Hey Rajn

[Fatman]

I know it's still early in the preseason, but how are things looking? Watson holdling down the mike? I didn't see his name in the stat lines of preseason game #1. What about Fincher - where has he been so far?

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited August 17, 2005 by Fatman

[Swiss Cheezhead]

I'll second this motion. Where you at, rajn?

[rajncajn]

Gotta say our LB's played pretty poorly last night despite the win. For the moment we still have Watson at MLB & Bockwoldt at WLB. James Allen the starting SLB was held out with a sprained knee with the pitiful Sedrick Hodge getting the start. Out of all 3 LBs I was most impressed with Bockwoldt. He did a pretty good job manning the WLB & I'd go so far as to say he may be our best LB right now. Tag him as a sleeper because I think he'll stick at that position. As for Watson I'm a bit concerned with him at MLB. He just seemed lost in the wash all night and I have a hunch they may move him to SLB. He's not a true MLB & I think once McKinnon picks up the D he'll be starting there with Fincher backing him up.

[DKF]

Gotta say our LB's played pretty poorly last night despite the win. For the moment we still have Watson at MLB & Bockwoldt at WLB. James Allen the starting SLB was held out with a sprained knee with the pitiful Sedrick Hodge getting the start. Out of all 3 LBs I was most impressed with Bockwoldt. He did a pretty good job manning the WLB & I'd go so far as to say he may be our best LB right now. Tag him as a sleeper because I think he'll stick at that position. As for Watson I'm a bit concerned with him at MLB. He just seemed lost in the wash all night and I have a hunch they may move him to SLB. He's not a true MLB & I think once McKinnon picks up the D he'll be starting there with Fincher backing him up.

 

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What's your longer-term thoughts on Fincher, I thought he looked pretty ok.

[rajncajn]

What's your longer-term thoughts on Fincher, I thought he looked pretty ok.

 

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I think Fincher's gonna work out as our MLB. The guy plays hard & has the skills it's just a matter of him learning the system. I don't think that will be this year though. Barring an injury I'd expect him to battle for the start in camp next year.

[Ziachild007]

LINK

 

Sam Mills started 125 games at inside linebacker for the Saints from 1986 to 1994, as solid an anchor as any NFL defense has ever had.

 

But since then, 12 players have taken turns as the middle linebacker in the past 10 seasons, hampering continuity and stability at a position that demands those traits.

 

"Best-case scenario, you want a guy to be in the middle that can play for a long time and really stabilize the defense," said fifth-year linebackers coach Winston Moss, who played outside linebacker in the NFL for 11 years. "Mike linebacker, you've got to be a tackling machine. Your production is a key to a good defense. We're looking for our middle linebacker to be not only the leading tackler, but the guy that actually sets the standard for this defense."

 

The Saints are hoping they have that guy in second-year starter Courtney Watson, whom they drafted in the second round last year out of Notre Dame.

 

Watson started nine games last season, beginning the year as the starter, then battling inconsistency and a knee injury before returning as the starter in Week 14.

 

He made a modest 70 tackles and two sacks, but he admits that he was doing a lot more thinking than reacting -- a common rookie handicap. This year, both Watson and the coaching staff expect him to make that leap that most NFL players make in their second season.

 

"My understanding of the defense now is so much greater than it was last year, it's not even funny," Watson said. "So now, most of the stuff that was something I had to think about last year is more just like second nature.

 

"Being able to come in and just play fast and not have to think so much, just react to what they're doing and just go out and play and let loose, is obviously what any player would want."

 

Speed and quickness are the traits that stand out with Watson, who played weakside linebacker until his senior year at Notre Dame. He flashes good instincts and reacts well to the ball in pass defense.

 

Saints coach Jim Haslett said he would like to see Watson, a 6-foot-1, 246-pounder, also prove he can be a physical presence and sure tackler, which are staples of most successful middle linebackers.

 

Moss said that once Watson becomes more comfortable making plays on the field, he thinks he also will develop into more of a vocal leader on defense.

 

"I don't think he's a vocal, rah-rah Ray Lewis type," Moss said. "I think he's a guy that's very intelligent. He's very smart. He can get guys lined up. And he takes his shot whenever he has his chance.

 

"He's going to be very productive. And once the guys around him see that, I think they're really going to respect him and rally around him."

 

Watson, who turns 25 in September, said he takes pride in playing a central role on the defense and doesn't want the team to ever have to consider moving him back to weakside linebacker -- although his ability to play both positions is a plus.

 

Defensive coordinator Rick Venturi said the best thing about Watson is that he has the skills to line up in every defensive situation.

 

"He can play three downs," Venturi said. "He can play in a sophisticated nickel package, and yet be your base backer. A lot of middle linebackers are not three-down guys. It's a good deal for me because you have your same signal-caller in all the time. It's subtle, but it's important.

 

"So I'm just hoping that everything continues on the upswing, because he brings a lot to the table. . . . I think he'll have staying power."

 

The Saints drafted another middle linebacker in the third round this year, Alfred Fincher out of Connecticut. A sure tackler in college, Fincher is expected to make an immediate impact on special teams. But his head has been swimming a bit in training camp, and he's not really pushing Watson for the starting job.

 

Still, it's a young mix that could finally provide depth and stability.

Edited August 19, 2005 by Ziachild007

[rajncajn]

Fincher Story

 

Fincher enjoys moment

By Adam Kurkjian/ MetroWest Daily News

Friday, August 19, 2005 - Updated: 02:24 AM EST

 

FOXBORO – It was easy to tell how excited former Norwood High and University of Connecticut standout Alfred Fincher was to be playing at Gillette Stadium for the first time in last night's preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and the Patriots.

Unfortunately for the Saints rookie, who was drafted in the third round (82nd overall), he may have had a little too much adrenaline for his own good. Fincher was flagged twice, once for jumping offsides and the other for a false start, on special teams in the first half.

The linebacker acquitted himself nicely in the fourth quarter when he had a chance to get in on defense.

``Obviously, I got those two penalties, I was a little excited to be out there,'' Fincher said. ``I was real excited. I had a lot of fans here tonight. I just tried to play like I can.''

Fincher evaluated his play with a healthy perspective.

``It's going how a typical rookie first year would go,'' he said. ``I'm battling ups and downs right now. I did a lot of good things out there tonight, but I got those two penalties, I missed a few assignments tonight. But that's just how it is. I'm learning, and the good thing is I got better from last week, and that's all I can do is try and get better each week.''

Saints coach Jim Haslett had a slightly more pessimistic take on Fincher's performance.

``You probably don't want me to tell you on tape right now,'' Haslett said. ``He had two penalties today. He's just young, he's wide-eyed. He thinks he's going to make every play, and it doesn't work that way in this league. I think it will take some time with him. A kid coming from Connecticut, he's just engulfed with things right now. He's tough. He wants to be a leader. He has good instincts, a good nose for the ball.

``I think in time he will be a good linebacker, but right now I'm worried about him playing special teams.''

Said Fincher: ``It is like being a freshman all over again, but you learn fast. From last week, I feel 100 times better, and I'm sure the following week I'll feel a lot better.''

Despite the penalties, Fincher didn't have any complaints with his first Gillette experience.

``Doing all of this, I'm a big fan,'' he said. ``I'm out there, I'm a fan who happens to play professional football. That's kind of weird. I'm out there loving every moment.''

[DKF]

Thank you

[Czarina]

My developmental squad just isn't going to be big enough this year.