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Extra Points

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11 Aug 2010

Lynell Hamilton Suffers Likely Torn ACL

Adam Schefter's reporting that Saints back Lynell Hamilton has suffered a knee injury, likely a torn ACL, that is expected to keep him out for the 2010 season.

Will the Saints add a veteran free agent back now? Justin Fargas was on the market as of yesterday, but Denver snapped him up.

Posted by: Bill Barnwell on 11 Aug 2010

30 comments, Last at 13 Aug 2010, 1:33pm by Bobman

Comments

1
by ChrisInCT (not verified) :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 11:59am

So now who's gonna protect Edward Furlong from Robert Patrick?

4
by dbostedo :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 12:30pm

+1

15
by Theo :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 4:51pm

He'll live.

2
by Dean :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 12:18pm

Round up all the dead wood. At least the ones that haven't already signed with Washington.

3
by Sophandros :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 12:24pm

On the roster right now are Chris Ivory and PJ Hill.

Ledell Betts visited last week, however.

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Sports talk radio and sports message boards are the killing fields of intellectual discourse.

14
by dsouten :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 4:17pm

Betts would seem perfect. Excellent pass protector, good receiver, boring but reliable runner. In this sort of situation it seems you would want to know that whoever you sign is going to produce adequately, even if its unspectacular. Betts defines "adequate but unspectacular."

27
by Bobman :: Fri, 08/13/2010 - 1:27pm

I beg your pardon, but I was under the distinct impression that I defined "adequate but unspectacular."

Then again, I suppose my wife could have been mumbling about Ladell Betts the other night... but it's a long shot.

5
by mm (not verified) :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 12:34pm

This is discouraging.

That said, I think they might stick with what they have. There was some positive buzz about the young running backs in camp, but there was a question about having enough roster spots. PJ Hill did well last year in the Saints' preseason games. Lynell Hamilton and Pierre Thomas are both examples of college free agents the Saints have signed and turned into useful backs, so they won't be afraid of going with the young guys if they show potential.

Of course, Pierre Thomas is probably thinking he should have held out now.

6
by bingo762 :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 12:46pm

Brian Westbrook?

7
by Danish Denver-Fan :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 1:02pm

Meh. A runningback with 35 attempts last year - I think they'll survive.

8
by Joseph :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 1:23pm

You probably didn't know, DDF, but Hamilton was supposed to take Mike Bell's place in the backfield--that's why the Saints could let Bell go to Philly. He wasn't just a 4th stringer stashed on the practice squad who got carries in weeks 16-17.

9
by Danish Denver-Fan :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 1:46pm

Oh okay, then.

10
by Independent George :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 1:53pm

I think the point is that, like the Denver Broncos of old, you can plug in a lot of players and still get a productive runner. Blocking & receiving will be the bigger issue. Westbrook for the veteran's minimum actually sounds like a pretty good option. If you limit him to 10 carries per game, he might actually hold up the entire season.

11
by theprophecy :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 1:56pm

First time ever a 3rd-string RB's injury makes FO's front page?

13
by mm (not verified) :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 2:57pm

Well, if Pierre Thomas goes down with an injury, Reggie Bush's carries won't go up much. Whoever is listed as #3 would get a major role. He'll also get a handful of carries in games where Thomas and Bush are both healthy.

19
by jbrown (not verified) :: Thu, 08/12/2010 - 4:15am

Yeah I was kinda surprised at this and some of the other "Extra Points" when there was no mention of Andre Johnson's new contract...

25
by Still Alive (not verified) :: Thu, 08/12/2010 - 2:09pm

ditto

28
by Bobman :: Fri, 08/13/2010 - 1:31pm

That is, excluding all those instances in which a third string RB had a chainsaw, a tub of Vaselne, a flaming torch, and a clown costume with hostages stuffed in his locker....

29
by Dean :: Fri, 08/13/2010 - 1:33pm

The sad thing is I was halfway through reading this and was assuming you were talking about Maurice Clarett.

12
by mnickolas :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 2:36pm

He was supposed to replace Mike Bell, who had 172 carries last year. That's why this is significant. Bell is now gone (now with Philly)...It's a big deal.

16
by FooBarFooFoo (not verified) :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 4:52pm

As a Head Coach, I'd have sleepness nights if a guy goes down ... for every position except RBs.

If you have a good OL, you can play effectively with nobodies.

17
by Theo :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 5:11pm

As a Head Coach, I wish you all the luck in the world with a RB who can't read a block or a defense, doesn't understand who to block on passing plays and one who drops the ball as receiver.
Especially on lower levels where the passing game a less deciding factor.

18
by dbostedo :: Wed, 08/11/2010 - 8:55pm

I think by "nobodies" he means a replacement level back. And I'd think replacement level backs can do at least some of those things pretty well.

20
by dryheat :: Thu, 08/12/2010 - 8:04am

I wonder with a week of practice with the Patriots just concluded, a guy like Maroney, Morris, or Green-Ellis is traded to the Saints soon.

21
by GnomeChumpsky (not verified) :: Thu, 08/12/2010 - 8:17am

Can most people name the third running back for any team besides theirs or the Redskins hilarious amalgamation of slightly past their prime former stars? Hamilton really didn't shine in any way that made him seem better than someone who could just hold on and not fumble. With David Thomas, Jason McKie, and Heath Evans all players who can play fullback (two of them quite well) and an unexpectedly promising Jimmy Graham at Tight End if David Thomas has to move over, would it be unreasonable if the Saints didn't bother with a third running back and just used McKie or Evans as a short-yardage back until someone inevitably gets injured?

23
by Sophandros :: Thu, 08/12/2010 - 10:55am

The Saints cut McKie before camp started. However, that is an interesting idea, because he could be the lead back for Evans in short yardage. Plus, he's supposed to be good on special teams.

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Sports talk radio and sports message boards are the killing fields of intellectual discourse.

26
by GnomeChumpsky (not verified) :: Thu, 08/12/2010 - 3:45pm

Thanks for the heads-up; I missed the McKie Cut. David Thomas leading for Evans on short yardage would also be a fun idea, particularly because both have good enough hands to catch a pass for play action or trick plays.

24
by Dean :: Thu, 08/12/2010 - 11:16am

Real football fans? Probably not.

Madden geeks and people who waste 20+ hours per week pouring over waiver wires in their 6 fantasy leagues? Probably. (full disclosure - I used to be that second guy)

I'd bet most of the posters on this site could name their teams 3rd string RB, and a handful of other teams at most. But I'd think even here that very few could name the majority of 3rd string RBs in the league.

22
by DeltaWhiskey :: Thu, 08/12/2010 - 9:40am

Scratch Hamilton off the list of guys who might break Emmitt's record.

30
by Bobman :: Fri, 08/13/2010 - 1:33pm

Maybe to capture both your post and the original intent of the XP, the headline should be changed to "Lynell Hamilton: Debacled!"