Live Chat: Friday sports talk(08/01/2008) 
11:59
Welcome to another weekly sports chat!   As ever, the Saints figure to be first and foremost on people's minds this week, but of course there is more to talk about than just that (for instance the recently departed Arena Bowl, LSU's No. 6 ranking, the Hornets in free agency, etc. etc.).

Here's to another fun week!
Friday August 1, 2008 11:59 
12:02
So is LSU rated too high?
Yes, they will stink.
 ( 23% )
Maybe, we'll see.
 ( 23% )
No, they deserve it.
 ( 46% )
They should be No. 1!
 ( 8% )

Friday August 1, 2008 12:02 
12:02
[Comment From JethroJethro: ] 
Will Direct TV broadcast the Hornets games this (2008-09) season?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:02 Jethro
12:04
I haven't seen anything on that, and believe me  it's a major concern for me as well!   I don't get the road Hornets games as it is on DirecTV, and it's one of the only things that really sucks about having the satellite provider.   Their customer service is great and I'm all signed up for Sunday Ticket again ... I just need my road Hornets games, darnit.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:04 
12:06
[Comment From JethroJethro: ] 
I agree. I am happy with Direct-TV service and have had them for several years now however I am prepared to switch to Dish Network if I have to because of the Hornet Coverage.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:06 Jethro
12:07
In relation to that topic, I'm contemplating DVRing Saints games this year and doing a kind of game film analysis feature every week ... I get thrown under the bus on occasion for not "doing my homework" or other such nonsense, so I thought this might be a fun bone to throw the NOLA audience.   Any interest out there for such a thing?   Let me know.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:07 
12:09
As for LSU, I happen to like their ranking.   I don't think they're a strong contender for a championship this year, but I subscribe to the school of thought that the previous year's champion should be rewarded with a high ranking.   They'll have to earn it if they want to keep it.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:09 
12:09
[Comment From JLoJLo: ] 
Can you talk about the Saints WR battle? Who will be the odd man out?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:09 JLo
12:12
I've thought for some time that Henderson might be the odd man out this year, if only because as a veteran, he makes more money than some of the younger guys.   And if Meachem (a physical freak) can fill the downfield threat role (and I think he can), that makes Henderson expendable.

Ultimately, it will all come down to special teams.   Arrington is doing great, but he'll need to excel with the special teams units to really secure a spot.   The same is true for Moore (and pretty much everyone not named Colston or Patten.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:12 
12:12
[Comment From BigDaddy1955BigDaddy1955: ] 
With the ongoing battle at wide reciever, I think that definitely Henderson is the odd man out this year. Again I re-iterate that to me the only way he should have a chance is to swap sdes and try him at cornerback, what do you think?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:12 BigDaddy1955
12:13
CB switch?   Interesting idea ... only problem is it's late in the offseason to try something like that.   He might have had a shot if he had started six months ago, but not now.   For better or worse, he needs to make it as a WR.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:13 
12:13
[Comment From JLoJLo: ] 
How is the rookie kicker doing? Will the Saints keep two of them or is Gramatica going to get cut?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:13 JLo
12:16
Not a lot of focus on Mehlhaff so far, and that's because the practices don't mean a whole lot when it comes to kickers.   You want two in camp so that your guys don't wear their legs out, but ultimately the game situations decide these things more (which is true for all special teams players).

If I'm a betting man, I say both kickers make it should Mehlhaff struggle at all ... they've invested in him, and he's sure to have a stronger kickoff leg than Martin.   However, if Gramatica struggles, he gets cut.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:16 
12:16
[Comment From BigDaddy1955BigDaddy1955: ] 
I am with you on the ranking for the previous year champion. Even when FLA (Hurl! Barf!) won, it seems to me that the next year they need to be dethroned before falling off the top. I mean, until the next championship game is played, or the season brings losses, it is thier championship to lose.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:16 BigDaddy1955
12:17
Not a whole lot of things make sense in the world of BCS bowls and playoff-less seasons, but this makes as much sense to me as anything.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:17 
12:17
[Comment From desiredesire: ] 
Will the Hornets have cap problems in about 2-3 yrs?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:17 desire
12:17
Great question!   The answer is absolutely yes, and there is no way of getting around that fact.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:17 
12:20
In the very near future, the Hornets will have to make VERY difficult decisions in regards to their roster.   Given that, it wouldn't be a surprise at all if the team deals Peja during the season as a preemptive strike against future salary issues.   If the Hornets aren't having the season they expect to have, Peja could be sent packing.

On a more positive note, these Hornets look loaded.   I LOVE the top 6-8 guys, and if they sort out their backup PG and PF spots, I'll love this team even more.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:20 
12:20
[Comment From DKmetryDKmetry: ] 
If last year taught us anything, it is that the only rankings that matters in college football are the ones at the end of the season. As a result, pre-season rankings are even more useless than most regular season rankings.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:20 DKmetry
12:22
Normally, I would be at the front of the pack cheering you on, but I disagree somewhat this year.   USC, Georgia, Oklahoma, Florida ... these are teams that are just as loaded as a year ago AND much more experienced.   I wouldn't expect any of them to falter ... which means this year's preseason ranking may be as accurate as any we've seen in recent seasons.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:22 
12:23
[Comment From jiggajon33jiggajon33: ] 
will d hornet make any more moves this off season
Friday August 1, 2008 12:23 jiggajon33
12:25
I think they want Pargo back.   Some fans will grimmace at that, but it wouldn't bother me ... who else would you want running the point behind Paul?   It's a legitimate question.

The Hornets are being quiet at the moment ... I think they're now content to let the market come to them (in other words, they know guys like Pargo will come to them to make the deals, given the lack of interest out there).
Friday August 1, 2008 12:25 
12:25
[Comment From JethroJethro: ] 
What's the problem with Pargos' negotiations with the Hornets? Do they not want to give him three years?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:25 Jethro
12:26
Yep.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:26 
12:26
That's basically it, as near as I can tell.   No first-hand knowledge of the situation, just what I'm hearing.   I think they'll come together though.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:26 
12:26
[Comment From DKmetryDKmetry: ] 
My point is, they don't matter. All the teams you listed: USC, Georgia, OK, Florida, and even LSU are in major BCS conferences. They could all be unranked, if they have great seasons and win their conferences, they are going to the top. Pre-season rankings are irrelevent. If LSU starts the season unranked and wins the SEC, what's the difference? Playing the season sorts everything out.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:26 DKmetry
12:30
THAT I will agree with (to a point).   Preseason ranking are completely meaningless except for one detail .... they're fun.   People like them.   People like debating them.   People like creating them.   People like consuming them.   At the end of the day, it's all about giving the people what they want, and the majority of people want something to talk about in the long weeks leading up to the season.   Like sports themselves, the only intrinsic value that preseason rankings have is what people  assign  them.   For you and me, it's basically nothing.   For other, they're fun.   That's why they're here ... because there's a demand.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:30 
12:30
[Comment From JLoJLo: ] 
Any chance the Saints will take a looksee at Lynch from the Broncos? Refusing to accept a smaller role with the Broncos is not a good sign, but others disagree. What's your take?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:30 JLo
12:31
Not sure I'd like it, as he's a guy who makes much of his living around the line of scrimmage, and to do that, you need good corners behind him (ala Champ Bailey).   I don't see any Champ Baileys on this roster, so I'd pass.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:31 
12:32
[Comment From BigDaddy1955BigDaddy1955: ] 
Speaking of caps, how do the Saints sit with the cap this year and years down the road with the current signings and salaries?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:32 BigDaddy1955
12:35
Saints are currently in good shape ... had TONS of room entering the offseason, and the guys they brought in for the most part weren't exactly "high-dollar" guys either.

That can change going forward, as you'd expect guys like Jammal Brown, Reggie Bush and Jonathan Vilma, should they perform, to want bigger deals.   But at the moment, the Saints' financial stability is great.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:35 
12:36
[Comment From jiggajon33jiggajon33: ] 
who will b d starters at cornerback 4 d first game next thursday. in your opinion
Friday August 1, 2008 12:36 jiggajon33
12:38
Symbollically, it would be great for McKenzie and the team's morale to have him out there for the first play.   I'm not sure that's realistic, but it would be a great scene.   I think Gay is basically a lock unless he's hobbled, so I'll go with those two (though don't be surprised if that's the case to see the other team go over the top right away to test them).
Friday August 1, 2008 12:38 
12:39
[Comment From JLoJLo: ] 
Any Brett Favre inside info? Will he be a Buc or a Jet? What's your take?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:39 JLo
12:44

Everything I hear says there's no chance he goes to the Jets.   I will believe what I've been hearing and say he won't go there.

Tampa Bay makes the most sense, so I'd say there's at least a 50-50 chance he ends up there.   Here's the thing though ... he wants to play in Minnesota.   And he has the leverage, because the Packers are scared to death of him coming to camp.   I don't know why they are so scared of this (Rodgers' ego?   The frenzy of reporters?   Favre intentionally becoming a distraction?), but they are.

It's basically up to Favre.   If he wants to play in Minnesota, he will make life difficult on the Packers and they will release him .... he will get what he want.   If he decides he wants to stay retired for the Packers' sake, he will do that.   If he decides Tampa Bay isn't so bad and that he doesn't want to hurt his old team, maybe he goes there.  

In summation, it's a mess.

Friday August 1, 2008 12:44 
12:46
What will happen with Favre?
Stay retired.
 ( 31% )
Get released.
 ( 15% )
Get traded.
 ( 31% )
Who cares?
 ( 23% )

Friday August 1, 2008 12:46 
12:46
[Comment From SoottySootty: ] 
Aww geez can we stop with Brett Favre I can't take it anymore...
Friday August 1, 2008 12:46 Sootty
12:46
I know how Sootty voted!!! :)
Friday August 1, 2008 12:46 
12:46
[Comment From JLoJLo: ] 
Coming into camp Reggie Bush appeared to be much stronger this year. Can you comment on how he looks in camp so far?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:46 JLo
12:50
I'd be lying if I said "I was at camp yesterday and blah blah blah..."   I haven't made it out yet ... our guys at the TP are doing a great job for us over there, so there's been no need.

Here's what I'll say though.   To me, it doesn't sound like he's running any more effectively.   So I still think he's going to be a complementary guy this year.   In 2006, that worked brilliantly, and I really think we can see more of the same this year ... his ceiling is even a little higher than that.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:50 
12:50
[Comment From RayRay: ] 
Anyone that thinks preseason rankings are irrelevant ought to ask Tommy Tuberville about 2004.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:50 Ray
12:51
Touche'.   But again, perhaps that is the point ... is it fair that his team got screwed over because of something that many people think is as important as a pile of dirt?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:51 
12:51
[Comment From SoottySootty: ] 
Saw some USA basketball yesterday...J.Kidd starts ahead of CP and D.Williams. Try and figure that out....
Friday August 1, 2008 12:51 Sootty
12:52
Gotta give Kidd his minutes early on when the games don't matter. :-)
Friday August 1, 2008 12:52 
12:52
If that's still the case in another couple of weeks I'll be a little more dismayed.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:52 
12:53
[Comment From Shaun KingShaun King: ] 
Why does so many fans of Tulane hate LSU so bad?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:53 Shaun King
12:53

LOL Come on Shaun, give your fans some slack!

Friday August 1, 2008 12:53 
12:54
[Comment From RayRay: ] 
I wouldn't worry too much about Kidd starting ... Paul and D-Wil are going to get a lot of minutes ... many of them together - should be fun to watch!
Friday August 1, 2008 12:54 Ray
12:55
[Comment From SoottySootty: ] 
Perhaps because LSU fans know the question should read: Why DO so many fans of Tulane hate LSU?
Friday August 1, 2008 12:55 Sootty
12:57
Well, I don't know about getting into the merits of either school (THAT would be an interesting conversation), but I do know it's great for me personally to have this dynamic here locally.   I love the oddness of the rivalry, and it's been fun to cover it so far.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:57 
12:57
[Comment From BigDaddy1955BigDaddy1955: ] 
Shaun, just to let you know, there were a lot of LSU fans who were rooting for you while at Tampa and we thought you were not handled properly at all. Tulane just has always been a bitter rival just like Ole-Miss. It wasn't anything personal.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:57 BigDaddy1955
12:58
[Comment From SoottySootty: ] 
Having said that and as a season ticket holder, I have a feeling LSU is headed for a 4 loss season with this QB situation.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:58 Sootty
12:58
Sootty, I lean toward 2-3 losses myself, but I guess we'll see!
Friday August 1, 2008 12:58 
12:59
[Comment From SoottySootty: ] 
9-3 would be great!
Friday August 1, 2008 12:59 Sootty
12:59
[Comment From RayRay: ] 
I think 9-3 is a good rebuilding yr for the Tigers, but I do think the OL and the running backs (barring injuries) might make the QB's life a whole lot easier ... wouldn't surprise me if they go 10 or 11 wins.
Friday August 1, 2008 12:59 Ray
1:03

That seems a good note to wrap up on.   Thanks again to everyone for taking part in the chat today!  

Reminder that we'll have this chat again next Friday, our Saints chat next Thursday prior to the Saints preseason opener (which I'll be live blogging as well) and chats Monday with John DeShazier and Friday with Jim Varney.

Take care everyone!

Friday August 1, 2008 1:03 
1:03
[Comment From SoottySootty: ] 
Bye to all/ Yesterday was the final thirsty thursday of the season... : (
Friday August 1, 2008 1:03 Sootty
1:03
Boo! :-(
Friday August 1, 2008 1:03 
1:03
Bye!
Friday August 1, 2008 1:03 
1:03



 
 
 
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