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pictured: Drew Brees and Sean Payton
by Col. Reb
Last year’s Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints were led by game MVP Drew Brees, a White Quarterback whose experiences have mirrored that of many White players throughout the Caste era of the NFL. Derided as lacking the height and talent to succeed early in his career, he has now emerged as an elite QB. If he keeps up his current pace, Brees will likely end up as one of the best QBs (and players) in the history of the league.
The 2010 version of the Saints includes just 14 Whites on their 53 man roster, a decrease of 3 from 2008. Behind Brees is rookie QB Chase Daniel. Daniel is the only other QB on the roster.
The only White runner on the team is veteran FB Heath Evans, who is a starter and the lone Saints FB. If Evans was black, he’d no doubt be used in a Jerome Bettis type role. Evans led Auburn in rushing as a Sophomore in college and did a great job as an “emergency” RB for New England in both 2005 and 2007. Last season, Evans received just 5 carries in his new role as battering ram for the likes of Reggie Bush. Heath is also a capable pass catcher, but is used almost as infrequently in this capacity as he is for running the football.
The Saints have two White pass catching Tight Ends at 1 and 2 on the depth chart in veterans Jeremy Shockey and David Thomas. The tough and talented Shockey is the starter, but he has seen a noticeable drop in receptions over the past 2 seasons. Thomas will likely see more catches this year than his career high total of 35 catches from a year ago.
On the offensive line RT John Stinchcomb is the only White starter, and he has been for some time. His backup is 6-7, 320 pound Zach Strief. The only other White O-Lineman is backup Center Matt Tennant.
On defense, long forgotten is the “Snow Patrol” LB corps of 2007. The Saints now carry but 1 White LB, 8 year veteran Scott Shanle. Shanle is working toward his 4th 100+ tackle season as the starting WLB.
The only White DB on the roster is backup SS/WSTD Chris Reis. Reis does well when given the opportunity to play, but opportunities haven’t come easy for this 4th year player.
The only White Defensive Lineman on the roster is backup DE Jeff Charleston. Charleston was originally signed as an UDFA by the Texans in 2006 and started 3 games for the Colts in 2007. Charleston hasn’t started a game for NO in the last 3 seasons and is now behind new acquisition Alex Brown.
On special teams, NO has second year Punter Thomas Morstead, third year Kicker Garrett Hartley, and 16 year veteran Long Snapper Jason Kyle.
Not counting the specialists, that makes a total of just 5 White starters.
