Darren Sharper Contract Situation

After the highs of the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras it's time to get back to business and what better way to return to Earth from a fairytale than to talk about free agent Saints player contracts.  At the last count there are some 18 restricted free agents on the Saints roster including the likes of Darren Sharper, Roman Harper, Jermon Bushrod,  guard Jahri Evans and tailbacks Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell.  I would like all of these guys to be resigned at the earliest opportunity but it is Darren Sharpers contract situation that concerns me given the leadership and game changing qualities he brings to the Saints D.

Sharper signed on for $1.7 million last season with two midseason bonuses included in the one year deal.  The Saints could have placed a franchise tag on the super safety but that would have pushed his salary up to $6.455 million which is pretty difficult to justify no matter how much we all love number 42.

Darren Sharper Contract Negotiations... Well actually Cuba Gooding Jr, but you get the point

 

So whilst the Saints have every right to let Darren Sharper test the waters of free agency I am just hoping good sense prevails and both sides recognise the perfect match they make for each other.  To give him his due Sharper has repeatedly stated that he wants to re-sign so let's just hope General Manager Mickey Loomis is waxing lyrical in his discussions and both sides can come to an accomodation sometime soon.

I guess the one thing that all players will recognise in this period of horse trading is that as a collective the Saints players reached the pinnacle of their sport only a matter of weeks ago.  So long as they can keep in perpespective the fact that winning the big one is attainable again next season then perhaps they will be prepared to forgo a little salary bump in return for keeping this special group of players together for one more season.

That is why it is imperative that the remaining restricted free agents Jammal Brown, David Thomas, Kyle Eckel, Lance Moore, Courtney Roby, Chris Reis, Remi Ayodele, Anthony Hargrove,  Jeff Charleston,  Marvin Mitchell and Leigh Torrence think about what can be achieved so long as the 'quan' doesn't get in the way.  The Saints could be at the start of a defining era so whilst every one deserves their pay day, let's just hope it doesn't tear a great team apart.

Saints Vs Panthers 1st Quarter

The Saints fly into Carolina today with home field advantage secured throughout the playoffs courtesy of the Vikings choking even more than we have at this vital juncture in the season.  It makes this game something of a meaningless contest for the Saints in so far as Drew Brees is sitting it out along with any number of Saints starters.  So the point of today is to see how the second stringers get on whilst resting the heart ahead of what promises to be an agonising game in 2 weeks.

The Panthers take the opening kick off and will start at their own 32.

1st down Panthers.
Jonathan Stewart takes the opening hand off and runs into the Saints front 4 for a gain of 1.  2nd and 9.
Stewart takes the next hand off makes a simple cut back and runs the length of the field for a touchdown of 67 yards.  The Saints D over pursued the play and were left embaressed.  Oh dear.  Looks like it's going to be more of the same today.

Saints 0 Panthers 7

1st down Saints at the 35.
Mark Brunell comes in to make his first start since the 2006 season and completes 3 yards to Marques Colston.  2nd and 7.
Mike Bell takes a hand off and gets hammered for a gain of 1.  3rd and 6.
Brunell drops back and is hit on release so the ball goes incomplete.  Jermon Bushrod again got beat.  4th and 6 so the Saints punt it 51 yards.

1st down Panthers at their own 9.
Stewart up the middle for no gain.
Stewart again but this time drags the pile for a gain of 8.  3rd and 1.
Stewart again on the hand offand just gets it according to the officials only.

1st down Panthers.
Moore to Mohamed and already I can't be bothered to keep this up all the way through the game.  They got a first down out to the 37.

Next set of downs sees a couple of incompletions so the Panthers will punt.

Saints start their next possession at their own 11.
Bell run, Brunell airs his old arm but does not complete although a pen moves the chains anyway to the 21.
Reggie Bush makes a nice run out right for 11 or so.  Brunell then hits Dinkins for a few before setting up a screen to Hamilton that picks up another 1st.

Mike Bell then takes 1 carry a good few before being dropped for a big loss on the next play.  The drive was going so well until then as well.  Reggie Bush tries to convert 3rd and 11 on a draw but the Saints fool no one so punt.

Panthers start at their own 9.  2 carries make 0 yard and brings a big smile to my face.  That smile becomes a huge beaming laugh as Matt Moore rolls out on 3rd and 10, looses his feet and looses control of the ball on his way down coughing it up in the process to Anthony Hargrove who recovers in the end zone for a touchdown.  Well done big man.  That's his 2nd TD against the Panthers this season.  Except the Panthers challenge and win it so ignore the above.  The Panthers punt to Reggie Bush who returns it 30 yards to the Panthers 20 before the zebras pull it back for a blocking pen.

So the Saints start at their own 45 do nothing with it and then punt straight back.

The Panthers start at their own 12.  1st 2 plays and the Saints D looks totally different by gang tackling runners at the line.  Impressive.  3rd and 7, will the Saints hold?  Yes they do as the Panthers run it and Jabari Greer makes a great tackle for only a gain of 1.  Good showing by the Saints D as the Panther punt and Reggie Bush fair catches near midfield.

Brunell rolls out and completes to Dinkins to end the 1st Quarter.

Saints Vs Falcons 2nd Quarter

Welcome the 2nd Quarter of the Saints Falcons game with the Falcons leading by 3.  The Saints have the ball at their own 21.

2nd and 10 Saints
False start against Jermon Bushrod.  2nd and 15.
Brees steps up to avoid the rush and hits Shockey for a few.  3rd and 8.  Oh dear Stinchcomb is on the rug not looking likely to get up.  Not another injury!!
Brees has lots of time and finds Jeremy Shockey down at the 41.  Nice conversion.

1st down Saints.
Pierre Thomas tries to turn the corner but only gets a yard after good run pursuit.  Penalty against Jeremy Shockey for a hold will bring this back.  1st and 20.
Brees to Pierre Thomas out the backfield and number 23 picks his way to the 37.  2nd and 14.
Brees again to Pierre Thomas who breaks a tackle and picks up 9.  3rd and 4.
Brees down the middle to Robert Meachem for 43 yards.  Beautiful throw and catch.

1st down Saints at the Falcons 11.
Pierre Thomas turns the corner and picks up 2.  2nd and 8.
Brees to Reggie Bush on the screen picks up 3.  Flag on the play... and it's not a penalty, the ref just wanted to get on TV.  3rd and 5.
Brees has all kinds of time and looks right to Reggie Bush and... TOUCHDOWN!!  Bush makes it look easy.

Saints 10 Falcons 6

1st down Falcons at the 20.
Snelling takes the hand off and battles his way for 6.  Who is this fucking guy?  Where did he come from?  2nd and 4.
Snelling spins and breaks tackles for a gain of 5 and a first down.  Can any old mo fo run on us or what?

1st down Falcons.
Chris Redman stands in the pocket for about 5 minutes and unloads deep to Michael Jenkins who is wide open at the Saints 20 and... He lets it go through his finger tips.  I owe Jenkins a paper bag full of money.  2nd and 10.
Norwood up the middle for 2.  3rd and 8.
The Saints pass rush no one but still Redman throws it to the water boy on the sidelines so the Falcons will punt... And Reggie Bush turns the corner and takes it 24 yards to the Saints 34.

1st down Saints.
Drew Brees unloads to Marques Colston for 8.  2nd and 2.
Pierre Thomas runs into a wall and picks up half a yard.  3rd and 2.
End around to Robert Meachem who gets it out to the 46 for a Saints 1st.

1st down Saints.
Brees throws to Bush in the flat for a gain of 4.  2nd and 6.
Bees to Meachem in the flat who picks up 4.  A flag is out though for holding against Devery Henderson so this is coming back.  2nd and 17.
Brees is flushed out the pocket and he manages to unload to Shockey before anyone gets there.  3rd and 5.  Great move by Brees to beat the pressure.
Brees goes to Meachem but it falls incomplete as the Falcon mugged Meachem drawing a penalty. 

1st down Saints.
Brees rolls right and finds Devery Henderson at the Falcons 28.

1st down Saints.
Pierre Thomas over left tackle picks up a nice 6.  2nd and 4.
Brees one step drop throws to Meachem on the sidelines and moves the chains.

1st down Saints at the big birds 19 to bring up the 2 minute warning.
Brees to Pierre Thomas over the middle picks up 12.

1st and goal.
Pierre Thomas up the middle to the Falcons 3.  2nd and goal.
Brees play action and throws incomplete to Marques Colston.  3rd and goal.
Brees to Colston at the post and... TOUCHDOWN!!  He came underneath uncovered and takes an easy 6.
The extra point is missed by Hartley though!  Someone may not be with us in a couple of weeks.

Saints 16 Falcons 6

1st down Falcons at their 20.  Jeremy Shockey trots off the field to get a toe looked at apparently.  Hope that's not serious.
Redman for 27 yards to White but there's a flag out there.  But it's against Malcolm Jenkins so it's declined.

1st down Falcons at their 47, 43 ticks on the clock.
Redman to Gonzalez for 6.  2nd and 4.
Redman incomplete to Booker.  3rd and 4.
Redman to Jenkins on a slant for a 1st.  The Saints came with pressure and almost got Redman.

1st down Falcons at the Saints 37, 28 ticks left.
Redman to Booker for 6 and he gets out of bounds.  23 ticks, 2nd and 4.
Redman to Weems for 3.  Penalty on the play...  And it goes against Charles Grant for a personal foul.  Ouch.  Half the distance to the goal line and a lecture for Grant from Payton.

1st down at the Saints 15.
Randall Gay does a nice job of breaking up the pass.  2nd and 10.  15 secs left.
Redman to no name 86 for a few.  3rd and 4.  8 ticks.
Redman airs it out to the end zone and hits someone in the stands.
So the Falcons will settle for a 27 yard field goal attempt and... Make it.

Saints 16 Falcons 9 to end the 1st half.

Saints Vs. Patriots 4th Quarter

So you join us in the 4th Quarter with the Saints leading 31 to 17 and facing a key 3rd and 12 at their own 35. All Saints fans could do with a conversion here to keep alive another scoring drive and stretch this lead as it's still tight enough.

Brees throws wide left and... it falls incomplete so Thomas Morstead will punt. Wes Welker fair catches at the Pats 15.

1st down Pats.
Brady goes deep down field and... Over throws Sam Aitken... I love you Tom Brady... please keep that up.
Faulk is chased down by Sedrick Ellis for a small gain. Great to have the big man fill that middle again. 3rd and 9.
Brady under pressure by Charles Grant and he unloads to Wes Welker who is stopped short. 4th and 5 and the Pats will punt. Great D schemes cooked up there by Williams.  I hope his mum ruffles his hair when he gets home tonight.

Eat Turf Welker - Fujita, Ellis, Grant and Jon Vilma getting it done

1st down Saints at their 25.
Drew Brees to Marques Colston who takes it and runs all the way to the Pats 48. Incredible throw again by Drew Brees.  He put it right on Colstons back shoulder so only he could make the grab in the tight coverage.

1st down Saints.
Mike Bell goes left to the 43.  2nd and 5.
Brees throws incomplete to bring up 3rd and 5.
Brees to Robert Meachem at the marker and he hauls it in.  Ooh baby I'm enjoying this lethal execution.

1st down Saints at the 37.
Pierre Thomas over left tackle for 5.  2nd and 5.
Mike Bell is stopped short for 0.  3rd and 5.
Drew Brees to Robert Meachem on the right and another first down.  Ruthlessly efficient passing and routes. Just perfect tonight.  I owe Brees some ice cream.

1st down Saints at the 25.
Mike Bell up the middle for 5 hard yards. He just pumps those legs like mini pistons and does not give up. Such a low center of gravity.  2nd and 5.
Brees to Marques Colston on the post pattern and... TOUCHDOWN!!!  Oh man. What a drive.  9 plays 75 yards, 5.18.  Just incredible.  That's the 27th TD thrown by Brees this season.  Get that man a drink.

Marques Colston TD - 'Tackle each other boys, I'm just gonna grab 6'

Patriots 17 Saints 38

1st down Pats at their own 20.
Draw play picks up 7.  2nd and 3.
Brady under pressure looks down field and... is picked by Darren Sharper at the Saints 38!! He returns it all the way to the Pats 25.  Sharper baby you are on fire.  Who Dat?

1st down Saints
Mike Bell for 3.
Mike Bell again inside for 3 more. Running down that game clock. 3rd and 4.
Brees to Henderson in the end zone and... Over shoots. I guess the guy is human afterall.
So John Carney comes in for a 37 yard field goal and... it goes wide right.  Cancan Carney can't can't.

1st down Pats.
Brian Hoyer is in to replace Tom Brady to signal the Pats have thrown in the towel so we can all enjoy the last 5 minutes.
2 runs for very little brings up a quick 3rd and 8.
Hoyer drops back and...  Throws to the fans in the stands and shows that he is no Tom Brady so the Pats will punt.

1st down Saints at their own 22 with 3.58 on the clock.
Mike Bell to the right for 5.  Drew Brees still in the game which is good to see.  He deserves to see this out as he has been just unstoppable.
Mike Bell again for 2. 3rd and 3.
Mike Bell bursts through the hole for a first... which is then called back for a flag to bring up 3rd and 14.
Pierre Thomas on a draw for 6 to bring up the 2 minute warning.
Thomas Morstead punts.

1st down Pats at their 33.
Hoyer completes for a few... ah who cares now this is over.
Will Smith chalks up another sack to close out the game a few minutes later.

That was the most complete Saints performance I have seen.  Drew Brees led the offence with incredible precision and looked totally unstoppable.   I am totally out of superlatives to describe just how great Brees is and for the way he played tonight.  He was perfect from start to finish.

Drew Dat - Drew Brees Saints Legend

The receivers were awesome.  Henderson, Meachem and Colston all got it done.  Bell and Thomas ran the ball well when called upon and that offensive line was totally dominant.  Jermon Bushrod, Carl Nicks, Jonathan Goodwin, Jahri Evans and Jon Stinchcomb all take a bow as you deserve all the platitudes you are going to get.

On the D side the banged up secondary did an outstanding job of stopping Brady, Welker and Co.  Mike McKenzie just had the game of his life and his pick was a turning point in the game.  Harper and Sharper made important tackles and crucial times.  Throw in Malcolm Jenkins who kept the likes of Randy Moss quiet and you've got one hell of a display by that unit.

Then the front 7 played great with Fujita, Shanley and Vilma all making important tackles and snuffing out 3rd down conversions.  Will Smith, Ellis, Grant and Hargrove all played their part.

In short it was just a great team effort and everyone should be mighty proud of themselves for that performance.  It was near perfect football all the way.

Saints Vs. Patriots 2nd Quarter

Welcome to the 2nd Quarter of the Patriots Saints game with the Pats leading by 7 to 3 and New Orleans driving. 

1st down Saints at the Pats 30.
Mike Bell hammers through the middle for 1.  Oh no… Mike Bell is on the floor after that.  He hits so hard he knocked himself out.
Drew Brees to Robert Meachem on the right sideline for a pick up of 6.  3rd and 3.
Pierre Thomas takes it 2 over left tackle.  4th and 1 and... We’re going for it.  Come on Saints!!!
Pierre Thomas goes through a Jermon Bushrod hole and... Picks up the 1st.

1st down Saints at the Pats 20.
Brees drops back checks off and sees Pierre Thomas in the flat and... Thomas breaks tackles all the way for a Saints TOUCHDOWN!!  Great run by Thomas.  Genius!!

The Pierre Thomas jersey moonwalks into the end zone

Patriots 7 Saints 10

1st down Pats at the Saints 25, 12.49 on the clock.
Wes Welker on a reverse for 3.  2nd and 7 and a Pat goes out injured... excellent... sorry but we need every edge we can get.
Brady to Welker (wonder how often I'll write that tonight) and he takes it to the Pats 40.

1st down Pats.
Maroney for 4.  2nd and 6.
The Super Dome is LOUD... and the Pats will take a timeout.
Brady to Morris and the doof drops it.  Perfect drop, love it.  3rd and 6.
Brady to Aitken and Mike Mckenzie hits him before he can turn so he is short by 3.  Great play McKenzie!! 
Pats punt.

1st down Saints at their own 25.
Drew Brees to Devery Henderson and... TOUCHDOWN!!!  OH MY GOOD GOD!!  Henderson was wide open and took it at the 50 and went totally untouched all the way.  It must have been a busted play for him to be that open.  LEGENDS!!!

Drew Brees to Devery Henderson Touchdown - Henderson feels lonely

Patriots 7 Saints 17

1st down Patriots at their own 24, 9.48 on the clock.
Maroney runs over Harper and co. for 10.  He should have been wrapped up at the line but beat Vilma with a cut and then knocked Harper over.

1st down Pats.
2 yard run by someone or other.
Tom Brady drops back and... Will Smith sacks him with Bobby McCray!!  3rd and 12.
Brady to Aitken and... he connects big all the way to the Saints 35.

1st down Pats.
Maroney runs left for 3. 2nd and 7.
Brady to Welker and... It’s dropped!!  Malcolm Jenkins got away with blatant pass interference there.  Fantastic.  3rd and 7,
Brady looks but can't find anyone so steps up to run and... Scott Fujita comes in and wraps him up but... oh no Roman Harper is called for illegal contact.  So the Pats have a 1st down at the Saints 25 and karma has come and bit us in the ass for the Malcolm Jenkins pass interference that wasn't called.

1st down Pats at the Saints 25.
Hand off to Maroney who takes it for 4.  2nd and 6.
Maroney up the middle but Scott Shanley wraps him up for just 1.  3rd and 5.  Come on Saints.  Deeeeeeee FENCE.
Brady to Welker but he's hit short by Roman Harper and it brings up 4th and 3.  Huge play by Harper.
Patriots go for a field goal and get it.

Patriots 10 Saints 17

1st down Saints at their own 23, 4.07 on the clock.
Brees to Pierre Thomas who weaves his way for 3.  Great effort.  2nd and 7.
Brees to Devery Henderson on the sidelines who takes it short but makes a move and moves the chains.  Great play Devery.

1st down Saints at their 35.
Pierre Thomas up the middle for 2.  2nd and 8.
Drew Brees pumps two fakes and stops the D and... Finds Saints legend in the making David Thomas for 25!!

1st down Saints at the Pats 38.
Drew Brees drops back and looks deep... and hits Robert Meachem for a Saints TOUCHDOWN!!  Awesome, absolutely awesome.  Now Drew Brees should get the recognition he deserves.  That was just sensational.

Robert Meachem Touchdown - 'Hey 24, watch this catch'

Patriots 13 Saints 24

Come on Defence.  Let's stop them scoring before the half.

1st down Patriots at their own 20.
Brady to Maroney on the screen for pick up of 9 and gets out of bounds.  2nd 1.
Brady hit by Anthony Hargrove as he throws and it falls incomplete.  Great pressure Hargroves you legend!!
Brady to Aitken and they convert.

1st down Pats at their 35, 1.07 on the clock.
Brady hit by Bobby McCray as he releases and falls incomplete.   But Malcolm Jenkins is called for holding in the secondary so the Pats get a 1st down at their 40.

1st down Pats.
Brady to Welker on the sidelines for 8.  2nd and 3.
Brady to Moss at the Saints 42.

1st down Pats with 46 ticks left on the clock.
Brady to Faulk who gets jacked up by Darren Sharper.  That was HARDDDDDD!!  Faulk is being checked on the sidelines.

1st down Pats at the 32.
Brady down the middle and... it's broken up.
Brady to the end zone and... it sails over the receiver.  3rd and 10.  Come on D.
Brady down the middle and... it sails incomplete again.  Beautiful.  The Saints secondary are doing an outstanding job on coverage.
So they go for a 50 yard field goal and... It goes wide left!!

Still Patriots 10 Saints 24 to end the 1st half.  Everyone has played just great so far.

Saints Falcons Post Game Analysis

What have we learnt from tonight?  Well number 1, don't start writing your reflections on the game before the game clock is at 0, amateur bloger. 

Number 2, despite almost being a complete Butkus by calling the game too early in my Saints Falcons 4th Quarter analysis I'm still going to publish the pre Bell fumble summassion I had written both out of complete laziness at this hour and because it mostly still stands:

I'm pretty happy that most of the Saints Falcons preview post came to fruition: 

1 - Brees beat Ryan hands down in the top QB contest. General Brees commands the troops like few others and deserves win number 7.

2 - Brees got better protection.  Take a bow Jermon Bushrod, Carl Nicks, Jonathan Goodwin, Jahri Evans and Jon Stinchcomb.

3 - The Saints Defence forced decisive turnovers.  Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter made game changing interceptions and added 7 points to the Saints secondary's tally for the season.  They're tied with the running backs for the most improved unit on the team.  (Plus Sharpers last second one, the 61st of his career).

4 - The Saints Defence just about kept a lid on Turner and Gonzalez... but only just.  Turner scared the living cr@p out of me towards the end there but we managed to hang on.

5 - The Saints crowd were fervent (hardly an incisive call there Falconer... and stop talking about yourself in the 3rd person you numb skull) but they managed to cause 1 important penalty and hey it all counts in the big win.

Oh and I picked a Saint 14 point win after a tight game... so I was only 3 out (8 in the end after the Butkus Bell).  Sue me... Clearly opening myself up for a verbal beating.

Saints Falcons Preview

I have been looking forward to the Saints Falcons game like no other this season. The fact we're riding into this Divisional match up undefeated at 6 and 0 with the potential to steal a decisive march on the Division crown has got me all pumped up and unable to work.

So here are my Top 5 reasons why the Saints will whip those Falcon tooshies:

1 - Drew Brees Vs Matt Ryan - There's only one winner in my book.  Brees is the best Quarterback in the league right now and there is no one I would rather have under centre for this match up.

He commands and directs the offence like few others and is truly the Saints on field General.  As long as he gets protection then Brees should be able to pick apart the 27th ranked Falcons Defence against the pass.

  Atten-hut, General Brees is on the field

2 - Drew Brees will get better protection - The Dolphins blew a Jonathan Stinchcomb sized hole in the offensive line and were able to pressure Brees into throwing 3 interceptions.  They exposed a potential weakness in an otherwise flawless Saints O line campaign to date which the rest of the league will be watching with interest.  Look for Stinchcomb to get extra support against John Abraham (if he plays as his fitness is questionable at time of going to post) and Co.  If the front 5 play their part they will provide the bedrock for a Saints win.

Jermon Bushrod, Carl Nicks, Jonathan Goodwin, Jahri Evans, Jon Stinchcomb

3 - The Saints Defence will force turnovers - The Saints D have already picked off 13 passes and forced 5 fumbles so far this season.  This ability to get the ball back in Brees' hands is a key component of the team's success.  Watch out for Eagle Eyes Darren Sharper to continue his already great season by making a decisive play against a quality but inexperienced Quarterback in Matt Ryan.

4 - The Saints Defence will manage Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner - With Jerious Norwood questionable through injury the Falcons will be heavily reliant on the power running of Turner.  If the Saints can restrict him to short yardage Ryan will be forced to the air and Gonzalez in particular.  This will be a key match up and the Saints Linebacker crew need to be on top form against the league's best Tight End.  If they win this battle the Saints will be well on the road to a home win.

5 - The Super Dome Crowd will be fervent - Whilst I don't normally factor home field advantage as a major game changer for pro footballers I think the noise and intensity will play a part against our division foes. The crowd have the potential to cause Falcon Offensive and Defensive linemen to be called off side especially on big 3rd downs when the volume of the crowd will be peaking.

 Saints fans are the 12th man

Monday Night Football Summary

The Saints are going to edge this but it's going to be tight.  If we can stop Michael Turner early and force the Falcons to the air whilst playing catch up I think we've got a great chance.  Brees needs better protection than last week but hopefully that was a temporary blip in an otherwise fine O line season. If we maintain a healthy balance between the run and pass on offence then look for a Famous New Orleans Saints win by 14 come the closing bell.