Gramatica Out, Mehlhaff In

by BayouRebel on Oct 8, 2008 3:14 PM CDT

he Saints have signed rookie kicker Taylor Mehlhaff to replace Martin Gramatica, who was placed on injured reserve because of a groin injury.

Mehlhaff was flown in Wednesday morning for a physical, according to his agent Scott Smith of X-A-M Sports, and he will practice with the team this afternoon.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis confirmed both moves.

The Saints drafted the strong-legged Mehlhaff in the sixth round out of Wisconsin this year, but Gramatica won the kicking job with a steadier performance during training camp and the preseason.

Poll

Are you happy with this move?

Yes.

96 votes

No.

5 votes

101 votes | Poll has closed

2 recs | Comment 24 comments |

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Comments

WOW! BIG, BIG NEWS!

I’m still not sure if this will be the answer, but after Monday night, I welcome the change. Welcome back Taylor! I hope you’ve been practicing hard this past month to become more consistent.

Go Saints!!!!

by satchmo26 on Oct 8, 2008 1:48 PM CDT 0 recs

…would have won the position, except he missed that one field goal in the last preseason game. Otherwise, he was neck and neck with Grammatica on field goals, and better I thought at kick offs. Overall, I think it is a better move to go with youth, and Mehlhaff could possibly mature into our kicker for the next decade.

by kssaints on Oct 8, 2008 2:06 PM CDT 0 recs

Actually, I think Mehlhaff lost it on kickoffs

He had quite a few line drives, and I don’t know if he once got it into the end zone. That’s what he was drafted for.

If he has a good year, he’ll be our kicker. Gramatica should feel lucky he still gets to draw a paycheck for this season, because it’ll be his last.

by MtnExile on Oct 8, 2008 2:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

Only once....

did one of his kickoffs make it into the endzone. Let’s hope the emotional hit he took to his ego by getting cut motivated him to practice extra hard during September to improve his play. I guess we’ll find out Sunday.

Go Saints!!!!

by satchmo26 on Oct 8, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

YAH

THANK YOU !!!!!!!

by MT_always on Oct 8, 2008 2:19 PM CDT 0 recs

By the way...

…does it seem to anyone else that the Saints are unusually quick on the trigger when it comes to the IR list? You get a hangnail and before you know it Mickey Loomis is showing you the door.

by MtnExile on Oct 8, 2008 2:55 PM CDT 0 recs

Yeah

I’m anxious to hear more about the Porter injury and why they immediately placed him on IR.

Go Saints!!!!

by satchmo26 on Oct 8, 2008 3:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

roster space

we have so many injured that we cant keep people around who cant play.
If you actually listed the injuries of all our players you add the IR on and those cut (Hollis) all to injury the list is long. Put them on IR and you can fill their spot.

by MT_always on Oct 8, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

That makes sense...

but I’d still like to find out more about Porter and the severity of his injury. Even though he’s a rookie, he’s been one of our better CBs this year. Who will replace him on the roster? I guess we’ll have to wait it out and see.

Go Saints!!!!

by satchmo26 on Oct 8, 2008 4:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

"Who will replace him on the roster? "

LITO SHEPPARD!!!!

by stujo4 on Oct 8, 2008 4:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Let's not hold our breath

The Saints have already traded away many of next year’s draft picks, so they wouldn’t have much to offer the Eagles. What do we have left? The 1st and 2nd round pick? I’ve lost track. I’d love for them to somehow get a quality veteran CB like Sheppard, but I doubt it will happen.

Go Saints!!!!

by satchmo26 on Oct 8, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

DARRELL HUNTER!!!

The Saints also made some changes to their practice squad, signing cornerback Darrell Hunter

http://tam.scout.com/a.z?s=70&p=8&c=1&nid=3634080

by stujo4 on Oct 8, 2008 5:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

"Groin Injury" eh?

Maybe after the Saints lost coach Payton asked every player active that night to kick Gramatica 10 times in the balls? And then to finish it off Jo-Lunn Dunbar delivered a vicious block on him?

Signature? SIGNATURE?! Don't talk about SIGNATURE! I just hope I can write a sentence!

by SSreporters on Oct 8, 2008 3:19 PM CDT 0 recs

HA HA!

Maybe

Go Saints!!!!

by satchmo26 on Oct 8, 2008 3:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Groin strain

actually occured because of menstrual cramps.

by FirebatM3 on Oct 8, 2008 8:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Woah!!

FirebatM3 makes his first comment a doozy!!

Welcome to the Chronic!

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Saintsational on Oct 8, 2008 8:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Game over.....I can't beat that one.

Signature? SIGNATURE?! Don't talk about SIGNATURE! I just hope I can write a sentence!

by SSreporters on Oct 8, 2008 9:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

HAAAAA

It's better to die like a lion, than to live like a pussy

by #23fan on Oct 9, 2008 5:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

Thank You!!!!

Turns out this is just what I needed to lift me out of the doldrums…
The NFL has been pretty good to rookie kickers lately….Gostkowski in N.E. and Folk in Dallas…

by Hollywoo! on Oct 8, 2008 3:53 PM CDT 0 recs

this is definitive

by xen-cuts on Oct 8, 2008 5:58 PM CDT 0 recs

What jackasses voted no? You have to own up to that!

by xen-cuts on Oct 8, 2008 10:37 PM CDT 0 recs

The 11 other opponents the Saints have to face. ;-)

Signature? SIGNATURE?! Don't talk about SIGNATURE! I just hope I can write a sentence!

by SSreporters on Oct 9, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

Stole this from T-Pic Insider Chat- A reasoned, logical position on Lito Sheppard

Q: Should the Saints try to pursue Eagles cornerback Lito Shepherd? Mike, Lafayette.

A: Shepherd would certainly be a good fit in the Saints’ defense and he would upgrade the cornerback position but I’m not sure what New Orleans could offer Philadelphia in return. They’ve traded away most of their high picks from the 2009 draft to acquire Jon Vilma and Jeremy Shockey. Their first-rounder is all they have left. Not sure what veteran the Saints could offer that the Eagles would consider an upgrade to their roster. To make a deal, you have to have two willing parties, and I don’t see where Philadelphia would gain much from anything the Saints could offer.

by stujo4 on Oct 9, 2008 6:46 PM CDT 0 recs

yup

I said it long ago .. the cost is too high for a trade for him.

Unless we are willing to risk EVERYTHING on this season.. and the way im seeing our injury list I dont think thats a good idea.

I think someone posted this a while ago but cant recall if it was here…. ( dont remember the actual choices but something like this)

If you could pick..
Choice A – Saints win the Superbowl this year but dont make the playoffs for the next 10.
Choice B – Saints become a powerhouse but dont acually win the SB for 10 years

Which do you choose?

Putting all your draft picks into trades can help you with Choice A. Smart drafting and FA pickups can do Choice B. Of course.. Choice C – Saints draft and FA pickup smart and win the SB 3 times in the next 10 years works for me :)

by MT_always on Oct 10, 2008 8:37 AM CDT up 0 recs