B4 | Thursday, September 2, 2021 | beaumontenterprise.com |Beaumont Enterprise SPORTS

SAINTS Uncertainty, intrigue abound as season nears

By Brett Martel thing for our team,” Payton high,” Davis said. “Even AP SPORTS WRITER continued, “is to get the though they’re young, right 53 guys and get the they’ve shown they have a NEW ORLEANS— Wheth- right vision and lineups for high talent level.” er or not the temporarily our team as we move for- hurricane-displaced New ward.” Interior challenge Orleans Saints extend their Yet another challenge has While the Saints have vet- playoff streak to a fifth sea- been posed by Hurricane eran defensive ends, their son, there’ll be no shortage Ida. The Saints expect to en- interior will rely on less es- of intrigue surrounding ter the regular season prac- tablished players, particu- their first season in 15 years ticing in the Dallas area be- larly early in the season. The without all-time leading cause of the widespread Saints traded Malcom passer Drew Brees. damage in southeast Louisi- Brown and let Sheldon Ran- The first successor to ana and will play their Sept. kins go in free agency. And Brees will be 2013 Heisman 12 home opener against their top returning tackle, Trophy winner and 2015 top Green Bay in Jacksonville. , is sus- overall draft choice Jameis pended the first six games Winston, whose talent has Missing target for violating the NFL’s per- never been in doubt but The Saints open the regu- formance enhancers policy. whose productivity vacillat- lar season with Thomas on “It’s a challenge, especial- ed wildly with his former the physically unable to per- ly not having a player like team, the Tampa Bay Bucca- form list, meaning the two- David early on,” Davis said. neers. He won a preseason time All-Pro will miss at least “On the outside, we’ve got competition with Taysom LM Otero/Associated Press the first six games. Expect some dominant guys and Hill, a former utility player Saints quarterback takes over for all-time leading passer Drew Winston to rely on second- you’re not going to find a whom coach Brees, who retired this offseason. year pro better defensive line coach said will retain a role. and small but speedy receiv- than Ryan (Nielsen), so I’m , one of the 2019 All-Pro linebacker De- only if we got our best guys, edges that moving on from er , who is al- not worried.” most dynamic and explo- mario Davis and three-time or only if things go right or Brees represents a major so the Saints’ top return sive players in the NFL as Pro Bowl Mar- only if we stay healthy,’” shift, the coach also seems man. Cornerback both a runner and receiver, shon Lattimore. Jenkins continued. “No, we no less eager to forge ahead considerations remains a pillar of a New Or- “Our goal is to win a want to win a champion- with new, and in some cas- Young linbackers Because the Saints let leans offense that also fields championship, and how we ship. So, whatever we have es, unproven players in key The Saints expect to have 2020 starting cornerback Ja- aformidable front five. Re- get there doesn’t matter,” to do to get there, we em- roles. the same top two lineback- noris Jenkins go as a cost- cord-setting receiver Mi- said veteran safety Malcolm brace that.” “It’s different because ers this season in Demario saving move, they’ve been chael Thomas is expected to Jenkins, who won a Super Meanwhile, Payton, who one of the players we lost Davis and Kwon Alexander trying to fill his spot. The top be back from ankle surgery Bowl with Philadelphia in is known for his offensive was our quarterback that but anticipate greater roles candidates are before midseason. the 2017 season, when back- acumen and has coached had been with us for a long from 2020 third-round draft and third-round draft pick And several key players up QB Nick Foles took over the Saints to the playoffs in period of time,” Payton said. choice Zach Baun and 2021 . Both could return on defense from the for injured starter Carson nine of his 14 seasons on the “Outside of that, there’s a second-rounder Pete Wer- start if Lattimore is suspend- previous four playoff sea- Wentz. sideline — including one Su- certain amount of attrition ner. ed at some point because of sons, including 2017 All-Pro “We’re not saying, ‘Oh we per Bowl title — remains in every year. “You got quite a few guys his offseason arrest on a gun defensive end Cam Jordan, want to win a championship charge. While he acknowl- “The most important that were drafted pretty possession charge.

sonville. The Jaguars are at their bodies all week.” SAINTS Houston on Sept. 12. The Saints evacuated New From page B1 “I don’t think we had a Orleans before the storm to whole lot of say,” he said. “I North Texas and have prac- uled home game Oct. 3 think obviously they worked ticedthisweek at AT&T Stadi- against the New York Giants. with us, but it’s, I think with um, the home of the Dallas Two more road games and this being a New Orleans Cowboys. They are remain- their bye week follow before home game, it wasn’t a lot of ing in Texas for workouts they host defending Super say from our view.” next week and will travel to Bowl champion Tampa Bay Packers coach Matt La- Jacksonville the day before on Oct. 31. Fleur offered his best to “ev- the season opener. “It’s sometimes tough to erybody in New Orleans,” “We’ve got a firm plan for keep the focus on it when adding: the next week of prepara- there’s so much going on and “That’s a bad deal that tion.… We’ve got a place to so many people are affected. they’re going through so practice and a place to stay But at the end of the day, we we’ll adjust, and I think, for our team,” Loomis said. got a job to do,” Kamara said. yeah there are some adjust- “I don’t think there’s any- “We just got to keep moving ments … some positives that thing really too unique about ETC. Lost & Found | Pets | Merchandise | Estate & Garage Sales | Agribusiness | Misc. and find ways to combat it it probably won’t be quite as playing on the road if we and stay focused.” loud. But the negative is that have to do this Week 1, be- Packers general manager it’s hard to simulate that kind cause we’re going to do that Brian Gutekunst admitted of heat, so our guys are going Week 2and Week 3. So it’ll be APPLIANCES WHIRLPOOL 28 Cubic Ft. | Side by side refrig, like new, $700. Call 409-736-1452 his team played no real role to have to do agreatjob of hy- anormal road trip, it’s just in the decision to playin Jack- drating and taking care of departing from here.” Real Estate For Sale | For Rent | Services

“They threw some good regain it. He finished the fifth ASTROS games against us,” Baker inning at only 79 pitches but From page B1 said. “I was talking to some left Baker with a difficult de- people, and that’s their cision. Jake Odorizzi and solid work strength — their strength is in Opponents hammer Odo- from four relievers. The five their pitching. They usually rizzi after seeing him twice. SOUTHEAST Accepting Applications | SENIOR Citizens 62 & up or handicapped. Now available Low income, Efficiency, 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments. Apply at 3030 French Rd. men held the Mariners to don’t score a whole bunch of Hitters who face him a third Call: (409) 892-0196 Raintree Tower Apts Equal Housing Opportunity three hits. Houston struck runs. That’s why their run time have a .405 on-base per- nine and somehow lost. differential is in the minus. centage, .925 slugging per- SOUTHEAST CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS | SENIOR CITIZENS 62 OR OLDER “It’s . 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He hit Ty France with his first Baker emerged from the Notice Of Sale Pursuant to Chapter 59 Four relievers followed him pitch of the second. A full- dugout to try to salvage the Texas Property Code, Store Space will hold a Public Sale of Property to satisfy to finish the shutout. Gilbert count splitter to Abraham game. Odorizzi relinquished landlords lien on Friday the 17th day of is enduring growing pains Toro bounced 10 feet in front the game to reliever Phil Ma- September, 2021 at 10:00 AM. Property will be sold to highest bidder for cash. most prospects discover dur- of home plate and advanced ton, who froze Seager with a Property must be removed within 72 hours. Seller reserves the right to reject ing their major league intro- France a base. well-located two-strike fast- any bid and withdraw property from a duction. He entered August Catcher Martin Maldona- ball before walking France sale. Bidding takes place on Lockerfox.com. Said property is Store with a 4.04 ERA. Five abys- do meandered out for a on four pitches. The mistake Space Beaumont, 260 I-10 S., Beaumont, mal starts in August raised it meeting. Odorizzi changed loaded the bases and TX, 77707 Jefferson County LaFleur, Sierrae 1092 bedroom furniture with a to 5.44. the hand placement in his brought a familiar scene microwave and a burner,Harmon JR., Clarence C. 2047 A lot of assorted boxes Opponents slugged .625 delivery between starts. The back into focus. and bags of cloths and house hold items against Gilbert across those adjustment left him out of Toro took his place in the including a pool table and fishing equip- ment and tools, Abshier, Michael 3087 2 23 ⁄3 innings. He yielded 24 whack to start. Maldonado lefthanded batter’s box. A misc items tools with washer machine earned runs for a 9.13 ERA. patted Odorizzi on the head night earlier, he broke a and water boiler and assorted machinery, DRIVERS Galmore, Chardonah 1290 bedroom fur- The Astros scored nine of to settle him. Odorizzi scoreless tie with a mam- niture with a lot of assorted household Coastal Ready Mix,Inc furniture and boxes, Bennett, Christine them during a 15-1 drubbing stranded both baserunners moth grand slam against a 1365 A lot of assorted boxes and bags of at Minute Maid Park on Aug. and began a turnaround. newly acquired Astros reliev- Coastal Ready Mix, Inc. is hiring Class A & B CDL drivers for cement cloths and house hold items including fur- niture and totes and bins, Caswell, Mary 21. “From that point on, it er. Replicating the feat felt mixer trucks.Health, Dental, Vision, Life & 401K available. 3073 A lot of assorted boxes and bags of Apply in person at Coastal Ready Mix, Inc. 6363 North Twin City cloths and house hold items and tools Wednesday offered no re- was pretty solid,” Odorizzi impossible. Toro tried any- with a table and 2 chest drawers, peat. Gilbert handled an As- said. “Fastball velocity was way. He ambushed Maton’s Hwy, Unit One, Nederland, TX tros lineup finally at full better; was much first-pitch fastball and lifted it strength. Manager Dusty better. Everything was lining to center field. Baker wrote a batting order up much better. Overall, I’m Meyers stalked the fly ball At Your Service befitting Game 1 of a playoff pretty pleased with the pitch in shallow territory. He made TO ADVERTISE: (409) 838-2888 series, complete with Alex results from today. It was the catch without incident. Classifi[email protected] Bregman. It mustered four pretty consistent location- Crawford tagged up from hits in five scoreless frames wise. It just sucks to lose a1-0 third base the moment he EXCAVATION | PARKER’S FISH FARM against Gilbert. One runner game.” did. Meyers’ throw took Mal- POND STOCKING reached scoring position Odorizzi generated 14 donado up the third-base WWW.PARKERSFISHFARM.COM 1-800-362-3390 while Gilbert worked. He swings and misses and line. Crawford crossed home struck out Yordan Alvarez struck out seven. He did not plate, proving to his oppo- 1 and Jake Meyers two times allow a hit through 3 ⁄3 in- nent that such a scene is pos- apiece, yielding a superb nings. France struck a single sible. to complement a four- in the fourth inning to stop LANDSCAPING | Mobile Mower Repair seam fastball that averaged the momentum. Odorizzi re- [email protected] Specialized riding mowers & tillers. Why Wait 2-3 96.1 mph. tired the next five Mariners to twitter.com/chandler_rome weeks? ’’We go to U’’ (409)540-1785.