Reggie Bush (AP)

Notes: Faine Evaluated Wednesday
Look at stats, draft changes coming in April to shorten Saturday

posted October 23, 2007 - print me!
neworleansprofootball.com

Faine Frustration: A strength-sapping pectoral muscle injury defeated Jeff Faine on Sunday. Payton declined to comment on the starting center's injury, which will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.

The Saints don't have to classify his injury status until Friday but will have to report if he practiced on Wednesday.

The Saints could get CB Jason David back this week or the next.

Stat Shame: One third of the way through the Saints' season, lets take a look at some telling stats of the Saints' 2-4 start so far.

The Saints have the 4th lowest average in passes attempted against them per game - 29.2 - yet are 27th in pass yards allowed with 244 per game. Per attempt that's 8.9 yards, only the Dolphins are giving up more, and only Miami has allowed a better quarterback rating. The Dolphins and Saints are the only teams allowing more than a 100 quarterback rating, the Saints have allowed a 104.3 rating through six games.

The Saints have allowed 24 completions over 20 yards and six over 40, 31st and 32nd respectively.

Over their past two victories, the Saints defense has improved but has allowed a 93.1 quarterback rating. Brees has a quarterback rating over 98.8 over the past two games.

Reggie Bush is one of three starting runningbacks with three fumbles, most in the league so far, but Bush has the fewest carries with 86.

Stat Pride: The Saints are 9 of 14 on touchdowns in the red zone. That's 64.3%, fifth best in the league.

Runningbacks are averaging only 3.6 yards per carry against the Saints, tied for fifth best in the league. The Saints have allowed 33 first downs by rushing, seventh best in the league.

Draft Changes: Owners meetings have for the first time in 14 years produced real changes to the draft system:

First round picks reduced to 10 minutes from 15.

Second round picks reduced to 7 minutes from 10.

As usual, the third and later rounds will allow 5 minutes, but they will now all be held on Sunday. The term "first day" draft pick is now a more exclusive club, as the draft will start three hours later (2pm central) on Saturday and the third round one hour earlier on Sunday (9am central).

The scheduling moves the first and second rounds late into Saturday afternoon and evening to attract more television audience.

The limitations on pick times could mean fewer draft day trades, as teams have five minutes less to wait around for potential trade partners to call and less time to get notification to the commissioner's office.

The shift also devalue early fourth round picks and inflates the value of third round picks. Previously, early fourth-round picks were valuable as the overnight break allowed teams to re-organize themselves, identify falling players and needs. Eight separate trades were made involving fourth round picks last year, including the Saints who traded a fourth and fifth rounder to move up into the early fourth round and draft Ohio State RB Antonio Pittman, who is now with the Rams.

Now, early third round picks will be switching hands in the trade flurry.

Conversely, it means a less grueling day for television commentators on ESPN and the NFL Network, who will simultaneously broadcast the event on April 26-27 from Radio City Music Hall.

Notes: Pierre Thomas has been nominated for a second straight rookie of the week award... Former LSU and current Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe has been nominated four times already, winning in weeks three and four... DE Joe Johnson will be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame on November 2... The Saints travel to San Francisco to face Mike Nolan, son of Dick Nolan who coached the Saints from 1978-1980.

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