Saints: The Saints have listed TE Jeremy Shockey as questionable with a knee injury and rookie DB Malcolm Jenkins as questionable with a hamstring injury. Both have yet to practice at full speed this week.
Earlier fears about WR Robert Meachem aren't to worry about: he is listed as probable with a minor ankle injury that is not a high ankle sprain, according to Sean Payton. Also listed as probable are Pro Bowl FS Darren Sharper (knee), Pro Bowl C Jonathan Goodwin (knee), and DE Bobby McCray (lingering back issue). Goodwin and McCray were still able to practice at full speed while Meachem and Sharper were limited as a precaution.
Vikings: Pro Bowl rookie WR Percy Harvin is not practicing with the team as he deals again with chronic migraine headaches, an issue he has dealt with throughout the season. The Vikings are set to fly to New Orleans on Saturday. He is officially listed as questionable and isn't even with the team at their facility.
Also listed as questionable are DE Ray Edwards (MCL sprain), DT Kevin Williams (bone bruise in knee), CB Benny Sapp (ankle and back), DT Pat Williams (elbow and foot). That list accounts for 3/4 of the Vikings' vaunted front four defensive line. Edwards, who had a monster game against the Cowboys, was able to practice some while wearing a brace on Friday.
Listed as probable are WR Bernard Berrian (ankle), G Steve Hutchinson (shoulder), LB Ben Leber (knee), CB Antoine Winfield (foot), DT Jimmy Kennedy (thumb).
None of the players on either team listed on the injury report have been ruled out yet.
January 22, 2010
January 20, 2010
Saints promote Arrington and more notes
Arrington promoted: The Saints have added WR Adrian Arrington after minor injuries to WR Robert Meachem and WR Devery Henderson arose. Neither player has been ruled out of Sunday's NFC Championship game.
Arrington was a seventh round pick of the Saints in 2008, the 237th overall, two drafts after the Saints added WR Marques Colston in the seventh round. Lightning appeared to have struck twice with Arrington, who had a dazzling training camp, outplaying 2007 first round pick Robert Meachem who at the time was still struggling to adjust. Arrington doesn't possess great speed but runs good routes and has a knack for making an unbelievable catch.
But a turf toe injury sidelined Arrington for his rookie season, then a hamstring tear in early August ruined his 2009 training camp.
Now healthy and having been a member of the Saints' practice squad, the former Michigan star promoted to the 53-man roster for the first time in his NFL career. He may not dress for this Sunday's game, that would likely require Meachem or Henderson to sit.
To replace Arrington on the practice squad, the Saints signed rookie former LSU defensive tackle Marlon Favorite, a native of Gretna, Louisiana. Favorite signed with the Panthers after not being drafted in the 2009 draft.
Deuce to serve as honorary captain: Newly-retired RB Deuce McAllister, who was an inactive member of the Saints' 53-man roster last week, will continue to serve as an honorary team captain.
Penalty woes: According to Football Outsiders, no Saint appeared in their list of the most penalized players this season.
Three Vikings, QB Brett Favre, rookie RT Phil Loadholt and starting DE Ray Edwards made the list. Edwards is tied for the lead for the most penalties called on a defensive player, nine.
Injury notes: Missing practice on Wednesday were: CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), WR Robert Meachem (ankle), FS Darren Sharper (resting), TE Jeremy Shockey (knee). None have been ruled out, all were precautionary decisions.
Arrington was a seventh round pick of the Saints in 2008, the 237th overall, two drafts after the Saints added WR Marques Colston in the seventh round. Lightning appeared to have struck twice with Arrington, who had a dazzling training camp, outplaying 2007 first round pick Robert Meachem who at the time was still struggling to adjust. Arrington doesn't possess great speed but runs good routes and has a knack for making an unbelievable catch.
But a turf toe injury sidelined Arrington for his rookie season, then a hamstring tear in early August ruined his 2009 training camp.
Now healthy and having been a member of the Saints' practice squad, the former Michigan star promoted to the 53-man roster for the first time in his NFL career. He may not dress for this Sunday's game, that would likely require Meachem or Henderson to sit.
To replace Arrington on the practice squad, the Saints signed rookie former LSU defensive tackle Marlon Favorite, a native of Gretna, Louisiana. Favorite signed with the Panthers after not being drafted in the 2009 draft.
Deuce to serve as honorary captain: Newly-retired RB Deuce McAllister, who was an inactive member of the Saints' 53-man roster last week, will continue to serve as an honorary team captain.
Penalty woes: According to Football Outsiders, no Saint appeared in their list of the most penalized players this season.
Three Vikings, QB Brett Favre, rookie RT Phil Loadholt and starting DE Ray Edwards made the list. Edwards is tied for the lead for the most penalties called on a defensive player, nine.
Injury notes: Missing practice on Wednesday were: CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), WR Robert Meachem (ankle), FS Darren Sharper (resting), TE Jeremy Shockey (knee). None have been ruled out, all were precautionary decisions.
1,2,3 Pro Bowlers across Saints line
Hopefully, the now three Saints offensive lineman won't be playing in the Pro Bowl next weekend.
With Dallas C Andre Gurode injured and out of the Pro Bowl, he has been replaced by the next up in line, and that honor is Saints starting center Jonathan Goodwin.
Goodwin has completed a remarkable run in his NFL career, starting off as a late draft pick journeyman, joining the Saints as merely a backup fighting for a job, claiming the starting job after the departure of Jeff Faine and now blossoming into a precise, reliable and tough Pro Bowl starter on the offensive line of the #1 offense in football for two years straight.
Goodwin joins linemates right guard Jahri Evans and right tackle Jon Stinchcomb as Pro Bowl honored. LB Jonathan Vilma, FS Darren Sharper and QB Drew Brees were also named to the NFC team.
Super Bowl contending players do not play in the game, are still paid their bonus and are replaced by the next highest voted player at their position.
With Dallas C Andre Gurode injured and out of the Pro Bowl, he has been replaced by the next up in line, and that honor is Saints starting center Jonathan Goodwin.
Goodwin has completed a remarkable run in his NFL career, starting off as a late draft pick journeyman, joining the Saints as merely a backup fighting for a job, claiming the starting job after the departure of Jeff Faine and now blossoming into a precise, reliable and tough Pro Bowl starter on the offensive line of the #1 offense in football for two years straight.
Goodwin joins linemates right guard Jahri Evans and right tackle Jon Stinchcomb as Pro Bowl honored. LB Jonathan Vilma, FS Darren Sharper and QB Drew Brees were also named to the NFC team.
Super Bowl contending players do not play in the game, are still paid their bonus and are replaced by the next highest voted player at their position.
January 19, 2010
Deuce makes retirement official as a Saint
One token game and done for Deuce in the 2009 season.
McAllister's powerful emotional and inspirational presence on the 53-man roster served its function last Saturday as the Saints stomped the Cardinals in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Three days later, McAllister has made his retirement from the NFL official, as the Saints placed him on the reserve/retired list.
McAllister will end his four-day stint on the active roster, but will still be welcomed on the Saints' sidelines this postseason. McAllister did not dress but was a team captain and lead the team out of the tunnel in street clothes (though a sprinting Reggie Bush passed him up).
When the Saints' first drive saw the team move near the goal line, the crowd honored him with a familiar roar of "Deuuuuuuce."
McAllister's 1429 rushing attempts, 6096 rushing yards and 49 rushing touchdowns are team records. He leads all non-kickers in scoring in franchise history with 330 points, including 55 total touchdowns, also a team career record.
McAllister was a Pro Bowler in 2002 and 2003. In 2003, McAllister had the second most all-purpose touches in the league, behind only former teammate RB Ricky Williams of Miami.
McAllister's powerful emotional and inspirational presence on the 53-man roster served its function last Saturday as the Saints stomped the Cardinals in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Three days later, McAllister has made his retirement from the NFL official, as the Saints placed him on the reserve/retired list.
McAllister will end his four-day stint on the active roster, but will still be welcomed on the Saints' sidelines this postseason. McAllister did not dress but was a team captain and lead the team out of the tunnel in street clothes (though a sprinting Reggie Bush passed him up).
When the Saints' first drive saw the team move near the goal line, the crowd honored him with a familiar roar of "Deuuuuuuce."
McAllister's 1429 rushing attempts, 6096 rushing yards and 49 rushing touchdowns are team records. He leads all non-kickers in scoring in franchise history with 330 points, including 55 total touchdowns, also a team career record.
McAllister was a Pro Bowler in 2002 and 2003. In 2003, McAllister had the second most all-purpose touches in the league, behind only former teammate RB Ricky Williams of Miami.
January 17, 2010
Saints to face Vikings in NFC Championship game in Superdome on Sunday
Sunday, January 24, will be the biggest game in franchise history.
The Saints will play the Minnesota Vikings, who have twice dismissed the Saints in playoff appearances of the past (1987 and 2000), and their controversial quarterback Brett Favre of Kiln, Mississippi, all for the right to go to Miami for Super Bowl 44.
The game will be played at 5:40 PM central and televised on FOX.
It is the first time the Superdome has hosted a conference championship game.
Favre demands so much media attention and talk that the national eye will point much attention to him this week. Certainly Saints captain MLB Jonathan Vilma, whose parents are from Haiti, will also find microphones in his face.
The #2 seed Vikings destroyed the #3 seed Dallas on Sunday in their divisional matchup, dismantling Tony Romo and the Cowboys to the tune of 34-3. In that sense, both the Vikings and Saints arrive at this collision with a head of steam and confidence.
The Saints will play the Minnesota Vikings, who have twice dismissed the Saints in playoff appearances of the past (1987 and 2000), and their controversial quarterback Brett Favre of Kiln, Mississippi, all for the right to go to Miami for Super Bowl 44.
The game will be played at 5:40 PM central and televised on FOX.
It is the first time the Superdome has hosted a conference championship game.
Favre demands so much media attention and talk that the national eye will point much attention to him this week. Certainly Saints captain MLB Jonathan Vilma, whose parents are from Haiti, will also find microphones in his face.
The #2 seed Vikings destroyed the #3 seed Dallas on Sunday in their divisional matchup, dismantling Tony Romo and the Cowboys to the tune of 34-3. In that sense, both the Vikings and Saints arrive at this collision with a head of steam and confidence.
Saints dominate Cardinals in divisional playoffs, 45-14
It was the playoff performance of the ages.
For a franchise that has in its past had dominant defenses and more recently dominant offenses, they've never fielded a team for a dominant playoff win. Until Saturday in the Superdome against a Cardinals team reeling from a shootout playoff win and a host of defensive injuries.
The Saints' 45-14 playoff win was highlighted by feats of high-energy play.
The Saints had knocked QB Kurt Warner, FS Antrelle Rolle (head injury) and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (knee) out of the game. Warner would return to the field in the second half, but after the Saints pushed the score out of reach and Gregg Williams kept dialing up the heat on Warner, Leinart returned and closed out the game.
Remaining scoring would see the Saints converting a 43-yard field goal on their second possession of the third quarter, a kick by Garrett Hartley that hit the upper reaches of the net and might have been good from 60+.
On the next drive, a Cardinals punt would be brought back 83 yards by the lightning-quick Bush, who juked LS Mike Leach to the turf with a dagger cut up the middle of the punt coverage team. He raced around the right side of the field away from the hapless punter and in for the score, which with 6:42 left in the third quarter put nails in the coffin. Bush's huge game finished with 108 yards from scrimmage and 109 yards on punt returns and two playoff touchdowns.
Bush has had big playoff performances for the Saints, scoring in all three playoff appearances so far and none in less than spectacular fashion. He scored against the Eagles in 2006 on an acrobatic four yard bounce sprint to the front pylon of the end zone, against the Bears on an 88-yard catch and run, and Saturday against the Cardinals on two amazing displays of speed and agility.
Warner would lead the Cardinals on a drive into the Saints red zone but fail to convert a fourth and two. Leinart lead the two Cardinal drives of the fourth quarter that netted one first down and 24 yards total. The Saints ran down the clock with runningbacks Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Lynell Hamilton and Brees kneeled away the final 2:08.
For a franchise that has in its past had dominant defenses and more recently dominant offenses, they've never fielded a team for a dominant playoff win. Until Saturday in the Superdome against a Cardinals team reeling from a shootout playoff win and a host of defensive injuries.
The Saints' 45-14 playoff win was highlighted by feats of high-energy play.
- Reggie Bush's first carry was a streaking toss stretch to the right side, and as he crossed the first down marker after a seven yard gain he trucked Cardinals CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Bush also had a big 11-yard slash on a carry in that drive to help the Saints' respond and overcome the Cardinal's momentum. Arizona RB Tim Hightower took the first offensive play of the game 70 yards for a touchdown off right tackle.
- TE Jeremy Shockey's catch and big hit on the first drive down to the Arizona five yard line. Shockey took a body-spinning helmet hit from Pro Bowl Cardinals S Adrian Wilson but got up clapping, helmet slapping and generally igniting the fans in the end zone.
- Lynell Hamilton scored from one yard out as the crowd rained down hails of newly-signed "Deeeuuuuuuce," who was on the 53-man roster but inactive. On Hamilton's score, FB Kyle Eckel blocked two Cardinal linebackers into eachother and Carl Nicks summarily threw Cardinal defensive tackle into the backfield. The Saints offense was fired up.
- But the defense recovered quickly from their early gaffe. On the next play for the Cardinals, Darren Sharper recovered a fumble from Arizona's Jerame Urban, then went airborne and vaulted a tackler on his 13 yard return. That play was also big for CB Randall Gay, who was beaten on the deep crossing pattern but made up ground and punched the ball free.
- Four plays later, Drew Brees found a one-footed Jeremy Shockey limping through his route and fired a bullet. Shockey made the catch for the Saints' second touchdown falling down, did a somersault to his feet to cheer. Shockey played on the drive despite noticeably slowed by a toe injury.
- The New Orleans defense forced a three and out when Beanie Wells fumbled a snap, Fujita pressured Warner into a incompletion and then WR Early Doucet was stopped short of the first down on a crossing route.
- The Saints offense kept their foot on the gas on the next drive, using a Devery Henderson wide receiver screen that was a pivotal play early on. Henderson fired up the crowd as he stubbornly broke two tackles and dove through two more on his way to a 16-yard gain, showing impressive running strength for a guy usually used for speed speed. Don't forget that Henderson was a star runningback at Opelousas high school. His run fired up the crowd, and but more significantly star Arizona CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie suffered a knee injury and was knocked out of the game.
- On the next play, Reggie Bush ripped off one of the most wicked runs of his entire NFL career. Carrying the ball out of a 4WR set, Bush rolled out of an arm tackle from CB Bryant McFadden and reversed field. Then he juked upfield past DE Calais Campbell and a diving McFadden, and picked up a fantastic block from RG Jahri Evans and another from Marques Colston. He went from dancing to juking to shot straight out of a cannon and raced 48 yards for the longest rushing touchdown of his career, the second longest rush of his career. It was just one of many huge plays in Bush's day, and he finished with the highest yards/carry rushing average in league playoff history, 16.8, for players with a minimum of five carries.
- On the next drive, Sedrick Ellis sacked Kurt Warner, just one Saint in a swarm to get there, and the Saints' defense forced a three and out. The Saints too would punt on the next drive, with rookie Thomas Morstead launching one from the Saints 34 that bounded in one hop quickly into the end zone - that's right, 66 yards.
- Up 21-7, the Saints would allow the Cardinals one more touchdown on the day but not without a fight. Darren Sharper made an amazing interception of an overthrow Warner pass, a ball that bounced off his helmet and a spinning Sharper caught it on the rebound. But Scott Shanle drew a roughing the passer call when his outstretched arm caught Warner's helmet near the eye. Warner moved the Cardinals down and rookie RB Beanie Wells capped that drive with a short touchdown run.
- The Saints snuffed out any Cardinal momentum there once and for all with a flea flicker touchdoww. After hitting Colston for 26 to near midfield, Brees handed off to Pierre Thomas, who run up and left before pitching back to Brees, who launched a deep pass to Devery Henderson. The ball was a bit short and behind but Henderson, just the latest Saint to abuse CB Bryant McFadden, made a fantastic adjustment and came down with the catch, rotating his hips all the way around.
- Two plays later, DE Will Smith swatted and caught a low Warner pass for his second interception of the season and returned it five yards to the Arizona 27. Cardinals QB Kurt Warner was in pursuit of Smith when DE Bobby McCray blocked him blindside, into the 600 section. The vicious but legal hit sent Warner flying. Warner was knocked from the game and to the locker room. He started the second half but was out again when the game was over.
- Brees turned Smith's big play into a touchdown when he hit Colston for a quick hitch touchdown, a drive that took eight plays to finally close 27 yards. Three straight penalties, an unnecessary roughness on Cardinals DT Darnell Docket, a false start on RT Jon Stinchcomb and holding on LG Carl Nicks turned a 3rd and 1from the 6 into 1st and goal from the 17. Two strikes to Colston closed that gap on a drive that took 4:38 and was thoroughly demoralizing. Colston was so much bigger and more athletic than the Cardinals' defensive backs he was rebounding, not catching, the footballs.
- Backup QB Matt Leinart moved the Cardinals into range for a 50 yard field goal with short, quick passes against a prevent defense, but Neil Rackers missed the field goal attempt twice, the first after Payton iced him with a timeout.
The Saints had knocked QB Kurt Warner, FS Antrelle Rolle (head injury) and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (knee) out of the game. Warner would return to the field in the second half, but after the Saints pushed the score out of reach and Gregg Williams kept dialing up the heat on Warner, Leinart returned and closed out the game.
Remaining scoring would see the Saints converting a 43-yard field goal on their second possession of the third quarter, a kick by Garrett Hartley that hit the upper reaches of the net and might have been good from 60+.
On the next drive, a Cardinals punt would be brought back 83 yards by the lightning-quick Bush, who juked LS Mike Leach to the turf with a dagger cut up the middle of the punt coverage team. He raced around the right side of the field away from the hapless punter and in for the score, which with 6:42 left in the third quarter put nails in the coffin. Bush's huge game finished with 108 yards from scrimmage and 109 yards on punt returns and two playoff touchdowns.
Bush has had big playoff performances for the Saints, scoring in all three playoff appearances so far and none in less than spectacular fashion. He scored against the Eagles in 2006 on an acrobatic four yard bounce sprint to the front pylon of the end zone, against the Bears on an 88-yard catch and run, and Saturday against the Cardinals on two amazing displays of speed and agility.
Warner would lead the Cardinals on a drive into the Saints red zone but fail to convert a fourth and two. Leinart lead the two Cardinal drives of the fourth quarter that netted one first down and 24 yards total. The Saints ran down the clock with runningbacks Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Lynell Hamilton and Brees kneeled away the final 2:08.
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