Heart says Saints, performance says Colts
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 2:27 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Headed out to a Super Bowl party hosted by a Louisiana native who won’t be thrilled with my prediction in today’s papers.
Judging from the way the Saints ended the season, as well as shaky NFC title game win over Minnesota, I just don’t see them being as good as they were 12 games into the season.
Indianapolis 38, New Orleans 24.
Hoping my big pot of jambalaya with andouille sausage, smoked ham and blackened chicken breast will earn me entry despite forecasting the downfall of the Saints. I’d like to see the Saints win, by the way, and keep in mind I also predicted a Pittsburgh blowout last season and it was instead a nail-biter.
Enjoy the game . . .
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February 7th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Ok here is a question, who would you rather have as a starting QB for the Oakland Raiders:
1) An athletic QB
2) A strong arm QB
3) A proven veteran
4) A potential prospect
5) None of the above
Pick only one and explain your reasons.
February 7th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
BAN THE TROLLS! (note: the above poster is not a troll)
February 7th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
proven veteran aka brett favre
GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!
February 7th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
God save Alvin
February 7th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Thank you Jerry
The cravings are gone for another 24 hours, like being hooked on a drug
February 7th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
A proven vet so we can get to 8-8 and put an end to the infamous streak that KK reminds us of daily.
February 7th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Am I the only one rooting for Coach Caldwell instead of a team
February 7th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Chad Pennington? In case Grads knees dont hold up, of course
February 7th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Nice numbers Jerry
I have a prop for Colts to score 38
February 7th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Sounds like a Aints crowd from the boos the Colts just got in intros
February 7th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Manning had his game face on.
He looked like an angry egg about to crack wide open
February 7th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I’ll have to go with Proven Veteran at this point. The Raiders are capable of developing a QB from scratch. Takes things like expert coaching, a lockerroom culture of committment, and great supporting drafts.
The Raiders are always going to have to rely on hired guns as long as Al Davis is in charge.
I would go get Chad Pennington and let him compete for the job.
Of course that’s not what is going to happen. Davis is going to ride with JaDavis…so we have to hope for the best
February 7th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Addai is running hard, Manning is putting the ball right where it is suppose to be and changing plays at the line for 15 yard gains.
Looks like trouble for the Aints.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Well oiled machine….hard work, study habits, practice habits…all those things..coming through.
Pierre Garcon…a receiver from some nowhere school…proving once again that good receivers can be found anywhere.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Here is the deal:
Atheltic QB: Vick
Strong Arm QB: Jamarcus
Proven Veteran: Trade for Mcnabb
Potential prospect: Troy Smith
None of the Above: Who cares, AL will do what AL wants.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Nice call Sean
February 7th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Hope says Saints, reality which is always a variable, says Colts. Geaux Saints!
February 7th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Plunkett-why are you just rooting for Caldwell?
4eve-given the names you mention-none of the above.
February 7th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Lefty12
So who do you have in mind?
February 7th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
if we were to somehow built an Oline,I’d say athletic QB-Gradkowski.They say it takes 3-4 years for some QBs to come around.Last year was year 4 for Grad and if he had a line it seemed he was more than capable to lead the team.He isn’t a journeyman as many like to say he is.He is a good young QB.
February 7th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I could care less about the aints or dolts but Caldwell seems like a good guy. He waited a long time to get his chance.
I was rooting for Brett or Kurt.
February 7th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Lefty12
What would be the backup plan, lets say Grad gets injured again, don’t you think we need someone reliable, Jamarcus doesnt seem reliable and if Grad is starting that means Jamarcus lost the position in training camp, I still think we need another QB, do you agree?
February 7th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Plunkethead
I dont like Brett Favre, he should have run the ball instead of forcing an Int, you know that was his call, the guy is self-obsessed more like a narcissist I guess. I like Kurt, he is more humble.
February 7th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Sure we need another option,but i don’t like any of the guys you mentioned.I’m not on the Smith bandwagon;I don’t want Vick anywhere near my team(I don’t think he is a good QB);I don’t believe McNabb is realistic.Our best options might be Losman and the anchor since we all know the old man won’t allow him to be cut.
February 7th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Lefty12
The Eagles need to know what they got on Kolb who was 2nd round pick. This is his contract year, Mcnabb will be unrestricted free agent next year and he is getting paid close to $12 mill this year, Vick is gone, we all know they will trade him before he gets $1.6 mill bonus in March and another $2.4 roster bonus in training camp. I doubt they will keep Vick and Mcnabb, Kolb is their future. Now, if Mcnabb is available, he is top 10 QB in this league, I would like us trading for him instead of going with Grad or the anchor. Losman is not a good QB, he struggled with the Bills, he played in the UFL and he wasnt tearing it up over there, I think he is a good third QB.
February 7th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
McNabb isn’t going anywhere.As you say he is a top 10 QB and you don’t get rid of top 10 QBs.As far as Vick is concerned-I could care less about his status-he isn’t a very good QB.We already have a QB who has a difficult time completing passes,why get another one.If you don’t believe the anchor will be on the team next year and just might be given the job,you are being unrealistic.Therefore Gradkowski,Losman,and the anchor-or Frye as the 3rd instead of Losman.
February 7th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Oh snap!
February 7th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Guess what I saw?!
February 7th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Who Dat? Oh snap!
February 7th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Oh snap, guess what I saw…Peyton Manning threw da ball.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Oh snap, guess what I saw,..he couldnt kick da ball.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
4eve-actually it is probably fruitless discussing the QB position because the old man will mandate that the anchor will be the starting QB come hell or high water.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Oh snap, guess what I saw….Shockey scored da ball.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Oh snap, guess what I saw,…ref made a bad call.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
They wouldn’t give Louis Murphy that call on the 2 point conversion.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Oh snap, guess what I saw…no overtime for y`all.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
OH SNAP!…GUESS WHAT I SAW?…SAINTS GOTS IT ALL!!!!
February 7th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Manning choked lol. Manning always chokes in big games hahaha
February 7th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Oh snap, Manning has a ring, does you? Oh snap.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Oh snap, guess what I saw…next year da Raiduhs winning it all! Oh snap!
February 7th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Saints SuperBowl winner, Chargers got ZERO Lol
February 7th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Tode ya, I tode ya. Saints DBs under rated. Granted manning and the Colts moved the ball up and down on them and Peytie pie was good right up till the pick.
Some calls by Scott green’s crew that will be talked about, but since the 2 point coversion didn’t really matter in the final score, not a huge deal.
Congrats Saints! N.O., don’t riot and make an ugly scene alright?
February 7th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Raiders4eve Says:
February 7th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Saints SuperBowl winner, Chargers got ZERO Lol
=====================
Lmao!
February 7th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Oh snap!…Nawlins gonna burn tonight!!
February 7th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
At last, a Charger finally wins the big one – Great job Drew Brees!
February 7th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Oh snap!…. you are a fukin tool.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
LOL, bet Charger fans are pissed, but, then again, they are used to this anyway.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Raiders are light years from a Super Bowl
Better question…which of the free agents for the Super Bowl Champion Saints will be a Raider next year?
Mark Brunell – QB
Mike Bell – RB
Pierre Thomas – RB
Lance Moore – WR
Zach Strief – OT
Jermon Bushrod – OT
Jahri Evans – OG
Rod Coleman – DT
Usama Young – CB
Darren Sharper – S
February 7th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
lefty12 Says:
February 7th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
4eve-actually it is probably fruitless discussing the QB position because the old man will mandate that the anchor will be the starting QB come hell or high water.
========================
For $31 million I’d want to give him every chance too. I think by game 4 we’ll know, if not by training camp…
February 7th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Lance Moore – WR
Zach Strief – OT
Jermon Bushrod – OT
Jahri Evans – OG
Deez un’s merit a look
February 7th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Saints showed what can happen when you have an NFL caliber quality QB and a HC that has imagination. Oh, forgot to mention, an owner that doesn’t meddle with the tam and lets the coaching staff run the show.
Are you listening Al?
February 7th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
JB,
Al is giong to do things his way.
JaDavis will be the starter this year and lets hope that he learned what being a champion is all about by watching a couple of champions on tv tonight.
Of course, JaDavis is just like a rookie in that he is just learning how to do the bare minimum….like be in shape!
February 7th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Props to the Colts too – for getting to the SB and for being competitive the whole game. this is the first time I rooted against Peyton Manning. He’s also a real class act. All QB’s should model themselves after his work ethic and field general leadership. Something that we obviously don’t have.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
SnB
I like Jermon Bushrod OT and Jahri Evans OG, I think they will resign both of them but Jammal Brown LT will be high commodity in the free agency. Sharper would definitely resign. If we get lucky we get Jahri Evans thats a guy we need badly.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Raiders4eve Says:
February 7th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
SnB
I like Jermon Bushrod OT and Jahri Evans OG, I think they will resign both of them but Jammal Brown LT will be high commodity in the free agency. Sharper would definitely resign. If we get lucky we get Jahri Evans thats a guy we need badly.
======================================================
So how much will Al Davis have to OVERPAY to get him to come to Oakland?
February 7th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
That on-side kick at the opening of the 3rd quarter was a real ballzy call. But, that’s Sean Payton, a real ballzy guy.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
None of those guys are coming SnB …
Only guy that had a chance was Porter, and he’s not a FA…. Is he?
February 7th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Al tried to interview Sean Payton….oh well
We got Cable!
February 7th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Go Saints!!
February 7th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Actually, we have Jackson!
February 7th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
The best way to beat Manning is by keeping him off the field. Saints basically ran the ball through the air with all those underneath routes.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
SnB
He is a guard, a 15 mill signing bonus should do it. He is good guard maybe top 10 in the league, a probowler, the good thing AL could make him the most payed guard in the league and his contract would begin with something like $6 mill I guess. So if AL is willing to invest his money there, he could cut JR $9 mill, pay him $3 mill to spend it in Vegas and you have the $6 mill to sign a guy who can solidify this Offensive Line.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Wassup Jhill, you still think JR can lead us to SB lol?
February 7th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Dakota
My man Cedrick Ellis just got a SB ring. Your guy Dmac just ends up with a finger. Kind of prophetic.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Wassup 4eve,
Just because I said we were losing when Jafukdus came in the game = him taking us to the SB?
Well I hope he does take us there if he’s actually the starting QB.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I will say that I think the offense is headed in the right direction by getting Cable some help with all the hats he was wearing. Getting an OC was HUGE. I think we will see a lot more running and creative use of DMAC, DHB, and the other guys.
I don’t think it’s going to be about Jafukdus and DHB. And because it won’t be about them, I think they will be much better.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
I still think we need a real maestro, a general of the offense, a true leader who can lead the troops, that man is clearly not JR, we need a true veteran QB to take us to the promised land. I hope JR gets a new revelation in his mind, but he is still showing his bling bling in the Suns game, he still looked fat and I dont see him ever learning the position or putting the work like Drew Brees or Manning. Hopefully, Grad can lead us at least he is here in Oakland working hard, who knows maybe Schillens, DHB and Murphy are working out with him.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
What we really need is to exploit our running game. Russell, Grads, or whoever we have can hand the ball off just fine. They can also run play action well enough off of that running game.
Our defense is going to be what gets us to the next level. We need to stop giving up all those big plays and we can be there with no problem.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Raiders4eve,
To put in the work that Brees, Manning and others put in means you have to actually like football…let alone love football.
JaDavis doesn’t appear to me to be a guy that likes football at this point. He is more interested in living the lifestyle.
The Raiders are in a bad place….hopefully Hue Jackson can turn this around and Al let’s the coaches do their job
February 7th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Murphy, Chaz, Miller, Meyers, and DMAC. Those guys will be open and Russell, or whoever hitting them 50% of the time will be what I expect. that with a decent running game is as good as it’s going to get.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Oh snap, guess what I saw,…fa-fa-fa-football!
February 7th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Jhill,
Getting the defense right means new DTs and a new MLB.
Do you see that happening?
February 7th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
SnB,
Why didn’t Russell just take the guaranteed 3 million plues the other 30 million he already received and just fade away?
Why is he in Az now getting ready for next season?
February 7th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
SnB,
Who were the DTs playing tonight?
February 7th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Eat your words, Jerry. The Saints came marching in. Was all Brees after the first half. Manning was off the field. That last pick/TD took away their last chance to score, get onsides kick and score again just to get to O.T. Yeah, right. So much for the Manning vs. Montana debate, not close. Tom Brady has 3 rings. The window is closing for the Colts. WooHoo.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
jhill Says:
February 7th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
SnB,
Why didn’t Russell just take the guaranteed 3 million plues the other 30 million he already received and just fade away?
Why is he in Az now getting ready for next season?
======================================================
Pride. JaDavis still has some pride. Also, JaDavis was probably told he would lose the balance of his contract if he didn’t shape up.
All I am saying is that I don’t think he LOVES football like Manning or Brees does. Why does he have to be prodded to do these basics? That’s not a good sign at all.
I rooting for the kid because he will be the starting QB and I am SICK AND TIRED of watching football games that don’t matter.
Russell is either immature or indifferent. His teammates don’t like him and there isn’t a person that says anything positive about the guy…except Al Davis.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Sedrick Ellis was one of them….
February 7th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
JHill,
You also know that no Raider offense is going to be explosive. The Raiders are a 13 to 17 pts a game offense if everything is working well.
The Raiders have to go the defense route. Try to build a dominating defense…not an ok defense.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
SnB,
Dree Brees is 31 years old.
Peyton Manning is 34.
Russell is 24.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Oh snap,…da football season, she over.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Jhill,
JaDavis is not even doing the basics right now. Like staying in shape etc….Do you see JaDavis being the so-called 1st guy in. Do you see him in the building on vacations working on his game.
I just don’t see it. I hope I am wrong…but JaDavis is acting like a Lottery winner
February 7th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
I disagree SnB.
I use game one of an example of how we should play. Even with the miscues, we still put up 20 pts.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Russell is not Peyton Manning or Brees. Can we not go there again.
Russell can go 13/25 200 yds 2 TDs 2 INTs and we can still win!
February 7th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
The 13 year old Kiffin just recruited has a better chance of winning the Super Bowl than JaBustus.
February 13th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
no