Saints chat with Mike Triplett

(08/21/2008)

11:52

Lori Lyons, T-P:

Welcome to our Saints chat for this week. We'll go live with Mike Triplett shortly. Go ahead and start sending your questions.

Thursday August 21, 2008 11:52 Lori Lyons, T-P

11:52

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Sorry, I'm not Lori

Thursday August 21, 2008 11:52 Kevin Spain, T-P

12:00

[Comment From Loren LazaroeLoren Lazaroe: ]

cant wait!! this is always my funnest hour at work it seems like!

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:00 Loren Lazaroe

12:04

[Comment From CalebCaleb: ]

Where is Jason David on the depth chart now?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:04 Caleb

12:04

[Comment From jay...uptownjay...uptown: ]

We all know the issues Jason David has...its not hard to see...why do the coaches/mgmt seem to cover for this guy over and over again and give him more chances? He was terrible 2 years ago, terrible last year, and now terrible in pre-season...what gives???????

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:04 jay...uptown

12:06

Mike Triplett:

Yeah, it's unfortunate for the Saints and for David, who really is a nice stand-up guy. But I can't imagine he's got much rope left. ... At some point, you have to worry about his confidence, and you just have to see him perform in the games if you're going to trust him.

It looks like we're gonna see Tracy Porter get an audition in the starting lineup this week, though the Saints haven't announced anything. Randall Gay is questionable with a triceps injury and Usama Young is out with a hamstring.

To answer your question, what the Saints like about David is that he has a playmaker's instincts. He does seem to make a lot of plays on the ball in practice -- unfortunately he also gets beat badly at times. Kind of an all or nothing guy.

Obviously the Saints didn't want to give up on him after just one bad year. They invested a 4-year deal on him and traded a fourth-round pick on him. They wanted to give him at least a year to learn the system and prove he's better than what we saw. Plus, he wasn't completely to blame. Remember, the year before Fred Thomas struggled just as badly. ... The Saints figured improving their pass rush would help the corners out, too.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:06 Mike Triplett

12:07

[Comment From Miguel DoublettMiguel Doublett: ]

What can we expect to see from Shock-bizzle in this weekends game?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:07 Miguel Doublett

12:10

Mike Triplett:

From what we've seen in practice, now that we're limited to just the early portion of individual drills and walk-through, Shockey has been going full speed all week and looks ready to make his debut on Saturday.

I wouldn't expect him to set the world on fire right away. He's got to shake off the rust from the leg injury that kept him out all summer, and he's still new to this offense and this playbook. In fact, it could be a slow start for him in December, too. ... But obviously, he'll bring value right away because he's such a big physical target, and Brees won't be afraid to fire away at him whenever he's out there.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:10 Mike Triplett

12:10

[Comment From PerrinPerrin: ]

What do you think about a starting linebacking core of jonathan vilma wlb marvin mitchell mlb and scott fughita slb.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:10 Perrin

12:13

Mike Triplett:

Hey Perrin, I do think that Mitchell has the chance to become a starter in this defense at some point, but there's no reason to move Vilma over to the weakside. Vilma is a natural middle linebacker, and he was outstanding at that position with the Jets in 2004 and 2005 before they moved to a 3-4 defense. Vilma is better when the big guys up front are keeping the blockers away from him and letting him roam the field.

I wouldn't be so down on Scott Shanle, the WLB. He's actually been their most consistent playmaker in these early preseason games. He's not an exceptional athlete, and he's pretty solid against the run. He'll be helped by the new athletes on this defense like Vilma and Sedrick Ellis, who can cover a lot more ground.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:13 Mike Triplett

12:14

Mike Triplett:

By the way -- I meant a slow start in SEPTEMBER for Shockey, not December obviously

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:14 Mike Triplett

12:14

[Comment From CraigCraig: ]

How is Meachem looking. Do you think he'll move up to start opposite Colston?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:14 Craig

12:17

Mike Triplett:

Hey Craig, it doesn't look like that will happen right away. Obviously we saw what Meachem is capable of in the preseason opener, which was nice after a year of people whispering the word bust. But in a lot of ways, he's still a rookie who needs to prove he can be consistent, run the right routes, block well down the field, etc., etc. ... I think this is the year where he gets eased into the lineup and maybe pushes for a starting job by the end of the year or next summer.

I say this all the time, but I don't think David Patten is going anywhere. He is by far the second-most valuable and productive receiver on this team, unless you count Reggie Bush. ... And it sounds like Sean Payton still values Devery Henderson ahead of Meachem at this point.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:17 Mike Triplett

12:17

[Comment From aint ez beint breesyaint ez beint breesy: ]

If meachem makes the roster does that mean henderson gets cut?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:17 aint ez beint breesy

12:20

Mike Triplett:

Well, first of all, Meachem will make this roster. Because of his potential, the Saints aren't going to let him go anytime soon. ... But I've been suggesting all along that if Meachem passes up Devery as the No. 3 receiver in the pecking order, then Devery could get cut, since Devery doesn't bring any added value on special teams and he isn't a young, developing player anymore.

However, Payton just said in pretty clear terms yesterday that Devery is still ahead of Meachem and that Meachem hasn't earned his way ahead of Devery yet. Payton was asked directly if Devery is fighting for a roster spot and Payton made it sound like his job is pretty secure.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:20 Mike Triplett

12:21

[Comment From Loren LazaroeLoren Lazaroe: ]

Any chance that we trade off Jason David and possibly Lance Moore to the Cardinals for Anquan Boldin? Or get him in another scenario?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:21 Loren Lazaroe

12:21

[Comment From RustyRusty: ]

just wondering with the Eagles slim on wr's is it posible that we might be wanting to trade with the eagles for Sheppard

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:21 Rusty

12:23

Mike Triplett:

These are my favorite questions in every chat ... Can we trade the guys we don't like for a star player n another team?

Obviously I don't see a Jason David-Anquan Boldin trade happening anytime soon. But more seriously, I also don't really see the Saints trading any receivers for any help at any other positions, even though the Saints have decent depth there.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:23 Mike Triplett

12:25

[Comment From Miguel DoublettMiguel Doublett: ]

Have you seen anything from Booger McFarland that makes you think he is gonna make the team?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:25 Miguel Doublett

12:27

Mike Triplett:

The Saints brought in Booger McFarland for a visit this weekend, mostly just to get a feel for what kind of shape he's in and how he looks, but they didn't offer him a deal. ... In fact, they signed S Lance Schulters instead, another veteran they worked out.

For now, the Saints don't need another tackle. They've still got good depth there, especially with the impressive play of young backup Orien Harris. But if Brian Young's injury issues persist, they might have to dip into free agency.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:27 Mike Triplett

12:27

[Comment From RandallRandall: ]

Kevin, has their been any buzz on what the Saint's are planning to do with Arrington (i.e. practice squad, etc..) due to the lingering injury?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:27 Randall

12:28

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Randall, it would be better for Mike to take it, since he's out there everyday.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:28 Kevin Spain, T-P

12:30

Mike Triplett:

Hey Randall, I think it will be very hard for Arrington to make the active roster at this point. He doesn't look very close to returning to the practice field, and he was no lock to make the roster even when he was healthy and playing great in practice.

The good news is that I don't expect any other teams would try and sign him to their active roster at this point, either, so they should be able to stash him on their practice squad or on injured reserve, depending on his health in the next few weeks.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:30 Mike Triplett

12:30

[Comment From Lenny in MetryLenny in Metry: ]

With the nagging turf-toe injury to Adrian Arrington and Devery's inconsistency, do you think the Saints ought to try and coax Usain Bolt into trying out for the team? He's 6'5" and no one could touch him on a fly route! What do you think?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:30 Lenny in Metry

12:31

Mike Triplett:

So let me get this straight ... Devery is too inconsistent because he drops too many passes, so you want to replace him with a guy who would probably drop even more?

It would be fun to watch, though, wouldn't it?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:31 Mike Triplett

12:31

[Comment From BigDaddy1955BigDaddy1955: ]

How are all the injured doing and who, out of them, will play saturday?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:31 BigDaddy1955

12:34

Mike Triplett:

Hey Big Daddy, we haven't gotten the final report from Payton yet today, but it looks like CB Mike McKenzie will make his debut, along with Shockey. ... Like I said, Randall Gay still looks like he's on the fence with that triceps injury.

Arrington is out, Usama is out. Hollis Thomas is out. LB Mark Simoneau will probably be out with a back injury. Brian Young looks doubtful with a foot injury. ... Am I forgetting anyone?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:34 Mike Triplett

12:36

[Comment From Jack T.Jack T.: ]

Why is the Saint's defence so bad? Seems to me it's the coaching. Is Gibbs really any good? Doesn't seem to be! Do we need a change?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:36 Jack T.

12:39

Mike Triplett:

Hey Jack, I think the problems definitely fall on Gibbs' shoulders as much as anybody else. ... The players -- at every position -- and the schemes have fallen short the last two years.

I'm sure he was limited in what he could do in the past -- it's hard to blitz if you don't have shut-down corners, etc. But \let's see what he can do now with more athletes and better pass rushers up front. He has a lot more ammo to work with, so if they struggle again this year, he probably will be on the hot seat.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:39 Mike Triplett

12:40

[Comment From Mike DCMike DC: ]

if Deuce goes down again, will it be running back by committee (reggie, stecker, thomas) or are the saints going to stick with stecker and use reggie for screens and third downs

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:40 Mike DC

12:40

[Comment From CalebCaleb: ]

Deuce is looking good again. If his health remains can we expect to see a lot of plays with both him and Reggie on the field at the same time?

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:40 Caleb

12:41

Mike Triplett:

Hey Caleb, we saw it already the othe rnight on the first play with four receivers, including reggie, and deuce alone in the backfield. ... it's that versatility above all else that deuce can give the saints, and it makes it harder for defenses to identify where all the saints playmakers are.

but if deuce does go down, i think the lesson they learned last year was to replace him with a guy like pierre thomas or stecker and try to stay versatile with a unique threat like reggie bush. ... either way, they should be better off this year.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:41 Mike Triplett

12:42

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Hey, everyone, Mike has got to run because Sean Payton is about to address the reporters. Come back at 5:30 Saturday before the kickoff of the game at Cincinnati and Mike and fellow Times-Picayune beat reporter Teddy Kider will join you for a pregame chat. We apologize for cutting it off like this, but you have to meet with the coach on his schedule.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:42 Kevin Spain, T-P

12:43

Kevin Spain, T-P:

Come back tomorrow for our weekly LSU chat with beat reporter Jim Kleinpeter.
And, as we said, the Saints guys will be back Saturday before the game. The ones of you we didn't get to, please come back.
Thanks again for participating.

Thursday August 21, 2008 12:43 Kevin Spain, T-P

12:43