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DATELINE: Metairie, LA/August 26,2009 (Saints depth is deep!!)

 

You will get no argument that Drew Brees is the most important Saint but runner up goes to the man protecting the most important Saints' blindside. That job has been in the hands of All-Pro left tackle Jammal Brown the past three seasons, but after a sports hernia injury, the responsbility fell into Jermon Bushrod's bread basket last Saturday night. It was a move which once again shows the depth of this Saints football team. Brown's backup Zach Strief was limited to injury so the team put the Brees burden on a former fourth round pick whose had his moments as a Saint but there was no doubt this was his biggest.

 

Bushrod is part of a disappointing 2007 draft class whose best player was undrafted free agent Pierre Thomas. Last weekend in Houston, he was drafted for quite an assignment--step in the starting lineup for one All-Pro while keeping another All-Pro in Mario Williams off his franchise quarterback.Sure this was only one game but Jermon was impressive not only keeping Brees off his back, but helping Mike Bell and the other Saints' backs run wild against the Texans.

 

This is what makes playoff teams, having guys step up. Sometimes you don't know what you have until someone gets hurt. Who knows when Brown will be back, the same injury slowed Shockey and VIlma for the majority of last season where they weren't playing at the same levels they were used to. Bushrod was impressive but the most impressive quailty is his willingness to listen and work hard. He admitted watching Jammal the past two plus seasons has been instructive and that after his game against Houston he needs to be more consistent, where he was hardly content with his play. The Who Dat Nation should be more than content on its depth at left tackle, the most important part of protecting its most important Saint.

 

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

 

MOORE FROM MOORE: Sean Payton has cleared Lance Moore to play against Oakland. Think about how impressive the Saints offense has been in camp, this without its leading receiver from last season.

 

DOUBTING THOMAS: Pierre Thomas was held out of Wednesday's practice and won't play against Oakland on Saturday with his mild knee sprain.

 

BUSH LIMITED: Reggie Bush was once again held out of practice today as his "strained calf" is getting better according to Sean Payton but said it was like a hamstring injury and you want to be careful.

 

QUESTION MARKS: Darren Sharper (Achilles), Charles Grant (hamstring) and Billy Miller (knee) are all questionable for Saturday's game. Grant and Miller practiced but Sharper sat out today.

 

SHOCKEY SHINES: Another nice day for Shockey who is catching everything in sight. Its clear he's back in business.

 

CST COVERAGE: For the best Saints coverage this weekend tune into CST where our pregame kicks off at 2:30, followed by the game and postgame show.

 

UNTIL NEXT BLOG,

Mike Nabors

CST

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