Source: Google Images

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

Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion and All-Star second baseman Aaron Hill were hit by pitches before Carlson threw behind Posada in the eighth. Posada glared out at the mound and appeared to say, “You don’t want to do that.”

Carlson motioned toward Posada as the benches and bullpens emptied, though the teams never got close to each other and order was quickly restored. Johnny Damon and manager Joe Girardi aggressively pulled teammates away, aware any suspensions could be costly to the Yankees as they close in on a playoff berth.

Moments later, a nasty rumble broke out.

After scoring on Brett Gardner’s double, Posada brushed Carlson, who was on his way to back up the plate. Home plate umpire Jim Joyce promptly ejected Posada as Carlson shouted curses at the star catcher.

Posada spun around, sidestepped Joyce and came back at Carlson, who took a high swing with a punch that missed. The two wrestled to the ground as the benches and bullpens emptied and other scuffles broke out between home plate and the New York dugout.

Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas and Yankees reserve Shelley Duncan got in a particularly rough scrap.

When things finally settled down, there was catching equipment strewn all over the field behind home plate. New York pitchers CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte escorted Posada into the dugout.

Carlson, also ejected, was left with a large red bump on the left side of his forehead.

The game was interrupted for about 10 minutes. When play resumed, there were only three umpires on the field. Third base ump and crew chief Derryl Cousins was missing — it wasn’t immediately clear if he got hurt during the fight.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

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

Cleveland signs Shaquille O’Neal

Lakers signs Ron Artest

Boston signs Rasheed Wallace

Orlando signs Vince Carter

Houston signs Trevor Ariza

Portland signs Paul Millsap

Orlando signs Brandon Bass

Take Care Sports World!

NationSports