Last night the podcast was on, then off, then Ralph was “working on it”, then it was on, then off, then back on and then finally off. Annoying to say the least, especially because it’s left me scrambling to post content today… and when you break your weekly routine while trying to juggle raising two small kids, thinking creatively on the fly can be challenging. But thankfully there’s twitter, there’s lots of Saints stuff to talk about, and you guys were nice enough to hook me up with enough questions to do a mailbag. Let’s get after it:
@SaintsNationBlg ok if you were coach of the saints what position would you play and why wouldnt you be better at it
— fka (@BigAristotle503) October 27, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsGood God this is a loaded question. I’m a little confused because you say “coach” and then “position”, but obviously if you’re saying coach I’m assuming you mean I’m not a player on the field. So I’m guessing you meant coaching position. This is tough because I’m not qualified to really do any of it, except maybe team statistician. I was the statistician for my dad’s football team as a kid (he was a head coach for a while in my youth for an amateur adult team). I guess I would prefer to work with the offense and learn from Sean Payton if I had a choice, though. So maybe quarterbacks coach? I could learn a lot from Brees then, too. I wouldn’t be better at it because McCown and Brees would be better at that job than me. And those are the guys I would be coaching, supposedly. In the front office, who wouldn’t want to be a scout or GM? That seems like boatloads of fun. And frankly, I’m not sure I’d do a worse job than at least some scouts in the organization. Hopefully the bad ones are gone.
@SaintsNationBlg has @SaintsForecast modem become the Saints WR corps? — Gene Higginbotham (@G_Higg) October 27, 2015
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Well the pass rush and defensive line jokes might be dormant for now with the way they’ve picked up their play but the receiver and kicker jokes are still in play. Maybe offensive line, too? Ralph’s modem is the Olindo Mare of Saints kickers. Basically most modems suck (like most Sean Payton kickers) but Ralph’s modem is the poster child of ineptitude (like Olindo Mare under Sean Payton). I just hope Ralph replaces his modem with a Garrett Hartley version of modems and not a Taylor Mehlhaff version. Our podcast would still be spotty in the Hartley scenario, but with occassional crystal clear episodes. In receivers terms, Ralph’s modem is the lovechild of bad old Colston and bad old Meachem.
@SaintsNationBlg how do you explain the complete 180 of the pass rush?
— Paddy O’ (@PatrickORly) October 27, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsIt’s actually very simple, Cam Jordan is dominating. He’s creating so much pressure on his own that it’s opening things up for others. And Kikaha is such a workhorse hustler, Jordan is redirecting quarterbacks into him. On the Vaccaro blitz sack this Sunday it was a perfect example of Jordan’s impact. Jordan drew a double which opened up a massive lane up the middle for the blitzing Vaccaro. Boom, sack. It’s amazing what one explosive pass rusher can do. Rob Ryan the last two weeks has been moving him all over. That’s the difference, he’s moving around and getting more favorable matchups. He plays left, right, DT… he seems to be lined up over a different player on every passing down. I like that they’ve given up on making him man Junior Galette’s old position and are just getting weird and looking for favorable matchups now. As long as the Saints aren’t getting gashed on the ground and set themselves up with clear passing situations, they’ll be able to keep doing this. Jenkins and Davison in particular are doing a better job of bull rushing the pocket, too, but I’d say Jordan’s recent play is 85% responsible for the transformation.
@SaintsNationBlg Did Saints cat run away sensing inevitable doom? — SiTh Rocket (@champagneben) October 27, 2015
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In case you’re not familiar, SiTh Rocket is referring to #WhoDatCat. The Saints newfound good luck charm. We Saints fans love our voodoo and superstitions and the cat roaming in the Dome against the Falcons was our good luck charm. Since he was discovered the Saints are 2-0. His disappearance could be a really bad omen going up against the Giants. This whole thing reminds me of the Unknown Who Dat in 2009. Maybe the cat knew Ralph was coming to the Dome Sunday and didn’t want to suffer a similar fate as his modem. Judging by his fantasy teams, anything Ralph touches immediately turns to stone.
@SaintsNationBlg if the saints get to 4-4 with this schedule do you pick up the phone to pace for alshon/Willie and what’s your price?
— David Howells (@Thaidai3) October 27, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsI want the Saints to sneak in the playoffs via wild card but not at the expense of this rebuilding project. I want Payton to get his guys. If you take Jeffery you either have to pay him serious cash OR you rent him for one year, which would be costly trade wise with little return. I’d hate to give up a 3rd or even a 2nd round pick for something like that. He’s a great player, but he’s never done anything for the Saints. Has he earned top WR money with us? So I hope the Saints go 4-4 and it would leave me hopeful of playoff chances based on the favorable schedule, but I’m not sure I make any crazy moves. I want more draft picks, not less. It’s time to build this depth. This offseason was a step in the right direction and to trade future assets for a receiver to help us now at the expense of tons of cap room is the type of move that got the Saints in the place they are now.
@SaintsNationBlg I think a big part of Byrd’s impact has been his constant leadership and encouragement of his teammates. There hasn’t (1/2) — Eric Valentine (@ericvtine) October 27, 2015
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@SaintsNationBlg (2/2) been a play that I haven’t seen him after it, upbeat and hitting somebody on the helmet. That makes a difference….
— Eric Valentine (@ericvtine) October 27, 2015
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@SaintsNationBlg (3/2 smh) a difference when the guy is making $50 Ms. Have you noticed that as well? — Eric Valentine (@ericvtine) October 27, 2015
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Three questions for the price of two, you’re really asking for a lot! Just kidding. I think that’s a really astute observation Eric and I agree. The times I’ve met Jairus Byrd he comes off very quiet, reserved, mature, very religious and positive. I agree with you that it’s a positive thing to have around the team and the locker room. He reminds me a bit of Colston in that way. The problem is he’s been hurt so much and not playing that he can’t really allow his play to do the talking. And he’s just an omnipresent vocal guy without being on the field – that’s not really his personality. I think if he starts playing well and making plays, he’ll start to gain a huge amount of respect the way Colston did. That’s the key for him, though. That’s why he’s not a captain, by the way. He hasn’t earned respect on the field, and he doesn’t have the take charge, intense in your face leadership that Browner has. The more Byrd plays, the more he’s going to be a huge influence on this team, especially if he starts making the plays he made in Buffalo. I agree with you that he’s been a big cheerleader and good re-enforcement guy with his teammates and you’re right, that does go a long way. I really like what the Saints are doing character wise. The vets on this defense, Ellerbe, Browner, Hawthorne, Jordan, Williams, Byrd… are all GREAT guys. The only “wild cards” left are Keenan Lewis and Kenny Vaccaro but they’re so good, so tough and such committed competitors, they won’t create a bad atmosphere as long as guys like Browner, Byrd, Jordan and Ellerbe are running the show.
@SaintsNationBlg whom would you rather watch Kikaha have a 10-yard sprint at, Vitter, Nagin, or Hillary
— Vincent Sbisa (@VSizzle504) October 27, 2015
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Haha! Someone would die. I have to admit I hate politics and I’m not big on having an opinion when it comes to this stuff. But it’s hard to be a fan of any of the three politicians you just listed. You know, as much as I think Nagin is an idiot and corrupt, I think he does care for New Orleans and just doesn’t think so I feel bad for him a little bit. Katrina was a raw deal on everyone. So I’d probably pick Vitter. He seems to care about no one but himself. He’s as sketchy as it gets. But I’ll tell you who I want Kikaha to have a clean shot at more than anyone in the entire world: Cam Newton. I never root for injury, but a big part of me would take demented satisfaction and pleasure in watching Kikaha annihilate Cam and knock him out of the game (just for like a play or something, or the season, or his career). Just kidding. Barely.
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