Tag: espn

There suddenly is a lot of talk about the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers. Which is the best team in the NFC? Which of them has the more explosive offense? Is Drew Brees better than Aaron Rodgers? Well, fans and media members can argue that all they want. But let’s turn to the one person who might be most qualified to offer a neutral comparison of the two teams. That’s Detroit coach Jim Schwartz. His team lost to the Packers on Nov. 24. The Lions’ next game is Sunday night in New Orleans. “I think they are different,’’ Schwartz said in a conference call with the New Orleans media Wednesday. “They are completely different schemes. I think the things that are similar are very efficient quarterbacks that can not only run the offense but also make big plays. They can stay out of trouble and don’t take very many lost-yardage plays. They also have tremendous confidence to fit balls in. There are some throws that Brees and Rodgers will make that a lot of quarterbacks wouldn’t risk. They trust their receivers. They trust their playmakers.’’ Schwartz took the conversation well beyond a comparison of Brees and Rodgers. “Both teams have a lot of playmakers at a lot of different positions,’’ Schwartz said. “The Saints’ leading receiver is a tight end (Jimmy Graham) and Darren Sproles is the NFL’s leading receiver on third down. They have four different receivers that all have roles and can make plays. They all sort of fit different in their offense. Green Bay is probably the same way. Their schemes are different but they both have good quarterbacks and multiple playmakers. They are not just one-trick ponies. There are a lot of different places they can go and they are fairly balanced when it comes to run and pass. It makes you work defensively to try to keep points off the board.”

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Tags: espn, Packers, saints

  Drew Brees for MVP? - NFC South Blog - ESPN

Maybe the reason Drew Brees is such a good quarterback is because he can see things the rest of us can’t. Take the case of Monday night’s 49-24 victory by the New Orleans Saints against the New York Giants at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. It looked to be about as close to a perfect performance by a quarterback as there has ever been. Brees threw for 363 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown, perhaps the most spectacular run of a career that hasn’t included a lot of runs. But the most impressive stat of all might have been that the Saints had 577 yards of total offense (the second-highest output in franchise history) without a 100-yard rusher or receiver and without a sack.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever witnessed that before. Didn’t think so. It sure looked like perfection. Instead of celebrating, though, Brees was ripping himself apart -- and apologizing to Michael Jordan -- for not doing enough. “I’m always hard on myself,’’ Brees said. “I expect perfection. I just know deep down there are some things I still need to work on.’’ Really? What’s left to work on when you’ve put 49 points on the board and spread 25 completions among seven different receivers? “He is his own worst critic and he is as hard on himself as anyone else could possibly be,’’ New Orleans coach Sean Payton said. “The time he’s been in our system, we’re on Year 6 now, and he’s throwing the ball with great rhythm and anticipation.’’ But let’s stop the tap dancing and the personal critiques. Let’s get right to the truth. Brees has been a very good quarterback for a long time. But he now is playing better than he ever has. He should be a candidate for Most Valuable Player. Go ahead and start the chants for Aaron Rodgers. I get it and there's no doubt Rodgers is having a tremendous season. But I think Brees is having every bit as good a season as the Green Bay quarterback. Maybe better, and I am not alone. “Aaron Rodgers is on an undefeated team and obviously that means a lot,’’ New Orleans right tackle Zach Strief said. “Aaron Rodgers is an absolutely great quarterback, no doubt. But is anybody playing better than Drew Brees right now? Probably not.’’ No, definitely not. Brees is on a roll that has him on pace to break Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in a single season (5,084 in 1984). On his current pace, Brees would finish with 5,366 passing yards. He’s also got the Saints off to an 8-3 start and alone atop the NFC South. Yeah, the Packers defeated the Saints in the season opener and Rodgers and Green Bay have kept right on winning. No knock on Rodgers, but he’s got a great team around him. So does Brees, but name another true superstar on the New Orleans roster?

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Tags: Drew Brees, espn, MVP, Yasinskas

They can't block out the noise. New Orleans Saints players hear the criticism -- how they can't get off the field, can't stop anyone in the red zone, can't stop the run and can't help an offense that is as explosive as any this side of Green Bay. There are two extremes to the Saints. The defensive players get it. But they've grown sick of hearing it, and when Falcons coach Mike Smith brazenly decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Atlanta 29-yard line in overtime, the Saints defenders took it as a personal affront, a challenge and essentially a referendum on their manhood. "They were trying to send a message, and we took it personal," said New Orleans defensive end Will Smith. "We were like, ‘'There's no way we're going to let them get it,' and you could just see it in the eyes of the players. There was no way they were going to get that first down, just by the way everybody looked and just by the way everybody's intensity was, and you know once they snapped that ball, everyone was in the position they needed to be." The Saints swarmed Michael Turner and stuffed him at the line of scrimmage. It was just one play out of many in a physical game between players who readily admit they don't like each other very much, but it was a big play. Not only because it led to a 26-23 win that put New Orleans in the driver's seat in the NFC South but also because the Saints stopped a big back using their goal-line package of five down linemen. They didn't allow the Falcons to make a push. They were the aggressors, the ones who didn't break. They got the stop they desperately needed, and quarterback Drew Brees and the offense did what they do best: move the ball and win the game. [+] EnlargeNew Orleans Saints Dale Zanine/US PresswireThe Saints held against the Falcons, but the defense must improve before the postseason. If the Saints are going to be anything more than a good team with a glitzy offense that makes an early playoff exit, as New Orleans did last season at Seattle, the defense is going to have to build on this game. When the calendar turns to January, the Saints won't be able to afford to get into track meets with the New York Giants or the Green Bay Packers. No one doubts the Saints' ability to move up and down the field, but can the defense get stops? Can it get off the field on third down? Can it create turnovers? Can it make a stop when it desperately needs one? Teams that can do that can succeed in the playoffs. Teams that can't typically do not go far. The Saints' defensive identity is evolving, but it took several critical steps forward against the Falcons. • That defense kept Atlanta out of the end zone in the first half. The Falcons took their opening drive 15 plays to the New Orleans 19-yard line but had to settle for a field goal and a 3-0 lead. In the second quarter, they drove to the New Orleans 11 but again had to take the field goal, this time for a 6-3 lead. The defense kept the Saints' offense in the game. Typically, it is the other way around. Read more of the ESPN.com article

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Tags: defense, espn, saints news

According to ESPN's Stats & Information, Brees is first in the league when opposing defenses send four or fewer rushers, completing 74.6 percent of his passes. He has completed 73.7 percent of his passes of 10 or fewer yards, and 61.7 percent of his passes of 10 to 20 yards.

Calm. Focused. Poised under pressure. Those are the words Pierre Thomas used to describe New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees on third down.

Thomas could have used this one, too: money.

Brees has been nothing short of terrific on third down this season, completing 42 of 54 passes for 566 yards, with seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. His third-down completion percentage of 77.8 is the best in the NFL, as is the Saints' overall third-down conversion percentage of 58.6.

Last season, when the NFL's overall third-down conversion percentage was 38.2, the Saints' was a league-high 48.8. This season, the average is 39.0.

Brees keeps New Orleans moving and keeps its defense on the sideline, which is a big reason the Saints are 4-1 heading into Sunday's game at Tampa Bay.

"He's always been a guy that's going to take charge and step up when the time is needed," said Thomas, a Saints running back who has played with Brees for the last five seasons. "He has great poise, great focus. He's our team leader, and he does a great job.  We all follow him."

Read more about Drew Brees on ESPN.com

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Tags: Drew Brees, espn

Jeffri Chadiha of ESPN, like last year, is picking against the Saints to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. Sorry Jeff, you are CLUELESS. He always makes these asinine assumptions about the Saints and other NFL teams. Here is what he wrote this morning about our chances of repeating:

Will the Saints repeat? No. The Saints proved they had staying power by winning 11 games this season, but they won't have the luxury of home-field advantage this year. Their offense isn't nearly as dominant without a strong running game to complement Drew Brees' passing, and leading rusher Chris Ivory recently became the latest back to go down with an injury. That doesn't mean New Orleans will wither away in the first round. The Saints are definitely good enough to beat the NFC West champion Seahawks on the road. But they're going into the playoffs with too many dinged-up players to win again at Atlanta, and any games played in chilly inclement weather (see Chicago or Philadelphia) won't bode well for them, either.

You are WRONG AGAIN Jeff! Geaux Saints!!!

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Tags: espn, Jeffri Chadiha, playoffs, saints, Super Bowl 45

It is about time.  The national media tried to make "much ado about nothin'" when the New Orleans Saints LB's and D-Line celebrated 40 minutes to an hour after their Monday night victory against the Atlanta Falcons.  Pat Yasinskas (ESPN), Joe Prisco (CBS) and Don Banks (SI) all wrote and alleged the Saints players were "disrespecting" the Falcons by taking photos near their field logo.  Many of the Saints players explained to the media this was a routine ritual after a win at an opponent, but the "naysayers" had to make more of the ritual.  Cudos to Saints Linebackers coach Joe Vitt, by calling ESPN's Pat Yasinskas and "ripping him a new one."  Well, maybe not a new one, but defending his players was great.

Here is what Yasinskas wrote:

New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt just called me with something he wanted to get off his chest. Vitt said he was upset by what I have written about the incident following Monday night’s game where New Orleans players posed for pictures near the Atlanta Falcons’ logo. Vitt also said he’s upset with the way the media in general has portrayed the incident.

Vitt especially took exception to what was reported elsewhere about what one of the Saints was quoted as saying he did on the logo. Vitt said that never was said, but like I said that was written by another news organization, so we’ll stay clear of that.

Vitt’s a veteran assistant and is well respected throughout league circles as a no-frills guy. So I asked Vitt if he would like to go on the record and clear up what he believes were misconceptions about the incident. He agreed.

“We paid this team more respect than any team we’ve played this this year,’’ Vitt said. “They are by far the best football team we we’ve played this year. There is not a coach or a player on this football team that did not respect the Atlanta Falcons and their body of work up to that game.’’

Vitt, who also handles the linebackers, reiterated what head coach Sean Payton said the day after the game. Payton said it’s not uncommon for the Saints to have pictures taken to commemorate big victories. Vitt said the linebackers’ meeting room is filled with those type of pictures and they are not meant as a sign of disrespect to the Falcons or any other team.

“Pictures were taken as mementos for these guys so that when they are 65-years-old and getting knee and hip replacements, they can show the pictures to their grandkids,’’ Vitt said. “There are pictures like that all over my room.’’

Vitt repeatedly emphasized that the Saints were not showing disrespect to the Falcons.

Read the entire ESPN article

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Tags: Atlanta Falcons, espn, Joe Vitt, Saints Defense

In a postgame locker room where there easily could have been talk of frustration, doom or even meetings to plan the return of the Lombardi Trophy, there simply wasn’t.

“If we are a wild-card, then obviously our trip to the Super Bowl is on the road,’’ New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said after a 30-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. “If that’s what we have to do, that’s what we’ll have to do.’’

Nobody summed up the situation the Saints (10-4) face any better than Brees. Nobody even took a different tack than Brees. From head coach Sean Payton on down, the Saints were taking the loss for precisely what it was.

“It’s a disappointing loss, a tough loss,’’ Payton said. “You credit Baltimore. It was a hard-fought game. I thought both teams played hard and, in the end, they made more plays than we did.’’

Ordinarily, the above quote would not have been transcribed off my tape recorder and it certainly wouldn't have been used. It’s the kind of meaningless stuff coaches spew every week. But, in this case, it is entirely accurate.

On a chilly day at M&T Stadium, two good teams played a good game and the Ravens (10-4) came out with a narrow win. There’s no real shame in any of that, but let’s keep the part about chilly days in distant stadiums and playing against very good teams in mind.

Last season’s dream of playoff games in the comfy Superdome are fading fast.

“I think we’re a very good road team,’’ Brees said. “We just ran into a very good opponent.’’

Well, if the Saints really are going to repeat as champions, losing close games on the road isn’t going to be good enough. There is the Dec. 27 road game at Atlanta, the team that has the lead in the NFC South. After that, there’s a regular-season-ending home game with Tampa Bay, but that might be the last time the Saints see the Superdome until next season.

Heck, unless they’re lucky enough to draw the NFC West champion in a playoff game, they probably have faced their last easy opponent until next season. Sunday’s temperature at kickoff was 34 degrees. There was no snow and the sun even came out a few times, but the Saints potentially could face road trips in the playoffs where the setting could be far worse than Baltimore.

They could end up in places like Philadelphia, New York or Chicago in January.

“The fact is, we still had a chance to win at the end,’’ Brees said. “That’s all you can ask for.’’

That’s all true. The Saints were in it all the way until Brees had a pass intercepted with one minute, 47 seconds left.

If nothing else, though, Sunday showed that things aren’t going to get any easier for the Saints. In fact, in a lot of ways, it showed some pretty major flaws that can be exploited.

Let’s start with the run defense, because the Ravens started and finished with their run offense. Baltimore’s Ray Rice carried 31 times for 153 yards and a touchdown. Factor in a few carries by Willis McGahee, highlighted by a 28-yard run, and quarterback Joe Flacco and the Ravens gained 208 yards on the ground.

“Our game plan was to stop {Rice},’’ New Orleans safety Malcolm Jenkins said.

Chalk up that game plan -- or at least the execution of that game plan -- as pretty much a total failure.

Source: ESPN

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Tags: espn, Pat Yasinskas, Ravens, saints

Brace yourselves, Saints fans. Quarterback Drew Brees showed up at practice Wednesday wearing a brace on his left knee.

Stop hyperventilating because it doesn’t sound serious at all. Brees, who normally does not wear a knee brace, was not listed on the official injury report. Coach Sean Payton said Brees was experiencing a little soreness, but was able to go through the full practice without any problems.

But the rest of the Saints are a bit battered after Sunday’s 27-24 loss to Atlanta. Running back Pierre Thomas did not practice because of an ankle injury. Payton’s not ruling Thomas out for Sunday’s home game against Carolina, but this is a concern for a team that’s had a string of injuries at running back dating back to training camp.

Reggie Bush already is out for about a month with a broken leg. If Thomas can’t play against the Panthers, that would leave the Saints with Chris Ivory and Ladell Betts as their running backs. Ivory just got his first action on Sunday after missing two games and much of the preseason with a knee injury. The veteran Betts also is coming back from a knee injury and was re-signed by the Saints after being cut in the preseason.

The Saints also have DeShawn Wynn on the practice squad and he could be elevated to the regular roster if Thomas isn’t ready to play.

Story by ESPN and Pat Yasinskas

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Tags: espn