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Rough day on the Bayou

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Posted: Wednesday August 25, 1999 06:21 PM

As one Saints insider said, it was "Black Tuesday" in New Orleans. The rough day began when the Saints lost star DL Joe Johnson for the year with a torn patella tendon suffered in practice. Johnson had seven sacks last year -- never mind that he counts $5 million against the cap -- and will be very hard to replace.

Some reports say that running back Ricky Williams will miss six weeks with a high ankle sprain. But the people I spoke with in New Orleans said that Williams worked on the stair master Tuesday for an extended period of time and, 10 days after the initial injury, there has been significant improvement. I talked with an NFL trainer who said Williams’ tolerance for pain will be the key issue for an early return. The high ankle sprains I've seen in the NFL can last six weeks, but players can be back in three weeks depending on the position they play. The trainer felt that a big running back playing on turf like Williams could take longer than three weeks to heal and a re-injury could set him back three more weeks. Let's assume Williams misses opening day against Carolina, which is almost three weeks away. Ricky can’t afford to miss any games if he wants a chance to reach the incentives in his much-discussed contract.

The Saints’ troubles don't stop there. TE Cam Cleeland recently went in for tests on his heel injury and is out for an extended period of time. Cleeland led the Saints in receptions last year and was their leading scorer with six TDs. It gets worse: New Orleans All-Pro LT Willie Roaf hurt his ankle and knee on Tuesday. Neither appears broken but his return is on hold.

QB Billy Joe Hobert's groin is better and he's been cleared to play, but without his running back, leading receiver and left tackle, he may not want to return.

Young running back Wilmont Perry had a chance to gain valuable experience this past two weeks but he's out with a MCL sprain. This young power back could be the answer while Williams heals up, but, according to the Saints personnel people I spoke with, he's far behind now.

The Falcons went to the Super Bowl last year and the 49ers look to be on their way back. If you ask me, with very little cap space and no real available talent, New Orleans just took a big step backwards. You can't win games without players and the Saints are missing their four best. The 28th-ranked offense and the 26th-ranked defense can't afford to lose anyone. Right now it looks like a long, long year in the Big Easy.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years in the NFL as a coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/SI.

 

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