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Saints' offseason report card...so far
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Today
03:55 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Officially the 2009 season ended for the New Orleans Saints late into the evening on February 7 after defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.
The brand new season though didn't actually begin until March 5 when free agency began.
Very few moves have been made by the Saints since winning the championship, but that isn't necessarily their fault. New rules in place this year put great restrictions on the teams that made it the deepest into the playoffs. The biggest of those restrictions is that the Saints could not sign a free agent until losing one of their own.
Full Story – Examiner.Com |
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Pittsburgh Steelers don't expect to be the New Orleans Saints' season-opening opponent
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
05:49 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
The Pittsburgh Steelers don't expect to be selected as the season-opening opponent for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints on Thursday night, Sept. 9, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Saints, who will host the nationally-televised season opener, are expected to learn their opponent next week.
Steelers President Art Rooney II said he expects his team to open the season at home because scheduling conflicts with baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates will force the Steelers to play on the road in Weeks 2 and 3.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Submit your questions to the New Orleans Saints mailbag
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
05:47 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
With the pace of free agency slowing down to a crawl, we'll try to feed your hunger for New Orleans Saints information through some mailbag answers.
Please submit any questions you have to Saintsmailbag@timespicayune.com, and Saints beat writer Mike Triplett will offer his responses.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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New Orleans Saints receiver Robert Meachem draws a crowd in Tulsa
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
05:46 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints receiver Robert Meachem was featured in this article in the Tulsa World today. The Super Bowl champion made an appearance in his hometown Wednesday to raise money for his Follow Your Dreams Foundation.
"I'm living a dream," said Meachem, who added that "it's one of the best blessings you could have as a player" to have Drew Brees at quarterback and Sean Payton as a head coach.
"(Payton) comes off the bus wanting to throw the ball. As a receiver, you've got to love that," Meachem said.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Taking flight: Pierre Thomas' gritty runs after the catch sparked Saints championship
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
10:04 AM
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By Gary Graves / Gannett News
While Pierre Thomas’ rushing established the New Orleans Saints’ offensive balance, his runs after catching the ball are why they claimed an historic victory in Super Bowl XLIV.
Thomas’ 16-yard catch-and-run for a 13-10 Saints lead on their first possession of the third quarter capped a 58-yard drive in which he caught two passes for 28 yards, along with a 9-yard run.
Those numbers were a snapshot of the Saints’ mix that keyed their 31-17 victory against the Indianapolis Colts, and the running back played a huge role in keeping them honest.
Full Story – The News Star.Com
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If the NFL changes the overtime rules, we can thank (or blame) the Saints and Vikings
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
09:59 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Let's take a break from the world of free agency for a little bit and look at something from last season that may cause changes in seasons to come. It's been discussed for years now off and on, but it has really been pushed into the spotlight ever since the New Orleans Saints defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game for a right to play in Super Bowl XLIV. The NFL is now looking into changing the rules of overtime so that both teams would now get a possession and a "chance" to win the game.
Amazing how much influence Brett Favre has on the game isn't it?
Come on, you don't really think that this would be getting nearly as much press and attention if it had been Marc Bulger that lost the NFC Championship game now do you?
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Drew Brees hopes autobiography will 'touch people's lives'
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
09:55 AM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
The revival of Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints and the city of New Orleans will be chronicled in the Super Bowl MVP's upcoming autobiography, "Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity, " which is scheduled to be released July 6.
he details of Brees' upcoming memoir were released Wednesday. Brees will collaborate with author Chris Fabry, who previously worked on Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel's book, "The Winners Manual." Brees' book is being published by Tyndale House Publishers.
According to a press release, the book will "chronicle the incredible comeback story not only of one of the NFL's top quarterbacks, but also the rebirth of a city and a team that many had all but written off."
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Saints visiting with former Raider running back Justin Fargas
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-17-2010
11:34 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Mike Bell has been signed to an offer sheet by the Philadelphia Eagles and the Saints have seven days to match it or let him go. That hasn't stopped them though from already looking for a possible replacement.
Former Oakland Raider running back Justin Fargas was seen on Tuesday night having dinner with Saints' officials. No official visit has been reported as of yet. Witnesses spotted them at Emeril's in the Warehouse District.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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New Orleans Saints restricted free agent tailback Mike Bell gets offer sheet from Philadelphia Eagles
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-16-2010
07:39 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints restricted free agent tailback Mike Bell agreed to the terms of an offer sheet with the Philadelphia Eagles, his agent Josh Luchs confirmed. If the Saints want to keep him, they have seven days to match the deal.
It's a one-year deal worth $1.7 million with $500,000 guaranteed, according to a league source, with incentives that could increase it above $2 million. The Saints had offered Bell a one-year qualifying offer worth $1.176 million with no guaranteed money.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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New Orleans Saints' Anthony Hargrove, Mike Bell drawing interest
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-16-2010
01:19 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
A few teams have begun driving into New Orleans Saints territory in the restricted free agent market.
Defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove flew to Detroit for a visit with the Lions on Monday night, according to a league source. And tailback Mike Bell is scheduled to visit the Philadelphia Eagles today, his agent Josh Luchs confirmed.
Since they are restricted free agents, the Saints would have the right to match any offer they might sign with another team. And in Hargrove's case, if they chose not to match an offer, they would receive a third-round draft pick as compensation - Hargrove's original draft round.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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New Orleans Saints rank among league's highest 'spenders'
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-15-2010
10:20 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
There are several reasons why the New Orleans Saints haven't been aggressive buyers in the free agent market, but one of the biggest reasons is that they already rank as one of the NFL's biggest spenders with the players already on the books.
According to a report by Pro Football Talk and NBC Sports, the Saints' salary-cap figure would be $135 million right now if there was a salary cap in place - the second-largest in the NFL. General Manager Mickey Loomis said Monday that dollar figure is not accurate, but he did confirm, "Our cap number would be high."
"Relative to a lot of the other teams, we're higher than the halfway point. I'll say that," Loomis said, not offering a specific number.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Saints' Anthony Hargrove and Mike Bell schedule more visits
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-15-2010
07:47 PM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Free Agency is certainly in full swing right now and still there are no real changes in the look of the New Orleans Saints. Scott Fujita's signing with the Cleveland Browns is big, but that's about all the action we've seen so far.
Business might be picking up soon though and not in a good way.
Running back Mike Bell has already had one free agent visit with the Seattle Seahawks and now will head into Philadelphia to visit with the Eagles on Tuesday. After releasing long-time back Brian Westbrook, the Eagles aren't exactly shallow at the position but could use another strong runner.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis says quarterback Jake Delhomme's decision was not surprising
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-15-2010
07:45 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
BATON ROUGE - New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said the organization wasn't surprised one bit when free agent quarterback Jake Delhomme decided to sign with the Cleveland Browns over the weekend, pre-empting his visit to New Orleans.
"We knew that if he had an opportunity to go somewhere as a starter, he was gonna probably do that," Loomis said while observing the action at LSU's Pro Day on Monday.
The Saints are looking to possibly upgrade their backup quarterback spot from veteran Mark Brunell, who is an unrestricted free agent and turns 40 in September. But it hasn't been their highest priority this offseason. Delhomme is the only quarterback the Saints have shown serious interest in so far.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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New Orleans Saints free agent Billy Miller has backup plan
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-15-2010
09:09 AM
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By Jeff Eisenberg - Contributing Writer / Times-Picayune
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF. - Swing open the door to the athletic training facility owned by New Orleans Saints tight end Billy Miller, and it doesn't take long to realize this is no run-of-the-mill gym.
There's Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart running drop-back drills. There's San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson lifting free weights. And there are maybe a dozen NFL hopefuls stretching before they continue preparation for pre-draft workouts later this month.
Unsure whether he wanted to continue playing football after a discouraging injury-plagued season with the Cleveland Browns in 2005, Miller began formulating a plan to open a training facility in the affluent Los Angeles suburb where he grew up.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis' press conference transcript 3/12/10
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-13-2010
08:32 AM
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By The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints executive vice president/general manager Mickey Loomis' press conference transcript from the Saints' training facility on Friday.
Opening Statement: "We've had some time to celebrate winning Super Bowl XLIV. It's been everything that we could have dreamed of. We want to thank our fans for the tremendous reception that they've given us. It started with the greeting that we had at the airport when we came back from the airport when we got back from Miami, the victory parade, which was beyond description if you weren't a participant and all the way through the Mardi Gras parades that we were able to participate in. We want to thank the krewes for allowing us to do that, and frankly from my point of view and I participated in a couple of those, it was like an extension of the victory parade.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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New Orleans Saints looking to fill voids at linebacker, defensive end
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-13-2010
08:29 AM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
Scott Fujita's departure didn't exactly leave the New Orleans Saints' cupboard bare at linebacker.
Although General Manager Mickey Loomis said it "remains to be seen" how the Saints will fill the starting job on the strong side of their defense, he pointed out that they have several candidates in-house, including young backups Jonathan Casillas, Stanley Arnoux, Anthony Waters, Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Marvin Mitchell and veteran Troy Evans.
Because the Saints haven't scheduled any visits with free agent linebackers, Loomis was asked if that means they rank defensive end as a higher priority right now.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Saints GM Loomis says character will loom large in personnel decisions
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-12-2010
05:13 PM
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By James Varney / Times-Picayune
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Friday that only in rare instances where they see the possibility of a turnaround will the team take an active interest in players with baggages. In fact, an emphasis on player character has been a guiding principle for the Saints turnaround from a 3-13 team in 2005 to Super Bowl champions.
Indeed, in conversations with Coach Sean Payton after Hurricane Katrina, Loomis said the team's brain trust decided to seek players with that combination of intelligence and grit above even pure athletic talent or speed.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Highlights from New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis' press conference
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-12-2010
05:12 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis met the media for a state-of-the-Saints press conference Friday. Here were some of the highlights:
- He had a great line about Darren Sharper, who said earlier this week that the Saints haven't shown him enough "love" yet in their contract talks. Said Loomis: "Listen, I've got all the love in the world for Darren Sharper. I just don't have all the money in the world for Darren Sharper."
Loomis went on to say that the Saints would like to bring back their All-Pro safety, but he said he's prepared to lose him if he gets the right opportunity elsewhere.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Memo to Darren Sharper: 'Love' and free agency don't mix
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-12-2010
07:40 AM
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By by Brian Allee-Walsh / NewOrleans.Com's Saints Beat
"If the love was right, that would have been taken care of. The love would have been reciprocated." - New Orleans Saints unrestricted free agent safety Darren Sharper.
NEW ORLEANS – I have covered the Saints and the NFL for 23 years.
I have reported, heard and read a lot of silly statements made by adult men on both sides of the negotiating table. Never - I repeat NEVER - have I come across such blather as the aforementioned statement made by Darren Sharper that appeared in Thursday morning's Times-Picayune.
LOVE! Are you kidding me? OMG!
Full Story – New Orleans.Com
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New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton discusses upcoming visit with free agent Jake Delhomme
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-11-2010
11:37 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
I spoke with New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton about the Saints' first week of free agency and their upcoming visit with quarterback Jake Delhomme, who is scheduled to arrive Friday.
Payton said he goes back with Delhomme, not only having competed against him in the NFC South, but that he spent a lot of quality time with him when Delhomme took a free agent visit to Dallas in 2003. Obviously, several Saints executives also know Delhomme well from his time in New Orleans from 1997-2002.
"He's someone we certainly have a lot of respect for, having competed against him," Payton said. "In his mind, I'm sure he's looking through his options, looking for place he might be able to start, if that exists. And if that doesn't exist, there could be a lot of reasons for him to come back here."
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Book deals in the works for New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-11-2010
11:23 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees both have book deals in the works after their remarkable Super Bowl season.
Payton's book, titled "Home Team," is scheduled to be released in the first week of July and will center on the unique relationship between the Saints and the city. The details of Brees' book have not been announced, but he confirmed that he plans to become a first-time author through a tweet Thursday night.
"I never thought this would happen, but I am writing a book. A great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many," Brees said on his Twitter account.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Jake Delhomme to spend weekend with New Orleans Saints
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-11-2010
11:21 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
Jake Delhomme's career took off when he left the Louisiana nest for the first time in 2003, signing with the Carolina Panthers and immediately leading them to a Super Bowl berth.
Now, the New Orleans Saints want the free-agent quarterback to come back home.
Delhomme, a Breaux Bridge native, former Louisiana-Lafayette star and former Saints backup will visit the Saints on Friday and Saturday to explore the idea of becoming an insurance policy for Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita goes into detail about move to Cleveland Browns
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-11-2010
09:05 AM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
We concentrated mostly on the New Orleans Saints when we spoke with linebacker Scott Fujita after he decided to move on to the Cleveland Browns. But he went into more detail today on SIRIUS' Mad Dog Radio about what sold him on the Browns organization.
Here's a recap, courtesy of SIRIUS, from his interview with host Gary Williams:
Host/Gary Williams: "Every guy who is on a Super Bowl team and then has the chance to 'cash in,' you go, why do you leave a great situation for a team that, right now, you wonder how much hope. How do you as a player assess the specialness of what you are leaving to why you choose what you chose to do, which is leave New Orleans?"
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Report: Sharper says Saints aren't showing the love
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-10-2010
06:01 PM
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Safety will be able to make free agent visits soon
By Brad Biggs / National Football Post
Darren Sharper says he’ll be able to hit the road on some free agent visits in about a week or so after his knee is healed up following arthroscopic surgery that was described as a cleanup procedure.
And he’ll hit the road because he says the New Orleans Saints have not shown him enough love yet, according to Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Translated, they haven’t showered him with enough cash yet.
"If the love was right, that would have been taken care of. The love would have been reciprocated," Sharper said.
Full Story - National Football Post
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Charles Grant wants to become a Saints' rival
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-10-2010
02:07 PM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Former New Orleans Saints' defensive end Charles Grant will no longer be in the Superdome wearing black and gold. But if it was up to him, he'd be back once a year in different colors.
Grant did an interview with Sirius NFL Radio and let the world know which teams he wants to possibly play for. Two of those teams are right in the NFC South and would end up playing the Saints twice each season.
The often injured defensive end let it be known that he would like to play for the Carolina Panthers or the Atlanta Falcons. Another possible destination for Grant is Tennessee where he could be a member of the Titans in the AFC.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Read all about it: New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton writes a book
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-10-2010
02:01 PM
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By Brian Allee-Walsh / New Orleans.Com
NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton is on the verge of adding yet another defining moment to his burgeoning resume’.
In collaboration with noted journalist Ellis Henican and the NAL/Penguin Publishing Company, Payton has agreed to tell “the definitive story of a four-year journey by a coach, a team and a city, all rising together, told by the one person who can tell it right.’’
Entitled “Home Team,’’ the hardcover is scheduled
Full Story – New Orleans.Com
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NFL's unsigned unrestricted free agents
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-10-2010
01:06 PM
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By Associated Press / Times-Picayune
Unsigned unrestricted free agents (f-franchise player):
Arizona Cardinals: Anthony Becht, TE; Monty Beisel, LB; Bertrand Berry, LB; Jeremy Bridges, G; Ralph Brown, DB; Mike Gandy, T; Dan Kreider, RB; Sean Morey, WR; Chike Okeafor, LB; Neil Rackers, K; Bryan Robinson, NT; Brian St. Pierre, QB; Matt Ware, DB.
Atlanta Falcons: Marty Booker, WR; Tony Gilbert, LB; Verron Haynes, RB; Mike Schneck, LS; Aaron Stecker, RB; Joe Zelenka, LS.
Baltimore Ravens: Dwan Edwards, DE; Corey Ivy, DB; Derrick Mason, WR; L.J. Smith, TE; David Tyree, WR; Frank Walker, DB; Kelley Washington, WR.
Full Story – Nola.Com |
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Saints re-sign a couple; more on Darren Sharper's status
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-10-2010
11:26 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Somehow or another, another qualifying offer failed to go reported last week when the Saints were handing them out to their restricted free agent.
Back-up defensive end Jeff Charleston was given the lowest-level qualifying offer meaning the Saints would receive no compensation if he chose to sign with another team and New Orleans declined to match it. His offer is one-year for $1.101 million.
Charleston played in all 16 games last season and recorded 10 tackles.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Jonathan Vilma at Metairie Barnes & Noble on Wednesday
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-10-2010
06:53 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Monday night the Saints' players and staff felt what it was like to walk the red carpet for the premiere of their Super Bowl season DVD. The Prytania was full of players waiting to see just how much of a miracle it all was when put together in one package.
Now they'd like to share a bit more of it with all the fans.
The DVD was released in stores on Tuesday, March 9 for the public to buy, but now is your chance to make your possession a bit more valuable.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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New Orleans Saints exploring defensive line options in free agency
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-09-2010
11:48 AM
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By Ken Trahan / President - New Orleans.Com
The old axiom “if you snooze, you lose,” certainly applies in professional sports, especially in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints are acutely aware of this and are actively pursuing many potential options in free agency.
Despite winning a Super Bowl, the New Orleans Saints are not standing pat. Most of the attention has been on improving the defensive line.
Veteran defensive tackle James Hall, Leonard Little and Jamal Williams are set to visit the Saints while Ray Edwards remains a possibility.
Full Story – New Orleans.Com
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