Well it is time for my annual Saints draft prediction blog. This is the first annual time I am doing this. I expect great results and a long lasting tradition which I will pass down to my kids, and their kids and the other kids as well. Now, lets get to the good stuff. The Saints primary need in the draft this year is depth on the defensive side of the ball. After drafting Defensive Tackle Sedrick Ellis in the first round last year I anticipate the Saints going a different direction this year. I highly doubt that they choose another defensive tackle instead I see them trying to bulk up their secondary with someone like Malcom Jenkins. The problem though with Jenkins is that he’s the sexy pick. My prediction for the Saints draft is that they trade out of their spot and pick up an extra 2nd rounder. They will then choose Clay Matthews OLB,USC. They will then choose a running back in the second round which will be Rashard Jennings SP.

Alright for the longest time I was very critical of Reggie Bush. I felt he didn’t live up to the hype and thus far he has had an injury plagued NFL career. Sure he was great at USC but the NFL, like my friend Shane says, is a “what have you done for me lately league?” or NFL = “Not For Long”. Because he hasn’t had the kind of success he or anyone else expected I began to be a naysayer. But something clicked for me today. Reggie is going to get a lot more heat because of the hype and also because he is an uncategorizable player. The best description I’ve heard for Reggie as a player came when a Fox commentator referred to him as “the matchup nightmare.”  Reggie is shifty and doesn’t hit the hole as well as a pure running back would, he dances around rather then running right through.  He isn’t a pure running back and at the same time he isn’t a pure wide-receiver.

When players and fans vote for pro-bowl players they select players from specific categories QB, RB, TE, ect.  But if  you’re a utility player like Reggie and you play 4 different positions.  The NFL’s balloting system doesn’t account for a guy like Reggie. This is a big reason why he probably won’t make the pro-bowl as many times as other players whose position is set.

This doesn’t mean they are better ALL AROUND players then him, it simply means that they are better at there given position. Reggie has never fit the mold of ONE position. He’s diversified his portfolio. He can return punts, run, catch, block, and has even been used to throw the ball, although his first ever throw was an interception. Teams don’t know whether they should cover him with a linebacker or a cornerback? He demands that kind of attention and can take the ball to the house on any given play.

Here I am about to finish seminary. Everyone wants to categorize me, conservative, liberal, Assyrian, American, silly, strict, warm, cold, selfish, giving, self-centered, other centered, confident, insecure, rich, poor, oh the list goes on and on. I don’t fit the categories society has for a guy like me graduating seminary. In fact I have a hard time identifying myself sometimes. So now I feel Reggie’s pain. I’ve had some tough breaks as well but I tell you what. When Reggie is 100% healed, he will be a force to be reckoned with and when I’ve got my head on straight. I will be a force to be reckoned with! Who dat!

I have some bad news.  Hollis Thomas the starting defensive tackle for the Saints tore his tricep today.  He may be out for the season or he may return in two months.  Here is the source.  http://www.wdsu.com/news/17190435/detail.html

Watch this video and see how one person responded when they heard the news.

My favorite NFL quarterback is hands down Drew Brees.  I have been following him for the last couple of years since he came to New Orleans from San Diego. He came to the Saints at the most volatile point in franchise history. Hurricane Katrina had left the city ravaged, broken down and depressed. The Saints were coming off a 3 and 13 year where the coach was fired after a 5 year stint. The previous year the Saints played games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge because the Superdome was not in playing condition after the hurricane. This video really explains it all. Many fans and media questioned whether or not the Saints would return to New Orleans. Nonetheless they came back to New Orleans and they came back with a new quarterback! I remember the first interview I watched of Drew was on the Best Damn Sports Show Period. His arm was in a sling because he was recovering from an injury but he was all smiles and optimism. When asked why he chose New Orleans over Miami he said “I believe everything happens for a reason and they really wanted me in New Orleans.” As soon as I heard him say that I knew there was something special about this guy. I did a google search on him and I came across this article and it confirmed my impression. It turns out he’s a follower of Christ and everything I have seen from him represents that.

In the game he is always aware of his surroundings. The Saints have given up the fewest sacks in the NFL behind Peyton Manning and Tom Brady since signing Brees. He always gets rid of the ball at just the right time. He is never selfish or arrogant, rather he is calm cool and passionate when it matters. I’m always happy to know that he is behind center and I wouldn’t want anyone else leading the New Orleans Saints. He lead the NFC in passing yards last year and I expect nothing but the same for him this year. Last year the Saints had a tough time bouncing back from the magical 2006 season and even though they started out 0-4 they were able to finish the year 7-9. What I found particularly amazing was how optimistic and encouraging Drew always sounded during the tough times. He would always talk about how the losses would gel the team and that they would grow through it together. When the game was lost because of him he would take it upon his shoulders and when someone else could have done a better job he was honest about that. Win or lose Drew Brees is a champion and I’m happy he’s a New Orlean Saint!