Randall Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Saints report: Notes, quotes Dec. 28, 2006 The Sports Xchange Notes, quotes · Strategy and personnel · Inside slant --Running back Deuce McAllister, who returned from major knee surgery to have a 1,000-yard rushing season, has been voted the Saints' 2006 recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. McAllister, who has 1,057 rushing yards and a 4.3 average with 10 TDs, was chosen in a vote by his teammates. The award is given to a player from each of the 32 NFL teams who exemplifies the principles of sportsmanship and courage. McAllister missed the last 11 games of the 2005 season after suffering a knee injury that required reconstructive surgery. McAllister and his "Catch 22 Foundation" earlier this month sponsored an event in which he took 125 New Orleans-area children to a Wal-Mart, with McAllister giving each child $100 to buy Christmas presents for themselves and their families. He did the same for 110 youngsters in his hometown of Jackson, Miss. --Saints kicker John Carney moved into fourth place on the NFL's all-time scoring list with his first field goal of the day, a 32-yarder in the first period of Sunday's 30-7 win over the New York Giants. The kick gave Carney 1,737 points, moving the 17-year veteran past Norm Johnson (1,736). Carney added two more field goals and three extra points in the game, pushing his total to 1,746. The only players with more points than Carney are Morten Andersen (2,440), Gary Anderson (2,434) and George Blanda (2,002). --The Saints' offense did not have a turnover on Sunday in the win over the Giants and are now 7-0 this season when they don't give the ball away. The Saints had no turnovers in either of their two NFC South games with the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Bucs, at home against San Francisco and on the road at Dallas and the New York Giants. --The Saints have only one turnover in their last five games, an interception against the Washington Redskins on Dec. 17. Prior to the five-week stretch, the Saints had seven giveaways (four interceptions and three fumbles) in back-to-back losses to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in Weeks 10 and 11. --When asked if he received any surprises for Christmas, other than getting a first-round bye for the playoffs, Saints coach Sean Payton said his wife gave him a pirogue -- a small boat that Louisiana fishermen commonly use. Payton, who is not an avid outdoorsman, said the boat would not be used for fishing or touring nearby Lake Pontchartrain, but rather for keeping beverages chilled when his family entertains guests. BY THE NUMBERS 18 -- Sacks allowed by the Saints this season. In 2005, the Saints gave up 19 in their first seven games en route to a 3-13 record. QUOTE TO NOTE "My concern is New Orleans. Everything we do from here to that first playoff game is going to be to give our team the best chance to win. I think playing well this week is important. At the same time, we just have to look over and make sure that we do the right things leading up to that first game." -- Saints coach Sean Payton on how he'll approach Sunday's game with the Carolina Panthers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Sean Payton said his wife gave him a pirogue -- a small boat that Louisiana fishermen commonly use. Payton, who is not an avid outdoorsman, said the boat would not be used for fishing or touring nearby Lake Pontchartrain, but rather for keeping beverages chilled when his family entertains guests. Maybe its for a boat party... MINNESOTA STYLE!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 McAllister and his "Catch 22 Foundation" earlier this month sponsored an event in which he took 125 New Orleans-area children to a Wal-Mart, with McAllister giving each child $100 to buy Christmas presents for themselves and their families. He did the same for 110 youngsters in his hometown of Jackson, Miss. I wish this kind of thing got more publicity. There are a ton of athletes in all sports doing this kind of thing (see Warrick Dunn, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, etc), yet the Pacman Joneses and Tank Johnsons get all the headlines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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