Saints Nation: 1 week away from mini camp

Next week the Saints will be in full on practice mode, contact included, for the team's first mini camp. The offseason is about to really get in gear as we near towards the start of training camp scheduled for July 29/30. Pictured above... is that Shockey dropping footballs and looking dehydrated? We've still got a number of guys nursing injuries (Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Lance Moore) and several other guys who are back after spending at least part of 2008 on injured reserve (Courtney Roby, Tracy Porter, Mark Simoneau, Adrian Arrington, DeMario Pressley, Charles Grant). It will be interesting to see how things unfold. First and foremost, the progressive goal throughout camp needs to be: HEALTH. The Saints were horribly plagued last year by lack of health and it's something they really can't afford this year if they want to go far. While depth is as good as it's ever been in New Orleans, there's only so many injuries to key contributers a team can absorb. Here's to hoping the injuries are minimized.

Saints Nation Fans Have Spoken: Sammy Knight is the best DB in Saints history

With 54% of the vote, Sammy Knight was elected in the Saints Nation Poll as the best defensive back in New Orleans Saints team history. Dave Waymer, a distant second, received 16% of the vote, followed by recently cut Mike McKenzie with 9%. Thanks for voting and please participate in the new Saints poll: Who will lead the team in receptions for 2009?

Saints Nation: All time New Orleans Saints team roster

See below my all time best Saints team, in 53 man roster format. Feel free to add comments on who you would replace. Anyone snubbed?









QB (3): Drew Brees, Archie Manning, Bobby Hebert
HB (3): Deuce McAllister, Dalton Hilliard, George Rodgers
FB (2): Craig Heyward, Terrelle Smith
WR (4): Joe Horn, Eric Martin, Danny Abramowicz, Quinn Early
TE (3): Hoby Brenner, Henry Childs, Wesley Walls
T (4): William Roaf, Stan Brock, Jammal Brown, Kyle Turley
G (3): Jim Dombrowski, Steve Korte, LeCharles Bentley
C (2): Joel Hilgenberg, Jerry Fontenot

DE (4): Wayne Martin, Joe Johnson, Doug Atkins, Frank Warren
DT (3): La'Roi Glover, Jim Wilks, Tony Elliott
OLB (4): Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, Mark Fields, Renaldo Turnbull
MLB (3): Sam Mills, Vaughan Johnson, Winfred Tubbs
CB (4): Dave Whitshell, Johnnie Poe, Mike McKenzie, Ernie Jackson
FS (2): Dave Waymer, Tommy Myers
SS (2): Sammy Knight, Gene Atkins

K (1): Morten Andersen
P (1): Tommy Barnhardt
KR (1): Michael Lewis
PR (1): Reggie Bush
ST (2): Fred McAfee, Bennie Thompson
LS (1): Kevin Houser

Saints Nation: Who has the ball skills?

One thing I've complained about in past years is the Saints never seem to get turnovers. A product of playing in Gary Gibbs' defense was an extremely low number of interceptions. Fast forward to today, the Saints have added playmakers on the back end of their defense that should hopefully improve that statistic. Let's look at some numbers:

Darren Sharper (pictured left) is the measuring stick for not only players on the Saints, but anyone in the NFL. The guy has had a more accomplished career as a ballhawk than any current cornerback or safety in the league. Sharper has played in 183 NFL games, picking off 54 passes. A number of these games he wasn't even a starter. That means he averaged one interception 29.5% of the games he played in. In college, Sharper was even more impressive. Granted he faced very low quality quarterbacks playing at William & Mary in the 90's, but he had 24 interceptions in 44 games, good for one pick in 55.5% of the games he played. Wow.

stats on the other defensive backs in order of best to worst ball skills:

Jason David: 75 NFL games, 16 INT's (21.3%)
44 college games, 16 INT's (36.4%)

Tracy Porter: 5 NFL games, 1 INT (20%)
43 college games, 16 INT's (37%)

Malcolm Jenkins: 52 college games, 11 INT's (21.2%)

Usama Young: 29 NFL games, 2 INT's (6.9%)
45 college games, 9 INT's (20%)

Roman Harper: 36 NFL games, 3 INT's (8.3%)
49 college games, 5 INT's (10.2%)

Randall Gay: 53 NFL games, 5 INT's (9.4%)
42 college games, 2 INT's (4.8%)

Jabari Greer: 70 NFL games, 4 INT's (5.7%)
51 college games, 2 INT's (3.9%)

Leigh Torrence: 42 NFL games, 0 INT's (0%)
44 college games, 7 INT's (15.9%)

Chip Vaughn: 50 college games, 3 INT's (6%)

Pierson Prioleau: 128 NFL games, 1 INT (0.8%)
48 college games, 2 INT's (4.2%)

What do these statistics tell us? Maybe not all that much. First off, keep in mind guys like Leigh Torrence suffer in comparison to others because he didn't really get many reps as a defensive back. While he's played a lot of "NFL games", a lot of that was on special teams and not spent on the field where he would have interception opportunities. What's misleading about the college statistics are that we don't know when the players became a full time starter, or the competition they faced at quarterback. For example, Usama Young at Kent St. would have an easier time posting big numbers than say Jabari Greer at Tennessee. What I think we can safely take away are 6 things:

1. Say what you will about Jason David, the guy has ball skills. The problem is he takes a lot of risks. While those risks yield a long pass play too often, they also yield an incredibly high number of interceptions. If the guy could bite a little less on play action fakes, his INT % could still be solid while costing his team less.

2. Tracy Porter is a promising young player. While his NFL track record is too small a sample size to make any definitive judgments, you can see from his college stats he's got a nose for the ball. He also takes less risks than David, so he's a guy that might be capable of putting up good numbers for us for a long time.

3. Malcolm Jenkins had a pretty good college career. He's got a nose for the ball. Maybe we shouldn't expect him to come in and post 8 INT's as a rookie, but I have a feeling he'll be a good one.

4. Jabari Greer and Randall Gay's stats were much worse than I would have guessed. That is misleading because both are very solid corners. They're not going to get you 10 picks in a season, though, or maybe even 3. Don't expect these guys to come out and outplay Larry Fitzgerald for a jumpball. I'm guessing they probably don't have as good of hands as a Malcolm Jenkins/Tracy Porter type guy, but they are just as good if not better at keeping tight coverage and breaking up passes.

5. Based on Usama's college stats, I'm actually optimistic about his ability to contribute as a free safety.

6. Based on the stats of Chip Vaughn, it's hard to deduce he'll be any better than Roman Harper.

Saints Nation: the Top 15 bubble players

Below are the players I consider "bubble players", or players that are right in between being the last to make the squad and last to get cut. Here's 15 guys I believe will stick around till the very end and have their future as New Orleans Saints decided on the final day of cuts:

15. S Chris Reis: This guy is a pretty good special teamer, but hasn't done much as a safety. With Usama Young (position switch), Pierson Prioleau (free agency) and Chip Vaughn (draft) all added this offseason it seems like Reis would be the odd man out. We know he won't outperform these guys at safety, so he's going to have to massively outperform them on special teams to make the roster. It's going to be tough for Chris.

14. P Thomas Morstead: This could just as easily say "Glenn Pakulak", but I'm giving the veteran the edge. Basically it comes down to 1 roster spot and 2 players. Whichever does a better job during the offseason and preseason stays.

13. CB Jason David: He's somehow still around, but he makes an awful lot of money on a cap strapped team for a guy that's consistently underperformed. At this point in his career I don't see the coaching staff putting much trust in his performance based on the other guys they've added. Still, he's shown good ball skills at times and the staff may give him another chance in this brand new Gregg Williams defense.

12. T Jermon Bushrod: He keeps making the team, and keeps being inactive on gameday. I know the Saints love his potential, but for how long are they going to hold out hoping it comes to fruition? They've given him every chance to pass up Zach Strief on the depth chart and he's yet to do so. In addition, the re-signing of Strief this offseason proves they are not sold on Bushrod.

11. C Nick Leckey: At first glance you would think he's a lock, but he's going to get some competition from undrafted rookie Alex Fletcher. The Saints may also opt to have a more versatile player that can also play guard (like Jamar Nesbit) fulfill the spot at backup center behind Goodwin. Being new to the team Leckey needs to show he's got some value to the team.

10. WR Adrian Arrington: Everybody loves Arrington, fans and coaches alike. He's already annointed by some as headed for the starting lineup next year. Before we get ahead of ourselves, though, let's not forget he was a 7th round draft choice (most of which don't last long in the NFL) and he had a season ending surgery in his rookie season before ever playing in a real game. He still has a lot to prove if he's going to make this team. He needs to prove he can perform and can stay healthy, neither of which he's done AT ALL to this point in his young career.

9. QB Joey Harrington: Joey hopped between the #3 QB and released so many times last year for the Saints it was almost painful to keep track of. It's kind of sad, but Harrington's roster spot depends less on how he performs and more on how injured the team is. If the Saints are very healthy and have a roster spot to sacrifice on Harrington they'll do it because Sean Payton likes him. The problem with short team injuries, though, is the Saints then need to sign short term replacements. Harrington is going to be the odd man out again if that scenario plays out.

8. TE Darnell Dinkins: Historically under the Payton era the Saints have kept 4 tight ends, and that's good news for Dinkins. He's currently battling Buck Ortega for that 4th spot, and you have to like Dinkins' chances there as an 8 year veteran. That said, the Saints could easily decide that they're just going to go with 3 tight ends this year, especially with the need for more defensive ends early as Will Smith and Charles Grant serve suspensions.

7. DT DeMario Pressley: Like Adrian Arrington, Pressley suffered a season ending injury in his rookie season before the regular season even started. With veterans Brian Young and Hollis Thomas now gone, the depth at his position is much thinner (pun intended). Pressley should be a lock, but again he's a guy with a lot to prove as a lower draft choice that hasn't stayed healthy. Remi Ayodele should give him a good battle for a roster spot.

6. LB Troy Evans: Evans is a reliable special teamer and backup for the Saints and he should be back on the team. The season ending injury to rookie linebacker Stanley Arnoux only helps Evans' chances of making the team. The only question for Evans is the emergence of Jo-Lonn Dunbar, both on defense and special teams. Dunbar had the biggest block and the hardest tackle (both on special teams) of the season last year and made several national highlight reels. Dunbar plays the same position as Evans, so the Saints may decide Evans is dispensable if they are ready to increase Dunbar's responsibilities.

5. WR/KR Courtney Roby: Roby showed a lot of explosiveness as a kick returner last season, and sparked a previously weak area for the Saints in terms of production. Roby is the clear front runner to return as the Saints primary kick returner, and that should mean a roster spot for him. He will get some competition from Skyler Green, though, and Roby needs to help his standing by showing the coaching staff during the offseason/preseason that he can make plays when called upon at receiver.

4. ILB Mark Simoneau (pictured above): While Simoneau is a little bit of a pricey backup, he's a good guy to have around as a performing backup and positive locker room influence. Simoneau is also coming off a major injury last year, though, and is getting up there in age. He'll have to show the coaching staff he's still able to be as useful to the team as he's been for the Saints in past years.

3. HB Mike Bell: Bell is my early offseason leading candidate the land reps with the Saints in game situations behind Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. He's probably got stiffer competition with the undrafted rookies (PJ Hill and Herb Donaldson) and Lynell Hamilton than anyone on the roster which make things tough. But based on what he showed in limited duty last year, Bell can still play. Expect him to make the team and be a relied on role player in this year's offense.

2. S Pierson Prioleau: I know it sounds crazy that he wouldn't make the team, but how many safeties do the Saints keep? You figure Darren Sharper, Roman Harper, Usama Young and Chip Vaughn are all virtual locks. So that means Prioleau would make 5 safeties on the roster. Again, considering the suspensions of Grant and Smith the Saints have to be careful about what positions they overload with depth. If Vaughn as a rookie outperforms Prioleau, the veteran could be cut. All this said, with Prioleau's relationship with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and his experience as a starter, backup, and gunner on special teams, he should be safe.

1. DE Jeff Charleston: With the suspensions of Grant and Smith, Charleston has gone from a bubble player to a virtual lock. But watch out, because Grant and Smith come back in week 5, and if Bobby McCray and Paul Spicer (who are both ahead of Charleston on the depth chart) are still healthy and playing well, Charleston could be let go. Charleston played very well filling in for many injuries last year and deserves to make the team and get on the field. I'm glad to see he'll get this chance.

Saints Nation: Pierre Thomas puts on 15lbs

According to this article, Pierre Thomas has put on 15 pounds this offseason and rumor has it the bulk of that weight has been added to his legs. Personally, that makes me a little nervous. Thomas struggled in some short yardage situations last year, but still averaged a nifty 4.8 yards per carry last year. When you've got a guy that getting 4.8 yards a pop, I wouldn't advocate he start changing things. By the way, he also averaged 4.8 yard per carry in 2007. If this added weight can improve his toughness AND his speed, I'm all for it. My concern is he's sacrificing a little speed for power, and that would just be a questionable move. The Saints have Mike Bell, Lynell Hamilton, Heath Evans, and 2 undrafted rookie free agents that can potentially fulfill that role for the Saints. Partially sacrificing what Thomas does best to improve short yardage situations is not going to improve the offense in my opinion. His combination of toughness and speed last season was deadly to opponents more times than not. I don't know about you Saints fans out there, but I'm taking 4.8 yards per carry again this year if it's offered to me, even if that means Pierre Thomas doesn't see the field on 3rd and 1. While everyone wants a versatile back, you have to be careful about turning away from the things you do well. The great thing about Saints offense is Sean Payton always does a great job of utilizing player's strengths and putting them in a position to succeed. Pierre, make sure those strengths don't diminish in an effort to improve your weaknesses.

Saints Nation: The current Unofficial Depth Chart of the New Orleans Saints

Happy Memorial Day! I've compiled my take of the current unofficial Saints "depth chart", based on information I've seen, read, assume and know. You can expect this to change significantly as the offseason progresses, but this is where we stand as of today:

QB: Drew Brees, Mark Brunell, Joey Harrington, Patrick Cowan

HB: Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, Mike Bell, Lynell Hamilton, P.J. Hill, Herb Donaldson

FB: Heath Evans, Darian Barnes, Olaniyi Sobomehin

WR1: Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Adrian Arrington, Skyler Green, Kenneth Harris

WR2: Lance Moore, Robert Meachem, Courtney Roby, Matt Simon, Paris Warren

TE: Jeremy Shockey, Billy Miller, Dan Campbell, Darnell Dinkins, Buck Ortega

LT: Jammal Brown, Zach Strief, Augustus Parrish, Michael Brown

LG: Carl Nicks, Jamar Nesbit, Shawn Flanagan

C: Jonathan Goodwin, Nick Leckey, Alex Fletcher

RG: Jahri Evans, Tim Duckworth

RT: Jon Stinchcomb, Jermon Bushrod

LE: Charles Grant, Paul Spicer, Jeff Charleston, Anthony Hargrove

RE: Will Smith, Bobby McCray, Rob Ninkovich, Jermey Parnell

DT1: Sedrick Ellis, Rod Coleman, Remi Ayodele, Earl Heyman

DT2: Kendrick Clancy, DeMario Pressley

SLB: Scott Fujita, Troy Evans, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Jonathan Casillas (Stanley Arnoux on IR?)

MLB: Jonathan Vilma, Mark Simoneau, Marvin Mitchell

WLB: Scott Shanle, Dan Morgan, Anthony Watters

CB1: Tracy Porter, Jabari Greer, Malcolm Jenkins, Danny Gorrer

CB2: Randall Gay, Jason David, Leigh Torrence, Reggie Jones

FS: Darren Sharper, Usama Young, Pierson Prioleau, Chip Vaughn

SS: Roman Harper, Chris Reis

K: Garrett Hartley

P: Glenn Pakulak, Thomas Morstead

LS: Kevin Houser

The current roster stands at 90 with 53 spots out there for the taking.

Saints Nation: OTA Pictures

Thanks to loujohnsonXX, I've discovered THESE AWESOME PICS of the Saints OTAs. Check them out, some real gems in there. Also, is that Heath Evans wearing #44? Did he have to steal Mike Karney's job AND his number? That just doesn't feel right.

Saints Nation: Shockey reportedly rushed to hospital

I just came across this on tmz: Jeremy Shockey Rushed to the Hospital. I remember a quote from his former teammate Tiki Barber that said Shockey "lived hard". He practiced hard, played hard, and partied hard, according to Barber. Well, this may be the result of the latter. Before any of us rush to any judgments or blast Shockey's maturity level, let's hope the guy is going to be ok because this does not sound good. Hopefully he had one too many margaritas (not mixed with anything else) and took a little nap to sleep it off. We can worry about whether he's facing the same fate as Will Smith and Charles Grant when we know he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with you #88.

***UPDATE*** Espn posted a new report HERE claiming dehydration and he's ok. You know brewskies can dehydrate you pretty good in that dry Vegas air. You have to drink some electrolytes Jeremy! Side note, I google image searched "Shockey drunk". Check out the first two pics (especially the second). Yikes. Might want to get those down. One of two girls looks engaged, but maybe not for long.