The Saints underwent a demographic change during Sean Payton's first season as coach last year, starting a "daring" all-white linebacking corps (the "Snow Patrol") and otherwise moving away from the virtually all-black teams of Jim Haslet. Now in his second season, it's clear that while Payton remains a refreshing change from Haslet, the Saints are still only a slightly above average team from the perspective of white players.
Payton leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to offense. Although the signing of Drew Brees after the '05 season when everyone else was swooning over Daunte Culpepper was a great move, Payton summarily waived Biletnikoff Award winner Mike Hass in training camp last year, along with Chase Lyman (another amazing talent at WR), and Chris Horn. This summer it was Aaron Hosack, a 6'5" receiver with great hands, route-running ability, good speed for his size, and intelligence. If only he was black and had hands of stone, he'd be starting.
The offensive line continues to adhere to the mostly blacks-only tradition started by Haslet. RT Big Jon Stinchcomb out of Georgia is the only white starter. Rookie Andy Alleman (Akron) and second year man Zach Strief are backups.
Eric Johnson, oft-injured but a major receiving talent, is the new starter at tight end. Mark Campbell and John Owens are backup TEs.
Mike Karney is the bulldozing fullback. The Saints still use the FB regularly though Karney rarely touches the ball (11 rushes and 15 receptions in '06).
Brees, given up on by the Chargers and all the "experts" and assumed to be a lame duck during Philip Rivers' rookie season, instead blossomed into one of the elite quarterbacks. Last year he threw for an NFL best 4,418 yards with 26 TD passes and just 11 interceptions. He has keen intelligence, a very accurate arm and topnotch leadership qualities. Brees at worst is just a slight bit behind the Big Three of Manning, Brady and Palmer, but if he has another good year in 2007 the Big Three will be a Big Four.
13-year veteran Jamie Martin is the only other QB on the Saints roster.
On defense the Saints have some good white players, though a few talented young white players were purged during preseason.
Though it was widely thought that speedy MLB Mark Simoneau was going to lose his starting job to Brian Simmons, Simoneau won the battle and the "Snow Patrol" returns intact for another season.
SLB Scott Fujita (a white man adopted and raised by Asian parents) is one of the most under-rated linebackers in the league. The Cal graduate knows how to diagnose plays and get to the ball carrier and in his sixth season is still improving.
WLB Scott Shanle had 98 tackles in his first year as a starter in '06 after joining New Orleans from Dallas.
Tackle Brian Young is the fourth white defensive starter. Young is consistently productive, like so many white defensive players, which is what you want out of football players, but it's the player who can make a highlight reel flashy play but who is inconsistent and often has poor fundamentals who gets the media recognition and adulation.
SS Kevin Kaesviharn was signed as a free agent during the offseason. All Kaesviharn has done is be very productive when he played for the Bengals at both cornerback and safety. Kaesviharn, who is half white and half Asian, should be a starter and hopefully will officially become one as the 2007 season wears on because he's better than Josh Bullocks, currently ahead of him on the depth chart.
Backup LB Troy Evans is the only other white defensive player on the roster.
NUMBER OF WHITE STARTERS: 8
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF WHITE PLAYERS ON 53 MAN ROSTER: 17
GRADE: D
Payton leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to offense. Although the signing of Drew Brees after the '05 season when everyone else was swooning over Daunte Culpepper was a great move, Payton summarily waived Biletnikoff Award winner Mike Hass in training camp last year, along with Chase Lyman (another amazing talent at WR), and Chris Horn. This summer it was Aaron Hosack, a 6'5" receiver with great hands, route-running ability, good speed for his size, and intelligence. If only he was black and had hands of stone, he'd be starting.
The offensive line continues to adhere to the mostly blacks-only tradition started by Haslet. RT Big Jon Stinchcomb out of Georgia is the only white starter. Rookie Andy Alleman (Akron) and second year man Zach Strief are backups.
Eric Johnson, oft-injured but a major receiving talent, is the new starter at tight end. Mark Campbell and John Owens are backup TEs.
Mike Karney is the bulldozing fullback. The Saints still use the FB regularly though Karney rarely touches the ball (11 rushes and 15 receptions in '06).
Brees, given up on by the Chargers and all the "experts" and assumed to be a lame duck during Philip Rivers' rookie season, instead blossomed into one of the elite quarterbacks. Last year he threw for an NFL best 4,418 yards with 26 TD passes and just 11 interceptions. He has keen intelligence, a very accurate arm and topnotch leadership qualities. Brees at worst is just a slight bit behind the Big Three of Manning, Brady and Palmer, but if he has another good year in 2007 the Big Three will be a Big Four.
13-year veteran Jamie Martin is the only other QB on the Saints roster.
On defense the Saints have some good white players, though a few talented young white players were purged during preseason.
Though it was widely thought that speedy MLB Mark Simoneau was going to lose his starting job to Brian Simmons, Simoneau won the battle and the "Snow Patrol" returns intact for another season.
SLB Scott Fujita (a white man adopted and raised by Asian parents) is one of the most under-rated linebackers in the league. The Cal graduate knows how to diagnose plays and get to the ball carrier and in his sixth season is still improving.
WLB Scott Shanle had 98 tackles in his first year as a starter in '06 after joining New Orleans from Dallas.
Tackle Brian Young is the fourth white defensive starter. Young is consistently productive, like so many white defensive players, which is what you want out of football players, but it's the player who can make a highlight reel flashy play but who is inconsistent and often has poor fundamentals who gets the media recognition and adulation.
SS Kevin Kaesviharn was signed as a free agent during the offseason. All Kaesviharn has done is be very productive when he played for the Bengals at both cornerback and safety. Kaesviharn, who is half white and half Asian, should be a starter and hopefully will officially become one as the 2007 season wears on because he's better than Josh Bullocks, currently ahead of him on the depth chart.
Backup LB Troy Evans is the only other white defensive player on the roster.
NUMBER OF WHITE STARTERS: 8
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF WHITE PLAYERS ON 53 MAN ROSTER: 17
GRADE: D
