I saw this morning that DeMarcus Cousins has been told to basically stay away from the Kings and their coach believes a change of scenery may be best. I understand that Cousins is a certifiable headcase, but the Kings may be willing to cut bait for another younger player. What would they think of Cousins for Speeezy and obviously a bit more? I have not looked at trade machine or anything along those lines, just a quick thought. Perhaps a change of scenery, Doug and a veteran mentor like EB could put D Boogie on the right path to a successful career.

Does anyone know what the status of Garret Hartley is for Thursday? Is it going to be him or Kasey in there? Obviously, Kasey has a long track record of success or he wouldn't have been Carolina's kicker for so long. However, at this point I can't imagine that he still has a very strong leg. I am hoping that Hartley is able to play. There were those reports out there saying he may be out 6-8 weeks.

I just wanted to pass along a quick story from 12/11, the day of the Army/Navy game.  I got married the same day a few blocks from CBP and my wife and I wanted to get a few pictures outside the ballpark.  In a wonderful gesture and obviously great press move, a higher member of Phillies pr department just so happened to be leaving the park as we were getting there.  He invited us into the stadium, where he took us onto the field, the Phillies dugout and into the press room for about 30 min. worth of pictures (we may have been the last there before Cliff)!!  It made our day even more special and showed the true spirit of the holidays.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and God Bless to all on the site that root for our Phillies!!

Obviously, the New Orelans Saints are the Super Bowl Champions and will be for at least one more year!  This has made me personally and most everyone that frequents this site extremely happy and proud to be a saints fan.  However, there are some of us that do not seem to be enjoying it as much as others and are acting like they are fans of the "aints".  Remember everyone and say together, The Saints won the Super Bowl!!  It does not matter so much if another team (i.e. the Vikings) are crying that they gave the NFC Championship to us or the talking heads on ESPN think there are things the Saints could have done better or that the Colts would have won if they did certain things better.  Let's face it - when there are newspapers to sell and tv time to fill, people need to find negatives.  So let's all remember again that our team, the guys on our teams are winners and act like winners instead of crybabies.  After all, the New Orleans Saints are the Super Bowl 44 Champinos!

Does anyone no what the status is on Chan Ho?  I'm sure he is probably hanging around hoping that someone will bite on him as potentially being a 5th starter for them.  If he does not get any looks there; however, for a few weeks, I think it would be wise for ol' Ruben to try and kick the tires on him and see if he would come back as a reliever.  As I said, I'm sure he wants to start, but maybe if he's still hanging around in a few weeks the Phils could bring him back.  What do you guys think about this?

Quick question about the parade?  Do you guys in the city have any ideas of where we out of towners would be able to watch the parade??  I wasn't sure that NFL Network would have it on or not, but I thought maybe somebody would have a link online or something that I would be able to watch it.  I just know that if I ever have a son, his name will be Drew!!  GEAUX SAINTS!! SUPER BOWL 44 CHAMPS!

Adam Schefter just reported on the pro bowl that Dwight Freeney has a torn ligament in his ankle.  If he is able to play it would be very difficult and is listed as questionable, but may be downgraded to doubtful.  Somewhere, Sean Payton and Jermon Bushrod just started to have a tingling feeling.  Obviously, this could be huge for the saints.  I think Mathis is also very good, but wil not be nearly as effective without Freeney in the lineup.  The Colts like to play a lot of games up front, meaning stunting and twisting with their line, which they will still be able to do, but without Freeney at full speed, if at all, it will take much longer to get to Drew.

First off, that was amazing yesterday.  Some of the most nerve wracking, yet enjoyable four hours of my life.  But, a thought on the game.  Jabari had a few completed on him, but he was mostly SHUTDOWN all day long.  Because of that, Porter I thought got picked on a little bit, although of course he made the game saving pick at the end of regulation and also had the forced fumble inside the red zone also.  However, with all the "Revis Island" hype, I thought it would be a good idea for a "Greer Island" t-shirt with Greer Island on the front and either a pic of Jabari or an island and then his number 32 and Greer on the back.  Thoughts?

I was just wondering what you guys and gals think about the status on Shockey.  I know he missed practiced again today, and I am pretty concerned.  Our offense is definitely a shell of itself without him, especially considering Bushrod will of course need help against Jared Allen.  Who doesn't need help against Allen?  He's an all-pro for a reason.  Of course, the Saints have protected better against 43 teams as opposed to 34s and maybe that's why Bushrod had so many issues with DeMarcus Ware.  Someone please help set my mind at ease!! I guess it is the long-suffering Saints fan in me panicing a bit!

via www.nancarrow-webdesk.com

JENKINS??!!

Being reported in his Monday Morning QB column on si.com Peter King states:

What I want to do now is try to tell you a few things I've learned on the phone and via text messages in the last week or so, in no particular order

• New Orleans is going defense with its only pick, at 14, in the first three rounds.

This news is very exciting to me.  That gives the Saints in my opinion, three solid options if they are still sitting at 14 and do not move down.  Those options are Jenkins, Cushing and Matthews.  The only other player I think they may consider would be Peria Jerry from Ole Miss, but I am not sold on them selecting him at 14 overall.  I think Williams would want a versatile player, making either Jenkins or Matthews the pick over Cushing.

NFLDraftBible
is reporting that Florida's Percy Harvin and Illinois CB Vontae Davis
also tested positive for marijuana at the combine, and that USC
linebackers Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews tested positive for steroids.

I guess I want Jenkins now?  I had previously thought I would love us to take Clay Matthews, but this is a big question mark if it is true. 

Now I'm just trying to make the post long enough to share with all of you

Here is my personal 2009 Mock Draft.  I put this together while my students were taking standardized tests this week and wasn't looking at the internet, so my apologies for any players I may have ridiculously omitted.   Also, Jay Culter is  a wildcard in this whole thing, but I have no trades or anything like that included.

1) Detroit - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

2) St. Louis - Eugene Monroe, OT, UVA

3) Kansas City - Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forrest

4) Seattle - B.J. Raji, DT, BC

5) Cleveland - Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia

6) Cincinnatti - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

7) Oakland - Jeremy Maclin, WR, MIZZOU

8) Jacksonville - Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

9) Green Bay - Everette Brown, DE, FSU

10) San Francisco - Andre Smith, OT, BAMA

11) Buffalo - Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, PSU

12) Denver - Rey Mauluga, MLB, USC

13) Washington - Malcolm Jenkins, FS/CB, OSU

14) New Orleans - Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

15) Houston - Clay Matthews, OLB/DE, USC

16) San Diego - Percy Harvin, ATH, Florida

17) NY Jets - Knowshon Moreno, RB, UGA

18) Chicago - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

19) Tampa Bay - Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

20) Detroit - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

21) Philadelphia - Michael Oher, OT, OLE MISS

22) Minnesota - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

23) New England - Donald Brown, RB, UCONN

24) Atlanta - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

25) Miami - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

26) Baltimore - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

27) Peria Jerry, DT, MISS

28) Philadelphia - Chris Wells, RB, OSU

29) N.Y. Giants - Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC

30) Tennessee - Evander Hood, DT, MIZZOU

31) Arizona - LeSean McCoy, RB, PITT

32) Pittsburgh - Alex Mack, C, CALIFORNIA

I know we already have a lot of money tied up in our defensive ends, but if Jason Taylor could be had at a smaller price, I think he would be a good help.  I also know he's nearing the end of his line, but if he stays healthy, which he wasn't last year I think he could still potentially be a double digit sack guy and maybe even show Smith and Grant what it takes to be successful and consistent. 

I know he went to college at Akron, but maybe has changed home bases to somewhere in the south after all those years with the Dolphins.  Also, the possibility of having Williams as a strong defensive coach is probably a strong recruiting tool for some of the veteran players.

HAHAHAHAHAHA....Maybe Gregg Willy would want him though, who knows?  I certainly wouldn't want his craziness on the team - but he did show glimpses of being a good cornerback and has stayed out of trouble since the bodyguard incident - I think that's about four months!!! 

There are a few other one trick ponies out there released by the Giants today, too.  Both Sam Madison at corner and a second go around with Sammy Knight would fit Loomis' style of trying to patch things up instead of finding a solution.

Per Espn.com insider:

Deuce to be cut loose?

The New Orleans Times-Picayune's Jeff Duncan has cautioned New Orleans Saints fans to get ready for life without Deuce McAllister, because he believes the team will be parting ways with the veteran running back within the next two weeks.

As Reggie Bush continued to find his niche in 2008, and Pierre Thomas took over the primary running back duties, McAllister's role diminished considerably. After a high-scoring Week Eight affair where McAllister had 18 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown, he had fewer than 10 carries in the team's remaining games. Additionally, Deuce will carry a cap charge of $7.3 million for the Saints in 2009, and this is clearly not a bargain for a player who is being phased out.

Out of respect, the team will likely release McAllister from his contract soon so that he can properly shop himself to other teams before the official start of free agency on February 27. Under NFL rules, teams cannot have contract discussions with a player that is currently under contract with another team

On the brightside, at least Payton's not an egomaniac.  Oh, wait...