Jim Zorn, Washington Redskins / Photo: Newscom

There were key turnovers—three in all. Late in the first half, with a touchdown lead—after an interception of Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Kareem Moore fumbled into the waiting arms of Saints receiver Robert Meachem who returned it for a touchdown. Deflating. That tied the game at halftime. In the second half and overtime, two costly turnovers (a careless interception by Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell and a fumble after a reception by Mike Sellers) gave the Saints golden chances to put the game away. As they eventually would.

What really turned the tide in this game, though, was a missed field goal. It started with 6:52 to play in regulation. The Skins methodically moved the ball from their own 41 to the New Orleans four-yard-line. In the NFL, you have to assume your kicker (in this case Shaun Suisham) can make a 23-yard field goal to give you a two score lead with less than two minutes to play. It was elementary and it would virtually lock the game. So the Skins played the percentages by running the ball into traffic and burning the clock, forcing the Saints to use the remainder of their timeouts. And I don’t fault Redskins head coach Jim Zorn for that, even though running their regular offense probably would’ve resulted in a two touchdown lead. But Suisham missed the chip-shot field goal attempt and five plays later, the Saints tied the game.

There are a few things you simply can’t get away with (interceptions and missing easy field goals) and still expect to win at this level, especially against a team as good as the New Orleans Saints. The Redskins did all those things today. And in most cases, that’s what separates the good teams (like the Saints) from the bad teams (like the Redskins).

Source: NFL.com

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Redskins Help Saints Stay Undefeated

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints / Image: Zuma Press

The Saints amassed just under 500 yards of total offense in scoring 38 points—even without slasher back Reggie Bush. Drew Brees was as close to perfect as a quarterback can be in this league. And the defense forced two Tom Brady interceptions and held the Pats to just 17 points—without starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter. That’s impressive.

Of their five remaining games, only the Dallas Cowboys appear to pose a serious threat to an undefeated New Orleans Saints season. And that particular game is in the Superdome. So I’m going to go ahead and give the Saints a perfect 16-0 record with home field advantage heading into the playoffs. As far as the road to Super Bowl XLIV is concerned, I’ve got to say—advantage Saints.

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Will the New Orleans Saints Go Undefeated?

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?

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints / Image: Zuma Press

Source: NewOrleansSaints.com

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Drew Brees Explodes on Detroit Lions

Louisiana Superdome, Super Bowl XLVII / Photo: Newscom

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson was understandably thrilled:

“This is a great accomplishment for New Orleans, and the significance of bringing the Super Bowl to our city and region can’t be overstated. From every perspective, this shows that our city is on the rise, viable and thriving, and I have great faith in what we can accomplish and the impact it will have, starting today. This is my hometown, and maybe we don’t need to talk about New Orleans being on the way back anymore. New Orleans is back, and today is proof.”

What a tremendous opportunity for a city that has been trying so hard to make a comeback from such a terrible disaster. The economic effect to the area hotels, restaurants, vendors and other businesses will be tremendous. They will all benefit from today’s exciting announcement.

Source: NewOrleansSaints.com

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New Orleans Awarded 2013 Super Bowl

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Yesterday, I wrote about the New Orleans Saints signing 12-year veteran safety Darren Sharper and revamping their defense. Today, much to my surprise, the team released one of their best defensive players — 10-year veteran cornerback Mike McKenzie. Mike played five seasons with the Saints after coming over from Green Bay in 2004. He started all but one of the 63 games he played in and had 225 tackles, 58 passes defensed, 12 interceptions and one forced fumble. He wasn’t the reason for the team’s less-than-stellar defensive efforts the past couple seasons. Saints Executive Vice President and General Manager Mickey Loomis made the following statement:

“Decisions such as these are the hardest to make in this business. Mike has been a stand-out performer for the Saints both on-and-off-the-field during his career. We wish him well in his future and thank him for all of his efforts representing the Saints.”

I’m torn on this one just as I am anytime a quality veteran player is released before his time. While I can usually understand the reasoning (especially if it’s financial but in this case it’s most likely due to ongoing injuries), I think Mike’s numbers speak for themselves enough that he could/should be an important piece of the new defensive puzzle in New Orleans. Now he won’t get that chance. But the Saints’ loss will be another team’s gain.

Source: NewOrleansSaints.com, Photo: Newscom

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Saints Release Mike McKenzie

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The New Orleans Saints signed former Minnesota Vikings safety Darren Sharper today. Terms of the deal weren’t known at the time of this post. At 33-years-old, Darren has no doubt seen his best years, but he will probably give the Saints some much needed leadership in their defensive secondary. After all, he’s been to four Pro Bowls and has 54 career interceptions, which is more than any other active player. He seemed pretty excited to be leaving Minnesota to play for new Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams:

“He’s excellent. I talked to guys around the league, and they loved playing for him. He doesn’t get caught up in, ‘This is my system.’ He utilizes his players to the best of their ability, and that’s something that I’ve been looking for the last couple of years. It’s a chance to go the Super Bowl. We have the best offense in the league. We needed to add some things, and I think we did.”

The Saints were, as Darren said, first in total offense last season but 23rd in total defense. Hence the additions of coach Williams and free agents Paul Spicer (defensive end), Jabari Greer (cornerback) and Darren. How much this defense will be improved is yet to be seen, but they’ve certainly made some positive steps to catch up with their high-powered offense.

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

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Saints Sign Darren Sharper

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

In what had to be one of this offseason’s most difficult decisions, the New Orleans Saints released beloved running back Deuce McAllister today. Deuce has had a magnificent career. Not only is he one of the best players to ever don a Saints uniform (he’s the team’s career rushing leader with 6,069 yards), he’s also one of the most revered athletes in his community. He spoke at length about the difficult decision:

“They say all good things must come to an end. As a player, this is a day that you dread happening. If you don’t go out on your own terms, this is eventually a possibility that may occur. And, to the fans of the New Orleans Saints, it’s been a blessing and an honor to be able to play every Sunday, Monday and Thursday, or whatever day it may have been and just to hear my name and my teammates’ names to be called and through the good and the bad times that we’ve obviously had together, from going through a situation like Katrina and then having an opportunity in 2006 to play in the NFC Championship game. To have all those things happen to me and for me, I’ve been blessed. I just want to tell everyone thank you.”

This actually ended up seeming more like a retirement presser. And with Deuce’s recent string of injuries (including reconstructive surgery on both knees), it might as well have been. I’m not sure at 30-years-old that he’ll be able to catch on with another team. Which means there’s an outside chance he could return to New Orleans for considerably less than the $7 million he was scheduled to make this season. But I doubt it. All I can say is that Deuce has always been a class act both on and off the field. I had the opportunity to interview him twice — once when he was a senior at Ole Miss and another time on a conference call following Katrina. I have a great deal of respect for him and the great player and person he is.

Source: NewOrleansSaints.com, Photo: Newscom

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Saints Release Deuce McAllister

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

I first met linebacker Dan Morgan at the NFL Players Rookie Premiere back in 2001. He had just been drafted by the Carolina Panthers and was excited to start his NFL career. I’ve interviewed him several times since. He turned out to be one of my favorite players. I love the way he plays the game. But seven seasons, five concussions and a torn right Achilles’ tendon later, he was forced into an early retirement. After a year off, Dan announced his “unretirement” today and plans to return to the league with the New Orleans Saints when they begin offseason workouts for the 2009 season:

“I know what everybody thinks on the outside. They think I’m crazy for coming back. You read the things that people say. Everybody’s got their opinions and they’re entitled to that. But my family is behind me, my friends are behind me. That’s really all that matters. I know where I stand with my health. I feel good concussion-wise. I feel good Achilles-wise. I’m ready to come back and play and I’m not worried about it at all.”

Minus the injuries, Dan would be in the prime of his career right now. Remember, he had a gaudy 25 tackles against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII. But I wonder how much of the old Dan Morgan we’ll still see? Sure, he’s been training and distance running and feeling great, but it’s an entirely different situation when contact is involved.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Dan Morgan ‘Unretires’ With 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