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Eye ON THE SAINTS |
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June 2008
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Tom Planchet: January 2007 ArchivesThe Miami Dolphins were unwilling to sign Drew Brees for big money because they doubted he was fully recovered enough to play in 2006. ...
A Los Angeles writer says that the California city needs to look somewhere else for a team, because the Saints aren't going anywhere, anytime soon. ...San Jose Mercury News columnist Anne Killion says the Super Bowl should return to New Orleans - and soon. ...
A Chicago televison station's web site says the furor over alleged bad behavior by Bears fans is still a hot topic. Chicago's mayor even called the actions 'deplorable.' ...CBS' affiliate in Chicago says Saints fans received some rough treatment from Bears' fans. ...The Sports Network's Scott Garbarini says things look bright for the Saints future and he says forget about the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship and remember the rest of the ride. ...Eric Narcisse of the Daily Advertiser in Lafayette says Bush's point was to the Saints sideline to fire them up and not back at a trailing Brian Urlacher. He also says if you think that turned the tide, you weren't paying attention. ...ESPN.com's Wright Thompson said shortly after the game, fans felt like they'd lost their best friend, but soon after they realized what the team and season had given to them, a chance to forget their problems for a while. ...Among the highlights of the Saints 2007 schedule are road games at Indianapolis and at Chicago. The remainder of the opponents are below. Dates and times TBA. Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans. Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, ... Sean Payton said he is wrestling with his play calling on a key third quarter drive that ended in a missed field goal by Billy Cundiff. On the drive, with the Saints trailing 16-14, Mike Karney had just ripped off a 12-yard run to the 29. Payton said that maybe he should have tried to punch it a bit closer, realizing that a field goal would give them the lead and that 47 yards was a bit out of John Carney's range. ...
CBS Sportsline's Mike Freeman says the Saints and their star rookie are talented, but immature. ...Considering what many New Orleanians are still dealing with following Katrina, writer Wayne Drehs says the Saints realize they have little to complain about though they did feel like they missed on several opportunities to seize the game. ...Deron Snyder of the Fort Myers News Press says despite being so close, the Saints are still one of only six NFL teams never to reach the Super Bowl. ...Head coach Sean Payton said Reggie Bush came to the sideline right after his flip into the end zone and dance and told the coach that 'he shouldn't have done that.' Payton said it was an error in judgment but that Bush was just excited. Bush later agreed. Talking to the media he said it was an error but that he wasn't going to dwell on it, but 'move on.' ...Sean Payton refused to blame the weather conditions, saying that his main concerns were the footing and wind and he thought that both held up well. He said the footing was not a concern. His sentiment wasn't echoed by CBS analyst Boomer Esiason who said the fact that the Bears worked outside in sub freezing weather all week and the Saints worked out inside made a difference. ...
Sean Payton, in his post game press conference said that the third quarter drive that ended with a missed long field goal was likely more of a turning point than the safety because he felt the team had some momentum at that point and had made a good drive. ...Giving the Saints a slight edge on offense when the Bears play D, but giving the Bears a slight advantage on the flip side but a larger advantage on special teams Sportsline comes out with a slight edge overall for the home team. ...Chicago Sun Times writer Mike Mulligan talks about the huge role rookies have played in the success of the Saints and Bears. ...Chicago Sun Times writer Rick Telander profiles Superdome director Doug Thornton's harrowing days after Katrina and his oversight in getting the arena rebuilt. ...Seattle Times columnist Steve Kelley says that only people living in Chicago are rooting for the Bears and he says while you should pull for the New Orleans team you should also remember the city and that its battle is nowhere near won. ...Like it or not, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti says the Bears, who are normally celebrated nationally, are now the decided villain in the Saints fairy tale season and that the only way they can avoid that is to win big. ...After angrily saying earlier in the week that he 'didn't root for any team,' former Saints and Bears coach Mike Ditka said he always roots for the Bears and would do so again this week. ...CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco says that without Mike Karney's dirty work, Deuce and Reggie would have less room to run. ...Dave Fleming addresses several issues, issue number six is where he says the Saints need to cop a mean streak to continue on. ...
Realfootball365.com thinks it at least needs to be in the conversation alongside the 1980 Miracle on Ice. ...At least one Chicago-area newspaper and web site has had its fill of both Rex Grossman and Mike Ditka. ...
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT CHICAGO BEARS -- Saints: QUESTIONABLE: WR Of the six out of eight ESPN experts (not including John Clayton who chose the Bears), who have registered their picks all have chosen the Saints over the Bears. Two guys still have to chose. ...Mike Ditka, who was fired by both the Saints and Bears called Bears' chairman Michael McCaskey a 'snake' and Saints owner Tom Benson 'stupid' in an article in the Chicago Sun-Times. ...David Haugh of Chicagosports.com, says says calling the Saints a Cinderella story and comparing them to the NCAA's George Mason is doing a disservice to a very good team. ...Figuring that something mystical has been helping the Saints, some in Chicago want to reverse the hex by putting some voodoo on the Saints. ...Sports Illustrated writer Tim Layden says more than just a feel-good story, the Saints are a good team with a legitimate shot to continue on winning. ...For all the hype the reopening of the Superdome has gotten, the Saints have done much better on the road this year, which could be a good thing come Sunday. ...CBS Sportsline's experts feel Chicago will beat the Saints but just 'bearly.' ...Reggie Bush, Drew Brees, Sean Payton and Deuce McAllister, the featured speakers on Wednesday's press conferences all agreed on one thing, weather wouldn't bother them. ...CHICAGO (AP) -- It's been 19 years since Chicago Bears fans have seen their team reach heights such as the N-F-C championship game. ...Sean Payton said that Joe Horn, Mark Campbell and Omar Stoutmire are all listed as questionable. Campbell didn't practice, Horn did take some reps and Stoutmire worked. ...ESPN's John Clayton gives several reasons he believes the Bears will bet the Saints. ...CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco says the AFC Champion is no automatic winner in the Super Bowl. ... |