Saints place FB Heath Evans on IR
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New Orleans Saints fullback Heath Evans has been placed on injured reserve and replaced on the 53-man roster by former New England Patriots fullback Kyle Eckel, Coach Sean Payton said Thursday.
Evans suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will be lost for the season. Dr. James Andrews performed surgery Thursday on Evans.
"We're losing a starter who has really played well these first six games,'' Payton said.
Also, Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis suffered a sprained right knee and his status for Monday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons will be updated through the week.
Eckel, 27, was a former teammate of Evans' in New England, where he saw his most extensive playing time in 2007, appearing in 12 games. The 5-11, 237-pounder also appeared in five games with the Philadelphia Eagles last year but was released on the final cut-down day this September.
3 months ago
satchmo26
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THIS IS A BIG BLOW...........
"Indecision may or may not be my biggest problem" - Jimmy Buffett
by Philinwood on Oct 29, 2009 2:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Damnit
Now I’m just worried about the run game.
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by Saintsational on Oct 29, 2009 2:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
and you should be
Evans was a MAJOR reason for it’s success. Time for Darnell Dinkins to earn the roster spot he got to keep all those games laying on the couch.
by saints-nation on Oct 29, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Darnell
Get in the game, Crabman.
Being a Saints fan will take years off your life
by MobileSaint on Oct 29, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, Earl!
"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray
by HansDat on Oct 29, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This scares me a lot.
Evans was amazing.
by xen-cuts on Oct 29, 2009 5:16 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
that SI jinx
works fast
Being a Saints fan will take years off your life
by MobileSaint on Oct 29, 2009 2:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Damn, damn, damn, damn
So it starts.
I suppose the short-term solution will be a bunch of 2 tight-end sets. Maybe look into using Zack Strief as a blocking back a la Guy McIntyre (my own personal hobbyhorse, that).
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
by MtnExile on Oct 29, 2009 2:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Your pre-game prediction comes true
It’s funny how it looked Sunday like Ellis’s injury was more serious than Evans’s. Evans limped back to the sideline and Ellis had to be helped off. Just goes to show you really can’t tell immediately how serious these injuries are. This blows! It’s probably not a huge loss, but it is a major loss nonetheless.
"He has got a good ol' boy sense of humor, but he has also got a good ol' boy sense of kick you in the ass, too,"--Gregg Williams describing Bill Johnson. The D WILL ROCK THIS YEAR!
by satchmo26 on Oct 29, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It IS a huge loss
Evans was a major reason our running game was clicking like it was. Guy was a beast blocking, and pretty good running and catching, too. We’ll miss him, no doubt.
What I worry about is that the Saints’ offense is like a finely-tuned engine with a single broken gear tooth. It’s going to affect everything.
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
by MtnExile on Oct 29, 2009 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great teams respond well and man up to adversity
Let’s just smell greatness, get some more bread to put in the pudding and keep GRINDIN’
"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray
by HansDat on Oct 29, 2009 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like your thinkin Hans
Its a loss, but we’ll find a way to keep it goin man!
by baghead on Oct 29, 2009 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
...crap.
He was having such a great year too…I sure hope SP and the rest of the staff can figure out a good “work around” for this loss….
Irony: An atheist Saints fan.
by GSO Saints Fan on Oct 29, 2009 2:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m thinking Mike Karney just cracked a huge grin.
"Paralyze resistance with persistence" -Woody Hayes
by coldpizza on Oct 29, 2009 2:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
doutbful
I can’t imagine he’s having much fun with his situation in St. Louis
by saints-nation on Oct 29, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I personally liked Oladele Sobomehin this past offseason. Payton must have not been overly impressed with him, if he’s going after another guy completely unfamiliar with our offense. Even still, if you’re going to go that route, why not Lorenzo Neal? Is he not the BPA? This little nest egg of cap room that they’ve supposedly been sitting on since toying with the idea of signing Derrick Brooks … is that just going to stay in Tom Benson’s pocket this season, or what?
"Paralyze resistance with persistence" -Woody Hayes
by coldpizza on Oct 29, 2009 2:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sobomehin is on IR too
and out for the year. This is awful news. Really big blow. Yuck.
by saints-nation on Oct 29, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Evans
The way he ran to the sidelines it didn’t look that serious. Like maybe a slight sprain. What a badass. He tore his ACL and he was limping to the sidelines like he was going to go back in after a couple plays off. Wow. I can’ t believe he tore his ACL.
by saints-nation on Oct 29, 2009 3:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This Sucks
but I think we’ll be OK. I mean we lost J. Brown and his backups are filling in nicely. But since this guy doesn’t know our offense I don’t know. I just hope that this guy can block at least 75% as good as Evans. Oh and he has to prove to be a good pass catcher too.
Get ready to FEEL DAT BREES!!!
by born in areacode 318 on Oct 29, 2009 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Evans a great motivator also
This makes for even a bigger loss. He was important to team chemistry and now he won’t even be allowed at the facility during practice or games, if my understanding of the IR is correct. Remember when he schooled Rod Harper on the sideline for showboating on a preseason TD that got flagged (bogus call)? He brought a winning attitude and leadership to the team.
Wow. Check out how long the IR list currently is:
http://www.neworleanssaints.com/Team/Injured%20Reserve.aspx
I didn’t realize we had so many on it. This may be a loss for us, but I don’t think it’s one that will suddenly damage the team and its performance.
"He has got a good ol' boy sense of humor, but he has also got a good ol' boy sense of kick you in the ass, too,"--Gregg Williams describing Bill Johnson. The D WILL ROCK THIS YEAR!
by satchmo26 on Oct 29, 2009 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah...
plus, only Evans, Brown and Miller were contributors with Harper arguably about to contribute b4 he went on IR…
I’m not TOO worried about it. Evans is a strong part of our run game, but I think guys like Dinkins and Hamilton can and will step it up.
"For us, there is no spring... only the smell of fresh wind before the storm."
-Conan of Cimeria
by tlsk1066 on Oct 29, 2009 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No no no, IR simply means they cannot practice with the team. It doesn’t mean they cannot be in the facility. If so, there would never have been the controversy in 2007 (or 2008?) with the Patriots/Cheatriots/whatevertheheckyouwannacallthem where it was alleged that they used players on IR during practices. If they were completely banned from the facility this could never have become a controversy.
Furthermore, consider Billy Miller’s own words when he was place on IR. From nola.com’s article:
Surgery may keep New Orleans Saints veteran tight end Billy Miller off the field in 2009 but it won’t prevent him from contributing to the team’s cause behind the scenes.
An MRI confirmed that Miller tore his right Achilles tendon during the second quarter of Thursday night’s 10-7 exhibition loss to the Miami Dolphins at the Superdome. He is expected to have surgery Monday and be placed on injured reserve.
“I’m still kind of in shock from the situation,‘’ Miller said Friday while leaning on crutches and sporting a boot on his injured foot. "But this locker room is my family and they understand that. They understand that I’m the kind of guy if it takes my Achilles for this team to be successful, I’d give anything I got.
“Now that I might be sidelined for a while, I’m going to still be around here and go to the games and be supportive as I can and try to help some of these young tight ends out to make sure that (Jeremy) Shockey’s not bearing the whole load and that we get some guys in there to help him.’’
Those words would be a plain farce if he was banned from the facility during his stint on IR. He couldn’t be there to help the rest of the team in any way if so. He can’t participate in practice sessions, but he can still help with film study, or with encouraging words and such. And because of the kind of guy he is, I have no doubt that’s exactly what he’s doing.
by FriarBob on Oct 29, 2009 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope you're right
It would be a big plus to have Evans’s leadership skills on display in the Saints facility while they’re bringing Eckel up to speed.
"He has got a good ol' boy sense of humor, but he has also got a good ol' boy sense of kick you in the ass, too,"--Gregg Williams describing Bill Johnson. The D WILL ROCK THIS YEAR!
by satchmo26 on Oct 29, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
horrible move signing Eckel
They should have signed Lorenzo Neal
by jamesyyyboyyy on Oct 29, 2009 3:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We all said cutting Karney was a horrible move, too
Payton and Loomis turned out to be right. Give them a chance.
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
by MtnExile on Oct 29, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree
Everyone needs to just breathe. It is a long season, and untill they show us reason not to, we have to trust this coaching staff and this team.
A SAINT in Panther country
by carolinasaintsfan on Oct 29, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Evans and Eckel played together at New England
think Heath had a little input?
Being a Saints fan will take years off your life
by MobileSaint on Oct 29, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A little? Heh. I’d go for a lot. And considering how well he’s played so far this season, he’s earned the right.
by FriarBob on Oct 29, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ERKEL, we signed STEVE URKEL???? from Family Matters????? WTF??????
"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray
by HansDat on Oct 29, 2009 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
Maybe you should take over for Mickey Loomis then.
Eckel will be fine. He received good coaching at New England and Philly. He’s young (just 27). Went to a service academy (smarter than most).
Plus, we are entering the weakest part of our schedule (Falcons at home, Carolina, St. Louis then Tampa Bay). Plenty of time to get him acclimated to the program and learn the playbook.
by TigerPaw on Oct 29, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You have to suspect
that Evans had a little input on bringing in another New England FB. Maybe they had a good working relationship in NE and he figures he can school him on our offense. After all, there are similarities in the offenses. Just gotta get the terminology down.
by WhoDat_OH on Oct 29, 2009 4:04 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
ditto (above)
Being a Saints fan will take years off your life
by MobileSaint on Oct 29, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I ragged on them for making this move all offseason
But i had changed my mind seeing him play. Great fullback and it’s lame he’s done for the season. Doubt Eckel is as talented…but all i really want is more good run blocking. We dont really need fullback screens and such, but it was a nice wrinkle in the red zone. I went on and on about fullback/halfback chemistry this offseason, and we have been seeing some great lead blocking and block reading by our running backs. Plugging in a new fullback is gonna mess with that. I’m hoping we wont see much of a loss in our running game,but it seemed a lot of our good runs were out of the I formation. Probably gonna see more single back formations :/
Chemistry aside though, lead blocking is lead blocking where ever you are. As long as the new guy can hit someone in the mouth…we should be alright.
by fruly on Oct 29, 2009 4:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Evans is a top notch FB
But Eckel will suffice. They will make it work just like they have done so far this season. Remember that it was only a few weeks ago that we lost our pro bowl left tackle only to have a quality player step up and fill the role. Great coaching finds a way around it.
"That Brees is a good quarterback." - Giants Free Safety Michael Johnson after a 48-27 Saints victory.
by VAsaintsfan on Oct 29, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Here is
A lil youtube of Eckel from his days at Navy
by BayouRebel on Oct 29, 2009 4:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hamilton...
…will fill the role on monday then there the two will battle…. They both shed 15lbs to Evans though, so one of the TE’s will also be in the mix (D Thomas probably)
Ubi maior minor cessat
by bondcrash on Oct 29, 2009 4:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Eckel sure looked impressive
Eckel looked impressive in the you tube video. I hope he can muster that old college spirit (power) that he showed in that video and turn it into real NFL spirit (power). Guy looked straight ahead in his running but I wonder how well he will block.
by narco301 on Oct 29, 2009 7:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Eckel
As a retired Navy man, it does my heart good to see someone from Annapolis make the team.
I’m sure he will give it the Navy’s best and show us all the spirit!!
I am not a Pirate! I am a Pre-Salvage Engineer. I get things before they get wet.
http://aleks-home.myminicity.com/
by horp the reckless on Oct 29, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Double Farts Spaulding
Evans was “Real Deal” and “Quiet Force” to this years team, what was missing on the Off. side compared to last yrs. team. I liked Karney but this guy stays on his feet better, better rec.,and the counter play he always clears his man out. No wonder things weren’t being said, its an ACL. re-watched Phin game again and it looked like his left knee got sprained, hard to tell. Saw him stand ,then limp,and that was it,to the sideline. Next guy has to step up. Belichick thought enough to have this Eckel guy in camp, a Navy guy, he’ll have discipline. Big Time Bummer gotta shake-it -off.
You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever will.-Jim Mora Sr.
by metryman on Oct 29, 2009 10:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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