MONDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN IN NEW ORLEANS

Even though New Orleans is undefeated, the Saints are working themselves into a lather with hopes that a victory over the 7-3 Patriots in a colossal Monday night showdown in the Superdome proves their uncharted 10-0 record isn’t a mirage. A loss would hardly be a backbreaker or season-ender to the Saints, but it would be a punch to the gut.

Following practice on Wednesday, players gushed and hurled bouquets of love at New England they’ve been conditioned to show opponents. Yet, you could sense the reality that the Saints feel they’re the team that should be the target — a right that must be earned, record be damned.

Quarterback Drew Brees said beating the Patriots is far more important at the moment than winning the NFC South, which the Saints could do with a win and a loss or tie by the Falcons.

“I can’t say the mindset this week or the talk is, ‘Hey, let’s go win the division this week,’” Brees said. “That’s a big deal, especially this early on but the mindset is, very much, we are playing a quality opponent. We’re not trying to put any added pressure on ourselves, we’re just trying to out-prepare our opponent and play our best game.”

New Orleans’ coaches have spent a great deal of time “self-scouting” on film this week to see how many of its favorite plays — or plays it thinks could be effective — they’ve put on film for New England to digest.

The Saints aren’t going to get away from what they do, which is spread the ball out in the passing game and complement that with a highly effective running attack. It’s pretty safe to say that head coach Sean Payton, the best play caller in the game, is going to break out some stuff that’s been on ice for a few weeks, if not since the preseason.

Instead of worrying so much about the challenge the Patriots pose, Brees said New England needs to worry about what the Saints have coming their way. Brees has far more toys to work with than Tom Brady, but somehow, the scales seem pretty even since Randy Moss and Wes Welker, as a tandem, are scary productive.

I’ve been following the Saints closely since pegging them to be a playoff team in the preseason. Their level of determination and focus has always been a little different than most of the other teams I’ve been around. They are incredibly detail-oriented and no player seems to mind doing what’s been asked.

This clearly is a big game for New Orleans, which, like so many other teams, wants to establish the type of consistent success New England has sustained. By kickoff, the Saints are going to be a little tired of hearing about the Patriots, though. You can sense the edginess in that regard already.

Source: NFL.com

Mrs. Mina Brees

Drew Brees returned to New Orleans Saints training camp for a pair of practices Monday after leaving the team over the weekend to attend to the death of his mother, Mina Brees, in Colorado. Brees said he expects to play in the Saints’ preseason opener on Friday night but also believes he will be excused from training camp again next week to attend a memorial service. A medical examiner said Mina Brees, an attorney from Austin, Texas, died Friday in Grand County, Colo., a mountainous area about 50 miles northwest of Denver. Cindy Eller, the county’s chief deputy coroner, said the cause of death remained under investigation on Monday.

Let Vick Play

Tony Dungy believes Michael Vick is focused on putting his life back together.

The former Indianapolis Colts coach has agreed to mentor Vick as part of the quarterback’s conditional reinstatement to the NFL.

“I’m not sure what football is going to hold for him; that will be discussed at length in the sports pages over the next few weeks,” Dungy said in a post on his blog Tuesday. “I believe in second chances for people who admit their mistakes and are committed to changing.”

“I think Michael deserves the chance to show people he has changed and learned from past mistakes, but my true hope is that he will make sound decisions about his future and, at the same time, let people know more about the person that I’ve come to know recently. I know the public will be skeptical, but I think, over time, people will find there’s a different side to him than what they’ve seen so far.”

ESPN Source

Don’t Go Back Cutler!

Over the last month the Denver Broncos organization have been trying to overcome a big mistake when trade talks started about Matt Cassel coming to Denver. Jay Cutler, the starting quarterback was never once informed about the possible trade that new head coach Josh McDaniels was trying to accomplish. There’s a couple of things wrong with this situation that rubbed Cutler the wrong way. There’s no way Cutler will head back to Denver to play for coach McDaniels. The trust factor has been thrown out the window.  If I was Cutler I would hold out as long as I can so I can be traded or ask for his contract to be restructured.

Take Care Sports World!

Who wants T.O.?

I was very shock to see Owens released by the Dallas Cowboys. I think the pressure is on for both sides. T.O. will look to sign with another team next week or probably right before the NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys will definitely have to look for another playmaker to bring in and complement the other receivers. My thoughts are that the Redskins or Oakland will try to land T.O. on their roster. Both owners are known for taking a big risk to win down the road. 

Take Care Sports World

NationSports

Haynesworth & Hall are PAID!

The word “recession” means nothing to these two guys. Albert Haynesworth and DeAnglo Hall signed major deals yesterday to make Washington their home for the next several years. Haynesworth $100 million dollar deal is officially one of the richest deals in the National Football League. He is expected to make right at $32 million dollars over the next 13 months. As for the 25 year old Hall, this becomes his second big payday, inking a $54 million dollar contract with $22.5 million in guarantees.

Marvin Harrison release from the Colts

After a 13 year relationship, Marvin Harrison and the Colts go their seperate ways. The Colts organization held a press conference to announce the news without Harrison. A soon to be Hall of Fame will move on with his career and look to sign with another NFL team. Harrison leaves the Colts as the 2nd all-time receiver with 1,102 receptions.

Todd Haley takes over the Chiefs

With a crazy playoff run with the Arizona Cardinals. Todd Haley is the chosen one for the Kansas City Chiefs organization. Like Obama, Todd walks into a ton of problems with the ball club that he is now responsible for. The Chiefs went 2-14 under Herm Edwards as head coach and haven’t made the playoffs since 1994. I think this might be a good fit for Haley and the Chiefs, especially after everything Haley went through with Anquan Boldin on the sidelines…lol.

It’s Super Bowl Sunday!

Today is like a New Years day for the world of sports. It’s Super Bowl Sunday down in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers and Cardinals will go head to head to claim who is the best team in the National Football League. Both teams have the ability to make history for their franchises. The Steelers could become the first team in the NFL to win 6 Super Bowl titles and pass the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. While, the Cardinals could make this their first Super Bowl win in team history.

Take Care Sports World!

NationSports

One More Game!

The showdown is here, where the last four NFL teams will play for a chance to make it to Tampa in February. Everything is on the line, if your hurt who cares, if your sick take some medicine, if your scared the whole world is about to witness it…..Man up, period! The Ravens have a great opportunity to win in Pittsburgh simply because this will be the third time these teams have faced off. Read more

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