Who Dat Saint would like to apologize to all of our followers for the lack of recent post. This is due to a number of reasons. As you know the NFL and the Saints are currently in the off-season. There isn’t a whole lot going on right now other than the scouting combine, which actually ends in a couple of days and the Saints tendering offers to some of their restricted free agents.

However, just because you are not seeing daily post does not mean that we are laying on your leg . We are actually working feverishly behind the scenes to make whodatsaint.com one of the best Saints sites out there. We are trying to update our player bio pages, trying to set up a user forum and have also recently set up a Who Dat Shop

That’s right. You can now find all the latest Saints Merchandise and Who Dat Gear right here on Whodatsaint.com. Just look towards the top of the page for the “Shop” icon or on the right hand side of the page where you can actually break down what you are looking for such as jersey’s, hats, t-shirts, etc.

Thank you. And as always, feel free to look around our site as it grows along with the New Orleans Saints organization.

The free agency period will be quickly upon us as will the draft. For now we will look at New Orleans’ un-restricted and restricted free agents and see what holes need to be filled. Holes that need to be filled you ask? We don’t have any holes to be filled, we are the Super Bowl Champions! Yep, we are last years Super Bowl winner but this is a new year and the Saints have new needs. Every other NFL team will be looking to upgrade and so will the Saints. It wasn’t that long ago that our beloved New Orleans Saints were considered the doormats of the NFL and we sure don’t want to end up back in that boat.

One of the biggest questions out there is whether the Saints will re-sign running back Reggie Bush. Bush is set to earn 8 million dollars in 2010. And the pundits will be asking, is that too much for someone who is only getting 10-15 touches a game? Since joining the Saints in 2006 Bush has seemed better at running between the sidelines then running between the end zones.

In fact, in 2009 Bush had his lowest production, statistically wise, since joining the Saints. In terms of rushing, he only had 70 attempts which is over a 50 percent drop from his average attempts in 2006 and 2007. His rushing yards (390) was the lowest since joining the team. However, his rushing average (5.6) was his best since becoming a Saint. On the receiving end, those stats dropped as well. His total receptions (47) and receiving yards (335) were both the lowest since the Saints drafted him out of USC.

But with all of that in mind Coach Payton values his contributions to the offense too much for Bush to simply be cut or traded. He is versatile and has great play-making ability. It seems more likely that the Saints will approach Reggie about restructuring his contract rather than simply cutting or trading him.

Now let’s take a look at New Orleans’ team of free agents:

Defensive Linemen Remi Ayodele (Restricted) – Ayodele took over as the starting nose during the season. New Orleans’ run defense improved when he teamed up with Sedrick Ellis on the interior of their line.

Running Back Mike Bell (Unrestricted) – He competed with Pierre Thomas for carries during the first part of the season, but his strong start to the season stalled down the stretch when he aggravated a knee injury.

Tackle Jammal Brown (Restricted) – Brown was placed on IR after undergoing hip and sports hernia surgery. According to Rotoworld he is still one of New Orleans’ top linemen and they expect him to resign with the team.

Tackle Jermon Bushrod (Restricted) – Bushrod did a good job filling in for the injured Jammal Brown at left tackle. It will be interesting to see whether or not the Saints bring one or both of these guys back.

Defensive Linemen Jeff Charleston (Unrestricted) – Plays spot duty as a back-up. Add’s depth at the defensive line position. Recorded 3 sacks in 2008 season but none in 2009.

Tight End Darnell Dinkins (Unrestricted) – Listed as New Orleans’ third tight end, he only caught one pass in 2009.

Guard Jahri Evans (Restricted) – Evans is regarded as one of the league’s best young guards, and he could have had a chance for a big payday if a collective bargaining agreement had been hammered out. As it is now, he will most likely end up back with the Saints on a relatively cheap contract.

Linebacker Scott Fujita (Unrestricted) – Fujita is 31 and not known for his playmaking ability. Still, he has been solid for the Saints and it’s possible that they will bring him back. However, it seems more likely that they’ll try to upgrade the outside linebacker position.

Defensive Linemen Anthony Hargrove (Restricted) – Hargrove is a talented lineman and he was solid in the middle for New Orleans, racking up five sacks and 42 tackles.

Safety Roman Harper (Unrestricted) – Harper excelled under Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams. With free safety Darren Sharper manning centerfield, Harper was asked to play in the box more. He was effective against the run and in blitz packages.

Wide Receiver Courtney Roby (Restricted) – Roby returned kick-offs, but was not involved on the offensive side of the ball.

Safety Darren Sharper (Unrestricted) – Sharper is the active interceptions leader, but he is 34 years of age. New Orleans is expected to approach the free agent about a 2-3 year contract, and if they can’t get a deal done look for the Saints to place the franchise tag on him.

Tight End David Thomas (Unrestricted) – Thomas showed some promise in 2009, and he may get some more opportunities next season.

Running Back Pierre Thomas (Restricted) – Pierre had a career year with 793 rushing yards. Although New Orleans should look at upgrading their backfield, Thomas seems like a logical choice to resign with the team.

Cornerback Leigh Torrence (Restricted) – Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams likes Leigh Torrence, but the Saints are deep at cornerback so if Torrence is even brought back he will be on the roster bubble.

Safety Usama Young (Restricted) – Was the backup free safety before going on IR following a sports hernia.

An Unrestricted Free Agent is a player who has completed four or more accruedseasons and whose contract has expired. An unrestricted free agent may sign with any club, with no compensation owed to his old club, through the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp (generally late July). At that point, his rights revert to his old club if it made a “tender” offer (110 percent of last year’s salary) to him by June 1. His old club then has until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the season to re-sign him. If he does not sign by then, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by June 1, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.

A Restricted Free Agent is a player who has completed three accrued seasons and whose contract has expired. He is free to negotiate with any club through the free agent signing period. If he accepts an offer sheet from a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him, or not match the offer and possibly receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer. If an offer sheet is not executed, the player’s rights revert to his old club after the free agent signing period ends.

Jill Hezeau “Kicks” off Mardi Gras in an unattainable Garrett Hartley Jersey

Yep you heard me right. But it wasn’t actually Garrett Hartley that I got to see today. It was Reporter Jill Hezeau of WWL TV. Jill was doing her best impersonation of the Saint’s record breaking field goal kicker at today’s parades.

I had the honor to stand with and talk to Mrs. Hezeau for about an hour today, prior to the start of the Grela parade in Gretna, Louisiana. Jill was very personable and is as beautiful in person as she is on T.V. She was mingling with the crowd and handing off the beads she caught to kids standing nearby.

Jill was wearing a #5 Garrett Hartley jersey and was doing her best impersonation of the Saint’s record setting kicker. She told me that she could not find a Hartlett jersey to buy, so her sister made her one. Hey Jill, maybe you’ll start a new trend with your jersey. Give Kudo’s to your Sis for making your great replica jersey.

 

Female Fan Base Supports Saints in Superbowl Run

Have you noticed the recent explosion in female fans at Saints games the past year or two?  Trust me, there is no shortage of the ladies when it comes to New Orleans Saints football.  You’ll see them tailgating before the big game and in the Superdome stands during the game.  More women are even watching the games on T.V. with their husbands and kids. 

In fact, it is not only Saints football that has seen an increase in it’s female fan base.  The NFL reports that women across the country are more into football now than ever before. Though the NFL’s fan base was once considered to be heavily male, women now make up nearly half of the viewing audience.  NFL statistics show that from 2001 to 2005, the percentage of female NFL fans increased by 8.6 percent, and in 2005 an ESPN fan poll found that 43 percent of the football league’s fans were women. Women comprise 58 million of the 138 million Americans who consider themselves NFL fans.

It’s estimated that 45 million women watch NFL games each weekend and that 375,000-plus attend the matchups in person. Super Bowl XLIII, which featured the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals, had the second-largest number of female viewers of any sporting event in the last 15 years.  That game attracted 38.3 million female viewers–the most women to ever tune in to a Super Bowl.  The statistics also show that the number of women watching the Super Bowl has increased 8% over the past decade, and the trend is expected to continue with this years Superbowl, where it is estimated that 50 million female viewers tuned in.

According to the responses gathered at a focus group conducted by the NFL, “women agreed that the one time their family is together in the same place at the same time is Sunday afternoon watching football.”  It is also more accepted and expected for women to take an active interest in football. According to NFL research, more than 10,000 women annually attend NFL 101 workshops, which cover the history of the game, strategy, equipment and officiating.

The NFL has never been shy on its merchandising skills, and in customary fashion they jumped at the first chance they got to market to this growing fan base.  Almost since its inception the league has sold team gear such as hats and jerseys.  But most of it was designed for male fans. But that is now changing.  The women’s pro shop is now the NFL’s fastest growing department.

A few things have influenced this trend.  In 1999 Reebok designed the first women’s jersey and a shopping frenzy began.  Then in 2005 the Grren Bay Packers released a line of pink clothing to raise money for breast cancer research. Again, another star was born which helped pave the way for the NFL’s current clothing and accessories line.

So why the sudden explosing in the number of female fans?  Many theories exist, but the fact remains that football is the most popular sport in America for a reason. It’s not just about a game; football comes with a socialization aspect. There are few, if any, other sports that bring so many people together socially with a make-a-day-of-it frame of mind. From Super Bowl parties to tailgating festivities, the entertainment value of american football lies in the camaraderie that is shared by fellow fans. And you certainly can’t get any better than that in the city of New Orleans.

The city of New Orleans is set to host its first parade to honor the Saints as Super Bowl Champions. The parade is scheduled to begin today at 5:00 PM. The parade will start on Poydras St in front of the Superdome. It will then turn right on Loyola Ave. and will travel to Howard Ave. It will turn left on Howard, go around Lee Circle and will then travel up St. Charles Ave. From there, the parade will take the traditional uptown carnival route.

The parade will be a first in another aspect as well. It will be the first time that signature floats from Endymion, Bacchus, Rex, Zulu, Alla, Caesar, Tucks, Muses, Orpheus and Babylon are all used in the same parade. The parade will also feature over a dozen marching bands as well as the Budweiser Clydesdales. “Our mandate was to put together a high-quality parade.” “We wanted to make sure that we showed the rest of the world how Super Bowl parades should be held”, Barry Kern said.

Large crowds of Who Dat Nation fans are expected along the parade route. Both the Orleans and Jefferson Parish School systems announced that they would release students early because of the parade. Because of parking restrictions along the route, it is suggested that fans arrive early. “Don’t try to come at 5 o’clock and park”, Barry Kern said.