COVERITLIVE.COM

11:58

Kevin Spain, T-P - Hello everyone, we'll be joined by Times-Picayune beat reporters Mike Triplett and Brian Allee-Walsh in a few moments.

12:01

Kevin Spain, T-P - OK, we're going live with Mike and Brian and we're taking your questions

12:01

[Comment From Amit Bajaj]
The prospect of scott shanle trying to cover the star tight ends in our division scares me. is there a chance someone wins the job over him?

12:05

Mike Triplett, T-P -

The chat is officially underway with our first Scott Shanle-bashing question. ... As I've said many times before, Shanle is a very ordinary linebacker, but he's solid, and he's more capable than people give him credit for. And covering tight ends, specifically, is something he's fairly good at. He's just not much of an explosive playmaker.

That being said, the Saints will definitely have their hands full matching up with tight ends this year now that Tony Gonzalez (ATL) and Kellen Winslow (TB) are in the division. The good news is they have a smart, creative defensive coordinator and plenty of different styles of defensive backs to choose from. Randall Gay has done it before, matching up against Winslow when he was with the Patriots. Rookie Malcolm Jenkins might be a great matchup there. Veteran safety Darren Sharper has done it plenty in his career as well.

Believe me, we'll see lots of different lineups and matchups in this year's defense. ... Does that mean it will all work? Not necessarily.

12:05

[Comment From Teddy from mexico]
Hey guys thanks for the saints info keep it cominnn!! Will PT have enough holes to run through or will he sufer from running behind a line better suited to pass protect?

12:05

Brian Allee-Walsh, T-P - Hey Teddy,
I agree with you, i think this line is better suited to pass protect. But if this team is going to reach the next level, it will have to do a better job of opening up holes for thomas, bush, bell, Hamilton, Evans or anyone else they give the ball to.

12:06

[Comment From Obama Boy]
Do ya'll see Robert Meachem moving up in the depth chart?

12:08

Mike Triplett, T-P - Hey Obama Boy. Am I allowed to say yes and no? I don't think Meachem will supplant any of the three guys in front of him in the pecking order. When healthy, Marques Colston and Lance Moore are the starters, and the Saints clearly favor Devery Henderson over Meachem, or they wouldn't have signed Henderson to a healthy four-year contract when he hit free agency this offseason.

But I think Meachem is developing into a more consistent, more confident player, and I think he'll see more snaps, more catches and more success this season. Plus, with Moore's shoulder injury and Colston's knee soreness, there's always a chance he'll need to step up if those guys miss any games.

Like Meachem himself said, Brees threw for "three miles" worth of yards last year, so there's plenty to go around. ... But I wouldn't go drafting Meachem ahead of any of the other three in your fantasy league just yet.

12:08

[Comment From Ray. Dallas,TX]
Hey guys, can you update Lance Moore's condition. Is he still in a sling or is he able to run routes?

12:09

Brian Allee-Walsh, T-P - Ray,
Lance Moore is continuing to rehab. He is not working on a limited basis during the OTAs as some others are. I don't think he'll be a full go by the start of training camp. If Moore can get some work in during camp and perhaps play some by the second or third exhibition, I think Payton will consider him to be on target for the season opener.

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