Canal Street Chronicles: FanPosts

CAR vs N.O in our house

2009-11-06T01:53:55Z

I have been doing my weekly research of the up coming game, and yes I think they are a threat, everyone in our division is a threat. but... I know, it's a little basic to see who our opp. has won against. But I think it says a lot about them

games CAR has played

*Eagles- loss 10 - 38* we won vs the eagles 48 - 22. We creamed them, maybe nabb wasn't in, is what did it..

*falcons- loss 20 - 28 we won against them too! 35 - 27 not a pretty game but a WIN too bad they lost to them

*cowboys- loss 7 - 21* cowboys? they aren't so hot this year off and on at best and they still lost to them

*Redskins- win 20 - 17* well since I live in D.C. all i have to say is, wow... what a show of power... we will see how bad they get beat on the 6th of dec. (the game i'm going to!!)

*buc's - win 28 - 21* I don't think I need to say much about this one other than #32, I'd put them at 33 behind the future London franchise

*bill's - loss 9 - 20* beat them too... 27 - 7 tore them up we did... it looks like they lost to them too

*Card's - win 34 - 21* we haven't played them but according to espn they were the weakest of all the div leaders and were expected to lose.

Now I am personaly expecting a closer game than what the bidding sites say -14 underdog. I think that *only*because it is a div game. they want it, bad. But I am reminded of how we want something bad too... and we have wanted it for so damn long! almost got it a few years back...

I am also wondering if their team is a little over hyped due to the lack of good teams they have played? I mean any team can have their stats bumped up because of playing bad teams... with bad O & D squads...

any thoughts on that note?

any thoughts on the X factor of this match up?

The Perfect Storm

2009-11-05T20:50:55Z

via www.dennis-yu.com

Now we have it, the official nickname for the 2009 New Orleans Saints. Everyone should be familiar with the movie. "The Perfect Storm" — so called because it was three storms combined into one — created an almost apocalyptic situation in the Atlantic ocean, where boats encountered waves of 100 feet — the equivalent of a ten-story building. These storms are some of the strongest and most terrifying manifestations of nature's strength. Because of New Orleans somewhat recent history with Hurricanes, the name has a local flavor and ties directly to the City.

But it also ties directly to the 2009 Saints team. If you want to consider the three storms, Offense, Defense, and Special Teams; or Sean Payton, Gregg Williams and Mickey Loomis; or Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and Mike Bell; or Brees, Bell and Sharper; the list could go on forever. We could, and will, debate why this name works best, but I LOVE IT!! 2009, is the year that the New Orleans Saints finally put all the pieces together to create "The Perfect Storm".

Now your homework, for the creative types, is to come up with a design using "The Perfect Storm". Dave will make the winning design into our CSC t-shirts. Get busy designing.

To all Carolina Saints Fans!!!

2009-11-05T20:31:17Z

Are any of you interested in getting together at some sports bar and ragging the Panther Fans this Sunday? I think it would be fun. I have some French Market coffee and Beignet mix, I could bring some. We could even find a place in like Statesville, which is between Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. I really would hate to miss this opportunity to show them what real fan spirit is like. They are really really really boring fans.

Roughing the quarterback Atlanta vs New orleans

2009-11-05T08:59:51Z

If you were like me you cringed when Drew was hit and fumbled the ball for an Atlanta Touchdown the other day.

Here is my question

If you watch the replay of that specific play you will see Atlanta's LB actually hitting Drew in the head on the initial hit. Not it could be related to the momentum, but the quarterback's helmet was hit.

With all the BS calls surrounding the "Roughing the passer", do you think atlanta should have been penalized for that. Or do you think it was a clean hit, and the only way a flag would have been thrown is if Drew, was Tom Brady?

Poll

Was the Hit on Drew that caused the fumble recovery clean or did it warrent additional intervention from the officials

Panthers are set to stop the Saints

2009-11-05T05:07:46Z

Everyone here in Charlotte expect an upset Sunday. On the local radio shows their experts have the Panthers as their upset special. One betting guru has it as his lock of the year. They point out how successful Atlanta was running the football and some go as far to predict two 150 rushers against the Saints. They say Delholme will not throw more than 10 - 12 passes. They point to turnovers in the last two games. What do you guys think?

Poll

Are the Saints primed to be upset by the Panthers on Sunday?

Colts or Saints? Who is the Best of the Undefeateds?

2009-11-04T22:48:02Z

Hey Saints Fans! Looks like you're having one heck of a season so far this year. Since only New Orleans and Indy are left among the ranks of the unbeaten, I put together a comparison of the two teams over at my site, Checking the Numbers. It's somewhat similar to the other post that I did here a couple weeks ago. Saintsational again very graciously allowed me to post it in a FanPost, so here you go! Hope you enjoy.

Peyton Manning (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) Drew Brees (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Both ESPN.com and NFL.com have their power rankings as to where teams rank in NFL after the first 8 weeks of the regular season. Everyone that I have seen ranks the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints as the top two teams in the league, but there is some disagreement as to which should be ranked number 1. Both teams have become known for explosive passing games behind future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, who may be making his case for the Hall as well. But as I mentioned in an earlier post on the Saints, New Orleans now also has a serious rushing attack. Let’s see if the Colts have also found that kind of balance. We’ll also compare each team’s opposing offensive and defensive ranks to see what level of competition that they have faced this year.

As I have in the past, I have pulled the average per game numbers for both the Saints and the Colts so that I can compare them side by side. In addition to raw numbers, I’ll show where each team ranks offensively and defensively. Then, I will review the average rankings of their opponents’ offenses and defenses, which will allow me to know what their level of competition has been to this point in the season.

So, let’s get into it. First, I have the team side by side comparison:

Colts versus Saints Comparison
	Saints	Colts	Saints-Colts
Offense
Pts/G	39	28.1	10.9
Yards/G	428.71	403.57	25.14
Yards/Play	6.3	6.5	-0.2
Pass Yards/G	275.43	316.29	-40.86
Pass Att/G	32.86	37.71	-4.86
Pass Yds/Att	8.7	8.5	0.2
Pass INT/G	0.86	0.57	0.29
Sacks/G	1.57	0.71	0.86
Rush Yards/G	153.29	87.29	66
Rush Att/G	33.71	23.57	10.14
Rush Yds/Att	4.5	3.7	0.8
TD/G	5.14	3.43	1.71
Defense
Pts/G	22	13	9
Yards/G	326	292.14	33.86
Yards/Play	5.1	4.6	0.5
Pass Yards/G	223.86	180.14	43.71
Pass Att/G	38.14	36.14	2
Pass Yds/Att	6.2	5.5	0.7
Pass INT/G	2.29	1	1.29
Sacks/G	2.43	2.86	-0.43
Rush Yards/G	102.14	112	-9.86
Rush Att/G	23.29	25	-1.71
Rush Yds/Att	4.4	4.5	-0.1
TD/G	2.43	1.14	1.29

And, then the rankings of each teams' offensive and defensive units:

Saints' and Colts' Rankings
	Saints	Colts
Off Pts	1	6
Off Yds	1	4
Off Pass Yds	6	1
Off Rush Yds	4	30
Def Pts	20	1
Def Yds	15	9
Def Pass Yds	17	7
Def Rush Yds	11	17

As the Saints post that I mentioned above showed, New Orleans still has better balance offensively than the Colts. They are ranked in the top 6 in both passing and rushing, and, consequently, are ranked number 1 in both total yards gained and points scored. On the other hand, Indy is better defensively. It seems that the Saints' defense has slipped somewhat since I last checked on them. The Colts rank ahead of New Orleans in every defensive category except rushing yards allowed. Somewhat surprisingly, Indy is ranked number 1 in the league in points allowed.

Looking back at the raw the numbers, the biggest difference between the two teams is in rushing yards gained. The Saints are averaging 66 more yards on the ground than the Colts. However the second biggest difference is in offensive and defensive pass yards per game. Indy is gaining over 40 more yards and allowing nearly 44 fewer yards through the air than New Orleans. I suppose it shouldn't be a great surprise that two undefeated teams appear to be pretty evenly matched. The advantage of one seems to be offset by and advantage for another. Let's take a look at the level of competition for each team to see if one or the other has faced stiffer foes.

Average Opponents' Rankings
	Saints	Colts
Off Pts	15	18.06
Off Yds	18.57	16.31
Off Pass Yds	20.43	17.44
Off Rush Yds	11.57	14.31
Def Pts	17.71	17.06
Def Yds	15.57	17.81
Def Pass Yds	15.29	18.88
Def Rush Yds	18.14	15.5

Not a huge difference there. The Saints seem to have a slight edge in opponents faced. Their opponents average a higher ranking in 4 of the 8 categories, while one is a virtual tie (defensive points allowed). The Colts' opponents have the higher average ranking in the other 3 categories.

If I had to pick one team over the other (which I should since that's the whole idea of the post), I'd have to lean toward the Saints right now. They have the more balanced team offensively. If Brees struggles somewhat, they can win running the ball, which Indy can't say right now. And, although their defense is giving up more yards and points, they are also taking the ball away more than the Colts, with over twice the number of interceptions as the Colts. With all that said, I'll walk the fence a little and say that you Manning has shown that he can carry his team. Against the Dolphins, he came from behind to win the game with only 14 or so minutes in time of possession for the game.

Finally, before wrapping up, let's take a quick look at each team's remaining opponents.

Average Remaining Opponents' Ranks
	Saints	Colts
Off Pts	20.89	15.89
Off Yds	18.89	12.78
Off Pass Yds	18.11	14.89
Off Rush Yds	14.89	13.33
Def Pts	18.89	13.44
Def Yds	17.67	14.89
Def Pass Yds	12.89	14.78
Def Rush Yds	23.22	16.78

Based on this, it looks like the Colts can expect the tougher road from here on out. It will be interesting to see how each team finishes the season. I don't expect either to go 16-0, but I do think they are both well on their way to clinching the top spot in their respective playoff seedings.

The True Greatness of Drew Brees

2009-11-03T22:50:12Z

Shalom, Saints fans! Perhaps some of you remember me from previous threads, but I am a proud Broncos fan (I'm ready for my squad to wear their orange jerseys Monday and knock the tar out of the Steelers!) who has felt compelled to write an article on CSN today.

The impetus of my thoughts: Drew Brees.

Thus far, Brees has tossed for 16 touchdowns, six interceptions and 2,006 yards on the season and continues to impress both on the football field and the community both in and out of the Gulf Region. To me, it's still interesting how fate brought Brees to New Orleans.

In 2005, the New Orleans Saints were in one of the more challenging times in franchise history with Hurricane Katrina's decimation of the Gulf Region and horrible play on the football field marring the local headlines. As for Brees, in a game featuring my Broncos against Brees' Chargers, John Lynch incurred a serious injury upon Brees which caused him to receive little interest from most teams in free agency the following offseason.

Nevertheless, the Saints gambled and came up big. While the Miami Dolphins are managing to find ways to remain in the AFC East hunt, one could reasonably argue they'd be a clear favorite over the New England Patriots had they followed their impulse to sign Brees.

However, the Dolphins' reluctance has proved to be the Saints' gain as with all of New Orleans' weapons, such as Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson, healthy, this unit is among the most fearsome in the NFL this season.

Although Brees has thrown for well over 14,000 yards and thrown for 104 touchdowns to 52 interceptions in his tenure with the Saints (that's a 2-1 TD to INT ratio, pretty sweet!), he has done much greater things off the field.

For instance, in June 2007, he visited the Beaver (Utah) Correctional Facility, which is only two hours away from where I live, in Manti. While there, he took time to sign autographs for inmates and pose for pictures.

The last I checked, Brees is a native of Austin, Texas and matriculated at Purdue University (the same alma mater as Broncos stud Kyle Orton!) so, at least on the surface, he has no ties to Utah.

Nevertheless, he assessed a situation where he felt he was needed and while he came into Beaver quietly, he left just as he came, expecting no reward for his selflessness.

On the Monday Night Football postgame show, Steve Young, Matt Millen and Stuart Scott discussed whether or not the Saints could go unbeaten in the regular season much like New England did and they all agreed that it was possible.

While it is possible, I will not despise the Saints like I did the Patriots as this New Orleans squad consists of quality character people such as Darren Sharper and Jonathan Vilma in addition to Brees.

Hopefully, my Broncos will meet your Saints in February with a Lombardi trophy on the line at Landshark Stadium, but we'll see what happens as the season progresses. Good luck to your for the rest of the season!

"Broken Toy"

2009-11-03T07:42:55Z

So it seems like the "Broken Toy", which is what cp likes to call Mr. Reginald Alfred Bush II, has worked quite well lately. Over the past three weeks he has scored a TD in each game. Two were outside goal line runs and ther other has shown up on several air traffic controlers' radar. In this span, he hasn't even given a hint at fumbling. During the monday night game, he didn't dance once and elected to lower his shoulder and fall forward twice instead of jumping out of bounds. Over the same span, PT has 2 TDs and 1 fumble, and Mikey Bell has 1 TD and 1 very innoportune fumble. Now, I'm not saying take these other guys out of the equations because they do what they do very well. But it seems like were underutilizing a player that can make some big plays with a small chance for failure. I'm not sure what the best way to work him in more is. Do y'all have any ideas?

Poll

Should Reggie's role increase?

New Orleans Saints Player Pick 'Em Contest - Week 9 vs Panthers

2009-11-03T07:21:53Z

CURRENT LEADERBOARD (thru Week 8)

1. FriarBob - 149 pts
2. skinneykinney - 125 pts
3. carolinasaintsfan - 98 pts
4. coldpizza - 93 pts
5. jray2000 - 91 pts
6. Philinwood - 89 pts
7. Alex Saints - 87 pts
8. viper4dx - 81 pts
9. NOSFan4Life - 77 pts
10. HB-NOLA - 70 pts
----------------------------------------------------------------
11. (tie) Dan39465 - 62 pts
11. (tie) Daniel P - 62 pts
11. (tie) Farorefox - 62 pts
14. Hooahsaint - 60 pts
15. #9-alltime - 53 pts
16. metryman - 43 pts
17. Saintsational - 42 pts
18. Urine Trouble - 34 pts
19. jgshocker22 - 33 pts
20. (tie) Cajun in CA - 30 pts
20. (tie) horp the reckless - 30 pts
20. (tie) saintsfan77 - 30 pts
23. (tie) 10up - 29 pts
23. (tie) BlackandGold4ever - 29 pts
23. (tie) Dave the Falconer - 29 pts
26. (tie) ArchieisaSaint - 27 pts
26. (tie) MentallyMIA - 27 pts
26. (tie) xxMUCK_ITxx - 27 pts
29. (tie) SaintsFanMD - 26 pts
29, (tie) ShadowFlash - 26 pts
31. (tie) bigbaddon - 25 pts
31. (tie) simone219 - 25 pts
33. greenwald200 - 21 pts
34. Lyle Lirette - 20 pts
35. (tie) TAYDIGGA - 18 pts
35. (tie) vicvega26 18 pts
37. (tie) Brazil meets LA - 17 pts
37. (tie) saints fan from cowboy land! - 17 pts

CONTEST RECORDS

Most weekly contestants - 36; Week 7 (@ Dolphins)
Highest weekly player point total - 70; T. Porter (Week 7)
Highest weekly contestant point total - 70; HB-NOLA (Week 7)

HOW TO PLAY

Choose ONE (1) Saints player that you think will score against the Panthers in Week 9.
THE PLAYER YOU SELECT CANNOT BE A QUARTERBACK OR KICKER.

If your player scores, you will be awarded points based on TWO factors:
a.) Whether he is an offensive (x1) or defensive (x2) player.
b.) How many contestants picked a player OTHER that the player you picked.

Please submit the player's first and last name below. No other information is necessary.

Only ONE (1) player entry per contestant, per week is allowed.

For a more detailed breakdown of contest specifics, please refer to the original Week 1 FanPost.

Deadline for player entries each week is THIRTY (30) minutes prior to kickoff.

PLEASE REC THIS POST TO KEEP IT VISIBLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

Good god what a game!

2009-11-03T06:00:21Z

Alright, we won another one, but crap!! We need to work on some rush D and keep coverage closer(read some plays)!!!! they were just killing us out there esp. with the outside run!

next we need to give brees a little more time, not a lot... just a second or 2

we also need to hope that none of our injured men are hurt badly!!

they played good, and dirty... just how we expected. But we still won... we fought hard...

I don't know how many more times we can pull this kinda game off, it's getting later in the season people are wearing down, and... well our offense was good, but not great... it struggled in 2 maybe even 3 quarters of the game. We had no momentum. Stop running the ball up the middle when it doesn't work... run outside! they were weak there.

why do I sound upset? because I am a little. We have to replay this game, in a few weeks, and NOT at home!! We need to stomp them into the dirty ground next time we meet, not just 'skim' by with inconsistent playing

anyways, it was a nail bitter, and I love my Saints!!! WHO DAT!!

WHO DAT!!!

Am I the only one?

2009-11-03T05:57:54Z

That saw that the 66 yard td by Atl was the same exact kind of push off as they called on Henderson in the second quarter. The officiating was horrible. They allowed Atlanta to hold on almost every play, while calling it tight on the Saints. I am so convinced that certain referees have an agenda and I think Sean has made some enemies of certain refs with his vocal challenging of their calls. Poll, was that a push off or not?

Poll

Was the 66 yard touchdown catch by Atlanta in the third quarter an uncalled pushoff?

Why I hate Charlotte.

2009-11-02T07:27:40Z

I'm exiled in Charlotte for employment reasons. I hate Charlotte. It is by far the most boring place I have ever lived. To make matters worse I have yet to get one Saint game because the Panthers are the local team and they always get priority. The Miami game was no exception. I tried signing up to one of those online services, but their was only one feed for the Miami game so I was forced to watch it using the NFL.com scoreboard. Waiting for it to update was terminally dull and when the Saints were down 24 - 3, I was heartbroken. All I saw was that Colston was stopped on the one yard line and that the Saints were out of timeouts. I went outside to do some work with the idea that the Saints were down 24 - 3 at half. Unbeknownst to me my daughter and her fiancee had gotten the feed to work and knew that the half score was 24 - 10, but didn't tell me as a joke. I went back to my computer after doing the yard work to see that the game was now 27 -24 with only a 1+ to go. I thought it was the fourth quarter and not the third. I saw the score change to 34 - 24 with 1:35 to go. I said well they at least came back and made a game of it. I started doing my lesson plans for the next week. After about a hour my daughter came up crowing that the Saints had won 46 -34. I said she was lying and asked how could they have scored 22 points in 1:35. Visions of a score and two points, an onside kick another quick td and probably a touchdown on a last minute interception. But I looked up the game on the scoreboard again and saw that I missed an entire quarter. I was upset. I had to wait for NFL replay to see the game, but knowing the end kind of spoils it for you. I can't wait for Monday Night Football to see my Saints live for the first time this season. I hope I don't jinx them.

WHATEVER Y'ALL DID, DO IT AGAIN!

2009-11-02T05:35:59Z

Allow me to repeat myself - WHATEVER Y'ALL DID, DO IT AGAIN!

Ok, so it's Monday and the clock is ticking. Some of us have little superstitions (as silly as that may sound) that get us through a game and, believe me, there are some _doozies_ out there. Anyway, whatever you've been doing for the last six games, for the love of God do it again. I mean superstition is silly, dumb, unrealistic, etc. BUT, hey, who am I to say. I'm just a guy who used to make sure his feet were at least two inches off the floor before the ball was snapped and didn't put them down again until the play was over. Not superstition. ~~Just~~ ~~practical.~~ ~~Just being safe.~~ ~~Just not tempting fate.~~ Just a good ab workout! (Yea, that's the ticket!)

Being overseas, and since the game will be on at 10:30AM here, I have a chance to go someplace and see it on TV ~ LIVE. BUT, so far this season I've "watched" the games on Yahoo Sports Game Channel, which is like watching grass grow. Little colored bars stretching out to show lengh of the drive on a cartoon football field. Additional colored bars under that to show time of possession, total yards, turnovers, penalty yards, etc. all updated (often accurately) every 30 seconds. Well, I'm going to forgo the TV and DO WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING. That's right. Sitting in front of a computer for 3 1/2 hours with my eyes bleeding.

Tell your family. Tell your friends. Let it ring out from the church towers ~ WHATEVER Y'ALL DID, DO IT AGAIN!

Nov 1 - Biggest Day in Saints History

2009-11-02T03:08:35Z

Today, November 1, is the 43rd anniversary of the NFL awarding an NFL franchise to New Orleans. For my money, until the Saints win a Super Bowl, this date will remain the most important date in Saints history.

It is because of the franchise being awarded on November 1, 1966 -- All Saints Day -- that a few short months later, early Jan 1967, the team officially became known as the Saints.

As is always the case with history, it is because of the earliest days of the franchise that the seeds of passion, love, pain, glory, life-long memories, celebration, defeat, anxiety and so much more unrelenting emotions prevail to this day.

November 1, 1966 -- what a Great Day for all Saints fans, young and old (all over the world) and those no longer with us that started it all!!

every undefeated team....

2009-11-01T19:37:17Z

....Is loosing right now!! i cant believe it! broncos are struggling vs balt. and 49ers (don't know how they are doing not watching the game)are up by one!! just think how great it would be to be the only undefeated team by tomorrow!?!

I know I know not much info, nor usefull... but man it feels good!!

BTW- febreeze just had a commercial with that TD by bush @ MIA last week!! I really don't want them changing their name to "FeBrees" hahhaha

anyway... let's have a great game against the dirty birds :) WHO DAT tryin to beat dem saints? WHO DAT

"Nickname" Playoffs

2009-10-31T22:27:34Z

Alright, this is it. This will settle it, once and for all. What's on the line? The official nickname for our 2009 New Orleans Saints. Dave has expressed that he will make t-shirts available, if we want the winning nickname printed on a shirt to show your faithfulness to this team. I have taken the top 4 from the previous list and added a wildcard entry. Please think about your vote before casting it. This should be a team name. This team is winning on both sides of the ball. Poll will end Nov. 14. Let's get it on!!! THIS IS NEW ORLEANS!!! ARHOOT, ARHOOT, ARHOOT!!!

Poll

What should the "Nickname" be for the 2009 New Orleans Saints?

Party for the "Holy Rollers"

2009-10-31T21:30:16Z

Playing on the "Holy Rollers" nickname theme, I am throwing a huge Monday Night Football party at our Church Recreational Outreach Center. We have set up a 180" screen with Directv HD hook-up. We will serve steak and baked potatos to the first 50 through the doors. Jacked-up Texas tube steak (hotdogs) for everyone else. What a great way to watch a Monday night game. If you're close, come check us out. Who Dat!!!

Get fired up!!!

Help Payton Kick Ryan's Ass (Again)

2009-10-31T05:18:11Z

Fanhouse.com has a funny little game running right now called "NFL Coaches Fight Club." The idea is pretty simple - a single elimination tournament of imaginary fights between all of the current NFL head coaches. The coaches are seeded and the bracket set, and then fans vote for whom they think would win each fight. In round 1, Sean Payton kicked Todd Haley's ass, but now he is facing Rex Ryan, and will likely need some help. Let's show those Jets' fans just how tough Coach Payton is and deliver yet another "upset" to New York.

Vote early and vote often!

FOR NON HATERS ONLY

2009-10-30T22:12:07Z

pretty good analysis of the double reverse from Sunday vs. Dolphins

That's pretty much all I have to say, the rest is in the link but I have to try to get this to seventy five words. I really hope the loss of Evans doesn't hit the Saints too hard, he was really a godsend. i think we will be ok, but it's hard to imagine any replacement fullback being as good a weapon and pass catcher as Evans.

Anatomy of a Play: Bush's double-reverse touchdown

"Unrespected" Sports Bloggers

2009-10-30T21:45:54Z

Something I (and probably you) have noticed this year is that a fair number of "established" online sports journalists (local newspaper beat writers, ESPN writers, etc.) have taken quite a few shots at their brethren, the sports blogger. They will claim that they are better because they are unbiased or because this or that and generally snob bloggers.

I even bet the creators of this new article would say that they never got the idea from a sports blogger website--it is just mere coincidence that CSC writes "Chat with the Enemy."

More proof that the real distinction between a sports blogger and an "established" sports journalist is only that the blogger actually cares and relates directly to his (or her) audience. "Journalists" do it for money; bloggers do it because they love it. I know what I'd rather read.