Saints Nation: Running the Football is Key to Saints' Success

We all know the Saints can throw the ball. That's never been a secret. Since Sean Payton has joined the team and they landed Drew Brees as a free agent signing, the passing game for the last four years under this current regime was a given in terms of performance. Offensively, the variable has been in overall balance and specific effectiveness running the football. Let's look at the Payton era stats:

2006 stats: 10 wins, 472 carries, 1,761 yards, 3.7 yards per carry.
2007 stats: 7 wins, 392 carries, 1,466 yards, 3.7 yards per carry.
2008 stats: 8 wins, 398 carries, 1,594 yards, 4.0 yards per carry.
2009 stats: 13 wins, 468 carries, 2,106 yards, 4.5 yards per carry.

Without question 2009 was far and away the most successful year for the Saints in terms of both yards and yards per carry. Interestingly enough, though, they didn't run the ball as much as they did in 2006 (by 4 carries). While the yards per carry in 2006 was on par with 2007 and 2008, the carries were much higher, and so was the win total. I think there is a direct correlation there. Obviously this doesn't factor in defense, which was better in 2006 and 2009, but I would argue that running the ball and therefore the clock had an impact on the defensive performances in those years. The bottom line is the coaching staff needs to target spreading around about 450 carries going into the year. When they dip below 400, it's a sign of poor balance and the records reflect poor overall performance. The big question this year is the departure of Mike Bell and how that will effect the Saints. Pierre Thomas will have increased responsibility, and Lynell Hamilton will have to step up.

Saints Nation: Drew Brees' New Book is Now Available for Purchase

Drew Brees' book "Coming Back Stronger" is now available in stores for your purchase. Brees is the second release in the last few weeks, after Sean Payton's book "Home Team", that promises to be an amazing read. You can purchase the book at any of your favorite book buying locations, or you can click HERE if you are having trouble finding it. From the excerpts I've seen it promises to be a very honest and forthcoming story, which covers dark parts of Brees' life in great detail like the major shoulder injury that almost ended his career and the suicide of his mother. It also covers the Super Bowl victory, his time in New Orleans, and much more. It should be an incredibly entertaining read. I have both this book and Payton's on the way to me via the mail, and I will post a review as soon as I'm done with them.

Saints Nation: JaMarcus' Career Over After Latest?

The JaMarcus Russell saga just keeps getting sadder by the minute. The Ryan Leaf similarities are becoming more and more evident. The latest is that Russell has been arrested for the possession of liquid Codeine. Too bad, because he was just starting to see some interest from other teams for a chance at a fresh start in a new system. The Vikings, Jets and Cardinals had apparently all expressed interest in bringing the former LSU product and number one pick overall in the NFL draft in for a chance to compete. Now that he's shown that his immaturity and poor decision making extends off the field, you have to wonder if anyone will ever take a chance on him again. Sure, Michael Vick has freakish talent and he got a second chance, but Vick was at least successful in the league at one point. While Russell has freakish potential in a different way, it's never translated on an NFL field. I think as things stood prior to this arrest, there were questions about whether he would play again or not. Now, I think it's become all but a certainty that he will not. It's sad because you always want local guys to do well at the next level and represent their colors well. I think we can all live with Russell's lackluster performances with the Raiders, but his off the field antics have embarrassed him, his family, his fans and LSU. Russell is just another example of how quickly a high profile athlete can fall if they don't take their fame and the responsibilities that come with it seriously. While his chances are now likely over, the only silver lining we can hope for is that others will learn from his mistakes.

Saints Nation: Rookie Quarterback Sean Canfield Faces an Uphill Battle

Saints rookie quarterback Sean Canfield shows off prototypical size and accuracy for a young passer. When the Saints took him in the final round of the draft out of Oregon State, though, I immediately questioned where there would be a place for him. I read THIS ARTICLE which was written this week on Canfield, and he seems like a level headed guy with the right attitude. It's nice to see that Drew Brees is pretty complimentary of him, too. Ultimately, though, Canfield faces very long odds to make the team. The first question is whether the Saints will keep two quarterbacks on their roster or three. The answer to that question has changed from week to week in the Sean Payton era, and most times it has to do with how healthy the Saints are at other positions. Just ask Chase Daniel, the #3 guy on the Saints is typically playing musical chairs between a roster spot and the practice squad during the course of the regular season. If the Saints keep 2, then you have to assume Canfield's chances of making the team are almost nil. Rumors have circulated consistently that there's a handshake deal in place with veteran quarterback Patrick Ramsey, and the Saints will make his addition to the roster official in mid July once the free agency rule restrictions are lifted. If Ramsey does indeed join the team, you have to figure he's the runaway favorite to win the #2 job. That leaves Canfield battling Chase Daniel for the #3 spot, with Daniel already having benefited from a full year in the system. That doesn't mean the Saints couldn't keep Canfield on their practice squad, but I wonder if the Saints will keep four quarterbacks around, practice squad included. If Ramsey ends up not joining the Saints, then Canfield can battle Daniel for the #2 spot. While difficult, that may be more manageable. The bottom line is Canfield could have a very solid camp, and still be shown the door if Ramsey and Daniel meet expectations. In all likelihood, Canfield is going to need to have an AMAZING camp in every sense of the term to have any chance. He'll need to show ability, poise and maturity well beyond his years. We'll see how it plays out.

Saints Nation: Happy July 4th!

I hope all you Saints fans out there that support my blog have a wonderful, fun and safe 4th of July! Enjoy the vacation and time off from football as the season will be in full gear before we know it. Please also take a minute to think about our troops who defend our freedom by risking their lives each and every day. I know that's a token thing to say, but there's so many brave young men and women out there that sacrifice their youth and their lives so we can be comfortable and happy in our lifestyles, we owe a lot of our fortunes to them. So thanks to the troops and happy 4th of July to everyone!

Saints Nation: Who Starts at Left Tackle?

With every other starting position on the Saints' offense pretty much locked up (except maybe the #2 receiver slot) the biggest competition going into camp has to be at left tackle now that Jammal Brown has been shipped to the Redskins for a draft pick. Incumbent starter Jermon Bushrod (pictured) is the favorite and he'll get the first shot at keeping his spot, but I think it would be very unwise to take that as a given. Bushrod was pretty good at times last year, but there were other times where he was downright shaky. His disastrous play in the Dallas game comes to mind as a major lapse in play. I will give Bushrod credit for bouncing back impressively well from that performance, but the Saints gave him a lot of help all season. The fact that left tackle is the weakest link on the Saints' offensive line is a big of a source of concern. While the Saints still managed to get through the playoffs and win the Super Bowl with a weaker left tackle, it's not ideal that left tackle be the biggest question mark on your offense. Bushrod benefited from Brees' quick release, superior footwork, and line schemes designed to lighten his responsibilities. I assume the Saints will continue to do the same regardless of who ends up starting at left tackle, but it would be good to see Bushrod get pushed. Veteran Zach Strief, perhaps best suited to play right tackle, and rookie 2nd round pick Charles Brown, will be the two guys vying for Bushrod's job. I think it's safe to say the Saints will continue to find ways to get Strief on the field, whether that's at left tackle or elsewhere. The team likes his massive frame and benefits greatly from his power off the edge blocking lighter defenders on running downs. Whether he has quick enough feet to manage an outside pass rush is the big question in terms of Strief playing every down. Brown, on the other hand, I have to admit I know next to nothing about. He's got to be a solid prospect, though, because the Saints believed he was 1st round quality in terms of ability. They had him graded so high they said it was a no brainer taking him in the 2nd round ahead of pretty much everyone else left on the board. I have a feeling they are hoping he'll step in and outplay Bushrod and Strief both, but there's got to be a significant learning curve for a tackle that young. It will be something to keep an eye on for sure. I'm going to predict that Charles Brown ends up starting for the Saints at left tackle this season. It's a bit of an uneducated guess because I've yet to see what Brown can do, but I know the Saints are extremely high on him, and while the Saints survived with Bushrod's play last year, I know they are hoping for an upgrade. Whether that's Bushrod showing strides in improving, Strief continuing to be more reliable on a more permanent basis, or Brown surprising the veterans, I know the Saints don't want to settle for getting a similar performance at left tackle.

Saints Nation: Danny Gorrer Back With Saints

The Saints were able to re-sign cornerback Danny Gorrer this week when he was cut by the St. Louis Rams. The Saints claimed him through waivers and were awarded his services. Gorrer was a member of the Saints' practice squad last year as a promising young undrafted rookie cornerback, before the Rams signed him and promoted him to their active squad later in the season. Gorrer was a player who showed promise in the preseason last year and he'll compete with players like Leigh Torrence for a spot on the team.

LAGNIAPPE: Most of you know I also post on another Saints blog called Canal Street Chronicles. Check out my post for offseason grades HERE. I also recently wrote a post, have the Saints benefited from an uncapped season?