ABC26 Sports

Mike Bell had a great game (143 rushing yards), in part thanks to some great pancake blocks by Jahri Evans. The Saints right guard toyed with the Lions. On one Bell romp, Evans drilled #50 Ernie Sims into the ground.

Bell has to do a better job of holding on to the football. His fumble and subsequent Detroit return for a touchdown helped get the Lions back in the game in the third quarter. Bell has fumbled three times in 204 NFL carries. That is once every 68 touches. In comparison, Eagles runner Brian Westbrook has fumbled 3 times in 1,260 rushes.

Heath Evans had an outstanding game. He proved his worth as a pass receiving, catching a screen from Brees and running 13 yards for a touchdown. Evans also did a good job blocking in the run game. His block was key in a Mike Bell 22 yard run.

Welcome to the NFL Malcolm Jenkins. The Saints first round pick was beaten on a 64 yard pass play from Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson. Johnson caught a slant, broke Jenkins' tackle and was finally ruled out of bounds at the Saints three yard line. The play was Jenkins first after replacing Tracy Porter.

The Saints had a John Carney field goal blocked. Anthony Hargrove was beaten inside by Dwayne White, who penetrated and blocked the field goal attempt. The next time Carney attempted a field goal, Hargrove was replaced by Saints center Jonathan Goodwin.

Ed Daniels
Monday September 14th

It's all coming up roses for the Saints.

1) Drew Brees fires six TD passes in rout of the Lions

2) Carolina implodes at home against the Eagles -- Jake Delhomme is still in the funk he fell into in last year's playoff loss to Arizona

3) Donovan McNabb likely won't play (rib injury) Sunday in key early season NFC game.

4) Grant and Smith are likely available for the entire 2009 season. Smith and Grant didn't have great games against the Lions. They combined for 4 tackles. But, they are better options than backups Bobby McCray and Jeff Charleston. If not, they would not be starting.

Sean Payton will never say, but its been a good week. All the Saints have to do to make it a great one is to win Sunday in Philadelphia.

Is it possible to win 31-3 and look unimpressive? If so, LSU accomplished that feat Saturday night against UL-Lafayette.

LSU's longest play of the night was 21 yards against an inferior club. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson missed a couple of big play chances down the field early. On one throw, Jefferson underthrew Chris Mitchell and the pass was intercepted.

LSU continues to use its most consistent offensive weapon, running back Charles Scott, sparingly. Scott carried only 12 times for 64 yards.

The Tigers early season schedule certainly looks tougher after Washington upset USC. But, through three games, LSU has been unimpressive. That can probably be good enough next week against Mississippi State, but not so in October as LSU goes to Georgia and hosts top ranked Florida October 10th.

Ed Daniels
Baton Rouge, LA

There's a lot of things not to like about Sunday's Saints vs Bills matchup.

The Bills, in the same division with the Patriots and Jets, desperately need the game. And, for the first time all season, the Saints will face a quarterback not making his first NFL start.

The Bills also catch the Saints and the right time. In between the Eagles and before next Sunday's match with the Jets, currently playing the best defense in the NFL. The Bills game is also the Saints second consecutive east coast trip.

But, with all of that being said, the Saints should win the game. If Drew Brees plays effectively, he should have a field day against a Bills defense that is allowing 332 passing yards per game.
The only thing that could slow Brees down is rain. There's a 40 percent chance of that Sunday.

Here's the bottom line: If the Saints are a Super Bowl contender, you win this game. Even against a Buffalo team that is trying to prove it is more than an NFL also-ran.

Ed Daniels

The Hornets gathered at New Orleans Arena Monday for media day. Here some nuggets from the day:

Forward Peja Stojakovic acknowledged that he met with head coach Byron Scott and may come off the bench this season. That is if, third year man Julian Wright can play the 3 spot effectively as a starter. Stojakovic said all summer long he did strengthing exercises for his ailing back. Peja said he has confidence he can return to the form of two seasons ago. Said Peja, "I don't see myself as a guy who runs out of fuel."

One of backcourt combos the Hornets are likely to use: rookie first round pick Darren Collison teaming with Chris Paul. Paul would be the two guard, giving him fewer minutes with the ball in his hands and more chances to avoid double teams. Last season, Paul played a career high 38.5 minutes per game. Paul said it wasn't the minutes that were the issue, but the fact that he played so many minutes with the ball in his hands.

Guard Devin Brown made an interesting observation about last year's dissappointing 49 win season. Said Brown, "we would get down 20 (points) in games, and then we would start to play. We can't do that."

The Hornets left today for Lafayette. They will train in the Hub City through Sunday.

Ed Daniels