January

Jan. 2, 2009   

Shockey alters offseason plans after disappointing first year with Saints

For Saints TE Jeremy Shockey, the transition to New Orleans was a difficult one. After six successful, albeit controversial, years with the Giants, Shockey had career lows in receiving yards (483) and touchdowns (zero) in an injury-plagued first campaign with his new team. One positive to come out of a disappointing year for both Shockey and the Saints, we hear, is his vow to participate in the team’s offseason workout program and work on establishing a better relationship with QB Drew Brees. For his entire career, Shockey had worked out separately in Miami, away from his team, isolating himself after the final game of the season was played. He’s promising to show his face much more in New Orleans than he ever did with his Giants teammates during the offseason. There’s no guarantee that the results will be any different in 2009, but this can't hurt Shockey moving forward.

December

Dec. 24, 2008   

Saints' Payton has tough decisions to make on defense

Updated at 10:30 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 29

Yet again, the Saints will head into the offseason looking to remodel a defense that failed to hold up its end of the bargain. While New Orleans’ No. 1-ranked offense flourished, buoyed by Drew Brees’ spectacular season, the “D” hasn’t played well enough to get the club back in the postseason. Sources say head coach Sean Payton is likely to consider a few options — either keep the defensive coaching staff intact and make a philosophical change or fire D-coordinator Gary Gibbs.

The status quo just won’t do.

The Saints made five major additions, through free agency, trades and the draft, on defense last offseason, adding MLB Jonathan Vilma, CB Randall Gay, DE Bobby McCray, DT Sedrick Ellis and CB Tracy Porter to the mix. Porter (wrist), who was placed on injured reserve after Week Five, and Ellis, who sat out three games (knee) earlier in the campaign, have missed significant stretches with injuries, but each of the five has had solid first seasons in New Orleans. Despite that infusion of talent, the defense’s improvement has not been significant enough. It finished last season ranked 26th and was still in the bottom half of the league this year.

Gibbs has been at the forefront of a unit that has been criticized for its vanilla schemes. The Saints have favored a “bend but don’t break” approach. The Buccaneers’ Tampa-2 employs that method and it has worked well since defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin arrived in 1996. In New Orleans, though, members of the secondary still are getting beat — the club has allowed 53 pass plays of 20 yards or more.

We hear Payton has a particularly strong sense of loyalty to members of his original staff, which he hired before the 2006 season. Gibbs is one of those coaches. He joined the team when Payton was scrambling to fill a staff as he competed with nine other first-year head coaches looking to fill vacancies. Coming to New Orleans, which was in disarray after Hurricane Katrina, wasn’t exactly the most attractive destination.

Whether Gibbs stays on beyond this season or not, the Saints are going to have to shore up their defensive woes somehow. If they don’t, it will be Payton who is on the hot seat before long.

Dec. 18, 2008   

Saints' RB Thomas nailing audition for next season

Updated at 10:15 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 22

We hear Pierre Thomas’ audition is going quite well. The Saints gave Thomas an opportunity to prove he can fill the vacancy left by Deuce McAllister, who isn’t expected to be in the team’s future plans, as New Orleans’ workhorse complement to Reggie Bush. In his last three games, Thomas has exceeded expectations, adding a jolt the running game lacked all year. He rushed for at least 77 yards in each contest and also scored five touchdowns. “I want to keep doing the right things,” Thomas said after the Saints’ Week 15 loss. “I want to keep my teammates having a positive feeling about me and keep my coaches having a positive feeling about me. … I’m just trying to take a step forward each and every week.” He’s set himself up for a prominent role in 2009, but the Saints are likely to shop to bring in some competition for Thomas.

Dec. 12, 2008   

Next Saints O-coordinator needs to grow ground game

Just like at the end of last year, the Saints will head into the offseason knowing that revamping their defense has to be a top priority. There will, however, be at least one important vacancy to fill on the offensive side. Saints offensive coordinator and O-line coach Doug Marrone has been hired as head coach at Syracuse, his alma mater. Word spread just before the Saints faced the Bears in Week 15, but some players were still unaware of it after the 27-24 loss to the Bears.

“If that’s the case, then congratulations,” said Drew Brees. “He deserves it. Obviously we’ll miss him. … Doug Marrone has been a tremendous asset to us and what we do offensively. I know these guys love him. I love him. We wish him the best.”

Marrone coaches an O-line that has allowed Brees to be sacked just 11 times, fewer than every team except Denver and Tennessee.

“(Marrone’s) a great leader and a motivator,” said WR Lance Moore. “That’s big shoes to fill, but you got to move on.”

Although he served as O-coordinator, Marrone did not call plays for New Orleans. Head coach Sean Payton is the chief play-caller, and that’s unlikely to change with the next hire. A crucial attribute that the Saints should be looking for, according to sources, is someone with expertise in coordinating successful rushing attacks. The club has lacked balance, relying too heavily on Brees the past two disappointing seasons, and is ranked 27th in rushing. RB Deuce McAllister, who was deactivated in Week 15, is on his way out, and Payton, along with the new O-coordinator, will have a decision to make on whether Pierre Thomas can be a full-time complement to Reggie Bush.

One potential name that has to be worth considering as a replacement to Marrone is Raiders interim head coach Tom Cable, who probably will be let go after the season. Cable is considered one of the best assistants around when it comes to coordinating running games. He helped Oakland become the sixth-ranked rushing offense last season as O-line coach, and the year before he held the same job in Atlanta when the Falcons finished first in rushing.

Some ambitious candidates for coordinator positions, though, may not jump at joining Payton’s staff, since they would have little authority on Sundays.

Dec. 5, 2008   

Saints not down on DE Smith as disappointing season approaches premature end

Updated at 9:50 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 8

For much of the season, Saints fans and observers were left wondering what had happened to DE Will Smith. He has just three sacks in 13 games, and New Orleans’ pass rush has been ineffective in crucial moments. After signing a six-year contract extension worth $26 million guaranteed in the offseason, expectations for the fifth-year end were higher than ever, but he has not risen to meet them. And, while he played last Sunday while a federal judge considered an NFLPA lawsuit over his league-imposed four-game suspension for taking a banned water pill, he could be shut down for the remainder of the season at any time. Despite his struggles, sources in New Orleans say the organization is happy with his work ethic and there are no signs that it’s frustrated about his disappointing play. We hear Smith has been plagued by an abdominal strain throughout the campaign, which helps to explain his slump.

November

Nov. 26, 2008   

Bush's return could be a stress reliever for Brees

Updated at 8:50 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 1

The Saints’ offense didn’t suffer any setbacks while playing without Reggie Bush for four games. In fact, they actually had their best stretch of the season, going 3-1. Sources tell us Bush’s return will remove some of the pressure on QB Drew Brees, who has been shouldering a heavy load all season. Brees continued to shine while Bush was recovering from knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. When Brees is rushed in the pocket, rather than forcing throws downfield, he can toss a dump-off to Bush. Bush can turn a five-yard catch into a 30- or 40-yard gain in a hurry, adding a dimension to the offense that has been missing. In Week 13’s loss to the Buccaneers — Bush’s first action since getting hurt — the versatile back made a minimal impact, rushing three times for zero yards and catching five passes for 32 yards. He also lost 16 yards on two punt returns.

Nov. 21, 2008   

Saints RB McAllister facing pay cut, potential release in offseason

Sources in New Orleans say there is almost no chance RB Deuce McAllister will be back with the Saints next season at the $7.3 million salary-cap number he’s scheduled to have. It has become painfully clear that McAllister is struggling after suffering through two torn ACLs in three seasons. The eighth-year veteran will have to agree to come back for less money or go elsewhere, but either way, McAllister is facing a significant pay cut. We hear he might be willing to take such a cut to remain in New Orleans — he’s comfortable with his surroundings and is a major figure in the city, but at the same time, observers say the Saints might be ready to move on. McAllister is still waiting on the result of his appeal of a four-game suspension he received for testing positive for a banned water pill.

Nov. 13, 2008   

Major changes a must for Saints' secondary

Updated at 9:40 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 17

Sources in New Orleans say it’s hard to get a feel for where the majority of blame will go when the Saints’ coaches and executives gather after the season to evaluate their porous defense.

There is the scheme, employed by defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, which hasn’t seemed to work well since the start of last season. The personnel, though, has been just as disappointing. Typically a calm, collected bunch, things have become so bad that they’ve taken to finger pointing on the sideline, as in the case of CB Mike McKenzie, who went off on S Roman Harper in Week 10.

Whether it’s Gibbs or some players, there likely will be a scapegoat, sources say, if the team misses the playoffs for the second consecutive season, which appears to be a very real possibility as things stand. Changes are bound to be made with the focus on the secondary, the way we hear it.

Gibbs’ defense is designed to not allow the big play, although the Saints’ corners and safeties get beat for long gains quite frequently anyway, which is what happened to Harper before McKenzie started hollering. Last week against the Chiefs, the Saints allowed passing plays of 42 and 31 yards.

The “D” isn’t an overly aggressive one and blitzes rarely are called. As the theory goes, with such a great offense, the club’s defense can afford to bend and even spring a leak once in awhile. The bending, however, has led to a full-on break far too often.

Injuries have no doubt been a problem for the secondary. Rookie Tracy Porter had earned a starting job before he injured his wrist in an Oct. 6 loss to the Vikings and was lost for the season. McKenzie, who is regarded as the team’s best corner, worked his way back from a torn ACL only to break his right kneecap in New Orleans’ Week 10 loss to the Falcons, ending his season. Sources are concerned that after two major knee injuries, McKenzie, 32, might have to shut it down and retire. The squad is left to make do with a collection of backups to get through the rest of the season.

This offseason, the Saints will have to rebuild around Porter, because as a close observer of the team put it, he’s the only one of the defensive backs that needs to be around beyond 2008.

Nov. 7, 2008   

Loss of DE Grant leaves Saints vulnerable against the run

Updated at 9:40 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 10

DE Charles Grant’s season-ending triceps injury bumped DE Bobby McCray from backup to starter, and as a result, sources in New Orleans say the team’s run defense could be in trouble. When the Saints signed McCray in the offseason, they knew his strength was rushing the passer. He was considered a third-down specialist because of his deficiencies when it came to stopping the run. Opposing teams are well aware of McCray’s weakness and will focus their ground attack toward his side of the field, sources say. It will be up to McCray to prove he’s a more complete player than anyone thinks. New Orleans’ defense has been at its best against one-dimensional running teams like the Raiders and Vikings. If it loses that edge because there’s a drop-off with McCray in the lineup, the Saints will have a hard time stopping anyone. The Saints fared OK in Week 10 vs. the run, surrendering 113 rushing yards in a loss.

October

Oct. 31, 2008   

DT Ellis holds key to Saints' pass rush

Sources say the Saints are counting on DT Sedrick Ellis to help rejuvenate their pass rush in the second half of the season. Heading into their bye in Week Nine, the Saints were tied for 17th in the league in sacks. However, in five games in which Ellis has played, New Orleans had 10 sacks. In the three contests he missed due to a knee injury, New Orleans had just four. Ellis, a rookie out of USC, only has one sack thus far, but he’s so disruptive inside that it forces O-lines to shift their attention toward him, freeing up DEs Charles Grant and Will Smith — all five of their combined sacks occurred when Ellis was healthy. Ellis’ play will become even more valuable should Grant and Smith lose their appeals and face four-game suspensions later this season. They both reportedly tested positive for a diuretic called Bumetanide, which is also a NFL-banned masking substance.

Oct. 23, 2008   

Cautious Saints target Week 12 comeback for vulnerable RB Bush

Updated at 9:35 a.m. EDT Monday Oct. 27

Reggie Bush

Don’t count on the Saints rushing RB Reggie Bush back into the lineup. The way we hear it, the team will be cautious as he recovers from arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Team insiders say the earliest date for Bush’s return is likely Nov. 24 — a Monday-night tilt vs. the Packers. If he remains on schedule, Bush will miss only three games, since New Orleans gets a bye in Week Nine.

Bush suffered the knee injury in Week Seven during a punt return. He completed the return by running out of bounds but pulled up lame on the sideline when something popped in his knee. The third-year veteran underwent surgery Oct. 20 in Birmingham, Ala. This type of surgery is common — Saints DT Sedrick Ellis underwent a procedure to fix his meniscus about three weeks ago and returned to the starting lineup in Week Eight — but there is an added level of concern about Bush, since he’s the focal point of New Orleans’ offense.

The unsettling truth for Bush is that knee injuries will be a constant danger for him. This is Bush’s second knee injury in less than a year — he suffered a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament last season, which caused him to miss the final four games. Few running backs his size are asked to handle such a large workload, and he’s constantly exposed to a harsh beating, which inevitably leads to injuries.

Coach Sean Payton has made an effort to utilize Bush less on inside runs, and Bush makes a point in his running style to avoid tacklers. However, he needs to continue working on that aspect of his game. Hard hits are unavoidable in football, but he’ll have to do all he can to minimize the number of those he allows his vulnerable frame to sustain.

With Bush on the mend, RB Deuce McAllister will take on a bigger role in the ground game, but he, too, will have to proceed with caution. McAllister suffered his second torn ACL in three years last season. In Week Eight, without Bush, the Saints managed just 70 rushing yards in a win over the Chargers. McAllister had 55 yards and a TD on 18 carries.

Also, recent reports indicate the Saints are in danger of losing McAllister. He’s facing a four-game suspension after testing positive for Bumetanide, a masking substance that is banned by the league.

Oct. 16, 2008   

Moore establishing himself in Saints' deep receiving corps

Updated at 10:05 a.m. EDT Monday. Oct. 20

Lance Moore

With WR Marques Colston (thumb) and TE Jeremy Shockey (sports hernia) back in action in Week Seven, and the impending return of WR David Patten (groin), it would seem to signal the end of WR Lance Moore’s run as a prominent player in the Saints’ offense.

In that crowded field of pass catchers, it would appear to be extremely difficult for Moore, who was buried on the depth chart before the injuries took out the aforementioned trio, to get much attention. Moore had three catches for 10 yards last week.

It’s true that Moore might not enjoy as large of a role as he did when those three key contributors were out, but sources say QB Drew Brees trusts him and likes his style of play. The third-year receiver won’t fall far out of the picture. He won’t be allowed to because of the way Brees, who doesn’t lock in on any one target, is operating. Brees’ desire to spread the ball around the field is what makes a player like Moore so valuable. Moore is undersized at 5-9, 190 pounds, but he also is fearless. He makes tough catches over the middle in traffic and can take a hit while holding onto the ball.

Moore already has more yards this season (341) than he did in his prior two years combined (312) and also has tied his career high for touchdowns (two).

If anyone is going to be shoved aside in the suddenly crowded field of pass catchers, it’s going to be WR Robert Meachem. Meachem has emerged as a big-play threat in his second season, but unlike Moore, who has seen time as both a kick and punt returner, he doesn’t play on special teams. If Payton is faced with the decision of keeping one of his five wide receivers off the active roster on Sundays, Moore will not be an option, insiders say.

Moore, whom one source called a “revelation,” might have done enough in his three-game starting stint to cut into Patten’s reps. Colston, of course, returns as the No. 1 option and Devery Henderson will continue to get an opportunity as New Orleans’ weapon on the deep pass play.

Last week, in his first game back, Colston was shut out, failing to catch a pass in the Saints’ loss to the Panthers. Shockey led the team in the catch department with five, while Henderson led in receiving yardage with 80 on three catches.

Oct. 9, 2008   

Saints' secondary hit hard by loss of Porter

Updated at 9:46 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 13

Surgery forced Saints CB Tracy Porter to the injured-reserve list after he suffered a dislocated right wrist in a Week Five loss to the Vikings, leaving the team with a gap in a place where it can ill afford one. New Orleans had long been waiting for a playmaker to emerge in its secondary and Porter, a rookie, showed signs of becoming that type of player. He earned a starting job in camp and brought a speed element the Saints’ defensive backfield lacked. Close observers said, aside from Mike McKenzie, Porter performed as well as any of the corners through the first five games of the season. In his absence, Randall Gay will take over as a starter alongside McKenzie. Gay was credited with four tackles and three passes defensed in the Week Six win over Oakland. Jason David or Aaron Glenn, who has been sidelined since Week Two by an ankle injury, will handle nickel responsibilities.

Oct. 3, 2008   

Rookie OG Nicks looks like fifth-round steal for Saints

Several backups have stepped up as the Saints deal with a slew of recent injuries, but few have been more impressive than rookie OG Carl Nicks, we hear. Nicks, a fifth-round pick from Nebraska, took over as the starting left guard after Jamar Nesbit received a four-game suspension before Week Four. The left side of the O-line has looked a bit more powerful than usual since the lineup change. New Orleans has sent its running backs in the direction of Nicks and OLT Jammal Brown frequently and with good results. Sources say if Nicks stays consistent, it might be difficult for Nesbit to get his job back when he returns Oct. 20. Even if the starting stint only lasts four games, it will be used as an audition for next season. ORG Jahri Evans, will be a restricted free agent this offseason, and Nicks is a potential replacement should he depart.

September

Sept. 26, 2008   

Saints not expected to change approach as injuries take toll

Updated at 9:20 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 29

Injuries have torn through the Saints’ roster, leaving their offense shorthanded, but there is little room for a letdown during their current crucial three-game home stretch. Sources in New Orleans say this is a period in the campaign where the team can least afford a prolonged slump. The Saints beat the 49ers, 31-17, on Sept. 28, but they face a grueling series of road contests and will not host a game at the Superdome from Oct. 13 to Nov. 23, including a matchup in London vs. the Chargers and a bye week.

If the Saints can’t make due with the remaining healthy pieces, their season could deteriorate quickly and leave them as afterthoughts in the NFC playoff picture.

Head coach Sean Payton will be without two main cogs in the passing game for at least another month as WR Marques Colston (thumb) and TE Jeremy Shockey (sports hernia) recover from injuries and starting OLG Jamar Nesbit is serving a four-game suspension, which will keep him off the field until Oct. 20.

Despite the myriad of issues this presents for the squad, insiders say they don’t expect Payton to dumb down the offense at all.

The Saints still believe they can continue running an efficient, explosive offense as long as QB Drew Brees is under center guiding the unit. After building a lead against the 49ers last week, New Orleans was able to place a much greater emphasis on its running game, but sources don’t expect the team to scrap its pass-first philosophy. Payton will continue to center his game plans around RB Reggie Bush, who has been making a much bigger impact as a receiver, and WRs Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem are being counted on to step up and fill voids left in the aerial attack. Fans were clamoring for RB Deuce McAllister, who, prior to Week Four, had been used sparingly while the Saints eased him back from a torn ACL and microfracture surgery on his knee, to get an increased role, and Payton finally unleashed him against San Francisco. McAllister had 20 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown.

While conditions around him change, all indications are Payton won’t shift gears. He has a plan in place and intends to stick with it as he steers his club through a chaotic, injury-riddled time.

Sept. 19, 2008   

Return of CB McKenzie not a cure-all for Saints' secondary

Updated at 9:40 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 22

The Saints’ secondary is in need of some bolstering and although CB Mike McKenzie is expected to provide it now that he has returned to action, there are some serious concerns about just what he can provide at this point. McKenzie tore his ACL late last season and the team was very cautious in getting him back onto the field. At 32, he doesn’t make cuts or pedal like he used to, and the injury only makes those crucial movements more difficult. McKenzie did have an interception in his 2008 debut, picking off Jay Cutler in a loss to the Broncos. Sources say talk about how much New Orleans missed McKenzie was a bit overblown, but there is a sense that his attitude and confidence bring something that it has lacked. McKenzie doesn’t get rattled, even when things aren’t going well, and he brings the right mentality for the position, which could be a model for young CBs Randall Gay and Tracy Porter.

Sept. 11, 2008   

RB McAllister stuck as an emergency plan in New Orleans

Updated at 9:01 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 15

It appears RB Deuce McAllister will remain an emergency option and a backup plan for the Saints. He was activated in Week One but did not play a single down, and he had a grand total of just two carries in Week Two. We hear the team is pleased with second-year RB Pierre Thomas, and if he continues to play well, there’s no guarantee that McAllister will regain a big role in the ground game this year. Reggie Bush appears to be making strides, as well, in his third season, although he was limited to just 28 rushing yards last week. McAllister tore his left ACL almost one year ago, and he also underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee in the winter. New Orleans is not counting him out yet, but there are better options ahead of him at this point, and that might not change soon.

Sept. 4, 2008   

Saints looking thin at defensive end

Sources close to the Saints were mystified by the team's decision to keep only three defensive ends on the active roster. The lack of depth could become a major concern should Will Smith, Charles Grant or Bobby McCray suffer an injury. Aside from bringing in a free-agent castoff, which the Saints have shown no indication of pursuing, their best option to add some depth would likely be bringing DE Josh Savage, a third-year veteran with 13 games of experience, off the practice squad. The Saints are taking the opposite approach at cornerback, where they are stocked with seven players. Word is New Orleans will beef up at defensive end when it's convinced that starting CB Mike McKenzie is fully recovered from a torn ACL he suffered late last season and CB Usama Young is over a hamstring injury that nagged him in the preseason. It may be a few weeks before the Saints feel comfortable enough to trim the corner corps and add some cushioning at end.

August

Aug. 29, 2008   

Saints have yet to see the new Bush

Saints RB Reggie Bush appeared to set the tone for a major bounce-back campaign in 2008 when he committed to staying in New Orleans during the offseason so he could be around his teammates and work on improving his speed and strength. We hear, however, that there has been little evidence of a new and improved Bush thus far in the preseason after he struggled through a disappointing sophomore season in ’07. Sources say Bush still seems to be shuffling his feet behind the line of scrimmage and that he waits too long for holes to develop. As he enters his third season, Bush is expected to be the focal point of the Saints’ offense, and he will get plenty of chances to prove he deserves that role. It’s only the preseason, but there are some warning signs that Bush might not be able to come through with the kind of season he and the team had envisioned.

Aug. 20, 2008   

Saints CB David in danger of unemployment

The Saints’ defense as a whole has been disappointing thus far, after it was expected to be vastly improved based on an offseason retooling. However, no individual has stood out more as a culprit in the team’s woes than CB Jason David. Sources say there’s a chance he could be cut before the season begins. David appears to be a liability whenever he’s on the field, whether it’s getting beat deep or giving receivers too much of a cushion. We hear defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, who typically remains pretty quiet, was publicly critical of David recently and said David missed assignments in a preseason loss to the Texans. Close observers of the squad expect Randall Gay and Mike McKenzie, assuming the latter can recover from the torn ACL he suffered last December, to be the starters in Week One. Usama Young and Jason Craft look to be secure as backups. Although he looks good in practice, David’s failure to deliver in games could cost him a roster spot if he doesn’t quickly get things figured out.

Aug. 13, 2008   

Meachem thriving, putting pressure on Saints' Henderson

Devery Henderson

The way we hear it, Saints WR Robert Meachem's strong showing early in the preseason, including a stunning display in the opening game Aug. 7 against the Cardinals (four catches, 129 yards, one TD), has helped calm fears that he might be a first-round bust. In the process, the second-year veteran has placed tremendous pressure on WR Devery Henderson, who finds himself battling for a roster spot. While Meachem sat out all of his rookie year with a knee injury, Henderson struggled through an inconsistent season. According to our sources in New Orleans, if Meachem continues to show he’s a trusted deep threat, Henderson, who has been slowed by a hamstring injury in camp, is in danger of being cut. Word is Meachem, the 27th overall pick in the ’07 draft, is a lock to make the team and is working hard to prove he deserves to play more snaps.

Aug. 1, 2008   

Saints' D-line gets new look with arrival of Ellis

The Saints finally were able to put all the pieces of their revamped defensive line in place when rookie DT Sedrick Ellis ended his brief holdout and agreed to a five-year contract July 29. With the addition of Ellis and free-agent signee DE Bobby McCray, the Saints will have a more athletic, versatile front four. We hear New Orleans is likely to experiment with a nickel line of Will Smith and McCray at defensive end and Ellis and Charles Grant, who normally plays end, at defensive tackle. Unlike past years, when the Saints didn’t have much of a pass rush up the middle on 3rd-and-long, with Ellis and Grant inside, they should be able to get much more of a push and open things up for Smith, a Pro Bowler in ’06, and McCray, who impressed observers with his quickness in minicamp. The squad has a great deal of depth at defensive tackle with Hollis Thomas and Brian Young, both of whom were regular starters in the past, rotating on first and second downs and Kendrick Clancy and Antwan Lake serving as full-time backups.

July

July 26, 2008   

Saints go all out for title run

Jeremy Shockey (left) and Jonathan Vilma

The Saints closed the final days before training camp with a bang, acquiring TE Jeremy Shockey in a trade with the Giants and signing WR Marques Colston to a three-year contract extension. Sources say the organization believed that Shockey was the one missing piece from the roster and had identified him as a top target of their offseason plan early in the winter. With Shockey on board, we hear that the team considers itself a definite Super Bowl contender. The Saints were willing to mortgage a large portion of their future on winning this year. In order to acquire Shockey, New Orleans gave up second- and fifth-round picks in ’09. When the team traded for MLB Jonathan Vilma in February, it sent a conditional ’09 pick to the Jets. That pick could become a second-, third-, or fourth-rounder depending on some provisions written into the swap, according to sources, but at the very least, the Saints have given up second-, fourth- and fifth-round picks in next year’s draft, which will seem like a small price to pay if the team does make a run to the title this season. However, if things don’t go according to plan, losing those picks could sting for years to come.

July 16, 2008   

Signs pointing to a better year for Saints TE Johnson

Saints TE Eric Johnson is a strong candidate for a bounce-back year after a disappointing debut season in New Orleans, the way we hear it. Sources say he’s bound to be better this time after scuffling through ’07 while battling a case of the drops, which went against the reputation he had built during the six previous seasons with the 49ers. Word is Johnson looked more comfortable in the Saints’ offense during OTAs and is working on carving out a more defined role in the passing game. The Saints clearly think he has more to offer than what he showed last season, since they re-signed him to a one-year deal in March. Nevertheless, Johnson will share snaps with Billy Miller and Mark Campbell, who missed all of ’07 with a back injury. Campbell’s return could relieve Johnson of some pressure — he’s the team’s best run-blocking tight end and will likely allow Johnson to focus more on his pass-catching duties.

July 11, 2008   

Saints not rushing extension for ORG Evans

We hear the Saints are not feeling a sense of urgency to get a contract extension done for ORG Jahri Evans before the season starts and will handle his situation much like that of WR Marques Colston, who, like Evans, will become a restricted free agent after the season. Aside from OLT Jammal Brown, Evans is the Saints’ most valuable member of the offensive line, according to many observers, and he has started every game since getting drafted in the fourth round of 2006. He likely is headed for a major pay day, whether it comes this year or next, but sources in New Orleans say that negotiations could hit a snag if his agent is looking for make-up money since Evans may believe he’s underpaid. Evans has been a major bargain for the Saints and is scheduled to make $445,000 this season. Evans’ contract negotiations may not get the same amount of attention that Colston’s will, but he is viewed as a major building block for the team and is high on GM Mickey Loomis’ list of priorities.

June

June 25, 2008   

Kaesviharn moves to supplant Bullocks as Saints' starting free safety

With Saints FS Josh Bullocks out for OTAs while on the mend from knee surgery, Kevin Kaesviharn has moved ahead in the race to become the team’s starting free safety, the way we hear it. Bullocks is the incumbent at the position and has started 43 of the 46 games he has played in during his three seasons in the league, but his performance has been inconsistent, particularly in coverage. Missing a large chunk of time that could have been spent working on eliminating mistakes that plagued him in the past didn’t help his cause as he enters his contract year. Kaesviharn started three games last season, his first with New Orleans, but sources say he looks like the more dependable option at this point and is penciled in as the starter next to SS Roman Harper, who also has encountered consistency issues. Competition throughout the Saints’ secondary should last through training camp and the preseason as defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs tries to improve his unit’s pass defense, which ranked 30th in the league last season.

June 13, 2008   

No setbacks for Saints MLB Vilma in rehab from knee surgery

The major piece of the Saints’ rebuilt defense, MLB Jonathan Vilma, told PFW this week that he’s in the final stage of his rehab from surgery last fall to repair a dead piece of bone that became dislodged in his knee, and that the knee held up well through the team’s OTAs and minicamp. “(The knee) feels like (it did) before surgery,” Vilma said. “The only difference is the muscles aren’t used to practicing. It’s been nine months since I’ve been on the field. I just have to get used to the plays again, running and cutting, the defensive and offensive system. I’m just getting acclimated to everything.” The Saints are hopeful that a healthy knee and a return to the 4-3 defensive scheme he’s more comfortable in will be a combination that leads to Vilma performing at the Pro Bowl level he displayed before the Jets hired head coach Eric Mangini and switched to a 3-4 defense in 2006. Vilma said he’s not quite 100 percent yet and he’s not sure when he will be, but thus far the soreness hasn’t been much of a problem for him. “I’m pretty much able to do everything,” he said. “I really need to be cognizant of when I’m trying to push it too hard and, fortunately, I haven’t been in that situation yet. I’m able to do everything. The question is: How much of everything should I be doing?”

May

May 29, 2008   

Tight competition looming among Saints' receiving corps

Don’t be surprised if Saints WR Devery Henderson gets caught looking over his shoulder as the team approaches training camp. He’ll have some added competition for a spot in the WR corps this season. While it’s clear New Orleans sees some good in Henderson — it re-signed him March 1 to a one-year, $2 million deal — his job as the No. 3 receiver could be in jeopardy if second-year WR Robert Meachem continues to perform as well as he has in recent offseason practices, the way we hear it. Sources say Meachem looks like a different player than the one who spent all of last season on the sideline nursing a knee injury. He appears healed, and his size and speed have impressed observers. Meanwhile, Henderson has tremendous speed, but his hands are suspect, and drops have consistently been a problem for him. New Orleans will likely take five or six receivers out of camp, with Marques Colston, David Patten and Meachem as locks to make the roster. Henderson, Lance Moore, Terrance Copper and seventh-round pick Adrian Arrington, who has also shown impressive flashes in OTAs, will compete for the last two or three slots.

May 21, 2008   

Saints set to move on without MLB Morgan

After an injury-plagued seven seasons, Saints MLB Dan Morgan announced Monday that he was retiring. Morgan, who spent his entire career with the Panthers before joining New Orleans this offseason, was frustrated that his body wasn’t responding recently as he had hoped it would. He missed most of last season with a partially torn Achilles tendon and also dealt with some shoulder problems. There was also a lingering concern about concussions, which he encountered multiple times during his career. His retirement doesn’t come as much of a blow to the Saints, who viewed Morgan as a luxury more than a necessity. He had always been a long shot to make the team, given his health condition and the Saints' depth at linebacker, with Mark Simoneau, who made 29 starts for the club in the last two seasons, serving as the primary backup in the middle and on the weak side. Sources indicate the team may look to add another free-agent ’backer to the mix before training camp, now that Morgan is officially out of the picture. Adding more bodies will become more of a need if MLB Jonathan Vilma suffers a setback as he tries to return from a knee injury that kept him sidelined half of last season.

May 14, 2008   

Saints' defense loaded with health concerns

The Saints’ offseason moves have been directed mostly at revamping their defense, which was in dire need of an infusion of speed and athleticism, and it appears they have collected the parts necessary to improve the unit. However, just how much better the defense will be is hinging on some not-so-reliable parts, including MLB Jonathan Vilma’s knee, which kept him out for half of last season, MLB Dan Morgan’s fragile body and DE Charles Grant’s left ankle, which underwent surgery in January to repair a torn ligament. If Morgan is healthy and able to contribute, it will be considered a luxury, but Vilma and Grant are being counted on to start. Additionally, DE Will Smith is threatening to hold out if he doesn’t receive a new contract. It’s a dangerous strategy for New Orleans to count on so many potential question marks, and one that could come back to haunt them if some of these feeble bodies don’t hold up.

May 9, 2008   

Saints' courtship of RB Alexander could be a drawn-out process

The Saints scheduled a visit with free-agent RB Shaun Alexander, who was recently cut by the Seahawks, this week, but we hear it's unlikely that a deal between New Orleans and the former league MVP is imminent. Alexander is looking for a team that will give him significant playing time, and the Saints' situation will not allow for any guarantees. If Deuce McAllister is able to return from a torn ACL and microfracture surgery, Alexander likely wouldn't be higher than third on the squad's depth chart, which isn't the role he's pursuing. New Orleans already has one of the deepest backfields in the league, with Reggie Bush, Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas also in the mix. However, the team is in wait-and-see mode with McAllister and does not want to get stuck in a similar situation to last season, when Bush struggled after he became the every-down back. If the Saints are able to determine early in training camp that McAllister will be unable to perform at the necessary level, a move to sign Alexander might make sense for both parties. Until then, Alexander will continue to explore other options.

April

April 25, 2008   

New contract for DE Smith in the works

Saints DE Will Smith has opted not to attend the team’s offseason workouts thus far in an expression of his desire for a new contract, but our source in New Orleans says negotiations have not been contentious and there’s reason to believe a deal will be agreed to in the near future. The Saints have a history of locking up key players with long-term deals and rarely lose one of their own because of contract negotiations gone awry. Just last year New Orleans signed DE Charles Grant to a seven-year, $63 million deal after he had voiced his displeasure when the club initially used the franchise tag on him. That said, the team’s front office does not want to look like a pushover that’s willing to dole out megadeals to anyone who asks for one. The Saints view Smith, however, as a player who has earned it. He has averaged nearly 8½ sacks in his four seasons and will be paid a salary of about $1 million for the ’08 season, which is a relative bargain for a player of his caliber. The Saints are committed to crafting a new contract, and the process could speed up following the Vikings’ signing of DE Jared Allen to a six-year, $74 million deal. That provides a ceiling for the terms of Smith’s next agreement. Allen, who entered the league in 2004, the same year as Smith, has averaged almost 2½ sacks per season more than Smith.

April 11, 2008   

Saints' stockpile of corners will get trimmed in camp

The Saints decided not to splurge on a bank-breaking deal for CB Asante Samuel earlier in free agency and have instead chosen to add lower-tier CBs Randall Gay and, most recently, Aaron Glenn to the secondary in an effort to eliminate holes before the draft. Sean Payton doesn’t want to feel like he absolutely has to pick from one position group on Draft Day, but even though the team's depth at cornerback is solid, there is still a good chance New Orleans will spend a pick in the top three rounds on a corner, with the hope of landing a playmaker, according to team insiders. The Saints currently have eight corners on their roster, and six of them have a legitimate shot at making the team as major contributors. Sources say Gay, Mike McKenzie and Usama Young appear to be roster locks. Potentially on the bubble are Glenn, Jason David and Jason Craft. New Orleans made a major investment in David last offseason, and observers say he ranges anywhere from the team’s No. 1 corner to the odd man out. David looked lost outside of the cover-2 last season, but if he can make the adjustment to man coverage, he’s a safe bet to stick around. That would leave a battle between Glenn and Craft for a spot as the nickel or dime corner. However, if the Saints spend a draft pick on a rookie who shows he’s prepared to contribute immediately, both Glenn and Craft could become expendable.

April 2, 2008   

Vilma's story becoming eerily similar to Brees'

Two seasons ago, Drew Brees was shown the door by the Chargers after he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder during the 2005 season finale. Brees, thought by some to be damaged goods, joined the Saints the next season and set career highs for completions and passing yards while leading the team to the NFC championship game. One source in New Orleans said he sees in MLB Jonathan Vilma a mirror to Brees’ story. Vilma was sent packing by the Jets in a trade with the Saints after he missed the final nine games of last season with a right knee injury. A Pro Bowler in 2005, Vilma was moved from his natural position in the middle when coach Eric Mangini implemented a 3-4 defense in New York before the 2006 season. Vilma struggled in the new system but will return to a 4-3 defense in New Orleans and has shown in past seasons he has the ability to carry a defense, which is exactly the kind of linebacker the Saints have lacked the past two seasons.

March

March 26, 2008   

Saints' McAllister on the mend but agrees to delay contract bonus

We hear the Saints are keeping a close eye on RB Deuce McAllister’s progress this offseason as he recovers from the September surgery he had on both knees. McAllister has said he fully expects to be ready when New Orleans’ minicamp begins sometime around June 1, but he and the team recently agreed to delay his $1 million roster bonus from March 15 to April 15 in a move to give the Saints more time to assess his health status. Our sources say it made sense for McAllister, who has torn an ACL in two of the past three seasons, to avoid taking a contentious, hard-line stance because he doesn’t want to end up being cut and becoming a free agent, only to have teams question his ability to stay healthy. Word is it’s likely the two sides will negotiate as the time for the bonus approaches and may modify McAllister’s current contract, which will pay him $3.6 million in base salary in 2008 along with the roster bonus and a $100,000 workout bonus. A new deal could add incentives, punctuated by bonuses for games played, number of carries or other objectives that will be met only if the 29-year-old can avoid another trip to the injured-reserve list.

March 21, 2008   

Saints WR Meachem seeking guidance from Patten

As the Saints gathered together this week for a team meeting and made plans for the offseason training program, WR Robert Meachem found a mentor in the receiving corps. We hear Meachem, coming off a rookie season in which he did not suit up for a single game, partly because of a knee injury he suffered before the season, will partner with veteran David Patten during workouts. Patten, an 11-year veteran and three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, has battled knee injuries in past seasons and is viewed as a great mentor to the humble, soft-spoken Meachem. Patten, who is known in the locker room as a hard worker, according to our source, had his best statistical year since 2004 last season, was second on the team in receiving yards and touchdowns and signed a two-year deal to remain with the club on March 3. Meachem, a highly touted prospect and the team's first-round pick last year, has a realistic shot of going from the sideline to No. 2 on the depth chart next season if he's healthy.

March 12, 2008   

Saints host QB Brunell for backup audition

The Saints may be targeting a new veteran backup for QB Drew Brees. New Orleans hosted Trent Green last week before he signed with the Rams on Monday, and Mark Brunell was in town for an audition on Tuesday. We hear head coach Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis are trying to find a reserve they can trust and are not interested in players looking to revive their careers, like Daunte Culpepper or Joey Harrington. By entertaining Brunell and Green, the Saints made it clear that they’re not completely satisfied with Jamie Martin, who has backed up Brees for the past two seasons. Martin is a free agent this offseason, but a source said it would be premature to rule out the re-signing of the 38-year-old, especially if Brunell, 37, has a poor showing in the Big Easy. Todd Collins replaced Brunell as the Redskins’ backup to Jason Campbell last season.

March 5, 2008   

Gay will have to learn from, not repeat CB David's mistakes

The Saints have made three additions to their defense since the free-agent signing period began Feb. 29, trading for Jets MLB Jonathan Vilma and signing a pair of unrestricted free agents — Patriots CB Randall Gay and Jaguars DE Bobby McCray. The addition of Gay has been viewed as a crucial move while New Orleans attempts to upgrade its 30th-ranked pass defense and he will likely bump Jason David from a starting CB spot to nickel back. David struggled mightily last season, his first with the Saints, playing in their man-to-man scheme after becoming accustomed to the comfort of the Colts’ cover-2 system. However, some wonder whether Gay, who played mostly zone in New England, will have a similar experience to that of David’s in his first season with the Saints. If Gay and David, whose contracts combine to be worth more than $30 million, cannot make a smooth adjustment in the Big Easy, the Saints will have a pair of pricey mistakes on their hands.

February

Feb. 29, 2008   

Saints sorting out priorities as free agency begins

Our source in New Orleans said reports of a “done deal” between the Saints and free-agent CB Asante Samuel are not accurate. We hear the team will make a run at the former Patriots Pro Bowler, but Samuel may price himself out of the team’s range, even though it’s in dire need of help at cornerback and has cap flexibility. New Orleans has close to $30 million in cap space, but some of that could be allocated — if not this offseason, within the next year — toward long-term extensions for DE Will Smith and WR Marques Colston, both of whom will become free agents after the 2008 season. According to reports, Samuel is seeking a contract that will pay him $10 million per season. The Saints need help not just at cornerback but at defensive tackle, linebacker and tight end — GM Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton may decide to pass on Samuel, knowing that throwing all that money at one player would limit their ability to fill voids at so many other positions.

Feb. 20, 2008   

Humbled RB Bush looking for fresh start in New Orleans

Saints RB Reggie Bush spoke with New Orleans media for the first time since the season ended as he hosted a charity event during the recent NBA All-Star weekend in the Crescent City. Word is he showed some signs of maturity. Bush appeared humbled by a trying sophomore season, in which he missed the final four games because of a knee injury and averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and 5.7 per catch. Our source said Bush wants to spend more time in New Orleans this offseason than he did last year, which could help his relationship with teammates. Some Saints players were less than sympathetic when Bush struggled in his second season out of USC. Last offseason, Bush spent a lot of time away from the team, working out with a private trainer. Other good news for the Saints is that Bush does not need surgery to repair the torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Feb. 13, 2008   

Off-field troubles for Bush, Grant shake up Saints’ offseason

Though neither has been found guilty of any wrongdoing, the separate offseason investigations involving RB Reggie Bush and DE Charles Grant created an ominous vibe as the Saints begin a critical offseason. According to reports, Bush will give a deposition Feb. 25 in regard to the lawsuit filed against him by former sports marketer Lloyd Lake, who is suing Bush for breach of contract. Lake is alleging he provided Bush with almost $300,000 in cash and benefits while Bush, who has maintained his innocence, was at USC. The outcome of the case may not have much of an effect on the Saints, but it could cost Bush his Heisman Trophy and greatly damage his public image and his relationship with Saints fans. Grant was stabbed in the neck during an altercation outside a club near Colquitt, Ga., early on the morning of Feb. 3, and a pregnant woman was shot at the scene and died. The woman was an innocent bystander, and no charges have been filed against Grant as authorities investigate the death. Our source in New Orleans said Grant hasn’t been a problem in the locker room, but because of the group of people he surrounds himself with off the field, the incident did not come as a huge surprise.

January

Jan. 30, 2008   

Saints’ trip to London could upset fans, hurt New Orleans' economy

Updated at 4:25 p.m. EST Saturday, Feb. 2

The announcement that the Saints will play the Chargers next season in London — the site of the 2007 regular season’s Giants-Dolphins matchup — was not received positively by everybody. While the benefits of playing across the Atlantic are obvious — increased exposure globally — some in the city of New Orleans are crying foul. The Saints, reportedly, will be the home team in London, meaning they will have to give up one of the eight scheduled contests at the Superdome in 2008. In many cities, the loss of one home game wouldn’t cause much of a stir, but in the Big Easy, where the economy is still reeling from the damage cause by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, this will be yet another highly unpopular decision by owner Tom Benson. The millions of dollars that pour into New Orleans on regular-season Sundays when the Saints play at home will be cut by an eighth — a significant chunk of income.