One of my life long friends is a chef, he went to culinary school, and now is very successful, having appeared on the Food Network, he spends all his time perfecting his craft. I asked him once what does it take to be one of the best?

His answer was quite simple, “The right ingredients and balance makes all the difference.”

He then proved it by making a ham sandwich. 1st using only bread, mayo, and some ham. It took only a minute to make. He then asked me to have a bite. Not surprising it tasted just like any other ham sandwich. Now he said, I will make you a real ham sandwich. It took over 15 minutes to make, and just the appearance and the set up, alone I was not sure if I wanted to eat it or take a picture. I then tried it, and it was the greatest ham sandwich I ever had.

You see he said, “The right ingredients and balance make all the difference.”

Now that I have made all of you hungry, I will get to the point of this article.

It got me thinking why some teams, year after year are successful, and why some are not. The Saints wooed Jason David away from the Colt’s in 2007. It was felt that he could fix the left side CB issue. The mistake was Jason David is better suited in a cover 2 scheme, not man to man. Jason is a very talented player if used in the right scheme, so don’t hate him for getting burned so much. If there is a finger to be pointed, it should be at Gary Gibb’s.

1 Stick Butter:

It takes the right skill set to play man to man, and the Saints 2nd round pick this year Tracy Porter has those skills needed. As long as he picks up on the schemes, I do not see why he will not be the CB2 starter when the Saints visit conference rivals the Buccaneers on September 7th.

1 Tea Spoon Sugar:

To play middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense, you have to be athletic, Jonathan Vilma is that guy. He will be the missing link that the LB core has needed since Coach Peyton took over in 2006. Vilma suffered when the Jets changed defensive schemes, his skills were not used to their full potential, and I believe also lead to his injury. He will be completely healed, and ready to go in September.

4 Table Spoon Salt:

Smith, Grant, McCray, Ellis these guys will be a force to reckon with. Last year teams were double teaming Smith, and Grant, what was missing was a fleet footed rusher. In comes McCray, and Ellis. Sliding over Grant next to Ellis will make offensive lines adjust, creating 1 on 1‘s with McCray and Smith. I expect to see allot more pressure put on the QB’s this year creating more turnover opportunities.

As far as the offense is concerned, the right ingredients have been there since 2006, it was the balance in which they are used that is in question. I am sure Coach Peyton has already addressed this issue after watching the game film from 2007, and I think we may even see the formation of a new offensive scheme that will be used by more teams, just as Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense did in the 80’s. If there is anyone poised to do that it’s Coach Peyton.

So we can only wait now, as the 2008 season nears to see if we have the right ingredients and balance to return to Super Bowl contender form. As for me right now, I think I’ll make me a ham sandwich.

The 2008 season is almost here, I thought it would be only fitting to talk about a common trait found in all Saints fans. “Hope”, and share a moment that makes me proud to wear the black and gold.

It was the 2006 NFC championship game, Saints vs. Bears, and like a kid on the night before the 1st day of school. I laid out my Reggie Bush #25 jersey, and placed my Saints cap next to it, then drifted to sleep, with visions of Drew Brees connecting with Colston for the game winning touchdown that would send them to the Super Bowl for the 1st time in team history.

I had accepted an invitation to watch the game at a friend’s house, but this my friends was not going to be your normal setting. I was going into the lions den.. I would be the only one with Black and Gold on. You see my friend was a die hard Bears fan, and so would be the other 5 guys watching the game. Was I scared, you ask? In no way shape or form. I walked in with the same strut and swagger, of a father carrying his new born baby. After a week of friendly trash talking, the time had come. Nothing was going to keep the Saints from going to the Super Bowl. It was destiny. After all the years we die hard Saints fans had been through. It was finally our time…

Each play seemed to have the same feeling as a game winning touchdown, even if it was only for a 3 yard gain. When the Bears scored 1st, I did not hesitate to inform my friends, that their lead would be short lived. Then without warning, a left side swing pass to Bush, and it was off to the races. I jumped up, did my own touchdown dance, and commenced with the “I told you so”. It had begun; the Saints were going to march through a snowy Soldier Field, en route to sunny Miami for the Super Bowl.

Then disaster hit – The Saints found themselves with their backs to their own end zone, we needed a play if we wanted to at least give Weatherford some room to punt. Brees dropped back, he looked left then right, no one was open and the pocket was closing in. He scrambled to the right, and it was then I knew what he wanted to do. I screamed, “Don’t throw it away”, but alas he did not hear me. “Safety” was the call, with Urlacher in the face of the referee, hands together atop his head.

The Saints could not recover; and the dream was slowly slipping away, and then in an instant, the light that was burning so bright, was no more. The Saints miracle season was over. I left with my head up high, proud of my Saints, for they had did what no other had done in team history. I slept good that night, with thoughts of what the 2007 season would be.

We all know how 2007 turned out; we were early favorites to make it to the Super Bowl. 2007 would be the year the Saints would win it all. Then came the 4 straight loses, and it seemed that the curse had once again returned. Everyone has jumped off the bandwagon since then, and so it is only us, the die hard fans, and the ones that year after year greet each new season with one thing in mind. HOPE….

I will not bore you with all the moves the Saints made this off season, what I will tell you is that they were the right moves, and the defense will be the difference maker the Saints need to finally play(and win) this years Super Bowl.

In 2006 Coach Peyton shocked everyone with his play calling. The Saints offense could not have been better. The most memorable game for me was their win over Dallas. With the “Big Tuna” watching from the other side, you would have to wonder what he was thinking. Both anger, and proud, that one of his protégé’s was out coaching him on national TV. In 2007 however, the offense seemed to be missing something, Coach Peyton’s play calling was not working as it did in 2006, and with Deuce gone, and injuries to other key players, they just could not get it together.

The defense also did not help. Even when the offense scored, the defense could not manage to keep the opposing team from coming back, and with 3 games decided by a touchdown or less, it proves that defense is the key to winning no matter how good your offense is.

2008 will be different; the defense is primed to be a force this year. Roman Harper is more experienced and has already shown signs of greatness. We will also have one of the most expensive front fours in the NFL after Sedrick Ellis signs, and with 3 1st round draft picks taking the field chasing after QB’s, I cannot wait for the 1st snap. “Quarterback’s Beware”

Yes there are still some questions whether Mike McKenzie will be ready, will Grant miss time due to legal issues. If they do miss time it will not matter, the Saints have enough depth and experience along with young talent that will see them rise to the occasion. Turnovers have been the biggest issue the last 2 years. History has shown defenses that create turnovers win football games. So with that, expect Gary Gibbs to have some nice blitz packages ready with his multiple playmakers. Smith, Grant, Ellis, McCray, Vilma, and Harper… Can you say SACK FACTORY?

One final note, I do believe Coach Peyton will find a use for Reggie Bush, and he will not be the worst bust since Ricky Williams, and Meachem will also show he was worthy of a 1st round pick. ….. And Marques Colston will finally make it to the pro bowl. Go Saints!!!

Blackandgold.com is reporting that one player that has impressed the Saints thus far this offseason is wide out Robert Meachem.  The #1 pick last season has something to prove after missing all 16 games of his rookie year with a knee injury suffered in training camp.  The reports says that Meachem is healthy and it appears ready to make a strong run at becoming the third wide receiver this season, which would be a welcome sign to the Saints.

There are a couple of teams on the list for now Raiders RB Lamont Jordan once he gets released by the team, and on that list according to NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is the Saints.  Schefter says that with the uncertainty of running back Deuce McAllister, the team wants to make sure they have enough quality backs, and Jordan may fit what they are looking for.  Don’t forget the team also showed interest and even spoke to Shaun Alexander, who is still on the open market.  Other teams that reportedly have interest in Jordan include the Bears and Lions.

Now that DE Will Smith is locked up with the six-year, $70 million contract extension he signed this week, the Saints will next turn their attention to negotiations with WR Marques Colston, who is also looking for a long-term deal. Colston, who caught a single-season team-record 98 passes in ’07, will make $445,000 in base salary this year and become a restricted free agent after the season. He skipped a voluntary workout on June 9.

Will Smith has been pushing the New Orleans Saints for a new deal, and today defensive end got his wish.  Reports are coming out that Smith has signed a new six-year deal with the Saints that will include $26 million in guarantees. The deal is worth $70 million according to the AP.  It makes him the third highest paid defensive end in the league, behind the Vikings Jared Allen and the Colts Dwight Freeney.

Smith was the Saints first-round pick out of Ohio State back in 2004, and made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and his seven sacks in 2007 led the Saints. He also was among team leaders in tackles with 66.  “The Saints really stepped up,” said Smith’s agent, Joel Segal. “It was a long negotiation and a great deal for both Will and the Saints.”

The DE was in the process of skipping most of the teams OTA’s, but now that he is a VERY rich player, most of the hard feelings will be put aside as the Saints get ready for training camp in July.  “He’ll be able to show up for training camp now with nothing on his mind but getting ready for the season and the Super Bowl,” Segal said.

Now it will be up to Smith to step it up, last season his sack numbers dropped from 10.5 in 2006 to 7.  While his tackle numbers were up, the team will count on him even more to be the team leader on the D-line, as well as to make plays and cause havoc in the opponents backfield.

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