NO Jerseys Vs Bucs 1st Quarter

So the banged up New Orleans Saints visit the no hope Tampa Bay Bucs in a sunny but half empty Florida stadium straight out of Disney World.  Way to show your support Bucs fans.

Courtney Roby takes the Saints opening kick off to the 23 where Drew Brees will lead the mighty Saints offence onto the field.

1st play sees a nicely designed draw to Pierre Thomas which picks up 7.

Brees dumps the next pass off to Thomas for a 1st down at the Saints 33.

Brees out of the shot gun throws to Jeremy Shockey who takes it to the 38 (105th consecutive game with a catch for Shockey according to Fox).

The Mike Bell jersey containing the body of Mike Bell takes the ball and rams it for 4 more to bring up 3rd and 1.

Brees pitches to Pierre Thomas who steps on a banana skin and up ends himself 3 yards shy of the 1st down marker.

So Thomas Morstead comes in and pictures that kid who used to call him names in school and puts his foot through the ball for a mighty punt to the Bucs 5 yard line.

1st down Bucs, 11.53.

Run by Cadillac Williams meets a wall of Saints linebackers and grounds out 2.

Williams runs through a Sedrick Ellis shaped hole for 6 bringing up 3rd and 2.

Pass by Freeman under pressure from Jonathan Vilma completes for a 1st.

Draw play by Bucs for another 1st down out to the Bucs 42.

Next play sees Will Smith go unblocked and drops Freeman for a sack of 8, his 8th and a half of the season. Feel free to leave Will Smith unblocked all day Tampa.  2nd and 18.

Saints 92 Remi Ayodele lines up in the neutral zone and takes 5 off that.  Will Smith gives him a dirty look and Ayodele looks as far from the NO Saints Hall of Fame as ever.

Williams runs up the middle, gets bounced back so tries to go outside but Saints Rookie Malcolm Jenkins and Darren Sharper combine for the tackle for no gain.

On 3rd and 13 Freeman looks down field, sees no one so takes off and beats all Saints linebackers to the 50 and a 1st down.

Cadillac Williams again for 2 up the middle.  2nd and 8.

Graham takes the ball, bounces again and picks up a 1st down.  The tackle by Darren Sharper came about with the aid of a facemask so the Bucs move all the way down to the Saints 21.

1st down Bucs.

Derrick Ward for 3.

Freeman goes to the end zone on the next play and Roman Harper reads it the whole way and almost picks it off.  Damn that was almost great.

Freeman does a great impression of a slippery eel and gets away from Will Smith and Co before launching to the back corner of the end zone for a TOUCHDOWN.  The Bucs ran on us all too easy through that drive.  Hope we can find a better way to fill the middle or we'll loose a lot of the game clock to this power rushing.

Saints 0 Bucs 7.  4.58

Courtney Roby impresses his watching girlfriend with a 20 yard return to the Saints 29.

1st down Saints.

Pierre Thomas goes over left tackle and is stopped for 0.

Drew Brees to Saints legend in the making David Thomas takes the ball 13 down the field and then makes a great break and run all the way down to the Bucs 32 for a pick up of 37.

1st down Saints.

Pierre Thomas draw play picks up 7 and injures a Buc in the process... So basically a perfect play.  2nd and 3.

Brees to Colston over the middle to the Bucs 15 for another 1st down.

Mike Bell delay draw picks up 5.  Boy does that jersey run hard.  He explodes into people.

Brees to David Thomas again for a pick up of 6.

1st and goal at the 4.

Brees to Robert Meachem and... TOUCHDOWN!!  Meachem on a crossing pattern took the ball at the 2 and lunged for the line.  Great response by the Saints and impressive showing again by David Thomas and of course Mr Saints himself, Drew Brees.

Saints 7 Bucs 7.

The Bucs will start at the 31.

Josh Freeman has all kinds of time and then... almost throws a pick.

Cadillac Williams cuts back for a 5 yard gain.  3rd and 5.

Freeman throws to the sidelines against Scott Shanley but the ball is caught out of bounds so the Bucs will punt.  Darren Sharper takes a fair catch to close out the first quarter and the Saints will take over at their own 18 when we return.

Reggie Bush Injury Status

After last weeks tongue in cheek Reggie Bush injury report post I'm sad to say I've tempted fate for the Saints speedster has picked up something more serious than the paper cut previously reported.  So without further ado here is the latest Reggie Bush injury status report courtesy of Saints NFL and Falconer Productions:

Reggie Bush injury status:  The former Heismen Trophy winner and Saints RB did not participate in practice this week due to a troublesome knee injury that restricted his participation in the second half of the Rams game.  Will Reggie Bush play?  Well he is listed as questionable for the Tampa Bay Bucs game so reading between the lines he is unlikely to suit up given the impending match up with the New England Patriots in Week 12.  The break will give Saints number 25 more time to work on the infamous Reggie Bush best friend Christmas card list.

The Reggie Bush best friend Christmas Card list - Coming soon to a mailbox near you!

Jabari Greer injury status:  The Saints cornerback did not practice again this week because of his troublesome groin problem, the same injury that kept him out of the Week 10 match up with the St Louis Rams.  Here's to hoping the great man is resting up on the couch as I write this.  Get well soon partner.

Lance Moore Saints WR:  Ever since writing my Lance Moore New Orleans Saints post the ace in the sleeve slot receiver has been plagued by an ankle injury that has kept him out for some 3 weeks.  I will hold of praising any more Saints players until number 16 is back and healthy.  In the meantime let's hope this rest time will ensure he is healthy and at his best come the playoffs.  

Tracy Porter injury status:  Following the most innocuous of clashes with Usama Young in the Rams game Saints ace CB Tracy Porter has sprained his left medial collateral ligament (it's something in his leg apparently) and is out indefinitely.  That's the bad news.  The good news is Porter is likely to be back before seasons end and in the meantime can spend longer on his Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès thesis on the French revolution.

Sedrick Ellis Knee injury latest:  The Saints big man spent the week bench pressing his way to a new team record with an incredible 5 reps at the 1 million lbs weight (Warning: maybe exaggerating).  He did participate in some practice sessions and is listed officially as questionable.  Let's hope we go with caution on this one as he'll be of more value returning against the Pats in Week 12.  

Jonathan Goodwin Saints Center:  The man with the name that sums up most Saints games this season is still having problems with his ankle.  He is said to be probable to return.

Darren Sharper Saints Safety:  The man with the plan, the big cheese, the unstoppable, indefatigable, Safety legend is set to return against the Bucs and I for one am doing cartwheels in my head.  Hopefully Super Sharper can add to his league leading tally of interceptions and grace us with another 90+ yard touchdown return in Week 11.  Here's hoping anyway.

And finally, the man who stops traffic in the down town area himself...

Mr. David Thomas Saints TE:  After his stellar performance against the Rams in Week 10 it is a relief to know that Saints legend in the making David Thomas participated fully in practice on Friday and is probable for the Bucs game.  With the Reggie Bush injury status looking grim it's a relief to have our quality back up Tight End healthy for the short pass play.

And that's all for this week.  Here's hoping for a Jonathan Goodwin tomorrow against the Bucs...  Oooh man that was bad, I'll get my coat.

Reggie Bush Injury Report

The Reggie Bush injury report news is that... he's fine and dandy and looking forward to a big day againt the Rams (I just used that headline to grab your attention for some lesser known Saints and their injury status going into week 10).
          
Latest Sedrick Ellis injury news: The Saints DT did not participate in practice because of his ongoing knee injury.  The big man is still a few weeks away from a return.  However the Sedrick Ellis bench press work out routine is in over drive building up the numbers with all the time spent on his back.  I've heard he can now bench press the entire Falcons team in one rep.

Groin - The Jabari Greer injury hotspot of choice:  Greer also did not participate in practise giving him more time to spend with his 'Jabari Greer Saints Helmet Player of the Week Award' following his excellent performance against the Falcons in Week 8.

Lance Moore Ankle Injury:  No practise for Moore this week (apart from on Madden 2010 which he's reported as being quite good at now).

NEWSFLASH - Reggie Bush Injury Report Latest...  He's STILL fine and dandy so we return to our scheduled programming...
 
Jonathan Goodwin Saints Centre:  His Ankle injury limited his participation in practice leaving him with a questionable status according to the NFL... What, the Ankle or his mind?

Darren Sharper Knee Injury:  Sharper is reported as questionable following limited participation in practice. Unfortunately that means more time to help Mrs. Sharper with the house work and gardening chores.

Marques Colston Injury more of an Illness:  The Pro Bowl bound Saints wide receiver did not fully participate in practice as he reportedly has the snuffles.  His chances of playing are rated as probable, dependant on the amount of Vix inhaler he can shoe horn up his nostrils.

Scott Fujita Injury Update:   The Saints veteran LB is still trolubled by the calf injury that has kept him sidelined for some weeks now.   The latest reports say he is probable to play which will be a big relief to Michelle over at Saints Rants.

Garrett Hartley Status:  A left ankle problem is reportedly troubling this man monster but there's no way such a minor fault is going to stop him from playing.  No way Jose! 

Marvin Mitchell Foot Injury:  The Saints LB is rated as probable which comes as huge relief to the city of New Orleans.  What?  I'm being serious, I like the guy.

And finally

Zach Strief Saints Tackle:  Is ill but rated as probable (What no rubbish quip?  Ed.).

And that's your injury fix for the Week 10 match up with the St Louis Rams...

But what's this?  Hold the back pages, the latest Reggie Bush Injury Report is in and...  He has a paper cut on his left index finger.  A paper cut people.  Oh the humanity.

I think I speak for all of us when I say the people of New Orleans Parish will be praying as one for Reggie tonight.