Live Chat: Friday sports talk

(06/13/2008)

12:01

Hey everyone, welcome to another Friday sports chat. The action on the field is slowing down now (only LSU, the Zephyrs and the VooDoo are still in action), but of course there is tons going on off the field as well.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:01

12:07

[Comment From JIGGAJONJIGGAJON: ]

WHICH PLAYER DO THINKS FITS D HORNETS BEST IN YOUR OPINION. TY LAWSON, CDR,BILL WALKER, NICHOLAS BATUM

Friday June 13, 2008 12:07 JIGGAJON

12:09

I like Walker the best of those players, and while I am biased, I just love the idea of pairing his athleticism with Ju-Ju's off the bench. Talk about matchup problems!

Interestingly, John Reid recently remarked that the Hornets are looking to draft just about ANY position other than small forward (http://blog.nola.com/hornetsbeat/2008/06/hornets_evaluate_draft_prospec.html), so that does not bode well for CDR or Walker fans. I guess we'll see.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:09

12:09

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

Can the VooDoo step it up and secure a playoff spot?

Friday June 13, 2008 12:09 Cait

12:12

I have my doubts, but as we've seen, thinks can change in an instant in Arena football. After starting 7-2, the VooDoo have lost four of their last five. Wimprine is doing a fine enough job at quarterback, I think. I'd say the big difference for a turnaround would be more big plays from a defense that has the ability to be very opportunistic.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:12

12:12

But again, the odds are against them.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:12

12:13

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

So what can we expect from the College World Series this weekend?

Friday June 13, 2008 12:13 Cait

12:15

Buster Posey to hit a crap-ton of home runs? Seriously, that guy is a beast.

I was SO impressed with LSU last weekend, I can't even tell you. I was absolutely convinced a loss would cripple them and cause them to fall into a tailspin. That did not happen. At all. The Tigers made their fans proud last weekend in a big way and sent the Box out on a high note.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:15

12:15

I think North Carolina might be the most balanced team in the field, so LSU has a tough task ahead.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:15

12:16

In any case, that should be a game to mark down on your calendars. Should be a good one.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:16

12:17

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

What does LSU have to do to shut down UNC's pitching staff?

Friday June 13, 2008 12:17 Cait

12:18

Pray? Seriously, it's not likely going to be a hitfest for the Tigers in this one, so they just have to take advantage of their opportunities. Take a page out of the Anteaters' book and play some small ball if need be. But most importantly, score the runners that get on base. You may not get many opportunities, so you better take advantage when they come along.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:18

12:19

[Comment From d Koded Kode: ]

Will skyler green make the saints roster?

Friday June 13, 2008 12:19 d Kode

12:22

The speculation on Green has risen a great deal over the past several weeks. I can't tell if that's more because the fans are so curious about him and won't let the topic go, or if it is because Green is impressing in camp.

Maybe a little of both? Seriously, if Green can make an impact on special teams (which Henderson doesn't appear capable of doing, and Lance Moore is only so-so at), he has a shot, and a good one at that.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:22

12:23

We won't really be able to judge his return skills until he gets into a live game situation though, so Green fans wil have to wait until the preseason gets here to get a better idea.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:23

12:24

[Comment From JIGGAJON33JIGGAJON33: ]

WHICH DEFENSIVE STARTER WILL MAKE D BIGGEST IMPACT

Friday June 13, 2008 12:24 JIGGAJON33

12:27

Well, with Will Smith back in the fold (hooray!), I'm tempted to say him. No other player on that defense (with the possible exception of a healthy Mike McKenzie) is as important to the Saints' success, and I'm hoping for big things from him this year.

As far as newcomers, OTA attendees are raving about Bobby McCray, and obviously Sedrick Ellis is going to be an important cog as well, but if Jon Vilma can come in healthy, he's a 200-tackle kind of player ... meaning he could have a major impact right away.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:27

12:28

[Comment From bmwtsubmwtsu: ]

Being a fellow The Mighty Trojan Death Machiner (and not the USC kind), any chance that Marcus Pittman making the roster or practice squad? Or is he just a camp body. And did Zarah Yisreal sign or did they boot him after his tryout?

Friday June 13, 2008 12:28 bmwtsu

12:30

It's a numbers game for Pittman. Harris and Pressley are ahead of him on the depth chart, which means he'll have to hope the Saints chose to cut a veteran (like Young or Thomas) for him to have any hope. Practice squad is likelier, but again, he'll have to beat out Harris and Pressley. Not sure he'll be able to do it.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:30

12:31

[Comment From yoyoyohayoyoyoha: ]

Any word on Colston contract?

Friday June 13, 2008 12:31 yoyoyoha

12:34

Nothing new to report, though I think it's important to note that the Saints ARE negotiating with him. It's not like there's some line in the sand that neither party is willing to cross, or that either side is feeling bitter or angry. I think a deal will get done on that basis alone. It's just a question of when.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:34

12:34

[Comment From bmwtsubmwtsu: ]

Thanks! And circle Sept. 6th on your calender when TMTDM rolls into Red Stick...this year you bring the ball, we;ll bring the refs!

Friday June 13, 2008 12:34 bmwtsu

12:35

[Comment From ReggieReggie: ]

I have been wanting to ask? Why did the saints cut Johnathan Zenon he was an excellent db. To me he was better than cheavous Jackson and he got drafted... Any thoughts I think they should have given him a shot in camp.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:35 Reggie

12:38

Not to denegrate anyone here Reggie, but "excellent" is pushing it. If anyone in that secondary had been "excellent" last year, the Saints would have been in the playoffs.

I think as it is the Saints may have too many DBs in camp, even without Zenon. Butler and Glenn, while journeymen, can contribute, so I wouldn't write either off. That said, we need to look to the youngsters (Young and Porter) to see real improvement there.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:38

12:39

[Comment From yoyoyohayoyoyoha: ]

I heard Chris Henry is on the practice field with the Saints...is there any validity to that rumor?

Friday June 13, 2008 12:39 yoyoyoha

12:41

He's from the area, so it's certainly possible. He could also pretty easily be there as a guest of any number of players ... the NFL is a giant fraternity nowadays. I have no idea if the rumor is true offhand, but I wouldn't read too much into it in any case.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:41

12:42

[Comment From ReggieReggie: ]

i thank you mis read my quote i said he was at LSU

Friday June 13, 2008 12:42 Reggie

12:43

You said "was an excellent db" -- that could have been read in several ways. Regardless, I don't think he's any better than what the Saints have on hand. Time will tell though.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:43

12:44

[Comment From Come AgainCome Again: ]

What about the saints trying to go after some one like Matt Jones

Friday June 13, 2008 12:44 Come Again

12:47

There are rumors that Jones is falling out of favor in Jacksonville and could be cut soon -- so I give you props for staying on top of things.

I'll ask you this, though. If Jones can't beat out the likes of Troy Williamson, does he even have any chance at making this Saints roster? I'm not so sure he does. Is he worth a look? Maybe. Is he going to be a major contributor for someone? Probably not.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:47

12:48

[Comment From fourthandgoaldudefourthandgoaldude: ]

What does the QB situation look like beyond Brees and Brunnell

Friday June 13, 2008 12:48 fourthandgoaldude

12:50

Tyler Palko is the No. 3, unless some youngster like Travis Lulay can unseat him. That probably won't happen.

I don't feel overly confident in Palko's decision-making ability at present, but perhaps another year of seasoning can help with that.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:50

12:50

[Comment From Come AgainCome Again: ]

The deal with Matt Jones is he never had a QB that was worth a grain of salt and be came frustrated.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:50 Come Again

12:52

I can just agree to disagree I suppose -- He had a Pro-Bowl level QB last year in David Garrard, and yet he didn't produce. Okay, give him a pass for the frustration thing ... you'd think he'd be onboard now. But he isn't. Maybe he's being scapegoated by the coaches, but he's just not doing well in OTAs -- running third-team at best. I just don't see how a guy like that is liable to help you. Sure he can turn it around, but will he? It's looking rather doubtful.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:52

12:53

[Comment From ReggieReggie: ]

Do you thinh the saints will give Travis Henry a tryout???? He has the deire if we can keep him out of truble. I would take him over Shaun Alexander. I think shun is looking to make some quick money.. Any thoughts.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:53 Reggie

12:58

I do think Henry can give you more on the field than Alexander -- don't think there's a question about that. That said, I wouldn't sign him. Here's why:

Say he works out for you, gets into no trouble, plays well. What does he give you? A decent backup for McAllister. Now let's look at the opposite scenario -- say he gets himself suspended. Then you give the organization a black eye and he ends up hurting the team, not helping it.

It comes down to risk-reward. Does the reward outweigh the risk? No, not in Henry's case. If he were as good as Adrian Peterson or LaDainian Tomlinson, absolutely, yeah, he'd be worth the risk. But he isn't as good as those guys ... meaning his off-field issues are enough to warrant a pass.

Friday June 13, 2008 12:58

12:59

[Comment From BLACK BEASTBLACK BEAST: ]

WHEN WILL CHRIS PAUL DEAL GET DONE

Friday June 13, 2008 12:59 BLACK BEAST

1:00

Still waiting more word on that. Like Colston though, it is a work in progress ... meaning a resolution is almost certain to come sooner rather than later. So I'm positive about it.

Friday June 13, 2008 1:00

1:01

That's it for today everyone! Thanks for stopping by, and remember our Saints chat next Wed. at noon and our Friday sports chat again next Friday at noon. Have a great weekend!

Friday June 13, 2008 1:01

1:01

[Comment From JIGGAJON33JIGGAJON33: ]

THANKS 4 D TIME

Friday June 13, 2008 1:01 JIGGAJON33

1:02