NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FAN ZONE

Saints Football News, Schedule, Pictures and Players

Quarterback Drew Brees just rifled a 17-yard scoring strike to Devery Henderson to give the New Orleans Saints a 7-0 lead against the Minnesota Vikings on the first drive of the game.

Less than four minutes into the game, the Saints have the lead and the crowd is goin' nuts. The score inspired a deafening chorus of "Who Dat" chants.

Customary for the national Monday night stage, a star-studded cast has assembled in the Superdome for the big game and the atmosphere is absolutely electric inside the stadium.

Hornets star Chris Paul is in attendance and was honored by the Saints during pregame festivities for his Olympic gold medal. The sellout crowd gave him a standing ovation.

David Gladow / NOLA.comSaints and Vikings fans congregate prior to the game at the Superdome.

The New Orleans Saints have a heck of a test in front of them tonight against the Minnesota Vikings. Can the Saints slow down the Vikings rushing attack? Can New Orleans' revamped defense continue its improvement? And how will the Saints offense attack what is widely considered one of the better defenses in the NFL?

We'll hope to provide some of the answers here tonight in our live game chat. Sound off with your thoughts on the Saints' play, the crowd noise, or the broadcast itself. All discussion pertaining to the game is welcome.

So buckle in and enjoy!

The Saints' inactive players for Monday's game against the Minnesota Vikings: receiver Marques Colston, cornerback Aaron Glenn, fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin, safety Chris Reis, tackle Jermon Bushrod, receiver David Patten, tight end Jeremy Shockey and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.

The Saints also waived defensive end Josh Savage and quarterback Joey Harrington, and they signed defensive tackle Remi Ayodele and tight end Buck Ortega to the active roster.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneCan Deuce McAllister and the Saints look as good tonight as they did last week?

OK, let's talk New Orleans Saints as the team takes on the Minnesota Vikings for Monday Night Football.

Mike Triplett and Teddy Kider, Saints beat reporters for The Times-Picayune, will be with you before the game, beginning around 6:30 p.m.

David Gladow of nola.com will be with you during the game.

Because this is a night game, we won't have the postgame chat with Saints Insider Jeff Duncan this week.

We'll start taking your Saints questions around 6:15 p.m.

AP Photo / Tony GutierrezThe Bengals took another stiffarm to the face against Dallas.

With the New Orleans Saints set to play on Monday Night Football this weekend offered local fans the opportunity to see some other teams from around the league. In the cases of Washington and New York (among others), we saw good teams. In the case of Cincinnati, we saw a team that could stand to be detonated by a nuclear strike.

But there was plenty in between those two extremes (including more drama in the NFC South).

Here's a look at how everyone in the NFL fared in Week 5.

David Grunfeld / Times-PicayuneSaints CB Tracy Porter and Safety Roman Harper celebrate

Although most teams strive for balance, the Vikings are more concerned with knocking teams off balance. Last season they led the NFL in rushing, and they've led the league in rushing defense the past two seasons.

Win or lose tonight, the Saints can count on one thing -- they'll be feeling it Tuesday morning.

The visiting Minnesota Vikings have earned a reputation as one of the NFL's most physical teams, built with imposing offensive and defensive lines.

"You can definitely wear the big shoulder pads this week. That's the type of game it's going to be," said Saints tailback Deuce McAllister, a big-shoulder-pad kind of runner who returned to the lineup last week, just in time for such a battle.

COACHES

Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings - 15-21 overall, 1-3 this season - 2006-present
Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints - 20-18 overall, 2-2 this season - 2006-present

KEEP AN EYE ON

Deuce McAllister: In one week, McAllister has gone from a key presence on the bench to perhaps the key presence in the Saints' game plan. Last week's performance from the 29-year-old running back was about emotion - returning from knee surgeries, getting announced during player introductions, carrying players on his back for extra yards. This week will be about showing he is the most consistent inside runner the Saints have, a hint of which he displayed against the San Francisco 49ers. The Minnesota Vikings and their physical defensive front rank third in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game, at 71.8. McAllister says has felt healthy since he carried the ball 20 times for 73 yards and a touchdown last week. If he can pose a threat running inside against the Vikings, the Saints' offense could have another opportunity to amass many yards.

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneSean Payton is one of only two coaches hired in 2006 that has a winning record since then.

When Sean Payton was hired as coach of the Saints before the 2006 season, almost one-third of the NFL was making a dramatic change. Payton was one of 10 head coaches hired for that season, and he was one of seven without NFL head coaching experience.

Today, eight of those coaches remain with their teams, and so far Payton has been one of the rare success stories from that class.

In 2 1/4 seasons, plus playoff appearances, the 10 coaches have combined for a 144-200 record, 12-22 this season. Payton and Green Bay Coach Mike McCarthy, a former offensive coordinator for the Saints, are the only coaches in the group with records better than .500.

Brett Duke / The Times-PicayuneDrew Brees, who leads the NFC in passes, completions, percentage, yards, average gain and passer rating, was selected NFC Offensive Player of the Month on Thursday.

New Orleans Saints beat reporter Mike Triplett gets you ready for the Saints game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.

Dr. James Andrews was thousands of feet above the Superdome in mid-flight to Irving, Texas, when Deuce McAllister enjoyed his breakout performance against San Francisco on Sunday. The renowned orthopedic surgeon didn't see the Saints running back deliver an unforgettable three-hour testimonial to Andrews' skill with a scalpel.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneWhen will Marques Colston returns is one of the main topics on the minds of Saints fans.

Every Wednesday and Friday on Nola.com, questions from Saints fans are answered as part of a weekly mailbag.

Today's mailbag includes some of the following topics: the impact of the injury to Sedrick Ellis, how I see the defense looking the rest of the season and updates on the injuries to Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey and Hollis Thomas.

On to the Q&A:

Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneThe Hornets are gearing up for their preseason opener.

With so much going on in the New Orleans sports community, it's easy to lose sight of things.

That's where NOLA.com comes in. David Gladow offers a weekend preview of sorts every Friday at 1 p.m. in the form of a live chat with the New Orleans community.

Want to talk about the Hornets' offseason moves or the upcoming Saints game? Want to vent your frustrations over Tulane or LSU? This is your time to sound off. Send in your questions and comments, and Dave will touch on your hot topics every week.

AP Photo / NeibergallWill Ryan Grant finally turn things around in Week 5?

Will Ryan Grant finally get his season going against the Falcons?

Will Bobby Engram and Deion Branch be effective Fantasy options in their first week back from injury?

Can Ronnie Brown even get close to his Week 3 output after Miami's bye week?

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneSaints defensive lineman Sedrick Ellis is the latest in a season of devastating injuries for the team.

Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis had arthroscopic surgery Friday on a medial meniscus tear in his right knee and is expected to miss the next two to four weeks of play, according to Coach Sean Payton.

Ellis, a rookie from Southern California selected by the Saints with the No. 7 pick in the 2008 draft, has started every game this season.

Humble as usual, Saints quarterback Drew Brees shared recognition Thursday as NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September with teammates.

"It's a big honor, because you look, there's quite a few guys with some pretty big numbers and some teams that are doing pretty well, " Brees said. "That's certainly an honor but definitely something that's about the team, not necessarily one guy, but what we've been able to accomplish as an offense."

The Vikings spent the better part of September beating themselves.

They blew opportunities in the fourth quarter of close games, turned the ball over too many times, dropped some passes, started over with a new quarterback and struggled on special teams en route to a 1-3 start.

Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis left practice Thursday to have his right knee examined after feeling it "kind of click on him" during individual drills, Coach Sean Payton said.

AP Photo / RoemerWill Aaron Rodgers and his injured shoulder be worth starting in Week 5?

If you have questions like these, then join me for our live, weekly Fantasy Football chat at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 2nd.

I will be around for an hour or so to answer all of your start 'em, sit 'em, injury and tactical questions for Week 5 and beyond, so hope to see you back here.

An extra helping of Saints nuggets before the Monday night showdown against Minnesota:

First (take) ....

The Saints' 2-2 start isn't looking so bad these days.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneDeuce McAllister and the Saints looked good against San Francisco last week.

OK, New Orleans Saints fans, do you think waiting one more day for you team to play will be agony?

Will you take off work early on Monday so you can get in tailgating mode?

Then you need to come chat with Times-Picayune beat reporter Mike Triplett about the Saints big win against San Francisco last week and the upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings next Monday.

Mike will join you at 12:30 today. It will be a quick chat, he's leaving around 1, so get in your questions early.

The Saints' offense was penalized more than 5 yards for committing a false start during practice Wednesday.

Coach Sean Payton stopped practice, and the offensive players, with quarterback Drew Brees leading the way, ran a lap around the field.

The Saints' offense was penalized more than 5 yards for committing a false start during practice Wednesday.

Coach Sean Payton stopped practice, and the offensive players, with quarterback Drew Brees leading the way, ran a lap around the field.

The Saints' offense was penalized more than 5 yards for committing a false start during practice Wednesday.

Coach Sean Payton stopped practice, and the offensive players, with quarterback Drew Brees leading the way, ran a lap around the field.

The Saints' offense was penalized more than 5 yards for committing a false start during practice Wednesday.

Coach Sean Payton stopped practice, and the offensive players, with quarterback Drew Brees leading the way, ran a lap around the field.

With an extra day to prepare for Monday night's game against Minnesota, the Saints took it easy with a lot of their banged-up players during an abbreviated Wednesday practice. But the health outlook is definitely improving.

Fullback Mike Karney returned from his ankle injury on a limited basis. Also limited were fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin (shoulder), center Jonathan Goodwin (hamstring), tight end Mark Campbell (hamstring), receiver Terrance Copper (hamstring), tailback Aaron Stecker (hamstring), cornerback Randall Gay (hamstring) and linebacker Troy Evans (ankle).

AP Photo / SakumaSteven Jackson made his Fantasy owners smile in Week 4 with 188 total yards.

NOTE: DON'T FORGET OUR LIVE FANTASY CHAT ON THURSDAYS AT 1 P.M. CT!

Look, I'm not perfect, OK!

Yeah, I could say start Drew Brees or Peyton Manning or LaDainian Tomlinson every week, but that would be just stealing money from this web site!

Now that they're getting healthier and getting some wiggle room back on their roster, the Saints have re-signed quarterback Joey Harrington.

To make room, the waived tight end Buck Ortega on Monday and re-signed Ortega to the practice squad on Wednesday.

TOP 12

Take a bow, NFC East. All four teams are currently ranked in the top 10 of The T-P's weekly power rankings. The Giants moved into the top spot without breaking a sweat, enjoying an open week after opening 3-0. With a narrow 26-24 victory against the previously top-ranked and undefeated Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium, the Washington Redskins leaped 10 spots to No. 5. The Cowboys fell to No. 4, and the Eagles dropped from No. 5 to No. 9 after losing at Chicago.

David Grunfeld/The Times-PicayuneReggie Bush, 25, and Lance Moore celebrate a Moore touchdown against San Francisco Sunday.

Every Wednesday and Friday on Nola.com, questions from Saints fans are answered as part of a weekly mailbag.

Today's mailbag includes some of the following topics: the anticipated logjam at wide receiver, the run defense, the future roles of Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, and yes, the 2009 NFL Draft.

If you don't see your answer in today's installment check back on Friday. I've still got a slew of other questions to answer then.

And if you've got more questions, send them to me at jduncan@timespicayune.com and I'll try to get them answered on Friday, as well.

David Grunfeld/The Times-PicayuneDeuce McAllister had a huge game against the 49ers.

Finally had time to review the replay of the Saints' 31-17 win against San Francisco.

First and foremost, this was a really good matchup for the Saints and it couldn't have come at a better time considering the team's extensive injury list.

The 49ers aren't particularly strong on either line and the Saints played aggressively on both sides of the ball and really took it to the 49ers up front. That won't be the case on Monday night when the Minnesota Vikings come to town.

On offense, San Francisco lacks a really dominant receiver so the Saints weren't afraid to play a lot of single coverage on the back end and attack the quarterback. On defense, the 49ers don't stop the run very well, thus the increased workload for Deuce McAllister.

All in all, an excellent game plan by the Saints coaching staff and once again another stellar effort by quarterback Drew Brees, who benefited from some excellent pass protection.

Let's go to the game tape:

Now that the Deuce McAllister question has been mercifully answered, what's on your mind?

Send your Saints questions for this week's Saints Insider mailbag to jduncan@timespicayune.com. Answers will appear in Wednesday and Friday mailbags on http://blog.nola.com/jeffduncan/

Brett Duke/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Saints' (#26) Deuce McAllister makes his way onto the field as the teams prepares to take on San Francisco

The Superdome was filled with Deuce McAllister fans Sunday, tens of thousands of them roaring after every carry and chanting his name.

His biggest supporter, though, might have been the guy jumping up and down on the Saints' sideline -- fullback Mike Karney, who admitted that he was an emotional wreck throughout the day.

Click to view graphic about the Saints' offense.

The numbers leap off the stat page.

The average yards per catch for Saints receivers Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem are so ridiculous they look like typographical errors.

Henderson is averaging 35.5 yards on each of his six receptions this season. Meachem is averaging 40.8 yards on his five receptions.