Madden 2010: What Should Be Fixed

As every Madden player knows, the new Madden is scheduled to be released in late August. I’m a huge Madden addict, and I have some concerns for this year’s game. This list will be my top 10 issues that EA has to tweak. I feel these changes will make Madden 2010 even more realistic than in the past.

1. Man Coverage Needs to Be More Effective

Think about this: teams that are known for man coverage can’t even run it. I have tried to play man coverage with teams like Green Bay, Oakland, and Philadelphia, just to see if man was more affective when using them—it wasn’t.

I don’t know how many times I’ve done, and someone has done to me when playing man, a slant or a drag route out of the backfield that goes for a 20 yard gain or more.

2. No More Glitch Plays

How many times will you see it? These post patterns that are unstoppable; these play action passes that even when you pass commit the defensive ends and defensive backs just can’t seem to get it right?

I could name more of these but I won’t waste your time. EA make plays more stoppable I’m sick of taking a linebacker and having to sit on the middle of the field  than leaving a hole in my zone open there as well.

3. No More Burning Defenders Every Time a Player Bombs It

I don’t know what to do everytime I seem to face a team like the Patriots, Texans, Bears, or Cowboys (before they slowed Terrell Owens down).

You know you’ve got to prepare for it, but is it really fair? No, it’s not. Because of how fast the receiver is, every single time they throw it up, they have the corner beat for 50 yards and a touchdown.

4. The Streaks Straight Up the Middle

I want to paint a scenario for all of you who might think it’s stupid to ask to stop the streaks straight up the middle. I am not asking for it be ineffective everytime, but does a streak always work?

I play with the New Orleans Saints and every time it is 3rd-and-long or 4th-and-long, it seems they run a streak straight up the middle on everything I throw at them and it crushes my dreams because it is hard enough to come up with a stop.

When you blitz, this is when you are at the most risk of it getting beat, which takes away some of the realness in the game seeing that 3rd-and-long is when most defenses bring the blitz.

5. Defensivive players Who Intercept Everything

It seems like every time I play certain teams, these corners and linebackers just seem to intercept everything thrown up in the air.

I understand some players like Ed Reed, Asante Samuel, and a couple others have great ball skills, but truthfully, do they need to catch everything that touches their hands?

It seems like some of these corners could be better receivers than the actual receivers in the game, which is frustrating.

6. Speed Shouldn’t Make You Unstoppable

It seems like if you have a speed running back or a speed receiver your offense is set to go. I will admit this, because my offense is based on speed, and I have seen some ridiculous crap out of Reggie Bush that he doesn’t do in real life. Same goes for Devery Henderson.

I don’t know what it is, but if you have an offense full of speed, you’re going to be averaging 10 yards per play, and if you have a defense full of speed, it makes you that much better.

Don’t even attempt to throw a deep ball on the Raiders or you will get intercepted.

7. The Rocket Catch

I am crossing my fingers that this will be taken out of all Madden games. This is probably one of the most impossible things to stop. I’ve seen countless people win games just because they can keep all their drives alive with the rocket catch. 

8. Disconnections Should Give You Wins In Online Games

I am aware you can finish games and get your win, but how annoying is it when your opponent quits in the first quarter and you have to play the longers game ever against the computer? I think as soon as that plug is pulled and as soon as the opponent quits you should get an instant win and not have to finish against the computer.

 

9. Players Shouldn’t Be Good If They Have a Low Overall Rating

I don’t know what’s going on with Madden, but some of these players who do absolutely nothing good in real life turn out to be Madden Gods.

Vince Young, Reggie Bush, JaMarcus Russell, and others have literally changed Madden. I don’t know how many times I’ve had people pass for over 300 yards in Madden with Vince Young and JaMarcus Russell or how many times I’ve had plays where I broke three or more tackles with Reggie Bush to score and 80 yard touchdown run.

 

I feel this should be fixed. No player who is a low overall should be destroying you in Madden and if you are a quarterback with absolutely no speed than you shouldn’t be able to run 80 MPH to the sidelines.

10. Quarter backs throwing across their body

I understand some quarterbacks are amazing, and yes, they make great plays, but have you ever seen Peyton Manning run to the sideline on a screen play and literally spin around and make a throw while he is in the air spinning? The answer—no.

It feels like some quarterbacks just get out of the pocket so fast and can throw across the field perfectly, when in real life quarterbacks are taught not to throw across the field or their bodies because defenses are more likely to intercept or deflect those passes. 

This is my conclusion to it, and if people think I am being a bit dumb over my complaints, then that is your belief. If I waste 60 dollars on a video game, I want it to be the best experience I can have. I want to not have to be worried about people running glitch plays and not have to be worried about how many times is Randy Moss going to burn me deep this game.

I love Madden—it’s the closest thing to real football I can get besides street games. I just want the most authentic game play possible.

Should The Saints Sign Marcus Washington

Outside linebacker Marcus Washington is currently still a free agent after the Redskins cut him in the 2009 off-season.

Marcus Washington is a solid veteran outside linebacker who fits great into Gregg Williams’ defense. This would bring some knowledge to the other outside linebackers who are figuring out Gregg Williams’ system in New Orleans.

Gregg Williams is an aggressive defensive coordinator who likes to blitz and give opposing offenses different looks in an attempt to confuse them. Seeing that he does love to blitz why not bring a linebacker who can get after the quarterback?

In his career Washington has recorded 37.5 sacks in eight seasons with only one season that he did not record a sack and that was in 2008 when Gregg Williams left Washington and joined Jacksonville. Washington also recorded 378 tackles and 18 pass deflections in his time with Gregg Williams.

There are many concerns with Washington when it comes to his health, which is an issue since he has not completed a full season since 2005. Washington has found himself on the sidelines due to injuries, but when he is healthy he is a force at the linebacker position and could very well upgrade the linebacker position for the Saints.

Marcus Washington would be a great addition to the Saints roster and would bring the sack totals for the Saints as a team a lot higher than the 28 that the Saints managed to record in 2008. Marcus Washington is a hard hitter and solid pass rusher, but he lacks coverage skills, which could be trouble in the NFC South with the additions of Tony Gonzalez and Kellen Winslow Jr.

The Saints could let Washington compete for the weak side linebacker position, which would mean he would not have to cover tight ends as much and could be used to stop to rush the quarterback.

Although many fans seem content with the depth that the Saints have brought into the locker room to compete for linebacker position, I do not feel many of the players are well accomplished and we won’t know if they fit into Gregg Williams’ system. The Saints need an upgrade at the outside linebacker position and I feel that Marcus Washington could be the upgrade we need not forever, but for now. He could help us get after the quarterback and stop the run. Marcus Washington could be the upgrade the Saints were looking for in Dan Morgan before he retired.

Saints fans I would like for you to consider what Marcus Washington could bring to the table for the New Orleans Saints, and it wouldn’t take him long to get back into the system seeing that he already knows it very well

 

 

 

A 2009 New Orleans Saints Prediction: The Official Short Yardage Back

Coming into the 2009 season, a lot of Saints fans have focused their attention on running backs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, both of who are gifted running backs, but the question that is still being asked is: Who will be the Saints short yardage back and bruiser back coming into 2009?

The run game is a big concern for the Saints coming into the 2009 season after being ranked 28th in the league on the ground in 2008, with only a 99 yards per game on the ground average.

The Saints are a pass-first offense, but balance is key for the Saints coming into the 2009 season. This will keep opposing defenses more modest than they were in 2008 mostly committing to the passing game.

In 2008, two games that come to my mind that New Orleans could’ve won if they would’ve just been a bit more effective on the ground.

Those two games were back-to-back losses against a Denver on 3rd-and-1, which the Saints failed to convert, resulting in a missed field goal, and against Washington in which the Saints’ inability to run the ball led to New Orleans losing their lead and allowing the defense to stay on the field longer.

Yes these are only two out of eight Saints losses, but if New Orleans was more effective on the ground and could convert more of those short yardage situations, what would’ve the Saints record had been?

Possibly 9-7, or even a 10-6 record.

What have the Saints done to address the situation? Not much.

They threw away the team’s all-time leading rusher in Deuce McAllister and brought in two unproven backs in rookies P.J. Hill and Herb Donaldson. The Saints also attempted to bring in a full back that fits their style a lot better in Heath Evans.

Rumors were thrown around that the Saints attempted to trade back into the first round of the 2009 draft to get Ohio State running back Chris Wells, but it did not happen. Then came the rumors that the Saints were interested in veteran Edgerrin James, which did not happen, either.

Now, do not get me wrong, I am not mad at the Saints front office or staff for not going after a more proven guy, but I do feel that the Saints answer might be inside the locker room—a running back who played for the Saints in 2008, his name—Mike Bell.

If you look into Bell, you can see that he is more of a bruising back than either one of the Saints current running backs, Thomas and Reggie Bush. Bell, like Thomas, went undrafted his rookie season and was signed by the Denver Broncos. 

He went along to put together a great rookie season for a running back after going undrafted, and rushed for 677 yards, with a 4.3 yard average and eight rushing touchdowns in 2006.

Bell was cut by the Broncos heading into the 2008 season and was signed by the Saints half way through it. He wasn’t given much of a chance to prove himself, only getting the ball handed off to him 13 times with only 42 yards and one rushing touchdown, with only a 3.2 yard average.

Bell stands at 6’0″ and weighs about 225 pounds. He has proven to be a solid inside runner for the Broncos, and I feel he could very well contribute for the Saints running game too, giving Thomas and Bush breathers.

Bell could take over the role for the goal line back and short yardage situations so we can convert them and keep the Saints offense on the field longer.

I am not saying Bell will be an every-down back, but I am saying he could be effective if given the opportunity to run the ball a lot more in 2009. Look out for Bell to become the official short yardage back and the official change of pace back when it comes down to being more physical.

 

 

Pressure Is Key For the Saints 2009 Defense

Coming into the 2009 season I have spent time wondering if the Saints have done everything they need to repair the defense. Lead by QB Drew Brees, the Saints are a team with one of the most feared offenses in the NFL. The Saints have brought in a couple of veterans on the defensive side of the ball, but brought in depth at every position as well.

The players I feel that will have the biggest impact for the Saints in 2009 are veterans Darren Sharper and Jabari Greer. Sharper, the current career interceptions leader in the NFL, brings leadership to a young secondary. He will most likely start at the free safety position and will compete to stay the current interceptions leader.

Jabari Greer, coming over from Buffalo, has a pair of pick six’s in 2008, but is not a ball hawk. The speedy cornerback has struggled staying healthy, which to me is a concern. Does anybody remember why Jason David was starting because of injuries?

The Saints have addressed a lot along the secondary and brought in depth at every position, but I do not feel the Saints have done enough to become a top 10 defense yet.  The Saints have yet to address what can make or break some defenses, and that is getting after the quarterback. 

If you take a look at some of the top defenses in the NFL you will see that they all have a solid amount of sacks. Getting sacks doesn’t always mean being the best defense, but it can benefit any secondary. If the Saints want to cause more turnovers in 2009 than 2008, they will simply need to get after the quarterback on a consistent basis.

Bringing pressure to the quarterback does a lot more than just cause interceptions—it creates incompletions and can shake up nearly any quarterback. If a quarterback is flushed out of the pocket, it takes him time to reset his footing and throw the ball.

Most quarterbacks are not as great on the run as they are in the pocket, which will cause more incompletions, sacks, interceptions, and last but not least, will get the opposing teams offense off of the field.

The Saints have a solid defensive line starting in the inside with second year player Sedrick Ellis. Ellis will demand double teams and will let loose any blitzers and the defensive ends. If Rod Coleman can return to even half of the form he had when he was with a division rival, the Saints could have an outstanding amount of pressure in the inside which will result in the quarterback being flushed out the pocket.

If the Saints defensive ends can return to their top performance you can see the sack total for the Saints rise. Defensive ends Will Smith, Charles Grant, Bobby McCray, and Paul Spicer will be expected to bring pressure from the outside, forcing the quarterback to either take a step inside to the defensive tackles or get rid of the ball.

Then comes the pressure from either the secondary or the linebackers. Expect the new defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, to blitz his linebackers and safeties often. Williams wants his defensive players to be aggressive—not let the offense attack first, but attack the offense first.  That is the style his defenses play with.

Expect the linebackers of the Saints to blitz a lot more than they have in past years which will keep some pressure off of the secondary and the defensive linemen.

This is just my belief on what the Saints need to do in 2009 to boost up the defense. You can bring in as many great corners as you want, but pressure is needed or the quarterback will find the open man. The  more pressure the Saints bring the more turn overs.

New Orleans Saints: 2009 Secondary Prediction

In 2008 the New Orleans Saints’ secondary was the weakest link of the team. All three of the Saints’ 2008 starting corners, Mike Mckenzie, Randall Gay and Tracy Porter, spent games on the side lines.

Although the Saints secondary is the weakest link it has shown some flashes, one of them being Jason David, who lead the Saints in interceptions and Usama Young who had a pair of interceptions.

Let’s take a look at the 2009 secondary statistics. This will be done using the cornerbacks and safeties and will include the newest players to the Saints’ secondary.

Corner backs:

Randall Gay: In 14 games with 13 starts, Gay recorded 52 tackles, one sack and 15 pass deflections.

Tracy Porter: In just five starts as a rookie, Porter showed flashes and recorded 23 tackles, one sack, five pass deflections and one interception.

Jabari Greer: In 10 games with 10 starts, Greer recorded 38 tackles, one forced fumble, seven pass deflections and two interceptions, both resulting in touchdowns.

Jason David: In 14 games with 6 starts, David recorded 23 tackles, 10 pass deflections and five interceptions.

Safeties:

Darren Sharper: In 16 games and starts, Sharper recorded 69 tackles, five pass deflections and one interception.

Roman Harper: In 15 games with 15 starts, Harper recorded 89 tackles and had nine pass deflections.

Usama Young: In 15 games with two starts, Young recorded 50 tackles, eight pass deflections and two interceptions.

Pierson Prioleua: In 16 games with one start, Prioleaua recorded 26 tackles.

 

As one can see, the Saints’ secondary does indeed have players that could all perform better than others. If there is one man who will play for his players strengths it will be Gregg Williams. Here are my projected starters for each position and my analysis on how to use them in certain situations.

Starting Corner backs: Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter

Nickel Back: Randall Gay

Dime Back: Malcolm Jenkins

Free Safety: Darren Sharper

Strong Safety: Roman Harper

Yes, I know people are thinking, “How can you put our first rounder as the dime back?” I don’t see him as the starting cornerback just yet. I’ve spent time thinking about this and I’d like to see the Saints develop Jenkins, yet still plug him in on certain packages. Expect to see Williams use Jenkins everywhere and for different looks; perhaps putting up against the tight ends might work in their favor.

This is how I would like to see the Saints use some of their players in certain situations: blitzes, over the top, and roaming around in the middle of the field.

Blitzers:

Tracy Porter has the speed to get after the quarterback and has already recorded a sack on a blitz. I would like to see him used as a blitzer at times.

Roman Harper is more of the hit hard, up close, on the line safety and I don’t feel comfortable with Harper over the top defending the pass. I would like to see him blitzed and I feel if matched up against a running back, he could beat them for the sack.

Randall Gay: Another cornerback who recorded a sack for the Saints in 2008, I feel he can be one of the best nickels in the NFL. If used as one, he could get after the passer to help force more interceptions.

These three players could be very effective at chasing the pass rusher and could create some turnovers for the Saints. The more the Saints get after the quarterback and have him on his back, the more players stopped dead in their tracks and the more pressure that will be put on the line.

Mid Field Safety:

Malcolm Jenkins: The rookie out of Ohio State will be battling for one of the starting cornerback positions but I feel he could be used in many ways for the Saints on tight ends against teams like the Falcons, Buccaneers, Cowboys, and Redskins. His size and great ball skills could help create some interceptions if put in the middle of the field.

Usama Young: Usama Young is entering his third year with the New Orleans Saints but his first at the safety position. Young was amongst the team leaders in interceptions with two and has proved to be a solid tackler recorded 50. Young is a big  defensive back standing at 6’0 and 200 pounds and just like Jenkins could be used as a midfield safety to try to create some turn overs for the Saints.

Jason David: Jason David has proved to be a ball hawk through out his career and has recorded 16 interceptions in five seasons both with the Colts and the Saints. Last year David was constantly burned downfield and giving up a touchdown but he could very well be a solid midfield player. I’ve always felt if David was used the right way he could be force in the Saints’ secondary. It would be better to use David in this manner than to let him roam freely in the middle of the field looking for a pick to add to his resume.

Third and Longs:

Darren Sharper: The active NFL interception leader is great in coverage. He might have lost a step but he is being brought into a system where they want him to be aggressive and get interceptions.

Randall Gay: I would like to see Gay used in a blitz a lot more, but when used in coverage, Randall Gay is solid and could help cut down those conversions on third down.

Malcolm Jenkins: Jenkins could be used to help double cover bigger receivers on those third and longs. He could take Roman Harper out on those passing downs and he won’t be used in a blitz.

Tracy Porter: He is my number two corner, so he would be in.

Jabari Greer: He is my number one corner, so he would be able to help keep the faster receivers out of the picture.

Jason David: Jason David could do well against the fourth receiver on the field and would likely not get burnt like he would against number ones or twos.

That is my prediction on third downs. assuming that we would play them with four linemen and Vilma holding down the middle as well. I like the Saints’ secondary for the 2009 season and I expect them to do a lot better than in ’08. I think if the Saints can turn some of those pass deflections into interceptions the Saints offense will be able to close out a lot more games for us.

Expect the safety play to be a lot better in 2009 due to Darren Sharper. Not just for his play but for what he brings to the table to help develop the younger guys. He gives the safeties something to learn as far as veteran leadership goes. This will help the play of young safety in Roman Harper.

The 2009 New Orleans Saints’ Backfield: The Force and The Explosives

This is my evaluation on the 2009 New Orleans Saints’ backfield. The Saints have a backfield that can do different things, but this article is going to be on the two most talked about running backs for the Saints: Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush.

Now, if I had to use one word to describe each of these running backs roles for the Saints offense, Pierre Thomas would be the force and Reggie Bush the explosives.

Thomas and Bush both bring different types of running game but both are very effective in the Saints’ offense and are very solid when assigned a assignment by head coach Sean Payton.

Here is how both of these backs complement each other:

 

Pierre “The Force” Thomas

Pierre Thomas joined the New Orleans Saints as a un-drafted rookie in 2007. Thomas opened eyes in his first start in the NFL against the Chicago Bears. He rushed for 105 yards with a 5.5 average with 12 receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown.

Since that game, Thomas has seen his role increased as a running back with the New Orleans Saints. He’s had 129 rushing attempts for 625 yards with a 4.8 average and nine rushing touchdowns. Pierre Thomas also recorded 31 catches for 284 yards and three receiving touchdowns.

Thomas has also been used in the kick return game—you might remember the return against division rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, to give the Saints great field positioning to take the lead in the fourth quarter.

Although Thomas did not take any returns to the house, he was a solid contributor in setting the Saints up with great field positioning. Thomas had 31 kick returns for 793 yards with a 25.6 average and his longest of the season was an 88-yarder.

Thomas is a physical back who would much rather run north and south than to the outside. I feel like Thomas is the perfect goal line back for the Saints for two reasons: he can run in the inside and he can catch, which gives the Saints two options along the goal line. Pierre also does not turn the ball over, only fumbling once in his career with the Saints. Thomas was a great player for the Saints in 2008 and put up 1,702 all-purpose yards with 12 touchdowns and I expect his touches to increase in 2009.

 

Reggie “The Explosives” Bush

Reggie Bush joined the Saints in 2006 when he was drafted with the second overall pick of the 2006 NFL draft. Reggie Bush has the speed to take it to the house with every single touch, but he has been inconsistent when it comes to running between the tackles and staying healthy.

Bush exploded onto the scene in many ways in his rookie season with the Saints, mostly in the receiving game where he recorded 88 receptions for 742 yards with a 8.4 average and two touchdowns. Bush also ran the ball 155 times for 565 yards with a 3.6 average and six rushing touchdowns. Bush was also used on special teams getting 28 returns for 216 yards with a 7.7 average and one touchdown.

Reggie Bush finished the 2008 season with 106 rushing attempts for 404 yards with a 3.8 average with two rushing touchdowns. Bush also had 52 receptions for 440 yards with  8.5 average and four receiving touchdowns. Bush returned 20 punts for 270 yards with a 13.5 average and three touchdowns. In 2008, he had 1,114 total yards and nine total touchdowns.

Reggie should be the back used more for the receiving game for the Saints and used for toss plays and draws. We saw at the end of the 2008 season where Payton started to run a lot more draw plays with Bush, and an example would be in week 14 against Atlanta where the Saints ran a draw play out of the shotgun and Reggie got a 43-yard run out of it. Bush complements Pierre Thomas with his speed and ability to make defenders miss. Expect Bush’s role to be the same as it was in 2006: coming in on passing downs and creating problems for defenses’ linebackers.

The Saints have a talented backfield that could put up great numbers if given the opportunity, but the Saints will remain pass first and both of these backs can catch the ball and make explosive plays for the Saints in 2009.

Deuce Mcallister’s Top Three Possible Destinations

For the first time in Deuce Mcallister’s career, he is a free agent. Deuce has spent eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Mcallister is currently still a free agent and is probably one of the best short yardage backs left. His leadership could be used in a couple of locker rooms. This is my list of the top three possible destinations for Deuce Mcallister.

No. 1: The Cincinatti Bengals

The Bengals were ranked 29th in the league in rushing. They’ve done a lot to improve their team, but have yet to address the running back position this offseason. Their current leader in rushing yards is Cedric Benson, who ran for 747 yards with two rushing touchdowns and a 3.5 average.

Deuce Mcallister is an upgrade over Benson in finding the endzone with five rushing touchdowns. Mcallister could also help keep Carson Palmer off the injured list and would  help the offense keep opposing defenses modest in 2009.

No. 2: The Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks underachieved in the 2009 season. With Matt Hassellbeck coming back off an injury, the Seahawks would also be a team who doesn’t want their quarterback to get injured and handing the ball off some more might help them out.

The Seahawks were ranked 19th in the league in rushing and have not been the same on the ground since the departure of Shaun Alexander. I am aware that running back Julius Jones had a pretty solid season last year rushing for 698 yards with a 4.4 average, but he only found the endzone twice.

Deuce Mcallister could be a solid compliment to Julius Jones and could be the official goal line back for the Seahawks.

No. 3: The Houston Texans

Yes, I said it, the Houston Texans. The Texans already have a great running back in Steve Slaton, but they could very well use the inside presence of a Deuce Mcallister. Steve Slaton rushed for 1,282 yards with nine rushing touchdowns with a 4.8 average. Mcallister could very well complement Slaton the same way he and Reggie Bush worked so well together in 2006.

Don’t forget, during the free agency, the Texans were looking for an upgrade in the goal line back to complement the small speedy Steve Slaton.

This is just my prediction on where the “DEUCE!” could land in 2009. I would not be shocked to see him return to the New Orleans Saints to finish out his career.

 

 

 

New Orleans Interested In Michael Vick?

Many know Michael Vick has just been released from prison. Many people also know the crime that Vick committed—which got him suspended from the NFL and two years in prison. Now many of you might be wondering why I am writing this on the Saints’ page, but after the owners meeting they discussed the future of Michael Vick and owner Tom Benson said he is not ruling out the possibility of trading with Michael Vick if he is allowed back into the NFL.

Now this is a head scratcher for me. I never expected the Saints to be even interested in Michael Vick, and although many people feel that Vick should not be allowed into the NFL, and some say he is an over rated quarterback, but here are my reasons the Saints  go after Vick and the way we will use him.

One of the reasons Vick could join the Saints is simply as a backup quarterback and at the running back position. This would give us valuable depth and we could release a quarterback and a running back from the roster to add more depth at other positions—mostly defensive tackle and across the offensive line.

Reason number two is, maybe the Saints want to use Vick’s athleticism for other positions, maybe wide receiver. Vick has explosive speed and could very well dominate at either three positions being running back, quarterback, or wide receiver.

The Saints could very well be looking at adding some “Wildcat” to the already explosive offense. If the Saints brought in a Michael Vick it would be a temptation to run some of the Wildcat  in the 2009 season which could keep defenses on their heels when Vick and Brees both line up in the shot gun.

Vick could throw the ball and could run many option plays. This would also keep Drew Brees healthier, when games are put away Michael Vick could come in to take over for the rest of the game.

The running back position seems more logical for the Saints. The poor rushing attack crippled their offense last season. Vick is explosive on the run and can always make defenders miss. In his six year career Vick has ran the ball 529 times with 3,859 yards—a 7.3 average and 21 rushing touchdowns—pretty impressive for a quarterback. Now all this is a plus and would be great to have with the Saints but his problems are fumbling. Vick has fumbled 55 times in his career.

I truthfully would love the addition of Michael Vick to the New Orleans Saints in the backfield. He would bring something to this offense that no other offense will have. Vick will also be another dynamic player to booster the, already, No. 1 ranked offense in 2008.

Although I highly doubt this would happen seeing that Michael Vick still belongs to the Atlanta Falcon,s but if Vick did come to the New Orleans Saints, I for one, would see this as a great addition. Whatever benefits the team and wins games is good for me.

 

New Orleans Saints 2009 Starting Defensive Line Prediction

This is the third part of my predictions for the 2009 starting New Orleans Saints defense. This article will be about the front four also known as the defensive line.

The New Orleans Saints use the 4-3 defense. This defense relies on the front four to get pressure on the quarterback and to keep the offensive line off of the linebackers.

The Saints have used this offseason to address depth on the defensive line. This was a necessary task due to many of the injuries that occurred last year in 2008 along the defensive line.The depth added will give the New Orleans Saints a great rotation along the defensive line to keep them fresh.

This article will be a bit different than all my other ones. This one lists the starting defensive lineman and who will be rotated in (as well as who will be rotated on passing downs).

Left End: Charles Grant
Charles Grant is one of the highest paid defensive ends, but has not put up the numbers since getting paid that huge contract. In 2008, Grant got injured halfway through the season, but only recorded 33 tackles 3 sacks and a safety in 2008. Grant could be one of the most dominating defensive ends and could get 10 sacks as he did in both 2003 and 2004.

Behind Grant is defensive end Bobby McCray, who played with us in 2008 and recorded 29 tackles and six sacks in all 16 games of the 2008 season, starting in eight of them. McCray would be used on passing downs and in to rotate with Charles Grant. McCarty has a reputation for being a sack specialist and recorded a career high 10 sacks in 2006 and could beat out Grant for his starting position.

Defensive Tackles: Sedrick Ellis, Kendrick Clancy

Sedrick Ellis was drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Ellis has started 13 games recording 30 tackles and four sacks in his rookie campaign, but missed three due to injury. Sedrick showed a lot of promise in ’08 and if he can stay healthy, he can be a dominant defensive tackle and put up better numbers in his sophomore year.

The second defensive tackle position was probably one of the hardest to select. I have to go with Kendrick Clancy to start on my predictions simply because we don’t know what the other defensive tackles bring to the table yet. In 14 starts in 2008, Kendrick Clancy recorded 34 tackles and two sacks.

Other Defensive Tackles to watch:

Rod Coleman is another comeback defensive player the Saints have signed along with Dan Morgan, who is coming out of retirement. Coleman spent most of the 2007 season injured but recorded seven tackles and two sacks in just five games. Coleman did not play in 2008 but hopefully he can return to his Pro Bowl-caliber performances. Coleman will be reunited with the New Orleans Saints’ new defensive line coach. Coleman’s best season in the NFL was with division rival Atlanta Falcons, where he recorded 11.5  sacks with 40 tackles.

Demario Presley is coming off of a injury that did not allow him to play at all in the 2008 season. If Payton did not cut him, he saw something from Presley in training camp, so look for him to make contributions to the Saints defense in 2009.

Right End: Will Smith

Will Smith is one of the most dominant players we have on defense. Many people want to criticize Smith for the season he had last year after receiving a new, expensive contract.  Will Smith played through a injury last year, which shows his toughness. In 2009, Will Smith recorded 61 tackles and three sacks. Smith is very well a dominating defensive end in this league and I expect him to deliver in 2009. Smith’s best season came in 2006, when he recorded 49 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 2006 in only 14 games.

Paul Spicer will be lining up behind Smith to let him rest. Spicer is a veteran coming out of Jacksonville, coming along with defensive coordinator Greg Williams. Spicer brings great depth to the defensive line and can line up at any position on the defensive line. Spicer recorded 3.5 sacks and 34 tackles in 2008. His best season came in 2005, where he recorded 7.5 sacks and 37 tackles.

In 2009, defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant are facing possible four-game suspensions, so the depth the Saints have added will help the Saints a lot if the suspension goes through. Overall, we have three defensive ends who have recorded 10 sacks or more in their careers, so they have the potential. The defensive tackle position with Sedrick Ellis will be a big question but we have plenty of depth. Expect a lot more pressure on the quarterback from the front four.

 

 

Marshall Faulk Versus Reggie Bush

This is an article comparing one of the best running backs in Marshall Faulk to one who was projected to be one of the best, Reggie Bush.

I have a list of things both of these running backs have in common.

Now, I am not saying that Bush is as good as Faulk was, but what I am saying will probably change your minds on Reggie Bush being labeled as a bust.

Faulk was taken second overall in the 1994 draft by the Indianapolis Colts and Bush was taken second overall in the 2006 draft by the New Orleans Saints.

Both players went to 3-13 teams.

Faulk was born in New Orleans in 1973, Reggie Bush began his NFL career in New Orleans.

Now I will begin to actually compare Faulk’s and Bush’s careers. I will mostly base this comparison on the first three years of their careers.

Bush has yet to pass the 1,000 yard mark on the ground, but like Faulk, Bush has been very effective in the receiving game.

In his first three years, Marshall Faulk recorded 164 receptions, 1425 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns. Bush recorded 213 receptions, 1599 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

Faulk and Bush both had issues with fumbling in their first three seasons. Faulk fumbled 15 times, while Bush fumbled 13 times.

Another issue that troubled Faulk was injuries in his third season. That limited him to just 13 games. In Bush’s third season, he was also injured, causing him to miss games.

By comparing these two men solely on the third seasons of their careers, we see that Bush averaged 3.8 yards per carry and Marshall Faulk averaged 3.0 yards per carry.

Now many people might want to bite my neck off for this article comparing Bush to a future Hall of Famer in Faulk, but it is something I felt should be looked at by others.

Faulk came back in his fourth season and made up for his poor third season.

I hope that Reggie Bush can turn his career around like Faulk did and give the Saints the explosive running game that many people expected.

 

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