We still can't figure out why or how cornerback Mike McKenzie was available in November.
If he hadn't taken matters into his own hands, he still might be not playing pro football.
McKenzie tells Peter King of SI.com and NBC that the veteran simply dialed a familiar number.
"When I saw a few guys go down with injuries, I just picked up the phone and called Coach Payton," McKenzie said. "When I left last March, he was real good about it. He said, 'Stay ready. And make sure you come around. Don't be a stranger.' So I called and I told him I was in good shape and ready to play, and he said they were going to bring me in next Monday to look at me."
And so he did, and so the Saints signed him.
"I love the National Football League," McKenzie said. "I played 10 years and loved every minute of it. I just wanted to make sure I stayed in shape so if someone did give me the opportunity to play again, I'd be ready."
Still, based on how he played last night, it's amazing that he had to help make his own opportunity with the Saints, or any other team for that matter.
Wow, he made his own call to Payton. That's the first time i've heard of this. McKenzie made it sound like it was a couples break up 'K.I.T honey!'
I'm assuming every team now has T.O's number blocked just in case "North America's Team" doesn't work out.
I bet the Packers wished they had made that call seeing as Al Harris is done for the year, unfortunately Ted Thompson didn't select Mike in the draft so he never brought him in.
Do you get paid per post?
This is a website that is read by pretty devout NFL fans. Most devout fans go to more than one site to get their information. However, you feel it necessary to repost Peter King's (who by the way is probably the most read nfl columnist on the web) MMQB Tuesday edition that was posted at noon EST.
Well done Florio, you have done your King homage for the day.
McKenzie has always had talent, but his play isn't always consistent. Has he ever made a pro bowl? I don't know what he was smokin' last night, but Brett Farve must have been rollin'!
it's nice he came back from the knee injuries.
the pats secondary sure wishes they had signed him. what a pathetic showing they had. everytime the saints passed, the pats corners would fall down
I didn't realize McKenzie wasn't off the Saints.
Crazy he was an FA for so long.
Curious what the future holds for Brooks, Matt Jones and Harrison now.
Brooks has a clean record so IDK what's been his hold up... money I assume.
What a great story of persistence... and he looked awesome last night, too!
The title of this post is misleading.
One good game, a good player does not make.
Brooks is a surprise.
Matt Jones is a surprise. But i'm sure someone will sign him in the offseason.
Harrison's knees and legal questions are probably the reason no one has signed him.
"I bet the Packers wished they had made that call seeing as Al Harris is done for the year, unfortunately Ted Thompson didn't select Mike in the draft so he never brought him in."
You do realize that he whined and demanded a trade out of Green Bay back in 2004, don't you? There was no way he was going to come back. Plus, he had knee surgery but it didn't look like it on Monday night though.
As long as he remains consistent for the remaining games he has a good chance to cash in next year. Better send a little bit Payton's way.
who dat........Geaux Saints..........welcome back McKenzie.........some awesome hits ............11-0 baby..........woo hoo.........
about time the Saints look goood........lol
houskat says:
December 1, 2009 9:50 PM
who dat........Geaux Saints..........welcome back McKenzie.........some awesome hits ............11-0 baby..........woo hoo.........
about time the Saints look goood........lol
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Congrads. You guys most def deserve a shot at the big game. Hopefully you guys knock of Queens, seeing no one else can!
This was an example of free agency working against a vet. He simply got too expensive to sign. Teams want to bring along someone with "upside" who is cheaper. So he was on the street.
American, know anything about business? Why wouldn't he repost King? It's about readership man.....why would Florio send his biz to another website?