November 18
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints have signed former Pro Bowl cornerback Chris McAlister to help shore up a position that has been weakened in recent weeks by injuries, Coach Sean Payton confirmed late Tuesday night. Terms of the deal were not available, but it is a one-year contract. With starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter slowed by injuries, the Saints were down to three healthy cornerbacks. Greer, who sat out Sunday's 28-23 victory against the St. Louis Rams with a groin injury, said he hopes to play this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But he couldn't say for certain if he'll be able to play. And Porter sprained the MCL in his left knee against the Rams and is definitely out this ..."
November 17
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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ne day after the Saints held on for an uninspiring 28-23 victory against the lowly St. Louis Rams, the mood still hadn't changed in the Saints' locker room. Players on Monday continued to figuratively kick themselves over the mounting turnovers. They openly chastised themselves for yet another sloppy performance. Somberly, they reflected on the penalties and the mistakes. This certainly didn't appear to be the locker room of one of the NFL's two 9-0 teams (the other is the Indianapolis Colts), one with a four-game lead in the NFC South. "The victory is obviously great, but you still feel that kind of sourness in the back of your mind that OK we are winning but we have some things that we ..."
November 17
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Gregg Williams is fond of telling folks he gets way too much credit for X's and O's. His strength as a coach, he says, is psychological rather than tactical. He thrives on overhauling attitudes and changing cultures. Despite his rhetoric, the Saints might need Williams to work some magic with his X's and O's down the stretch because frankly he's running out of Johnnys and Joes. The secondary, the best unit on the team during the first half of the season, has lost three starters to injury in the past two weeks. Cornerback Jabari Greer and safety Darren Sharper should be back soon, but cornerback Tracy Porter isn't so lucky. He's scheduled to miss four to six weeks with a sprained media ..."
November 17
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Nobody said maintaining perfection was going to be easy, only that it's possible. "Easy" vanished out the side door a month ago. Given the near certainty that the Saints couldn't maintain the incandescent pace they set, opponents have New Orleans in their sights as they concentrate on being the first to take down the Saints. That has been on display since the Saints' epic comeback in Miami, and Sunday's 28-23 victory at St. Louis over the previously inept Rams did little to settle the stomach. The Rams (1-8) were within a touchdown throw, as time expired, of preventing the Saints from climbing to 9-0. They were within a whisker of posting the biggest upset in the league this season. And ..."
November 17
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Throughout their run to a franchise-best 9-0 start, the Saints have continued to have most of the breaks go their way. Monday was no different. After early speculation that starting right cornerback Tracy Porter had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury Sunday, New Orleans Coach Sean Payton said that Porter's injury is less severe. Porter sprained his left medial collateral ligament in the Saints' 28-23 victory at St. Louis and will not need surgery, Payton said. "He does not have an ACL; he does not need surgery," Payton said. "I don't have a time frame on it, but it's an MCL -- and that's great news. "You never know until you have an MRI, and we were obviously excited for ..."
November 16
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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It wasn't a good sign when St. Louis running back Steven Jackson burst into the Saints' secondary for a 30-yard gain on his first carry. It was even more troubling that the Saints went into halftime against the struggling Rams tied at 14, thanks to 100 yards rushing by Jackson. But the Saints can credit their adjustments on defense -- specifically their ability to tackle Jackson -- for helping them escape St. Louis with a 28-23 victory to remain undefeated. For the third consecutive game, Jackson, 6 feet 2, 235 pounds, powered his way to more than 130 yards. He had 134 against Indianapolis, 149 at Detroit, and he finished with 131 against the Saints. But after that 100-yard outburst on ..."
November 16
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Yes, the journey is getting tougher. But admit it. You're getting spoiled. You were sitting there, wondering how many touchdowns your heroes would make against a team that had given up 29 and managed to make only eight in its first eight games. That one statistic was enough to make you feel sorry for the St. Louis Rams. Then they kicked off Sunday, and you were introduced to a guy most of you Who Dats never heard of. On your fantasy list of running backs, I'm guessing Steven Jackson ranked somewhere down there, after names like Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, DeAngelo Williams, Ricky Williams, Jamal Lewis, Brandon Jacobs, Ronnie Brown, Frank Gore. In some cases, that's how it is ..."
November 16
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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OFFENSE 2 fleur de lis. The big plays and the big mistakes canceled each other out in this one. The Saints' offense scored three touchdowns (a Reggie Bush run, a Bush catch and a pass from Drew Brees to Robert Meachem). And Bush and Meachem broke loose for runs of 55 yards and 41 yards on non-scoring plays. But the Saints also turned the ball over three times (two Brees interceptions and a fumble by Marques Colston at the goal line). And they failed to make a first down on their final three drives, which kept the Rams alive. The Saints finished with 203 rushing yards, but tailbacks Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell combined for 67 yards on 19 carries (a 3.5 average). DEFENSE 2 fleur de lis. ..."
November 16
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints officials provided few details on the extent of cornerback Tracy Porter's left leg injury but based on his body language as he left the locker room Sunday, it appears to be serious. With the aid of two crutches and a helping hand from assistant trainer Reggie Stone, Porter limped to a waiting cart, which whisked him off to a team bus and eventually the two-hour flight home to New Orleans. Porter looked up from under his hooded designed sweatshirt and declined comment. He left others to speak for him. "Nothing right now," Coach Sean Payton said moments after the heavily favored Saints remained unbeaten with a riveting 28-23 victory against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones ..."
November 16
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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He continued his recent struggles Sunday, throwing as many interceptions (two) as touchdown passes against the St. Louis Rams. He now has thrown one more interception (seven) than touchdown passes (six) in his past four games after throwing 13 scoring passes and just two interceptions in his first six games. Brees was sacked once and completed 18 of 26 passes for 223 yards for an 89.1 passer rating. "We're not content with where we're at and the way we've played these last few weeks," said Brees, who threw a laser to wide receiver Robert Meachem for a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. "We as an offense need to close the game out when we're given the opportunity. We didn't do that ..."
November 16
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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This story's getting awfully familiar, isn't it? The Saints went into St. Louis on Sunday, didn't play their best game, coughed up the ball too much, allowed too many rushing yards and suffered another costly injury on defense, yet they still escaped with a 28-23 victory. New Orleans has been flirting with disaster for so long now that it might want to consider buying an engagement ring. But at 9-0, the Saints remain perfect in the one area that matters most. "I don't know if satisfaction is the right word. But we're excited; 9-0 is a great place to be. What's even more exciting is how much better we can play," Saints offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb said while trying to put another ..."
November 15
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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A strained left knee will keep New Orleans Saints free safety Darren Sharper out of today's game against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. Backup Usama Young is expected to replace Sharper in the starting lineup. Sharper apparently injured himself in last Sunday's 30-20 victory against the Carolina Panthers. He did not miss any playing time. The media was first informed of Sharper's injury at Coach Sean Payton's weekly press conference Monday. Sharper did not practice Wednesday and was limited in practice Thursday and Friday. He was listed as questionable on the league's official injury report turned in Friday by team officials. The NFL Network reported that Sharper is suffering ..."
November 14
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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In a perfect world, which arguably the undefeated Saints have toyed with through the first eight games, the play of their special teams would be on par with the team's offensive and defensive units. But that isn't the case, particularly in the punt return game, where breakaway threat Reggie Bush has found little room to roam. The Saints rank 31st in the league, averaging 3.9 yards on punt returns. Only the Oakland Raiders are less productive, averaging 3.2 yards. Coach Sean Payton said that aspect of his special teams needs to improve. "Statistically, we feel we can help ourselves and help improve (our) field position," Payton said Friday. Opponents have held Bush to 75 ...
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November 14
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The undefeated Saints are expected to get back one defensive starter but lose another for Sunday's road game against the St. Louis Rams. Linebacker Scott Fujita, who has missed the past 11 quarters with a strained left calf, is listed as probable on the league's official injury report. He practiced Friday and is the likely starter against the Rams (1-7) at the Edward Jones Dome. The news is not so good for starting cornerback Jabari Greer, who has been ruled out of the game with an injured groin. Randall Gay is expected to replace Greer in the lineup opposite cornerback Tracy Porter in the team's base 4-3 defense. Rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins is expected to play in nickel and dime ..."
November 13
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints defensive end Bobby McCray is in his sixth NFL season, having spent his first four years in Jacksonville before coming to New Orleans as a free agent in 2008. The former Florida Gator has established himself as a speedy pass-rushing threat, rotating into the lineup with starting ends Will Smith and Charles Grant. You can learn more about McCray on his Web site, bobbymccray.com. He has also agreed to share his thoughts with Saints fans through a blog this season. Here is his latest installment: "This has just been a remarkable season so far for both of my teams. We're 8-0, and we're rolling right now. The Gators are also undefeated, No. 1 in the nation. We're both playing real ..."
November 13
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints safety Darren Sharper (knee) and receiver Marques Colston (flu) returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday, and linebacker Scott Fujita (calf) was on the field for the second consecutive day -- but five players remained out of action. Cornerback Jabari Greer (groin), defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (knee), center Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), receiver Lance Moore (ankle) and offensive tackle Zach Strief (flu) did not practice. Of that group, Moore and Ellis seem the least likely to play Sunday at St. Louis, though New Orleans' official injury report won't be released until this afternoon. Coach Sean Payton said he is optimistic that Greer might be able to play against the Rams ..."
November 12
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Let's see, now. Free safety Darren Sharper, with seven interceptions and three picks returned for touchdowns, should be one of the leading candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. Strong safety Roman Harper, who has caused two fumbles and posted a sack and is playing the best football of his career, appears to be operating at Pro Bowl level. Left cornerback Jabari Greer, the prize of the free-agent class, has played lock-down against whoever has had the misfortune of drawing him and has made oft-burned Jason David a distant memory. That leaves right cornerback Tracy Porter just where, exactly, in the pecking order? "He's just the youngest guy out there, so he has to take the lumps," ..."
November 12
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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For the first eight games, the Saints' defense has played like a den of thieves, amassing an NFL-high 24 takeaways and scoring seven touchdowns on five interceptions and two fumble returns. Yes, the signings of free-agent defensive backs Jabari Greer and Darren Sharper have made a world of difference and transformed a relatively reactive unit the first three seasons under Coach Sean Payton to a proactive one this season. Still, the most significant addition on defense has been first-year coordinator Gregg Williams, a man who has helped make the difference. "He's changed the culture; he's changed the attitude," Saints middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma said Wednesday. "His style of ..."
November 12
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Though St. Louis Rams fullback Mike Karney says he has "moved on" from the insensitive timing of his release by Saints officials eight months ago, it appears the cut hasn't completely healed. The teams play at noon Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. "It is what it is," Karney said Wednesday. "It's a cut-throat business at times. It's unfortunate they had to do it next to my wedding. I thought it was a little ironic, maybe. I don't know if it was planned that way or not. I think that was the only thing I was upset about. "If you're going to move on, no problem. But they knew I was getting married that Friday, and they decided to do it that Thursday afternoon. I know for a fact ..."
November 12
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints are outscoring every other team in the NFL by more than a touchdown per game. They lead the league in total yardage; they have the NFL's No. 1-rated quarterback; they also rank in the top five in passing and rushing yards. What's scary is they could be even better if they weren't coughing up the ball so much. After a nasty streak of 10 turnovers in the past three games, the Saints now are tied for seventh in the league with 16 giveaways. "I'm very concerned, because that's what gets you beat," said Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who added that the team is "lucky" that they've been able to dig themselves out of early holes in each of the past three games -- thanks largely to ..."
November 11
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Called "The Greatest Show on Turf" during their Super Bowl-winning 1999 season, the Rams in recent seasons pretty much have become a comedy show. St. Louis (1-7), which didn't play last week, snapped a franchise-record 17-game losing streak with a 17-10 road victory against Detroit on Nov. 1. Against the Saints, the Rams will be trying to snap an eight-game home losing streak. First-year coach Steve Spagnuolo came to the Rams from the Giants with credentials as a top defensive coach. He built the unit that was the backbone of New York's Super Bowl championship team two seasons ago. In St. Louis, Spagnuolo has plenty of work to do. The Rams went 2-14 last season and 3-13 in 2007. This ..."
November 10
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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More heralded fraternal groups, such as the Giants, have siphoned the attention during game week. More celebrated names, such as Atlanta's John Abraham and Carolina's Julius Peppers, have drawn the national headlines on Mondays and Sundays. But all factors considered and all numbers totaled, has any defensive line in the NFL this season played any better than the Saints' line has after eight games? No, really. Granted, New Orleans' line play pretty much only could ascend after last season, when ends Will Smith and Charles Grant were injured and combined for just six sacks, tackle Sedrick Ellis was a rookie and the Saints simply didn't get what they wanted or needed out of tackles Hollis ..."
November 10
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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To err is human, but the Saints might have pushed the envelope in the latest chapter of their perfect season, an angst-filled 30-20 win against the vexing Carolina Panthers at the Superdome on Sunday. "I do think we can play a lot better than we played yesterday," Saints Coach Sean Payton said Monday at his weekly press conference. "And I'm not just saying that because it's time to come in here and throw water on a party. I thought it was sloppy yesterday. If we had played well and won it would be one thing, but we didn't. "It's frustrating because as a coach the first thing you look at is yourself. If what we're seeing on film is what we're coaching, it becomes an indictment on us. We ..."
November 10
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Unless you were paying close attention the past two weeks, you might not have noticed that All-Pro pass rushers John Abraham and Julius Peppers visited the Superdome. Peppers, who was limited somewhat by a hand injury, had just one tackle, one quarterback hurry and no sacks during the Saints' 30-20 victory against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Six days earlier, Atlanta's Abraham had no sacks, no tackles and one quarterback hurry in a 35-27 loss to the Saints. That's a great credit to New Orleans' third-year left tackle Jermon Bushrod, who has been growing into the role since replacing injured Pro Bowler Jammal Brown during the preseason. But Bushrod stressed that he didn't get the job ..."
November 9
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme sucked up the emotions that came with a 30-20 loss to the Saints at a soldout Superdome on Sunday and put on a straight face. With television cameras capturing his every move and tape recorders chronicling his every word, Delhomme had to stand at a podium and recall how he lost for the first time as a starting quarterback at the Superdome. He had to relive the missed throws. He had to talk about a botched handoff on the goal line. He had to discuss the Panthers' failures in the two-minute offense. It wasn't the type of interview he was used to or hoped to have as the Panthers dropped to 3-5, five games behind the NFC South-leading Saints (8-0). "Being ..."
November 9
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Surely their fingertips are a trifle charred by now, palms just a tad scalded. Nothing irreparable, though, because the Saints successfully continue to play with fire and to walk away no worse for the dalliance. They keep inflicting as much or more damage on themselves than an opponent dare dream of administering, and expertly remedying themselves before the discomfort becomes intolerable and the result of it unacceptable. Halfway through the 2009 season, the Saints (8-0) remain perfect, their 30-20 victory over Carolina on Sunday at the Superdome giving them their third consecutive comeback win. The Panthers led 7-0, 14-0 and 17-3, and left New Orleans losers. Carolina running back ..."
November 9
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Anthony Hargrove blew it. The Saints defensive tackle, who had just helped the Saints cement their 30-20 victory over Carolina on Sunday with a forced fumble and touchdown return in the final minutes, tried to celebrate the win in his usual way, by leaping into the stands and embracing the fans. But he ran toward the wall in the back of the end zone and came up short. Undeterred, Hargrove walked back to the goal line, geared up and tried again, this time reaching his mark. "That first leap, my toe kind of caught the wall a little bit. I had to set myself and get my mind right," said Hargrove, who then started to revise his excuse. "Actually, what happened was, I don't think the fans ..."
November 8
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints placed veteran defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy on injured reserve Saturday with a nagging knee injury and replaced him by activating second-year pro DeMario Pressley from the practice squad. Clancy began the season as New Orleans' starting nose tackle, but he experienced an unspecified knee injury in Week 1, then aggravated the injury when he returned to the lineup Monday night against Atlanta. The Saints needed a healthy body at defensive tackle because starter Sedrick Ellis also is expected to miss another two or three weeks with a knee sprain. Pressley (6 feet 3, 301 pounds) joined the Saints as a fifth-round draft pick from North Carolina State last year, but he had a ..."
November 7
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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A new mouthpiece being used by several Saints players this season has been getting much attention since ESPN analyst Jon Gruden praised it during the "Monday Night Football" broadcast. The Makkar PPM (Pure Power Mouthguard), which retails at $2,000 according to an article in the Los Angeles Times, is touted by its designers as "more than just a mouthguard." By custom-fitting the mouthpiece to each player, the goal is to improve balance, strength, flexibility and oxygen flow by better aligning the lower jaw with the neck and the spine. Many Saints remain skeptical about those supposed benefits. A common refrain heard throughout the locker room during an informal poll Friday was, "It's ..."
November 7
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Morten Andersen distinguished himself for 25 NFL seasons, arguably kicking a football between two unforgiving goal posts better than anyone who has played the game. On Friday, the Great Dane reaped his just reward, joining other franchise greats in the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame during luncheon ceremonies at the Best Western Landmark Hotel in Metairie. Andersen, 49, played 13 seasons in New Orleans from 1982 through 1994 before finishing his storied career with the Atlanta Falcons (1995-00, 2006-07), New York Giants (2001), Kansas City Chiefs (2002-03) and Minnesota Vikings (2004). "Today my heart is smiling, and today my spirit soars," said Andersen, the Saints' and NFL's all-time ..."
November 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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After further review, Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner gained a season's worth of yards-after-contact in his team's 35-27 loss Monday night to the usually sure-tackling Saints. Turner muscled and motored his way to 151 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown, becoming the first running back to pass 100 yards rushing against the undefeated Saints this season. Consequently, New Orleans tumbled from fourth overall (92.3 yards per game) in rushing defense to 11th in the latest NFL rankings (102.1 yards per game), a fact that is sure to be emphasized Sunday by the run-oriented Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (3-4) boast the one-two punch of running backs DeAngelo Williams and ..."
November 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Late in the third quarter against the Giants, Saints receiver Lance Moore took off from the left slot on 3rd-and-17 and bolted downfield on what was supposed to be a deep post route. However, the linebacker dropped off his coverage early, and with a nice cushion from safety C.C. Brown, Moore decided to cut his route short and turned back toward quarterback Drew Brees. "As soon as I turned, the ball was right there," said Moore, who gained 22 yards on the catch, setting up a touchdown two plays later. That kind of synergy is constant when the Saints offense is on the field. Brees and his receivers are loaded with examples of plays that started off one way and changed in an instant because ..."
November 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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No one is kicking himself over the Saints' recent kicking woes more than veteran John Carney. In each of the past three games, the Saints have suffered a kicking miscue. In Monday's 35-27 win over the Falcons, Carney missed a 37-yard field-goal attempt wide right. The week before against the Dolphins, a poor snap and hold caused a 49-yard Carney kick to sail wide left. He also missed an extra-point attempt against the Giants after a poor snap and hold. Carney has made eight of 11 attempts this season, including a long of 46, but he has missed two of his past four kicks. "It concerns me," Carney said. "It's my job to correct it. So yeah, it's very concerning. My job is to not miss field ..."
November 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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This has been a rough year for Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme. It began in January, when the Lafayette native threw five interceptions in a playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and it carried over to this season. Carolina lost its first three games and got off to a 2-4 start, with Delhomme throwing 13 interceptions, fumbling twice and being sacked 13 times in his first six starts. Then when the Panthers were finally playing their best game last week, a 34-21 victory at Arizona, he got knocked out during the third quarter with a chest injury that sent him to the emergency room. But Delhomme checked out OK, and he practiced fully Wednesday. So as far as the Saints are ..."
November 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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After further review, Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner gained a season's worth of yards-after-contact in his team's 35-27 loss Monday night to the usually sure-tackling Saints. Turner muscled and motored his way to 151 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown, becoming the first running back to pass 100 yards rushing against the undefeated Saints this season. Consequently, New Orleans tumbled from fourth overall (92.3 yards per game) in rushing defense to 11th in the latest NFL rankings (102.1 yards per game), a fact that is sure to be emphasized Sunday by the run-oriented Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (3-4) boast the one-two punch of running backs DeAngelo Williams and ..."
November 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints weren't perfect Monday night, as they outlasted the division-rival Atlanta Falcons for a sometimes sloppy, sometimes spectacular 35-27 victory. But their performance was perfectly acceptable as they matched the best start in franchise history at 7-0. "This is a huge win," quarterback Drew Brees said. "We knew this coming in obviously, you win and really it's worth two (in the division standings). It wasn't the prettiest win at times. But we did what we needed to do when we needed to do it. That says a lot." New Orleans has now opened a three-game lead in the NFC South, with Atlanta (4-3) the closest contender. Although it's clearly way too early to make postseason promises, a ..."
November 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints quarterback Drew Brees didn't have to throw all his passes perfectly Monday night. When it came to Brees connecting with wide receiver Marques Colston, all Brees needed to do was get the ball high in the air. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Colston was able to do the rest, twice leaping high into the air to haul in pivotal receptions during the Saints 35-27 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in front of a sellout crowd at the Superdome. Colston, who caught six passes 85 yards and a touchdown, made two of the biggest plays of the game. With the Saints trailing 14-7 early in the second quarter, Colston outleaped cornerback Tye Hill for an 18-yard touchdown reception, tying the score at 14. ..."