NEW ORLEANS SPORTS

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Wow, a huge turnaround just took place midway through the first quarter and it wasn't good for the Saints.

The Saints just had a chance to take a 10-0 lead and instead are tied 7-7 after Kevin Williams blocked a 46-yard field goal attempt by Martin Gramatica and Antoine Winfield returned it 59 yards for a touchdown.

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.

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.

Check out LSU coach Les Miles' weekly press conference from Monday, Oct. 6.

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.

After spraining his right ankle in Sunday's exhibition opener against the Golden State Warriors that forced him to play only five minutes, Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler did not practice Monday.

Although Chandler complained of soreness, he plans to participate in Tuesday's practice. But Chandler's status for Wednesday's exhibition game at Indiana has not been determined.

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.

Bob Toledo figured the hangover from Saturday might not last long.

Nothing else could be done about a surprisingly listless 44-13 loss to Army and the Green Wave can move on to facing more conventional opponents than the option-running Black Knights.

Eliot Kamenitz/The Times-PicayuneJulian Wright will chat with you today.

New Orleans Hornets fans will get an opportunity to chat with one of the team members today as second-year man Julian Wright will be available for a short chat beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Julian will join The Times-Picayune's Kevin Spain at the Alario Center today after the team workout.

Ask him about the preseason win against Golden State, about the upcoming trip to Europe or about the much anticipated season to follow up last year's great run, or whatever's on your mind.

We'll start taking your questions a little after 1 p.m.

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

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.

The Associated PressOklahoma wins big again and quarterback Sam Bradford has been big this season.

OK, so there's the Associated Press, the Coaches' poll and the BCS rankings, but none have the enthusiasm, or maybe sarcasm, as the Times-Picayune rankings. We'll give you a brand of humor with these picks - usually with a crazy pick at No. 25 each week - or in our quips about a certain team. Don't get too worked up about it, though, nobody goes to a bowl or stays home from a bowl based on our poll, it's all in fun.

Until Sunday night, the last time James Posey played in front of a crowd, it ended with him winning a NBA championship with the Boston Celtics.

Four months later, Posey made his Hornets debut during Sunday night's 106-103 victory against the Golden State Warriors in their exhibition opener in front of 14,691 at the New Orleans Arena.

Byron Scott found just enough to fuss about last preseason to keep the Hornets on their toes, just enough lackadaisical play and lapses on defense to caution his team about thinking it simply could flip a switch and turn on the intensity when the regular season started.

It seemed to be wasted air. The Hornets did flip the switch last season, and it stayed on all regular season as New Orleans won a franchise-record 56 games.

Two weeks after the Golden State Warriors made LSU's Anthony Randolph their first-round draft choice, Randolph got to celebrate again: his 19th birthday.

After one season at LSU, where Randolph played 31 games, he declared his intention to turn professional, making himself available for the draft after averaging 15.6 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Tigers.

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.

Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneHornets coach Byron Scott says, 'field-goal percentages can't be 47, 48 percent. That's the biggest emphasis we've had in training camp.

The Hornets are ready to take the next step in preparing for the regular season, opening their seven-game exhibition schedule tonight at the New Orleans Arena against the Golden State Warriors.

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneOn third-and-8, Tulane running back Albert Williams is upended a yard short of a first down.

There was no Celebration in the Oaks for Tulane on Saturday. Instead, the winless Army Black Knights made it a black day for the Green Wave with a 44-13 victory at Tad Gormley Stadium.

"I want to apologize for our poor performance, " Tulane Coach Bob Toledo said. "We didn't play well enough to earn anything today."

Entering Saturday's game, Tulane was ranked ninth in the NCAA in rushing defense, allowing 68.5 yards per game and hadn't allowed an opponent to rush for 100 yards this season. The Green Wave knew that defending Army's option attack would be a difficult task, but allowing Army to run for 291 yards in a 44-13 loss was just part of Coach Bob Toledo's disappointing afternoon.

The aroma of hickory chips and ribs wafted through the air in thick clouds surrounding Tad Gormley Stadium. Lively music could be heard blocks away. Throngs of green-clad fans camped out under tents that stretched down Roosevelt Mall, while others sucked down cold beer and partied during the hours before kickoff.

Stan Brock was a winning coach on the way to talk to his Army football team. "You see that guy, " Hokie Gajan said. "He's one big package of intensity. Always been. I don't know if I've ever been prouder of him, because I know what he's been through, how tough it's been on him, how he's handled it. I also know how the passion inside the man will never die. I would never bet against Stan Brock."

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneStan Brock's Army Cadets hadn't won in 10 games, but pulled off an upset Saturday at Tad Gormley Stadium, beating Tulane 44-13

With a payroll exceeding $65 million, Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower has a lot riding on the players he has signed to multiyear, guaranteed contracts. If something unforeseen happens, such as a major injury to a starter, or if Hornets Coach Byron Scott needs to strengthen his bench by acquiring a free agent, Bower would have limited options.

Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneBackup point guard Mike James, acquired from the Houston Rockets last season, is the fourth-highest paid player on the Hornets' roster.

MICHAEL DeMOCKER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNEArmy defensive back Mario Hill steals a 4th-and-1 pass from wide receiver Jeremy Williams in the second quarter.

Army finished off Tulane, 44-13, despite coming in as a 20-point underdog. It made for a sad homecoming and will damage Tulane's bowl chances down the road.

At least former Saints offensive tackle and Army Coach Stan Brock could claim a successful homecoming.

Tulane sent up the white flags backup quarterback Joe Kemp entered the game, but Army wasn't finished scoring. Kemp, under heavy pressure, threw an interception to Army linebacker Frank Scappaticci and he returned the ball 35 yards for a touchdown to make it 44-13. It was Scappaticci's second interception of the game and Tulane's fourth turnover.

Army senior fullback Collin Mooney had never scored a touchdown in his career - until he ran into the Tulane defense and scored four on Saturday.

Mooney capped a dream day with his fourth touchdown as 20-point underdog Army turned the game into a 37-13 rout. Mooney went up the gut for a 10-yard score.

Trying to rally his team, tulane quarterback Kevin Moore committed his third turnover and all but put the lights out on Tulane's chances.

The Greenies trail 30-13 with 6:44 left and a disappointed homecoming crowd has spent much of the fourth quarter filing out of Tad Gormley Stadium. Moore appeared to have Brian King open in the end zone but Rod Murray stepped in front of Moore's floater in the end zone. Moore has thrown two interceptions and lost a fumble which was returned for a touchdown.

Ouch!! That hurt.

Army fullback Collin Mooney scored his third touchdown of the day, crashing up the middle for a 39-yard scoring run to put Tulane in deep trouble.

Mooney has 117 yards on 16 carries. Tulane's defense was playing well in the second half but got loosened up on a couple of big pass completions by Army.

The Greenies need three scores with 9:40 left. Unlikely.

Tulane's defense continues to keep the Greenies in the game. The offense can't convert.

Tulane shut out Army in the third quarter and allowed only 36 yards. But the offense was unable to capitalize on moving the ball to the Army 30. On fourth down as 47-yard field goal attempt was partially blocked.

Time is running out on the Green Wave. They need two scores and every time Army picks up a first down, more precious seconds tick off the clock.

After adjusting last season as a rookie, New Orleans Hornets shooting guard Julian Wright expects to make a bigger impact this season.

He hopes it begins with Sunday night's preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors at the New Orleans Arena. If Saturday's practice is an indication, Wright may shine. He made a halfcourt shot just before the 24-second clock expired during a scrimmage.

The Tulane defense is inspired. It has stopped Army on three consecutive possessions and overcame a questionable personal foul penalty to force another punt.

Charles Harris was flagged for the penalty when it appeared his hit had stopped an Army third down play. But Tulane continued to lay the wood to Army ball carriers.Julian Shives-Sams popped Collin Mooney and linebacker Devin Holland blasted Army quarterback Chip Bowden on consecutive plays.

Tulane has the ball on its 20 and trailing by 23-13 with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Tulane's defense is keeping the Greenies in the game at this point. After losing the ball on an interception, Tulane stopped Army on four down to take over on the Tulane 39.

The Greenies went for another fourth down to keep the drive alive and Andre Anderson picked up the necessary yardage. On the next play, Tulane quarterback Kevin Moore made up for his interception. He faked a handoff and found Jeremy Williams, who had beaten double coverage, for a 49-yard scoring play to make it 23-13.

Tulane couldn't stand the prosperity. Williams was flagged for spiking the ball and a two-point conversion try went awry as Moore threw incomplete. Tulane was penalized 15 yards on the kickoff and booted it from its own 15-yard line Army started its drive on its 36-yard line.

The momentum had turned slightly toward Tulane with a defensive stop and a first down near midfield. But one play after picking up the first down, Tulane quarterback kevin Moore threw an interception right into the hands of Army linebacker Frank Scappaticci.