Day two of The Hand Off has come around and we’ve got a few questions to answer.
A couple of notebook clearing items before we get to the answers.
1) With the season-opener being played Thursday, we’ll do another edition of The Hand Off on Wednesday of next week. So, send in your questions to sportsmailbag@wwltv.com.
2) The first run of WWL-TV.com’s Fan Chat will be Friday, Sept. 10, the day after the game against Minnesota. This is your chance to talk with the legendary Jim Henderson and Bradley Handwerger about the Saints game against Minnesota. It will run from 6:30-7 p.m. on WWLTV.com beginning Friday, Sept. 10.
Now onto today’s Hand Off.
Q: Isn't the jury still out on the issue as to whether or not Will Smith will be suspended for the first four games of the 2010 regular season (or at all)? … What chance do you guys see Junior Galette and Jeff Charleston both making the 53-man roster along with Alex Brown, Bobby McCray, Jimmy Wilkerson if that is the case? -- Derrick Smith, Knoxville, Tenn. by way of Gretna, La.
A: The easy answer is this: No. The NFL failed in its quest to get the appeal trial expedited. As of June 23, no one representing Kevin and Pat Williams (not related) had filed their arguments for the appeal. Only when that happens can a hard deadline be set. So, Will Smith won’t be suspended for the first four games and likely at all this season. As for Galette and Charleston, I kept both off my predicted 53-man roster, but both were two of the last people who didn’t make my cut. I waffled on them, too. Charleston does a lot on special teams and the same can be said for Galette. I don’t, however, think both make it. If one of them does, the other does not. I think Brown, McCray and Wilkerson are on the roster.
Q: Why did Payton even draft Canfield? Do you think he thought that the rookie 7th round QB pick would be able to compete with Chase Daniel and the veteran QB they always knew they were going to bring in? Or was he the best graded guy still left on the board? And when players talk about "getting treatments" what sorts of procedures does that entail? Is it like Cortisone shots, or physical therapy, or what? – Layne Hilton, Atlanta, Ga. by way of New Orleans.
A: Layne, thanks for emailing. I picked the two most pressing questions out of the ones you sent. Though I will say this, Brittany and Drew Brees are likely flattered you care about what they’ll do when she has her baby this fall.
As for your questions, Canfield was always a project. He was very good in college. And don’t forget, Tom Brady was a sixth-round selection and we all know how good he is. Sean Payton is a quarterback at heart and likes to take on challenges. Look at Joey Harrington in the past. Canfield was never expected to compete with Chase Daniel and Patrick Ramsey this season.
Treatments involved the cold tub and hot tub as well as physical therapy. Trainers will help players work on range of motion and strengthening muscles or joints with specific exercises.
