Saints Sideline Blog

“REPEAT” AFTER ME

Thursday, August 12th, 2010      Email Print

(brought to you by Louisiana Machinery and Capital One Bank)
 
DATELINE: Foxboro, MA/ August 12, 2010 (Can the Saints follow Pats lead?)
 
It seemed to be a layup, a gimmie putt or how about a fastball down the middle. In a year where the Who Dats are trying to learn, well how to be Two Dats-- what better way to draw inspiration than to practice with a franchise that had been there and done that. Its amazing what New England accomplished in the last decade winning three Super Bowls in four years along with putting together a perfect season. All of this in an era chock full of parity and salary cap restrictions. Nobody appreciates this more than Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton who would like to get the same results and place them in a Xerox machine.
 
The Patriots are the last team to win back to back Super Bowls and it would seem the Saints have the best chance of any team since New England pulled off the repeat back in 2004. First and foremost, the collective bargaining traffic jam actually helps the black and gold in that they got to keep many of their fringe free agents "restricted" which allowed its salary cap to stay in tact. Except for reserve running back Mike Bell, the Saints return everybody on offense. On defense, sure they lost two starters but they add not only key pickups like Alex Brown and Jimmy WIlkerson but more familiarity in Gregg Williams system. So far we have seen the results in camp  where it seems the "D" have the potential to be even better. The point is most past Super Bowl Champions have been hit with either free agent losses, holdout issues or off the field distractions ( ie, theGiants and Plaxico Burress and the Steelers and Ben Rothlisburger) The Patriots were successful at avoiding these pitfalls and it looks as if the Saints have put themselves in position to do so as well.
 
Sure the Saints respect the Patriots model but the respect is mutual. This week Pats owner Robert Kraft had dinner with Saints owner Tom Benson calling the Saints Super Bowl run an amazing accomplishment. Listening to Kraft, he has great admiration for what New Orleans has gone thru to turn around its franchise post Katrina. A feat that was much different and to be frank much more difficult than the obstacles the Patriots faced in snagging its first Vince Lombardi Trophy.  The respect carries over to the coaching staffs where Sean Payton has made it no secret how much he respects Bill Belichick's model of success. They are both Bill Parcells disciples but have both built their Super Bowl teams in their own fashion. Both coaches have had a good feel of what players both belong and should get a pink slip from their perspective locker rooms and both coaches also have a knack of pushing the right buttons to motivate their team at the right time. I give more creative points to Payton who even pulled out a quality Bill Belichick impersonation to get his guys fired up before last year's Patriots game on Monday Night Football. When asked about that, Belichick said, "I guess he did a good job with it, with the way they played." Touche!
 
It was interesting watching Payton and Belichick chatting it up before Wednesday's final practice between the two teams here in Foxboro. Payton was very animated at times as was Belichick--it was clear these two coaches enjoyed each other's company and have a lot of respect for each other. Coach Bill even remarked that Tuesday's practice was one of the most productive workouts of the year. These teams share similar practice habits,strong character in the locker room, two innovative coaches it al equates to SUPER results. The only difference, the Patriots have built on that solid foundation to form a dynasty where they were the team of the decade, maybe some of their magic rubbed off on the Saints this week where they can grab the baton and make their own run.
 
AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
 
HAMILTON OUT FOR YEAR??: The main goal in these scrimmages is to stay healthy. The Saints almost escaped free of injury until Lynell Hamilton went down in the final practice session with the Pats. The injury to his right knee is a torn ACL which looks to cost him the season. Mickey Loomis is now on the look out for a power back to replace both Hamilton and the departed Mike Bell----Ladell Betts had a good workout last week? We'll keep you posted.
 
BUSH IS BACK; Everytime Reggie Bush sits out a practice, it raises a few question marks. After missing Tuesday afternoon' workout, Bush was back at it on Wednesday telling us he was just suffering from dehydration.
 
A BIT CHIPPY: We've talked about the mutual respect between these two teams but there were a handful of close calls during Wednesday's practice. A lot of pushing and shoving between the two teams which never grew into anything more, you get the feeling if there was an added day of practice, that may have changed?
 
MONEY CHASER: Former Patriot turned Saint Heath Evans told me he never wanted to leave New England but at the end of the day didn't have a choice. He of course made a great choice with the Saints---this week he told me Belichick kidded him a practice by calling him "a money chaser." Evans laughed knowing both guys know that's not true.
 
IN THE "GROVE": If you haven't had a chance to catch our daily reports on coxsportstv.com, you gotta check out our weekly chats with Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove---a segment by partner we have pinned "In The Grove."  Hargrove might be  the most entertaining guy on the team. Even after pushing around hefty offensive lineman for a few hours on the practice field, he always brings energy to the segment each week and we appreciate it!
 
UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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