Canal Street Chronicles: FanShots

NFP: Five defenders who may surprise

2009-07-04T23:39:48Z

NFP: Five defenders who may surprise

"5. Will Smith(notes), DE, New Orleans Saints
...I see a big year in New Orleans for the former first-round pick."

Maybe so...but the pick seems pedestrian to me. Smith will be sitting at home for the first four weeks. You want to go out farther on the limb? Bobby McCray. He led the Saints in sacks in 2008, and he's already issued a challenge to the other defensive ends by declaring he'll start.

You want to go even farther out? Anthony Hargrove. Under Gregg Williams, either of them could lead the league in sacks by the Saints' bye week. Maybe they'll be tied for the lead. Yeahhhh...

Former MVP Steve McNair shot and killed

2009-07-04T22:15:20Z

Former MVP Steve McNair shot and killed

Not many facts yet, but the essentials have been confirmed: Steve McNair was found shot to death in a Nashville condo. We'd like to extend our sincere condolences to Tennessee and Baltimore fans everywhere.

Is Sean Payton Sufficiently Focused On His Job?

2009-07-04T15:41:37Z

Is Sean Payton Sufficiently Focused On His Job?

Mike Florio strikes again. No explanation of who this "one league source" might be. Could be the chief accountant for the Seahawks, for all we know.

Saints notebook: New Orleans to train on road for third straight year

2009-07-04T03:59:28Z

Saints notebook: New Orleans to train on road for third straight year

The News Star

Schein's Nine: Eagles finally have WRs

2009-07-04T03:58:51Z

Schein's Nine: Eagles finally have WRs

8. Tampa's D is so yesterday, New Orleans' defense is today
It just looks odd on the screen, doesn't it?

Long-time Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has left the building. So has future Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks. They are changing the scheme. And despite excellent players like future Hall of Famer Ronde Barber and the grossly underrated Barrett Ruud, this defense is in total transition.

The Saints' defense is going to be much better this year.

I mean it this time.

New Orleans has a new attitude with new coordinator Gregg Williams now employing a blitzing scheme. Veteran safety Darren Sharper, first-round CB steal Malcom Jenkins and a healthy Tracy Porter improve the defensive backfield incredibly. When they come back from four-game suspensions, you can bank on DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant bouncing back from subpar seasons. The great Jon Vilma anchors the 'backers.

Drew Brees with a little defense behind? Scary thought.

"If anything, I feel like I was an ambassador for the state, " Houser said. "We were going to bring...

2009-07-04T03:36:11Z

"If anything, I feel like I was an ambassador for the state, " Houser said. "We were going to bring a bunch more money into the locker room by utilizing a program that was helping the state, that was helping generate jobs."

Kevin Houser
Times-Pic

Relive a great painful game: Saints-Steelers, 2006

2009-07-03T15:35:26Z

Relive a great painful game: Saints-Steelers, 2006

148 yards on two Willie Parker runs...ye gods. We STILL should have won that game.

More than two dozen players risked money in film studio

2009-07-02T17:49:34Z

More than two dozen players risked money in film studio

...not limited to Kevin Houser ($125,000), and including the ever-unfortunate Charles Grant ($425,000). Drew Brees, Sean Payton, and Archie Manning also have money tied up in the studio, which is now under investigation by the FBI.

The best RB tandems in the NFL

2009-07-02T17:32:23Z

The best RB tandems in the NFL

The good news: Fox Sports ranks New Orleans #11. That's not bad at all for a high-powered passing team. They're jumping on the "Pierre-Thomas-Is-The-Best-Unkept-Secret-In-The-NFL" bandwagon, and also giving props to Mike Bell.

The bad news: Carolina is #1, Atlanta is #4. Those rankings aren't far off, if at all.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2009-07-01T19:31:07Z

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Drew Brees "Inside the Numbers"

2009-07-01T19:29:31Z

Drew Brees "Inside the Numbers"

You want to know how hard it is to find something to talk about at this time of year? Even the New Orleans Saints' website is featuring a front-page story that's little more than a bunch of stats. Admittedly, though...they're great stats. So if you're a Drew Brees fan, go take a look. Or, to put it another way, go take a look.

LACK OF PRIVATE MONEY SLOWS NEW ORLEANS RECOVERY PLANS

2009-07-01T03:48:25Z

LACK OF PRIVATE MONEY SLOWS NEW ORLEANS RECOVERY PLANS

Monterey Herald

Kevin Houser, who was cut by the Saints, and other players invested in film studio

2009-07-01T02:09:30Z

Kevin Houser, who was cut by the Saints, and other players invested in film studio

Times-Pic

Saints Sign Former Panther Long Snapper

2009-06-30T17:04:31Z

Saints Sign Former Panther Long Snapper

Since you guys seem a little slow around here I thought I would help you out, you signed our FA long snapper. That's okay though.
We secretly inserted a microchip in his brain so when you line up for a kick against the Panthers and ...Zaaapppp! Boink! High snap over the holder!

Fascinating article on which analysts the players like

2009-06-30T13:18:38Z

Fascinating article on which analysts the players like

Short version: not Tiki Barber. Not the too-clever non-players (Keith Olberman?). And not Mel Kiper.

"The talent across the board is pretty even,'' Fujita said. "We lost six games by eight points or...

2009-06-30T03:44:51Z

"The talent across the board is pretty even,'' Fujita said. "We lost six games by eight points or less. You get three of those wins and you're a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the playoffs. There is small margin of error in the NFL."

Scott Fujita
Monterey County Herald

Superdome improvements help building compete with newer structures

2009-06-30T03:42:45Z

Superdome improvements help building compete with newer structures

WWLTV.com

Saints' deal with state better but still 'flawed"

2009-06-30T03:41:12Z

Saints' deal with state better but still 'flawed"

The Town Talk

Saints offseason notes: Only quarterback controversy is for No. 2

2009-06-30T03:40:42Z

Saints offseason notes: Only quarterback controversy is for No. 2

The News Star

Saints sign veteran long snapper Jason Kyle

2009-06-30T03:39:52Z

Saints sign veteran long snapper Jason Kyle

New Orleans Saints official website