He’s a 9-year vet, so it wasn’t a youth movement…

Heath Evans, Patriots. Age: 30.
A quality fullback who will likely re-sign with the Patriots.

Well, I didn’t, really…but I did wonder if Payton sees the tandem of Deuce-and-Mike as the same two-headed player. When Deuce left, there was no role left for Karney.

Which makes me wonder…what role is there for Evans? How have the two been used differently? What about Evans’ stats really jump out at you?

Maybe it’s just a cost-cutting move. Bye, Mike…it’s been real. Say ‘hey’ to Deuce for us.

Evans, 30, has been a mainstay on the Patriots since November of 2005. He’s served in a variety of roles — including lead-blocking fullback, ball-carrier, pass-catcher, emergency tight end, and core special teams player.

Considered a strong locker room presence, Evans has been one of the team’s more durable players over the last three-plus seasons. He hasn’t missed a game since joining the team.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80bfc6a9

That was my dude! Makes no since

What are they thinking?

why??? I have a bad feelingabout this.

In truth, though,fullbacks are quickly becoming dinosaurs in the NFL. Evans may be older but he doesn’T have a lot of wear on the tires. He should do fine, if he stays, but I’m not convinced we are going to stay with him at the position. Free-agent fulbacks are a dime adozen. Time wil tell.

We never really utilized Heath that well. True, he’s a versatile guy, but our pass happy offense of late meant 1 back most of the time. When we did go to a 2 back system, it was to put a running back and an option back in play (Kevin Faulk) in case Brady/Cassel had to check down. Evans will be useful if the Saints decide to run and need a blocking back.

I liked good ol’ “tree trunk” Mike Karney. The guy is such a good guy. You can tell with the way he gets so emotional after wins and losses in the locker room and on the field. The guy really seemed to love being a Saint. Shitty move man, cutting him like this. I sure hope Payton and company know what they are doing and there is a method to this madness cause we seem to be parting ways with some players who we held near and dear to our hearts as fans. I wish him all the best of luck and hope he knows how much us fans will miss him and Deuce!

Sold!

I think Billy had the year of his life last year. Considering his lack of catching abilities we shouldn’t expect the same from him in the future. Anybody else remembers how often he struggled on perfect throws? As for Shockey….Let’s just say he’s my Stujo’s Lito. I know. The guy was hurt most of the way but do you really believe that, after spending so much time with him, Drew’s trust toward Jeremy is on the rise? Quickly, name the third TE on the roster. No? So much for depth…

Therefore, I more than welcome a veteran who can do some and more, and still set as TE.

Sorry Mike.

By the way, how stupid is it for the Saints to keep (and pay!) Colston, DEV-ery, Arrington, Meachem but not Velcro Lance? Something tells me Drew maybe arguing with Pay-Loo on this one.

This is a nice signing, I’ve watched Evans quite a bit and he packs a punch which will help us with shirt yardage conversions, and he wont be slow like Karney and will hopefully hit the holes a lot quicker. Also gonna have a draft pick to do what we want with, im not sure what we’re gonna do with it though. I’ve heard we may have been looking at RBs as well as secondary positions…but this signing changes a bit mWe just signed Greer but will we go for another cornerback? A stud linebacker? I’d be fine with either as long as our defense gets a considerable upgrade….

FILTH…OUTRAGE…UGHHHHHH. I saw it coming, but still kills. Man i just found a Karney saints jersey i was gonna get for next season too. I don’t approve at all. As far as fullbacks go, who gives a flip if they can run and catch the ball. We’ve got PLENTY of people who can catch the ball. If it really comes down to us needing pass and run plays out of our fullback, then we’re having major issues on offense. Fullback’s number 1 job is blocking, and there aren’t many left in the league who do it like Karney does. i still dont see the logic. We’re trying to prevent getting stuffed in short yardage, so we go from pure blocking beast fullback, to a hybrid guy.

Maybe i’m just a little nuts and care wayy too much about the fullback position. I know heath evans is a quality fullback too, i just doubt he’s the lead blocking monster karney is. Karney was my favorite Saint, and i hope he signs somewhere very far away, for our linebacker’s sake.

Yeah im from Bermuda…born in Toronto but moved when I was 7…we get a lot of Patriot games on regular TV out here which is why ive seen Evans play, I would have rather signed Weaver but he should do. Im out at school in Halifax now and had sunday ticket all year. In terms of Evans, hes way faster then Karney, although Karney was a great Saints player and he can block really well, hes just too damn slow for short yardage situations. On every short yardage play I would get nervous knowing we always had trouble with it. Watch next season, Heath Evans packs a punch and is considerably faster then Karney, which will help is on short yardage for sure. The washington game last year was a heartbreaker, we had the ball with four minutes left and couldn’t convert a short yardage conversion, forcing us to kick the ball back…we all know how that ended up, a bomb over the safties by Cambell to Moss to win the game! Most frustrating team to wath wth our defense last year but sign Sensabaugh and I can smell Miami 2010!

thats about 45 mins from me im in Southampton…Bermuda is sick!

BUT…let us never forget…the primetime game vs the dallas cowboys. MK, the beast, #44 with not 1, not 2, but 3 TDs in one game!!! i always really liked him, but thats when i fell in love.

we’ve had some good ones come and go…neal, zellers, T. SMITH (him and #26 were special to watch), and now MK. its gotta be for the locker room presence. drew is a great leader, but the rest of the team is kinda quiet. so to have another veteran leader, to be vocal in the locker room could be valuable.

miss you MK!

Allow me to interject a bit of logic.

Let’s assume that Payton now realizes that being able to run the ball when we have to is important (after it cost us a few games last year, leading to a renewed commitment to at the ebd of the year).

Let’s also assume that our inability to do so was someone’s fault. I know some of you are saying “it was Payton’s fault because he abandoned the run too often.” Point taken. However, when we needed a yard, and he called runs (Washington, Denver games to anme a few) no holes appeared. So the lack of execution lies with either the blockers or the runners. Payton is obviously commited to Bush and PT, so they’re off the hook. OL? I have been blaming them, especially Stinchcomb, but his resigning means Payton doesn’t think so.

Who’s left? Karney. His rep was that he was a great blocker, but I think he must bear some blame for the lack of holes. I honestly can’t remember too many crushing blocks. Pay-Loo obviously thought the same way. Sucks for Mike – seems like a good guy – but he’ll get his. Evans probably fills the role that Payton wants – open up holes, maybe run in short yardage situations.