Drew Brees and Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints / Photo: Newscom

So why wouldn’t they do the same thing to the Miami Dolphins? They did, of course. The Saints’ offense and defense outscored the Dolphins 22-0 in the final quarter en route to a 46-34 win. And they remained one of three undefeated teams at 6-0 on the season.

So, I’m looking for a crack in the New Orleans armor, but I’m having a hard time finding it. As I mentioned, the offense is the NFL’s best, averaging 427 yards and just under 40 points/game. And the defense is a respectable 11th overall, allowing 307 yards/game. Offensively and defensively, the Saints have the talent to go deep into the playoffs. And if they can keep their key players healthy, they could very well be right back here at Landshark Stadium in Miami for Super Bowl XLIV in February.

Source: NFL.com

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Can Anyone Stop the New Orleans Saints?

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year today. Drew was a great choice. All he did was re-write the Saints’ record books this season. He became just the second player in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards in a single season and he had a team-record and league-leading 34 touchdown passes. Naturally, he spoke of team first:

“I don’t come out from week to week and say I have to throw for 300 (yards). I don’t think about that. It’s really about what I can do to help this team win. Certainly in this offense, being the quarterback, you’re in the driver’s seat. You have the opportunity to control every play and have it in your hands. Every play is about me making good decisions and putting it in a guy’s hands who is open or our playmakers working to their strengths. That’s my job.”

This choice is a little odd considering Drew didn’t get one MVP vote, but he deserves the award. It seems like Drew gets a little better each season. His 5,069 yards passing this season came up just 15 yards short of the all-time record held by Dan Marino. Even if the Saints didn’t make the playoffs, that is called having one heck of a season, especially when you consider the number of injuries the Saints had on the offensive side of the ball (Marques Colston, Reggie Bush, Jerome Shockey). Drew finished with 22 votes. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had nine votes each. Philip Rivers had six votes.

Sources: NewOrleansSaints.com, NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Drew Brees Offensive Player of the Year

With the NFL’s trade deadline fast approaching (October 14), one potential deal that is gaining momentum is Kansas City Chiefs perennial All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez to the N.Y. Giants. It makes sense. Tony’s not getting any younger. He’s done his time in K.C. and it’s fairly evident the schizophrenic Chiefs are in a rebuilding mode (although Chiefs offensive lineman Adrian Jones and I discussed this as kind of bogus last week). The Giants could use a TE and red zone threat to replace Jeremy Shockey (who was traded to New Orleans, of course) because they haven’t gotten much from the position so far this season. Kevin Boss has five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Further down the depth chart, TEs Michael Matthews and Darcy Johnson haven’t registered any stats.

Would Chiefs President/GM/CEO Carl Peterson go for it? I think so. He and Tony are pretty close so I think he would be more apt to do what’s right for Tony’s career. Of course, he’ll make sure the Chiefs are properly compensated. If the Giants are serious about making another title run, it could happen. Shall we say a second- and a fifth-round Draft pick in 2009?

Source: Fox Sports

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Tony Gonzalez to N.Y. Giants?

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Great story on New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey (”Shockey’s Revenge!” as told to David Fleming) on the cover of the new ESPN Magazine (11.19, September 22). Outspoken as always, you’ll hear what J was thinking as he watched his former N.Y. Giants team win Super Bowl XLII without him.

Source: ESPNtheMag.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Jeremy Shockey on ESPN Magazine Cover

Bad news for New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston. He had surgery on his left thumb yesterday and will be out 4-6 weeks. Marques tore a ligament after taking a helmet-first hit to his hands from Tampa Bay Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber last Sunday. Head coach Sean Payton assessed the damage to his top receiver:

“He has a left thumb that he had a procedure done on yesterday. It’s a ligament in his left thumb and basically the surgery was to stabilize the thumb. It’s going to take some time. He had that done yesterday. It’s going to take him a while, a few weeks. By week’s end, he’ll be listed as out in this game. The surgery allows him to stabilize it. He had it done before with his right hand back in college, and weighing the options, it was definitely the best option for us and for Marques to get this done now and get it repaired the right way.”

This is a huge blow to the Saints offense. They had a “Big 4″ going with quarterback Drew Brees, running back Reggie Bush, tight end Jeremy Shockey and Marques. But it will be the rest of the receiving corps that will have to pick up the slack in Marques’ absence — David Patten, Devery Henderson, Terrance Cooper, Lance Moore and Robert Meacham.

Source: NewOrleansSaints.com

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Marques Colston Out 4-6 Weeks

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

ESPN.com blogger Pat Yasinskas watched New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey and quarterback Drew Brees working overtime together after both team practices today. Some speculation is that Jeremy is lobbying for passes to be thrown his way. Or that maybe he’s making a conscious effort to be a good teammate. Either could be true, but I think it’s more likely that:

• Jeremy needs the extra time getting to know the Saints offense.
• Jeremy needs more time to “bond” with his quarterback. Every QB throws the ball differently and the extra time spent with Drew will only make this transition that much smoother.

If he can stay healthy, Jeremy is going to make a huge impact on this team. And the opportunities he’s going to create for his new teammates will be just as important. With Jeremy Shockey, the Saints just got a lot better.

Source: ESPN NFL Nation

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Drew Brees, Jeremy Shockey Working OT

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

The N.Y. Giants traded disgruntled tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints today for second and fifth round picks in next year’s NFL Draft. I expected this trade to happen back in April, so it’s really no surprise the deal finally went down. It’s just a couple months later than I envisioned.

The Giants proved they could win without Jeremy last season as they steamrolled through the playoffs while he watched from the sidelines on crutches. His displeasure with his contract and affinity for stirring the pot in New York made him expendable. Now the Giants just need to make sure Kevin Boss stays healthy. I felt Jeremy made the Giants better right now and gave them a luxury at the tight end position, but obviously the team felt he was doing more harm than good.

I think both the Giants and Saints win in this trade. The Giants get rid of a potential distraction while the Saints get a four-time Pro Bowler and emotional, talented playmaker. Along with Reggie Bush and Marcus Colston, suddenly the Saints have a plethora of weapons for QB Drew Brees to play with. Jeremy will also be reunited with Saints head coach Sean Payton where he was the NFL’s Rookie-of-the-Year (74 receptions, 894 yards) when Coach Payton was his offensive coordinator in 2002.

Source: NY Times, Photo: Newscom

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Giants Trade Jeremy Shockey to Saints

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

In his first public comments since breaking his leg last December, N.Y. Giants TE Jeremy Shockey pointed his finger at his team for the offseason speculation about his future and reported unhappiness:

“The statement I would like to make about the Giants and the speculation in the offseason is that whatever happens between the upper management, lower management, the owners, any management, is going to (stay) between ourselves. Unlike the Giants, I am going to be quiet. They have released multiple things about myself, and if you look back into the media (reports), there is always a source. Well, I would like to know who the source is. I haven’t said one negative thing towards the Giants in the newspapers. I have never expressed the feelings of the things that you guys (the media) made up. You guys will be able to talk to me (more) if I make it to minicamp.”

You’ll notice Jeremy said “if” he makes it to minicamp this week. All indications are that he won’t be there. He was a no-show at the team’s Super Bowl parade, White House visit and championship-ring ceremony. Why would he show-up now? Those absences speak volumes and have led to rumors that Jeremy was trade bait during NFL Draft weekend. But the Giants turned away the offer of a second-round pick this year and a fifth-rounder next year from the Saints. And ownership, management and coaches have repeatedly said they want to keep Jeremy.

Apparently, Jeremy has told friends that he is unhappy with his role, his contract and the notion that the Giants were better off without him after he broke his leg in Week 15 because Eli Manning didn’t have the “burden” of having to pass the ball to Shockey to keep him happy. Give me a break. You know how some receivers are always calling for the ball? Well, there you go, but I’m sure Eli can handle the huddle.

I can’t imagine that the N.Y. Giants are a better football team without Jeremy. Sure, he’s Kid Rock on steroids and pretty volatile at times, but he’s a heck of a football player and should be “taken care of.” On the other hand, the guy has to realize he’s not indispensable. Kevin Boss made great strides late last season, but obviously two quality tight ends are better than one. Jeremy needs to sit down with the front office and iron this out.

Source: NY Daily News, Photo: Newscom

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Jeremy Shockey is Disgruntled