NFL Huddle

Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

Hunter Ansley at FoxSports is analyzing the NFL for the new set of “Triplets” like the Hall of Fame Cowboys – Aikman, Irvin and Smith. Here is what Ansley is saying about the Super Bowl Champs:

Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Marques Colston

It doesn’t matter who lines up under center, out wide, or in the backfield. When the Saints win the Super Bowl, all three deserve mention on any list of special triplets. Of course, anonymity is something the Saints don’t have to deal with anymore. Drew Brees knocked off Kurt Warner, Brett Favre, and Peyton Manning in succession to win ring number one for New Orleans. And Marques Colston is the wide receivers’ answer to Tom Brady. But Reggie Bush hasn’t been exactly what Saints’ fans hoped for when he was taken second overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. That’s the new NFL, though. Workhorse feature backs toting the rock 30+ times a game are dying off faster than the 4-3, and Bush fits the new mold. No, he’s no threat to top 1000 yards on the ground, but his overall contributions as a returner, runner, and receiver make the Saints triplets appear to be four or five men strong.

Of course the article mentioned more sets in the league. The Vikings, Cowboys, Bengals and Lions crews.

Read the entire article here

Hunter Ansley at FoxSports is analyzing the NFL for the new set of “Triplets” like the Hall of Fame Cowboys – Aikman, Irvin and Smith. Here is what Ansley is saying about the Super Bowl Champs:

Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Marques Colston

It doesn’t matter who lines up under center, out wide, or in the backfield. When the Saints win the Super Bowl, all three deserve mention on any list of special triplets. Of course, anonymity is something the Saints don’t have to deal with anymore. Drew Brees knocked off Kurt Warner, Brett Favre, and Peyton Manning in succession to win ring number one for New Orleans. And Marques Colston is the wide receivers’ answer to Tom Brady. But Reggie Bush hasn’t been exactly what Saints’ fans hoped for when he was taken second overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. That’s the new NFL, though. Workhorse feature backs toting the rock 30+ times a game are dying off faster than the 4-3, and Bush fits the new mold. No, he’s no threat to top 1000 yards on the ground, but his overall contributions as a returner, runner, and receiver make the Saints triplets appear to be four or five men strong.

Of course the article mentioned more sets in the league. The Vikings, Cowboys, Bengals and Lions crews.

Read the entire article here

Flozell Adams and Jammal Brown have been the most penalized Offensive Left Tackles for “false starts in the NFL the past several years.   After the 2009 season’s Super Bowl Championship anchored by backup LT Jermon Bushrod, the Saints did not hesitate to unload disgruntled former Pro-Bowl and first-round draft pick to the Redskins.  The ‘Skins get a quality LT with great size, however, Brown did sit-out 2009 on IR with an injured hip.

Redskins Confidential posted an article, that “Skins coaches will switch Brown to RT.  He played this position at Oklahoma.

At least that’s how it would appear when training camp starts six weeks from now. Hicks said he was told by line coach Chris Foerster that he would play right guard and that Brown would play right tackle.

“It’s a great move, man,” Hicks said. “The tackle situation will be shored up now… It’s the best situation for the team, coming from last year you have to do everything you can to upgrade the roster at every spot. That’s a definite upgrade at right tackle.”

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/blogs/redskins-confidential/Displaced-Hicks-likes-trade-96731239.html#ixzz0rLn0rFO6

Will the trade payoff for McNabb’s quest for his first Super Bowl ring, or will this be another solid trade by Saints GM Loomis?

In an unreservedly delicious moment, the 2009 New Orleans Saints gathered as a team for perhaps the last time Wednesday night, walking the red carpet to the Roosevelt Hotel and heading inside for a private ceremony to receive Super Bowl XLIV championship rings. The Tiffany pieces, glittering with diamonds and yellow gold, were remarkably valuable in and of themselves -- no one would offer a precise appraisal, although some estimates ran to $30,000 a pop -- but quarterback Drew Brees said they were more priceless than a Faberge egg. "It symbolizes not just this year, but the culmination of four years of ups and downs," Brees said. "A lot of work and a lot of struggle, but we found a way to become world champions -- and it was never about just one person or even just the team. It was about our city and the community."

The check-down pass in the NFL was once considered nothing more than a safe play used as a last resort to help a quarterback avoid pressure and maybe keep him off the ground.

That play might have gained 5 to 8 yards, keeping a drive alive or setting up a short-yardage situation on the next down, but more importantly it kept the quarterback upright.

These days, it’s much more than that. The check-down pass has become a weapon.

Drew Brees and Pierre Thomas combined for six catches, 55 yards and a 16-yard TD in the Super Bowl. (Getty Images)

Drew Brees helped lead the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl victory last season in large part because of his ability to turn those safe, check-down passes into so many big plays.

Close your eyes for a second. You can visualize Brees scanning the field, looking left, looking right, looking deep and then short, dumping a pass to Reggie Bush or Pierre Thomas, their speed turning what looks like a 5-yard gain into a 15-yard gain — or more.

“I think with any good passing game it’s a must,” Saints coach Sean Payton said.

With the emergence of spread offenses in the NFL, including teams using more three- and four-receiver sets on early downs to put pressure on defenses across the field, offensive coaches are seeing more and more chances to make the check-down a weapon.

“Chunk yards in the passing game can be a 6-yard check-down that turns into [a] huge gain,” Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. “We talk a lot about our quarterbacks throwing check-downs to locations. If the pass is accurate, it can turn the little play into a big one.”

It’s much more than just calling a play for the ball to be thrown to the back as the No. 1 option. For check-down plays to succeed, it has to be one of the last reads for the quarterback. It can’t just be having the quarterback look to the first read and then throw the check-down. That’s what young and not-so-good quarterbacks do. They play scared, with the check-down as their security blanket.

Read the entire CBSSports Article

What’s the best thing about being a video game quarterback as opposed to playing the position in real life?

Nobody better to ask than “Madden NFL 11″ cover boy and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees.

“No pain,” Brees says with a laugh. “I’m not worried about getting hit in ‘Madden.’ It’s a little different when you’re out there for real and you have to be aware of who is trying to knock your head off. If I get hit in the game, all that happens is my controller shakes.”

But there are some things Brees loves about the real NFL that he thinks can never be captured in virtual form.

“I think the atmosphere of a game, where you step out on the field and you hear the crowd noise, is really special,” Brees says. “Then when you throw a touchdown and run into that end zone and jump on a teammate … that interaction and that atmosphere is obviously something where you have to be there to feel.

“But to me, being in ‘Madden’ is just another way to connect with the fans. It helps educates the fans about the plays, the players, the teams. I have a Wii, and when my son gets older, it’s going to be fun to be able to play the game together. I have a feeling he’s going to be a gamer pretty soon.”

I had the chance to sit down with Brees just hours after his “Madden NFL 11″ cover was officially unveiled in New York’s Times Square to talk about the game, the Saints and, of course, that dreaded Madden Curse. Here’s what EA’s newest spokesman had to say.

Read the entire article Drew Brees talks ‘Madden NFL 11′ – ESPN

The Super Bowl Champs will have a tough schedule while defending their crown.  The NFL decided to help Brett Favre and the Viqueens attempt to get revenge on the Saints for their last defeat in the Superdome.  This is SAD statement game by the NFL.  The week 3 was a disappointment; the Saints will host the Falcons in the Dome, but it is not a prime-time event.

New Orleans will fact NFC South opponents four times in the first 9 weeks of the season.  The Panthers twice and the Falcons and Bucs.  The schedulers usually had their contest against the Panthers late in the season.  The difficult games are later in the season for the Saints.  The Steelers, Ravens, Bengals and Cowboys will test the Saints.  The later three will be on the road.

The Cowgirls will host the Saints as a precursor to the team testing out Cowboys Stadium for the Super Bowl in February.  We look forward to another great year in 2010 for the Saints.
1 Thu. Sep. 09 vs. Vikings 8:30 PM
2 Mon. Sep. 20 at 49ers 8:30 PM
3 Sun. Sep. 26 vs. Falcons 1:00 PM
4 Sun. Oct. 03 vs. Panthers 1:00 PM
5 Sun. Oct. 10 at Cardinals 4:05 PM
6 Sun. Oct. 17 at Buccaneers 1:00 PM
7 Sun. Oct. 24 vs. Browns 1:00 PM
8 Sun. Oct. 31 vs. Steelers 8:20 PM
9 Sun. Nov. 07 at Panthers 1:00 PM
10 BYE
11 Sun. Nov. 21 vs. Seahawks 4:05 PM
12 Thu. Nov. 25 at Cowboys 4:15 PM
13 Sun. Dec. 05 at Bengals 1:00 PM
14 Sun. Dec. 12 vs. Rams 4:05 PM
15 Sun. Dec. 19 at Ravens 1:00 PM
16 Mon. Dec. 27 at Falcons 8:30 PM
17 Sun. Jan. 02 vs. Buccaneers 1:00 PM

Reggie may not be headed out of New Orleans as most predicted. Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network has just reported on this story:

Running back Reggie Bush remains very much in the Saints’ plans, despite an $8 million salary in 2010, and the team has made no attempts to ask him to restructure, according to league sources.

The Saints have had several conversations with agent Joel Segal, who represents star New Orleans safety Darren Sharper, a potential free agent, as well as Bush, and have not broached the subject of altering his salary.

Bush remains in the Saints’ budget following their post-Super Bowl organizational meetings and was a key contributor for them in the postseason. Many league execs believed the Saints might ask Bush to restructure his deal or ultimately release him in an uncapped year, getting out from a high first-round contract with Bush largely a situational player to this point in his career. But that does not appear to be the case now, with the start of free agency now essentially a week away.

Despite speculation, Saints don’t plan to release Bush

INDIANAPOLIS - The New Orleans Saints have made qualifying offers to 13 players slated to become restricted free agents at the start of the new league year next week. Terms of the offers were not disclosed. The players are: Defensive linemen Remi Ayodele and Anthony Hargrove, offensive tackles Jammal Brown, Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief, safeties Roman Harper, Chris Reis and Usama Young, linebacker Marvin Mitchell, wide receivers Lance Moore and Courtney Roby, tight end David Thomas and running back Pierre Thomas. As reported earlier, the offers to Bushrod and Strief were second-round tenders and the offer to Young was a third-round tender. Noticeably absent from the list is All-Pro guard Jahri Evans, but there's no reason for alarm. The Saints will almost certainly tender Evans at the highest possible compensation level (first- and third-round picks), just as they did with Evans last year. There's no chance the Saints will let Evans get away, but they are believed to be discussing a possible long-term extension with him in the meantime. The deadline for tendering qualifying offers to restricted free agents is March 4. The Saints have five restricted free agents remaining: Evans, tailback Mike Bell, fullback Kyle Eckel, defensive end Jeff Charleston and cornerback Leigh Torrence.

It’s slow on Saints News and Darren Sharper is miffed at the Saints because he is not going to a $6 millionn dollar man next season. So here’s a story on our boy Tony Kornheiser of Pardon the Interruption. Tony had his PTI gig momentarily “interrrupted” by ESPN for comments he made about Hannah Storm’s wardrobe.

On his radio show last week, Kornheiser mocked Storm for her “horrifying, horrifying outfit” on ESPN’s “Sportscenter.” Kornheiser hosts “Pardon the Interruption” on the sports network.

Here is the Huffington Post article -

His comments:

“Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She’s got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt … way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now…She’s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body … I know she’s very good, and I’m not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won’t … but Hannah Storm … come on now! Stop! What are you doing? … She’s what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point.”

Last week, Kornheiser apologized for the remarks:

“I apologize unequivocally. … I was wrong. This is sort of what I do, and I’m sorry for it. … Not the first time and won’t be the last time but I apology for it this time.”

An ESPN spokesperson said Tuesday that Kornheiser will be suspended “for some time” from “Pardon the Interruption.”

Kornheiser acknowledged the suspension in remarks on Tuesday:

“I have been sent to sidelines from PTI for a while and when I’m allowed back on PTI, I will happily go back because I love the PTI show and love all the people on the PTI show.”

In 2008, Storm shared her on-air style philosophy with the Huffington Post:

My preference is fitted and feminine clothes and I am really happy with my style now because its much more reflective of my personality and a lot more fun, rather than being so anchor-ish!…

It doesn’t take me any time at all to get dressed at work because I put together a bunch of outfits at once, jewelry and all, and take them en masse to work. When I get there at about 5:30 AM, I just pick an outfit depending on how I am feeling that day.

His New Orleans Saints may have won Super Bowl XLIV, but that’s last week’s news — king of the field Reggie Bush took a backseat to Kim Kardashian last night as she was crowned Sin City’s Queen of Hearts.

Kardashian hosted club Lavo’s official love day bash, where she and boyfriend Bush enjoyed some Italian food (and an oversized Oreo for dessert!) before heading upstairs to party.

“Whether you are single or with a loved one we are going to party tonight in Vegas!” Kardashian told the crowd. She was clad in a sexy YSL white minidress with, of course, a sweetheart neckline.

Afterward, she was presented with her own “Queen of Hearts” cake and a teddy bear from Bush reading, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Gretchen Rossi of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” and her man Slade Smiley turned up, as well as Kardashian’s old “Dancing With the Stars” partner Mark Ballas and his girlfriend Joanna Pacitti.

– Matt Donnelly

Photo: Kim Kardashian plays queen for a night with boyfriend Reggie Bush. Credit: Denise Truscello

His New Orleans Saints may have won Super Bowl XLIV, but that’s last week’s news — king of the field Reggie Bush took a backseat to Kim Kardashian last night as she was crowned Sin City’s Queen of Hearts.

Kardashian hosted club Lavo’s official love day bash, where she and boyfriend Bush enjoyed some Italian food (and an oversized Oreo for dessert!) before heading upstairs to party.

“Whether you are single or with a loved one we are going to party tonight in Vegas!” Kardashian told the crowd. She was clad in a sexy YSL white minidress with, of course, a sweetheart neckline.

Afterward, she was presented with her own “Queen of Hearts” cake and a teddy bear from Bush reading, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Gretchen Rossi of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” and her man Slade Smiley turned up, as well as Kardashian’s old “Dancing With the Stars” partner Mark Ballas and his girlfriend Joanna Pacitti.

– Matt Donnelly

Photo: Kim Kardashian plays queen for a night with boyfriend Reggie Bush. Credit: Denise Truscello

If you have not already seen the video of Carmen Ortega prancing around Reggie Bush’s California mansion, then you have missed the story. Here’s the video just in case. Carmen Ortega is now claiming that her “friend” betrayed her and released the tape to the public on the eve of Reggie playing in the Super Bowl with the Saints. Sad. The video had to taken over a year ago since he had the mansion on the market for sale last year. Who knows, maybe she was with Reggie while he was with Kim. Better yet, who cares. Obviously, Reggie has made his choice, Kim Kardashian. It’s time for Carmen to leave Reggie and Kim alone. The question is, is this considered “online” stalking by Carmen? I don’t know but check out the message she left at HoneyMag.com:

Earlier this week, a video surfaced on the web, showing me on a private tour of New Orleans Saints player, Reggie Bush’s home. The published blog posts about the video have painted me as everything from a “thirsty ho,” to “jump off” to “escort.” These names aren’t insulting, for they’re not true.

As you all know by now, Reggie and I had a brief short lived relationship almost one year ago. During that time, we both were in serious relationships with other people, but we had an “understanding.”

Unfortunately, things hit the fan when Reggie’s girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, found out about our secret relationship. She immediately ran to the Internet to throw me under the bus. When this happened, Reggie and I went our separate ways. During our brief relationship, Reggie became a dear and valued friend to me. The negativity surrounding that situation made it extremely difficult for me to move on.

However, I did.

I want to use this column, for Honey, as an opportunity to express how deeply hurt and betrayed I feel. I am shocked and disappointed to see that on the eve of Reggie’s biggest day, his team’s Super Bowl win, the private video I took months ago had surfaced. I believe it was leaked by a former trusted friend and colleague, for his personal gain. It wasn’t my intention for that video to hit the net or distract Reggie from his amazing day. I made that video to let the “nay-sayers” know that I did have proof that he and I were in a relationship. Unfortunately drama continues to follow, but I have moved on from that experience – and still am.

This too shall pass.

Peace.

Carmen Ortega

Drew and his family are on the Sports Illustrated cover for the week.  The story is entitled, “Heart and Soul – Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints – Super Bowl Champions,” enough said.  Congratulations Saints and all the Saints Fans in the world.

The New Orleans Saints are the National Football League Champions. Congratulations Sean Payton, Drew Brees and the entire New Orleans Saints team from SaintsNews.net.

The Saints need the following men to have a great day in order to win against the Colts. Here are the Saints Super Bowl 44 X-Men:

1. Mike Bell – The last time Bell faced the Colts, while at Denver, he ran for 125 yards in the 2nd half. The Saints will test Freeney or Brock and attack them with the run. Watch for Bell pounding the ball down the guts of the Colts for the Saints to control the ball and win the Super Bowl.

2. Thomas Morstead and Garrett Hartley – Both young kicker will be called on the get the job done. Morstead was the Saints’ MVP of the NFC Championship game. It will huge for him to control the field position for the Saints. Hartley will have to make at least two crucial field goals in the second half to pressure the Colts into a throwing match.

3. Courtney Roby – Big returns are a priority for him. If he can’t it done, Payton may call on Pierre Thomas or Reggie Bush. I expect Roby to average over 40 yards per return.

4. Randall Gay – The ball will be coming his way. Get ready and pressure the tight ends or slot receivers.

5. The entire Saints Offensive and Defensive Lines – Ball Control on both sides in the key. If the Saints establish the run and pass protection, the Colts defense is in for a long day. If the Defense can collaspe the pocket, the 2nd half will belong to the Saints.

Geaux Saints and Congratulations!!!

The leader of the New Orleans Saints “Dome Patrol”, Rickey Jackson, has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rickey was selected to six Pro Bowls and recorded 136 sacks in his career. Jackson went to San Francisco near the end of his career and got a Super Bowl ring. He also was elected to the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame and has his number in the rafters of the Superdome. He will be the first Saints player to elected to the Hall of Fame. Ironic, because the Saints may win their first Super Bowl against the son of Archie Manning that played with Rickey in the 80’s.

Congratulations Rickey!

Rickey Jackson – Linebacker – 1981-1993 New Orleans Saints, 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers

The Dome Patrol - Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills, Pat Swilling, Vaughn Johnson

The Saints defense will put in a lot of work on Sunday in the Super Bowl against Peyton Mannings’ Colts.  The task at roping down the Colts’ receivers will be left to Jabari Greer, Tracey Porter, Randall Gay and Usama Young.  Tightening the corners with support will be Darren Sharper and Roman Harper.  In the past, the teams that were horrified by Peyton Manning and his magic, allowed the receivers to get off the line of scrimmage without any bump and run.  Look for the Saints to install the similar pressure they placed on Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker.  The rookies, Garcon and Collie, were given free reign in the middle of the field by the Jets defense.

Reggie Wayne will continue to patrol the sidelines and deep routes to attract one of the safeties, mostly Sharper, to open lanes for the other receivers and TE Dallas Clark.  Expect Shanle and Vilma to run with Clark.  The Saints may switch to their 3-4 defense if Clark and the Indy running game becomes effective.  Fujita will play an important role on the run plays and blitz packages for Gregg Williams.  But the true test for the Saints will begin on the lines.

Jeff Saturday will get his hands full of Sedrick Ellis and Anthony Hargrove.  If they can contain the run in the first 15 minutes, the Colts will go to the air.  It will be very important for Hargrove, Smith and McCray to pressure, keep the lane responsibilities and touch Manning as much as possible.  The young left tackle for the Colts has not been tested much by blitzes.  Will Smith will have a productive day.  His regular season performance has been underrated by most media professionals this year.  Look for Smith to keep constant pressure on Manning.

Who will the the Defensive Stars for the Saints:

1.  Vilma – must call a near perfect game by setting up the Saints defensive schemes against Mannning. He must be patient and wait after Manning goes through his series of gestures and fake audibles.  This will be a challenge.

2.  Smith – I remember the great game he had when Ohio St. defeated Miami for the NCAA National Championship.  He must do the same with at least two sacks, constant pressure, containment on the run and creating a turnover.

3.  Sharper – Patrolling the secondary and playing center field against a potent offensive leader as Manning will be his greatest challenge to date.  I can see him taking one back near the goal line.   The Colts like the slants in the red zone and Sharper likes to jump routes.

4.  Harper – His tackling the runners and tight ends will be crucial in this game.  If he can’t get Addai, Simpson, Brown and Dallas Clark on the turf, it will be a long day for the Saints defense.  He has to keep going for the strips and he may come up with creating a turnover.

5.  Porter and Greer -  One of these guys will be picked on.  My guess it will be Porter because of his size.  Garcon and Collie will be open in the middle if the CB’s don’t take the timing routes away from Peyton.

6.  Hargrove – May become the X-Factor for the Saints defense.  He will bring the energy, heart and passion to that defensive line.  This may a great oppotunity for a redemption story that only Hollywood could write.  Hargrove can create or runs in a turnover that would turn the tide of the game, it would be a huge towards a Saints win.  Sean Payton’s decision to listen to his homemade DVD, bring him in to camp and sign him would be a legendary story.  Most of all he will become a Saints Legend.

Geaux Saints!!!