wwl.com:  The Saints released five players:  offensive guard Tim Duckworth, receivers Rod Harper and Mark Bradley, cornerback Danny Gorrer, and surprisingly linebacker Troy Evans.

Bobby:   Yeah, Troy Evans is a 9-year veteran out of the University of Cincinnati.  He was a special teams player with the Texans, then the Saints brought him on board.  I think they knew what they had in Troy Evans, and looking at the last two preseason games, maybe they wanted to see what some of the younger guys could do on special teams.  They might even call Troy back depending on how it works out.  Evans may even get another opportunity… the Texans are hurting at the linebacker position.  Evans could be reliable.  Rod Harper was also a surprise.  He was a big hit at last year’s Training Camp.  He has two returns for a touchdown in the preseason, but where is he?  When you look at the limited roster spots, you wouldn’t take him over Courtney Roby.  They both have progressed as wide receivers, but Roby did an outstanding job as a kick returner last year, and was second in special teams tackles.  So, Rod Harper and Troy Evans are the biggest surprises right now.  Danny Gorrer did some good things.  He can definitely make the practice squad on an NFL team.  He is very similar to Reggie Jones from Portland State.  I wasn’t surprised by Duckworth’s release, because they were giving more reps to Brandon Carter, the young guy from Texas Tech.  He’s a free agent.  They also have a veteran, Terence Metcalf, who they are pleased with.  He’s almost like Jamar Nesbit.

wwl.com:  When you look at the release of Troy Evans, a linebacker – what does this do for Jonathan Casillas and Jo-Lonn Dunbar?  Is it between these two guys now?  We have yet to see Clint Ingram.  Where do we go with the linebacker position now that Evans is out of the mix?

Bobby:  Well, right now, Jo-Lonn Dunbar is definitely the backup – strong or weak side.  With Shanle being moved to that strong linebacker position, all of them will be in that rotation.  Now, Stanley Arnoux is going to be interesting because he’s dealing with an injury.  They’re counting on him.  So, I think Troy Evans was released because it was just a numbers game.  I think they are comfortable in the middle with the competition between Jonathan Vilma, his backup Marvin Mitchell, and Anthony Waters.  So, I think the coaches may want to go with younger guys.  Stanley Arnoux showed a lot of promise at the beginning of camp until he was injured.  He was a little more impressive than Chip Vaughn.  I think Chip Vaughn will turn that corner, and obviously, they will put him on some special teams units to see if he can make an impact in the last two preseason games.

wwl.com:  Alright Bobby, review Mini Camp.  What are your overall impressions?

Bobby: Well overall, I thought it was very spirited…especially when they were inside.  The players got a little pep in their step under those conditions, because they aren’t dealing with the heat.  There was good competition between the offense and defense.  And, after viewing a few practices, I’d be surprised if the defense isn’t extremely better.   They looked good.

wwl.com:  Now let’s take a look at the quarterbacks.  Do you think the Saints will eventually bring a veteran quarterback to the team?

Bobby:  Yes.  Patrick Ramsey (the quarterback from Tulane) may be the guy.  We’re hearing it’s a matter of timing…because of the rules…as to when they can bring him in.  Ramsey would be good—he’s a great locker room guy.  Whoever they bring in to back up Drew Brees has to be willing to work with Drew.  He has to be a part of the game plan, and be that extra pair of eyes.  Drew had a great relationship with Mark Brunell.  Brining in a good “partner” to Drew is going to be as important as anything.  Also, given the opportunity, the back up quarterback has to show he can run the team, especially when he has that opportunity during Training Camp and preseason games.  He has to lead the team and be productive.

wwl.com:  Saints top draft pick Patrick Robinson was really struggling at the end of Mini Camp and in the OTA’s Monday.  Was this kind of like “Welcome to the NFL” for the youngster?

Bobby:  Yeah, they gave Patrick Robinson a lot of responsibility by having him work that first nickel on defense.  Both Marques Colston and Lance Moore really exploited him.  Coach Payton talked about Robinson’s responsibility.  He said, “You can’t lose inside leverage because you have no help.”  Robinson would let savvy veterans like Lance Moore and Marques Colston beat him, which you would expect from a world champion offense.  Patrick got beat a number of times in the OTA’S.  It looks like total yardage would have been over 100 yards.  At times, it wasn’t like a step away in coverage…he was behind by several steps. When you have a veteran like Drew Brees, you tend to go without setting up a game plan and you’re going to pick on the new guy to see what he can do.  Robinson did, however, have an interception on the first practice we witnessed Friday.  He was pretty good at the beginning of Mini Camp, but he struggled at the Sunday practice, and definitely at Monday’s OTA.

wwl.com:  Defensive lineman Jeff Charleston looked good.  So did Will Smith, and some other players like Remy Ayodele, who had a very good Mini Camp.

Bobby:  Yeah, until someone beats him out, Remy Ayodele is your starting defensive tackle alongside Sedric Ellis.  He had a big play, which you don’t see too often.  Ayodele intercepted Drew Brees on a screen.  And, at the six practices we witnessed, Jeff Charleston would’ve had 3 sacks.  Now, Charleston’s going against guys who might not necessarily start in the NFL, but he did what he was supposed to do - take advantage of his rep.  Overall, I’d say Will Smith is going to stay steady, like Coach Payton said.  Smith’s had a couple of sacks and batted a pass in the Monday morning OTA.  So, overall, the defense is just getting a good push without pads, and really getting pressure on the quarterback at a high tempo.  They’re realizing they have to get rid of the ball, not hold on to it…because they know they’re not going to get hit.  When I looked at timing and getting after the quarterback, I honestly felt like I was watching game action.  Very realistic.

wwl.com:  Let’s turn your attentionto LSU baseball.  The Tigers were knocked out of the Regional; the defending champs’ season is over.

Bobby:  Well, realistically I don’t think LSU could’ve beaten UCLA twice, if they would’ve had that opportunity.  Overall, I thought pitching in that second game against UC Irvine was enough to put the Tigers over the top.  LSU just didn’t have breaks go their way.  They hit long balls.  They were fouled.  They didn’t get enough key hits when they needed to, but you can never count the Tigers out.  As far as breaks going their way, it finally caught up with LSU in that last game against Irvine., where they finished off their season. Considering the fact that the Tigers got to the NCAA Regionals and won three SEC Tournaments in a row, I think that’s something Coach Mainieri can build upon.
 
wwl.com:   Let’s look at Game 2 of the NBA Finals.  The Celtics & Lakers are tied up at 1-1.  Now, Boston has a chance with three straight home games.  Can they win all 3? 

Bobby:  I don’t see them winning three straight.  I picked either the Celtics or the Lakers in seven…either one of these teams could take it.  Rajon Rondo could have the type of performance that almost reminds me of watching the Cleveland Cavaliers series with all the triple-doubles.  When you look at a guard, you look at scoring and definitely assists, but not necessarily the rebounds.  Anytime a guard or point guard can get double digits…and rebound…that’s impressive. And, when Ray Allen is on fire…and I’m talking about long-range shooting… he’s about as good as it gets.  Allen set an NBA record with eight 3-pointers for the first time in a finals matchup.  So, yeah, the Celtics are back in it.  It’ll be interesting to see how the officials call this next game.  The last game was poorly officiated.  It was just inconsistent.  When you see Kobe Bryant with five fouls, that doesn’t happen too often.  I’d say the refs definitely favored the Celtics, but there were also fouls against the Celtics.  The calls were just inconsistent overall.  I can’t see Boston winning three games in a row at home, though.  But, it’ll be fun to watch ‘em
 

WWL.COM: Who is the best player is Super Bowl XLIV?  Colts-Saints, who is the best player out of both squads?

Bobby: Well, it almost 1 and 1a, but I'd have to say... and I love Drew Brees... but Peyton Manning is as good as it gets. Both quarterbacks obviously give their teams a chance to win.  To me, Peyton Manning has been unbelievable.  Drew Brees is trying to get that first Super Bowl victory.  I think, not only this year, but also when it's all said and done, Peyton will have an opportunity to win two or three Super Bowls.  He might go down as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.  The thing that impresses me about Peyton, very similar to Brett Favre, is how he answers the bell game in and game out. 

WWL.COM: How big a deal is the experience factor?  The Colts have obviously been here before, a few years ago.  They won it.  There are still 25 players on this Indianapolis team that beat the Bears... most notably Peyton Manning.  The coaching staff is mostly intact.  The notable exception is that Jim Caldwell is in as the new head coach and Tony Dungy is gone. Will the experience that the Colts have in this game be a big factor on Sunday?

Bobby: Well, I would be more worried if we would have made the Super Bowl in the 2006 season.  If you look at it, a number of young players like Jahri Evans or Marques Colston or Reggie Bush were just coming into the league then.  Now they have enough games under their belts and the maturity and leadership that I don't think that's really a big advantage to the Colts.  Simply, we have a more mature team and are not necessarily counting on a number of rookies as the main key players on the Saints team.