For many years even after the NFL was thoroughly integrated, linebacker remained a mostly white position, the last one on defense to go permanently black under the NFL's rigid Caste System of affirmative action and racial set asides. So when all three of the Saints' starting linebackers in 2007 were white it created quite a stir.
Well, the "Snow Patrol" is no more as MLB Mark Simoneau is on injured reserve and was going to lose his starting job to Jonathan Vilma anyway. The two holdovers still starting are Scott Fujita, a white man adopted and raised by an Asian family who has 238 tackles and 6.5 sacks over the past two seasons; and Scott Shanle, the speedy former Cowboy who had a solid total of 96 tackles in 2007.
Kevin Kaesviharn has started 48 games at safety and cornerback with the Bengals and Saints while being a backup in 55 others. He begins '08 as the starting free safety. Kaesviharn, who is half-white and half-Thai, is a big-play specialist who also always gets lots of tackles. He should have been a starter his entire career.
Second year safety Chris Reis out of Georgia Tech has been used thus far almost exclusively as a White Special Teams Demon.
Outside linebacker Troy Evans, the former Houston Texan, is also used mostly on special teams.
Ninth year tackle Brian Young out of UTEP was a starter for several years before being demoted this year behind the legendary Kendrick Clancey, who has but 126 total tackles in 8 NFL seasons; Young has over 500 tackles over the same time period.
End Josh Savage has been waived by four different NFL teams over a three year period, including the Saints, and like Evans and Reis is used mainly on special teams.
On offense, starting quarterback Drew Brees has been little short of masterful since being almost universally written off as a bust following his first two seasons with poor teams in San Diego. Brees completely turned things around beginning in 2004 and since then has been money in the bank, including throwing for over 4,400 yards in each of his first two seasons with the Saints. Brees has a potent combination of intelligence and the ability to read defenses, a very accurate arm, and superb touch.
Lefty Mark Brunell, now in his 16th season, is Brees' backup and the only other QB on the team.
RT Jon Stinchcomb is the only white starter on an otherwise all-sumo line. Zach Strief and Matt Lehr are backups.
Jeremy Shockey is the new starting tight end after being traded from the Giants. Shockey gets banged up a lot but plays hurt and can be counted on for 60+ catches and over 700 yards receiving in an average season.
Mark Campbell is a backup TE.
Mike Karney is the starting fullback for the fifth consecutive season. In his first four years, Karney ran for a total of 69 yards. He could at least be used as a power runner near the goal line on a team that lacks a big back, but that is verboten thinking in the NFL.
NUMBER OF WHITE STARTERS: 7
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF WHITE PLAYERS ON 53 MAN ROSTER: 17
GRADE: D-
Well, the "Snow Patrol" is no more as MLB Mark Simoneau is on injured reserve and was going to lose his starting job to Jonathan Vilma anyway. The two holdovers still starting are Scott Fujita, a white man adopted and raised by an Asian family who has 238 tackles and 6.5 sacks over the past two seasons; and Scott Shanle, the speedy former Cowboy who had a solid total of 96 tackles in 2007.
Kevin Kaesviharn has started 48 games at safety and cornerback with the Bengals and Saints while being a backup in 55 others. He begins '08 as the starting free safety. Kaesviharn, who is half-white and half-Thai, is a big-play specialist who also always gets lots of tackles. He should have been a starter his entire career.
Second year safety Chris Reis out of Georgia Tech has been used thus far almost exclusively as a White Special Teams Demon.
Outside linebacker Troy Evans, the former Houston Texan, is also used mostly on special teams.
Ninth year tackle Brian Young out of UTEP was a starter for several years before being demoted this year behind the legendary Kendrick Clancey, who has but 126 total tackles in 8 NFL seasons; Young has over 500 tackles over the same time period.
End Josh Savage has been waived by four different NFL teams over a three year period, including the Saints, and like Evans and Reis is used mainly on special teams.
On offense, starting quarterback Drew Brees has been little short of masterful since being almost universally written off as a bust following his first two seasons with poor teams in San Diego. Brees completely turned things around beginning in 2004 and since then has been money in the bank, including throwing for over 4,400 yards in each of his first two seasons with the Saints. Brees has a potent combination of intelligence and the ability to read defenses, a very accurate arm, and superb touch.
Lefty Mark Brunell, now in his 16th season, is Brees' backup and the only other QB on the team.
RT Jon Stinchcomb is the only white starter on an otherwise all-sumo line. Zach Strief and Matt Lehr are backups.
Jeremy Shockey is the new starting tight end after being traded from the Giants. Shockey gets banged up a lot but plays hurt and can be counted on for 60+ catches and over 700 yards receiving in an average season.
Mark Campbell is a backup TE.
Mike Karney is the starting fullback for the fifth consecutive season. In his first four years, Karney ran for a total of 69 yards. He could at least be used as a power runner near the goal line on a team that lacks a big back, but that is verboten thinking in the NFL.
NUMBER OF WHITE STARTERS: 7
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF WHITE PLAYERS ON 53 MAN ROSTER: 17
GRADE: D-
