New Orleanians began their work week all smiles again Monday morning courtesy of the Saints’ record-setting 9-0 start. Even though our wallets were decimated for the ninth straight game, Saints fans ain’t complainin’. As the Saints aim to complete their second of three triumphant visits to the Sunshine State Sunday, Big Daddy mentally prepares to go where Who Dat has gone before. In this week’s edition of the Section 645 Saints Beat, Big Daddy congratulates former U.S. Representative from Louisiana’s 2nd District William “Dollar Bill” Jefferson, reports the action live from the Kingpin, recaps the Tampa Bay game, examines recent Saints scares, forecasts the New Orleans Hornets season, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.
Who wasn’t relieved when U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III made his wise decision? Wednesday Ellis ruled that William Jefferson will remain free while he appeals his 11 count federal conviction. Obviously, Dollar Bill isn’t a flight risk because he’s such a devoted God-fearing family man. Bill’s ability to spend priceless family time during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Mardi Gras, and the Saints first Super Bowl with his wife and kids has to be the feel-good story of the year. Do you think Lifetime will make a syrupy holiday special depicting the Jefferson’s tight-knit family? Perhaps the made-for-TV gem would teach struggling Americans how to afford Ivy League educations for their offspring like the Jeffersons did with their five amazing children. Since locals love “making groceries,” the movie could show people where to find those special frozen pie crusts that chemically react when ordinary freezers transform them into extraordinary devices that produce cold hard cash.
An away game morphs the Kingpin into the Crescent City’ s hottest locale to watch our beloved Saints wage war against another unlucky foe. Sunday was no different, as regulars packed the place to the rafters screaming, “Who Dat” in an effort to rekindle that Saints swagger, to which fans quickly grew accustomed earlier this season. As relentless pressure builds on the Saints to remain perfect, their first-half performance was worse than legal advice from Greg Meffert’s attorney. Mounting defensive injuries mixed in with the offense’ s recent turnover problems caused the Saints to look very vulnerable, even against the Lambs. Brent Bond’s wonderful feast which included: pulled pork, Mac and cheese, cold slaw, and homemade cookies (Totally Awesome!) helped the huge Kingpin crowd reach their customary loud roaring potential, which was enough for the Black ’ n’ Gold to escape the “Gateway to the West” without an embarrassing black eye.
The St. Louis recap starts with both defenses controlling the game. Drew Brees was victimized by Rams’ safety Oshimogho Agotwe who snagged a tip drill interception, ending the Saints’ first possession. Saints safety Osama Young returned the favor, picking off St. Louis Quarterback Marc Bulger. After a scoreless first quarter, Reggie Bush’ s 3-yard touchdown run put the Saints in front 7-0 early. Ram's QB Marc Bulger's 29-yard strike to Donnie Avery knotted the game 7-7. Brees’ 15-yard toss to Reggie Bush got the Saints back on top 14-7. The Rams all-pro running back Steven Jackson’ s 2-yard run squared the halftime score 14-14. Courtney Roby took the second half kickoff back 97 yards, giving the Saints a 21-14 lead. St. Louis kicker Josh Brown’ s 32-yard boot split the uprights and narrowed the gap to 21-17 heading to the fourth. Robert Meacham hauled in a beautiful 27-yard Drew Brees touch pass stretching the margin to a more comfortable 28-17 with 12:15 remaining. The feisty Rams didn't quit, Bulger’ s 19-yard TD pass to Avery pulled St. Louis closer. Somehow the undermanned Saints defense (due to multiple injuries) managed to stop the 2-point conversion attempt, making it 28-23 Saints with 2:44 left. Marques Colston covered the Rams on-side kick; however the Saints failed to finish the deal for the first time this season. The Rams defense forced the Saints to go three-and-out, unfortunately Thomas Morstead’ s punt went for a touchback with 2:21 still left on the clock. St. Louis’ 11-play drive had Saints fans feeling the uneasy emotions of past years when your gut told you something bad was getting ready to happen. As the last play unfolded and Bulger heaved his Hail Mary pass, Big Daddy's butt cheeks were tighter than insurance companies paying out Katrina claims. Thank goodness the football fell harmlessly to the turf and the Saints held on to a very ugly 28-23 victory.
Thus far, Saints fans have seen their explosive offense score faster than a single guy playing Barry White on the jukebox at a cougar bar, but lately the scoring machine is fighting through a dry spell. The two main causes on offense are Drew Brees’ recent problems with turnovers and Marques Colston’s dropped passes. The inability of the defense to get off the field due to a host of injuries allows the opposition to keep the ball away from our incredible offense (best in the NFL). Until the defense can get healthier, Drew Brees must take care of the ball, Sean Payton needs to improve play-calling, and Marques Colston has to make catches. If we do that, we’ll be lighting up scoreboards with more regularity than Republicans have been purchasing copies of “Going Rogue.”
Moving to the hardwood for a moment, the Hornets’ awful 3-6 start sparked the unexpected firing of Head Coach Byron Scott. The team’s embarrassing national TV performance at Phoenix caused the first coaching change in the new NBA season. General Manager Jeff Bower took over coaching duties, but his inexperience prompted the rehiring of former Hornets Head Coach Tim Floyd as his top assistant. Even though Bower won three of his four games, player personnel decisions (which Bower oversaw) hinder the team’s success more than anything else. Big Daddy believes Chris Paul’s injury plus glaring weaknesses at shooting guard and small forward will eventually doom the Hornets’ chances of making a playoff appearance in ’09-’10 season, but good fortune in the draft lottery could have us contending again next year.
Check out the Section 645 Saints Beat when Big Daddy the recaps the Tampa game, questions Les Miles’ leadership ability, reports live from the Kingpin, covers Po-Boy Preservation Festival, and provides special coverage of the Bayou Classic. Hey, please don’t forget to Click for Cans at: www.chunky.com/ClickforCansLanding.aspx as often as you can (you are allowed to vote once a day). Investigating Saints trivial information is so easy just log on to: www.NOSaintsHistory.com to locate your desired facts. Now Big Daddy releases his World Famous Pregame Information: — Go Over 50 —
