Live Chat: Friday sports talk

(07/11/2008)

12:03

Welcome to another weekly sports chat!

It seems I picked a good week to take vacation as I didn't miss TOO much. I'm still catching up though, so bear with me a bit this week. :-)

Friday July 11, 2008 12:03

12:05

In my absence this week, Eugenio Hernandez caused a stir with his pick of Alabama winning the SEC West. Tigers fans won't be quick to forget that one, methinks.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:05

12:06

I'm not a huge fan of the pick myself ... but not because of any Tiger love I may be harboring. Personally, I just see LSU and Auburn as being slightly better (and don't sleep on Ole Miss either, what with their loaded roster and new coaching staff).

Friday July 11, 2008 12:06

12:06

[Comment From GrantGrant: ]

Mickey Loomis reported the Saints agreed in terms with a 5th round pick. He refused to say who it is. If you had to guess, did we sign Carl Nicks or DeMario Pressley?

Friday July 11, 2008 12:06 Grant

12:09

Does it even matter? Just kidding. Sort of.

The truth is these late-round signings usually come in bunches as the teams try to schedule the players' agents in all at once. So whether it's Nicks or Pressley, I'd expect the other to sign within a week ... if not mere hours of the other one.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:09

12:12

The big question is when will Ellis sign ... Mike Triplett expressed optimism on that front earlier this week, so that's at least a good sign. I haven't heard rumors of a holdout either, so let's hope he can get in early in or even prior to camp.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:12

12:12

[Comment From louielouie: ]

Do you think the saints will finally pick up another rb, ie Travis Henry,Cedric Benson, Shun Alexander????

Friday July 11, 2008 12:12 louie

12:14

Alexander can't perform on the field, Henry can't stay clean off it, and Benson can do neither. I would hate any of the above signings.

Now, I won't rule out a signing once the season gets underway and it's proven McAllister can't go. I could easily envision the team making a move should the Deuce suffer a setback ... I just don't think we'll see any moves until that point, and that point may not occur until sometime during the regular season.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:14

12:15

[Comment From DONDON: ]

DO YOU SEE COLSTON DOING A HOLD OUT FOR TRAINNING CAMP DUE TO HIS CONGTRACT.....PERSONALLY I THINK HE IS A CLASS ACT AND WOULD LIKE TO BE THERE FOR THE TEAM, BUT THERE IS ALSO A BUISNESS SIDE TO THE NFL. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Friday July 11, 2008 12:15 DON

12:15

[Comment From GrantGrant: ]

none of the above.. KEVIN JONES ALL THE WAY!!

Friday July 11, 2008 12:15 Grant

12:16

Jones is an interesting guy .... much more interesting than the others.

Still, don't expect any movement until an injury/setback occurs.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:16

12:20

As far as Colston, I am on his side in this one too. He has done his job professionally and exceptionally for two years now, so I'm in favor of a raise.

I'm not as optimistic about him signing anytime soon due to the lack of news on the story. It just seems to be standing still at this point.

The Saints aren't dummies. They'll pay him. It's just a question of when. Right now, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get into camp until well into the preseason, but again, that's just personal speculation.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:20

12:20

[Comment From louielouie: ]

Thanks grant i forgot about kevin jones, and he has no charater issues. I am pesonally not ols on stecker and Thomas aas backup options.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:20 louie

12:21

Thomas I like, Stecker less so, but with Bush and McAllister healthy, you're looking pretty stacked at the position anyway. I'm fine with the team standing pat until we see the depth take a hit.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:21

12:21

[Comment From louielouie: ]

I haver Heard so much about the wr Arrington from Michigan, do you think he will really make the team or Practice squad???

Friday July 11, 2008 12:21 louie

12:23

He passes the eyeball test, and he's received praise from the coaching staff as well. My current guess is that he'll push hard for a roster spot and will be on the verge of making it/joining the practice squad.

That position is deep, however, so it's still an uphill battle. He just appears to have the goods at present.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:23

12:23

[Comment From GrantGrant: ]

I heard a rumor that Aaron Glenn had success filling in at CB AND FS. He's very versatile and that would help free up roster spot. You know SP would love that.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:23 Grant

12:25

At this stage of his career, a move to safety can only help prolong his NFL shelf life. His size (5-9, 183) will work against him, but if he can provide depth at two different spots, you're right, he'd be a real asset.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:25

12:26

[Comment From JoeyJoey: ]

what are the hornets doing? i personally thought they would've made a splash in free agency at this point. do you have any idea where they stand and how they are looking at???

Friday July 11, 2008 12:26 Joey

12:29

The Celtics' James Posey was the primary target right out of the gate, and until he makes a decision on where he wants to play, the Hornets probably don't figure to pursue anyone else. That decision could come as soon as this weekend, and since it won't likely come down to money, it could be tough for the Hornets to reign him in. Still, I wouldn't give up hope just yet, and even if he signs elsewhere, that gives the Hornets more leverage to sign someone else.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:29

12:31

[Comment From GrantGrant: ]

Their #1 priority is signing James Posey. (who is supposed to sign with a team in a day or so) We are also interested in Javaris Hayes, but he's close to signing with the Nets. We are screwed if we don't land Posey

Friday July 11, 2008 12:31 Grant

12:32

The pickings are a little slim, but I wouldn't say the team is screwed if it doesn't land Posey ... it just means that draft pick for cash move looks a wee bit shakier. Okay, a lot shakier.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:32

12:33

[Comment From BobBob: ]

If we were to land a good SG, what do you think the team will do with Mo Pete? Will he be moved to SF to backup Peja?

Friday July 11, 2008 12:33 Bob

12:35

It really depends on several factors, but rest assured the staff would find a place for a sharp-shooting three-point specialist. I think your scenario makes some sense, with JuJu playing the 4 in a small, high-energy lineup, but probably not for long stretches.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:35

12:36

[Comment From SteveDaveSteveDave: ]

What are your thoughts on Tulane next year?

Friday July 11, 2008 12:36 SteveDave

12:42

Tulane is in an interesting place, as you've got to like the winning potential that Toledo brings to the table, and while the team loses its big star in Forte', the talent level appears to be improving. We'll know a lot more once summer drills start in a few weeks, but I am sort of cautiously optimistic at present.

For what it is worth, Phil Steele (the no. 1 preseason prognisticator -- which is kinda like being called the "best case of hepititis"), says Tulane is still likely a year away from a winning season. I think we'll see a lot of growth and improvement this year, but he may be right.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:42

12:42

[Comment From GrantGrant: ]

There are still a few more big name restricted free agents. what about Ben Gordon.. Josh Childress..?

Friday July 11, 2008 12:42 Grant

12:48

I don't see Childress as being a good fit necessarily, and while Gordon would be an upgrade over Mo-Pete on paper, they are essentially the same guy. If anything, Mo-Pete is better in the open floor (though admittedly less of a scorer).

Here's a good question: Does it make sense to add more scoring potential to this bunch? I'm not sure I want someone that's going to come in and demand the ball and take shots away from Peja, Paul or West. It may be blessing that Gordon is supposedly out of our price range.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:48

12:48

[Comment From louielouie: ]

So is the shockey deal finally dead in the water. I have not heard much, and why didn,t the saints pursue crumpler he was a free agent and a good pass catching te.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:48 louie

12:50

Not dead, given Shockey's fairly recent minicamp antics, just perpetually on hold it seems.

If the Giants decide they want to get rid of him, the Saints will gladly take him at a bargain rate. That hasn't occured yet, and it may not. I'm not going to hold my breath that it happens, but I'm also not willing to call the deal dead either.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:50

12:52

Crumpler was seen as not being worth the money, though one has to wonder if the team might not have been better off overpaying for the guy. Regardless, the Saints' focus has been on the other side of the ball, and given the failures of the defense in '07, I can't say I fault the strategy.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:52

12:53

[Comment From GrantGrant: ]

so is there any other free agents that you would like to see the Hornets pursue?

Friday July 11, 2008 12:53 Grant

12:53

Grant is always full of questions. :-)

Friday July 11, 2008 12:53

12:58

My answer isn't the least bit sexy: I think the Hornets should re-sign Pargo and Wells.

That may produce howls from some who bemoaned what transpired against San Antonio, but you've got to look at the whole body of work when evaluating, and I think those two (Pargo more than Wells) are good NBA backups who can provide a spark off the bench. I'd love a Pargo re-signing, and if Bonzi reups, well so much the better.

Friday July 11, 2008 12:58

12:59

[Comment From harahans finestharahans finest: ]

will you be doing these live sport chats from millsaps when traing camp begins?

Friday July 11, 2008 12:59 harahans finest

1:00

That's a great idea ... we'll explore the idea with our Times-Picayune brethren and see if we can come up with something for you.

Thanks to everyone again for stopping in! It's been fun. We'll see you next week at the same time (Friday at noon), and our Saints chat will be back next Wed. at noon.

Take care all!

Friday July 11, 2008 1:00

1:02

[Comment From harahans finestharahans finest: ]

good job! see you next week from all of the harahan p.d.

Friday July 11, 2008 1:02 harahans finest

1:02