October 2006 Archives

Sean Payton said his team got "too cute" at times in the red zone. I assume he's referring to Reggie Bush's ill-advised pass into double coverage, resulting in a costly interception in the end zone. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Held Over: Respect Payton for taking blame on shaky calls

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You read that right. The Saints are ranked ninth in the NFL, according to ESPN, between the Ravens and Bengals. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Saints still in the top 10 in ESPN Power Ranking

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So I guess he’s human after all. Saints coach Sean Payton, a man who seemingly could do no wrong since the moment he arrived, finally had a bad day; his team losing miserably to the Baltimore Ravens, 35-22. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Fazende: Saints loss definitely a wake up call

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Ravens linebacker Bart Scott said he went after Reggie Bush's ankle on purpose in retaliation for what he said was a cheap shot early in the game.

>> Continue reading: Ravens linebacker says he meant to hurt Bush

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Sports Director Jim Henderson has some fun playing the blame game after the team's loss to the Ravens.

>> Continue reading: Henderson: Playing the blame game

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Saints running back Reggie Bush says his ankle injury is one he's played with for weeks and that he'll definitely play this coming week against Tampa.

>> Continue reading: Bush says he'll play

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Steve McNair at one point was seven of eight passing, including five of six on third down. He’d have a tough time being that accurate in seven on seven drills in practice.

Fred Thomas, Mike McKenzie, and Jason Craft got shelled like targets at a shooting range. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Forecast: Secondary looked horrible in 'train wreck' loss

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Saints linebacker Scott Fujita was disappointed that fans bailed on the Saints in the second half and he is asking them to stay, according to the Biloxi Sun's Larry Holder.

>> Continue reading: Fujita wants fans to stay til the end

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While Drew Brees and Reggie Bush didn't want to attribute any of the Saints problems to the bye week, and while head coach Sean Payton didn't want to use it as an excuse, Payton did say that whatever the Saints did to prepare off the bye week didn't work.

He said the schedule he used was going to be 'thrown away.'

Brees said that during his career he's played some of his best games coming off of byes, but also had some bad ones...

>> Continue reading: Bye week a factor?

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Reggie Bush told the media after the game that his ankle is only sprained and that he will be fine.

Bush was tackled late in the game against the Ravens and a large lineman fell on his ankle. He left the game and the field and appeared to be in some pain, though he did walk off the field on his own power.

Bush wore only a sock over his injured ankle when addressing the media after the game.

>> Continue reading: Bush says ankle is okay

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Hey, the headline kinda speaks for itself, doesn't it? Read more. Not only can you see the projected Saints-Ravens score, but you see what 'Madden 07' says about every other game this weekend.

>> Continue reading: Saints beat Ravens...in 'Madden 2007' simulation

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How Sean Payton is changing the culture/attitude of the Saints with a few well-placed--and maybe even hokey--motivational statements around training camp. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Coach Payton has the Saints seeing signs

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During the Saints bye week I watched as many NFC games as I could and came to a fairly surprising conclusion: the NFC is wide open. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Forecast: Saints have a shot in the wide open NFC

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The Sun's Jamison Hensley said the Ravens won't feel bad if they beat the Saints. Head coach Brian Billick likens beating the Saints to 'beating up Mother Theresa.

>> Continue reading: Billick: Beating 'feel good Saints' like beating Mother Theresa

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Steve McNair who is recovering from a mild concussion, says he is 'in' for the game with the Saints Sunday, in a report from Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun.

>> Continue reading: McNair says he's playing

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From the Associated Press:

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has in the past played one week after getting a concussion in a game, so he understands how it might interfere with Ravens quarterback Steve McNair's ability to play this Sunday.

>> Continue reading: Brees knows what it's like to play shortly after concussion

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Count Sean Payton among those coordinators (past or present) who know what it's like to either have their duties either scaled back or to lose their jobs outright. Payton said he understands Ravens head coach Brian Billick, who recently fired his offensive coordinator, knows the offensive side of the ball and will do just fine calling the plays. Read more...

>> Continue reading: Coach Payton not counting on advantage from Baltimore's coaching turmoil

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The Saints first injury report of the week listed running back Deuce McAllister as probably for Sunday's game.

>> Continue reading: Saints injury report for Thursday

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Larry Holder of the McClatchy newspaper groups says Sean Payton put in an extra practice on what is normally an off day in an effort to keep his team sharp

>> Continue reading: Saints get in extra practice after bye week

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The Saints success and the NFL’s new ability to change some games to prime time late in the season may cause the team to have some starting times moved.

That hasn’t happened yet, but the Saints game with Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh in three weeks will now be played at 3:15 pm instead of Noon.

The move was necessitated when the NFL switched a game between the Bears and Giants on that same date from Sunday afternoon to Sunday night...

>> Continue reading: Saints-Steelers game time changed

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ESPN has the Saints rated fifth in the entire NFL in the latest power rankings.

>> Continue reading: Saints now Fifth in Power Rankings

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According to the Baltimore Sun, Steve McNair should play against the Saints this Sunday after suffering a concussion and sprained neck in the Ravens last game. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Baltimore newspaper says McNair should play against Saints

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Lewis, known to many as 'Beer Man,' was taken off the physically unable to perform list recently, leaving the Saints with the decision to either keep him on the roster or release him. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Saints will decide Michael Lewis' future soon

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From the Shreveport Times:

The Houston Texans set themselves up for this second-guessing back in April and six months later the questions have only intensified.

Critics continue to pick apart the NFL’s newest franchise and its most-recent No. 1 overall draft selection while the city of New Orleans and its Saints appear to be the greatest benefactors. >> Continue reading: Reggie Bush - Mario Williams draft debate continues

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That's what the USA Today is saying, that Drew Brees is a winner once again. Maybe not flashy, but a winner.

>> Continue reading: Brees proving doubters wrong - again

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A giant question mark heading into the season, the Saints offensive line has more than held their ground through six games, surrendering only six sacks. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Saints offensive line a pleasant surprise through six games

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One year after appearing in the Super Bowl, the Raiders offered Sean Payton, then the quarterbacks coach with the Cowboys, a chance to coach the boys in silver and black. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Saints nearly missed out on Payton two years ago

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Alan Barra of the New York Sun sparked some strong reactions by Saints fans when he questioned how good the team was and said that he was tired of every publication saying the team would save the city.

>> Continue reading: Fans blast NY Writer's column

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Kick return specialist Michael Lewis is now eligible to return to the active roster from the physically unable to perform list, but the Saints have a couple more weeks to decide whether to bring him back, waive him or place him on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

>> Continue reading: 'Beer Man' eligible to return to roster

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Alan Barra, a columnist for the New York Sun, said he's tired as the overused sports-as-metaphor cliche seems to have everybody stuck on the Saints and the city's plight this season. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Sports writers need to knock off the 'Saints are saving New Orleans' stories

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With a seemingly overwhelming number of Saints fans screaming, "Super Bowl, baby!" the Lafayette Daily Advertiser cautions, don't look to the end of the road just yet. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Lafayette paper cautions Saints fans: Don't book those flights to Miami just yet

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Sorry Terrell Owens, but Drew Brees has had the biggest impact as a free agent acquisition in 2006. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Fazende: Brees a big reason for the Saints' success

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All aboard the bandwagon, national sports media! ESPN has ranked the Saints 7th overall (behind New England, ahead of Carolina) following their 27-24 victory over the Eagles. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Saints ranked seventh in ESPN Power Ranking

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From the Associated Press:

Payton could be seen giving high-fives to fans near end zone sands following Sunday game, a sign of his approval of the Louisiana Superdome crowd's participation in the victory.

>> Continue reading: Payton: Crowd noise definitely helped us

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With everything going seemingly against them at the outset of the season, the Saints are this year's 'Cinderella Story.' Read more.

>> Continue reading: Saints this year's 'Cinderella story'

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On ESPN.com, all five experts answer this week's burning question about whether or not the Saints are for real in the affirmative.

>> Continue reading: Respect from ESPN

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Yet another sign that people believe the Eagles 'lost' more than the Saints 'won' Sunday's game. John Fischer of Philadelphia.about.com talks about the Eagles' collapse.

>> Continue reading: Philly writer says Eagles "collapsed"

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'The Saints are Coming' sounded like a perfect anthem for the boys in black and gold, said Sports Illustrated's Don Banks. But after their week 6 comeback against the Eagles, one thing is clear: the Saints have arrived. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Conwell: Team, city have "one heartbeat"

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Bad teams without a leader will often crumble and after the game curse missed chances and bad calls. (i.e.: Jim Haslett and Aaron Brooks. )

Good teams have good players that make plays to regain momentum. Cue Joe Horn and Drew Brees. Read more.

>> Continue reading: Forecast: Good coach, good QB...good things happen

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The columnists at the Philadelphia Inquirer believe the Eagles beat themselves Sunday. Phil Sheridan says as much, though he does say the Saints are for real. Meanwhile Bob Ford seems to believe that the Eagles had a letdown.