Saints Move to 3-0 With Emotional Return to Superdome

I mean did the Falcons ever have a chance? With Monday Night Football making it's way to New Orleans Monday night, the Superdome got it's first taste of football since December 2004 due to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The people of Louisiana and Mississippi had been waiting for this game for a long time, and it showed just from the sheer electricity from start to finish. After a emotionally stimulating national anthem, the Saints ran onto the field to one of the loudest ovations I have ever heard at a regular season sporting event ANYWHERE. It was like a Super Bowl. Then on the Falcons first possession, Steve Gleason set the tone with a blocked punt that was recovered in the endzone by Curtis DeLoatch for a Saints TD. Pandemonium followed and it was just getting started. After holding the Falcons to a field goal, the Saints pulled off a little trickeration running a double reverse using Reggie Bush as a decoy and then finishing with a great block by Drew Brees and a former LSU Tiger Devery Henderson touchdown. The half was closed out by an impressive 51 yard field goal by Saints' kicker John Carney. The second half featured just two field goals, but was a continuation of the defensive domination of the Saints which saw the Falcons' NFL leading rushing attack held to just 112 yard on the ground. The Saints also blocked a field goal attempt along with adding to a sack total of Michael Vick which saw him thrown to the ground 5 times. The Saints front 7 kept pressure on Vick all night with Scott Fujita shadowing Vick most of the night, only allowing him to get free once. The secondary also played suprisingly well with Fred Thomas breaking up every pass that came his way, with the Falcons' lone long completion coming in the first half because Mike McKenzie can't cover me. I think this gave the Saints the opportunity to show the whole country on a national stage that this is a new team that has made vast improvements and is a team that is serious about winning and serious about winning championships, yes I said it, CHAMPIONSHIPS. I haven't seen a Saints team play with this much enthusiasm, energy, and heart since the Dome Patrol of 1991, and I must say, I am very excited about some Saints football. However, the road doesn't get easier. The Saints travel to Carolina to face the Panthers next week. Then, three home games that will begin their gauntlet run through the NFC.

The Unwritten Rule....

Ok with all of the controversy around this rule lately, let's set the record straight.

An individual may only be a fan of a college team if one of the following is the case:

• They are a current student
  
• They are an alumni, however, undergraduate alumni takes precedence over graduate alumni in the event of the two meeting in a game
  
• They are on faculty/staff at the current institution, however, the school with the longest tenure has seniority should the two schools meet in a game
  
• Their parents are alumni
• Their kids are students/alumni
• They live in that city and did not attend another school
• They live in the area and hate the in state rival

Anyone claiming to be a "fan" of a school that does not meet these requirements will be classified as a "bandwagon" or "fairweather" fan.

In case of any confusion, the following are not valid reasons to change teams:

• You move to an area that has a team that is better than your current team
• Your team is hit with NCAA violations
• The old coach of your team changes teams
• Your company gives you free tickets

Changing teams is only permissible under the following circumstances:

• You didn't go to college and your child changes schools
• You are faculty/staff and you have a tenure longer at another institution
• Your team drops from D-1 to anything below D-1-AA or from D-2 to D-3
  

After hearing 5-Jay talk about how his dad's college buddy in Florida pulled for the Florida Gators against Southern Miss, he immediately became guilty of being a "bandwagon" fan- this will set him straight.

Terrell Owens- Biggest Waste Ever?

Ok I'm not gonna spend alot of time on this, because I don't want him to have the spotlight- not even here. But with the disputed attempted suicide of Terrell Owens being reported as a "medical reaction to painkillers" by Owens, and the subsequent frustration of Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells. You have to think THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE! I mean seriously, how big of an idiot does a team have to be to give this guy a chance? All he has ever done is take attention away from the team. Granted, he is a freakish athlete who is one of the most talented players ever to play in the NFL. However, how many times has he used his talent for GOOD? How positive things have you heard about Terrell Owens off the field? Have you seen a Terrell Owens story that actually has a happy ending? Let me just say that along with maybe Maurice Clarrett, T.O. might be the most hideous display of sadness and tragedy in the history of sports.

Saints Move to 2-0 with Second Win Ever At Lambeau Field

Well folks heading into next week's Monday Night Football home opener against arch rival Atlanta Falcons, the Saints are 2-0 with two impressive road wins, this one even more impressive than the last. Being 1-8 all time at Lambeau Field, many people didn't like the Saints chances against the Green Bay Packers despite the Packers horrible start in week 1 against the Chicago Bears. Down 13-0 after the first quarter, the Saints were on their heels after the Packers forced turnovers on the first three Saints' possessions. However, the Saints quickly regained the momentum and took a 14-0 lead into the half after a Devery Henderson TD. The 3rd quarter began with a long Packers drive, but Omar Stoutmire picked off Brett Favre in the endzone in what proved to be the turning point of the game. The Saints would then take a 34-20 lead in the 4th quarter and go on to win 34-27. Drew Brees finished 26 of 41 for 353 yards and TD passes to both Marques Colston and Devery Henderson. Deuce McAllister scored the other two Saints TDs. The Saints offense also received big games from Reggie Bush and Joe Horn. This win not only put hope and excitement in the fans in New Orleans hearts for the return to the dome, but it showed that this team has both heart and character by coming back from a deficit in the 2nd quarter and clawing back and fighting for the win. I haven't seen a Saints team play with this much heart since the "Dome Patrol" teams of the early 90's, and it is really refreshing to see a true leader at QB instead of the quitter Aaron Brooks. I also think that Drew Brees' shoulder is perfectly ok now that he's shown off more of a vertical passing game as well as the west coast style short attack in the air attack. The defense (of course except for Mike McKenzie) also held a talented offense in check and forced two CRITICAL turnovers and wound up making big plays that set up the offense to win. For some reason, I'm getting more and more excited about this season.

Random Movie Review #5- "Swingers"

Guys, go see this movie....NOW! This movie snuck it's way into my VCR for what was too long of a hiatus this past week, and even after several hundred viewings, this movie remains at the top of my list. This movie, which stars Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston, Alex Desert, and Heather Graham in her first role ever, was a low budget film written and directed by Favreau in 1996 and has turned into one of the greatest movies ever made. The plot revolves around Mike Peters (Favreau), a struggling comedian/actor from Brooklyn trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood. He's left behind a woman in New York and they haven't spoken for six months. Determined to make his buddy "get a nightlife" and get over his sadness for this girl that is holding him down, his buddy Trent (Vaughn) tries everything to show Mike a good time. Including taking an impromptu road trip to Las Vegas, a party at modeling agency in Beverly Hills, the world famous Dresden, and the Green Derby. Throughout these great adventures and intense SEGA hockey games that take place, Mike not only becomes a better person and friend, but he becomes truly MONEY. However, the main thing this movie is famous for are the several quotes that make it so hysterically funny. Some of these quotes are:

• "You're so money and you don't even know it!". This is the first time that the word "money" was used as a adjective, and therefore started a trend.
  
• "You're just a bear- with claws, and fangs, and big f---king teeth!". This was Trent and Sue's hilarious way to explain to Mike how to talk to women by using the analogy of the man being the bear and the woman being the helpless bunny.
• "Our little baby's all grown up tonight!". A drunken tirade by Vaughn after Mike finally decides that he has his situation "under control".
• "That's fine- I'm an asshole but you're the big winner, you're the big winner in more ways than one." Vaughn explaining to Mike that the whole point is to have a good time eventhough he lost $180 in a Las Vegas casino.
• "It's not so much me as it is Roenick, he's good." This quote, which can occasionally be heard on Sportscenter NHL highlights, was said by Vaughn during the famous "hockey scene" where he uses then Chicago Blackhawk Jeremy Roenick to score several goals on Sue. This scene also featured the funny "against the computer with the offsides off" line.
  
• "Like f---king house of pain was gonna do anything!". Another Vaughn sarcastic line about the parking lot gun scene.
• "It's kinda like not talking to your pitcher in the middle of a no hitter." Rob (Livingston) talking about how he didn't wanna jinx Mike once again talking about his aching heart and his ex girlfriend after not talking about her all day.

Well, I would need a whole website dedicated to this movie to truly capture all the great quotes from this TRUE guy movie. It's also fun to try to find the aforementioned editing mistakes that occur at different points in the movie. This might be Favreau's only sign of being a rookie director. It's also funny to see Favreau's mother in a scene in the casino. I'd have to say though that besides the rewatchability and constant humor of this movie that the best thing about it is that you ALWAYS catch something different and take something different away from this movie. Yeah, it's that good. So, if you want a movie that not only has great acting, great dialogue, a great plot, great comedy, and a great message, check out "Swingers" and I PROMISE you'll thank me, and you'll be money baby, money.

Saints Look Impressive in Week 1 Win

Holy shit! The Saints are undefeated! However, let me add the following observations from Sunday's big win:

1- Reggie Bush, who finished with 141 total yards, will be a SPECIAL player. While he had the usual rookie mistakes misfielding a punt and tip toeing a little bit too much, he was diving for first downs, and seemed to adjust well to the new offense and ran really good routes. However, his lack of toughness showed and will take time to develop with his inability to get in the endzone. This almost cost the Saints the game.

2- Deuce McAllister is fully recovered from his knee surgery. The Saints might have the best 1-2 punch at running back in the NFC, followed by Atlanta with Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood. The combo of both of the players is unlike anything I've ever seen.

3- The O-line is starting to gel. After looking DREADFUL against Dallas in the preseason, the Saints did not allow a sack against a decent Cleveland front 7.

4- Drew Brees will cut down on the mistakes from last year. After watching Brees in week 1, you saw him in situations that Brooks used to find himself in and commit a turnover. Brees either would throw the ball away or would MAKE A PLAY, which is what the Saints have been needing and lacking for quite some time.

5- The Saints have an underrated front 7. With the linebacker combo of Simoneau, Fujita, and Shanle giving the Saints a new look to complement Young, Whitehead, Grant, and Smith up front, the Saints D in general played harder and with more heart than I've seen since the dome patrol.

6- Mike McKenzie sucks. His mistakes costs the Saints both TDs.

7- John Carney and the special teams showed NO sign of rust and are a VERY veteran and experienced group, even with the rookies covering kicks. With the exception of Cleveland nearly breaking one punt, the special teams outplayed the Browns.

8- Saints head coach Sean Payton used the preseason for development rather than winning games- you can tell he learned this from Bill Parcells- great move on his part.

Well folks, that's all I got for now. Tune in Sunday at noon when the Saints travel to Lambeau Field to take on the struggling Green Bay Packers. Hopefully the Saints can atone for last year's 52-3 embarassment at the hands of the Packers.

Saints Trade Donte' Stallworth to Eagles for Mark Simoneau

After a lackluster pre-season, the Saints gave up on #83. Needing help at linebacker and impressed by newcomer from Hofstra Marques Colston, the Saints dealt Donte' Stallworth to the Philadelphia Eagles for veteran linebacker Mark Simoneau. Though the trade raised many questions about Mickey Loomis controlling player personnel for the Saints, the trade has so far been mutually beneficial. While Stallworth is now Donovan McNabb's #1 receiver, Mark Simoneau had a very impressive Saints debut in week 1 vs. Cleveland stopping Reuben Droughns on a key 3rd and short in the 4th quarter. Simoneau not only brings a talented tackler to the Saints front 7 with Scott Fujita, he also brings veteran leadership, speed, and a mental sharpness that has missed from prior Saints linebackers. Being one of the more controversial moves the Saints have made in recent years, generalpigott.com will continue this developing story in an attempt to bring you the best coverage possible.

Braves End 15 Year Division Title Reign

Well every streak has to eventually come to an end. The New York Mets with last night's win have all but sewn up the NL East and will be the first team NOT named the Atlanta Braves to win the division while being in the Braves since 1990. To put that in perspective- I was in SECOND GRADE. I put the Braves streak up there with the St. Louis Blues' 26 straight playoff appearances, because it's really that amazing. Several key losses including Rafael Furcal, Tom Glavine, Javier Lopez, Gary Sheffield, and Mike Hampton and pitching coach Leo Mazzone along with injuries to Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones were what help do the Braves in. However, the Braves actually put up a fight for the wild card this season, just now falling out of contention late in the season. Several questions arise now: 1- Does Bobby Cox remain manager for another season? 2- Do the Braves try to trade Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, and John Smoltz in the offseason in order to free up money to rebuild and then rebuild the team around Edgar Renteria, Jeff Francouer, and Brian McCann? 3- Was the signing of Tim Hudson a mistake when other starters were on the market? Hudson has had a great career, but has struggled in Atlanta, which is unusual for an American League player coming over to the National League. The main question mark around the Braves incredible post season streak is the fact that they came away with just one championship in 1995. I think the answer to this is simple- for the most part, the Braves were NEVER the best team in the postseason, including '95. The Indians were the team to beat all year, but the Braves beat them in the World Series. The dominance of the Yankees, and the sudden rising of the Marlins (twice) and Diamondbacks were also killers. However, I must say that I enjoyed the 15 year run of the Braves, as it made for some unbelievable memories. Including the Sid Bream game and the controversial World Series against Toronto that followed. The Dave Justice homerun to win the '95 series. The '99 game 4 with the Astros and again the '05 game four which turned out to be the longest game in postseason history. I tip my hat to ya, Braves, thanks for the memories.

Sorry

Had alot of shit going on