Mailbag: New Orleans Saints edition

June, 23, 2009
Jun 23
1:36
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By Pat Yasinskas

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

The New Orleans Saints are the final stop on our series of team-by-team mailbags.

Darren in Katy Texas writes: Pat I do believe with all the signings the saints are trying to make their defense the best in division they just lost a good LB in Dan Morgan so why don't they replace him or even improve with signing Derrick Brooks and why don't they just resign deuce for less money?

Pat Yasinskas: As soon as Dan Morgan retired, I thought signing Brooks would be a perfect move for the Saints. But they haven't done anything in that regard and they've publicly said they're planning on staying with what they have at linebacker. Maybe they're just being coy about it and maybe they will make a play for Brooks. But he is 36 and may not have a lot left in his tank. As far as bringing back Deuce McAllister, let it go. It's not happening. His release wasn't really about money. It was because the Saints no longer have a role for him and that was painfully obvious last year.


Paul in Santa Fe, NM writes: Hey Pat, Love the work on the blog, though I am sorry that we have hit the "Dead Zone" of football news, though the season is closer than it has been! Anyway, Saints question here: there have been a few minor injuries, it appears, among the potential starters (Arrington, Colston had hamstrings, i think there were a few others). Are you aware of any comments by Coach Payton as regards a method for avoiding the rash of injuries that plagued the team last season? I understand it's partially up to coincidence, but was always taught that proper training, stretching, lifting, etc, all prevent injury --- but, this is "dead zone" time, and we'll have to wait for training camp for anything to matter, anyway!

Pat Yasinskas: Yeah, we're in the "dead zone" as players, coaches, front-office folks and NFC South bloggers (starting next week) take a little down time. But things will start heating up around the middle of July. Injuries are part of the game and coincidence or luck plays into that. But the one thing I noticed at Saints minicamp a few months ago was how Sean Payton was doing a good job of resting some of his veterans. I'm sure that will continue in training camp as Payton tries to keep guys fresh.


Luis in Los Angeles writes: Hey my brother is a die hard saints fan and he was wondering how good do u think the saints will be this year?? He was thinking that they can go all the way to the Super Bowl do u think that is a possibility for them???

Pat Yasinskas: At this time last year, a lot of people were picking the Saints as a candidate for the Super Bowl. This year, they seem to be flying under the radar. I think that's a mistake. I'm not going to come out and predict the Saints are going to the Super Bowl, but I think they can be very good. We all know their offense already is great and their defense should be better than a year ago.


Kartin in Mannheim, Germany writes: I'm trying this way to find out any news on the Deuce and St. Louis. As far as I know Deuce mentioned he would like to play for the Rams but there's a looming four game suspension (the starcaps thingy) and I'm scared that that could keep the Rams from offering him a contract. What is your opinion on that, Pat? Do you have any news, really the slightest news would help as I'm dying to know if Deuce might have a place to play ball next season?

Pat Yasinskas: Don't have anything definitive for you at this point, but I think the Rams remain a possibility for Deuce. He said in a radio interview that he would love to play for them and there are rumblings they may have some interest. It may be the Rams or it may be someone else, but I think you'll see Deuce sign with a team before training camps start.


Chris in New Orleans writes: Hey pat i was really hoping you could update me on the injury status of the saints now and/or heading into training camp?

Pat Yasinskas: The Saints have been saying Reggie Bush and Marques Colston should be 100 percent for the start of training camp. The only big concern is Lance Moore. The Saints have said he should be fully healthy

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