Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:12 pm EDT

Love/Hate: New Orleans Saints

By MJD

As we continue gathering steam towards the regular season, Shutdown Corner touches on all 32 teams, outlining reasons to love and/or hate them. Today, the New Orleans Saints.

Love the Saints:

They acquired a weapon to compliment Marques Colston. I was concerned that Colston would become one of those receivers destined to play their entire careers without another receiving threat on the field to take some of the heat off. But to the Saints credit, they went out and got Jeremy Shockey, who should make life easier for Colston and Drew Brees, both of whom are very easy to root for. 

Jonathan Vilma means they might have a defensive player who doesn't suck. So maybe I'm exaggerating about the poor quality of the Saints defense, as they do have some quality players up front. But Vilma still represents a huge upgrade, and I'm excited to see what he can do in '08. The former Jet was a Rookie of the Year in 2004, continued his quality play through '05 and '06, but then missed most of '07 with an injury. If he can be anywhere near what he used to be, he should rack up a ton of tackles this year.

Hate the Saints:

Two years into his career, we still don't know if Reggie Bush can be a featured back. Many would suggest that that sentence alone means that Reggie Bush is, in fact, not a featured back, and I couldn't say they'd be wrong. Hopefully, Deuce McAllister returns to 100% and Bush can relax into the part-time, all-over-the-field role that best suits him. Still, it's tiresome to see the amount of attention he continues to get, when compared to the productivity. 

Jeremy Shockey, but not as much, really. I found Shockey incredibly irksome in New York, but I think that was more about the fans who who would scream "SHAWWW-KEEEEY" after every six-yard reception than it was Shockey himself. He was portrayed as some kind of a blue-collar hero to the working man in NYC, all the while soaking up the attention and generally acting like ... well, this. He is an exciting player and works hard on the field, and I'm hoping he'll be more likable in a more normal environment.

Related: Love/Hate

digg delicious
more

32 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. The Wiz
    1. Posted by The Wiz Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Saints have good quality/character players like Brees and Colston...they are exciting to watch especially after the did so well after hurricane Katrina...It will be interesting to see how they fare with the pick up of Shockey...The Saints are marching again!
  2. cpreaux70
    2. Posted by cpreaux70 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    New York plllllease destroy Brett Favre's "character" in the same way you tried to destroy Shockey's. Welcome home Shockey. We know how to treat people in the south. None of that rude, two-faced, here today gone tomorrow New York garbage. Plus, you look much more comfortable in black and gold rather than that poo-poo blue, white, gray, red, whatever you call it uni's.
  3. Neal
    3. Posted by Neal Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:35 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Saints Defensive players that don't suck: Mike McKenzie, Sedrick Ellis, Will Smith, Scott Fujita
    The rest are average to very good. Only 1 or 2 qualify as sucky, and the primary one will likely not start at all this season (See Jason David).
  4. Buckeyes
    4. Posted by Buckeyes Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Saints Defensive players that don't suck: Mike McKenzie, Sedrick Ellis, Will Smith, Scott Fujita
    Sedrick Ellis hasnt even played 1 down of football that counts in the NFL. Leave him out of this until he plays more then 1 series of meaningful football. Will Smith is a beast.
    The Ohio State #1
  5. bendgod
    5. Posted by bendgod Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:05 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    How could you hate the Saints after what New Orleans went through? And again MJD has to add something dumb to his article. Reggie Bush is a very talented player and was hobbled. He is back and will shine again this year. Yes, it is going to help with the return of Deuce, but how could he list Reggie under the hate section. Absurd. Weak division and the Saints can win it this year. The BendGod has again blessed you with his time and comments. His WORD.
  6. Kevin K
    6. Posted by Kevin K Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:23 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    yeah the saints had a great D last year...which is why they gave up 24 points a game and didn't make the playoffs. face it, their D was terrible last year. i think it'll be better this year, but this'll still be a really offensive minded team.
  7. bucknasty
    7. Posted by bucknasty Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:29 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    i agree and think should have traded, reggie for a quality player,maybe a corner,or a back up for deuce that can run like deuce,or a nother d linesman.iif a player cant help u he should not be there ....
  8. bucknasty
    8. Posted by bucknasty Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:29 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I wish the Saint's take a page out of LSU's book and try to get as many of Louisiana players. LSU has a pipe line of unlimited players that is they are so good. They should have traded Reggie to get Glenn Dorsey or Jacob Hester that would have been a good backup for Deuce McAllister. Will Smith is the man on D he just needs more help up front. If we play to our ability up front that takes the pressure off the linebackers and secondary. Our Dline has been a liability. We have what we need on offense and our defense has the talent to be one of the best as good as Dallas. I think we will be as good as the Cowboys this year if not better..........lemoyne sanders (bastrop, la)
  9. bucknasty
    9. Posted by bucknasty Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:29 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I wish the Saint's take a page out of LSU's book and try to get as many of Louisiana players. LSU has a pipe line of unlimited players that is they are so good. They should have traded Reggie to get Glenn Dorsey or Jacob Hester that would have been a good backup for Deuce McAllister. Will Smith is the man on D he just needs more help up front. If we play to our ability up front that takes the pressure off the linebackers and secondary. Our Dline has been a liability. We have what we need on offense and our defense has the talent to be one of the best as good as Dallas. I think we will be as good as the Cowboys this year if not better..........lemoyne sanders (bastrop, la)
  10. saints_9_12_25_26_88
    10. Posted by saints_9_12_25_26_88 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:00 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    stop all that trade REGGIE BUSH talk.....that's nonsense
    do people forget his rookie year? He was hurt last year
    we just need 2 get that Defense to play average & we'll be contenders in the Playoffs
  11. KUKC44
    11. Posted by KUKC44 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:07 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Fantasy Football is in the air again. Just like the past two seasons, I will go after Brees and Colston. I had Bush also, but I just don't think the points will be there. That's due to the arrival of Shockey and Meachem on the rise, Colston should have a better season than the previous two. The Saints are back, and I will jump on there bandwagon again. I already know what the Chiefs are going to do, or not going to do.
  12. dropvolleyjones
    12. Posted by dropvolleyjones Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    reggie bush is still very talented,part of his problem last year was injuries and the fact that deuce was gone for the season.reggie was never intended to be a workhorse,every down kind of back.he' s much more effective as a slash player like randle el was for the steelers,also i felt that sean payton used reggie with more imagination and flair in reggie's rookie year than last year.watch for stecker and pierre thomas to take up some of deuce's slack,allowing to catch passes out of the backfield(the most effective use of reggie from scrimmage),If he's healthy enough i for one would like to see reggie on more kickoff and punt returns,anything to get him the ball in space.I think he'll be great,go reggie and geaux saints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  13. BeauM
    13. Posted by BeauM Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:01 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    MJD, I'm curious as to your credentials. I get the "love/hate' thing, but after reading this, as a true Saints fan, I have to comment on your "editorials" as a whole.
    You know, I've read a few of your articles, but they usually aren't all that great.
    So, how's this? I think your articles are written by the guy who wanted to play football, but ended up hanging from a locker hook by his "tighty-whities".
    I guess I can't expect too much from someone who probably never actually played sports.
  14. Jeremy B
    14. Posted by Jeremy B Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I was thinking the same thing. I am not impressed with Matthew Darnell aka MJD's editorials at all. I think even The Noise has more accurate articles over MJD's , and he is totally over the top. Almost all of MJD's reports have some extremely opinionated angle on something that really has no logic.
    If I was Will Smith (Pro Bowler), Scott Fujita, or Mike Mckenzie, I would be out to strangle MJD. The fake one, not the Jaguar.
  15. Adam L
    15. Posted by Adam L Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:23 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    How can anyone hate the Saints after Katrina? Simple. The non-stop "Team of Destiny" crap the media force fed us during the 2006 season and the playoffs got old 2 seconds after it started. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Bears dismantle them in the NFC Championship that year. Just because a city got hit by a hurricane doesn't mean we have to like them.
    As for Bush, it amazes me how many apologists he has. The man is the most overrated player in the NFL hands down. He can't run inside, and for as many catches he gets he doesn't do anything with the ball once he gets it. Ever since he scored that TD against the Bears and did that idiotic flip he's done nothing. I mean exactly after that TD he's been a complete flop as Urlacher took him out of the game after that and every opposing defense last year followed suit. Saints fans need to face facts: Bush is all hype and will NEVER come close to being what he was at USC, unless he starts taking illegal payments from sports agents again.
  16. bankshotbobby
    16. Posted by bankshotbobby Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Well i called it last year when i told everyone that bush wasnt going to have near the year he did his rookie year. they need to figure out whether he's gonna be a running back or a receiver. not a running back that catches balls out of the back field. that worked for 1 year. and from the true giants fan, good luck with shockey. he also hasn't been the player he was his rookie year. his behavior was toned down by the giants. which i always saw as a mistake. however if you let him be him, then you have to worry about a taunting penalty everytime he catches the ball. and the biggest worry with shockey is his health. always hurt!!! good luck 'aints.
  17. robert c
    17. Posted by robert c Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    uh anyone else catch Bush's ridiculous hurdle over a dude or his 3-4 other crazy diving touchdown runs. He is almost a guaranteed red zone scorer . The reason he wasn't great last year was there was only two skill players on offense minus Brees and QBs don't count unless they can do a Vince Young (like in Texas not Tennessee). People knew where the ball was going and they were often right. Payton just needs to realize he isn't a traditional running back (he wasn't at USC either) he is a get me some space and I will make at least one dude miss player. He does good things and occasionally wins games who doesn't want that on their team.
    He will never be AP, LT, etc. He,like Devin Hester, deserves his own classification called playmaker. That outside of traditional receiver, returner, running back, needs to be respected for what it is and not dissed cause he doesn't fit in a nice mold you are use to. Then after everyone gets it hopefully he does too :)
  18. B-DERRTY
    18. Posted by B-DERRTY Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:09 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I'm a saints fan for life, but isn't the writer supposed to be writing his opinion?
    Anyway, I am a believer in Reggie Bush. I also notice that the Saints O-line are built for pass blocking and not run blocking. That's not here nor there so cut the "trade Reggie" talk. Things will go back to normal now that Deuce, Aaron and Pierre takes the pounding up the middle and Reggie can go back to doing what he did in the 2006 season.
    David is benched (finally). It looks like Porter will take his place. Hopefully that moves works out. The D-coordinator will call more pressure packages and if we don't give up over 24 points a game, we should win a lot of games this year.
  19. Ditto
    19. Posted by Ditto Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Paul brogan - fantasy football rap
  20. Ditto
    20. Posted by Ditto Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The best advice I've heard is from PAUL BROGAN... His rap is on MySpace. com/ paul brogan
  21. jime
    21. Posted by jime Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    hmmmm let me think bout this before i respond
  22. jime
    22. Posted by jime Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    all this reggie bush talk make me nauseous! enough already, bush is a welcomed distraction! he is not and will never be the heart and sole of the team, he merely sales tickets due to the hype that surrounds him (which is rapidly decreasing). drew brees is the guy who will make or break this team. the only thing reggie is prepared to be featured at is in a direct tv, nfl sunday ticket commercial. as for our defense being great, surely that was sarcasm. check the stats! aside from the post katrina season, our defense has been in the middle of the pack at best. every time we face a high powered offense, our d line and our secondary look like varsity squads. we are a good team at best defensively and will remain "good" until we get a younger, faster, and nastier defense.
  23. jime
    23. Posted by jime Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    we have good offensive weapons; a pro bowl and possible hall of famer QB, 3 descent running backs (not counting reggie, and if deuce stays healthy, crossing my fingers), a complete receiving core with the addition of shocky (counting reggie here lol), and last and least reggie providing a gameplanning distraction if he is in the slot or if they are running a dual rb backfield.
    the offense may make defensive coordinators loose sleep but our defense makes offensive coordinators salivate like a fat kid at a candy store.
  24. videoarchives
    24. Posted by videoarchives Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Hopefully the saints secondary will get better and not get beat deep on passing plays which really hurt them last year. They have to improve in this area on defending the pass better. I like the free agent pick ups on defense. I am confident that the Saints will make the playoffs and make some noise,who knows if everything clicks then maybe the SB isn't out of reach. Go Saints.
  25. bigneworleanssaintsfan
    25. Posted by bigneworleanssaintsfan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Saul S you have got to be kidding me? Pac Man Jones? Cmon!! For all that the Saints should have signed Chris Henry too right? Give me a break. The Cowboys are not America's team, the Saints are!! Bush will break out, pending everyone is healthy. BLLLLLLEEEEEDDDDDDDAAAAAATTTTTT
    GEAUX SAINTS!

Shutdown Corner

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

MJD

Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
Chris Chase, Doug Farrar, Blair Johnson, Kevin Sullivan, Kerry Rhodes,

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]

Related Photo Gallery

More NFL Photos »

Y! Sports Blogs

Shutdown Corner Recent Readers

(provided by MyBlogLog)