Saints Sideline Blog

THE STINCHCOMB SURPRISE

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011      Email Print

(Brought to you by Capital One Bank and Louisiana Cat)

DATELINE: METAIRIE, LA  (A popular Saint in more ways than one)

Sean Payton's current camp roster is as tall as the Eiffel Tower. He will make many moves in the coming weeks but when all is said and done this will be one of his toughest for sure. The release of Jon Stinchcomb was an emotional move for this coaching staff for many reasons. You're talking about a nine year veteran who was one of the cornerstones of the Super Bowl team two seasons ago---but he was more than that. Stinchcomb embodied the kind of player Payton wanted in his locker room when he came to New Orleans--- a character guy, a community guy and a cerebral figure in the locker room whom many respected and leaned on. Oh yeah----he wasn't too shabby when it came to holding back 300 plus pound blitzers off his franchise quarterback either. Sean Payton equated saying goodbye to "Stinch" to saying goodbye to "Deuce" a few years back. His departure leaves only three players from the Jim Haslett era---Will Smith, Devery Henderson and Lance Moore.

Sure Stinchcomb's release came as a surprise to many, including those in his own locker room. After Sean Payton told the media, we looked for reaction from those Saints walking off the practice field. I asked Jabari Greer his take and he shouted in surprise, "What! I had no idea!." I have never seen an athlete that shocked. The announcement was made to the Saints offensive guys Monday morning but obviously some of the defense guys didn't get the memo. Stinchcomb's popularity extended beyond the offensive huddle.

Drew Brees, who is always good at perspective sees Stinchcomb the way so many did. " I think he is one of the greatest teammates I've ever had. He is a true pro. He is everything you would want in a teammate, a football player, a man (who is) is a leader. Obviously, he will be missed." Brees loses his second Jon on the offensive line, as center Jonathan Goodwin said goodbye two weeks ago signing a deal with the Niners. That was a different situation---this Jon didn't say goodbye on his terms which was tough for all his teammates to accept, even the man who will benefit from this the most.

Zach Strief looks to be the Saints new starting right tackle even though Payton says second year lineman Charles Brown will also compete but it appears the veteran's job to lose. Brees calls the tallest Saint (Strief checks in at 6'7) "the renaissance man on the o-line" What he means is Strief has done it all---have filled in at both tackle positions and played on the interior and done so with ease. Big Zach also has lined up at Tight End where he nearly caught a TD pass last year. Strief talked to Stinchcomb Monday on the phone and told me he couldn't tell if he was surprised but did conclude that Jon was content on an NFL career where he did it all. A career all for the same team which is certainly rare in this day and age of the NFL's constant change.

The end came sooner than expected for Stinchcomb mainly because of his health. Last season he didn't miss a game but should have. Jon battled knee, shoulder and a left quad injury which required surgery in the offseason  He reported to camp feeling better but spent many practices running in an unfamiliar position---on the second team. The Saints obviously feel his best days are behind him where Payton said the 09 version was better than last year. Stinchcomb embodied everything Payton wanted from a player when he took over six seasons ago but six years later the message is still clear---he isn't afraid to make a move even if its not a popular one.

His teammates will miss him and so will the media. Stinchcomb was arguably the best interview on the team. Especially after a tough loss when some players didn't want to meet the mic, Jon never shied away from speaking up or out on what happened that day. I remember at Super Bowl Media Day how much fun Stinchcomb had belting out his favorite cliches for us----once again giving us exactly what we wanted. He was funny, witty and intelligent. HIs older brother Matt is in the media and I told Jon one day he should give it a try when he retires---Jon would always roll his eyes at me when I said that. I think he has bigger plans, it will be interesting to see what the future holds.

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

CASILLAS IS CLIMBING: After a breakout preseason opener, linebacker Jonathan Casillas is back atop the depth chart at the weakside linebacker spot where he was spotted practicing with the 1's on Monday. Will Herring is also getting some reps with the 1st teamers while Scott Shanle is backing them both up.

STILL TWO-A-DAYS?? ; Jabari Greer had an interesting take on this different preseason during our CST postgame show following Friday's game against San Francisco. Greer took exception when I asked him how he is dealing with no two a day practices. Greer says the one practice has been a tough one and is so tough it equates to what they used to do in two practices the past few years.

SPROLES SPINNING: Darren Sproles didn't get many reps versus the Niners as Payton said he didn't need them, but the former Lightning Bug turned Cajun Cricket continues to impress at practice. Monday he showed off his speed in red zone drills and spun around Malcolm Jenkins to get in the endzone---no doubt the play of practice.

6"s WERE WILD--The number "6" was wild in the Superdome for the team's preseason debut. How about this symmetry--in Sean Payton's "6th" preseason--the defense gets "6" sacks---rookie Joe Morgan returns a punt for a TD, his first attempt in "6" years and for good measure Brees only totaled "6" yards passing while Mark Ingram had "6" carries---one for his 1st career TD.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT----In many ways the Saints are getting younger since coming back from the lockout. In the process we in the media have lost some of the best veteran sound bytes in the locker room-----some of the top interviews are gone but won't be forgotten.....here they are in order

(1) Heath Evans---always entertaining win or lose---future media star!
(2) Jon Stinchcomb---great perspective---the smartest Saint!
(3) Darren Sharper--not officially gone yet but he always delivered an honest answer.
(4) Anthony Hargrove---the funniest and most entertaining of the bunch!
(5) Reggie Bush---underrated---always approachable win or lose----fumble or TD!

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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