5 Questions with the Saints

Just like honey and bee, lock and key, you can't have a 5 Questions exchange without a blogger covering the other team. The Saints blogosphere is pretty barren, and the first one I contacted did not even deign to respond to our invitation. So I dug and found Saints Watch, a blog at NOLA.com and written by Matt Heitzmann. Matt was gracious enough to do this week's exchange even as he was planning on leaving town for his honeymoon today. My answers to his questions are here. Saints Watch does not have comments, but Matt loves to hear from readers, so head over there and drop a comment to Matt here.

So, with apologies to Mrs. Heitzmann, here is my exchange with Matt:
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Curly R: Drew Brees. Turns out New Orleans hit the jackpot with this guy and that Miami made a bad call with Daunte Culpepper. What were your first thoughts on Drew when you heard he was signed and what do Saints fans think of him now? Is he a keeper or a short-term solution?

Saints Watch: Well, there was some nailbiting during the signing phase when Miami entered the mix. Fans felt that once again the Saints would be bit by the historic voodoo curse. Miami was too demanding and pushed for time so pulled the trigger on Culpepper instead of Brees. My first thought when the Saints signed Brees was somewhat bittersweet. Sure we had a proven weapon, by leaps and bounds over Aaron Brooks, but it would all come down to if his shoulder was ready to go. Of course I was pumped but his surgically repaired shoulder was a concern. Running neck and neck with Tomlinson for MVP proves that Drew is definitely a keeper. There was a rumor that the Saints had already activated the clause in his contract paying Drew his $12 million bonus and keeping him in New Orleans long term.

(Ed. note: Aaron Brooks? Obligatory Wahoowa. -Ben)


Curly R: Reggie Bush. Do Saints fans thank the Texans every time he touches the ball? The Texans, who had their own problems at running back, could have traded down and had Mario Williams at number 5 or 6, blocking the Saints from drafting Bush. Every team needs two solid backs to make it a whole season, but can the Saints keep both Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, or does Deuce become renegotiation/trade bait?

Saints Watch: The Texans should have already received my Christmas card thanking them once again for selecting Mario Williams. Selecting Williams at the number one spot goes to show you that maybe the problems the Texans have experienced run much deeper than THE most sacked quaterback on the NFL. It would not surprise me if Deuce restructures his contract in the future. Deuce is unselfish and loves playing in New Orleans being so close to home in Mississippi. I truly believe Deuce would do everything in his power to stay on the team that has a legitimate chance of going to the Super Bowl.


Curly R: Playoffs. It's almost like a dirty word in New Orleans. It's been six years since the Saints went to the playoffs, and now with only weak or fading teams on New Orleans' schedule, they control their own destiny for a week off and home field for at least one game, but it's still wide open for seeds three through six. How far can the Saints go in the playoffs, and which teams would the Saints not want to cross paths with?

Saints Watch: I believe the Saints will win out the number two spot in the NFC and get a first round bye. With that being said it will be difficult for any team to come into the Superdome and beat the Saints. If you thought the Monday Night Football contest against the Falcons in week three was emotional, the environment will be ten times that. Not to take anything away from other teams passionate fans but Saints fans are probablly in the top three in the league based on passion. I would put the Redskins up there also. Saints fans have sold out the Superdome year in and year out with losing seasons majority of their existence. The "12th man" will definitely be present in the Saints home playoff game. The one team that I think the Saints would like to try to avoid at this point is the Chicago Bears. Even though the Bears are tough they are beatable and I think the Saints could beat them in Chicago if that scenario unfolds.


Curly R: Hurricane Katrina. How heavily, literally, figuratively and emotionally does it still weigh on New Orleans? I know that large parts of New Orleans are still devastated, many residents are never coming back and every day I read about more hardship, the destruction of low-income housing or continued problems getting financial support from the government. Pro football is a business, but franchises are also symbols of local pride. What role have the Saints played in the recovery of the city and is there still any sense that owner Tom Benson secretly wants to relocate the team to a used car lot in San Antonio?

Saints Watch: Keep in mind that the Saints are not just a New Orleans team but a team for the entire Gulf South. Over 90,000 square miles were damaged and destroyed between Louisiana and Mississippi. The Saints are a shining star of hope for all of the people of the Gulf South. Sure the Saints are a business but as you mentioned it is much more than that as a beacon of pride. I know a lot of people outside of the destruction area are probably tired of reading about and watching Katrina spots in the national news. The truth is that help is still needed. I encourage as many Redskins fans to travel to the game, stay as many nights as they can and eat as much gumbo and beignets as possible! San Antonio (dirtier of a word than playoffs) has not been mentioned since the beginning of the season. Mr. Benson held a press conferance on the field after the 49ers game a few weeks ago. In his announcement he stated that he wanted to reward all of the loyal fans and businesses for showing their support this season by freezing ticket prices next season. This is a good sign that Mr. Benson is back in touch with not only fans but the Gulf South community. If the Saints host a playoff game it will help pump more money into the local economy. The Saints have helped in more ways than you can imagine. Are you listening Mr. Shinn? (Hornets owner)

(Ed. note: Curly R reader, don't ever ever get tired of Katrina news and stories. What happened to New Orleans and the surrounding area is a tragedy and a travesty and we must never forget it. Pray for or travel to and spend money in New Orleans, however you will. -Ben)


Curly R: The game. What's your key matchup(s) for this game? With Drew and Reggie and Marques and Will Smith grabbing headlines, who is the Saints player overlooked by the media? Will New Orleans get up for this game, or are you worried about a letdown?

Saints Watch: It is hard to say who has been overlooked by the media considering injuries have allowed Drew Brees to make superstars out of some lesser know players. FB Mike Karney lit it up with three touchdowns last week against Dallas. He had more production in that one game than he has had in his entire career. Jamal Jones was another bright spot contributing to the 42-17 drubbing the Saints gave to the 'Boys. I am sure every Redskin's fan was a Saints fan that night and we thank you for your support! A letdown is always possible but I have a feeling that the momentum is too strong to allow that to happen. Even though the Saints defense has overachieved this season they still have been burned by the run this season. Prior to the injury sustained by Portis I would have said that would have been the matchup of the game. The Saints run stopping defense against Portis. I think this is a bad week for the Redskins to match up against the Saints. This week the Saints are not only playing for the people of the Gulf South but will clinch the NFC South with a win over the Redskins no matter what. With the capability of wrapping up the division this week I see Sean Payton playing aggressive as ever for the win.

(Ed. note: Sean Payton is Dr. McDreamy of this NFL season, but Redskins fans will remember that Jim Fassel stripped Payton of playcalling duties in New York in 2002... -Ben)


Curly R BONUS QUESTION: as far as I am concerned, New Orleans is the City of Food. The only time I went there for Mardi Gras, in 1998, no one gave a crap what I did for a living, where in Washington I lived or where I went to school. What they wanted to know was, what did you eat for lunch? Are you still hungry? Can I get you another bourbon with that jambalaya? Given the penchant for NFL fans to tailgate and assemble gameday feasts, what traditions does the City of Food hold up on gameday? What would I see cooking in the parking lot and what are your gameday food and beverage faves?

Saints Watch: There is a preliminary plan to develop a tailgating park as part of a redevelopment plan that was released right before Katrina hit. I think the plans may be still intact but we will have to see. Being the "City of Food" you can imagine a little bit of everything and more. I would imagine big pots of gumbo, jambalya and maybe a page from the cookbook at Drago's cooking up some charbroiled oysters. Of course there is the old stanby of a bucket of Popeye's fried chicken a staple for all New Orleans mardi gras parades and sporting events. Did I mention alcohol? Hurricanes to beer to New Orleans original daquaris! It's all there!

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Mmmmm.....jambalaya...I'm getting hungry...FOR A REDSKINS WIN! Thanks to Matt for doing this week's exchange, congratulations on getting married and have a great time on your honeymoon. Next: game preview, unless I feel like making on a comment on how Carlos Rogers can't even acknowledge his true weakness at this point.