Chucky's Chalk Talk

On the Saints defense, which has slipped to 26th in the NFL:

"They're a very difficult team to play in the dome. We watched the Packers game carefully. They won that game decisively at home. They're very skilled on defense. We realize statistics say one thing but the film says another, believe me.

"You put all the plus-20 (yard) plays on the reel. That's the first thing we do is look at the plus-20 reels and see all the big plays that have been yielded by this defense, hoping there will be a crack and something that we can do. You can look at those plays for yourself. You're going to go, 'Wow. How did that happen?' They've got a guy in position and it's just a great play by an individual. It's a good defensive team. They have a lot of schemes."

On stopping RB Deuce McAllister, who is questionable with an ankle sprain:

"We're going to prepare for McAllister, obviously. We had a guy wearing his number all week. He's a great player. We knew he was dangerous at the beginning of the season. The one thing that we do know for sure now is this guy is a great player as a receiver and runner. The size and the speed that he has and the ability to catch the ball is very rare. But we're preparing for him and whether he plays or not will be decided on Sunday."

On playing on the road after spending November at home:

"It's going to be a tremendous challenge. They have lost two games in a row and I think they are looking at this as an opportunity, just like we are. You have to respect that. We will have to prepare for a different Saints team. We'll see if Deuce McAllister will be ready to go, but it's going to be a loud, playoff-type atmosphere, much like it was (Sunday)."