...and the Chargers 0-4 in '92...the year they won the AFC West. The Saints could win the rest... or go 6-2....they are that good...any team can beat any other in this parity filled NFL...

but they could also go 2-6...they have played that poorly at times.

The Saints can climb outta this hole but they gotta get there A game going on...they gotta play their best on both sides of the ball. .500 at the midway point isn't where I imagined they would be but with some solid play and tough hitting, running and blocking...the Saints *can* make a run at the playoffs.....

....as Kurt Russell said in Used Cars: "Trust me!"

It ain't over 'til it's over!!

  11.17.01

Before I give my brief preview lemme tell you about a heck of a game I witnessed last night. The LSU Tigers were playing in the Championship....not the ones in BR, but the ones from Mike Miley Playground...Marc's team. It was one of the most exciting games I've witnessed at any level. Unfortunately, the Tigers came up short against the undefeated Wildcats but it was a hard fought battle won after three...that's THREE....overtimes!! 42-39....great jobs guys!!!

On to the Saints!!!

I'll sound like a broken record here...but what's new...the Saints should win this game easy. The dolts defense is very suspect and with James out and Peyton calling the signals with a broken jaw....oh man, it oughta be a blow out...truly.

It all depends on what offense/defense shows up. Until last week I would have NEVER questioned which D was gonna be on the field. I really think that was a very temporary thing. The D will shine.

However, it is now or never for the O!!!

Brooks had better get his act together and become the QB we all hoped and dreamed he would be.....we envisioned a much earlier coming out party, but I believe if he can string together two good performances...the Saints will turn the corner and the second half of the season will be their ACMAE oyster on a half shell. UMMMMMMMMM!!!!!

The dolts have their star LB out...Ricky should run wild....150 yds, 1TD! Brooks will fine his groove with Horn....and FINALLY Connell....Jackson will be a rock as usual.....Brooks 269yds three TDS.

The D will return to form....pressuring Archie's son into 4 INTS ...one returned for a TD! 5 sacks.....it's the Saints welcome back party!!!

Sorry Jimbo...the Dome *still* Ain't your home!!!!

Saints WIN!!!!

Saints 34
dolts 13

  11.23.01

Thank goodness they make that announcement as you enter the Dome that no fire arms are allowed in....cause had I had my hight powered rifle with the scope, I want have capped a few referees!! What a terribly called game....again.

With that off my chest....WOOOOOWHOOOOOO! The Saints got a WIN @ HOME!!! This was a very enjoyable game...the Dome was fun. And the players showed it on the field, Ricky was dancing into the endzone, dispensing some serious pain in hard running and bone jarring blocks.

Brooks was near perfect, 19-22, and Boo had his coming out party catching two TDs. It's about time they just put a healthy catching TE in there and see what would come to pass....and guess what, it was TD passes.

The offense clicked on this Sunday in the Dome and in spite of an early breakdown, the D played a grade A game. Granted the dolts were a bit anemic with no James and Peyton sporting a fractured jaw. But Harrison was shut down and Peyton was less than effective after hitting on two early TDs.

The Saints won a game the had to win....heck, from her on out they're all must win!! Coming in at midseason 4-4, the Saints didn't make it easy on themselves but as shown last year, this team shines in the shadow of adversity and tough odds.

The rest of the season should be exciting no matter what the outcome.....onward and upward!!

  11.25.01

Twelve years and 1 day ago today the Saints played the lambs on Sunday night (11.26.89).....the Saints where leading, Flipper Anderson caught an NFL record 6000 yds in catches and the Saints ended up losing. I ember so clearly because it is my 12 year anniversary today...Happy Anniversary! ;D

Today the Saints travel to Foxboro to play a surprising tough pats team. They held there own vs the lambs last week...well they didn't get their doors blown off and that's kinda what I expected. Antowian Smith ran well for a little while...until the fumble and the patsies D looked good...they pressured Warner....Brady can hurt you throwing and running.

But the Saints are on a mission....the catch phrase after last weeks win was 1 down 7 to go. The Saints are of the mind set that the rest are "MUST WIN GAMES" and the way the NFC is shaping up, they're not far off.

The big questions in today's game are: Which AirRun Brooks will show? How will Terrell play in place of an ailing Roaf? Which tackling techniques will the D employ? Will we waiver from the 4 man rush...blitz more and get some hits on the QB? Was last week the beginning of Boo's effective and regular usage....IOW, are we gonna use a damn TE finally?

These are the questions that keep me up on pregame Saturday night...

The Saints have gotten off to slow starts in most if not all games...this week won't be any different except that it won't last....the Saints come alive *much* earlier. This week only falling behind 3-0 in the 1st before Brooks gets hot....Ricky's pounding pays dividends almost immediately.

The D will straighten the course this week...settling in for the home stretch...the race for the playoff wire. Howard will sack....LaRoi will hurry....Jay hit and Sammy will pick!

Saints WIN!!!!

Saints 41
patsies 12

  11.25.01

Ugly!

The Saints got their butts kicked and they weren't trying to hide it! They got out muscled on both lines and the tackling was horrible! This loss does not bode well for the Saints playoff hopes...they are fading....dying a slow and agonizing death.

Let me answer the big questions I had prior to the game:

Which AirRun Brooks will show? After getting rattled and confused early and often by the Patriots pass rush, blitzes and stunts, Brooks settled in and scrambled to loosen up the pass rush and finally hit some passes...too few too late.

How will Terrell play in place of an ailing Roaf? Big problems with Roaf out long term, not sure what the answer is but Terrell isn't living up to his end of the bargain. Couldn't they put in Ackerman in and slide someone out?? Not sure off the top of my head who on the line can play guard and tackle....maybe they need to stick Hall over their more to help out.

Which tackling techniques will the D employ? This one was the worse....if you can't stop the run...forget it! Absolutely horrendous and not at all typical of Saints Ds of late....%*(#@&!!!

Will we waiver from the 4 man rush...blitz more and get some hits on the QB? NO!! Not often enough...they opted to drop 7 into coverage. Allowing any QB 4-5 seconds to sit back and allow the WRs to work themselves open...GEEESH! Freddie was toasted a few times...need to string together more games like last week versus Harrison.

Was last week the beginning of Boo's effective and regular usage....IOW, are we gonna use a damn TE finally? He looked solid...had a drop of a ball that he maybe should have caught...but I'm pleased with his use in the O, his hands and Brooks awareness of him. Both Horn and Connell had spectacular catches...worthy of a mention.

The fumble that wasn't hurt big time but that's the kind of stuff you have to just overcome....game time intangibles, but CONSISTENTLY falling behind early is not and is too often the norm in 2001. And with the performance of the O thus far...that is tough. And now the D has played mediocre at best 2 out of the last 3 games.....well you know.

I'm confident my preseason prediction of 12-4 ain't gonna happen but let's keep my margin of error minimized, eh?

Here's to hope that the Saints can improve their consistency and execution ...ASAP!!!!

5-5 ain't dead but it's definitely sickening.

  12.02.01

Pessimistically Opimistic

I hope the right Saints team shows....

SAINTS WIN!!!
Saints 30
panthers 17

  12.06.01

Wow!! The Saints won one they were suppose to but it wasn't easy because the refs chipped in....AGAIN!!!

Phil Luckett....OMG what a numb skull. The refs had it in good for the Saints...missed calls, imaginary holds and pass interference against the wrong guys.

The Saints over came that and a couple of turnovers and a botched reverse that should have never been....Ugly win? I reckon.....but a win nonetheless and I'll gladly take it!!

The Saints are treading water in the playoff hunt...they've got a 10 pound stone in the pants but they are keeping their heads above water...so far. Play hard and smart *every* play....shake the cobwebs off the creative play calling cap and JUST DO IT!!!! Win out baby!!! ;)

Let me preface what I am going to say by acknowledging the Panthers' sub par defensive unit.......

Brooks had a great came... he really threaded the needle on more than a few and although he had a bad pass or two and a couple of poor decisions...he's coming along....better late than never....I guess. I can't say enough about Ricky....he's the heart of the O. Gimme a team of Rickys, Turleys, Horns, Sammys, Johnsons......man! Ricky's run after the catch on the last drive was HUGE!!! His play all day was inspiring. Horn was lighting them up as well.....does he have "deuceptive" speed or what? He's deadly on the quick slant.

The D played like we knew they could....pressure on the QB all day....forced turnovers. Hey D...Learn it, Love it, Live it!!!!

Well....on to the falcons in a crucial NFC game. The winner solidifies their place in the run for a wildcard spot...the loser is...well a loser.

The Saints control their own destiny.....and they know it......now we shall see what they do with that knowledge....

It's gonna be fun or a real bummer.....time will tell.....One Game @ A Time!!

  12.08.01

Well, here we are on the eve of anther game.....another must win. But that isn't likely to change for the remainder of the schedule. This game vs the falcons is crucial...the falcons are actually in the hunt for a wild card spot...who'd a thunk it. We must win all remaining NFC games to get to the playoffs...and wins verses fellow NFC West teams are twice as important (except maybe the Bucs game). That being the case I guess it's a good thing the remaining games are all NFC matchups and we still have three NFC West games.....gotta take it one game at a time but I'm betting reality has set in for the Saints....

play sub par, uninspired, or inconsistent ball and forget 2001.

At 6-5 the Saints are definitely in the playoffs if they win out! One loss and they can still get in.....two losses and it's very improbably.

Ricky has been picking up a head of steam week to week. He is the heart and soul of the O...he will deliver this week. Both lines for the Saints are bigger and better than the falcons. Ricky will find his lanes and will kill 'em as a receiver. I can actually see Deuce getting more involved since Ricky has been so effective and will, as usual, get all the attention. Brooks has settled down and has had three 300+ yds the last several weeks. Horn and Connell, that's right Connell, should find some open areas....granted the falcons have some top DBs and if the can handle Horn and Connell for awhile...then Jackson, Boo(did someone say Cam?) and Ricky's receiving will loosen up that man to man.

The D looked like them all selves last week....was it the KISS principle??? Maybe...all I know is that the pressure on the QB was sweet heat indeed and MUST CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR!!!! Hit 'em hard and hit 'em often...knock the snot out of the WRs and RB.....let's kick some ass!!

Hits on Chandler (no time to think = non-effective and his old body will not stand up to the abuse) and pressure on the inevitable replacement Vick ( contain the sprinter and confuse the rook = INTS!!)

SAINTS WIN!!!

Saints 33
falcons 10

  12.11.01

Unbelievable...the refs continue to suck...well maybe not so unbelievable. Luckily it didn't effect the outcome of the game.

Other than the refs....what a thoroughly enjoyable game....heck entire weekend.

How 'bout dem Tigers!!!!! 2001 SEC Champs!! On to the Sugar....
Geaux Tigers!!!

Well Ricky didn't have a banner day running...he ran a little, caught a little and blocked!! He sprung Deuce on Deuce's 1st NFL TD....a 54 yd run. He showed some speed on the run which I've waited to see from him all year. Oh sure he's been flashing that deuceptive look on kickoff returns but nothing like this. Good to see and wouldn't it be nice to see the Ricky-Deuce backfield blossom into a true double threat from both backs....and just in time for the playoffs....SWEET! Keep it up!

Brooks and Horn played pitch and catch...again. Keep it up guys...throw in a few to Jackson, Boo and Wilson...and what a well balanced attack...and just in time for the playoffs....SWEET!! Keep it up guys!!

The D rocked and rolled over the Falcons.....like I said in the preview, the Saints should own both lines and the D delivered. It's good to see the line wreaking havoc on a weekly basis....and just in time for the playoffs....SWEET!!! Keep laying the wood Sammy....smack 'em around Jay.

Looking forward to watching the Saints turn the corner in 2001....put it all together...week in, week out.....and just in time for the playoffs...SWEET!!!

Saints serving up mutton next......

  12.16.01

Well the procrastinating prognosticator has made it.... what game this is gonna be. The Saints have turned it up a notch. The O is scoring and the D...gotta love the D! But the lambs can not being taken lightly inspite of the fact the Saints have owned them of late.

If Brooks can hit the WRs, if Ricky can get some pounding brutal yds, if Brooks knows when to hold 'em and when to RUN!!!!, if we can hit Capt Kurt, contain Faulk, smack there WRs into timidity.... boy what a perfect game it would be.....

it's gonna be a battle...could go either way....BUT the Saints are playing for more....

SAINTS WIN!!!!

Saints 35
lambs 30

  12.21.01

Same old song and dance....penalties earned and imaginary, turnovers by Brooks in the redzone and not enough blitzes on the QB. Damn!! This game was very winable...very!!....even in the 3rd early 4th...but it wasn't to be. What the heck is up with the onsides kick...bad call. And as usual the NFL admitted that the Saints should have had to rekick instead of the lambs ball at the 41...typical.

Now a regular season playoff elimination game vs the bucs after a short week....gotta win it!!!

I also wanted to say how embarrassed and angry I was by the bottle throwing....totally uncalled for. If it hadn't just happened Sunday in Cleveland it would have never happened here. Arrest them all.

  12.21.01

Gotta do it....must happen....no excuses.....

JUST DO IT!!!!!

Saints WIN!!!!

Saints 30
bucs 13

  12.27.01

That was Ditka Ugly...and we all know how ugly that is!!

Pathetic, sickening and disheartening! Mickey Mouse tackles better than that. Goofy makes better decisions and Eeyore has more emotion.

The short of it, since I'm in no mood to write about the crap I witnessed, is:

You will never win if you can not tackle

You will never be able to stop the other team from running all over you if you can not tackle

Brooks has got to know when to hold 'em, when to throw 'em and when to RUN!!

We need a new OL coach

McCarthy needs to get his ass kicked into gear or hit the road

Sammy is the man and better be headed to the Pro Bowl...he never quit unlike most of the Saints that day.

Ricky is an animal! A true competitor and if I or anyone ever questions his heart and fire look to this game.....he never gave up!! Ricky deserves better blocking!!

7-7 sucks! 7-7 bites especially after such high preseason expectations but hey, the world is still spinning on its axis and life hasn't ended. Pick up, move on and win out....let's win out....even if we don't make the playoffs (highly unlikely and as of late undeserved) we can finish on a high and with a + .500 record.

  It's over!!

  1.05.02

Thank goodness I was out of town and in DisneyWorld for the Redskin game....more ugliness....more embarrassment. More turnovers, penalties, poor decisions, terrible takling, ......... EGADS!!!

I just got abck into town and wanted to update the page...but I'm busy and the Saints performance doesn't warrant me allocating any more time than this right now. I will get on my soapbox when some time frees up this week.

As for this week versus the whiners....playing for pride is an understatement! They way they've played the last twoweeks this maybe more ugliness.

But being the eternal pessimistic optimist....

SAINTS WIN!!!!
Saints 37
whiners 30