Tag: New Orleans Saints (Page 16 of 55)

Are the Giants the best team in the NFC right now?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 13:  Jonathan Goff #54 of the New York Giants celebrates after an interception in the third quarter with teammates Danny Clark #55, Michael Boley #52 and  Aaron Rouse #26 against the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium on December 13, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

If someone to poll football fans across the great nation about which is the best team in the NFC right now, you’d have a wide range of answers.

The Falcons beat the pesky Buccaneers on Sunday to take sole possession of the NFC South, while the Packers humiliated the Cowboys to win their third straight game.

The Saints have looked mortal this year but they’re won two straight and are only one game behind the Falcons in the loss column in the division. The Eagles are 5-3 but they lambasted the Falcons a couple of weeks ago and are undefeated when Michael Vick starts and finishes a game.

But to me, the question of which team is the best in the NFC right now is an easy one. It’s the New York Giants. They’ve won five straight games, are 3-1 on the road this year and are 5-0 in the division. They also lead the league in total defense and pass yards allowed, have the second best run defense, are seventh in pass yards and third in rushing. That’s a complete team if I’ve ever seen one.

The Giants have the least amount of flaws of any team in the NFC right now. The Packers are playing well, but they have to be the most injury-ravaged team in the conference. The Falcons look the part but they’re young and vulnerable on defense and their offense can get into some nasty funks. They also got some fortunate breaks in wins over the Saints and 49ers – two games that easily could have resulted in losses.

That said, the NFL is a fickle mistress. What appears to be one week is not the same the following week. For all we know the Giants are due for a massive letdown and the Eagles could go unbeaten the rest of the way.

But as of right now, November 8, 2010, the Giants are the clear-cut team to beat in the NFC in my eyes. And it’s not even a question.

Pierre Thomas was nearly a Patriot

NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 21: Pierre Thomas  of the New Orleans Saints scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans at the Louisiana Superdome on August 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

According to Brian Allee-Walsh of NewOrleans.com, the Saints nearly traded running back Pierre Thomas to the Patriots leading up to the October 19 deadline.

The Saints were reportedly targeting a cornerback but talks fell through after New England asked for a draft pick to be thrown into the deal. Thomas has missed the last five games due to an ankle injury.

It’s not surprising to hear that the Saints nearly dealt Thomas considering how frustrated coach Sean Payton has been with his running back’s injury issues over the last two years. Thomas was a vital piece down the stretch run last year, but he can never stay healthy. Not having Thomas and Reggie Bush in their backfield has hurt the Saints this season, as Payton’s offense has lost its balance.

On the injury front, Thomas told the media on Thursday that doctors found something else wrong with his ankle when they re-examined him last week. That said, he was also told he can ditch his crutches during the Saints’ bye in Week 10, which is a positive sign for his status the rest of the year.

Has Drew Brees been hiding a serious knee injury?

Sep 20, 2010; San Francisco, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass during the Saints' 25-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. Photo via Newscom

Earlier this season, Drew Brees suffered what appeared to be a knee injury in Week 3 of an overtime loss to the Falcons. He could be seen limping around and his name did show up on New Orleans’ injury report the flowing week, but he hasn’t missed a game so nobody has thought much of it.

But Kenny Wilkerson of WIST radio in New Orleans reported Thursday that Brees has been playing with a fracture and a torn meniscus in his left knee.

From Rotoworld.com:

Wilkerson is citing what he says is an “impeccable source,” and that the information is “100 thousand-trillion-million percent” accurate. He also added that the pain sometimes causes Brees to make mistakes when calling or executing plays and that it’s possible the quarterback could need microfracture surgery at some point. Brees injured the knee back in Week 3 and the Saints referred to it only as a sprain, but it sounds like they might be covering up a bigger issue. He’s been picked off more often than normal this season, but overall Brees’ fantasy production hasn’t been significantly affected by the injury.

Just a couple of hours ago, coach Sean Payton called the report “inaccurate” and “completely false.” But it’s not like Payton has been completely forthcoming about injuries in the past, so it’s hard to take him at his word.

Either way, Brees has been able to play on the left knee and while he’s been shaky at times this year, he did put together a dazzling second half performance against the Steelers last Sunday night. Maybe the worst is now behind him and either the injury is healing or the pain is manageable. He also flat out laughed at the report when asked about it today, so it appears to be nothing.

Wilkerson be looking like a fool.

Captain Morgan NFL Halloween Weekend Preview

Make your Holiday legendary with Captain and Cola. Join the party on Facebook!

Captain Morgan and The Scores Report have teamed up to preview this Sunday’s games in the NFL and in the spirit of Halloween, here are a couple frightening matchups that players/teams face this weekend.

1. Steelers @ Saints: Drew Brees vs. Pittsburgh’s Defense
You can bet that the fans in New Orleans will be dressed up for this one, although they’re always dressed up so what’s the difference? If Brees thought the Browns abused him last week, he’s in for a real treat (trick or treat? Ah, hahahahahaha…Halloween) this Sunday night with Pittsburgh coming to town. The Steelers are second in the NFL in yards allowed and first in both run defense and points allowed. Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush look like they’re bowing out of this matchup and who could blame them? If Brees can’t move the ball through the air, he’s in for a long night.

2. Packers @ Jets: Aaron Rodgers vs. Rex Ryan’s Front Seven
Aaron Rodgers can’t be feeling too good about things these days. His offensive line is once again banged up, he doesn’t have much of a running game at his disposal, his second best receiver (Donald Driver) is also injured and he’s facing a well-rested Rex Ryan defense coming off its bye week. Oh yeah – and Darrelle Revis (hamstring) is completely healthy now, too. There’s no doubt Ryan will throw the kitchen sink at Rodgers in terms of looks and expect the Jets to send extra defenders early and often. It’s going to be a real freight fest in East Rutherford this weekend! Hahahaha – weeeeeeeeeeee!

3. Vikings @ Patriots: Favre, Vikings vs. the prospects of another loss
Brett Favre’s consecutive starts streak isn’t the only thing on the line this Sunday when the Vikings travel to Foxboro. At 2-4, Minnesota is already two games back in the win column in the NFC North and another loss will sink its postseason hopes even more. If Favre can’t go, Tarvaris Jackson will start and that means Adrian Peterson will have to shoulder the workload. Of course, even if Favre starts, Brad Childress may want to keep the ball in AP’s hands anyway. Given how well the Patriots have played at home under Bill Belichick, this isn’t the matchup the Vikings needed to get back on track. They should be spooked (spooked! Hahahahaha…Halloween) out of their minds right now.

4. Broncos vs. 49ers: London vs. the worst matchup in NFL history
Okay, I’m exaggerating – this isn’t the worst matchup in NFL history. The worst matchup in NFL history would probably be the ’08 Lions vs. the ’09 Rams. Now that’s scary (scary! Halloooooweeeeeennnn theme!). That said, the folks out in London can’t be too thrilled with this one. The 49ers and Broncos have combined for three wins this year and 11 losses and while San Fran couldn’t beat a previous winless Panthers team last Sunday, Denver is coming off a loss in which they gave up 59 points to the Raiders…at home, no less. With apologies to Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, talk about a starless game for the London crowd.

5. Jaguars @ Cowboys: David Garrard vs. Jon Kitna
Look, there’s nothing funny about this matchup. It seriously is frightening and the thought of anyone paying money to see this horror show is terrifying. Happy Halloween, Dallas!

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The Browns slay another Super Bowl champ, shock hapless Saints

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Peyton Hillis  of the Cleveland Browns scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Here’s a fun fact for your Sunday afternoon: With their win over the Saints on Sunday, the Browns have now beaten the defending Super Bowl champion the last three years (Giants, Steelers, Saints). It’s a small consolation prize for Cleveland fans that have to put up with this team every year, but it’s a consolation prize nonetheless.

In their 30-17 victory, the Browns never trailed despite only racking up 85 passing yards. The Saints shot themselves in the foot early and often while turning the ball over four times and committing seven penalties. Drew Brees threw four interceptions and was sacked three times as the Saints were just 2-of-4 inside the red zone.

It’s hard to pinpoint what’s wrong with this team. A week ago they avoided mistakes and destroyed the Bucs in Tampa and one would have thought that maybe they’d start to roll. But on Sunday, their play was eerily similar to their effort a few weeks ago when the Cardinals shocked them in Arizona. The Browns are better than people think, but they’re not 30-17 better than the defending Super Bowl champions on the road. I know they’re dealing with a ton of injuries, but there’s no excuse for the Saints to get blown out by Cleveland on their home turf.

Call it a Super Bowl hangover, an issue with injuries or a lack of discipline. It’s clear that this isn’t the same Saints team that won it all last year. I’d even venture to say that they’re pretty average and unless they get healthy fast, the losses might keep coming.

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