Heads up to Saints RB owners (1 Viewer)

[Breesisdaman]

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2009/10/post_68.html

This could affect the whole running game regardless of who is carrying the rock

New Orleans Saints fulback Heath Evans undergoes season-ending knee surgery; replaced on roster by veteran Kyle Eckel

By Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune

October 29, 2009, 12:45PM

New Orleans Saints fullback Heath Evans has been placed on injured reserve and replaced on the 53-man roster by former New England Patriots fullback Kyle Eckel, Coach Sean Payton said Thursday.

Evans suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will be lost for the season. Dr. James Andrews performed surgery Thursday on Evans.

"We're losing a starter who has really played well these first six games,'' Payton said.

Also, Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis suffered a sprained right knee and his status for Monday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons will be updated through the week.

Eckel, 27, was a former teammate of Evans' in New England, where he saw his most extensive playing time in 2007, appearing in 12 games. The 5-11, 237-pounder also appeared in five games with the Philadelphia Eagles last year but was released on the final cut-down day this September.

Eckel began his career as an undrafted free agent out of Navy in 2005, but he bounced around from New England to Miami and back to New England before making his NFL debut in '07. He has 57 carries for 169 yards and two touchdowns in his career.

Evans injured his right knee with 9:06 remaining in Sunday's 46-34 come-from-behind victory against the Miami Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Evans had 15 touches 86 yards and scored three touchdowns.

 

[ATC1]

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2009/10/post_68.html

This could affect the whole running game regardless of who is carrying the rock

New Orleans Saints fulback Heath Evans undergoes season-ending knee surgery; replaced on roster by veteran Kyle Eckel

By Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune

October 29, 2009, 12:45PM

New Orleans Saints fullback Heath Evans has been placed on injured reserve and replaced on the 53-man roster by former New England Patriots fullback Kyle Eckel, Coach Sean Payton said Thursday.

Evans suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will be lost for the season. Dr. James Andrews performed surgery Thursday on Evans.

"We're losing a starter who has really played well these first six games,'' Payton said.

Also, Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis suffered a sprained right knee and his status for Monday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons will be updated through the week.

Eckel, 27, was a former teammate of Evans' in New England, where he saw his most extensive playing time in 2007, appearing in 12 games. The 5-11, 237-pounder also appeared in five games with the Philadelphia Eagles last year but was released on the final cut-down day this September.

Eckel began his career as an undrafted free agent out of Navy in 2005, but he bounced around from New England to Miami and back to New England before making his NFL debut in '07. He has 57 carries for 169 yards and two touchdowns in his career.

Evans injured his right knee with 9:06 remaining in Sunday's 46-34 come-from-behind victory against the Miami Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Evans had 15 touches 86 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Yeah, it may mean PT or Bell might actually get the ball at the GL. Bump up Bell.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Yeah, it may mean PT or Bell might actually get the ball at the GL. Bump up Bell.

Unless they start using Bell at fullback.

 

[Doug B]

Yeah, it may mean PT or Bell might actually get the ball at the GL. Bump up Bell.

Unless they start using Bell at fullback.

I thought the Saints had another decent, but raw, blocking FB on the practice squad. Someone that showed something during the preseason. Gotta check.EDIT: either the guy I'm thinking of was a late cut, or I'm misremembering. No FB on the current practice squad.

Any FA FBs out there who might know Payton's system? Where's Kearney these days?

...

EDIT: this must be the guy I was thinking of ... on IR now:

FB Olaniyi Sobomehin first signed with the Saints as a rookie free agent in the spring of 2008 and began the ’08 season on the team’s practice squad before being elevated to the active roster for one game and landing on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. This preseason, the 6-1, 230-pound fullback played in all four games and carried the ball four times for 10 yards as well as catching two passes for six yards. Sobomehin suffered a shoulder injury in the final preseason game against the Dolphins.

 

[Doug B]

I coulda read the article. The Saints DID sign a new fullback already to replace Evans :(

And ... somehow I forgot that Mike Karney plays for the Rams now. Bet he'd love to be back. Oh well.

 

[ATC1]

Yeah, it may mean PT or Bell might actually get the ball at the GL. Bump up Bell. :(

Unless they start using Bell at fullback.

They picked up Kyle Eckel.

 

[ATC1]

Any stat geek out there with the number of plays Saints use a FB? They usually like to spread teams out.

 

[MIMN]

Any stat geek out there with the number of plays Saints use a FB? They usually like to spread teams out.

100% of the plays where PT should be in position to score a TD.

 

[ATC1]

Any stat geek out there with the number of plays Saints use a FB? They usually like to spread teams out.

100% of the plays where PT Bell should be in position to score a TD.

fixed.

 

[thriftyrocker]

There was an update on Fleaflicker they might use Lynell Hamilton as a FB, but I guess that is overridden by the signing. Although who knows how fast Eckel can learn the playbook. Or how fast Hamilton could learn FB. Yes I own Lynell Hamilton in multiple leagues.

With the injury to Heath Evans, Hamilton is being considered as an option at fullback for Monday's game against Atlanta, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune.The Saints are evaluating their free-agent options at fullback in addition to considering using Hamilton or backup tight end David Thomas. The decision will likely be based on the extent of Evans's injury. If Hamilton is tagged to fill in for Evans, he would see a slight uptick in value as Evans has vultured a few touchdowns this year near the goal line.

 

[otis68]

Any stat geek out there with the number of plays Saints use a FB? They usually like to spread teams out.

They used a fullback around 70-75% of rushing plays the last 3 games.

 

[Doug B]

Although who knows how fast Eckel can learn the playbook.

Don't Sean Payton and Josh McDaniels (OC when Eckel was in NE) derive from the same coaching tree? Maybe the formations and terminologies aren't super-different.

 

[otis68]

Any stat geek out there with the number of plays Saints use a FB? They usually like to spread teams out.

100% of the plays where PT Bell should be in position to score a TD.

fixed.

Actually, it's both. Evans paved the way for Bell's gay TD vs the eagles and his nice TD plunge vs the giants.He also made critical blocks on 2 of Thomas 3 TD runs (on the third the DE he was trying to block took himself out of the play).

Evans has laid out some punishing blocks on alot of big running plays. He'll be missed.

 

[Doug B]

Evans has laid out some punishing blocks on alot of big running plays. He'll be missed.

Evans' hands will be missed a lot, too. I know little about Eckel ... I hope he can fill Evans' shoes at least as a blocker.

 

[thriftyrocker]

I don't remember much Eckel blocking while he was in Philly. Some 4th and 1 runs and not much else. He was also used more as a short yardage/garbage time RB in NE too if I remember right.

 

[gonzobill5]

was heath evans cutting in to reggie's receptions?

Bush averaged about 5 receptions per game prior to this year, and that is down to 3 receptions per game this year. Curiously, Evans is averaging about 2 receptions per game this year.

Could we expect Reggie to return to about 5 per game? If so, he's startable again in ppr.

Not sure I buy it, but just thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[Knobs]

Any stat geek out there with the number of plays Saints use a FB? They usually like to spread teams out.

They used a fullback around 70-75% of rushing plays the last 3 games.

Hmm. This could certainly bump down Bell/Thomas.

 

[Breesisdaman]

Yeah, it may mean PT or Bell might actually get the ball at the GL. Bump up Bell.

Unless they start using Bell at fullback.

Sean Payton is not Mike Shanahan. He actually has some sense when it comes to players strengths. Mike Bell was never a full back nor did he enjoy playing the position. It is the fact that he is being used as he should be used now that has him motivated (Rather than discouraged)

 

[mcintyre1]

Isn't Lorenzo Neal still a free agent? Figure he would be worth a look before Eckel.

 

[Doug B]

Isn't Lorenzo Neal still a free agent? Figure he would be worth a look before Eckel.

Thought about Neal for a second. But he's 38, and reached an injury settlement with the Raiders in August after being placed on IR (actually, I hadn't realized Neal went to a camp this year).Eckel is good enough to have made it to the pros ... it's not like he'll be Pee Wee Herman out there. I'm reserving judgment.

 

[brindrod]

As a Bell & Thomas owner, now I can only hope that Bush goes out on his annual injury.

As for Evans, good riddance to bad rubbish. Friggin' TD vulture.

 

[Da Guru]

Thomas could be a nice blocking back for Bell..short and squatty.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

From KFFL:

The Associated Press reports New Orleans Saints RB Lynell Hamilton and TE David Thomas both worked as fullbacks in practice Thursday, Oct. 29.

 

[moderated]

they need to move PT to fullback.

 

[Gadabout]

Hope Eckel comes in and vultures every goalline carry.

 

[moderated]

Hope Eckel comes in and vultures every goalline carry.

then every NO RB would be worthless.

 

[JuniorNB]

As a Bell & Thomas owner, now I can only hope that Bush goes out on his annual injury. As for Evans, good riddance to bad rubbish. Friggin' TD vulture.

A Bush injury wouldn't make much difference. As a Thomas/Bell owner, you want the injury to be to one of those two. Then you have yourself a fantasy stud.

 

[otis68]

As a Bell & Thomas owner, now I can only hope that Bush goes out on his annual injury. As for Evans, good riddance to bad rubbish. Friggin' TD vulture.

A Bush injury wouldn't make much difference. As a Thomas/Bell owner, you want the injury to be to one of those two. Then you have yourself a fantasy stud.

You do realize that Bush has taken more snaps at RB than any of the other RBs? Has led the RBs in snaps 3 times, including the Miami game? He's on the field alot. A Bush injury sends Thomas value through the moon. He'd average around 8 targets a game, and would easily top 100 yds rush/rec a game.

 

[footballnerd]

As a Bell & Thomas owner, now I can only hope that Bush goes out on his annual injury. As for Evans, good riddance to bad rubbish. Friggin' TD vulture.

No, having a good FB helps Thomas and Bell. Your headache is the RBBC you own.Man I was just gonna say the Saints should grab Chris Pressley off the Bengals practice squad, but the Bucs signed him earlier this week. Watched him on Hard Knocks, that guy was a monster at FB, would of opened up some holes.

 

[Fireballer]

Hope Eckel comes in and vultures every goalline carry.

Brees is the new TD vulture in NO.