Bleacher Report - New Orleans Saints

Catch Dat Brees: Warner Bros Depicts Saints Quarterback in Art

Will Osgood — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:12:48 -0500

In 2008, Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints' quarterback, led the NFL in passing yards by a wide margin. More incredible is that he became only the second player in the league’s storied history to pass for more than 5,000 yards.

Most football fans know he fell just 15 yards short of Dan Marino’s previous record of 5,084 yards.

It is because of Brees' incredible 5,069 yard season that Warner Bros decided to make a piece of art titled Catch Dat Brees, to honor Brees' outstanding performance.

Brees has long believed in using what he does on the football field to help others off the field. Brees himself acknowledged this when he spoke of his Christian faith in a Bleacher Report e-mail interview.

“It plays a significant role in my life in every aspect. I always try to do the right thing, provide opportunities for others and give thanks for the many gifts and opportunities that I have been provided in my life," he said.

This is perhaps what makes Warner Bros' decision to create the mural that features Brees with popular WB characters Bugs and Tweety, along with others, so special. It acknowledges his play on the field while giving him a chance to help others.

Brees, well known for his work ethic, said this in his interview with Bleacher Report, about managing his time, “My family is always my first priority. I think it’s important to have an effective routine and utilize good time management skills.”

His ability to live this out was put to the test on Monday, November 9, when he signed the first group of lithographs and hand-painted cels.

Monday is a day in the NFL where players come in to watch the film of the previous day’s game, condition, get treatment, and usually lift weights.

Brees spends as much time at the facilities on Mondays as any player, but still made time for his charity.

He does this because he sees his role as a role model to be very important.

“I always try to picture myself as a kid and remember how much the professional athletes I viewed as role models meant to me.”

Surely, there someday will be a kid who does the same because of what he learned from observing Brees. Maybe it will even have something to do with this piece of art that has been produced.

Clearly, the fact that Warner Bros decided to do this shows that Brees has done something pretty amazing.

Bleacher Report wondered how Brees managed to keep himself humble and stay hungry after an amazing season where he garnered such honors. His response, “My relationship with my wife is key. I also challenge myself each day to remember that you are either getting better or worse…there is no staying the same.”

For Saints fans, they know Brees is doing something right, since he has led his team to a 9-0 record and looks like a lock for another Pro Bowl bid, as well as being heavily involved in any MVP discussions.

In fact, life is good for the Saints these days.

Even head coach Sean Payton had a chance to get away to see the mural of Brees. Apparently he really liked it.

I’m thinking he’s liking a lot of things about Brees right about now.

If you want to find out more about Brees’ foundation, the art, and/or are interested in purchasing this item, more information is available at www.catchdatbrees.com.

And as always, remember, Geaux Saints!

Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com

New Orleans Saints 9-0: Music To My Ears

Suzette Lampard Brantley — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:22:42 -0500

Saints fans are beside themselves with the way this season is unfolding, and after seeing games from the press box to the field and everywhere in between, I am too!

Going from blackout days to this 9-0 start had been quite a journey. I think I am going to open my ears to those songs of days gone by; you know the ones that bring you right back to all the excitement. Who else remembers those days of "Cha-Ching" and "Whoomp der it is"? I do!

When the Superdome speakers played the theme song from COPS ... "Bad Boys Bad Boys whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you" or MC Hammer's "2Legit to Quit" as we performed during pregame festivities? I remember that too.

I also remember in the 1992 season, needing to change our music last minute because our beloved boys didn't meet their away stretch with the same gusto as expected.

Do I think history will repeat itself? Not at all. Will this team lose a game before it is all said and done? Maybe.

After a lackluster win against the St. Louis Rams, I started to wonder if a loss to Tampa Bay may be in the cards.

For the answer to that question, I had to call in the professionals ... the Magic 8 Ball. The answer was ... not at this time. That makes me feel better. Back to the music...

Baja Men and "Who Let the Dogs Out" on defense, and "Back in Black" by AC/DC prior to a kickoff only to be silenced by a third quarter score followed by ... "Oh When The Saints". No, not everyone sounds like Louis Armstrong, but all do feel the excitement.

Who can forget Green Day’s “The Saints Are Coming”, or U-2's "A Beautiful Day" of the 2006 season?

It is that excitement that keeps me going until the next home game. That's when the newest bevy of songs bombards my ears once again. When I, and the hoards of Saints fans, jump out of our seats due to a turnover.

This year’s winner has been around since 2004 from the Ying Yang Twins. However, this year with this season it has caught on like wildfire, both fans and players alike just can't contain themselves when the deep bass starts to rumble...

"Crank this up, thats what we gonna do
Crank you up, me and my brother we came to get CRUNK
Crunk wont stop (nope) we keep on comin cuz
We wont quit, thats why we keep bringin it

"Tell em how we gonna call (CRUNK)
Tell em why they don't want none (CRUNK)
Tell em why they better run (CRUNK)
CRUNK CRUNK
Stand up and get crunk (CRUNK)
Stand up and get crunk (CRUNK) Here we come to get you (you better get crunk)
Here we come to get you (a little bit more crunk)
Here we come to get you (you better get crunk)
Here we come to get you (a little bit more crunk)"

All it takes is a little hip swivel or a hand bouncing in mid-air by a defensive player and the seats are vacant due to the crowd a crunkin' to "Halftime Stand Up and Get Crunk."

Now I need a fix. Where's the remote?

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Is Reggie Bush Being Phased Out of the Saints Offense Due to Money?

tay digga — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:50:53 -0500

Drew Brees has one of the leagues most dangerous players to check the ball down to when he gets in trouble in the pocket;Reggie Bush.

But if you’ve noticed, as of late, Bush is only on the field in spurts these days. His carries are few and far between. Is something wrong? Why isn't he getting the check-down as often as he use to?

It’s one of the biggest debates of the last four years. Every since the 2006 draft, people have been questioning the play and skills of Bush. You have people who buy into the perception that he can’t do this or can’t do that and refuse to see him as a victim of circumstance a la a mediocre run-blocking offensive line (at one time) and a pass-happy coach giving him an average of 10 carries a game.

Not to mention injuries or people who no matter what he does just don’t like him based on his contract, his lifestyle and/or where he played in college; that’s fine. Sports are like politics; people carry all kinds of biases and passion can and often time does supersede reasoning.

Is it not a big deal and Payton is not intentionally doing this; possibly.

However, looking at Payton’s record and coaching style, there is little chance that with a talented guy like Reggie that Payton uses the guy only sporadically now unintentionally. Bush has too much explosiveness for Payton's style to be ignored just to be ignored.

Look at what Payton told the media about Robert Meachem at the most recent Saints Press conference, "You're seeing Robert Meachem, who is each week getting better and better and I have to look to continue to get him more touches.”

But Reggie Bush, his first-round draft pick, the golden boy with the fast feet who scored two touchdowns and contributed to the win, isn’t even really discussed? What about his touches?

Or what about a recent October 30th press conference when a reporter asked what determines which running back gets the touches in a game and his response was:

"Depending on how you’re going with your plan, we try to do a number of things on the call sheet that feature certain backs. There’s also a part where you just watch the game. As Mike (Bell) started playing well in the third quarter, we continued to give him his touches, much like we did Pierre (Thomas) in Buffalo. I think it’s two-fold, it’s the plan going in and then it’s your ability to watch during the game."

No mention of Bush at all. Also, he didn't actually live up to this statement seeing that Bush had the hot hand in Buffalo, but stopped getting the ball.

It could be labeled far-reaching and paranoia, but it is possible that Bush is purposely being limited because of the incentives in his contract?

Let’s not get carried away just yet. One must consider the possible reasons Payton has kept Bush’s carries to an average of 6.1 carries a game this 2009 season. Bush has fumbled 16 times since he’s entered the league. Thus far that’s an average of four fumbles a year. So, maybe after the three fumbles he’s had thus far, Payton has decided to discipline him—just maybe.

That’s possible and definitely plausible, but since his last fumble, in game four vs. the New York Jets, he’s scored five touchdowns. That’s a score a game from him so that reasoning can’t be bought right now. He’s earned some more carries coach! It's coaching 101: a player gets hot, ride him!

What about the fact that Payton has two other running backs that not only are bigger than Bush, but run more north and south? It’s a running back by committee is it not? So someone has to take the hits in the carries department and it just so happens to be Bush.

Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell have both had 100-yard games this season already and Bush hasn’t had one since his rookie season. Both running backs are averaging higher career yards-per-carry per game too. It’s only logical that Payton would stick with these two backs isn’t it?

This is a good point and probably one of the best and hardest to disagree with except for the fact that Payton has used Bush sporadically over the years in the running department. Thomas and Bell have been given the ball for a whole series throughout the game several times this year. Thomas is currently averaging 13.4 carries a game in the games he’s played. Bell in the first five games he played in this season, has averaged 17.8 carries.

The most carries Bush has seen this season was 13 vs. the Buffalo Bills and he had 64 yards for nearly five yards per carry and yet was basically benched the second half. Since that game, when was the last time Bush was given the ball for more than 10 carries? We’ve seen games where both Thomas and Bell are given the ball and were able to develop a rhythm.

Running backs need rhythm to be consistent and although Bush has had games where he’s gotten a lot of “touches,” he’s pretty much always been given the ball sporadically when it comes to actual rushing touches. He will continue to have sub par games in that department if he’s not given the ball enough. Bush bashers everywhere will continue to believe the numbers support their bashing. Numbers aren’t always the whole story.

Sure, the NFL is a game of numbers we all know.

Touchdowns equal six points, field goals three points and the team with the most points wins, but the most important numbers are the numbers on the paycheck. Whether people want to believe it or not, money rules the NFL.

But it’s not the NBA. Contracts get nullified in the NFL all the time, there are no guarantees so to speak. Bush restructured his contract with the Saints last year just before the season and anyone with some sense, has to figure the numbers following that dollar sign has a lot to do with what’s going on right now.

Let’s look at the contract details of Bush’s renegotiated contract signing in June of 2008. According to a report from Ed Thompson, Senior NFL Analyst with Scout.com (see details of Thompson’s finding here), the Saints gave themselves a backdoor in case Bush doesn’t earn the incentives. Sure there’s some guaranteed money, but most of the money isn’t guaranteed. After this 2009 season, according to the report, Bush stands to make more than twice the money in salary he made this season.

This year he’s being paid $2.6 million, but next year that’s supposed to shoot up to $8 million. There are incentives that he has to earn, but with injuries from last year and limited carries this year,he’s probably not going to get them.

We don’t know the specifics of the incentive clauses, but we can assume that 6.2 carries a game is not going to help him earn that money. How many role players get paid $8 million dollars a year? The Saints know they’ll have to up some player's salaries next year and Bush’s salary is very hefty considering the production he's had.

The check has to come down, plain and simple.

Bush has to either renegotiate or leave. Payton is not the owner or manager, so he's not calling the shots as far as monetary measures go. And with two capable and (right now) cheap running backs doing the job, why waste money?

The only other explanation Payton has for limiting Bush’s touches, is because he’s saving him for the big games coming up and the playoffs. Is this how he wants to use Bush every year? Maybe, but for a cheaper price.

At this rate Bush isn’t going to earn those incentives so this is leverage to renegotiate. So, remember that next time you see Reggie Bush do something amazing, but then not see the ball again,the check has to come down, but don't be surprised if the check-down heads out.

Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com

Chris J. Nelson's 2009 NFL Midseason All-Pro Team and Awards

Chris J. Nelson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:21:47 -0500

Every NFL team has played at least eight regular season games, meaning we're halfway though the 2009 regular season.

This seemed like a natural time to announce my Midseason All-Pro Team, as well as hand out some individual midseason awards.

Individual Awards

Chris J. Nelson is a journalism major at Georgia State University. He operates his own Miami Dolphins web site, The Miami Dolphins Spotlight , and can be followed on Twitter here .

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Reggie Bush, Saints Overcome Miscues to Fend Off Pesky Rams, 28-23

Paul Augustin, Jr. — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:05:27 -0500

The may have 9-0 next to their name in the standings, but the New Orleans Saints didn't look like a 9-0 team Sunday.

They struggled to put away to put away the 1-8 St. Louis Rams in a 28-23 road victory.

Drew Brees threw two more interceptions, his sixth and seventh in the past four games, and Marques Colston lost a fumble at the goal line.

The voids left by absences of Jabari Greer and Darren Sharper, both inactive, and Tracy Porter, who left the game with a knee injury, were felt strongly.

Rams' quarterback Mark Bulger, drafted by New Orleans in the sixth round in 2000, passed for nearly 300 yards and tossed two touchdowns to Donnie Avery. Both touchdown passes were defended by nickel corner Randall Gay.

Luckily, Reggie Bush and Courtney Roby were there to save the day.

Bush had two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving, and had another run for a career-long 55 yards.

Roby broke a 14-14 halftime tie by returning the opening kick of the second-half 97 yards for a touchdown.

Robert Meachem and David Thomas also had big games for the black and gold.

Meachem took an end-around for 41 yards and also caught a 27-yard touchdown pass.

Thomas caught a season-high five passes for 45 yards and threw several key blocks that helped the Saints to over 200 yards rushing.

The Rams' offense, which scored a season-high 23 points, showed its potential against the Saints.

Bulger, a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, passed for 298 yards and two touchdowns. Donnie Avery caught four passes, including both of Bulger's touchdown passes.

Rookie Brandon Gibson had seven catches for 93 yards.

The Rams' best weapon, running back Steven Jackson, was the focal point of the offensive and was used perhaps too much.

Jackson had 131 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries and 45 receiving yards on nine catches. However, he only had 31 yards in the second half on 10 carries and was stuffed on a 4th-and-short.

New Orleans allowed St. Louis to gain more than 100 yards above their season average. The Saints can only hope that Greer and Sharper return quickly and that Porter's injury isn't season-ending.

The good news for the Saints is Atlanta's loss to Carolina puts New Orleans four games up in the NFC South with seven games left in the season. They would have to suffer a Denver-like meltdown in order to not win the division at this point.

New Orleans tied a franchise mark with their ninth-straight regular season win and are 9-0 for the first time ever.

The Saints won their final nine games of 1987 on their way to a 12-3 record. They also won the final two games of the 1990 season before winning their first seven games in 1991.

The Saints face the 1-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week as they go for their first-ever 10-game winning streak.

Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Week 11 Official Power Rankings: Clear Thoughts For The Cloudy Minds

thomas moreland — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:35:57 -0500

Cincinnati took a big jump in the standings and is now one of the AFC favorites to make it to the Super Bowl, along with New England, and Indianapolis.

The Steelers without Polamalu is like a day without sunshine. Gloomy and dark.

Your number one team in the NFL is...............The New Orleans Saints.

No. 2, is Peyton Manning and the Colts. They are undefeated unless New England gets them tonight, then the Colts drop two spots, and New England goes up one to two positions.

No. 3 position is held by the Minnesota Vikings ar 8-1. There is no explantion here.They have the third best record in the league against some quality teams.

No. 4 are the Cincinnati Bengals. A big win over Pittsburgh, sweeping that series, and a 7-2 record that should in all reality be 8-1. This team is all about the W.

Deep breath here now. Relax. Clear your mind of all barriers and let the truth flow. Hang on not to past dreams, but the reality of today. Denver has lost three in a row. Dallas got shut out in Green Bay, who can't beat Tampa Bay.

No one else is eligible for this number five spot so welcome back Patriots the the top five of professsional football. Fear Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in the playoffs.

Currently the New England Patriots are in the number five spot with maybe a 7-2 record if they can knock off No. 2 Indianapolis. The Colts could fall as low as number five with a loss, or hold steady at number two with a win against New England.

No. 6 is the Pittsburgh Steelers at 6-3 for the season. They have to win a few down the stretch now, and see who can trip up the Bengals. A third playoff match up is very interesting.

It is very very hard to beat a team three times in one season if they are evenly matched.

No. 7 are the Arizona Cardinals who keep showing up week after week. Now at 6-3, the offense is explosive with Warner and his receivers.

No. 8 are the San Diego Chargers who would be oh so much better with a defense.

No. 9 are the Denver Broncos, now the proud parents of a strapping eight pound three game losing streak and San Diego knocking at the door.

No. 10 are the under acheiving Dallas Cowboys who get shut out, by the team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat for their only win.

No. 11 belongs to Atlanta, outside looking in at the big boys playing in the yard. This may be a little rough for you, youngsters. Better wait til next year when you are bigger and stronger.

The once mighty New York Giants are now in the No. 12 position and needs some wins now, No more excuses, Execute and move up. Struggle and miss the playoffs. Get it together G-Men.

Houston is now hovering in that zone of maybe making the playoffs. A record of 5-4 and hope springs eternal. Better get some wins too, Texans or you'll be with the Giants. One game short.

The San Francisco Forty-Niners, or the little train that could, are at No. 14. Mike Singletary must get something up his sleeve to get a win in Green Bay.

The surprising Jacksonville Jags are at 5-4 and are at an astonishing record for this season so far. They can beat Buffalo and actually be at 6-4. Wow! Good job with the three name dudes. You need some more of those. No. 15 is your reward.

Baltimore who still has some hope for the playoffs, after Cincinnati beat the Steelers is currently in number 16. They should win next week, because they suddenly have to, if the playoffs are to follow this season.

The Packers are number 17, and moved up after beating the Cowboys. Next week, can they do it again beating number 14 ranked San Francisco? A big game for both teams motivation for this season.

Philadelphia is falling off the charts with this win one, lose one pattern.8-8 will not cut it, guys. Now at number 18 and going to angry Bears that are wounded at home next.

The Dolphins are at No. 19 and it does not look good for playoffs to be in Miami's future this season.

The Panthers are at 4-5 now and have made a nice recovery from the 0-3 start. No. 20 and number 19 play next week. 5-5 to the winner.

The Bears are at No. 21 and really need a miracle to catch anyone to make the playoffs.

The Jets are not that much better and need a lot of things to happen, jst to go 8-8 this season. Again, this team will not make the playoffs. No. 22 to the Jets.

Tennessee is number 23 now with three wins in a row. Hooray!!!

Seattle is at 3-6 and going no where fast. Number 24 to the Seahawks.

Washington is the best of the bad teams, beating Denver and staying out of everyone in the NFC East's way, 3-6 and No. 25.

Buffalo is also 3-6 and No. 27. Maybe you should put T.O. in your game plan, a little more. The man can catch, dummies.

No 28 is Kansas City who beat the Raiders in Oakland. 2-7 and a brownie point.

No 29 are the inept quarterbacked Raiders. who finally sat Russell, I hope, forever.

No. 30 are the Buc's, who are somehow, improving, week by week.

Number 31 and slipping fast, are the Detroit Lions, who need another win, next week against....... you guessed it, No. 32, and worst team in the league Cleveland Browns.

Oops, I forgot the Rams. I skipped a number after Washington. Ok, Number 31 1/2 to the Rams.

Enjoy your week and watch key power match ups next week as No. 11 Giants host the No. 12 Falcons.

San Diego at No.eight takes on No. nine Denver in Mile High Stadium. Both teams desperately need to win and this game will rock.

Baltimore must find a way to slow down Peyton Manning and the Colts if they want to play in ther post season. The Colts travel to Baltimore in firm control of their own playoff destiny.

Thomas[ NFL Mikee ]Moreland

Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com

Breaking News: Darren Sharper Inactive Against St. Louis

Matt Miselis — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:53:55 -0500

Safety Darren Sharper has been one of the better defenders in the league this season. At the top of his game in 2009, Sharper nears the league best in interceptions, and is a key component in the Saints improved defense this season.

With a difficult run coming up in the schedule, especially against the New England Patriots, New Orleans wants to continue perfection heading into that Monday night showdown.

That could be the reason why the Saints are shutting down Sharper this week. According to Sunday Night Countdown, safety Darren Sharper is inactive against the Rams with a knee injury.

Surely the Saints can defeat the lowly St. Louis squad without Sharper, and is resting him for the stretch run into the next half of the season.

Matt Miselis is an NFL writer for BleacherReport.com.

Read more New Orleans Saints news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Week 10 Rankings

Evan Silva — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:02:24 -0500

In August, Rashard Mendenhall was called "ordinary" by the Pittsburgh media. He finished September in Mike Tomlin's doghouse, with seven carries for the month. Now it's early November, and he's an every-week fantasy starter. Mendenhall is a reminder of a few fantasy maxims. 1. Things change fast. It doesn't matter how ugly your starting lineup looks in Week 3 if it's peaking near playoff time. This year's Pierre Thomas, next month's Mendenhall, is still out there. Second lesson: If you are going to gamble in fantasy drafts, gamble with youth at running back. Mendenhall went in drafts after Larry Johnson, who owners had hopes would bounce back for the third straight year. He went after Willie Parker, who we saw begin to collapse last year. I ranked LaDainian Tomlinson out of the top-15 this year, which was met by cries that Rotoworld was giving up on the old star too fast. He was going to be healthy and turn it around! I did a poor job because LT2 wasn't rank him nearly low enough. No matter how much we adjust for a running back's decline once it starts, we almost never adjust enough. Mendenhall still has a lot to prove as an NFL running back. He doesn't help on passing downs much, and he's prone to losing yards and piling up short gains before breaking a few long ones. He doesn't always fight through traffic. The profile is remarkably similar to a bigger version of Willie Parker in his prime. That approach isn't perfect for the Steelers, but it will lead to top-10-15 fantasy running back production. He'll get the vast majority of carries on a team that should play with the lead often and has an outstanding passing game. That's more than enough for all the owners that smartly gambled on youth in August, then had the patience to see it emerge.

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