Saints Nation: Matt Stafford to start for Lions

Lions' coach Jim Schwartz named Matt Stafford as his starting QB early this week (source), meaning he'll lead the Lions against the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday. I couldn't be happier with the news, to be honest. Stafford has struggled in preseason with a 52.8 passer rating, a 54.5 completion %, and a 1 touchdown 4 interception tally. While banged up, 2nd string Daunte Culpepper has by comparison compiled a 89.6 rating, 64.7 completion %, and a 1 touchdown o interception total. Stafford was also sacked three times, and Culpepper only once. Hard to see how based on those numbers Stafford went out there and "won" the starting job. Like any rookie QB, it's going to be a learning experience for Stafford. While rookie QB's like Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco had immediate success last year - Stafford doesn't have the luxury of Michael Turner in his backfield or the Baltimore defense on the other side of the ball. He's going to struggle, and who better than the Saints defense to face him first? Based on the number of turnovers the defense created in preseason, I'm hoping Stafford will be as prone. Culpepper from experience alone is much more of a threat to the Saints, and I'm happy we'll be benefiting from Stafford's growing pains.

Saints Nation: My plan for the weekend

As the football season is officially starting, I'm preparing myself for the season opener against the Lions. My upcoming weekend looks something like this:

Leave Thursday at 8:16pm and arrive into New Orleans at 11:25pm.

Friday - Hang out in New Orleans. Eat shrimp Po-Boys. Drink Abita. Go to a nice dinner downtown.

Saturday - Drive to Baton Rouge. Eat more shrimp Po-Boys. Tailgate. Go to LSU-Vanderbilt. Celebrate an LSU victory with Abita.

Sunday - Get up early and drive back to New Orleans. Go to Saints-Lions game at Superdome. Celebrate the season opening victory with a shrimp po-boy and Abita beer.

Monday - Get up at 6:30am travel back to get ready for work. Schedule a couple tennis matches for the week to burn off the calorie intake from the weekend.

It's fun packed - and don't lie I know you're jealous.

Saints Nation Fans Have Spoken: Clancy and Ellis to 1st Team All NFC South Team

Seriously? Ellis and Clancy are the best 2 DT's in the NFC South? Hey, it's up to you the fans, and I expect favortism... Next up is the outsiders backers. We'll see if you guys pick Scott Shanle as the best in the NFC South.

Saints Nation: Saints announce practice squad

The Saints announced their 8 man practice squad, and you'll recognize all the names as players recently cut from the team to make room for the 53 man roster. All the names, that is, except one. The one player the Saints have added to the team that was not on board previously is former Missouri Quarterback Chase Daniel (pictured), who when released by the Redskins and opted to sign with the Saints practice squad instead of Washington's (source). Considering the Saints go into the season with 2 quarterbacks on their roster, this is a great pickup. He's a young and promising quarterback with an incredibly successful college career, and he'll be able to learn the system behind some of the finest pedigree of NFL veterans in Drew Brees and Mark Brunell. Hopefully many of you are as excited as I am about the possible future development of this newest Saint.

The other 7 players to make the Saints' practice squad are: WR Adrian Arrington, G Tim Duckworth, CB Danny Gorrer, HB P.J. Hill, T Jermey Parnell (who also tried out at DE and TE), DT DeMario Pressley and WR Matt Simon (source). I'm a little sad to not see Herb Donaldson on this list, but glad that the Saints we're able to hold onto Arrington, Gorrer, Hill and Pressley especially. Those 4 could end up getting called up if there's injuries to the players ahead of them and I believe they could contribute this season if needed.

Happy Labor Day Saints fans!

Saints Nation: Thoughts on New Orleans Saints' Final Cuts

Adrian Arrington (pictured) appeared to be right in looking over his shoulder, as Rod Harper beat him out for a roster spot. In light of the final cuts yesterday - there were no shocks, but there were a few surprises. The biggest surprise to me was that Charles Grant and Will Smith may go into week 1 as eligible to play. I assumed it was a foregone conclusion that the two would begin the season suspended for the banned substance they tested positive for last year and be out for 4 weeks. Apparently with the appeals process ongoing, the NFL is waiting to let things play out before enforcing the suspensions. In terms of roster significance, that was to the detriment of Paul Spicer and DeMario Pressley. I have to believe those two were the two players cut based on the fact that Smith and Grant are still active. Spicer was slated to start at end for week 1, and Pressley's departure leaves the depth at interior defensive line extremely thin. Another mild surprise for me was that Jonathan Casillas made the team. While deserved, the Saints are keeping a high number of linebackers at 7.

It was NOT a surprise for me to see Adrian Arrington and Courtney Roby cut. The Saints wanted to go with 5 receivers, and there was no way Rod Harper was NOT making this team based on his performance in preseason. It's too bad Arrington couldn't stay healthy, and the Saints will miss the luxury of Roby's kick return ability - but there just wasn't room for them. The release of Joey Harrington is even less surprising given his horrendous performance in extended action against the Dolphins in the final preseason game. The Saints have gone into every season the last 3 years with only 2 QB's on the roster, and I've thought all along that Harrington would have to show something pretty special to be kept around.

The trade for David Thomas comes as no shock, of course, because with Dan Campbell and Billy Miller on IR the Saints were desperate for help behind Shockey. Don't forget Darnell Dinkins may miss week 1 as well with ankle problems.

The rest is about exactly as I expected. Too bad for PJ Hill, but he was caught in a numbers game and hopefully he can clear waivers and make the practice squad. The one area of concern I have with the release of Harrington is that he was the primary holder on field goals and extra points. Brunell, being left handed, is not ideal to handle that job. As much as the kicking game struggled in preseason, adding a new primary holder to the mix is another factor that will upset timing and comfort for Jason Kyle, John Carney and Garrett Hartley. We'll see how that plays out.

Below are the 8 players I envision the Saints targeting for the practice squad should they clear waivers:

CB Danny Gorrer

WR Adrian Arrington

HB PJ Hill

HB Herb Donaldson

DT DeMario Pressley

G Tim Duckworth

LB Anthony Waters (not sure if he's eligible)

TE Jermey Parnell

Saints Nation: Will Smith and Charles Grant remain on active roster, for now

The Saints roster stands at 53 as Garrett Hartley is officially suspended, but Charles Grant and Will Smith are not. If the suspensions uphold the Saints would move to 51 players, but they're set at 53 until a ruling is made. More information can be found HERE.

Saints Nation: Saints trade for Pats' David Thomas

The Saints have added Patriots tight end David Thomas in a trade for an undisclosed 2011 draft pick (SOURCE).

Assuming the Smith/Grant/Hartley suspensions are in effect, that leaves the Saints roster at 51 and it's safe to assume we'll be adding a couple more players.

Thomas could easily be active by week 1 with Darnell Dinkins still hobbled with an ankle injury. More info on Thomas, who was a 3rd round pick in 2006, can be found here. He has 21 career receptions and 1 touchdown.