Saints Gab

Reggie Bush and Drew Brees can add yet another accolade to their growing list of accomplishments. The pair made Sports Illustrated’s top 10 NFL players to follow in social media with Bush being ranked at No. 2 and Brees at No. 4.

The players’ rankings were based on a combination of the number of platforms they’re on such as Facebook, Twitter, etc., their audience size, and the amount and type of engagement they have on those channels. The complete list can be viewed live on the “NFL” tab of Sports Illustrated’s Facebook page and includes links to the athletes’ pages.

Congratulations to two really great guys!

This game turned out to be everything we thought it would be–two powerhouse offenses slugging it out until the finish. But it was the electric offense of the Saints that stole the show.

Mounting up over 552 yards of total offense, New Orleans picked up right where it left off, effectively mixing up passes and runs to keep the Chargers off balance. And it was Drew Brees who set the tone. Playing into the 3rd quarter, he exploited the Chargers’ defense, completing 18 of 24 passes for 240 yards and 2 TDs. His first touchdown pass was a 46-yard strike to Devery Henderson, who miraculously hauled it in off a deflection of  Antoine Cason’s helmet tying the game up at 7. But that wouldn’t be the last bomb Brees threw this evening. In the 2nd quarter, he zipped a 15-yarder in to Robert Meachem (victimizing Cason yet again) to put the Saints ahead 14-7. They never looked back.

As expected, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas both contributed with some impressive hard runs and screens during their limited playing time. Once again, Bush exhibited both speed and toughness when he powered a backhanded flip from Brees down the field for a 38-yard gain. He had seven catches for 70 yards.  Marques Colston had four catches for 55 yards. 

But it was the performance of undrafted rookie sensation, Chris Ivory, that dazzled the 70,000+ who were in attendance. From a simple swing pass, he totally embarrassed the Chargers’ defenders as he meandered his way down the field, breaking tackles and stiff-arming to take it in for a 76-yard score. He also rushed for 45 yards in this one.

I must tell you, this kid gets more impressive by the week. Once a long-shot to make the team’s roster, it would be hard at this point not to imagine him being a Saint by the time the regular season starts on September 9th. He has played solid in all three preseason games, and from what I heard of him prior to that, he wowed coaches and spectators all during training camp. He is a tough, exciting player who has, in my opinion, set himself comfortably apart from the other running backs competing for a roster spot.

The Chargers’ offense wasn’t bad either, just a bit inconsistent. At times, they took it right to the Saints’ secondary, capitalizing on miscues that are proving to be problematic for New Orleans. Rivers and company’s opening drive was perhaps their most impressive. Utilizing a perfect balance of passes and runs, the first-team offense struck quickly when the capable quarterback led them 82 yards for the game’s first score, a tough, grinding 6-yard touchdown punch by a stream-lined Jacob Hester (who, by the way, showed a lot of athleticism on the score). In the 12-play drive, Rivers was 5 of 6 for 44 yards, while Ryan Mathews gained 32 yards on five carries, breaking one for an impressive 16-yd run. Rivers’ other touchdown pass was a 9-yard toss to Malcolm Floyd. Leaving the game in the middle of the 3rd quarter, he finished with 16 of 27 for 167 yards. Antonio Gates had 5 catches for 66 yards.

The Saints defense had a solid performance overall despite a rocky start in which it gave up a touchdown.  Jabari Greer was true to form as he darted back and forth batting down passes and disrupting plays.  Characteristic of  its new improved reputation, the unit recorded two interceptions–one by Usama Young and the other by Leigh Torrence who ran it back 87 yards for a touchdown in the waning seconds to end the game on a high note.

What I saw in terms of Saint performances was that there are still some serious issues on special teams coverage, though it was somewhat better than in the previous two games.  Dropped passes were also a problem that killed otherwise productive drives.  And there were way too many penalties.  Players are going to have to stay focused and disciplined in order to avoid flags that only hurt the team.  I don’t know about this new rule concerning having to wait until the officials get into position before the ball can be snapped either.  Judging from this game alone, it just looks like a lot of confusion to me. Neither the coaches nor the players appear to be in favor of it.  It’s going to be interesting to see how it affects teams as the regular season cranks on.

Of special note,  MLB Jonathan Vilma went down with what’s being reported as a right groin injury early in the 3rd quarter.  Although he left the field under his own power, we don’t know the severity of the injury.  Vilma had been playing extremely well, making his presence felt all over the field.   Zack Strief also had to leave the game with an injury–I’ve heard ankle and knee so I’m exactly sure which.   We can only hope and pray that their injuries are not serious so they can be back in action soon.

Other Notes:  Patrick Ramsey was 10 of 18 for 191 yards and 1 TD–impressive!  Adrian Arrington also continued to shine by pulling down rather difficult catches, although I don’t get him back there returning kicks.  Courtney Roby and Montez Billings both showed moments of brilliance.  Garret Hartley was reliable once again, nailing FGs of 27 , 35 and 40 yards.

The last time these two teams met was during October 2008 in London’s Wembley Stadium. The game had been billed (and rightfully so) as one of the most anticipated of the season with the two high-flying offenses squaring off in the International Series before a record crowd.

It would not disappoint, as the playmakers stepped up and did their thing. Drew Brees finished the game with 339 yards and 3 TDs ; Philip Rivers threw for 341 yards and 3 TDs; Ladanian Tomlinson rushed for 105 yards while Deuce McAllister and Pierre Thomas combined for 83 yards and a TD. When the smoke cleared and the clock read zero, the Saints had held on to defeat the Chargers 37-32.

The real difference in that game turned out to be the outstanding play of the Saints offensive line, which did not give up a sack, and a heads-up play on defense in which Jonathan Vilma intercepted Rivers to end an impressive drive down the field.

A lot has changed for both teams since then. McAllister is now retired and Tomlinson is a Jet. Many players have come and gone and I’m sure both QBs would love to have all of their playmakers healthy and ready to play. But one thing that remains the same is that this matchup is being billed as another high-scoring affair in which both offenses will be expected to post monster numbers.

In fact, some are even proclaiming (very prematurely I might add), that this game could amount to being a very early look at Superbowl XLV. I believe that once again, the Saints’ offensive line and aggressive defense are going to be the difference in this one when it’s all said and done.

Offensively, the two teams are very similar. Both QBs have an arsenal of weapons to utilize through the air and on the ground and neither are afraid to use them. And because it’s going to be the third game of the preseason, I look for many of the starters to see a bit more action than they have in the previous two. With that said, this is how I see things shaping up.

Since Rivers will be without his big target, Vincent Jackson, I look for TE Antonio Gates to get most of the throws and RB Ryan Mathews to handle most of the load on the ground with Michael Tolbert backing him up. As for the Saints, we all know about their woes as of late at the running back position. Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush are going to both see some, but limited, playing time I think.

I expect to see more of Chris Ivory as well as the debut of Ladell Betts and DeShawn Wynn as they try to fight for a spot on the roster. I also expect (and look forward) to seeing more of the development of young WR Adrian Arrington, not behind the arm of Chase Daniel this time, but Patrick Ramsey.

The key for the Saints is going to be protecting whoever is playing quarterback (most likely Ramsey). With Chargers DB Antonio Cromartie no longer with the team, their defense is just that much less effective. If the Saints QB performance is on spot, then this should be another pleaser for the sold-out home crowd.

Via Twitter Sunday, Saints RB Reggie Bush said, “(I’m) about to watch Vikings and 49ers game and do a little homework for our first 2 opponents of the regular season.” That sounds like a good idea to me.

The better prepared the Saints are for the powerful running attacks of both the Vikings and the 49ers, the better off they’ll be. The speed and strength of RBs Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore, and 49er breakout rookie sensation, Anthony Dixon should be a concern for the Saints, who gave up tough-fought yards straight up the gut by Texans RB, Arian Foster this past Saturday. If they are to be successful, the Saints are going to have to come up with an answer for opposition on the ground as well as on special team coverage.

The season opener promises to be intense as the last meeting of the two teams in the NFC Championship game is still fresh and raw, particularly to the Vikings who came out on the losing end. Trash talk has already started and sour grapes are constantly being sown, or as Saints safety, Darren Sharper called it, “a little bitterness.” Even Viking’s head coach, Brad Childress chimed in on the subject, telling CBSSports.com’s senior writer, Clark Judge that the Saints “orchestrated some things that aren’t within our rules.” Vikings players have also accused the black and gold of crossing the line when it came to hits on Favre in that game. At least one has implied that had he known how badly Favre had been battered and bruised at the time, he would have tried harder to get to Brees to return the favor.

Whether it’s sour grapes or a little bitterness, the Vikings have made it clear that they have more than just revenge for the loss on their minds. I think they want blood. Hopefully, the rest of the Saints are already in sync with what Reggie Bush is doing by preparing for that game. Who comes out on top will be determined by who plays with the most passion. I only hope it’s civilized.

The New Orleans Saints looked more like the defending World Champions tonight as they handed the Texans a 38-20 beatdown–N’awlins style. Set up by a fiercely dominating rushing attack that amassed a total of 201 yards, the Saints’ victorious performance was a lot more impressive than the loss against the Patriots last week.

There were some very bright spots in this game as some of the stars came out in rare form. Reggie Bush electrified the crowd when he scored a beautiful 9-yard TD run to put the black and gold on the scoreboard first. Showing his speed and some raw toughness, the back bulldozed his way into the endzone, looking more like the power runner everyone hoped he’d be, running up the middle and between the tackles. It was good to see him exhibit his tougness just as well as his speed. He finished the game with 7 carries for 49 yards.

Not surprising was the performance of Pierre Thomas. Following key blocks by Jonathan Goodwin and Carl Nicks, Thomas scored a 31-yd TD off a screen from QB Chase Daniel to put the Saints up 21-7 in the 2nd quarter. Nobody runs the screen better than Thomas in my opinion. Often very hard to bring down, his extra effort makes him a dangerous threat on offense. He reminded us tonight why he is so deserving of the contract he seeks. Let’s hope he gets it.

The reserve runner would not be outdone either. The power running of Chris Ivory along with that of P.J. Hill was key in a 65-yard scoring drive where Daniel hit his favorite target, Adrian Arrington for an 18-yd touchdown in the 3rd quarter to put the Saints ahead 35-13. Hill went on to suffer a leg injury in the 4th quarter, but was able to get up and walk off the field under his own power. Ivory finished with 20 carries for 66 yards. Both backs were very impressive again as they try to claim a place on the Saints roster.

Chase Daniel also had a stellar performance. Other than an interception of an errant throw in the 3rd quarter, the young QB was virtually flawless, putting up some very impressive numbers. In addition to the strikes for six he’d thrown to Thomas and Arrington, he looked extremely sharp as he connected with Zak Keasey for a 1-yd TD in the final play of the first  half. He went on to finish the game 15/21 for 182 yards and 3 TDs.  His go-to guy, Arrington had 3 catches for 71 yards. I’d say that over the past two weeks, these two have really made a case for themselves as to why they should be members of the New Orleans Saints.

Even the defense looked like it got a much-needed shot in the arm over the course of the week. DE Will Smith forced a fumble when he popped the Texans’ RB Foster, forcing him to cough up the ball. Sedrick Ellis fell on it for the Saints, giving the Who Dat defense its first takeaway of the preseason. It was refreshing to see that the tackling was better than it was last week. Even though they gave up a few of plays straight up the gut, they did show signs of marked improvement.

I don’t think any of us doubted that the Saints would win this game. It’s just that there had been a growing concern about which team we’d see tonight. Would we see the team who dominated on both sides of the ball last year or would we see the lethargic, lackluster team who took the field last week? Well, we got our answer and pleasantly so. It looks like the Who Dats are back!

Other important notes: Drew Brees was 5/10 for 36 yards and 1 rushing TD; Marques Colston had 3 receptions for 24 yards; Garret Hartley kicked 5 PATs and 1 35-yard field goal.

Not dressed were: Darren Sharper, Cliff Ingram, Jon Stinchcomb, Jimmy Graham, and Stanley Arnoux.

Chase Daniel completed 15-of-21 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Saints to a 38-20 preseason victory over the Texans. Daniel also threw an interception in relief of starter Drew Brees, who threw for 36 yards on 5-of-10 passing for New Orleans, which won its first game in the Superdome since an overtime victory over Minnesota in the NFC Championship Game.

Reggie Bush ran the ball seven times for 49 yards and a score, while Brees also added a rushing touchdown. Marques Colston made four catches for 49 yards, while Adrian Arrington led the team in receiving with three catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. Matt Schaub completed 8-of-10 passes for 117 yards for the Texans, who have lost both of their preseason games.

Like their many fans around the country, members of the New Orleans Saints are anxious to put last week’s disappointing loss behind them. Even though it was only a preseason game with no real bearings on postseason aspirations, the defeat has left a bitter taste for the defending Superbowl champions to swallow, leaving many players ready to just get back out on the field in search of redemption.

On Tuesday, Jonathan Vilma shared with his thousands of Facebook friends that he is “hype” about the upcoming matchup against the Texans this Saturday. Dubbed the “QB Killa” by many of his adoring fans, the ProBowl linebacker makes no secret about his work ethic which is fueled by his intense determination to make the Saints defense better and stronger.

In an interview with WWL.com after Tuesday’s scrimmage, #51 was forthcoming as he discussed everything from his take on the state of the defense to the team’s visit to the White House. When asked if he has seen any improvement (in the defense), he replied,

“Yes, today we saw that improvement. Aside from the first drive that we scored on, I thought we did a very good job defensively. We flew around pretty well. We made plays on the ball. That was the biggest thing. A lot of those things are reminiscent of what we did last year, of getting to the ball and making plays. I was excited with what I saw.”

But Vilma isn’t the only Saint who saw positive aspects from this week’s practices. RB Reggie Bush also felt that the team’s scrimmage against the Texans on Wednesday was beneficial to the team’s development. In an interview with NewOrleansSaints.com, Bush was candid as he discussed his take on the way the joint practices had gone. He told the site,

“I think it gave us a chance to see different looks and a different defense for us. (Texans’ defense) is solid every year. Every time we play against them they are solid. They do a great job at stopping the run. All in all, it gives us a chance to compete against a different team. It gives us some different looks and gives guys a chance to compete who are trying to make the team.”

It’s encouraging to see that defensively as well as offensively, the Saints are maintaining a positive outlook based on different things they’ve seen in practice. Positive attitudes breed positive results. The Saints will need a heavy dose of that if they are to repeat as World Champions.

The Saints opened up the 2010 preseason with a sloppy setback to the Pats, 27-24 in New England. The game was defined with more injuries, the biggest of which was a shoulder injury to punter Thomas Morstead, who had X-rays that were negative.

As far as the game went, the team seemed slower than the Pats in the first half, giving up a couple drives and just not looking as sharp.

“There were too many sloppy things that we’ve got to get corrected, ” coach Sean Payton said. “You know, I know it’s the first week of the preseason, yet there’s still a number of things that are disturbing.”

Among the highlights for the Saints included a 20-play touchdown drive by the first-string offense that ended with tailback Reggie Bush’s 2-yard scoring run in the second quarter, and a 97-yard kickoff return for Larry Beavers.

The Saints first string D gave up 17 points to the Pats, a team that is looking to get back to form after a first-round playoff loss to the Ravens last season.

“You never want to start out as rusty as we did,” cornerback Tracy Porter said. “Watching this film is going to bring us back down to earth and show us that we have a lot of work to do.”

QB Drew Brees finished 9-of-13 for 55 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. RB Pierre Thomas had eight carries for 27 yards, and Bush had five carries for 17 yards including the touchdown.

“We pretty much put the Super Bowl behind us by this point and moved on to the next season, ” Porter said. “You have to start over. This wasn’t what we hoped for, but this is the starting point.”

The Saints will host the Houston Texans on Saturday, August 21st at 8pm at the SuperDome.

KFFL.com, a premiere fantasy site, says that Saints back Reggie Bush should cross the goal-line 4 to 6 times in 2010, but that injuries could be a major concern:

Pros: Bush regained his explosiveness after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee; he averaged 5.6 yards on 70 carries, while also snagging 47 passes on his way to 725 total yards and eight scores. His talents are valued in this high-octane offense, which loves to attack via the air. Consistency with receptions: He posted nine weeks of three-plus catches last year. Bush finished second among Saints backs with 2.1 red zone utilizations; they don’t mind using his slashing near the goal line, and Mike Bell is now a Philadelphia Eagle. Bush was likely held back last year due to his knee surgery, so the Saints could involve him more in 2010.

Cons: Brittle Bush has missed at least two games in each of the last three seasons. “Microfracture” is still a dirty word long term. Bush takes a back seat to Pierre Thomas, who can also catch. Bush registered 75-plus offensive yards only four times last year. If your league doesn’t count catches, does that suffice? The Saints still have too many mouths to feed.

Fantasy tip: Bush can pass as a low-end No. 2 back in PPR despite his inconsistency. He’s safer as a No. 3, given his inconsistent weekly output and his frequent physical dings. His standard scoring ADP, somewhere in the seventh round, is a bit high considering some other options that do more on the ground. If PPR backs are falling quickly, a slight reach isn’t a high crime, as long as you back yourself up.

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From Jenna at JRock’s World

Like many celebrities, Reggie Bush spent his weekend in Las Vegas flirting and looking like he wasn’t even thinking about Kim K.

Sources say Reggie is enjoying being single and has no plans of getting back with Kim. Radaronline.com reports that a major reason why Reggie never plans to marry the E! Princess is because of his mother!

“His mother does not want her son dating someone who has a sex tape out there.” said Radar source and added “He is such a mamma’s boy; he will never marry her because she would disown him.”

Reggie who is reportedly very close with his mother values his mothers opinion and would never go against her wishes.

“He respects his mother’s opinion and would take that into account before even his own feelings, so he will never marry Kim.”

Another problem in their relationship was Kim’s obsession with being in the spot light, and Reggie polar opposite of her type of lifestyle. Reggie’s  break up with Kim is probably the last thing on his mind and is most concerned about losing the Heisman Trophy because of a NCAA probe of USC’s football program.

“His last concern is Kim Kardashian right now – he has a lot on his plate because they might be taking away his USC (Heisman Trophy) award from 2002,” the Radar source said.