Team has no interest in controversial quarterback: Despite speculation from some pro football commentators, the New Orleans Saints say they have no interest in signing Michael Vick, now that he’s been conditionally reinstated to the league. Mickey Loomis, the Saints’ general manager, told the Times-Picayune that the team has no interest in Vick, who served 18 months in federal prison for running a dogfighting ring. Saints officials have several reasons for their lack of interest in Vick, along with the potential public relations backlash of bringing him in. The team already has a high-powered offense with Drew Brees and Reggie Bush and Vick isn’t seen as being a good fit.
Looking for a turnaround: A daunting task awaits Steve Sarkisian in his first year as Washington’s head football coach. The Huskies, who went 0-12 last season under Ty Willingham, play host to LSU and Southern California and play at Stanford and Notre Dame in four of their first five games. “If you took the top 15 physical teams in the country and their styles of play, those four teams fit that style of play,” Sarkisian said earlier today at Pac-10 media day in Los Angeles. “They are very physical. So we have to get our mindset in fall camp to be a very physical team as well. … This is a very physical schedule.” Washington was picked as ninth in the Pac-10 by media members who regularly cover the league. LSU and Washington open the season on Sept. 5 in a 9:30 p.m. CDT game that will be televised by ESPN.
Defensive guru seen as hope for team: The Saints have opened training camp and all eyes are on new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Williams has been a defensive coordinator for several teams, including the Tennessee Titans, the Washington Redskins and the Buffalo Bills. Three times his teams have been among the top three defenses in the league. The conventional wisdom is that the Saints can contend for the Super Bowl, if the defense plays fairly well and the offense lives up to the standard it set last year. But Williams emphatically told the Times-Picayune he isn’t a savior. “I’m just a football coach. I’m another piece to the puzzle,” he says. Read the Times-Picayune profile of Williams here.
Getting cushy: LSU football season ticket-holders in the north and south end zones and bench-seat areas of the upper decks of Tiger Stadium can order pre-installed vinyl seatbacks that will remain in place for the entire season. The seatbacks, made of soft waterproof vinyl with a cushioned back support and 2-inch cushioned seat pad, lease for $40 per seat and are permanently attached at each fan’s season-ticket location. Seatbacks can be ordered online here.
