Saints had lots of problems last year that, imo, obfuscated the talent on the team. I think we'll be fine. Good enough for an 8-8 season at least, barring catastrophe (again).
And dont forget the new coach. This guy is gonna be a good one. If hes not it wont be because the team wasnt in shape and disciplined. Already fixing all of Haslett's mistakes.
And a little humor too.
Reggie had some stiffness in his groin at practice. Peyton says 'Hes been sitting in a limousine too long.' lol
It's all about intent. On a block or a tackle, hands to the face is part of an attempt to stop momentum at the point of contact. For a back, he is trying to get away from contact and not stop momentum, so the potential for injury is greatly reduced. You're never going to see a guy dragging a dude down the field with him by the face mask. It's all about spirit of the rule.
Oh and I think Deuce is done. No way he'll do anything this year with Bush on the team. I just watched a Reggie video and this kid is the next Barry Sanders.
I dunno that Bush'll be Barry Sanders. He's not as big as Barry was, so he'll a) not break tackles quite as well and b) wear down faster so he won't get as many carries as Barry.
Honestly, with the possible exception of Jim Brown (who I never have seen play, just going off what the old timers I know who DID see him play say), I think Barry Sanders is the greatest running back to ever play in the NFL. It's an absolute tragedy that the Lions wouldn't agree to move him, and he had to retire to get away from them. He wanted to keep playing, just NOT for the Lions.
Bush will be really good, maybe even Marshall Faulk good. But will he be LT good? And LT's not even up there with Barry...
Actually, Sanders was faster. His pro day workout in College, he was running late from an awards ceremony, got there, threw on a pair of sweats, stretched for just a minute or two, then went out and threw down a 4.37 40. Bush, in carefully prepared conditions & situation, had a 4.4.
Barry was actually pretty short, but he was built like a tank. Gah, you gotta wonder what his numbers would be if he'd played on a real team. Against the Lions, Defenses would put 9 men up in the box and STILL couldn't stop him.
I dunno if Barry really had bad hands or not, to be honest. The way the Lions offense was designed, they almost never used their RBs as pass catchers. I don't recall him as being at all bad at it when they DID throw him the ball, though. Who knows, you put him in the 49ers offense where Roger Craig got 1500 rushing & 1000 receiving, and Barry might've had 2000/1000. (Egad, can you imagine that team? Montana, Rice & Taylor at WR, Jones at TE & Sanders? /faint)
I don't doubt Bush will be good, or even great. I just don't know that he'll be as "Great" as even LT, much less Barry Sanders.