Alabama and Saban playing the media

Have no fear Bama fans, Nick Saban and Alabama know what they're doing all along. Just like how the NFL has masterfully dominated the news during the off-season Alabama is doing the same thing up to the college national championship game.

Case in point: Alabama's arch rival Auburn is in the title game, and that is a huge recruiting advantage during this month off. By toying with the media, keeping Nick Saban & Alabama's name front and center during this time, allows Coach Saban to actively recruit the top prospects. This keeps the attention on Alabama and not Auburn. He is not going anywhere.

Alabama, Coach Saban and his agent Jimmy Sexton are all on the same page and are just using this to keep the attention on the Crimson Tide. They are playing everyone but it will work out perfectly as he will re-sign and get paid and sign the top high school prospects as usual. 

Evil Genius

Ed Hardy reporting 

Santa----I meant Saban watch 2013

According to every fanatic LSU fan I've run into this past week swears that Sabin is going to Texas. Wishful thinking? Not sure but I wonder if the Baylor outcome has any merit to that rumor.

Still, I believe Saban has a real shot at going back to the NFL with the Houston Texas admist Gary Kubiak's recent dismissal. They have one of the best defensive ends and wide receivers in the entire game plus the number one pick (potentially). I know it's a longshot but if he ever wanted to try the NFL again this is a tasty opening.

EH out!

The Saints recipe for success is not a tall order

Boom Slam!

The Saints offense last week against Seattle was completely uncharacteristic and flat out abysmal. The running game was shut down which is not a shocker as it has been hit or miss all season.  Jimmy Graham played like he had eyes in the back of his head and Lance Moore along with the other Saints receivers have completely vanished. So what's the answer when we play another tough defense like Seattle's, even when they are not in the Superdome? Answer: Jitterbug!

The Jitterbug I'm talking about is Darren Sproles of the Saints (coined by the Saints wife herself). While short in stature, the Jitterburg can do so many things, not just be a pass receiver out of the backfield. He will be Drew Brees security blanket now vacated by Lance Moore. As evident since his return from injury, Moore has been nonexistent and cannot shed receivers when Brees really needs him, especially when he has to scramble. The short pass is a major component of the Saints offense, it is like a run plan. All Saints fan know from watching Ingram, anything more than 2.1 yards a rush is a major improvement in this department. That's why Jitterbug (Sproles) needs to be a focal point of this offense again. Better late than never with Carolina coming up. 

Here are the benefits of inserting Jitterbug into the Saints lineup as a full-time starter, immediately:

• he knows the office like the back of his hand as he has been with Brees for years. You can rely on him when Drew calls late audibles.

• as Tim Fletcher says, the most dangerous play the Saints have is when he gets man-to-man with a linebacker and Brees floats a pass to him in open space, easy money

• against an aggressive defense like the Panthers, Jitterbug is a true asset not for the usual screen play the Sains love, but for the sprint draw, which due to his small stature, he can really do some damage when the rush goes quickly past him

• he also recognizes the defense and picks up blocks extremely well for his size

• he can be an even more effective runner if the Saints run him early and often, as the linebackers will have to account for him in the middle which will free up the big plays on the edge

• is skill-set is different from the three other running backs the Saints have on the roster, which is flat out hard to prepare for.

Jitterbug missed some time due to injury but I really think Coach Payton has him in the long-term plans especially for the upcoming Panther match-ups and for final stretch run. Just look in the history book of the Saints (under Payton), when Reggie Bush got more snaps than usual, it presented Bush as more of a threat than just a situational runner/receiver, and he had some big time plays! Coach Payton fed him the ball when it really counted (playoffs-crucial games). The season is on the line this Sunday versus the Panthers so it's time to let it all hang out and I'm telling you, Jitterbug needs the spotlight. The Saints are not a balanced team and I'm sick and tired of them trying to be one, they are a pass first, pass second, and maybe run here & there ball club. So does that make them a finess team? Yeah, but why is that's so freaking bad as look with the 49ers did back in their heyday with Montana? Last time I checked they were a finesse team as well but look at their results, it was Super. 

So getting back to my point, the Saints need to be totally aggressive offensively all the time, which they are so good at. So instead of the 3 yards and a cloud of dust with Pierre and Ingram on obvious run situations, get it to JITTERBUG. By utilizing him more, the defenses have to respect this little guy with and then Colston, Moore and of others will reemerge, as you can't cover everybody.

Ed Hardy out!

Damage control



just run the damn ball baby!!!

After the 21 point loss to Alabama last weekend, LSU needs to do more than just regroup, in order to salvage this season of 2013. Damage control. Specifically what I mean by this as the psyche & character of this team has been severely challenged by this loss to this once equal foe (Bama). Face it, the gap has widened. Once upon a time, LSU was the only real test to derail Alabama's ascension to the top year in and year out. Last Saturday, that notion has been put to rest. Instead of the LSU fans and boosters rallying for a new coach, they are now searching for an identity.

Before the season started, I was very skeptical of Cam Cameron & the new direction LSU was taking in towards their team scheme and direction. I even wrote an article on it, stating what is really wrong with 3 yards in a cloud of dust- no offense, when you play great defense and are in the national title hopes year in and year out, why change? I predicted that this new philosophy will implode and Les would take the reins and play small ball yet I was wrong on one of those accounts. I also predicted Cam would jettison for greener pastures next season, but that remains to be seen. 

LSU fans got what they wanted, that is a high scoring offense with potential. But with that came its own set of departures from the past. The defense was in a serious overall mode with all the exiting stars to the NFL. Granted, the offense did its job early on bailing out the defense, outscoring the opponents and letting the defense cut its teeth in the process. But when their biggest for came up, the offense could not overpower Bama as Bama did not scrap their philosophy during the off-season. Ball control, running game and keeping their defense off the field would really have benefited LSU last weekend. Who knows if LSU's last years offense could have bailed out this year's defense, probably not. Still, this new offensive system did not pan out.

So yes I believe LSU is in an identity crisis now. Even a victory versus Texas A&M would help, it won't erase the reality that LSU is not the top tier team in the SEC with Alabama anymore. So as 2013 ends and with 2014 fast approaching, how will this Tiger squad respond? Do the Tigers stick with this new high-powered offensive philosophy or do they scale it back to keep the defense honest as it appears this same defense will be lining up next season as well? The same results can occur or will they?  Is it more of a personnel problem on LSU defense or is it the entire team identity change to being more high-powered rather than pound and ground which LUS has been so successful with?

No one can blame Miles on this one. Perhaps expectations this 2013 season were way too high as the defense simply could not reload like years past. Either way this off-season should be one of the most pivotal one in many years in Baton Rouge. Do they stay the course or did they go back to what has worked? Only time will tell.  

Ed Hardy reporting

Tim Fletcher show fabulous five pics for November 8 weekend 2013

Ed Hardy's weekend pics

Tennessee 27 Auburn 25, the Vols in upset special (auburn -7 1/2)

Ole Miss 38 Arkansas 17, The rebels are rested and will pull away in the second-half (Ole Miss -17)

Louisiana Tech 27 Southern Miss 17, winless Golden Eagles make it a game but fell apart in the second half (Louisiana Tech -16 1/2)

Alabama 27 LSU 23, the Tigers and The Tide will go back-and-forth but after half Bama will get a comfortable lead only to see LSU run out of time in the fourth quarter (Bama -12 1/2)

New Orleans 34 Dallas 30, this will be a back-and-forth contest but the Saints have the edge as they are at home yet don't cover (New Orleans -6 1/2)

Tim Fletcher's rapid fire weekend pics

Auburn 38 Tennessee 30 (auburn -7 1/2)

Ole Miss 62 Arkansas 10 (Ole Miss -17)

Louisiana Tech 38 Southern Miss 17(Louisiana Tech -16 1/2)

LSU 30 Alabama 28 (Bama -12 1/2)

New Orleans 40 Dallas 33 (New Orleans -6 1/2)

Last but not least Cupcakes sole pic

LSU  34 Alabama 28....

ED Hardy's (almost) mid season Saints Grades 2013.

The Saints difference maker: Kenny Vaccaro

ED Hardy's (almost) mid season Saints Grades 2013.

The Saints bye week is here and even though they're not yet at mid season yet, I feel like it's best to analyze the Saints ball-club as it stands now in 2013.Before I get into the nitty-gritty via the position group analysis, I want to say I am extremely surprised at The Saints overall record of 5-1. If you put me on the spot at the beginning of the season, at best I would say 3-3 after 6 games. The defense has performed better than we ever could've imagined, yet the offense has under performed (to Saints standards). Still, look at The Saints record,  baffling. Daddy is indeed back (Coach Payton) and his presence alone has stole wins versus Atlanta and at Tampa. This team has moxie, something it lacked severely last season. Granted, DC Rob Ryan deserves a ton of credit, but lady luck has played a major factor in all of this early season success. The opposition dropping passes, ball bouncing the right way, or perhaps it's just good schematics. Doesn't matter, we all relish where the Saints are this point.

Now it's going to my Saints mid season grades per position groups.

Quarterbacks – Drew Brees has not been the Drew Brees of 2012, however that is a good thing as he does not have to carry the entire team load as years past. While flawless at times this early-season, he has also been very ineffective in crucial times as well. One of the coach Payton's hardest tasks I assume is to calm Drew's "do it all mentality". This is so as the defense in 2013 is finally is playing like a defense. That being said, he still a top-five quarterback in the league. Any grade less than an A would ruin my reputation as an analyst and fan.
Grade- A-

Running backs- clearly a position of weakness on the Saints 2013 ball club. As far as finesse goes, this position group has that skill set as they can catch passes out of the backfield like no other. But that resembles just another glorified wide receiver a.k.a. Lance Moorish type. The Saints need runners period. Mark Ingram is a bust and is not the answer. Sproles is too small to be an effective every down back & Pierre Thomas does not get the touches he deserves. Only Khiry Robinson has lately earned Payton's trust as the short yardage move the chains on the ground back. But these yards on the ground are few and far between, and without an effective rushing attack, the Saints offense will become too predictable.
Grade C-

All receivers – again once a position of massive strength has now become a sneaky liability. Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston are killing it however their backups are severe question marks. Kenny Stills is hot and cold, Toon is nonexistent and Meacham needs to retire immediately. The injury to Lance Moore has hurt this squad more than anyone could expected as he is Drew Brees is Linus blanket. Still, when big plays need to happen, this position group has for the most part stood up.
Grade B

Offensive line-after really thinking about the offense, much of the blame probably goes to the right side of this line. RG Evans has been hurt and playing hurt which is really affected  his play. Strief also has played hurt and he is not the future answer at right tackle. LG Ben Grubbs and LT Charles Brown have been quietly good on the left and beginning of the season "weaker left side". Face it, Saints fans have been spoiled for the last six years of stellar offensive line play. This year, the offensive line has shown its deficiencies but still, overall it is a decent group which will get healthier.
Grade C

Defensive line- after a rash of early-season injuries, Hicks, Jenkins, and Jordan have been nothing but spectacular. One of the reason the Saints defense has had so much success is because these front 3 are getting pressure on the quarterback with no blitzing help. Truly amazing with undrafted rookies Foster and Walker subbing in too.
Grade A+

Linebackers – this truly is the hardest position great to analyze. The Saints have typically only ran a two linebacker set for most of the season. That being said, Curtis Lofton has been a flat out tackling and covering machine. Who would have thought he had coverage skills? Hawthorne has manned the other LB position and has played effective against the run and pass as well. Their smarts have allowed the Saints secondary to carry another man upfront. Not going to lie here, I'm shocked at this position group success. But it is only because of the defensive back help.
Grade B

Secondary – S Kenny Vaccaro, Kenny Vaccaro, Kenny Vaccaro, Kenny Vaccaro and Kenny and MF Kenny Vaccaro. He has single-handedly changed the entire culture of this defense in one season. He covers receivers, he covers running backs, he makes textbook tackles, he breaks up passes, the kid does it all. Attitude. And the fact that corners Greer and Lewis have had on and off games, the safeties have really bailed the Sanints cornerbacks out.  Vaccaro and Malcom Jenkins are like long-lost brothers. Both are cover corners, but both are better safeties great range and versatility. Roman Harper has been hurt but the Saints don't even need him anymore, and that is great in its own right. The backups have played well also.
Grade A-

Special teams – P Morestead is being Morestead, which is great. PK Hartley has been killing it with clutch kicks. Coverage and return units have also fared well, not a flashy position group but I tell you what, they have done very well this year.
Grade B+

Coaching- Sean Payton back at the helm. The team/franchise has its identity back and their unpredictability has caused nightmares for the opposition. The Saints will win more than they will lose, thank goodness daddy is back!
Grade A

Overall Mid season Saints GPA: 3.27

Ed Hardy out!!!

THE TIM FLETCHER SHOW PICK EM 2013

            Ed Hardy                  Tim Fletcher   

VS .  

 

Tim Fletcher college picks:

Oklahoma 49 Texas 20

Texas A&M 45 Ole Miss 35

Georgia 41 Missouri 35

Baylor 56 Kansas State 40

Washington 44 Oregon 41

Alabama 34 Kentucky 23

Arkansas 31 South Carolina 28

LSU 31 Florida 23

 

Ed Hardy college picks

Oklahoma 28 Texas 14

Texas A&M 38 Ole Miss 33

Georgia 34 Missouri 17

Baylor 40 Kansas State 21

Oregon 43 Washington 20

Alabama 48 Kentucky 9

LSU 31 Florida 27

South Carolina 28 Arkansas 20

 

Tim Fletcher pro picks

Chiefs 30 Raiders 23

Buccaneers 13 Eagles 10

Ravens 31 Packers 28

Browns 20 Lions 16

panthers 34 Minnesota 10

Rams 24 Texans 21

Jets 17 Steelers 14

Bills 21 Bengals 20

Seahawks 27 Titans 17

Broncos 38 jaguars 10

Niners 34 Cardinals 20

Colts 38 Chargers 35

Cowboys 40 Redskins 23

Saints 37 patriots 34

 

Ed Hardy's pro picks

Chiefs 20 Raiders 6

Buccaneers 20 Eagles 19

Packers 28 ravens 24

Lions 21 Brown's 17

Panthers 20 Vikings 18

Texans 31 rams 17

Steelers 17 jets 14

Bengals 24 bills 17

Seahawks 31 Titans 7

Broncos 38 jaguars 9

49ers 28 cardinals 6

Colts 28 Chargers 24

Calibers 33 Redskins 30

Patriots 27 Saints 25

 

Please note this is for against the spread only from the lines in Fridays paper , stay tuned for separation Monday