http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/jfp.php/sports/ en todd@jacksonfreepress.com Copyright 2009 2009-11-17T17:55:00-06:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/discuss_the_saints_9_0/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/discuss_the_saints_9_0/#When:17:55:00Z The Saints are good enough to beat every team on their schedule. So why are they keeping these games so close?So, the Saints eek out a victory over the St. Louis Rams -- with a secondary that, while beat up, did not look good in this game, leading to some actual excitement from the weekly paper in St. Louis over their 1-8 team. On Sunday, the Rams took on one of the best teams in all of football, the New Orleans Saints, who look like the reincarnation of the Greatest Show on Turf most weeks, and guess what? They gave the Saints everything they could handle and had a chance to win the game on the final drive. Maybe this thing really is headed in the right direction. Those are not good notes to get on the game, but you've got to expect some ugly wins over a long season, and it's remarkable that we're talking about nine of those wins in a row for the Saints. Some random thoughts from the game: 1.) Reggie ran forward. Bless his heart. Two touchdowns and a few exciting runs caused me to reconsider my agreement with the piece Jack of All Trades, Master of None at Bleacher Report a few weeks ago about utility back-fielder Reggie Bush. They said: He has had his flashes, returning 3 punts for touchdowns in 2007 and being a fixture in the Saints passing game (in his three and a half seasons he has had 88, 77, 52, and 27 receptions respectively). It is not as if Bush does not belong in the league, but his outrageously high salary seems to be inappropriate for a player of his caliber. There's an argument there, but it occurred to me that one reason that Saints coach Sean Peyton might want to hold on to Bush is simply because of the threat that he represents for exciting and amazing plays. His presence keeps the other teams on their toes, keying him, since they literally don't know what to expect. If he can develop a little more vision and *really* focus on falling forward when he has no other options, it might be interesting to see him get more reps, more swing passes and more pitches in the flat. Peyton likes having a *lot* of talent to choose from, and he's got it, particularly on offense. Bush is just another dangerous weapon he can go to when he softens you up with his other backs, his tight-ends and receivers. 2.) Turnovers kept it too close. If receiver Marquis Colston (who had struggled and was trying like heck to make something happen) doesn't attempt an Olympic-style leap in the air at the goal line and get a fluke hit with the ball on the helmet of a defender, then he doesn't fumble the ball through the end zone for a touchback. Given that touchdown, the Saints would have pulled away in the 3rd quarter and probably demoralize a hapless St. Louis team. Hopefully they'll check the tape on that and talk about ball protection and where and when to leap in their meetings -- being on the one yard line with all the time in the world is a fine result on that play. 3.) The D needs to tighten up. The defense seemed not only to miss safety Darren Sharper's penchant for interceptions, but also, perhaps, his leadership on the field, thanks to his being sidelined with an injury. Linebacker Scott Fujita is back, but looked a little rusty, and the secondary made mistakes that lead directly to points. The defense did do a good job of containing Ram's running back Steven Jackson, who was able, almost single-handedly, to keep the Rams in the game the first half. 4.) Thank you, special teams. Former Dallas Cowboy's coach Jimmy Johnson used to say that you need good performances from two of three teams -- defense, offense and special teams -- to win. In this case, thank special teams for stepping up with a better-than-average job of picking up the slack, including a 96-yard TD run-back that put the Saints immediately in the driver's seat for the second half. 5.) Lovin' the adjustments. The past four games have all seemed to have a First Half Funk for the Saints... and each game, so far, they come out blazing in the second half. The team seems to make extremely smart adjustments in the locker room. You also have to figure that they simply believe they can win moreso than in past years, and that sustains them even when they're behind. 6.) What a schedule. With injuries and mid-season blahs, it's possible that the Saints would not be 9-0 if they weren't playing the NFL's basement right now. And, yet, that's what they've been handed. Next up -- Tampa Bay, a 1-8 team that will also probably throw the kitchen sink at the Saints. In some ways, I think this is a perfect storm. The Saints are winning against teams that having nothing to lose, and, therefore, throw the kitchen sink at them. They're racking up wins, working on different looks and adjustments and perhaps even healing some key guys -- it's almost like a preseason where the wins count and get you into the playoffs. The Patriots have to come to New Orleans in two weeks. That'll be a tester, a Monday night game, but the Saints have time to work toward it. They're good enough to beat the New England Patriots -- and they've got tape to show them how, thanks to Indianapolis. Whether they do win that game will be a huge test of coaching and character. We know the Saints have the talent. From there, we're talking some decent teams and conference games -- Washington (3-6 @ Washington, might be chilly), Atlanta (already beat 'em), Carolina (already beat 'em), Dallas in N.O. (with yrs truly and Ms. D in attendance), and Tampa again, this time in the Superdome. It's too early to say "undefeated" -- particularly since some of those games at the end of they year might matter a whole lot more for the opponents (Atlanta, Dallas and Carolina) than they will for the Saints, and there's no point in getting hurt going for 16-0. But the Saints have a darned good chance at exactly that. Your thoughts? sports blog 2009-11-17T17:55:00-06:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_slate_the_best_in_sports_in_7_days_111109/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_slate_the_best_in_sports_in_7_days_111109/#When:03:22:00Z by Doctor S November 11, 2009 Thursday, Nov. 12 High school football, Jackson Prep vs. Jackson Academy in MAIS AAA- Division I championship (7 p.m., Mississippi College, Clinton, 970 AM, 930 AM): It seems like these two play in the final every year. JA won the regular-season game. 2009-11-12T03:22:00-06:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/a_dark_side_to_glory_111109/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/a_dark_side_to_glory_111109/#When:03:13:00Z The first 11 months of 2009 have given fans rare insight into the Celebrated Sports Hero.by John Yargo November 11, 2009 The first 11 months of 2009 have given fans rare insight into the Celebrated Sports Hero. USA Swimming suspended Michael Phelps for using marijuana, not quite violating his parole for a previous DUI. Quarterback Brett Favre burned bridges to acquire a Vikings uniform and then made ill-advised suggestions on what "real Packers" fans should feel. Retired Titans quarterback Steve McNair was the victim of a tragic murder-suicide fueled by heavy drug use of his mistress. After being busted for steroids, Alex Rodriguez coordinated a small media circus to muddle his guilt. These revelations mostly confirmed fans' suspicions, and those incidents may define those athletes' legacies. 2009-11-12T03:13:00-06:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/a_promising_season_110409/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/a_promising_season_110409/#When:22:49:00Z These are heady times for the Mississippi State and Ole Miss men's basketball teams.by Doctor S November 4, 2009 These are heady times for the Mississippi State and Ole Miss men's basketball teams. 2009-11-04T22:49:00-06:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_slate_the_best_in_sports_in_7_days_110409/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_slate_the_best_in_sports_in_7_days_110409/#When:22:40:00Z by Doctor S November 4, 2009 Thursday, Nov. 5 Men's college basketball, Millsaps at Jackson State (7:30 p.m., Jackson): The Majors tangle with the Tigers in an exhibition contest. 2009-11-04T22:40:00-06:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_slate_the_best_in_sports_in_7_days_102809/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_slate_the_best_in_sports_in_7_days_102809/#When:17:07:00Z Viking Classic, Madison Central v. Northwest Rankin and the Rebels see if they can prove something (anything, really) against Auburn on Halloween day. Ah-oooh!by Doctor S October 28, 2009 Thursday, Oct. 29 Pro golf, Viking Classic (7 a.m., Annandale Golf Club, Madison): Go for the food, stay for the golf. Or to see what John Daly is wearing that day. The tournament continues through Sunday. The Golf Channel will have live coverage daily at 1:30 p.m. and a replay at 6:30 p.m. 2009-10-29T17:07:00-06:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_irregular_season_102809/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_irregular_season_102809/#When:00:24:00Z Unfortunately, this year's Egg Bowl is shaping up to be one of the worst rivalry matchups in the football season. (The Apple Cup, between the University of Washington and Washington State, held that honor since the end of the last decade, but has now surpassed the Mississippi State-Ole Miss game in national relevance.)by John Yargo October 28, 2009 Unfortunately, this year's Egg Bowl is shaping up to be one of the worst rivalry matchups in the football season. (The Apple Cup, between the University of Washington and Washington State, held that honor since the end of the last decade, but has now surpassed the Mississippi State-Ole Miss game in national relevance.) 2009-10-29T00:24:00-06:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/docs_mid_term_grades_102109/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/docs_mid_term_grades_102109/#When:02:50:00Z Dr. S is handing out his mid-term grades to Mississippi football teams ... and it ain't pretty.by Doctor S October21, 2009 Some of Mississippi's college football teams started the season with great expectations. Others sought to rebuild for future success. Here's their mid-term report record. 2009-10-22T02:50:00-06:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_slate_the_best_in_sports_in_7_days_102109/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_slate_the_best_in_sports_in_7_days_102109/#When:00:44:00Z by Doctor S October 21, 2009 Thursday, Oct. 22 Junior college football, Copiah-Lincoln at Hinds (6:30 p.m., Raymond): The Eagles' sad season finally ends. 2009-10-22T00:44:00-06:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_slate_the_best_in_sports_in_7_days_101409/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_slate_the_best_in_sports_in_7_days_101409/#When:22:43:00Z by Doctor S October 14, 2009 Thursday, Oct. 15 College football, Delta State at North Alabama (7 p.m., Florence, Ala., CSS, 930 AM): The stumbling Statesmen face their nemesis, the unbeaten Lions. It could be a long night for DSU. 2009-10-14T22:43:00-06:00