Live Chat: WGSO's week in sports

(05/23/2008)

12:01

Dave Gladow:

Welcome to another weekend sports chat!

The season didn't end on a real positive note for the Hornets, did it? Still, I think fans can at least take solace in the fact that New Orleans came out and played a solid, clean game. No ugly play ... no hard fouls ... just good playoff basketball.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:01 Dave Gladow

12:05

Dave Gladow:

The shots weren't dropping, and that doomed them.

I hear rumors of some fan appreciation going on in the downtown area, so that's good. I also liked George Shinn's address to the crowd following the loss. In summation, he thanked the fans and assured them the team would be better next year. Bold words, I'd say, given the team's good fortune in '07-08, but with Paul, Chandler and West locked up, the team at least has the nucleus it needs to contend.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:05 Dave Gladow

12:07

Dave Gladow:

Pargo and Ely are looking to re-up, Scott figures to get his contract extension, and the team is looking at a loaded draft a month from now ... times are definitely good for the Hornets.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:07 Dave Gladow

12:11

Dave Gladow:

What does this team need to do to keep improving?

I like the potential of Wright ... there's little doubt he will soon start stealing minutes from some of the veterans. But what of everyone else?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:11 Dave Gladow

12:11

[Comment From Go Greenies!Go Greenies!: ]

Tulane beats UCF 5-2 to stay alive in CUSA Tourney.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:11 Go Greenies!

12:11

Dave Gladow:

Thanks for the update. :)

Friday May 23, 2008 12:11 Dave Gladow

12:11

[Comment From DNASTYDNASTY: ]

Do you think the Hornets should try and get a good Veteran Center of Power Forward.. Someone like PJ Brown to give some veteran help and leadership

Friday May 23, 2008 12:11 DNASTY

12:13

Dave Gladow:

No one really knows what Andersen can do at this point, so he's a nice fallback option should he re-sign.

I'm a litte more worried about the wings. Mo-Pete and Bonzi have had their rough stretches, Peja is an injury risk, and Wright is still growing. I think if any area begs for more attention, it is shooting guard/small forward.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:13 Dave Gladow

12:14

Dave Gladow:

Though another big man will never hurt. ;-)

Friday May 23, 2008 12:14 Dave Gladow

12:14

Emmanuel Pepis:

HEY DAVE SORRY I AM LATE how are you all doing

Friday May 23, 2008 12:14 Emmanuel Pepis

12:14

Dave Gladow:

Very good -- thanks for joining us!

Friday May 23, 2008 12:14 Dave Gladow

12:14

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

So the Hornets have a lot to mull over in the offseason...but now it's postseason college baseball. What do UNO and Tulane have to do to get a regional bid?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:14 Cait

12:15

Emmanuel Pepis:

win

Friday May 23, 2008 12:15 Emmanuel Pepis

12:16

Dave Gladow:

Glib, but to the point. I think the question is really 'what is their bare minimum for wins?', and to that, I'd tend to think UNO has to hit 40 and Tulane may already be in.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:16 Dave Gladow

12:16

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

That overstates the obvious, though, doesn't it? ;) In the preseason, Tulane and UNO were vaunted as regional locks - and now UNO is bounced from the Sun Belt tourney and Tulane's once sure bid to be a regional host is pretty much shot.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:16 Cait

12:17

Dave Gladow:

UNO still alive ... barely!

Friday May 23, 2008 12:17 Dave Gladow

12:17

Dave Gladow:

They've got to win this afternoon though.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:17 Dave Gladow

12:19

Dave Gladow:

Some of the "experts" (or rather, those who watch the occasional game), are saying Tulane looks pretty solid. Truthfully, they really need a few more wins to feel safe.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:19 Dave Gladow

12:19

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

I find some irony in LSU being picked to finish fifth in the SEC West - only to lead their divisioon and suddenly be the hot team in their conference. (And this is begrudging, as I'm an ACC baseball fan.)

Friday May 23, 2008 12:19 Cait

12:19

[Comment From UNO_77UNO_77: ]

The Privateers will have the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year on the mound this afternoon.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:19 UNO_77

12:19

[Comment From BrandonBrandon: ]

I don't see the NCAA giving both UNO and Tulane regional tourneys plus LSU. Thats too many in the same area.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:19 Brandon

12:20

Dave Gladow:

I wouldn't go so far as to say they're competing against each other, but without stellar resumes, they'll have trouble justifying both, that's for sure.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:20 Dave Gladow

12:20

[Comment From UNO_77UNO_77: ]

If UNO and Tulane make it, one goes to Baton Rouge.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:20 UNO_77

12:20

[Comment From DNASTYDNASTY: ]

I agree with them needing a small forward. I think Pargo is a real good player but i'm a little worried about Mo pete. I think Bonzi will be fine. Who will the Hornets pick in the upcoming draft???

Friday May 23, 2008 12:20 DNASTY

12:22

Dave Gladow:

Being a Kansas State grad/fan, I'd love it if they took a chance on Bill Walker. That would give them a pair of inside-out athletic small forwards in Ju-Ju and Walker -- other teams would have major headaches trying to contend with those two.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:22 Dave Gladow

12:22

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

I think LSU hosts Tulane in a regional, and UNO squeaks in and travels to another regional around the southeast.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:22 Cait

12:23

[Comment From UNO_77UNO_77: ]

What happens when LSU finally loses a baseball game again. Will it mess with their mojo like it did to UNO?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:23 UNO_77

12:23

[Comment From BrandonBrandon: ]

Do you see the Hornets going after Michael Redd, Ron Artest or whoever the Bulls decide not to keep (Ben Gordon/Chris Duhon/Kirk Hinrich)?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:23 Brandon

12:23

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

Bah, Walker's going back to K-State to gain some much-needed maturity. ;)

Friday May 23, 2008 12:23 Cait

12:23

[Comment From jiggajonjiggajon: ]

LOVE THAT PICK 4 D HORNETS IF AVAILABLE

Friday May 23, 2008 12:23 jiggajon

12:24

[Comment From JJBJJB: ]

Would you try to trade Peja? Can they even if they tried?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:24 JJB

12:25

Dave Gladow:

Brandon and JJB, I'm not sure this team will be in the market to make any big moves. They're riding high after a great run, and I doubt they will toy with the chemistry at this point.

I agree about the Bulls though -- they will definitley shake things up. Either dealing some of their frontcourt guys if they take Beasley or dumping Heinrich if they nab Rose.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:25 Dave Gladow

12:25

[Comment From DNASTYDNASTY: ]

I know one thing that the Hornets need is some more 3 point help other than Peja Stojokovic

Friday May 23, 2008 12:25 DNASTY

12:26

[Comment From DNASTYDNASTY: ]

I think that is a big NO for trading Peja. He is our only threat at the 3 point line. He is a very good player and if he stays healthy like he did this year, he will be a very good player next year and average over 15 points.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:26 DNASTY

12:26

[Comment From BrandonBrandon: ]

What about CDR from Memphis?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:26 Brandon

12:27

Dave Gladow:

He's a good one too -- a little more limited offensively than Walker though. Bill, if he gets his stuff together, could be a Vince Carter-type of player. That's a big if though.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:27 Dave Gladow

12:27

[Comment From JJBJJB: ]

Ok, Peja can hit the 3. And? Can he guard anybody? Rebound? Create his own shot? When you play a top-level team in a 7 game series, Peja doesn't help you much.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:27 JJB

12:27

[Comment From JJBJJB: ]

And he makes a ton of cash you can't spend elsewhere...

Friday May 23, 2008 12:27 JJB

12:28

[Comment From BrandonBrandon: ]

We can't trade Peja. What would we do with the Big Heads on a Stick without him?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:28 Brandon

12:28

Dave Gladow:

LOL, I like Peja, and his trade value is mediocre at best. If the Hornets are struggling at the midpoint and some contender is desperate for an outside threat, then maybe you make that deal ... not now.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:28 Dave Gladow

12:28

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

Yeah, Peja's not really the issue.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:28 Cait

12:28

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

Regardless of Peja, what about the bench? Oy.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:28 Cait

12:29

Dave Gladow:

That's where the draft comes in. The Hornets should be very wise with their draft, because they can get MAJOR help there this year.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:29 Dave Gladow

12:29

[Comment From JJBJJB: ]

Put em in the attic next to your Big Cat Magliore Bobblehead

Friday May 23, 2008 12:29 JJB

12:29

[Comment From DNASTYDNASTY: ]

Also who will win the QB showdown on LSU. Jarret Lee or Andrew Hatch and how good are the two qb's

Friday May 23, 2008 12:29 DNASTY

12:30

[Comment From JJBJJB: ]

Peja may not be the issue to you, but hasn't been on a milk carton the last 2 weeks?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:30 JJB

12:30

[Comment From DNASTYDNASTY: ]

Bottom line is that the Hornets need to shoot more 3's and find more guys to be a threat at the 3 point line.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:30 DNASTY

12:32

Dave Gladow:

I've only ever seen the current LSU QBs in warmups and practice sessions ... thereby limiting my impressions severely.

Can either manage a game? That is the key. Limit turnovers, stick to what you do best, and hand the ball off. Anything more than that would be a surprise and a major bonus.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:32 Dave Gladow

12:33

Dave Gladow:

From what I've seen, I think they're talented enough to do the job ... the key will be their poise.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:33 Dave Gladow

12:33

[Comment From MONEYMONEY: ]

Byron Scott is skinny Paul Silas. Stand there and do nothing.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:33 MONEY

12:33

[Comment From shaunshaun: ]

Do you think the Saints will look at Odell Thurman or any of the other veteran lbs out there?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:33 shaun

12:35

Dave Gladow:

Sean Payton said himself that there would be no big moves there. Now obviously LB is going to be a numbers game ... particularly with Simoneau knicked up. They'll bring in someone, and Odell might be a good gamble, bt it probably won't be a big name.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:35 Dave Gladow

12:35

[Comment From jiggajonjiggajon: ]

r d saints goin to sign another L/B

Friday May 23, 2008 12:35 jiggajon

12:36

Dave Gladow:

Yeah, but I'm guessing more along the lines of rookie FA rather than veteran Pro Bowler.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:36 Dave Gladow

12:36

[Comment From jiggajonjiggajon: ]

how soon bf we sign will smith

Friday May 23, 2008 12:36 jiggajon

12:39

Dave Gladow:

Some folks are positive it will happen before training camp. With Grant in a little hot water, that might prompt the Saints to make that happen. I take a more cautious approach.

I think the odds are very good it will happen by September, but we'll have to wait for talks to heat up ... and they haven't yet.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:39 Dave Gladow

12:39

[Comment From J SullivanJ Sullivan: ]

Will Robert Meachem go down as the 2nd biggest Saints bust ever, or is he going to perform?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:39 J Sullivan

12:43

Dave Gladow:

My opinion: He's going to perform. Four reasons:

1. The reports on him doing well this offseason appear to have validity.

2. Rookie wide receivers typically struggle.

3. He was injured last year.

4. He's a younger, more expensive version of Devery Henderson. All things being equal, he will get the nod ... so he just has to match Henderson in practices to get his shot.

I think he'll get it.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:43 Dave Gladow

12:44

[Comment From jiggajonjiggajon: ]

WHO WILL RETURN K/O THIS YEAR

Friday May 23, 2008 12:44 jiggajon

12:47

Dave Gladow:

Who do I want to see returning kicks? Reggie Bush. Who will actually return kicks? Probably Pierre and Lance again, though they'll experiment at the spot during the preseason. Who knows, maybe Meachem will make his mark there?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:47 Dave Gladow

12:47

[Comment From jiggajonjiggajon: ]

DO U SEE D SAINTS BRING IN ANOTHER QB

Friday May 23, 2008 12:47 jiggajon

12:49

Dave Gladow:

Not at all, unless an injury occurs or someone shakes loose in the preseason that they like better than their current guys. They've already invested some development time in Palko, so they'll want to see what he can do again this preseason. Brunell is basically locked into the No. 2 role, and he looked good throwing the ball at OTAs on Wed.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:49 Dave Gladow

12:49

[Comment From Saintsfan- gretnaSaintsfan- gretna: ]

With the other 6th round receiver working out, why would you draft a receiver in the eariler rounds if such value is on the board in later rounds?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:49 Saintsfan- gretna

12:52

Dave Gladow:

Guys who are available in the later rounds are there for a reason ... in Colston's case, it was questions about his speed/seperation and level of competition. The Saints, as an organization, do not stick to any sort of "drafting philosophy". If they value a guy, they'll take him.

Remember, when they took Meachem last year, they figured they were in the position of not having to draft for need (the defense had been solid the year before), so it's hard to fault the pick too much, especially with the jury still out. Let's see how he does this year before we rush to judgment.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:52 Dave Gladow

12:54

[Comment From joshjosh: ]

Do you see Skylar Green grtting a chance for returns.

Friday May 23, 2008 12:54 josh

12:54

Dave Gladow:

He'll have to make his mark there, because he's got a lot of talent in front of him.

Incidentally, the newest sixth-round guy, Adrian Arrington, is off to a great start in New Orleans. Wide receiver will be a hotly contested positional battle this fall, that is for sure!

Friday May 23, 2008 12:54 Dave Gladow

12:55

[Comment From Saintsfan- gretnaSaintsfan- gretna: ]

Why did we not go after the philly corner? Shepard?

Friday May 23, 2008 12:55 Saintsfan- gretna

12:55

[Comment From Saintsfan- gretnaSaintsfan- gretna: ]

I still much would have liked the pick of a CB with Freddie "Toast" Thomas on the team or even the best tightend that was on the board still

Friday May 23, 2008 12:55 Saintsfan- gretna

1:00

Dave Gladow:

Eagles were asking for a lot. And why wouldn't they? He's a Pro-Bowl corner in the prime of his career. From everything we've heard, negotiations never even got started ... presumably because the Saints had no interest. The Eagles' demands very likely had a lot to do with that.

I think the cornerbacks currently on the roster have a chance to do some good this year. I thought the Gay signing was a good one, and the rookie, Tracy Porter, looked good in the few minutes I got to watch him practice the other day, breaking up one pass and getting his hands on another.

Friday May 23, 2008 1:00 Dave Gladow

1:01

[Comment From jiggajonjiggajon: ]

THANX 4 YOUR TIME

Friday May 23, 2008 1:01 jiggajon

1:01

Dave Gladow:

No problem! Thanks to everyone for stopping by! We'll be back in action next Friday, and the Times-Pic will host another Saints chat Wed. at noon.

Take care everyone!

Friday May 23, 2008 1:01 Dave Gladow

1:02

Thank you for reading today.

Thousands of users.
Millions of readers.
Free and simple to use.
Try CoveritLive today.