Like an angry dog, a volcano growls before it bites, shaking the ground and getting noisy before erupting. After seven months of stewing on "the run", with no mini-camps, no OTA's to vent, Saints defensive coordinator Greg Williams finally gets go Mt St. Helens on his players. Though his full squad wont be available until August 4, the local media have witnessed the noise makin' ground skakin' signs already. Scolding any defensive player in sight, rookie or vet. Putting them through up/down drills until they drop.
Like a volcano, if you are in its path when it erupts, you're doomed. Saturday, it was the media in the path of the hot gas and debris. In defense of freshly signed strong safety Roman Harper, Williams blasted the media for criticizing Harper for the three blown coverages which lead to three Seattle touchdowns in the Saints playoff loss. "You don't know ball if you criticize him for that game, he made two mistakes that game , two mistakes, I can say that about 99% of the players. he is a young player, getting better. A two time pro bowler. I'm a better coach with him on my team."
Now you, I and Williams knows that is pure BS. But he says it knowing he won't dare be challenged on it. I don't know if some in the local media are intimidated by him, a fan of him or they just had deadlines to meet, but they stood there and took that scolding like kids from the schoolyard bully. No follow up, no challenges.
Coach, how big were those two mistakes?
Coach, what caused those two mistakes, bad coaching or bad technique?
Educate our lack of ball knowledge, coach.
Just two mistakes, coach?! That's one more than Lincoln's body guard!
Clearly Williams is projecting his feelings about Harper. He knows Harper is a weakness in pass coverage. But in the us against them world of coach to media, he cannot and will not say it publicly.
But I can.
While good in run support and blitzing, Harper is weak in man to man coverage. While most teams use the strong safety to cover the tight end, the Saints use a linebacker. In cover two, he lacks the ability to locate the ball and adjust. In short, the further from the line of scrimmage, the less affective he is. Is he a quality NFL strong safety,yes, but when I think strong safety, Troy Polamalu or Bob Sanders comes to mind. A sixth year player in the NFL is not young. If that player hasn't improved his weaknesses and honed his positives by now, he most likely won't. In 2010 Harper appeared in the Pro Bowl as an alternate. He was selected as a back up for the 2011 game. This indicates an upward trend. We'll see. But for now all we have are visions of number 41 chasing air as Sealttle receivers celebrate in the end zone. He also had the last chance to make a stop on that infamous run that sticks in the craw of Williams and the Saints Nation, but whiffed.
Williams knows that if the Saints are going to make another Super Bowl run, his defense will be the deciding factor. He also knows his defense improved statistaclly in 2010 but came up short in the vital catagory of forcing turnovers. His defense's last performance left him wanting. That run has been on his mind and in his belly the entire off-season. Mt Williams is due to erupt August 4. Someone get a seimometer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoNA61R0MyI&feature=player_detailpage
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Stay Reggie Stay
The lockout is over!
The NFL is back in business!
Free agency has begun.
That's right Saints fans. Now that the season is upon us, its time for the yearly tap dance of signing players cutting players and salary cap wizardry. The only thing certain is at least one of your favorite players will be donning the uniform of the enemy come kickoff. The uncertainty is who.
Lance Moore. Scott Shanle. Darren Shaper. Roman Harper.
Bush, Bushrod, Nicks or Stinchcomb.
I know this.
I would like to see the Saints keep Nicks, Moore, Sharper and Bush.
Thats right, I said it.
Reggie Bush. But more on him later.
Carl Nicks has been a starter at left gaurd since day one. He is widely considered among the best in the NFL Together with Jhari Evans, the Saints boast the best pair of road grinders in the league. Must must sign.
Darren Sharper is a hall of fame safety in the twilight of his career. His 2009 season was the best I've seen from a Saints DB. His presence enhanced credibility and elevated the play of the secondary as a whole. It also led to the emergance of Roman Harper as a blitzing, run enforcing safety.
His 2010 season not so much. Plagued with nagging injuries, Sharper would love to take a mulligan. I think he has one more year of magic in him. Make a spot for him.
Lance Moore needs to get paid. Period. His performance speaks for itself. Since 2008 when he lead the team in catches, he has become Drew Brees' most consistent and trusted receiver. He compares favorably to Wes Welker of the NE Patriots. I think he's better. See the special man, Lance.
Now we come to Reggie. Look, if I try to win this on Bush living up to his second pick of the draft status, I'll lose ten out of ten times. He has been an inigma. Inconsistent. Turnover and injury prone. He's also been the most exciting, electric, and sensational player in a Saints uniform since, well I can't remember. The anticipation in that dome when he drops back for a punt or gets a swing pass from Brees is palpable. Thats because he was and still is the only homerun threat the Saints have. His influence on opposing defenses opens up the rest of the offense. For that I say you have to keep him. He knows he'll never see the $11 million due him on his contract. Not from the Saints or anyone else. Mickey Loomis should sit him down, release him then hand him a contract offer of three years $12 millon including an $8 million signing bonus pro-rated over two years. In essence, spread that $11 million over three years and add $1 million.
As for the other free agents, like I said. Some fan favorites will be Jake Sully, a different color and waging war against us. But that's life in todays NFL.
Let the games begin!
The NFL is back in business!
Free agency has begun.
That's right Saints fans. Now that the season is upon us, its time for the yearly tap dance of signing players cutting players and salary cap wizardry. The only thing certain is at least one of your favorite players will be donning the uniform of the enemy come kickoff. The uncertainty is who.
Lance Moore. Scott Shanle. Darren Shaper. Roman Harper.
Bush, Bushrod, Nicks or Stinchcomb.
I know this.
I would like to see the Saints keep Nicks, Moore, Sharper and Bush.
Thats right, I said it.
Reggie Bush. But more on him later.
Carl Nicks has been a starter at left gaurd since day one. He is widely considered among the best in the NFL Together with Jhari Evans, the Saints boast the best pair of road grinders in the league. Must must sign.
Darren Sharper is a hall of fame safety in the twilight of his career. His 2009 season was the best I've seen from a Saints DB. His presence enhanced credibility and elevated the play of the secondary as a whole. It also led to the emergance of Roman Harper as a blitzing, run enforcing safety.
His 2010 season not so much. Plagued with nagging injuries, Sharper would love to take a mulligan. I think he has one more year of magic in him. Make a spot for him.
Lance Moore needs to get paid. Period. His performance speaks for itself. Since 2008 when he lead the team in catches, he has become Drew Brees' most consistent and trusted receiver. He compares favorably to Wes Welker of the NE Patriots. I think he's better. See the special man, Lance.
Now we come to Reggie. Look, if I try to win this on Bush living up to his second pick of the draft status, I'll lose ten out of ten times. He has been an inigma. Inconsistent. Turnover and injury prone. He's also been the most exciting, electric, and sensational player in a Saints uniform since, well I can't remember. The anticipation in that dome when he drops back for a punt or gets a swing pass from Brees is palpable. Thats because he was and still is the only homerun threat the Saints have. His influence on opposing defenses opens up the rest of the offense. For that I say you have to keep him. He knows he'll never see the $11 million due him on his contract. Not from the Saints or anyone else. Mickey Loomis should sit him down, release him then hand him a contract offer of three years $12 millon including an $8 million signing bonus pro-rated over two years. In essence, spread that $11 million over three years and add $1 million.
As for the other free agents, like I said. Some fan favorites will be Jake Sully, a different color and waging war against us. But that's life in todays NFL.
Let the games begin!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Five Days in the Bay
Day 2: Alcatraz!
It's 4:30am and I'm wide awake.
My bucket list shrinks by one today.
When I was a child and first learned of a prison on an island once considered to be so tightly guarded, secure, and inesacpable only the most hardened and violent criminals got in, I wanted to see it.
Today is the day.
Our tour begins at 3:20 pm but we should be there about an hour before so we need to get moving. Our plan is a late breakfast then walk to Pier 39 to check the sights. Head to Pier 33 by 2:30ish for the 3:20 Alcatraz ferry.
Breakfast.
Last night the wife read about a nice little breakfast cottage located just blocks from the Pier. Mama's on Washington Square. A spot made famous by Food Netwok star Rachel Ray who visited there sometime ago for a feature on her "$40 a day show". Well if it's good enough for Rach then it's good enough for me.
Off we walk. Down Stockton street, seventeen blocks, uuupppppp, dooowwwwnnnnn from Union Square through Chinatown, to Little Italy then finally Mama's. We knew it was Mama's because of the line wrapped from the front door left to the corner then up the street about a half block. We decide there's enough time to stick it out and wait. Twenty-five minutes and my feet haven't budged. I think I'll check out some online reviews. Google reveals three. None good. the harshest read something like this. "...it's just pancakes, people!"
That's all we needed to see. Time for an audible. We step off line line toward the pier. On the way a local kindly offers directions then confirms our move to abandon Mamma's.
The sound of seals barking, the smell of saltwater and the sight of trolly cars from yesteryear tells us we're at Pier 39. Its nice but all tourist. Think of Jax Brewery on pilings. This worrys me because being from New Orleans, I understand no good food ever comes from a touristy joint. I was right. Breakfast at The Eagle was just ok but hey it's breakfast. Eggs, bacon and french toast, we should have hit IHOP. One thing about San Fran though, they have good coffee.
After breakfast we walk the pier. It's all very nice but mostly shops. Candles, soaps, bath salts and souveniers. It's cold on the pier. Feels like a rainy January day in NOLA. The kind where you just can't get comfortable. Wifey's feet are numbing, but she must not be alone becaust the busiest shop on the pier is The San Francisco Sock Market. Handled.
But the best thing about Pier 39 is Trish's Mini Donut Stand. Like most culinary treasures, we found this accidently, making a quit stop for hot chocolate on the way out. Out of the corner of my eye while ordering the hot cocoa for two I notice the EZ Bake oven sized Krispy Kreme type donut maker frying up these mini drops of heaven. From the fryer they are dumped into dune of cinnamon sugar, coated then served in all of their steamy airy fluffy sweet goodness. OMG!!! Against the bosses protests that these are unhealthy, I order a bag of eight. (Hey at least I didn't get the buket of 50). The prosester? She ate four!
Finally it's time to head to Pier 33. Alcatraz! My mind has been on this tour since we booked the trip. We board the Alcatraz ferry then float toward the island. About fifteen minutes and we're greated by the sight of gloomy greys of worn down prison walls and pleasing pinks and purples of the flowers that have bloomed since the prison closed. As we step off the boat an eerie feeling comes over us. There is a paplable presence in the air. The boat captain earlier annouced that we must hear a brief instructional talk from one of the park rangers then we are on our own. The ranger intructs us on the areas that are roped off due to dangerous deterioration. He then warns if anyone has a heart or lung condition to take special care as the ascent to the prison is equal to scaling a ten story building. If needed there's a train that will carry you up then bring you down. Screw that. We're walking.
Climbing the road to the prison offers an incredicle view of the city, ocean and all those colors. Seagulls are everywhere as the island is now a bird sanctuary. A compound of a variety of buildings including an apartment house for the guards and their families, a quartermaster, supply house and even a morgue share the landscape.
As you enter the prison you know your are in a different world. The hall leads you into the showers. Not going there. A line forms as you leave the shower room . This is where you get your audio tour guide. At first we were reluctant to wear them but we were glad we did . The tour is phenomenal. It directs you to landmarks then explains points of history associated with the landmark. "This is where the guards were overtaken." "Around the corner is C-D (seedy) Street." "Walk down the hall, turn right, pass through the cell doors and look to your left." More precise then the finest GPS.
The tour proceeds, the attempted uprising, the escape, isolation and the dining hall, affectionately known as the gas chamber. Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, the Birdman. My kinda place. Never once was I bored or disappointed. The best tour I've ever been on.
The ferry lands back at Pier 33 then we're headed back to the hotel. The trollys are all overflowing and not even stopping so we decide to walk back. My feet are in revolt! They refuse to walk one step further. Fortunately we spot an off duty limo driver offering rides back to Market Square for $3. We're in. Another couple and two older ladys cram a black Crown Vic and we head back. Little did we know this was once a stunt driver for Starskey and Hutch. Taking corners on two wheels, cutting in and out of traffic, horns blowing, drivers cursing and high pitched screams serenade us back to the square. But hey, we made it back and alive. I'm golden.
And hungry.
Dinner at the Burger Bar. The next generation of burger joints. Upscale casual atmosphere serving angus beef from local farms, brioche buns the melt in your mouth, fresh cheeses and choices of toppings ranging from fried egg to red zinfindel onion compote. It all seems a little pretentious for a burger but I'm all in.
We grab dessert from the Cheescake factory two floors above us then call it a night. It's only been two days but feels like two weeks.
After a long day, a hotel bed never looks so inviting. The night is still early so we use the on demand button and catch the latest Paul Giamatti movie, "Win Win". Good movie. Good food . Good tour. Great day. We like this town.
Tomorrow, Sonoma!
-
It's 4:30am and I'm wide awake.
My bucket list shrinks by one today.
When I was a child and first learned of a prison on an island once considered to be so tightly guarded, secure, and inesacpable only the most hardened and violent criminals got in, I wanted to see it.
Today is the day.
Our tour begins at 3:20 pm but we should be there about an hour before so we need to get moving. Our plan is a late breakfast then walk to Pier 39 to check the sights. Head to Pier 33 by 2:30ish for the 3:20 Alcatraz ferry.
Breakfast.
Last night the wife read about a nice little breakfast cottage located just blocks from the Pier. Mama's on Washington Square. A spot made famous by Food Netwok star Rachel Ray who visited there sometime ago for a feature on her "$40 a day show". Well if it's good enough for Rach then it's good enough for me.
Off we walk. Down Stockton street, seventeen blocks, uuupppppp, dooowwwwnnnnn from Union Square through Chinatown, to Little Italy then finally Mama's. We knew it was Mama's because of the line wrapped from the front door left to the corner then up the street about a half block. We decide there's enough time to stick it out and wait. Twenty-five minutes and my feet haven't budged. I think I'll check out some online reviews. Google reveals three. None good. the harshest read something like this. "...it's just pancakes, people!"
That's all we needed to see. Time for an audible. We step off line line toward the pier. On the way a local kindly offers directions then confirms our move to abandon Mamma's.
The sound of seals barking, the smell of saltwater and the sight of trolly cars from yesteryear tells us we're at Pier 39. Its nice but all tourist. Think of Jax Brewery on pilings. This worrys me because being from New Orleans, I understand no good food ever comes from a touristy joint. I was right. Breakfast at The Eagle was just ok but hey it's breakfast. Eggs, bacon and french toast, we should have hit IHOP. One thing about San Fran though, they have good coffee.
After breakfast we walk the pier. It's all very nice but mostly shops. Candles, soaps, bath salts and souveniers. It's cold on the pier. Feels like a rainy January day in NOLA. The kind where you just can't get comfortable. Wifey's feet are numbing, but she must not be alone becaust the busiest shop on the pier is The San Francisco Sock Market. Handled.
But the best thing about Pier 39 is Trish's Mini Donut Stand. Like most culinary treasures, we found this accidently, making a quit stop for hot chocolate on the way out. Out of the corner of my eye while ordering the hot cocoa for two I notice the EZ Bake oven sized Krispy Kreme type donut maker frying up these mini drops of heaven. From the fryer they are dumped into dune of cinnamon sugar, coated then served in all of their steamy airy fluffy sweet goodness. OMG!!! Against the bosses protests that these are unhealthy, I order a bag of eight. (Hey at least I didn't get the buket of 50). The prosester? She ate four!
Finally it's time to head to Pier 33. Alcatraz! My mind has been on this tour since we booked the trip. We board the Alcatraz ferry then float toward the island. About fifteen minutes and we're greated by the sight of gloomy greys of worn down prison walls and pleasing pinks and purples of the flowers that have bloomed since the prison closed. As we step off the boat an eerie feeling comes over us. There is a paplable presence in the air. The boat captain earlier annouced that we must hear a brief instructional talk from one of the park rangers then we are on our own. The ranger intructs us on the areas that are roped off due to dangerous deterioration. He then warns if anyone has a heart or lung condition to take special care as the ascent to the prison is equal to scaling a ten story building. If needed there's a train that will carry you up then bring you down. Screw that. We're walking.
Climbing the road to the prison offers an incredicle view of the city, ocean and all those colors. Seagulls are everywhere as the island is now a bird sanctuary. A compound of a variety of buildings including an apartment house for the guards and their families, a quartermaster, supply house and even a morgue share the landscape.
As you enter the prison you know your are in a different world. The hall leads you into the showers. Not going there. A line forms as you leave the shower room . This is where you get your audio tour guide. At first we were reluctant to wear them but we were glad we did . The tour is phenomenal. It directs you to landmarks then explains points of history associated with the landmark. "This is where the guards were overtaken." "Around the corner is C-D (seedy) Street." "Walk down the hall, turn right, pass through the cell doors and look to your left." More precise then the finest GPS.
The tour proceeds, the attempted uprising, the escape, isolation and the dining hall, affectionately known as the gas chamber. Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, the Birdman. My kinda place. Never once was I bored or disappointed. The best tour I've ever been on.
The ferry lands back at Pier 33 then we're headed back to the hotel. The trollys are all overflowing and not even stopping so we decide to walk back. My feet are in revolt! They refuse to walk one step further. Fortunately we spot an off duty limo driver offering rides back to Market Square for $3. We're in. Another couple and two older ladys cram a black Crown Vic and we head back. Little did we know this was once a stunt driver for Starskey and Hutch. Taking corners on two wheels, cutting in and out of traffic, horns blowing, drivers cursing and high pitched screams serenade us back to the square. But hey, we made it back and alive. I'm golden.
And hungry.
Dinner at the Burger Bar. The next generation of burger joints. Upscale casual atmosphere serving angus beef from local farms, brioche buns the melt in your mouth, fresh cheeses and choices of toppings ranging from fried egg to red zinfindel onion compote. It all seems a little pretentious for a burger but I'm all in.
We grab dessert from the Cheescake factory two floors above us then call it a night. It's only been two days but feels like two weeks.
After a long day, a hotel bed never looks so inviting. The night is still early so we use the on demand button and catch the latest Paul Giamatti movie, "Win Win". Good movie. Good food . Good tour. Great day. We like this town.
Tomorrow, Sonoma!
-
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