SaintsReport.com - 11,23,24

Don't worry about recent turnover troubles for Saints

mvtrucking — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:18:58 GMT

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif By Guerry Smith / New Orleans Sports Examiner The 1983 Washington Redskins rolled through the regular season with an astronomical plus-43 turnover differential, by far the best in NFL history. They were plus-4 in two playoff games, advancing to the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Raiders, who were minus-13 in the regular season and added five turnovers in a postseason victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Yet, the Raiders beat the Redskins 38-9, returning a Joe Theismann interception for a touchdown in the first half and forcing three turnovers. Inexplicable turnarounds like that one are the reason you should not be overly concerned about the Saints’ recent spate of 13 turnovers in four games.

New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston eager for good game against Tampa Bay

mvtrucking — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:55:35 GMT

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/colston-scores-09ea4f797b99ffd2_medium.jpg By Nakia Hogan / Times-Picayune It irks Marques Colston that he hasn't been overly productive the past two games. It bothers him that after a scorching start to the season, he has had some uncharacteristic drops and a nearly costly fumble. He tries not to show it, but it annoys him that he's had so many lapses. No one else in the New Orleans Saints' organization seems to be concerned with recent abnormal play by Colston, though.

Mickles: Picture for playoffs still taking shape

mvtrucking — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:38:48 GMT

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif By Sheldon Mickles / The Advocate About this time of the NFL season each year, media and fans usually start trying to figure out what the New Orleans Saints and other teams have to do to make the playoffs. With two games remaining in November and only seven games to be played overall, the playoff picture is really going to start taking shape in the next couple of weeks. It can get rather complicated — and it usually does — when tiebreakers and other variables are factored into the equation that ends up sending 12 teams to the postseason.

Recent form not typical of New Orleans Saints top receiver Marques Colston

mvtrucking — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:24:46 GMT

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif By Brian Allee-Walsh / New Orleans.Com The Marques Colston we have seen the past two games is not the Marques Colston we are used to seeing. Numerous drops, a fumble at the goal line, three catches for 62 yards and no touchdowns. No, this is not the same gifted 6-foot-4, 225-pound wide receiver that New Orleans Saints fans are accustomed to seeing since he first sprang on the NFL scene in 2006 with tentacles for fingers and butter for hands. If we know it, then he certainly knows it, because Marques Colston is a consummate professional.

Saints not perfect, but look to stay undefeated taking on the Bucs

mvtrucking — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:03:27 GMT

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif By Associated Press / NFL.Com Injuries have started to pile up for the New Orleans Saints' defense, and their offense has had trouble taking care of the ball. Those factors, along with some recent close calls and their struggles of late against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, make Sunday's matchup far from a sure thing for the Saints even though they're facing one of the league's worst teams. New Orleans (9-0) could be missing at least three defensive starters -- cornerback Jabari Greer (groin), defense tackle Sedrick Ellis (right knee) and cornerback Tracy Porter (left knee).

New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams press conference

mvtrucking — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:08:38 GMT

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif By Justin Macione / New Orleans Saints.Com New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams Thursday, November 19, 2009 Q: What is your take on Chris McAlister? A: I’ve known him for a long time and knew him when he was coming out, would have loved the opportunity to draft him when he was coming out, didn’t get that opportunity. I’ve competed against him a long time. He’s another guy for us to try to get ready to go. When he’s ready, I can’t tell you that. A lot of it will be dependent upon the health of the guys in front of him. I think it’s another compliment to the organization that I’m learning about being involved with this organization. I’ve been at places where you just did without. All of a sudden you get one of those defensive tackles to play corner or something like that. We always have a short list. I think Ryan Pace and his group upstairs do a tremendous job on who’s on the short list and bringing them in. I selfishly like veterans at this time of the year because I don’t have to catch them up as much. There are certain things he already knows about the National Football League, so we’ll just have to wait and see. He fits in well.

New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton press conference transcript

mvtrucking — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:20:50 GMT

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif By Justin Macione / New Orleans Saints.Com New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton Thursday, November 19, 2009 Opening Statement/Injury Report: Lance Moore (ankle) did not practice. Jabari Greer (groin) did not practice. Reggie Bush (knee) did not practice. Tracy Porter (knee) did not practice. Darren Sharper (knee) was limited. Jonathan Goodwin (ankle) was limited. Dave Thomas (knee) was full. Sedrick Ellis (knee) was limited. Q: Can you discuss Reggie Bush’s status?

The Bayou Bulletin: Fr-Fr-Fr-Freeman

TheBayouBullet — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:49:18 GMT

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif Thursday, November 19th, 2009 Fr-Fr-Fr-Freeman By Lee Stephen This Sunday, the New Orleans Saints will face off against NFC South rival Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers (1-8) are coming off the hot hand of rookie quarterback Josh Freeman, who is currently 1-1 (and nearly 2-0) as a starter. Freeman has sparked Tampa Bay�s offense, giving the practically-already-eliminated Bucs new life in 2009, if for nothing else, to play spoiler to those teams on their schedule who are still in the hunt. Though New Orleans is all but guaranteed a playoff spot already, there is much on the line for the Saints, including a race with Minnesota for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. It is for this reason that, for New Orleans, every game counts. Games against teams like the Bucs must be won, and so for the Bucs, this is a great opportunity to stick it to a division rival that can�t afford to lose. I�ve looked at everything in respect to Josh Freeman, and beyond all of his statistics, collegiate accomplishments, and tendencies behind center, there�s one thing in particular that stands out above everything else. More so than anything else, it will be most influential factor in the Bucs� chances against New Orleans� high powered offense and surprisingly adept defense. No, I�m not talking about accuracy, or power, or anything mechanical. I�m not talking about field vision, the �it� factor, or ability under pressure. I�m talking about something God-given. Something Freeman was born with�a gift, not a choice. It�s the first thing anyone notices when they see Freeman in (or out of,...

New Orleans Saints first-and-10: Don't worry about Drew Brees' turnovers

mvtrucking — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:17:15 GMT

http://media.nola.com/saints_impact/photo/marques-colston16jpg-6b3abf83d608f3d8_medium.jpg By Jeff Duncan / Times-Picayune One of the uglier trends in the New Orleans Saints' otherwise exquisite 9-0 start has been their propensity for turnovers. New Orleans has 19 giveaways this season. Only four teams in the league have committed more. The Saints and Cardinals are the only two teams in the bottom 10 of giveaways with winning records. The Saints have succeeded largely because they've offset their own miscues by forcing a bushel of their own. The Saints lead the NFL in takeaways with 25.

Evans report: New Orleans Saints fullback Heath Evans' blog for Nov. 18

mvtrucking — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:38:50 GMT

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif By Heath Evans / Times-Picayune New Orleans Saints fullback Heath Evans, who last month had season-ending surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, writes an occasional diary for The Times-Picayune: At the start of Sunday's game against the Rams, I only had a weak knee. By the end of the game, I had a weak heart to go along with it! "Too close for comfort" is the phrase that comes to my mind. Full Story – Nola.Com