To a good friend... I’ve never met

.Sometimes a person makes an impression. We don’t know who it may be. It could be a teacher, a coach, a boss, bus driver or even the person working the counter at your deli or convenience store. Someone, for some reason you connect to and it seems like everything you learn from them is profound.

For some of us that person may be someone that we have never had the chance to meet. A musician, an actor, a writer or even a sports star. For me one of those people has been Drew Brees.

Growing up I was a Jets fan (I know, I know), and around the 1-15 season for the Jets, I started to root for the Saints too. I would always keep tabs on the Saints after that but it wasn’t until I was finally brought to the beautiful city of New Orleans that I learned the true wonder of being a Saints fan.

The city embraced the Saints and loved them win or lose (and at the time there was a lot of losing). The attitude, the music, the parties and of course the food (true gumbo is heaven sent). These were my sports people and I knew it. I was hooked.

Now for those older school Saints fans, I’m talking about the pre-Drew, Rickey Williams and his weed, Joe Horn using a hidden cell phone in the end zone and Aaron Brooks showing the league he could throw down field with Manning and Brady. I adopted them or maybe I should say they adopted me. You see, Saints fans welcome you…. They embrace you. They lead you to the party cause “Win or lose, Saints fans are gonna booze.”

I decided it was time to move down to New Orleans myself but I never got the chance… Katrina. The devastation that hit the area was and still is mind boggling. A city that was so inviting, that rejoiced at every chance they got and was the liveliest city I have ever seen was suddenly silent and in dire straits. The sanctuary that was used for celebrations on Sundays, was now a refuge and a shelter. I’ve never seen the Superdome like this. This event cause so much chaos. I wasn’t sure if anyone or anything could bring them back to normalcy.

The Saints were in a transition at the time too. A new coach and a new quarterback. The quarterback that was chosen was coming off one of the worst shoulder injury surgeries imaginable and was already being questioned about his performance before the surgery. What Saints fans were about to see was the start of one of the greatest coach/quarterback combos of all time.

Their first year they did something magical… they gave the city hope. The second year they did something that almost everyone thought was impossible… they made the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Champions. I was on Bourbon St. for the NFC championship game that year with my then girlfriend now wife. The entire games atmosphere was amazing. No one was on the streets, everyone was in a bar watching the game. When they won, the streets were as full as the busiest Mardi Gras day. The “Rebirth” of New Orleans was complete.

Drew and Sean were never able to recreate the success from that year. Bad defenses, Sean’s year suspension, the Minnesota Miracle (and mini miracle), the “No Call Pass Interference” (that was the worst) and last the Tom Brady experience. Through it all I was with them and Drew. His leadership was tremendous and the way he handled the team through the ups and downs was outstanding. Drew’s off the field charity work and dedication to New Orleans recovery was matched by none.

“If you love New Orleans, she’ll love you back” - Drew Brees

My admiration for him was complete when he broke the all-time passing yards record on a Monday Night Football game. I remember watching it like it was yesterday. After Drew broke the record and celebrated with his teammates on the field, he found his family on the sidelines. Hugging his kids he told them “I love you so much. You can accomplish anything in life if you’re willing to work for it. Nothing is given to you… everything’s earned.” After the game he was asked about that interaction with his family and he replied “It’s something that we say to the kids every night before bed.” Having 2 kids of my own, this hit home.

A great football player, a great leader, a great role model, a great man and now of course a great family man and father. WWDD (What Would Drew Do) would start to run through my mind in all situations. Trying to be even a little like him has always been an aspiration.

So this goes out to you Drew. Thank you for all you have done. Thank you for the championship. Thanks you for showing us how to act in defeat. Thank you for showing up and being a warrior these past few years. Thank you for being an amazing human and helping the city of New Orleans in its time of need. Finally, thank you for just being you. You may never know how much you mean to a lot of us but know that it’s a place in us that we will always cherish.

I selfishly never wanted you to stop playing until you got that second championship. You have always been the underdog. He’s too small, he can’t through the long ball anymore, or whatever garbage excuse they make up to convince themselves that you’re not as good as Manning, Brady, Rodgers or any of the others. But it was just that… garbage excuses. I always thought getting that second ring would have helped shut the naysayers up. They could then all see you for what you really are… a lot of peoples Hero.

Enjoy your retirement. I’ll be listening when you’re broadcasting on TV. If it ever get to meet you, after I stand there speechless for a little while, I am pre-apologizing for what may seem like an awkward hug to you. You see it may be an awkward to you but to me it would be like hugging a longtime friend. Who Dat!?!

Salary Cap Hell Is Not Loomis-ing

 

The off season may have started with that heart breaking loss to the TOMpa Bay Buc’s but the real off season work starts now that the superbowl is over. The New Orleans Saints are in “Salary cap hell” with the projected salary cap decreasing due to the Covid revenue reduction this season. The first prediction is that that Saints will be $109 Million dollars over the cap before free agency even starts. For most teams this would give their fans, players and front office nightmares…. but not the Saints.

You see the Saints have a secret weapon, their GM Mickey Loomis. He has been a wizard with the salary cap throughout the years, making salary cap changes so that the Saints had enough money to make the transactions need to in order to compete. The last few years have been all in for the Saints knowing that it’s the last few with Drew Brees. Now with Brees most likely to retire (although I personally wouldn’t be upset to see a healthy Drew give it one last year) there is a lot of question marks to see what the Saints do moving forward.

How in the world is Mickey Loomis going to reduce all that money without releasing the entire team you say? Just watch and learn from him this off season. I’m confident that not only will he reduce it but he will make room for pieces we do need. But just to put your mind at ease, here are some obvious and maybe not so obvious moves.

Drew Brees Salary Reduction: Drew has already showed his first sign of retirement. He has agreed to reduce his salary this year from $25 Million to the veteran minimum of $1.075. Meaning he basically has given back $23.925 million dollars of money the Saints were going to pay him for free. This is where it may get confusing for some but I will try and break this down. When you redo player’s contracts throughout their career you can push money you owe them down the line. So even with that reduction the Saints still owe Drew $22.65 Million. The loophole is if the Saints wait until after June 2^nd and put Drew on the leagues reserve/retired list they can split that money this year and next ($11.15 Million this year and $11.5 Million next year) Saving $35.075 Million this year.

Jared Cook: I don’t even want to start about this guy and my disgust. For anyone that for some reason is on the fence, here is your justification. The Saints drafted Adam Trautman and he has shined in the opportunities given to show he can catch and block at the TE position. Cheaper and in my opinion better option than Jared Cook. Saving $9.1 Million

Nick Easton: Nick has been a good piece helping out with any injury on the offensive line. But Nick has had a lot of injury’s (Concussions to be particular) over the last few years. His salary is too much to carry for an injury prone back up. Saving $6.5 Million

Kwon Alexander: Man I want this guy back. When the Saints traded for him from the 49ers it helped sure up that LB position but he gets hurt so often and his $13.4 Million to be justified. I reality hope they release and they resign him for something reasonable but releasing him is a must. Saving $13.4 Million

Janoris “Jack Rabbit” Jenkins: Jack Rabbit has been hit and miss for me but definitely does not warrant a $11.2 Million dollar salary. Even a release though does not free up his full salary because of guarantees. Saving $7 Million

Malcom Brown: not much to say here except $5 Million to save against the cap with his release when there are similar and younger players waiting to earn their spot. Saving $5 Million

Andrus Peat: Somehow this clown got a giant contract at the beginning of this year and I still don’t know how. I also have no idea how he makes the probowl every year. I honestly don’t think he’s that good. If the saints could can convince someone to take him I would do it in a heartbeat saving his entire salary. If not a restructure is needed converting a lot of his salary this year into a signing bonus. He can’t be released because his money is guaranteed through 2022. Saving $9 million

After all of these moves the Saints will still need to free up about $30 or so million more. This will have to be done with some restructures of current contracts (Cam Jordan, Michael Thomas, Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczk, Taysom Hill, etc) and possibly some unpopular releases of players (Emmanuel Sanders, Thomas Morstead, Latavius Murray). But where there is a will there is a way to get things done and in Loomis I trust.

UPDATE: since this was written, Jarad Cook, Josh Hill and Thomas Morstead have been released. As well as a restructure of Wil Lutz, David Oneyemata, Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis’s contract to free up some cap space

More than a punter

 The Saints have released their punter today.  Whats the big deal right. That happens all the time. He’s just a punter?!  But he’s so much more. 

For the past 12 years Thomas Morstead had been something special to Saints fans and New Orleans. It all started the magical year of the Saints Super Bowl run, when a then new Head coach asked a rookie punter who was handling kick offs to do the impossible.  Run “Ambush”. The onsides kick to start halftime of the Super Bowl. Morstead ran the play successfully. 30 football minutes and some NOLA magic later the Saints had their first Super Bowl. 

Ever since that day Thomas Morstead has done more and meant more to New Orleans.  Forget the fact he’s one of the greatest punters to play the game statistically.  But over the years he’s done what a lot of players haven’t been able to... he’s embraced and become New Orleans. 

From the parade antics in the French quarter to the “Business Trip” social media posts before games he’s been amazing. Embracing New Orleans. From fundraising to community work the man had been everywhere.  Becoming one of the faces of the Team and a captain for as long as I like to remember. 

He’s never not been there to help. Pretty much trained his replacement for next year. Helped the young “big nutz” Wil Lutz be one the best kickers in the league. Always seeming to be one of the most reliable weapons on the team. 

I understand this is a business but it sucks. And anyone else looking in is saying “he’s just a punter” but he isn’t.  He’s so much more.  Something non-Saints fans will never know. And that’s ok. Morstead was just for us Saints fans.  He is a special player and a special human.  Something we all got to experience for the past 12 years and I’m happy we did. 

Quick story... a few years ago I was tailgating at a preseason Jets/Saints game with my family and a friend. A car rolls up next to us and a couple get out of the car. They are wearing Thomas Morstead Jerseys. He was and still is my wife’s favorite player so I immediately point it out. I mean not only did a couple of Saints fans pull up next to us in New York, but they were fans of the punter!  We introduce ourselves and ask “you guys Morstead fans. We love Thomas Morstead!”  The woman says “oh we love him too.... he’s our son!”  In total disbelieve we say no way and she proceeds to pull out her id to show us she is in fact a Morstead and his mom. We hung out for a few minutes, shared season ticket info and some tailgate snacks and then they proceeded to leave for the gate. I never thought I would be star struck to meet someone’s parents. 

After the game Thomas came over to say hi to his parents and his kids (who were with them) and we happened to be a section over. 11 years in the league and I don’t know who was prouder, his parents of him of him of his parents and kids. 

I’m thankful for all you did. And grateful for the memories I have.  If you keep playing I hope you’re happy. If you decide to retire or when you decide to retire, I hope the team has a coaching spot ready for you. New Orleans is where you belong. We love you as much as you love us

Thomas Morstead ... all the feels. 

"I love this city and they've loved me back 100 times more."

- Thomas Morstead