With the Conference trophy present in a made for the post season media room, head coach Sean Payton spoke about his team’s readiness for the big matchup.
First up was the injuries. Four Saints did not participate in the workout on Wednesday. Tight End Jeremy Shockey (knee), receiver Robert Meachem (ankle), safety Darren Sharper (knee), and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring). The team officially said that Sharper did not do the team portions of the practice. Throughout the season, Payton has sat Sharper a day out of the work week at times to rest lingering knee soreness.
The team signed receiver Adrian Arrington from the practice squad to the active roster, following Deuce McAllister being moved to the reserved injured / retired list. Former LSU DT Marlon Favorite replaced Arrington on the practice squad roster.
“He was feeling better today. He was out there for walk through, and we’ll see where he is as the week progresses,” Payton said of Meachem’s injury and chances of playing Sunday. “But I don’t think it’s real significant. But then again, it’s something that he’ll get treatment on and we’ll continue to rehab throughout the week.”
As for Shockey, who caught a touchdown pass against the Cardinals last week? “I think today was the day we didn’t practice him. I think it’s good. We’ll continue to update you like we normally do with injuries. We really don’t get into predicting what guys are going to be like toward the end of the week. So with the nature of the injury, the news is good.”
“It’s something I’ve been working hard for all year, just feels good to have the opportunity to be able to maybe contribute. I don’t know if I’ll be able to play or dress this game, but just the possibility of dressing feels good,” said Arrington Wednesday at the chance of maybe seeing action this week.
A TOUGH BATTLE AHEAD
While there were numerous questions about the team’s relationship with the city, the fan base and importance of being a part of the Katrina rebuilding process, there were also football questions. After all, come Sunday evening, that will be the only thing that matters.
Minnesota was in neck and neck with the Saints for a reason most of the season. They are a well balanced team. ““I think just from a defensive standpoint this is a team that has an outstanding front. They’re physical, they have great speed. They play with confidence,” Payton said on Wednesday after practice. “When you look really at the game last week and how they played against Dallas, a team that everyone saw how good the Cowboys were playing, and to see them win in that fashion was very impressive. “Defensively against their offense there are a number of weapons. Sidney Rice is someone who has progressed and is having a great season. Starting with the running back Adrian Peterson and Brett and Percy Harvin. I think there are going to be plays made and you have to eliminate the big plays or try to as best you can. But they do a great job and that is the reason they’re playing in a game like this.”
The Vikings defense produced six sacks, three turnovers and 13 negative yardage plays against hot Dallas Cowboys offense. “These guys have one of the best defensive fronts if not the best in the league. They have some elite pass rushers. They’ve been able to get after the quarterback. Been very disruptive in the run game as well, just all around,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said Wednesday. “ It really starts up front, and the rest of the guys, the linebackers and DB’s compliment them very well. They fly around. They make a lot of tackles. They’ve been able to get a lot of balls out, fumbles, balls on the ground. They just do a good job. You can tell they’re well coached.”
On the offensive side of things, the addition of Brett Favre at quarterback, took a Vikings team that made the playoffs last season, to a team competing for a Super Bowl Championship. Add the already known force that is running back Adrian Peterson and the Vikings have a serious one-two punch.
“He kind of is the heart and soul of the offense, but I don’t think you can overlook Peterson at all. He’s the workhorse,” says Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. “I think they have two very different roles in the offense, but I think that they are equally as important in the offense, and they allow each other to be good.”
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