Talk Saints with beat writer Jimmy Smith

(06/11/2008)

11:46

timespicayune:

Hi, we will be live with Saints beat writer Jimmy Smith at noon.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 11:46 timespicayune

12:00

timespicayune:

We're live Saints fans. Fire away.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:00 timespicayune

12:00

[Comment From JIGGAJON33JIGGAJON33: ]

WHY WAS JEREMY SHOCKEY THA ONLY TE WE WERE GOING AFTER.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:00 JIGGAJON33

12:00

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Jeremy Shockey has a history with Sean Payton who coached him with the Giants. Payton knows his ability and what he can contribute to an offense, JIGGAJON33. He loves Shockey as a player. If you've noticed, plenty of the personnel moves the Saints have made since Payton arrived have been with players with whom he, or members of his staff, know welll or have worked with in the past. That's why Shockey was the primary player at tight end.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:00 timespicayune

12:01

[Comment From Robert FRobert F: ]

Hey jimmy, so who do you think will be the starting cb and safteys when the season begins?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:01 Robert F

12:02

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Robert F, what I'm seeing so far from the cornerbacks is only Gay and Porter, since McKenzie and David have been held out of most of the work because of their injuries. David worked a little more on Monday than he has in the past. So we'll really have to wait until training camp to see how the position is shaking out.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:02 timespicayune

12:02

[Comment From DennisDennis: ]

Will the Saints do anything to upgrade the Weakside Linebacker positon?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:02 Dennis

12:04

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Dennis, what's wrong with the position now? There's not much wrong with Scott Shanle. No one has beaten him out yet and he's a fairly stout player against both the run and pass. I think the Saints are happy with the position. If you've noticed, the moves they've made at the linebacker spot in free agency the last two years have been in the middle, even though Mark Simoneau has yet to relinquish his spot.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:04 timespicayune

12:04

[Comment From JayJay: ]

will the saints get colston and smith in long term deals and will this affect the upcoming vilma and possible deuce's career as a saint

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:04 Jay

12:06

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: That's a good question, Jay. Don't think anything the Saints would do with Colston and Smith would have an affect on Deuce or Vilma. It's likely a priority to keep both Smith and Colston happy, however. I look for something to be done with both players, probably before training camp so it doesn't become a distraction as the team prepares for the upcoming season. There's nothing worse in training camp for a coach than having to deal with questions about players who might be absent because of contract squabbles.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:06 timespicayune

12:07

[Comment From JacqueJacque: ]

How is Marvin Mitchell doing and will he be given the opportunity to challenge Shanle on the weakside or are we targeting a stop gap player like Seau, Colviin, or Spikes?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:07 Jacque

12:08

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Jacque, Marvin Mitchell has been getting plenty of action with the first unit in the practices we've seen because the staff is still holding Jonathan Vilma bck a bit because he's recovering from knee surgery. Those reps with the top guys can do nothing but help Mitchell in the long run. We haven't seen him work too much on the outside yet. Don't think the Saints will go after anyone else at that position.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:08 timespicayune

12:09

[Comment From Ronnie SRonnie S: ]

Do you think Arrington makes the final roster or the practice squad...if the practice squad do you think he would clear waivers?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:09 Ronnie S

12:11

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: From what we've seen so far of Arrington, Ronnie S, he seems to be a player with plenty of potential. I don't think the Saints, at this point anyway, would expose him to waivers, but again, lots can happen between now and the time the final roster cuts have to be made. If they want him on the practice squad, if he can't make the 53-man roster, he'll have to go on the waiver wire. Injuries could play a part in the decision making, or Arrington might be so good this summer that he wins a spot outright.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:11 timespicayune

12:11

[Comment From DougDoug: ]

Jimmy, do you think Mark Campbell will be the one starting at TE this year? His blocking skills were sorely missed last season.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:11 Doug

12:13

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Doug, the Saints do a lot of personnel switching with their tight ends, depending the play and the formation. But if it's a running down, I do see Campbell on the field. The running game certainly suffered in his absence last season. He's the best blocking tight end on the roster, and Payton admitted that this week in a post practice interview. He's an underrated receiver, I think, who has good hands and can be productive in the passing game. But he's invaluable in the running offense.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:13 timespicayune

12:13

[Comment From marvinmarvin: ]

Is Sean Payton on the hot seat if we have another 7-9 season with all the talent that we have on this team?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:13 marvin

12:15

What Saints offensive player will have the best season?
Drew Brees

( 45% )

Reggie Bush

( 23% )

Deuce McAllister

( 3% )

Marques Colston

( 15% )

Robert Meachem

( 9% )

Devery Henderson

( 5% )

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:15

12:15

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: It's possible, Marvin. There is a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball and the Saints need to get off to a faster start this year. They've taken steps to make improvements on the defensive side as well. It's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately kind of business. He's a good coach, but they need to get back on the winning track this season.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:15 timespicayune

12:15

[Comment From Michael BMichael B: ]

I am hearing that Hollis Thomas is again overweight. Due to this, and the addition of Sedrick Ellis, could Hollis be a camp casualty? If so, how are Kendrick Clancy and Orien Harris looking thus far?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:15 Michael B

12:18

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Weight is always going to be an issue with Hollis Thomas, Michael B, and he has been shirting in and out of the rotation with Sedrick Ellis, as has Brian Young. What I think, though, is if anyone is in trouble it might be Young. I think Thomas' energy and his ability to fill up the middle in the rushing defense is important. Then again, the Saints like to do a lot of rotating in and out of linemen to keep bodies fresh. Clancy and Harris are OK, but neither is as good as Young and Thomas. By the time the season rolls around, Thomas wil be in shape to play the 20 or so plays he's needed, but Ellis' presence improves the position.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:18 timespicayune

12:18

[Comment From phillipphillip: ]

going into the season what do you think still remains the saints biggest weakness?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:18 phillip

12:21

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Defensively, Philip, I still think the biggest weakness is going to be in the secondary. I haven't seen that much improvement back there yet. But again Mike McKenzie isn't full strength and won't be for some time. Now perhaps the changes the Saints have made up front will take some of the pressure off that secondary. But I look for Kevin Kaesviharn to be in the starting lineup along with Roman Harper at the safeties. And if he can step up his improvement, second-round choice Tracy Porter will see some significant playing time, as wil Randall Gay. It's still the weak link, though, in my opinion.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:21 timespicayune

12:21

[Comment From KenKen: ]

Are the fans higher on Pierre Thomas than the coaching staff is?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:21 Ken

12:23

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: That's a good observation, Ken. There's an old saying in the NFL that the most popular guy on the team is the backup quarterback. You might carry that over to the backup running back spot if you're a Saints' fan. I think we know that Reggie Bush can't be depended upon as an every down back in the NFL. And Aaron Stecker is aging, Deuce is coming off two knee surgeries. Everybody loves Thomas. The coaching staff though, won't publicly disclose their affection or lack thereof. It'll have to translate into playing time. We'll see what develops this fall.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:23 timespicayune

12:24

[Comment From d Koded Kode: ]

How does skyler green look? Does he have a chance to unseat Lance Moore as the return man for punts and kick offs?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:24 d Kode

12:24

[Comment From Gretna Saints fanGretna Saints fan: ]

How is the battle for punt/kick off return going? In your opinion who will win the job?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:24 Gretna Saints fan

12:27

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: There's no question one of the priorities this season is to improve the return game. The Saints, don't forget, made a change at the special teams coordinator position this season when John Bonamago took a similar position in Miami. The Saints didn't put up much of a fight to keep him, so you have to think they weren't happy with the overall performance of the special teams. Green has looked good in what we've seen, d Kode/Gretna Saints fan. It's a wide-open battle right now. It would't be surprising if Green can make the team strictly on his return ability, though.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:27 timespicayune

12:27

[Comment From ChrisChris: ]

How is Ellis doing in camp? And do you think we made out good with him, instead of Dorsey?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:27 Chris

12:29

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Having not seen Dorsey, it's difficult to compare the two. However, I think Ellis has the makings of a genuine superstar. He can play either of the tackle spots and once he started going up against veteran offensive linemen, there seemed to be no drop off in his play. We'll know ore when they line up against another team, but he looks to be a good choice.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:29 timespicayune

12:29

[Comment From iga76iga76: ]

What has happened to Usama Young? I feel like I hear every other CB's name mentioned but his. Last year I thought I remember him having a pretty good training camp as a rookie, that he showed some potential, is this not so anymore?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:29 iga76

12:29

[Comment From BuckBuck: ]

I haven't heard alot mentioned pertaining to Usama Young. How's he progressing in his 2nd year?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:29 Buck

12:29

[Comment From ToddTodd: ]

At the recent minicamp, Tracy Porter and Randall Gay lined up with the first team ahead of Usama Young. Does this suggest that Young has not progressed as well as the coaching staff would like? And if so, given that the team’s selection of Young in the third round of the 2007draft surprised many observers who forecasted Young as a later-round pick, was this one of the personnel decisions that caused Rick Mueller to fall out of favor with Loomis and Payton?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:29 Todd

12:32

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: It's great to hear from all those Usama Young fans. I think Young had a little bit farther road to travel to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the current cornerbacks in camp. But he is making progress. While he might have been considered a reach as a No. 2 pick, it's hard to say whether this is why Mueller fell out of favor with Payton. Suffice to say, Payton didn't like some of the personnel moves the Saints made but he isn't saying which ones he took exception to and Mueller, given the opportunity last week, declined to comment. Let's wait and see what Young looks like when they put the pads on in Jackson before we say whether he has a shot at more playing time this fall.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:32 timespicayune

12:33

[Comment From GainesGaines: ]

If Reggie Bush has yet another dismal season and doesn't perform the way he is supposed to, at what time to the Saints consider shopping him and see if they can get something of value for him. An article in the TP said that some of the Saints players may have lost confidence in him

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:33 Gaines

12:33

[Comment From derekderek: ]

how is reggie looking in camp

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:33 derek

12:33

[Comment From RobertoRoberto: ]

Do you think this will be the Reggie's Year?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:33 Roberto

12:36

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Another group effort from the Reggie Bush camp. Having Bush around this offseason will definitely help him in the eyes of his teammates, some of whom were not pleased last year when he decided to stay and work out in California. It's too early to think the Saints might be shopping him, but certainly he'd have a great deal of value to someone. Remember the Herschel Walker deal that netted the Cowboys all those draft choices which Jerry Jones turned into the core of Dallas' Super Bowl run in the 1990s. But let's give Bush another training camp, and at least the early par t of the regular season, to see if he can still be a threat in the Saints offense. He was diminished last year by the absence of Deuce McAllister. He's a vital part of the plan if he has other people around him, as evidenced in his rookie season.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:36 timespicayune

12:37

[Comment From Herb from CaliHerb from Cali: ]

Do you think to many road games may hurt the Saints this year and being on Prime time so much?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:37 Herb from Cali

12:40

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Last time I checked, Herb from Cali, the Saints were still only playing one more "road" game than every other NFL team, that's only because of the trip to London. The Giants recovered quite nicely from their excursion across the pond last season, wouldn't you say? Coaches have to adjust to what the schedule presents to them. That the Saints are an attractive presentation for television networks is an indication that they are a good, entertaining team. Coaches have to use that to their advantage. If you could say one positive thing about Jim Mora-coached Saints teams is that Mora never used any hurdles such as schedule quirks as excuses. Don't expect Payton to do it, either.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:40 timespicayune

12:40

[Comment From CodeCode: ]

What's your opinion on which position showed the most improvement whether by free agent or draft signee?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:40 Code

12:42

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Code, I'd have to say the defensive line is the most improved group thus far. Bobby McCray could be the best defensive free agent acquistion the Saints have ever gotten and Ellis looks to have a great future. Those two players alone have made the Saints much better. We haven't seen DeMario Pressley yet because of a foot injury, so we don't know whether he can contribute. But McCray and Ellis have made the line better.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:42 timespicayune

12:43

[Comment From fenwickfenwick: ]

What about Meachum? Think he will make the team. A friend of mine, a Tenn. booster says he is average at best and wondered how he was drafted so high. Says he is afraid to go over the middle. What you think?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:43 fenwick

12:43

[Comment From GordonGordon: ]

Is Meacham going to be our third reciever?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:43 Gordon

12:43

[Comment From Saints101Saints101: ]

what Wr do you see Robert Meachem become like?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:43 Saints101

12:43

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Jimmy do you feel Robert Meachem should start this season?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:43 Guest

12:45

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: I'm told that Payton really liked Robert Meachem coming out of college and that it was Payton who pushed for the pick. So to answer all you Meachem fans out there, if Meachem was, in fact, a Payton choice, he'll be getting every opportunity to prove he can play in the NFL. He won't be a starter, but from what we've seen so far, he's vastly inmproved over last year when he was hurt and out of shape. He hasn't worked his way up to the third receiver spot yet, but Devery Henderson might have to start looking over his shoulder.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:45 timespicayune

12:45

[Comment From TroyTroy: ]

Does Jonathan Vilma have the potential to become as great as Sam Mills was for the Saints?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:45 Troy

12:47

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Sam Mills was the best at his position to ever have played here, but Sam was just one of two great middle linebackers. Remember the Saints played a 3-4 and no one mentions Vaughan Johnson, who was possibly the biggest hitter the Saints have ever had. Troy, we haven't seen what Vilma can do with pads on yet, and we really haven't seen him do that much on the field. Don't get carried away. He's going to have to be an awfuilly special player before you can mention him in the same breath Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:47 timespicayune

12:48

[Comment From Wesley L.(Zip)Wesley L.(Zip): ]

Any cap casualties coming up since we past June 1st?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:48 Wesley L.(Zip)

12:49

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: From what we can tell, Wesley L, the Saints should have absolutely no salary cap issues at all. They were well under the cap so there's plenty of room for big raises to Will Smith and Marques Colston as well as their rookie pool. Money shouldn't be a consideration.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:49 timespicayune

12:49

[Comment From jcollins9jcollins9: ]

Jimmy, do you feel that the Saints have done enough on the defensive side to contend in the playoffs this year? Also, are the personnel additions done for this offseason?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:49 jcollins9

12:52

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Again, jcollins9, we haven't seen these guys with anything but shorts and helmets. We'll be able to give you a much more educated answer once they hit with pads and play an exhibition or two. But it seems that the move they've made so far in the offseason could translate into some defensive improvement. I like the speed that Bobby McCray has brought and it could give the saints the flexibility to move Charles Grant inside on passing downs which could bolster the pass rush. Never say never - remember that Scott Shanle and Mark Simoneau were brought in in a two-week span before the start of the 2006 regular season. But I don't foresee any more personnel moves.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:52 timespicayune

12:52

[Comment From BlakeBlake: ]

Who do you think will be the starters at RT and LG? Do you think that Goodwin will land the center job?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:52 Blake

12:54

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Don't think the Saints will make any changes among the starters on the offensive line with the exception of Goodwin at center. Jon Stinchcomb will be the right tackle and Jamar Nesbit the left guard. If Goodwin goes down, though, I can see Nesbit sliding over to center as the primary backup.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:54 timespicayune

12:54

[Comment From SonnySonny: ]

Jimmy, I really believe in Devery Henderson. I think he can pull it together. From what you seen has he improve? Has his had gotten sticky?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:54 Sonny

12:56

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Sonny, Devery has looked pretty good from what we've seen so far. Devery has always had the ability to make the difficult down-field catches, but struggled with the routine routes. He has said the most important thing he needs to do this season is be more consistent. It's hard to argue with that. He has to be dependable on every route.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:56 timespicayune

12:56

[Comment From nolafan33nolafan33: ]

jimmy do you think the saints have the best shot at winning the division this season?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:56 nolafan33

12:56

[Comment From JacqueJacque: ]

We know the Saints are good enough to compete with the NFC but is this team really built to win a championship when you compare them to the likes of New England, Indiana, San Diego and even Jacksonville?

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:56 Jacque

12:58

timespicayune:

JIMMY SMITH: Training camp hasn't even begun yet, nolafan33 and you want to know if they can win the division? Check back in September. And Jacque it's too early to tell whether this team has been built to contend. They had to make defensive improvements and seem to have done that. We'll have to wiat and see if those improvements carry over when they tee it up for real.

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:58 timespicayune

12:58

timespicayune:

Great questions this week. We will be back next Wednesday at noon for another Saints chat. You can replay this chat any time at nola.com

Wednesday June 11, 2008 12:58 timespicayune

12:58