SB Nation User Blog: Philinwood

IN THE SIXTH ROUND THE SAINT'S SELECT "Bobby Boucher Jr."

Philinwood — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:59:56 -0000

Yes, The Saints have selected South Central Louisiana Muddogs Waterboy, Middle Linebacker and Power Running Back Robert "Bobbie" Boucher, Jr !!! In addition to holding down primary waterboy and refreshement respnsibilities, Bobby is expected to play some downs at Strong Safety and on offense on 3rd and short situations. He is touted as "the missing part of the puzzle" that Saints fans have been waiting for. The organization is very excited about the prospects and plans on introducing alligator stew on the sunday menu for home games.

Maybe It's Time We Got Deuce A Super Bowl Ring

Philinwood — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:56:32 -0000

Since the Saints organization got rid of Deuce (and we knew this was inevitable), it is time for really getting focus and that focus should be on the Super Bowl. New Orleans has had a losing football team for so long that it seems we all fall back on a mantra like "let's see if we can improve our record from last year," or "let's see if we can make the playoffs," or "let's see if we can win the division." Well, it's time to get serious. If we are going to lose, we might as well lose with Deuce because we all love him and still want to watch him and will cheer for him to excel. But, if we have to cut him loose, it should be for a REAL prurpose- to win the Super Bowl. And then, we can give him a ring like Indy did to Edge (If I have my facts correct) -they gave a ring to him after he left the team.

Maybe we will get lucky and Deuce will wind up back on the team with a lowered salary and somehow the Saints will make good to him after he retires. And maybe he will score the SB winning touchdown for N.O or whatever team he winds up joining. Probably not likely. But, the Saints should do WHATEVER IT HAS TO DO to bring a championship to New Orleans. This is the time. Brees, Vilma, Reggie, Colston, Shockey, Pierre, Fujita, et al are young enough right now, but things change so rapidly in the NFL. It is time. If Deuce had to go, it is painful and maybe unjust, but at least make it for a justifiable reason. If we are going to lose, I'd just as soon lose with Deuce.

ESPN just reported Julius Peppers wants to leave Carolina!

Philinwood — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:19:37 -0000

What an upgrade that would be!!! Cut Smith or Grant loose (they may miss 1/4 season anyway) and then get a Safety at minimum and with the new DC, we already move up 8-10 rankings on our defense. Anything else is gravy!!

Of couse upgarding by obtaining a weakside LB, another safety, another CB is all important, but Peppers is a beast and I am ecstatic that Gibbs is gone, Ogeron is replaced, Williams is onboard and I also like that Chuckie is gone from TB and they have to suffer with Gibbs.

"Saints Blitzed More Than Fans Give Them Credit For" is BS

Philinwood — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:34:36 -0000

I have read and heard several times that some people like J. Duncan and others have said that the Saints have blitzed a reasonable amount and more than the fans realize, and this is total BS. Anyone watching these playoff games sees a stark contrast to what is happening in those games on defense compared to what happened week in and week out with the Saints. Teams like Baltimore and Tennessee, Phila and Carolina, even Arizona, San Diego-and you will see it from the Giants today. There is 1) Variety - anything and everything from the LBs and DEs to confuse the OL and QB and get an edge whether it is just faked or they actually follow thru on an overload or a DE covering a RB in the flat or DL stunting and attacking from different locations.

2) Committment - in today's NFL, a 5 man rush isn't really a blitz, it's a moderate attempt at pressure. Sometimes it is the right thing to do, but you have to do it with some other type of wrinkle or the pros on the other side usually handle it. When you send 6, or even 7, the adrenalin gets pumped, the rush is on, everone from the SS to the DT knows it is all or nothing and fortunately, 90% of the time the DBs only have to cover a receiver for 2 seconds. Usually the play is changed at the line and it is a very short pass attempt or draw play and you only have to cover the first 15-20 yards from the LOS. And, when you do this one or two times, just the appearence of the possiblility of it happening on another down when the D is faking causes audibles, receivers to break off routes when they don't have to or QBs looking to different routes by mistake. That's one of the things that a defense wants to create- confusion, doubt and a change in offensive plans. IT comes with risk, but it's about committment and becoming good at it and believing that you can pressure them more than they can pressure you. If you don't have that type of mentality, then you are a passive defense anyway you are going to get mopped up anyway so what's the difference? At least go down trying instead of being a punching bag. The Saints NEVER did that kind of thing. Every offense that faced us basically knew what we were going to do with a very high probability. If you don't believe me, watch NY vs Phil today or SD vs. Pitt and compare with a tape of a Saints game this season. The contrast is sickening.

Would Like Some Feedback On Some of These Players

Philinwood — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:24:35 -0000

I was wondering if some of you might be interested in giving me some feedback on some of these players as they only got limited playing time for reasons such as some of them were rookies or inexperienced, or they got injured, or they were picked up mid-season just because others got injured, etc. I was wondering if they might help the team at all next year other than special teams roles. I think there sre actually a few here with either promising futures or the prospect of a promising one or two additional seasons.

I will list them and then give any assessment I might have.

Jo Lon Dunbar, Chris Reis, Mark Simoneau, Torrence Leigh,Darian Barnes, Mike Bell, Marvin Mitchell, Ron Ninkovich, Jeff Charleston, Sobonehim Olaniyi, DeMario Pressley

Dunbar- I think he played well in his only start vs. Washington- a game we had won and was lost, in my estimation, niot by Dunbar. I think we need to take a long look at him and he should have played morew in the last 2 games because we know what we have with our 3 starters and need to find out what Dunbar is about.

Mark Simoneau- Clearly he is a true NFL linebacker, although not All-Pro caliber. But, if he comes back healthy and is not too old (doubtful- he had a whole year to get rejuvenated and he is only 32. When he was with the Eagles, the knock on him was that he was undersized. Now the NFL seems to be favoring smaller and more mobile linebackers and that might just describe Mark. e won't beat out Vilma, but could be a good backup at all 3 linebacker positions, possibly even start in front of Shanle.

Reis- Very limited action but seems tough and I would have thought he would have gotten a shot since our safeties were questionable.

Mike Bell-I liked what I saw and I liked him in Col. He is not Deuce or Reggie or PT, but I still liked him when he played.

Jeff Charleston- As far as I am concerned he is an upgrade at DE from WS and CG, but I guess time will tell and I don't necessarily think the Saints feel that way. I thought he played well. He won't ever make the pro-bowl, but no DE on our team will either.

Sobonehim Olaniyi- (or whatever) played well in one game even though he fumbled. Nonetheless, I could see him helping the Saints if he gets healthy. I love Mike Karney, but he is getting older and I am not so sure he is as good a blocker as he was 3 or 4 years ago in Deuce's prime.

Torrence Leigh - Not sure what to think- but he had 43 Total tackles last year for Redskins without being a starter.- that's on a par with most of our CBs. He is young but with some experience. probably a smart player also,but not sure (he went to Stanford). Prime age for NFL CB (27)

DeMario Pressley- I figure Saints have big plans for him if he gets healthy but don't really know much.

Rob Ninkovich- I liked him when he was first with Saints. I'll go out on a limb here, but I think if he had started 16 games last season he would have had at least 4 sacks which might qualify him for "pass rush MVP" for 2008. Not Pro Bowl material, but possibly an upgrade of some sort.

Michael Lehan-Didn't even know he existed. Am I right, the Saints signed him when he was waived from iR @ Dolphons? Anyway- 6 years experience, 6-0 tall and 30 years old, maybe they want to take a closer look.

Terrence Holt- Don't know much, but I would look closely at any safety who has 6 years experience in the NFL , is 6-2 , 204 lbs when you consider our current safeties. Plus, this guy had 5 interceprions over 2005-06 and started 41 NFL games from 2005-2007 and had 186 total tackles. I would say he is a veteran but is only 28 years old.

Anyone else?? Darian Barnes? Bushrod? Ortega? Ayodele? Would love to hear anything anyone has to say.

Is Will Smith Closing In On A New NFL Record??

Philinwood — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:18:59 -0000

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think, based on only rudimentary research, that Will Smith is closing in on setting an NFL record for "Most Expensive Sacks." I found that his salary this year could be as high as 13 Million and he has 3 sacks which would put him at about 4.33 mil per sack. Please correct me if you have any other info to contradict, but I challenge anyone to produce an owner who has rewarded a defensive lineman with such a high stipend for each sack produced.

Charles Grant was in the running, but his injury just absolutely killed his chance of getting the record.

Now I know there is more to playing DE than getting sacks, but that is not germane to the main issue. A record is a record!!!! We must not overlook this!

Several Teams Rolled the Red Carpet Out For Us......

Philinwood — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:34:54 -0000

but we didn't walk down it. When you compare the standings now with where they were a month or six weeks ago, it seems that a lot of teams did their best to give the Saints a chance to keep the door open and sneak into the playoffs. After a 6-2 start, the Redskins fell apart. Dallas certainly opened the door and may or may not make the playoffs. They could have clinched weeks ago. Tampa may hold on, but the last time they played well was against us and lost 3 straight after that. Let me take that back, the last time they won was against us. They didn't play well. Chicago is hanging on for hope but are clearly mediocre and undeserving of a playoff spot, but might pull it off. Green Bay fell apart. Minnesota has QB issues which prevents them from being a serious contender. The Eagles show a glimmer of greatness and then can't beat a freefalling Redskin team and can't even score a TD. Plaxico Burress sabotaged the Giants big time by shooting himself in the leg (whoever goes to the Superbowl from the NFC should buy him a Mercedes) and they are in serious disarray even though they have already qualified for the playoffs. The two NFC teams that have shown consistency and deserve to be in the playoffs as of today, in my opinion, are Carolina and Atlanta.

I know it's water under the bridge, but if you ask me the single incident that kept us out of the playoffs, everything considered, was throwing 47 passes in a monsoon against a team that is better vs. the pass than vs. the run and we were on their home turf. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. And, for those who were wondering around that time of the season what was the matter with Drew Brees, it's called WEATHER!! Ask Kurt Warner .........

And I also know that although our defense probably doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs (our offense obviously does) I honestly feel that if we had switched defensive coordinators at mid season with any one of maybe 8 or 10 or maybe 12 DC's in the league, we would be in the playoffs- probably with an 11 and 5 record.

I know,I know..if your aunt had B*LLS she'd be your uncle

Philinwood — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:16:24 -0000

I know what they say about the word if........if your aunt had balls, she'd be your uncle. But, this morning I am having trouble with the realization of how well things would be, everytrhing considered with this debacle of a season with injuries, suspensions, kicker malfunctions, etc etc IF,...... IF....... we had just beaten Tampa. Take a look at the standings, it will just break your heart. Specifically what I am having trouble with is a coach that makes millions and made the decision to throw the ball 47 times vs a defense ranked #4 in the league against the pass and who is ranked only 18th vs. the run. And it was a monsoon. Why didn't he get the memo? Apparently Carolina got the memo. Oh, but I forgot - we didn't have a run game way back then.....

WE ARE RUNNING THE BALL BETTER THAN WE REALIZE

Philinwood — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:51:41 -0000

take a look at this data:

Pierre Thomas           08 season avg.    4.6 yds per carry
                                        07  season avg.    4.8
                                        career                     4.7

Warrick Dunn           08 season avg.        4.4 yds per carry
                                    07                               3.2
                                    career                       4.1

Earnest Graham     08 season avg         4.3 yds per carry
                                   07                                4.0
                                   career                           4.1

De Angelo Williams 08season avg 4.9 yards per carry
career 4.7

Clinton Portis 08 season avg. 4.8 yards per carry

07 3.9

career 4.6

Marion Barber 08 3.9

07 4.8

career 4.3

So i will make three points from this data- 1) we can run the ball- better than most are giving us credit for 2) If you give the ball to Reggie on running plays you will not get this level of performance which will make you think we have no running game (his stats are around 3.3 for 08 and 3.6 career) and

3) you can’t expect an NFL RB to average more than 4.6 yards per carry- especially NFC (south and east moreso) it does happen sometimes, but most don’t. We have a running game- we just have to pick the right RB, give hime the damn ball, and commit to it!!!!!!

9 COMPLETE PASSES - 9

Philinwood — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:42:29 -0000

Can anyone out there tell me if they can ever remember an NFL game where a team won and only completed 9 passes? I didn't think it could be done. It would seem that you would need an td runback on an interception or a defender falling on the ball in the endzone for a defensive touch down, or a couple of safeties or something.

Or, you might expect it if a team rushed for 239 yards or so. But TB rushed for 149 yards and only had 109 yards passing. Sometimes the Saints do things that are absolutely beyond comprehension. 9 complete passes? How can you lose when your opponent only completes 9 passes? I guess you have to give it to Gruden, he knew the game would be decided by protecting the football and they did. Our coach thought we were in a dome and that monsoon was a figment of his imagination.