Fantasy Love / Hate: Running Backs

Due to the fact that Saints training camp is still a month out, I thought it would be good to get a jump start on fantasy football.

Currently, I play in 4 leagues: a dynasty league, a customized keeper league (easily my favorite), a "normal" league, and an auction league. In the coming weeks I will give you 3 players from each position that I love and hate heading in to the 2008 season. At first I wanted to write about my thoughts on every player, but for now, I thought it best to limit myself. Admittedly, it's a little early. Players' roles are sure to change as we move through training camps around the league and committee approaches will be clearer then, but this should serve to get the ball rolling as you begin to think who you want to target.

Some people I love/hate will be taken in the first round, some people will be taken much later. This is not a ranking, but merely my suggestion if a certain player is being overvalued or undervalued relative to his early suggested draft position by other major publications. And as always, I will rarely present the obvious -- that will be left to everyone else. I'm going to dig deep baby!

So here it goes:

Running Backs I Love (i.e. think are undervalued):

1.) Joseph Addai (COLTS) -- No, this has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a rabid LSU fan. Largely speaking the two top ranked RB's heading in to the 2008 season are L.T. for his past efforts and A.P. for his obvious potential. However, I have concerns about each. Addai is the running back I want. He is entering his 3rd year in Tom Moore's offense and Payton Manning trusts him immensely. The reason Addai was able to succeed as a rookie was because he excelled in pass protection. That hasn't changed and as a result Addai will stay on the field early and often. Sure, the Colts signed Dominic Rhodes to a one year deal after Oakland released him -- why wouldn't they -- he knows the offense and will be asked (along with Mike Hart) to spell Addai. Neither is a threat to Addai as a primary ball carrier, but each will ensure Joe is fresh until the end. Top that off with the fact that the Colts are less likely to sit their players at the end of the year (see Patriots / Giants week 17 matchup for confirmation) and Addai is primed to be your #1 ball carrier. Most fantasy owners will drool at the opportunity to take L.T. or A.P. with the first or second pick (and others will love to have Westbrook or Jackson at #3), but give me the # 4 overall, and I will gladly pluck Addai and add him to my roster.

2.) Maurice Jones-Drew (JAGUARS) -- Admittedly, I hated this guy last year and wanted nothing to do with him. I was right -- he still was involved in a time share with Taylor and I just wasn't certain that he was the real deal. Well one year later, I am. Jones-Drew is proof that big things come in small packages. I usually hate small backs in fantasy because I think they are less likely to get the goal-line carries. For some reason, the little jaguar is different. He's like a balling ball with legs, yet (amazingly) he still has the top-end speed to hit the homerun. Goal-line carries: check. Homerun ability: check. Excellent pass-catcher: check. Good O-line: check. Fragile Fred: check. Fred Taylor made many dumb owners look intelligent last year when he held up and produced at an elite level in his time-share with MJJ. He won't do it again. Either this year or next, Fred will be out of the NFL, and MJJ will be a top 5 fantasy back.

3.) Selvin Young (BRONCOS) -- Ok, I know this one is bound to get quite a few raised eyebrows, but hear me out. Last year, Shanahan had done something he never had done before. He signed a quality starting RB in free agency named Travis Henry. At the time, Henry was coming off a banner year in which he rejuvenated his career with the Tennessee Titans. The experts said he would be the perfect fit for Denver's one-cut, zone-blocking scheme. Unfortunately for Henry, he is now out of a job, as Selvin Young proved more productive and reliable. I know all of you will say that to gamble with a Bronco back is madness -- they can never be counted on, right? Well maybe this time you can. Even Shanahan knows when he's being too cute. Sure, he signed Michael Pittman as veteran insurance and Pittman may see the field on third downs. But I just have a feeling that Shanahan is finally ready to stop his annual game of musical running backs. You and I both know that no one will touch Selvin in the early rounds because of the perceived risk (and certainly there is some there). But if I told you he has a great chance to be the most consistent back Denver has had since Clinton Portis, would you not "steal him" in round 4? I would.... and I will.


Running Backs I hate (i.e. think are overvalued):

1.) LaDanian Tomlinson (CHARGERS) -- Let me explain. Heading in to last year, I had Larry Johnson in my Keeper league. Because of the wear and tear he had from the previous 2 seasons (and admittedly for a few other reasons), I chose to trade him. In my three other leagues, I privately declared that, under no circumstances, would I draft him or Rudi Johnson (I figured Rudi, too, was due for an injury). How do you think that decision turned out? Larry Johnson went away, Randy Moss and Adrian Peterson (whom I acquired with the #1 overall pick I received in the L.J. trade) joined my team. For what it's worth, I finished 3rd. The guy I traded with actually finished 2nd, but it had nothing to do with Larry Johnson -- he actually rode Braylon Edwards (who he grabbed with my 2nd-round pick that he received from me in the same trade) and Jamal Lewis into and through the playoffs. The trade actually helped both of us, but I bet if he had to do it over again, my friend would not have given away the rights to Peterson and Randy Moss for a guy who had so much mileage.

With that in mind, let's get back to why I hate Tomlinson this year. Fantasy Football is all about value, and L.T.'s will never be any higher. In every league, he should be no worst than the #2 overall pick, and for good reason. Take a look at his production since 2001.

2007 G -16 Att -315 Yds -1474 Td's - 15
2006 G -16 Att -348 Yds -1815 Td's - 28
2005 G -16 Att -339 Yds -1462 Td's - 18
2004 G -15 Att -339 Yds -1335 Td's - 17
2003 G -16 Att -313 Yds -1645 Td's - 13
2002 G -16 Att -372 Yds -1683 Td's - 14
2001 G -16 Att -339 Yds -1236 Td's - 10

Totals: G-111 Att-2365 Yds-10650 Td's-115

Certainly, that's incredible. Tomlinson has rattled off 7 straight years of elite production. However, with that production comes mileage, and in Tomlinson's case, a ton of it. Since 2001 his legs have accrued 10,650 yards on 2,365 carries without a single injury... until last years' playoffs. Tomlinson, like all of the other great ones before him, will hit a wall. Will it be this year? or next? My bet is that it will be one or the other. Drafting him #1 overall with the expectation that he will be the bedrock of your team is risky business. If you get the #1 overall pick, what should you do? Trade back to 3 or 4 and draft Addai -- trust me.

2.) Larry Johnson (CHIEFS) -- I hated him last year, and I hate him again this season. What's changed? He still has Brody Croyle behind center which means another season of constant 8 and 9 man fronts. Sure, Branden Albert will help the O-line, but the unit will still be one of the worst in the NFL. At least they brought in Jamal Charles as a change of pace back to spell Johnson, but that hardly indicates a return to glory for L.J.. His ceiling will be 1200 yards and 8 touchdowns this year. For someone that's projected to be a top-10 back, that's pathetic. The chiefs offense of 3 years ago is a distant memory, and so is L.J.'s status as an elite fantasy back.

3.) Jonathan Stewart (PANTHERS) -- Many expect this rookie to come in and, by the end of the year, stake claim to Carolina's running back position. Out of all the rookies I would draft (McFadden, Mendenhall, Forte, Smith), Stewart is the last. It's not so much that I don't trust him, although he still is limited with the foot injury. It's that I think John Fox is a moron. I truly believe he is one of the most unintelligent coaches in the NFL. Every year, Fox changes his mind about what type of running attack he wants to have. Two years ago, it was a "pound it" philosophy. Then when he realized that D. Foster and D. Williams couldn't handle the role as a between-the-tackles runner, he ditched his power running game for a "zone-blocking" scheme. Then when Foster stunk it up again, he decided to go back to his "power" running style of offense that made him successful when Stephen Davis was there (and he drafted Stewart and Jeff Otah to help in that regard). Problem is, that even with Otah, the Panthers' O-line still isn't very good. What's more cause for concern is that Fox has publicly stated that he wants his new "power back" to return kicks, too. Even if Stewart beats out Williams for the lions' share of the carries, I'll save my late-round flyer or early keeper/dynasty-league pick on someone else.

Next week I will look at wide-receivers and will tell you why Greg Jennings coming out party will be alot like Michael Clayton's... one and done.

If anyone has fantasy football thoughts or questions you would like us to post or answer, send an e-mail to whodatsayteam@gmail.com.

Can Reggie Bush be great in '08?

By Eddie Griffin, Bleacher Report.

Will Reggie Bush be known more for his girl’s ass than his NFL talents?

The upcoming NFL season could prove pivotal toward answering that question.

While Bush’s girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, does have a wonderful posterior, I highly doubt he would be content being known as “that NFL player Kim Kardashian is with.”

Despite being behind only Peyton Manning in NFL endorsement deals, and despite being drafted No. 2 overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2006, Bush’s illustrious star has slowly dimmed to such a point that another lackluster season could potentially lead to Bush’s star-power fizzling out. Full Story

Ranking the Big Uglies

A powerful and deep O-Line is perhaps the greatest foundation of a football team. You fantasy freaks may want to read this. A great QB is nothing, a talented running back is worthless, a fast wide-receiver is inept -- all without the protection, room, and time their offensive line affords them. So, how does the Saints line stack up against others in the league?

Matthew Williamson of Scouts Inc examined all 32 offensive lines and ranks them here. The Saints come in at #9. Here's what he had to say about the top ten -- admittedly, Cleveland at #1 was a surprise...

So which team has the best offensive line in the league? Scouts Inc. breaks them down Nos. 1 through 32.

1. Cleveland Browns
While most NFL teams have about four linemen who are truly starting caliber, the Browns have seven or eight. Not only are they deep, but they arguably have the best left side in the NFL with LG Eric Steinbach and LT Joe Thomas. Entering his second season, Thomas is talented enough to potentially be recognized as the best lineman in the game before the end of the 2008 season. He is a great athlete, has ideal size (6-foot-6, 313 pounds) and the passion to bury his opponent. As a rookie, he wasn't overwhelmed by the speed and size of the game at this level, and now he's had an entire offseason to properly prepare. At 6-6, Steinbach is tall for a guard and lacks ideal bulk, but he is very quick, smart and athletic. He consistently gets under the pads of his opponents, works hard to finish and is tremendous in space. The rest of the group isn't too shabby and made QB Derek Anderson look exceptional last year. The pass protection is impeccable. Ryan Tucker will miss time to start the season, but Cleveland shouldn't miss a beat in his absence. Center Hank Fraley is a tough guy in the middle of the line and does a fine job making the line calls. After a great season in 2007, this group will be even better in 2008.

2. Dallas Cowboys
Adding 6-6, 366-pound Leonard Davis to an already stable offensive line was a great move that paid off in a big way last year. A bit of a washout at tackle, Davis proved to be an exceptional guard, and the Cowboys ran behind him when they needed a tough yard. Center Andre Gurode doesn't get the credit he deserves as one of the best pivotmen in the game today. Getting to QB Tony Romo is very difficult against a group that not only pass protects well, but also holds its own as run-blockers. LT Flozell Adams had his best season, but he signed a new contract in the offseason and will need to keep his intensity up after the big payday. RT Marc Colombo is the weakest link among the starters and could be pushed for playing time if he doesn't play better in training camp. Still, this is a tough group that's coached by Hudson Houch, who is one of the best line coaches in the league and has a knack for getting the most out of his players.

3. Minnesota Vikings
Everyone on the planet knew that Minnesota was going to run the football last year, and what did they do? They ran it as well as anyone in the league, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. The lack of a passing game cannot be attributed to the Vikings' front five, but this unit is better at run blocking than pass protection. There simply isn't a better offensive lineman in the game than Steve Hutchinson, and his presence on this unit cannot be overstated. The rest of the crew is very solid, but Hutchinson is a superstar. Keep an eye on Bryant McKinnie's legal situation, though, as the Vikes do not have another left tackle to fall back on. McKinnie is more inconsistent than many realize, but playing next to Hutchinson can mask some problems. It is also conceivable that the right side of the line played over its head last year and could come back to earth, but the tandem of RG Anthony Herrera and RT Ryan Cook does have great size and some nastiness.

4. New England Patriots
How do you think Tom Brady was able to stand in the pocket all day and wait for his fantastic receivers to get open? This line is terrific. Last year New England only allowed 21 sacks, even though Brady threw it nearly 600 times. The line's ability to pass block was obvious, but for some reason, the Patriots' ability to open holes in the run game went under the radar. With all the star power on New England's offense, Logan Mankins is easy to forget, but he is one of the top guards in the league. There are some concerns about this group, however. Guard Stephen Neal is coming off shoulder surgery, OT Nick Kaczur -- the weakest link among the starters -- is dealing with off-the-field issues and the last game this group played was not its finest. While OT Matt Light had a good season and is a very good player, pure speed-rushers give him all that he can handle. But for all these problems, this group still had three Pro Bowl representatives last year and is one of the best out there.

5. Indianapolis Colts
Howard Mudd is among the best line coaches in the NFL, and his group of linemen consistently plays at a high level year after year. The Colts put a premium on left tackle and require an exceptional athlete to protect Peyton Manning's blind side, but they otherwise get by with intelligent, hard-working, fundamentally sound grinders who play very well within the system. The group is well-conditioned and handles assignments effectively. LT Tony Ugoh should be noticeably better in his second season. Center Jeff Saturday keeps it all together, and as evidenced by Indianapolis drafting three centers in this past draft, the organization fears for life after Saturday. Saturday is tough, technically sound and excels at handling the line calls in conjunction with Manning. The Colts lost Jake Scott, but he will probably be replaced by rookie Mike Pollak, who is also slated to be Saturday's heir some day. Charlie Johnson could factor in at guard or as a valuable sixth man. It's no secret that this group does a great job of keeping Manning clean in the pocket, but it is also proficient in the run game, executing Indianapolis' zone-stretch scheme. At the same time, it should not be overlooked that the many weapons on the Colts' roster and Manning's uncanny pocket presence help to make this line's job a little easier.

6. San Diego Chargers
This group struggled to start the 2007 season without C Nick Hardwick in the lineup. Unfortunately for San Diego, it will start the 2008 season without Hardwick, who is coming off foot surgery. However, this is a very good group overall. LT Marcus McNeill started slowly last season, but rebounded quickly. At 6-foot-7, 336 pounds, he has tremendous size, long arms and good athletic ability. McNeill and LG Kris Dielman make up one of the best left sides in the league, and this duo can be dominant at times. There are some concerns on the right side, however, as RG Mike Goff is starting to slow down with age and RT Jeromey Clary, who was a pleasant surprise last year, still needs to further prove himself. This group is better at pass blocking than run blocking, and the Chargers might look to throw more next season.

7. New York Giants
Chris Snee is the best player on this offensive line, but overall, it isn't a group loaded with big names. However, these guys produce as a unit and are well-coached, tough and reliable. An above-average pass-blocking group, it is simply an exceptional run-blocking line and paved the way for New York's backs to average a whopping 4.6 yards per carry in 2007. With the ability to consistently gain chunks of yardage on the ground, perhaps the Giants' Super Bowl run shouldn't have been all that surprising. Many felt that David Diehl was a guard playing out of position at left tackle and that speed rushers would have their way with him. Diehl proved his doubters wrong and did an admirable job of protecting Eli Manning's blind side on the edge. The depth here isn't ideal, but this is a line that can be counted on.

8. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have a solid but underrated set of starting tackles in Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton. Both players are smart, tough and highly effective. They also seem to play their best against top competition. On the interior, the Packers are young and deep -- qualities that will lead to excellent overall competition for playing time. At 6-foot-2, 295 pounds, Scott Wells isn't real big, but he is one of the better centers in the league and an exceptional technician. The interior is also athletic, fitting well with the Packers' zone-blocking principles. There may not have been a better pass-blocking line in the league last year, and this group got better in the run game as the season progressed. There should be very little drop-off in 2008.

9. New Orleans Saints
The Saints allowed a measly 16 sacks last year despite Drew Brees' 652 pass attempts. Brees, who is exceptional at feeling the rush and getting the ball out quickly, deserves some of the credit, but obviously, his protection was exceptional as well. However, the Saints didn't do nearly as good a job opening holes for the running backs, who averaged just 3.7 yards per rush. This stark contrast obviously puts a ton of pressure on Brees and the Saints' passing game, but that group has stepped up quite well. Still, to be an elite offense, New Orleans is going to have to run the ball with more consistency. Jammal Brown is one of the top left tackles in the league, but the Saints lost Jeff Faine to division rival Tampa Bay. Jonathan Goodwin, who is bigger and more powerful at the point of attack, will take over at center, but overall, this is a downgrade, and Faine's nasty edge and leadership will be missed. Keep an eye on underrated RG Jahri Evans. He has a chance to develop into one of the best guards in the game today.

10. Philadelphia Eagles
Guard Shawn Andrews and tackle Jon Runyan make up one of the best right sides in the league, and the Eagles can count on them to move their opponent in short yardage and crucial situations. Runyan, who played much of last season with a cracked tailbone, is as tough as they come, and Andrews is versatile enough to kick out to tackle if needed. This is a much better run blocking than pass blocking group, but some of those issues can be attributed to Donovan McNabb's immobility early last season as he nursed his ailing knee. The Eagles' tackles also are getting up in age and not as quick out of their stances as they once were. Still, this is a mauling line that can move bodies, and although it is against his DNA, coach Andy Reid would be wise to incorporate more power running into this offense, which is notorious for throwing the ball. There is some healthy competitiveness and position versatility within this group as well, but there is not a true left tackle of the future. An injury to LT William Thomas could be a major problem.

WhoDatSay.com reader Kris Nichols had this breakdown of the Saints O-line:

With some new faces the Oline will be very competitive this year so here is my analysis of how it breaks down.

Tackle -- at Left tackle all reports are that Jamaal Brown is looking better now than he has since he has been in the NFL which is saying something, so we should expect him back in the probowl this January. Right Tackle has the chance for a good competition to develop. Incumbent starter Jon Stinchcomb will have a battle to hold off 3rd year player Zach Strief who has slimed down from 349 pounds to a svelte 325 and has gained some speed and agility to go along with his huge frame and long arms.

The other Tackle is Jermon Bushrod who was drafted last year in the 4th round, while he won't be pushing for a starting spot look for him to contribute more with more experience in the system now.

Guard -- Left Guard this is another area that I expect to have some competition this year. Right now Jamar Nesbit is the starter but he could be pushed by 2nd year man Andy Alleman or 5th round pick Carl Nicks who won't stay on the sidelines for too long this year. Alleman who is a former DT is very athletic and intelligent and Nicks is also very athletic considering his size 6-4 341 pounds. Right Guard we have a very underrated player in Jahri Evans who should be looking at his first probowl coming up in January.

Center -- With the departure of Jeff Faine to the Bucs the starting job falls to Jonathan Goodwin, don't worry Goodwin is an intelligent athletic player who has earned the right to be called a starter while he doesn't have the finesse of Faine in the passing game he will be a much better drive blocker on running plays. The other center is Matt Lehr who I think will be the odd man out at the end of camp, especially with the questions about steroids flaring up again and now the guy who pointed the finger out him has been found dead. (Makes you wonder about Lehr if he had anything to do with that).

Overall the Saints have made some improvements on the line and with the younger players getting better and more experience look for another season as the lowest number of sacks given up and some much needed improvement in the run game.
-- Kris Nichols

Scout.com's Minicamp Mailbag, Saints Style

On Fox Sports, Scout.com's panel of NFL insiders recently addressed the resigning of Will Smith (and where he ranks among other top defensive ends) and the potential impact of the Saints' off-season defensive additions....

Is Will Smith, as his contract would suggest, a top three or even five DE in the NFL?
—Nick from New Orleans

Ed Thompson: No. I'd place him in the top 10, but it's hard to see him in the top five, whether you look at his performance last season or even over the past three years. He's a highly talented player with plenty of upside, which is why he got paid so handsomely. But as of right now, I'd say he still lags behind players such as Minnesota's Jared Allen, Miami's Jason Taylor, Baltimore's Terrell Suggs, Tennessee's Kyle Vanden Bosch, Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney, Buffalo's Aaron Schobel, and Green Bay's Aaron Kampman.

Chris Steuber: I think a lot of people forget about Will Smith, because he plays in New Orleans on a mediocre defense. But statistically speaking, he's been the Saints most consistent defensive performer and has averaged more than eight sacks a year during his four-year career. The Saints may have overpaid Smith a bit, but the contract he received is the going rate for a pass rusher with his ability. With that said, I don't think Smith is a top five defensive end in the league, he's close, but I'd say he's in the top eight.

Adam Caplan: While Smith is seen as a team leader and is certainly above average against the run, I wouldn't necessarily put him in the top-five of all defensive ends. You could make a case for him around the top-10 as a pass rusher.

Here are the ends I'd put ahead of him:
Jared Allen, Minnesota
Jason Taylor, Miami
Osi Umenyiora, N.Y. Giants
Aaron Kampman, Green Bay
Patrick Kerney, Seattle
Aaron Schobel, Buffalo
Terrell Suggs, Baltimore
Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tennessee
Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis

Tom Marino: NFL GMs have put a premium on QBs, LOTs, DCs and outside pass rushers. Personally I don't think any of them are worth they money the teams are currently paying them, but the market obviously supports what the elite players are getting paid today. I believe Will Smith is a very solid player and among the top five to six at the position within the league. Without question he along with Charles Grant is the best combination within the league. I really liked Will as a college player (light years ahead of Vernon Gholston at a similar stage of his development).

How are the defensive additions looking on the field and do you think the additions are enough to get New Orleans back in the playoffs? Will Jo Lon Dunbar compete for some playing time at weakside linebacker?
—Clint from Shreveport, La.

ET: I think the Saints helped themselves tremendously on defense. Sedrick Ellis is a monster, pure and simple. He's going to have some veteran offensive linemen wondering how they are supposed to stop this kid. Former Jags defensive tackle Bobby McCray was a very smart addition, as well; his versatility will be a big plus. I fully expect Jonathan Vilma to thrive in New Orleans' 4-3 defense as long as he doesn't have any further trouble with his knee. Tracy Porter is going to surprise a lot of folks, as well. I talked to a few wide receivers from this year's draft class who pointed Porter out as the toughest defender they went up against during their college career. As for Dunbar, I was stunned that he wasn't drafted. While I don't think it's realistic that you'll see him getting much time with the starters this year, I do expect to see him make the team and battling for a starter's role by his third season.

CS: The selection of Sedrick Ellis will prove to be the best addition the Saints made this offseason. Randall Gay and Jonathan Vilma were good additions, but Ellis has star potential written all over him. He's looked very good during OTAs and don't be surprised if he's a starter on opening day. Jo Lon Dunbar has a shot to make the team and will have to perform well on special teams. It all depends on how Dunbar plays during training camp and pre-season games to see if he will compete for playing time at weakside linebacker. The Saints have a lot of veterans at LB and Dunbar could be a player they groom for the future.

AC: One player from the offensive side of the ball told me recently he thought Ellis looked good during their OTAs. The expectation is that Ellis will be an impact player right away. As for Dunbar, he has to make the team first since he was an undrafted free agent. But the backup weak-side job still looks to be open so it's not out of the question that Dunbar makes the team.

TM: Clint, Jo Lon Dunbar was a steady college football player with limited physical qualities. The Will backer position is in most cases the most critical of the linebacker positions. At the outset, I don't think he runs well enough to play a "Will" backer position and if a college free agent was good enough to get playing time over established players (Shanle, Fijuta, Simoneau, and Evans), I would say they have some very big holes to fill in New Orleans. I would say his only chance to make it would be as a back-up special teams player. Vilma, Ellis and overpaid D.C. Gay should provide a big lift to the Saints' defensive unit.

full story -- Scout.com minicamp mailbag.

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Father's Day to all the Saints' Dads out there. This year is my first and I'll be spending the day grilling burgers with my 7-month-old boy. We wish all Dads (sadly even Panthers, Bucs, and Falcons ones) a day full of BBQ and beer.

Enjoy,
Vern

P.S. I wouldn't mind seeing an LSU victory over North Carolina at Rosenblatt either.

Who Dat News: Vilma Nearing 100%

News: The Saints prize off-season acquisition, Jonathan Vlima, is entering the last stage of his rehab, according to profootballweekly.com. “(The knee) feels like (it did) before surgery,” Vilma said. “The only difference is the muscles aren’t used to practicing. It’s been nine months since I’ve been on the field. I just have to get used to the plays again, running and cutting, the defensive and offensive system. I’m just getting acclimated to everything. I’m pretty much able to do everything,” he said. “I really need to be cognizant of when I’m trying to push it too hard and, fortunately, I haven’t been in that situation yet. I’m able to do everything. The question is: How much of everything should I be doing?”

WhoDatSay: Vilma will open the season as the Saints starting middle linebacker. The fall-back option, Mark Simoneau, remains on board, but it seems more evident that Simoneau will be on the bench as the more athletic, younger Vilma stakes claim to his position. When healthy, we know Vilma plays the run well (evident by his NFL best 169 tackles in 2005), but his ability to cover more ground in the secondary should allow Josh Bullocks, who's in a contract year and needs a healthy performance of his own if he wants to get paid, to help with over-the-top coverage on the perimeter. Then, perhaps Jason David will look less foolish. It's amazing how an athletic player in the middle of a defensive can make the other personnel look better. Kudos to Loomis and Payton -- they even ensured Vilma's protection by grabbing Sedrick Ellis in the draft. We like to see an off-season when personnel moves complement each other rather than contradict.

Who Dat Link: Saints #8 in NFLMocks.com Power Rankings

The following is an article on NFLmocks.com's training camp power rankings:

Now that both Peyton and Eli Manning have won their Super Bowl rings the NFL’s attention will swap to a new cast of players that have not yet reached and then won the big game. Peyton was said to fold under pressure early into his NFL career, but broke free last season when the Colts beat the Bears in the Super Bowl. Eli led his Giants past the NFC’s best, Dallas and Green Bay, before beating a team that many thought was unbeatable.

So who’s feeling the heat now?

Click Below for the full story from nflmocks.com... Is that Atlanta at #32? ... poor Falcons.

NFL Power Rankings: Training Camp Edition

Who Dat News: One Down, Two To Go

News: On Wednesday, the Saints agreed to terms with defensive end Will Smith on a six-year, $70 million contract. $26 million will be guaranteed and Smith will become the third highest paid defensive end in the NFL.

Who Dat Say: Wow! Is this not great news? The Saints have now locked up both of their Pro-Bowl caliber defensive ends. Both Charles Grant and Will Smith should end their respective careers in New Orleans. Throw in Sedrick Ellis, who should also sign a six or seven-year contract, and the Saints' defensive line should be solid as a rock for several years to come. Smith, who was the 18th overall pick in 2004, has been one of the more consistent pass rushers since entering the league. Because Charles Grant was injured most of last year, opposing teams were constantly double-teaming Will Smith. As a result, his numbers obviously suffered in all categories last year. With the new season approaching, and Charles Grant's health not a concern at this point (and assuming he can dodge jail time or a league-imposed suspension), the Saints' defensive ends should thrive. Add Bobby McCray to this rotation and the Saints should be one of the better defensive lines in the league. With the signing of Will Smith, the Saints can now turn their attention to resigning Marques Colston and Jahri Evans, both who have completely outplayed their rookie contracts and deserve to be paid. The only negative here is that with these veterans pressuring the team for extensions, and the late hiring of Khai Harley to replace Russ Ball (Harley is the teams' new salary cap guru), it wouldn't surprise to see the Saints' draft picks sign later than normal. An Ellis holdout deep into training camp would not be a good thing.

Who Dat News: Pierre Thomas Out Until Camp

News: Pierre Thomas' sore groin will sideline him for the remainder of OTA's according to an article written on Tuesday by sunherald.com. Apparently, Head Coach Sean Payton wants to rest the running back to ensure that he is 100% for the start of training camp.

WhoDatSay: Payton may find it more difficult than he would like to ascertain which of his running backs will be sharing duties with Reggie Bush. Deuce still has a ways to go, Thomas is not helping his cause with a groin injury, and Stecker doesn't seem to be anything more than reliable veteran insurance. Before now, Thomas was sharing first-team reps with Reggie Bush in OTA's while McAlister remained hobbled by off-season knee surgery. But we are still uncertain where the ball coach believes his role will be. "Pierre is someone who blocks the pressure real well," Payton said. "That's a strength of his. He's so smart. You need that in the nickel because of the looks we get. We get a lot more complex looks in third-down or long-yardage situations than we would in the base. From a running back standpoint, you've got to be smart to see what's going on." This statement suggests that Payton believes Thomas can be useful in third-down situations, a role that most figure Reggie Bush is best suited for (given that he has yet to prove he can be effective running the ball on first and second down). No one doubts Thomas' ability in situational looks; however, it's his diminutive size that has many wondering if he can hold up over a full 16-game NFL slate, and this injury doesn't help his cause in proving those doubters wrong. There is still a lot of questions to be answered at this position: Will Deuce be ready? Can Reggie get over the hump? What will Pierre's role be? Will Payton bring in another big veteran back? Stay tuned folks -- most of these figure to be answered in the first couple of weeks in Jackson.

Who Dat News: Payton Undecided on Kickers

News: The Biloxi Sun Herald reports that New Orleans Saints sixth round draft pick PK Taylor Mehlhaff and veteran incumbent PK Martin Gramatica have not received enough reps for Head Coach Sean Payton to make much of a distinction between the two. "I haven't seen enough, really," Payton said. "Hopefully once we get into training camp and get into some live situations we'll see a lot more. I think that really defines itself. He [Mehlhaff] has a strong leg and you see that. I'm anxious to get started because we'll have a good competition there, which is a positive. Once we start playing and he's able to kick live in games - we've kind of created that scenario a little bit, but it's harder to do right now."

WhoDatSay: Gramatica was brought in for the last three games last season as a replacement for the disaster that was Olinda Mare. Now, after going 5/5 in that stretch and matching his career long of 55 yards, Martin finds himself the club's likely starter going into 2008. Conventional wisdom says that Mehlhaff, who is known for having a strong leg, will handle the kick-off duties, and Gramatica will continue to be the starting field goal kicker. If that turns out to be the case, season-ticket holders can at the very least rest assured that the moments just after successful field goal attempts will provide them some bang for their buck.

35 Games in 1 Season: London Man Will Attempt World Record

Adam is an American football fan from London, England and has recently sold his apartment in order to pay for a world-record breaking NFL trip in which he will witness 35 NFL games in one season. He states that the aim of his trip is simply to meet as many great NFL fans as possible and understand the impact each team has on its supporters and surrounding communities. He will be rooting for each home team and will attempt to learn as much as possible of the culture of each city relative to their support for their football franchise. You can view Adam's schedule here.

WhoDatSay.com will welcome Adam to the City on Monday, November 24th. Stay tuned for events that will be announced for Adam's arrival as we get closer to the date. Prior to that late fall engagement we asked Adam about his opinions of the New Orleans Saints and their fans. Here is what he had to say...

Although I am lifelong bears fan I have always had a soft spot for the New Orleans Saints as I supported them when I went to my first ever NFL game back in 1990 when they played at the old Wembley Stadium in London. You can read about my expereince at http://www.adamsfootballtrip.com/blogs/63/my-1st-nfl-game%2c-aged-10%3a-1990-wembley.htm

Since then, I have always looked out for the Saints and hoped they do well. My whole trip is about finding the great fans out there, and I remember seeing on the T.V. when the Saints moved back to their stadium after the horrors of Katrina, that the fans loved their team so much, and went to the games despite the tragic situations. I remember hearing about fans that had been waiting for their houses to be repaired and they had been living from place to place but still had their season tickets! That's hardcore.

I will be seeing the Saints three times on my trip (Saints v. Chargers in London; Saints v. Packers in New Orleans; and Saints v. Bears in Chicago. I have set myself the task of always supporting the home team, which will be difficult for me in my second game, when I will have to root for the Colts against my beloved Bears! Naturally I will be rooting for the Bears when the Saints come to Soldier Field, but I would still love to hang out with the traveling Saints fans and meet them during the tailgate.

I will be hoping to meet those great Saints fans at the Louisiana Superdome when they host the Packers. I will be rooting especially hard for the Saints that day, as any Packers loss will help the Bears. The Saints are one of those teams where the passionate fans get behind their team no matter what. I will be spending an extra couple of days in New Orleans to interview more fans and get a real understanding of the culture, as well as exploring the role that the team has on its surrounding community. Many people say the football team has been a catalyst for the local economy and given the city high morale.

I thank the New Orleans team for also giving up a home game by playing in my home town, London, when they play the Chargers. There is quite a bit of Saints' fans based here in London, and that may be because they came over in 1990 for an exhibition game against the Raiders. When I was at the London game last season, I spotted some Saints fans and spoke to them, and they had been to that pre-season game that I first went to way back in 1990!

My message to the Saints fans out there is that I simply can not wait to meet them. I will be giving out T-Shirts at each tailgate and interviewing fans for my blog/book and documentary. If any Saints fans out there may like to tell me about their stories supporting their team, then I would love for them to get in touch via my site.

I did have a few problems with the trip. To start with it was supposed to be last season, but I did not have the money, so I sold my apartment! So far the schedule has been great in terms of match ups and rivalry games I'll be seeing, but I will have to cross the country about 8 times, leaving me driving around 35,000 miles, quite a few more than I predicted! Obtaining sponsorship and speaking to corporations has been a bit tricky, but no one said that would be "easy". If any one knows of a person or company that may like to sponsor me, or have their logo on my car, or T-Shirts or my site, then please get in touch. See you in November, New Orleans.
Adam

To read more about Adam’s world record breaking trip, please visit www.adamsfootballtrip.com 35 NFL games in 1 Season! We look forward to seeing him roll through the Crescent City on Thanksgiving Weekend – I’m sure he will enjoy the great food, football, and atmosphere our city has to offer.

Who Dat News: Colston a No-show for Monday's OTA

News: Marques Colston was absent today from the team's voluntary OTA, according to nola.com. "Colston was a miss, again these are voluntary," said Coach Sean Payton, who said he had not heard from the receiver. "A lot of times guys will be traveling, in his case, probably traveling West. I'll find out today. I'll give him a call and find out what the deal is. He's done pretty well so far."

WhoDatSay: Colston, who has been at all other scheduled team activities (mandatory or otherwise), picked an interesting time to no-show. Colston is in the last year of his rookie contract, and his agent has had discussions with the team on a new deal, although the extent of the negotiations are unknown. Ever since Charles Grant got in some legal trouble, the team has picked up the pace of their negotiations with Will Smith, and a new contract for the defensive end seems inevitable. Perhaps Colston now feels left out and is skipping these voluntary workouts to send a message to the team that it's time to shit or get off the pot. If we were the Saints, we would shit and shit quickly. The team is way under the cap ($25 million or so), and it's not like they do not have the money to lock up Smith, Colston, and Jahri Evans. More reasonably, we feel that now that the front office has been restructured and Khai Harley has been brought on to fill Russ Ball's expertise with salary cap management, the team will move quickly to lock up their youngest and most talented players.

Who Dat News: Jacksonville Fans Selling Out

News: The Jacksonville Jaguars are finding it difficult to sell season ticket packages despite last season's 11-5 record and a playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to profootballtalk.com. The team is still 4,000 non-premium season ticket sales away from avoiding local blackouts of their 2008 regular season home games.

WhoDatSay: It wasn't too long ago that the New Orleans Saints had a similar season-ticket sales problem. However, that's when some fans were still wearing bags over the heads. Jacksonville, on the other hand, is coming off a string of impressive seasons, and figures to have made moves this off-season in an attempt to compete with Indianapolis and New England for AFC supremacy. That combined with one of the better head coaches in football and a roster of experienced talent would seem to have fans eager to gobble up season tickets. The reality? The team puts up tarps to cover large sections of empty seats in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. If the NFL is really set on relocating a franchise to Los Angeles, Jacksonville figures to be a far more attractive option than New Orleans, given that the Saints have a lengthy waiting list for season tickets after going a lousy 7-9 and have just recouped considerable sums of money from the state. Enjoy it Who Dats -- we're not going anywhere.

Who Dat News: Bobby McCray Looking Like the Real Deal

News: According to the Times Picayune, Bobby McCray has been the most impressive off-season acquisition in 2008 for the Saints. In fact, if McCray continues to impress with his quick speed and ability to disrupt the entire offensive backfield, Jimmy Smith of the Times Picayune believes he could be the best free-agent pickup the Saints have ever made. McCray, who played his college ball at the University of Florida, has impressed so much at defensive end that Sean Payton is considering moving Charles Grant to defensive tackle, if not permanently, then at least on downs when the Saints are looking to collapse the pocket.

Who Dat Say: Assuming McCray has been as impressive as the Times Picayune reports, imagine the Saints' defensive front four as Bobby McCray and Will Smith at ends, and Charles Grant and Sedrick Ellis plugging up the middle at tackle. Jonathan Stewart, Earnest Graham, and Michael Turner are going to have fits trying to find holes in this defensive line. Throw in backups like Hollis Thomas, Brian Young, Kendrick Clancy, and rookie DeMario Pressley, and the Saints all of a sudden have some ample depth and a good rotation at defensive line. We already know the defensive line has talent. Three of the aforementioned starters are 1st round draft picks (Grant, Smith, and Ellis). If these guys can build chemistry and disrupt the offensive line like the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants did last season, they will be a force to be reckoned with. To say the very least, the Saints' defensive line has improved considerably.

Mickey Loomis Dicusses the Decision to Fire Rick Mueller

New Orleans Saints General Manager spoke with Bobbie Hebert and Hokie Gajan on WWL AM870 sportstalk about topics including his decision to fire the V.P. of Player Personnel, Rick Mueller, the hiring of salary cap guru Khai Harley, and the status of Will Smith's contract extension. Have a listen -- Loomis on sportstalk

Who Dat News: Budget Committee Agrees to Pay Saints, Hornets

News: On Thursday, the House budget committee agreed that Louisiana should pay the New Orleans Saints and Hornets $26 million in state surplus cash to meet the state's contractual obligations. The contract states that if the State fails to make these payments, the teams could opt to move out of New Orleans.

Who Dat News: The State negotiated these deals with the Saints and Hornets in order to allow the teams to compete financially with teams in larger markets. This was before either team was as successful as it is now, though. We would all like to see Tom Benson open his books (something he has never done) and prove to us that the Saints are in need of this payment. Speculation is that even without the payment, the Saints would rank in the middle of the pack of NFL teams in terms of profitability. Regardless, the State made a wise financial decision in leaving Benson no opportunity to move the Saints. In terms of economic stimulus, a payment of $26 million to keep both the Saints and the Hornets in New Orleans generates enormous dividends for New Orleans and for the entire State in helping the city land events such as the NCAA National Championship Game and the NBA All Star Game of this past year – and hopefully a Super Bowl for 2013.

Who Dat News: Break-In Spurs Rash of Copycat Crimes

News: After Green Bay Packers Running Back Noah Herron fended off would-be home invaders with a bed post last week, a wave of copycat crimes has broken out in the city of New Orleans. Although details are thin at the moment, we have received the following information:

One Unidentified Man Broke into the home of Saints Cornerback, Jason David: Reports indicate that David watched the man break into his front door, kept a close eye on the man as he rummaged through his belongings, but let the man run right past and out the back door, thinking Josh Bullocks was going to make the arrest. No arrests were made.

Two Unidentified Men Broke into the Home of Deuce McAllister: This story is still breaking, but indications are that Deuce was able to creep up on the men in dark of night while carrying a baseball bat. As Deuce hid behind a corner, waiting to spring out and catch the burglars, the invaders noticed Deuce's red no-contact robe and were able to escape the house. Police on the scene tell us these men out-ran Deuce by cutting back and forth and generally not running in a straight line, a feat Deuce was unable to accomplish. No arrests were made.

Two Men Break into Home of Former Saint Jonathan Sullivan: Sullivan, who was awake eating chicken wings and drinking gravy, caught the men at the door and was able to block the entrance. However, the robbers ran right around him and sacked the rest of the house before Sullivan could adjust. No arrests were made.

Three Men Break into Eric Johnson's Home: Johnson was in a great position to catch the burglars as he called the police to tip them off. Sadly, the burglars had wire-tapped his phone, and were able to catch the tip. No arrests were made.

Four Men Broke into the Home of Saints Quarterback Drew Brees: A frightening story for any Saints fan, early indications are that Brees realized his arm might not be strong enough to stop the intruders, so instead, he sat them down and had a talk with them and convinced them to participate in the Drew Brees Dream Foundation instead of a life of crime. No arrests were made.

Three Men Broke into the Home of Mark Simoneau: The first robber ran straight at Simoneau, and he had no problem taking him to the ground. However, learning from their partners' mistakes, the final two robbers chose to throw the stolen goods back and forth around Simoneau's home as they exited, and Simoneau could not contain the two. He tried to make a final play on his belongings, but could not intercept one pass, nor could he force a fumble of any of the stolen goods. Luckily, the security guard at the gate, Johnny Vilma, had no problem covering the area and apprehending both suspects.

Who Dat News: QB Troubles Brewing in Tampa

News: Jeff Garcia discussed the possibility of not even playing in 2008 if Tampa Bay does not give him a new deal, according to buccaneersgab.com. Garcia discussed the situation on Siruis NFL Radio, saying that he might quit before the season begins if something is not done soon. "If it doesn't work itself out, if a contract is not presented as far as a renewal to finish my career, then I will seriously think about what my alternate options may be," Garcia said today. "And it may come to not playing football anymore." Garcia went on... "I feel like when you mistreat people there comes a time when it doesn't matter how much you are paid, it's going to lead to some drastic decisions."

WhoDatSay: Although we hate to laugh at the misfortune of others, this is great news for Saints fans. The Bucs are damned either way. We can certainly understand why Tampa Bay does not want to commit long-term money to a 38-year-old quarterback who threw only 13 TD's all year and who showed signs of slowing down at the end of last season -- that would be a poor investment. However, if a deal doesn't get done, Brian Griese or Luke McCown would be forced to take the reigns. [brief pause to laugh]. Thank the lord for Drew Brees. This is exactly what we meant when we said that the Saints future looks much brighter than the others in our division. We have our top 5 QB. How about you, Tampa?

Who Dat News: Saints Fire Rick Mueller

News: The New Orleans Saints have fired Rick Mueller, the team's vice president of player personnel, according to CBSsportsline.com. Mueller was with the Saints for the past eight seasons and was a big part of the the Saints giant turnaround in 2006. According to CBS, Mickey Loomis will now have the team's director of college scouting (Rick Reiprish) and the director of pro scouting (Ryan Pace) reporting directly to him.

WhoDatSay: The Saints did something similar to Randy Mueller (Rick's brother) several years ago. However, we can't imagine why Loomis would get rid of a man who was given so much credit for putting together the 2006 draft class that included Reggie Bush, Roman Harper, Jahri Evans, and seventh-round steal, Marques Colston. On the other hand, he followed that class up with a less-than-stellar 2007 draft haul. No reason was given for the untimely firing, and at this time the team has no plans to repace their V.P. of player personnel.

Who Dat News: Mitchell To Compete For Starting Gig?

News: According to the SunHerald.com, second-year linebacker Marvin Mitchell could compete with Scott Shanle for the starting spot at weak-side linebacker this upcoming season. At the Saints' first minicamp this past Saturday, Mitchell saw some action with the first team at middle linebacker. Sean Payton also noted that he likes Mitchell's hard-hitting ability, and additional opportunities could exist for the Saints' seventh round pick in 2007.

Who Dat Say: While Mitchell may have had an opportunity to impress at middle linebacker this past weekend, we all know that the Saints' middle linebacker position is cast in stone and will be filled by their prize offseason acquisition, Jonathan Vilma. However, Mitchell very well could fill in when Vilma rests for a play or two. Also, Scott Fujita has a firm grasp on the strong side, which leaves only the weak side up for grabs. While that position is Scott Shanle's to lose, Mitchell may be able to push for some playing time. At the University of Tennessee, Mitchell was the middle linebacker, a position that requires more strength in order to stop the run. If he is to convert to a weak-side linebacker, he's going to have to prove to Sean Payton and staff that he has enough athleticism, speed, and skills to cover tight ends and running backs coming out of the backfield. Although the SEC may be the premier league in college football, covering NFL running backs is a different story. Shanle dodged one bullet with the retirement of Dan Morgan, but may be challenged by Mitchell for this spot. There's no doubt that Mitchell can hit, as Sean Payton has mentioned, but his 40-time of 4.95 may be holding him back from becoming a playmaker on the weak-side.

Who Dat Hearsay: Henry to Saints a Possibility?

News: The Denver Broncos released Travis Henry yesterday after questioning his commitment to the team. “We did not feel his commitment to the Broncos was enough to warrant a spot on this football team,” head coach Mike Shanahan said. “Although Travis has the ability to be one of the top running backs in the NFL, we have to make decisions that are in the best interests of our organization and its goal of winning a Super Bowl.” Henry missed the first week of the Bronco’s passing camp. Despite Shanahan’s wishes that Henry would be healthy enough to return to the field last Tuesday for minicamp, the running back missed the rest of the week as well.

WhoDatSay: What Shanahan may not have known is that his former starting running back was in New Orleans last month on two separate occasions and was seen playing blackjack at a downtown casino. According to an inside source, Henry commented several times about how much he loved the city (New Orleans). To our knowledge the running back did not meet with team officials during his two May visits, and both trips could have been for vacation only. Two vacations in the span of one month to New Orleans when your current team is battling through OTA’s and minicamp in Denver… hmmm. We all know the Saints have been in the market for a bigger running back to place in their stable should Deuce have another setback, and Henry (at 230lbs.) would fit that bill. That said, the Saints would have to buck their trend of signing high-character players if they were to bring in this guy.

Every Tuesday we want you to "go off" on whatever Saints-related topic is bothering you. Tell us how you feel and don't spare any expense. To submit your rant, send an e-mail to whodatsayteam@gmail.com. We will sift through the garbage and post the best stuff every Tuesday. If we get 5 good ones, we'll post them all. Happy complaining.

Last week, we brought you a report (from CBS columnist Pete Pricso) tabbing Reggie Bush as the most overrated player in the NFL. Prisco’s statement got us wondering just what Saints’ fans think of the ultra-talented, somewhat controversial running back. We asked you to send us your opinions. Here are a few we received:

Stan C.
Metairie, LA
-With my wife manning the remote control last night, I reluctantly watched the TV show Keeping up with the Kardashians. That crew, what a bunch of clowns! Anyway, it was the episode that was filmed partly in New Orleans where they tour the 9th Ward and eat at Brennan's restaurant. My wife really likes the show, so I have seen parts of several episodes. I was hoping to watch the Spurs-Lakers series, but my lobbying efforts were unsuccessful. The whole show, but mainly this most recent episode, has really struck a nerve with me. After thinking about the Reggie Bush situation, I can’t help but wonder, will Reggie ever become the superstar running back/ playmaker in the NFL that we fans all hope for, that the Saints need him to become? With Reggie, I feel there is too much glitz and not enough grit. That he is a cream puff, a pretty boy. I mean, seriously, it must be hard to focus on football with all the extracurricular B.S. that he is involved with. I know, you’re thinking, what about Peyton Manning, he is involved with all types of off-the-field distractions? My response is, Peyton is focused and he has proven himself ON THE FIELD. He can do whatever he wants. You say, “what about Tony Parker?” My response, sure he has a famous wife, but he also has championship rings. Is football Reggie’s top priority? I think it is, but the margin between football and his other priorities may not be wide enough. As a Saints fan, I really hope to be proven wrong because our team is better when Reggie is doing his thing. I hope to be eating crow after the 2008 season. But, so far, Reggie has lived off of his reputation at USC and his PRO DAY. Reggie has NOT gotten it done in the NFL!

Jonathan B.
-Hey, thanks for putting it out there, I'll keep reading it. and if my job didn't restrict me from posting, I'd do that too. Anyway about Reggie, if media hype equals what you are supposed to do, then he is a bust. But I don't care what the media had anticipated Reggie would do. His stats are low, especially YPC, but you can't name a Defense that says "Oh, we don't really need to be concerned with him." If he continues to play decoy, I don't give a shit, fine by me. But may God be with any corner on an island that's looking at him one-on-one

“RCR”
Reader Comment
-While Reggie hasn’t produced quite like we all hoped, he’s far from the most overrated player in the NFL.

Prisco doesn’t exactly give his criteria for the most over-rated player, but it seems like he’s really saying that Bush is the biggest bust.

Saying he’s overrated now means that he’s currently being hyped as something he’s not. At this point in the game, that’s not true. We all know that Reggie is more of a complement back at this stage of his career; nobody’s expecting him to carry the load without a power back like Deuce. So I don’t think it’s fair to call him overrated.

As for being a bust, that’s not fair either. He’s an integral part of our team, and played a HUGE part in our success in 2006.

So, using Prisco’s definition of “overrated,” who should win? My vote would be Mike Williams, now of the Titans. He was drafted #10, and has been an overweight bust. He has 44 catches in 3 years. According to him, he’s slimmed down to 242lbs. in order to try and compete again.

So let’s recap – Bush has been a major part of a successful team and has been a role player with the potential to be much more. Mike Williams is fat, slow, and has been on 3 teams in 3 years.

Who’s more overrated? Who’s more of a bust? Screw Priso. The shot at Kardashian’s huge ass just goes to show that this guy is writing more for jokers that would rather watch E! than real football fans.

Who Dat News: Reggie as the Punt Returner?

News: The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that Sean Payton will be zeroing in on special teams throughout this preseason in the hopes of dramatic improvement in that area. "We have to get our return game going; we really haven't been very effective in two years in that, be it kickoff return or punt return," Payton said. "We finished last in the league in field goal percentage (68); that's something that we need to address and improve on." Included in those plans is a more active role for Reggie Bush in the punt return game. Payton said Bush will be involved as a punt returner, something he was limited in last year after Deuce McAllister was lost to a knee injury and Bush became a bigger part of the running game.

WhoDatSay: It only makes sense to use Reggie in the return game. It's clear that he will not be an every down back for this club, and that means the coaches must find a way to get him more touches (especially since Payton said in the same article that he wants more 20+ yard plays this year). Allowing Reggie to return punts is a great way to get him those additional touches. It still remains to be seen the extent to which he will be used in the return game -- will he be "the" punt returner or "a" punt returner? This news also begs the question about Lance Moore and his future with the club. With the acquisitions of Tracy Porter and Tuff Harris in the off-season, who also figure to battle for the return spot, one wonders if Moore will find a spot on the final roster. Our readers seem to think he won't (see our current poll), and we agree. The spot that Moore would occupy on the final roster will be absolutely essential, especially considering the fight at the wide receiver position, and if Moore won't be the exclusive punt returner, it makes little sense to keep him.

Who Dat Say Minicamp Update

Members of the Whodatsay team attended Saints minicamp this past Saturday and are pleased to bring you this mincamp update. Present for Whodatsay were Vern, Mrs. Vern, Little Vern (the biggest 7-month old Saints fan you will ever meet), Section123, Section123 Girlfriend, and Joseph, the winner of our first annual Take a Fan to Minicamp Contest. Joseph was declared winner when he passed out on my couch the night before, leaving us no other choice than to bring him along. With six sets of eyes hard at work for our readers, we’re fairly certain we took everything in.

We don’t want to brag but….

We’re finally getting some of that well-deserved, hard-earned, respect and admiration from our peers and fans alike. Below, you will see some of the shots we took from our exclusive, roped-off, very VIP, Whodatsay area.

Jump on board while you still can folks, we’re headed for the big time.

Our exclusive press credentials gave us access to fans and players alike; at one point, we even managed to get up close to this guy:

Although we are still unsure what Panama Jack was doing at Saints mincamp, we at whodatsay have always welcomed Saints fans of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. Plus, we’re hoping that he sends us a few pairs of sunglasses so that we can avoid being blinded by the light reflected off Todd Blythe’s legs.

What we saw:

The date was May 31, and because summer typically starts some time in late February around here, it was hot. New Orleanians know to avoid the dark colors in the summer heat, but not today – today was a Saints day, and that meant the Black and Gold had to be proudly displayed, regardless of weather conditions.

We watched with the masses (what appeared to be several thousand) as Devery Henderson caught a simple pass in the flat and was cheered as if he had just completed the Immaculate Reception. We saw Deuce taking handoffs up the middle, a sight that can’t help but bring a sense of normalcy and rightness to the mind of any Saints fan; it was certainly a sight for sore eyes, and one which we hope to see a lot more of. We watched as David Patten abused Usama Young on a deep route, faking him out of his shoes and making a catch in the end zone. All the while, the general, clad in his long sleeves and visor, walked the ranks of his players, looking for something, a well-run route, a vicious block, a well thrown ball from Palko or Brunell.

Vern’s Take:

Vern focused his attention mostly on receivers and defensive backs, and had the following to report: Although it is par for the course, Drew Brees looked good. Really good. He threw with consistent accuracy and velocity. Together, Brees and Colston make even the most difficult routes look effortless.

Tyler Palko… well, pretty much the exact opposite of everything we just said about Brees. He under-whelmed and under-impressed us with his accuracy all morning long.

Deuce Mcallister still has a long way to go. It appeared that every handoff he took was straight up the middle, and it looks like he is a long way from being able to move laterally at full speed. We’re not expecting Deuce to be 100% when training camp opens.

Reggie Bush seemed to show no ill effects from last year’s injury, and moved quickly and confidently with the ball. Early indications are that he will be used in much the same way as last year, despite the entire Who Dat Nation calling for some new looks with Reggie in 2008.

Marques Colston is truly in a class all his own on our team. His routes always looks smooth, and he catches every ball with his hands, even when it looks like it would be easier for him to catch it with his body.

Although there has been a lot of positive talk about Robert Meachem lately, he failed to impress at minicamp. Despite his straight line speed, he still seems to be a little slow in and out of his breaks, and he catches too many balls with his body. Meachem doesn’t drop many balls, but he needs to make more of an effort to extend his arms to the ball and not just let the ball come to him. At times, he almost looks lazy running routes.

Despite running mostly with the third team, Adrian Arrington managed to impress us. Arrington just appears to be a complete receiver, with a quick first step and the ability to get separation, despite what the scouting reports said about him. He catches the ball well with his hands, and with his large frame, he really has the potential to develop into a red-zone threat. If Arrington learns the playbook and continues to improve, he could have a bright future with the Saints.

Tracy Porter looked good. He’s definitely raw, and that showed when he bit on a few moves and got beat a few times. His recovery speed, however, appears to be excellent, and he mostly did a good job of keeping receivers in front of him. We’re looking forward to watching him develop.

With Mike McKenzie walking around pad-less, Randall Gay was the most consistent defensive back on the field. He blanketed Colston on an out-route and covered receivers tight on deep balls. It’s obvious that Gay has been playing under Bill Belichick when you see how impressive his footwork is.

What it all means…

Depending on who you ask, attending minicamp is either a great way to pick up subtle clues regarding the staff’s mindset, or a nice way to get a jumpstart on that farmer’s tan you will be sporting all summer. However, no one will argue that mincamp isn’t a great place to hang out with other Saints fans, support the Boys in Black and Gold, and start getting excited about the 2008 season. We’ll see you in Jackson.