SB Nation - Kolo Kapanui

2009 Saints Off-Season: A Nostalgic Look Back

Saintsational — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:00:28 -0000

Tomorrow is the official beginning of the 2009 Saints season, which means today is the official end of their 2009 off-season. The Saints have come a long way since Drew's final record-breaking pass attempt hit the Superdome turf and it's been a wild ride with lots of ups and downs. I figured what better way to say our final goodbye to the long, cold, lonely months of off-season action than to reminisce one last time and take a final look at how we've gotten to today, as seen through Canal Street Chronicles.

After the jump you'll find a timeline of memorable events, good and bad, from the past eight months for both the Saints organization and for us here at CSC. I had fun putting this together and I hope you have as much fun reading it and taking that quick trip down memory lane. Feel free to share any of your memories about these events or even add your own memorable moments.

Gary Gibbs is gone - January 7, 2009

One of the first but still probably the biggest and best moves of the entire off-season. The perfect start. We'll all remember where we were when we heard the wonderful news. Only Jessie Spano could properly express my emotions the next morning.

Gregg Williams is in - January 15, 2009

It didn't take long for the Saints to find a replacement for Gibbs. Less than a week after I urged the Saints to take their time finding a new defensive coordinator, they hire Gregg Williams. Probably because Williams was Payton's top choice, so much so that he was willing to give up a quarter of a million dollars of his own salary just to make sure Gregg came to New Orleans.

Dan Morgan unretires and re-joins Saints - January 22, 2009

Pro Football Talk broke the news that Dan Morgan would be giving it another shot. Sure, he's old but it's got to be worth a shot right? I like where this is heading.

Deuce McAllister is let go - February 17, 2009

The news wasn't surprising but it was certainly depressing. We still miss you Deuce.

Tomlinson to New Orleans? - February 28, 2009

It didn't take long after the release of Deuce for the talking heads to start throwing around rumors about a possible LT signing to fill the gap. It never seemed likely but still, it was a fun couple of days while it lasted.

Saints sign Jabari Greer - March 4, 2009

I'm planning on Jabari being the savior for the Saints secondary woes. If football doesn't work out, though, he can always try to get a job on SNL. I was shocked when I found these clips on YouTube...

Bears sign Bullocks - March 11, 2009

It was great news already when the Saints refused to bring back Josh Bullocks for another season but even better news when we found out the Bears had picked him up. If only the Saints were playing the Bears this year!

Welcome Darren Sharper - March 18, 2009

The Saints make one of their biggest signings of the off-season when they snag veteran Darren Sharper. Things are really starting to look up.

Mike McKenzie bites the dust - March 19, 2009

Another fairly predictable move by the Saints. Still, it's never easy to watch your teams best cornerback leave.

Jonathan Vilma's Condo Location of Double Murder - March 31, 2009

Obviously Vilma had nothing to do with it but what ever happened with this?

Jeff Duncan vs. Saints Nation - April 7, 2009

In the internet sports world, the people are served by two separate yet equally important groups: the reporters, who are paid professionals, and bloggers, who claim they're getting ripped off. This is their story.

NYSaint becomes YouTube star - April 25, 2009

Speaking of Law & Order...I just had to find some way to include this in a post one more time.

Saints draft Malcolm Jenkins - April 25, 2009

Most Saints fans agree: This was a good pick.

Hap Glaudi rocks CSC - April 29, 2009

I think we can all laugh about it now, but when Hap made her debut here on Da Chronic, she turned quite a few heads and caused a massive uproar. Now we'll never look at Thomas Morstead, or cats for that matter, the same way again. After some damage control, I think CSC it's only made CSC stronger.

Practice squad players arrested and cut - May 3, 2009

Kolo Kapanui and Biren Ealy were relieved of their duties after they were caught relieving themselves in a parking lot and exposing themselves to a woman.

Canal Street Chronicles brings back Kenny Wilkerson - May 21, 2009

It had been over a year since Kenny Wilkerson was involved with the Saints reporting scene and his whereabouts were becoming the stuff of local lore. Fortunately for us, he chose Canal Street Chronicles to make his triumphant return when he broke his silence and granted us an in-depth interview.

Dan Morgan retires...again - June 8, 2009

You're not experiencing Deja Vu. It was fun while it lasted. I hope Dan's restaurant is doing alright.

Saintsational ties the knot - June 27, 2009

This has absolutely nothing to do with the Saints or the blog really, other than my sweet wedding cake.

The tax credit fiasco - July 2, 2009

After being the point man on a film studio investment and losing the money of quite a few Saints players and coaches, Kevin Houser was let go. The timing, however, was purely coincidental since Payton was already looking to improve on the infallible play of the veteran long snapper. Houser landed on his feet, though, when he signed with the Seahawks at the end of July. CSC was the first in the world with that news.

Twitter takes over - July 9, 2009

I think the first time we realized how important a role Twitter would play in following the tea, came when Shockey aired out his emotions about "Chad" Houser via a tweet. Now, it's mandatory reading for all Who Dats. Even PayDiddy has an account!

Goodbye Jason David - August 17, 2009

The Saints most maligned player was finally shown the door. As if letting go of Gibbs and Bullocks weren't wonderful enough. You've got to admit, the front office was very good to us this year. And to think, I actually thought things might be different for David this season.

Canal Street Chronicles hits 1,000 - August 20, 2009

It took CSC only five months after reaching the 500 member mark to double that feat and reach 1,000 members. Thanks to everyone who reads everyday. It's nothing without all of you. Looking forward to another season.

Bengals Tight End Ben Utecht goes on IR and Matt Sherry waived

Kirkendall — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:18:47 -0000

It was the hit that ended his season. In early August, Ben Utecht was blown up during Training Camp which left the Tight End unconscious for several minutes. He was carted off and sent to a local hospital near Georgetown College. Now, Utecht will be out for the season.

Utecht is the second of three Tight Ends to on IR before the season even starts -- the first is Reggie Kelly, the third is Matt Sherry (who must first clear waivers). As Geoff Hobson writes, the Bengals are down to "75 players, meeting the Sept. 1 roster maximum. Rookie tackle Andre Smith doesn't count because of a two-week roster exemption."

As for Tight End, the Bengals leading candidates to start, are Daniel Coats and Chase Coffman. If the team decides to take a third Tight End, J.P. Foschi or Darius Hill could get the nod -- personally, I think it's Foschi. Losing Kelly, Utecht and Sherry, isn't that disastrous on the field -- lockerroom presence is another matter. The biggest issue the Bengals see at Tight End is inexperience and production. Coats has 31 games under his belt, but only 14 receptions. One would assume that Coats will take on the role Reggie Kelly would have performed. Between Coats, Coffman, Foschi, Hill and Kolo Kapanui, they combine for 20 career receptions.

Bengals will need to release five players by September 1

Kirkendall — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:22:36 -0000

By September 1 (this Tuesday), all teams are mandated to lower their roster to 75 players. That number is dramatically reduced to 53 on September 5 (next Saturday), which is the league-wide cutdown day. With 80 players currently on roster, the Bengals will be forced to cut five by this Tuesday. While I won't name players, I believe they'll address three positions at least. And if Andre Smith decides to join us before Tuesday, the team will need to cut six.

Wide Receiver. With ten wide receivers, the Bengals are not likely to carry all of them into the final preseason game. Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles, Chris Henry and Andre Caldwell are locks. Jerome Simpson is likely making the squad and the Bengals will only take six receivers into the regular season. That leaves Quan Cosby, Freddie Brown, Maurice Purify, Greg Orton and Antonio Chatman. Purify and Cosby, I believe, make it to final cutdown day -- especially Cosby who has enough skills on punt return to keep him in the discussion. Freddie Brown and Greg Orton I'm not sure about and Antonio Chatman could be an example of either. Do they want to wait until the last possible second to cut him, or do they figure Chatman is unlikely to make the team anyway based on serious durability issues and make the move now?

Tight Ends. Even if Ben Utecht misses the rest of the season after suffering a nasty concussion early during Training Camp, the Bengals have six Tight Ends on the roster. You figure Chase Coffman and Daniel Coats are locks. Utecht would be the team's third, and likely final, Tight End. This leaves J.P. Foschi, Darius Hill, Matt Sherry and Kolo Kapanui. Between the four, Foschi is the only player to catch a pass -- a 20-yard reception against the Rams. Since signing with the team, Sherry has dealt with constant injuries.

Fullbacks. While it is possible the Bengals take two Tight Ends into the regular season, they're likely only taking one. Furthermore, Jeremi Johnson is making improvements that could see him solidify his spot at the team's starting fullback. However, based on the level of competition, I'm not sure the Bengals make any roster moves by Tuesday. Based on the theory that Johnson resumes his role as starting fullback, the Bengals will want to see which of the two remaining fullbacks they can place on the practice squad, if they decide on taking one into the regular season.

How does the positions breakdown right now?

QB	3	DE	8
RB	5	DT	6
FB	3	LB	9
TE	7	CB	7
WR	10	S	7
C	2
G	5	Special	4
T	4

Total	39	Total	41

No telling when Bengals Tight End Ben Utecht returns

Kirkendall — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:44:36 -0000

There's just no telling when Ben Utecht will return from the concussion he suffered early in training camp, writes Geoff Hobson. "Tight end Ben Utecht surfaced in the Bengals locker room Tuesday morning for the first time since receiving the fifth concussion of his career three weeks ago and he doesn't look close to returning. He admitted he still has to make the big decision to return to play at all, but since his symptoms are still lingering he's not there yet."

As it stands, the Bengals could be without both starting Tight Ends to start the season. Which gives Daniel Coats and Chase Coffman huge opportunities. In Coats' case, he was a stretch to make the team as a Tight End. Within a split second after Kelly went down for the year, Coats' position on the roster solidified because of all the Tight Ends, his abilities mirror that of Kelly's blocking. In Chase Coffman's case, now he an opportunity to get a lot more playing time now that he doesn't have to climb over two proven Tight Ends while trying not to look like an old couple screwing (not my words).

In both their his rear-view mirror stands Matt Sherry, Darius Hill, Kolo Kapanui and J.P. Foschi. Coats and Coffman, you have to believe, are natural replacements for Kelly and Utecht, based on their strengths and style. But we're thinking ahead of ourselves. There's still a chance Utecht could return by the season opener -- but that Hobson piece makes you believe that's very doubtful.

Bengals sign two Tight Ends

Kirkendall — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:58:59 -0000

We can't lose Tight Ends quick enough. In fact, we're doing such a good job at watching our Tight Ends fall, that we're signing more, so we can watch them fall. Reggie Kelly is out for the year. No one really knows when Ben Utecht will return. Recently signed Matt Sherry will be out Thursday and Chase Coffman and Daniel Coats need "some rest as they come back from foot and ankle problems."

So the Bengals signed Kolo Kapanui and J.P. Foschi.

Kolo Kapanui was released by the Saints in May after being charged with obscenity, disturbing the peace and lewd conduct for allegedly being drunk, urinating in public and exposing himself. He was signed by New Orleans after spending last year on the Cleveland Browns practice squad.

Foschi was released by Oakland over the weekend. He saw action in seven games with Kansas City last year but did not catch a pass. He was also with the Raiders in 2005-06 and has 6 career receptions for 37 yards.

Saints Players Learn to Keep it in Their Pants

Saintsational — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:00:19 -0000

The most talked about story in Who Dat Nation is the release of Saints players Biren Ealy and Kolo Kapanui just two days after their arrests for exposing themselves. If you haven't heard, here are six articles all saying the same thing about the situation:

Times-Pic

Sun Herald

WWL

New Orleans Saints official website

ESPN

Chicks in the Huddle

I won't bother to bore you with the same info. Actually, the only thing I will add is that I am impressed by the swift and resolute manner in which the organization dealt with these players. Sure, this was just a silly stunt gone a little too far by a couple of drunk young kids. But rules are rules. Making an example out of these two guys sets a good tone for the rest of the season. If you're a liability, you're gone. I applaud Loomis and Co. for the great job they continue to do in maintaining a locker room made up of only high-quality characters and few distractions.

Check back here at noon for another post.

Bayou Boogie Nights

Saintsational — Sun, 03 May 2009 17:35:15 -0000

Feel, feel, feel, feel, feel...feel my he-at.

Cleveland Browns Final Cuts Announced - Travis Wilson Among Them

Chris Pokorny — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:42:41 -0000

It's one of the more exciting days as a fan to find out who will be available on gameday during the regular season, but for those who have been cut, it has to feel like a downer. Overall, my projections were pretty good, but there was a shocker -- the removal of wide receiver Travis Wilson. You have to wonder if that one dropped catch against the Bears cost him everything.

FINAL TRANSACTIONS (TO GET ROSTER DOWN TO 53)

Players Waived

WR Travis Wilson - I wouldn't be surprised if he still gets brought back at some point though, if we run into another injury.
WR Steve Sanders
WR Efrem Hill
WR Lance Leggett
TE Brad Cieslak - Good luck to wherever he goes next.
TE Kolomona Kapanui
OL James Lee - I hope to see him on the practice squad.
OL Jonathan Palmer
DL Melila Purcell
LB David McMillan - A shame he never caught on.
LB Chase Ortiz
DB A.J. Davis
DB Jereme Perry
DB Travis Key - Big-time playmaker in little time with the Browns; hope to see him on the practice squad.
DB Brandon Mitchell
K Jason Reda - If Dawson gets hurt, I think he did enough to get the first phone call.

Waived-Injured

RB Travis Thomas
OL Derrick Morse
OL Marvin Philip
DL Chase Pittman

Terminated-Vested Veteran

LB Shantee Orr

Injured Reserve

OL Lennie Friedman

Here are some of players who were on the bubble and made the final 53-man roster:

POSSIBLE SURPRISES (THEY MADE THE FINAL ROSTER)

WR Syndric Steptoe - His strong preseason effort paid off, and I'm sure his progress on kick returns helped him in case Joshua Cribbs gets banged up again.
WR Paul Hubbard - This is probably a fairness issue -- they gave Travis Wilson several years to develop before cutting ties with him, so why not give Hubbard at least a year to progress?
OL Nate Bennett - With Lennie Friedman being placed on the injured reserve (speaking of which, when did he get banged up?), Bennett takes his roster spot. I don't think anyone could've projected this one unless they had inside information on Friedman.
OL Isaac Sowells - My reasons hold true. Take that, doubters! ;)
DL Louis Leonard - He adds some versatility, because he can play nose tackle or defensive end.
DL Ahtyba Rubin - Showed more progress in his first camp than Babatunde Oshinowo seemed to.
DB Gerard Lawson - He had some trouble tackling in the final preseason game, but I thought his awareness level was a little higher than the rest of the guys trying to make the team. He's also taken a few reps at kick and punt return -- if Cribbs is out Week 1, the Browns could put Steptoe at kick returner and Lawson at punt returner (or Lawson could do both if Steptoe is out for a week too).

Leave your thoughts on the cuts here. I correctly projected 49/53 roster spots, which is 92.4% accuracy. Grade me with an "A" ;). I will be updating this post shortly with a little note next to some of the players.

Poll

Which roster decision are you most surprised about?

Paul Hubbard over Travis Wilson & Steve Sanders

104 votes

Shantee Orr getting the boot

71 votes

Isaac Sowells making the final roster

24 votes

199 votes | Poll has closed