01.02.05

Well well well...the Saints finished strong. The D step it up, AB played well as usual (when the OLine gives him time), Deuce came back into form, Horn is the BEST, Donte is firming up his play, the secondary started covering...good job McKenzie, Brown, Craft. The young LBs stepped up...great play from rookie Bockwoldt! Watson and Will Smith stepped it up....good to see. I LOVE DEFENSE!!!

The playoffs were a pipe dream with the way the Saints started....but they were obtainable nonetheless with a W over the panthers and a Jets win. The Saints came thru with a GREAT effort...but alas the Jets couldn't help. Oh well...

But the late season improvements looked good and give some hope for a good year in 2005. It also saved Haz & Co's jobs.....ok, I guess I can live with it one more year....do or die Haz.....get it done in '05 or be gone. I will give Haz, the entire staff and especially the Saints players props on sticking together, playing up to par and kicking ass in the final quarter of the year. Next year guys...lets try to play all four quarters of the year like that!!!

  12.16.04

Games are won in the trenches...PERIOD. Right now the Saints OLine is sucking. Brooks rarely has time to make a three step drop let alone time to check his WRs. Duece's injury killed the us but it should be something the coaching staff could over come with some creativity (in spite of the poor OLine play). Horn is the man!! Plays tough and with lots of HEART...EVERY GAME.....injured or healthy. I hope the Saints can wok something out long term. Donte has come on the last few games. He's playing with to injured fingers that basically turn his hands into crab claws. I like Donte. Where the heck are our TEs???? ......AGAIN no production!!

McCarthy tries to make his players fit his plan instead of gearing the plan towards the players abilities. His play calling is so predictable the Saintsations know what play he'll run. EGADS MAN!!

The DLine has been a HUGE disappointment this year. I thought Pease would pump up the boys. He's done it for some: Grant comes to mind. Will Smith is making rook mistakes but I think he's coming along. The biggest problem, literally and figuratively, is Sullivan. He is a chronic no show and doesn't give a damn about the TEAM. HE HAS NO HEART!!! The addition of McKenzie was a plus I feel. Bockwold is playing well for a late rounder, if he keeps developing he'll be a steal. Allen has been kicking it up a notch too; Too little too late, sad to say. No playoffs for you Saints.

Venturi kills me!! He plays waaaaay too conservative. More blitzing and man to man coverage is the way to go. The Saints should have been doing it all along. I'd rather die being aggressive then die playing it "safe".

Will this year cost Haz his job?? Let’s say the Saints win out…beating the bucs, the falcons and panthers. That may buy him an option to stay.

Only if he gets rid of the two main problems.... Venturi as DC and McCarthy as OC. I can’t see him doing that so but time will tell. Besides, he may not even be given that option.

Should Haz be fired??

Yes. He's had the time and can't get it done. In 90% of the losses, the majority of the team plays with NO HEART. That does not cut it....PERIOD.

  Well I've let this place slide....kinda like the Saints playoffs hopes the last few years. I don't think I'll do a weekly thing as before...more likely updates as motivated....but who knows, I may be highly motivated this season. I do plan on adding as many pics as possible.....LSU included.

On to the Saints and the 2004 season.

I'm getting pumped....cautiously optimistic that ALL will be right in 2004. I think the single most important off season signing this year is that of John Pease. He WILL be the difference on D. The defense started coming together in latter half of 2003...young guys jelling and players returning from injury. After an off season to heal and the addition of Pease ....woooooowhoooooo....I expect BIG things! The DLine will be a force to be reckon'd with. Pressure, sacks, hurries, knock downs.....we will see why these guys were taken so high in the draft. Sure Sullivan needs to lose some weight left behind by the Lunch Bunch.....but no problem with the Great Motivator John Pease.

With the improved play of the DLine comes huge benefits...the ENTIRE D will reap the rewards...the trickle down theory as 'twere. The LB will be able to back the line and not necessary to hold it. The secondary will see an increase in INTs as opposing QBs are pressured into quick and fatal decisions on where to place the ball.

But what about the run?? No worries....the run D will steadily improve. I'm excited to see what Will Smith and Courtney Watson bring to the field in their rookie years...I'm guessing their presence will be felt...by opposing teams' QBs and RBs and WRs.....man I can't wait!!!! I think my unfulfilled desire for a hard hitting snot jarring defense is in the queue for satisfaction for 2004.

The offense....what can you say....talent and speed everywhere you look. If there is any question marks it's if Brooks has completed his growth and learning curve....will the back-pedaling-throwing-off-the-back-foot (or while going down) cease and desist? Can he protect the ball whilst in his grasp better? ....or at least fall on it if he does lose it. I think last years fumblitis was a fluke and we won't be seeing too much of that. He's improved SLOWLY but surely since becoming the starter so I think his other few remaining bad habits will go the way of the dodo bird. The WRs droppsies were a cause for concern last year but again I can't see it becoming the norm...it was a passing phase. ;)

All will be well with the Saints in 2004....I'm thinking 11-5 give or take game and the NFC South title.

You heard it here first!

Go Saints!!!!