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Anyone recall Billy Miller? Where has the Saints' tight end disappeared to?
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Today
08:31 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Training camp opens today for the New Orleans Saints and there is going to be a lot of buzz in the air. Most of the starters are already in place, but there are a few positions (especially as back-ups) that will see some battles.
One position that may not see a big competition but will merit a lot of attention is that of tight end. Chances are there are going to be three tight ends on the final roster of 53 and we kind of have an idea who those three will be.
My guesses? Jeremy Shockey, David Thomas, and rookie Jimmy Graham. I doubt that comes as much of a surprise to anyone though considering the next two in line are Tory Humphrey and Tyler Lorenzen.
Full Story – Examiner.Com |
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New Orleans Saints Mickey Loomis' press conference transcript 7/29/2010
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
08:36 PM
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By The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints executive vice president/general manager Mickey Loomis' Thursday press conference, provided by the team's communications staff.
Opening Statement:
"We're excited to get started. I have a few roster announcements to make here before I open it up to questions. We terminated Jason McKie and we waived Earl Heyman in order to get to the 80-man roster. Later today we're going to put Darren Sharper, Robert Meachem, Marques Colston and Clint Ingram on active PUP. Obviously we have a first-round pick (Patrick Robinson) that is unsigned, but I think that talks are going well. I'd be surprised if he's not signed before the weekend's out. Matt Tennant has been excused from practices this weekend due to the passing of his mother. He'll return on Monday."
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Deke: Loomis and Payton kick off Saints Camp 2010
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
06:08 PM
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By Deke Bellavia / WWL
Everyone has reported to camp with the exception of the Saints top draft pick, CB Patrick Robinson. “I think we’re close and I would be surprised if it’s not done before the weekend’s out, hopefully sooner than that,” Loomis said when asked about his top pick.
After Loomis spoke and fielded questions coach Sean Payton took to the microphone and these were his opening remarks. “We ran this morning, which would be very normal on this first day back. We will basically have a two-a-day format starting tomorrow, with just kind of a walk through review more than anything else this afternoon. I thought overall, just after watching the conditioning test and coming out of the offseason, we had as many players in the offseason, with 100% attendance – which reduced what they had to run here today – than we’ve ever had, so I was encouraged with the shape these guys are in. Obviously we are going to have to deal with the heat, especially here in the next three or four days it looks like, and we’ll monitor that. Other than that, the start has gone very smooth.”
Full Story –WWL.Com
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Marques Colston to start training camp on physical unable to perform list
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
02:34 PM
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By Guerry Smith / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Wide receiver Marques Colston will join fellow wideout Robert Meachem, safety Darren Sharper and linebacker Clint Ingram on the active physically unable to perform list for the beginning of training camp, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Thursday.
Loomis added that he expected all four players to be activated in the next two weeks, with Colston and Ingram returning next week and Sharper and Meachem coming back about a week later.
Practice begins Friday with a session in the morning and afternoon.
“The active PUP list just means he counts on the 80-man roster and can be activated on to the regular roster and be able to practice at any time,” Loomis said.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Saints' first press conference of 2010 season recap: Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
02:29 PM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
The first press conference for the new season went down today at the New Orleans Saints' practice facility in Metairie. I was personally on hand to listen to General Manager Mickey Loomis and Coach Sean Payton discuss the upcoming season and training camp.
Many questions were sure to be asked about a number of great topics, but it was just a truly awesome feeling just to be in there for the start of training camp. A lot of positive feeling in the air as the defending Super Bowl champions are here in New Orleans.
Loomis came out first and immediately advised us all that the "Black and Gold Practice" would be held on August 7 from 2:50 PM until approximately 4:20 PM. Mark your calendars as it is open to the public.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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New Orleans Saints expect to sign first round draft pick Patrick Robinson soon
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
01:39 PM
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By James Varney / Times-Picayune
Cornerback Patrick Robinson, the Saints first round draft pick in 2010, is the only player who did not report for training camp Wednesday but general manager Mickey Loomis said he is confident a contract will be inked soon.
"I would be surprised if it's not done before the weekend is out," Loomis said.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said intensity will be key to camp
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
01:36 PM
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By James Varney / Times-Picayune
On the eve of the Saints 2010 training camp and their defense of their Super Bowl championship, general manager Mickey Loomis said he will be keeping an eye on the team's intensity over the next four months.
"I'm looking to see how we handle success," Loomis said Thursday afternoon. "I want to see what the level of intensity will be compared to last year. Last year it was as high as I've ever seen."
Full Story – Nola.Com
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5 angelic predictions for New Orleans Saints' training camp 2010
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
10:40 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Excitement is in the air for the city of New Orleans even though I'm not entirely sure that it ever really left. The Saints won the Super Bowl back in February and a huge party has been going on ever since, but now the defending champions need to worry about whether or not they'll suffer a big hangover.
Training camp begins at the Saints' practice facility in Metairie on Friday, July 30. All rookies and veterans must report and there will be two practices on the first day which are both open to the public.
* 8:50 AM - 11:00 AM
* 4:20 PM - 5:45 PM
There is the possibility times and the practices being open to the public could change depending on weather and at Sean Payton's discretion.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Former Saints' DE Charles Grant signs with Miami Dolphins
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
10:38 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Charles Grant has finally found another home in the NFL after playing his whole career with the New Orleans Saints. Only, it's not with a division rival of the black and gold like he had once hoped for.
Grant came to terms with the Miami Dolphins on a two-year deal that could pay him up to $4.5 million says NFL.com.
During the 2009 season that saw the Saints win Super Bowl XLIV, Grant had registered 5.5 sacks before being placed on injured reserve in week 17. He landed there thanks to a triceps injury that kept him out of the playoffs and saw Bobby McCray fill in nicely for him.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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New Orleans Saints 10 questions as they head into training camp
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
10:23 AM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
With all of the parades, ring ceremonies and book tours, it has been difficult to mark when the 2009 season ended and the 2010 season began for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.
But if it wasn't official before now, then today formally will mark the transition.
The Saints reported to training camp Wednesday night, with weigh-ins and conditioning tests scheduled for today -- and the first set of two-a-day practices kicking off Friday at their practice facility in Metairie.
They're now back on equal footing with every other team in the NFL, except that they'll be the only ones without a chip on their shoulders, a bad taste in their mouths or unfinished business to complete.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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A Super start in New Orleans?
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
10:21 AM
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By Jason Pugh / Gannett News
Everything has changed for the New Orleans Saints. No longer are they the Aints. No longer do New Orleans fans wear bags over their heads in shame. Instead, the team arrives for the first day of the 2010 training camp as the defending Super Bowl champions and a chic pick to defend their title. Some things, however, remain the same no matter what has happened in the last 12 months. Just like every other NFL team, the Saints have questions to answer at camp. Here are five things to watch as the Saints reconvene in the New Orleans suburbs.
1. Are they ready to work?
It can be argued that no team in National Football League history enjoyed a Super Bowl championship more than the Saints. The fun has subsided in recent months, but the question remains if the Saints are ready to defend their title. New Orleans will begin to answer that question today.
Full Story –Shreveport Times.Com
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Patrick Ramsey's journey through the NFL will make a stop in New Orleans
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
10:17 AM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
After bouncing around the NFL with five teams in the past eight years, quarterback Patrick Ramsey landed back home in Louisiana on Wednesday, agreeing to a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints also agreed to terms on a four-year deal with rookie tight end Jimmy Graham before players reported for their first meeting of training camp Wednesday night. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Ramsey's arrival has been anticipated for months, but the Saints couldn't sign him until last week because of new league rules that limit the number of unrestricted free agents that can be signed by the final four playoff teams. The New York Jets, who were under the same restrictions, signed former Saints backup quarterback Mark Brunell on Wednesday.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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New Orleans Saints position series: Running backs
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Yesterday
10:15 AM
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By Nick Peruffo / Times-Picayune
In anticipation of the New Orleans Saints upcoming training camp, we will be running a series of online position-by-position breakdowns with our bests guesses as to who will make the final 53-man roster. Along with these breakdowns, we will also run interactive polls so that the voice of Who Dat Nation can be heard.
One of the potential storylines for the Saints heading into training camp will be the contract situation of Pierre Thomas. Thomas signed a one-year, $1.684 million tender early this offseason, but is still trying to negotiate a long-term deal. After rushing for 5.4 yards per carry in 2009, it was widely reported that Thomas wanted to be paid "Stephen Jackson money", referring to the St. Louis Rams' Pro Bowl tailback. Judging by both his personal history and the possibility of significant daily fines, however, it appears unlikely that Thomas will miss any time during training camp.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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2010 New Orleans Saints Training Camp Dates & Times
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-28-2010
05:24 PM
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By / New Orleans Saints.Com
2010 New Orleans Saints Training Camp Schedule
Friday, July 30
Morning
8:50 am – 11:00 am
Saints Outdoor Fields
Open to Public
**Entire Schedule Link
Full Story –New Orleans Saints.Com
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New Orleans Saints agree to terms with veteran quarterback Patrick Ramsey, rookie tight end Jimmy Graham
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-28-2010
05:19 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
The New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent quarterback Patrick Ramsey (one-year deal) and third-round draft choice Jimmy Graham (four years). Financial terms were not disclosed.
Ramsey, 31, is expected to compete with second-year pro Chase Daniel for the backup job behind Drew Brees. The addition of the former Tulane standout has been long anticipated, but the Saints weren't allowed to add any more unrestricted free agents before last week because of new league rules put in place this year.
Ramsey, 6-2 and 225 pounds, was a first-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins in 2002, though he has spent the majority of his career as a journeyman backup.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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2010 NFL Preview: New Orleans Saints
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-28-2010
03:49 PM
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By Dwayne Dunham / Gridiron Grind
What a magical run by the New Orleans Saints in 2009. They came out of nowhere and put together the best season in franchise history, including a 13-0 start, home field advantage in the playoffs, and was capped off by their win in Super Bowl XLIV over the Indianapolis Colts.
Now Sean Payton and his Saints are in a totally new and totally different position. They are not one of the 31 teams that are hunting for a Super Bowl crown. They are the hunted. Are they going to respond, or is the Super Bowl Hangover going to carry into the regular season? The 2010 New Orleans Saints are going under the scope.
Full Story –Technorati.Com
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New Saints QB and tight end signed
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-28-2010
03:41 PM
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By WWL.Com
The Saints have signed a quarterback and a tight end.
The Black and Gold inked free agent quarterback Patrick Ramsey to a one-year contract.
WWL's Bobby Hebert says it's good to have veteran to backup Drew Brees.
"He'll be almost like and extra quarterbacks coach." Hebert said. "Patrick Ramsey brings another set of veteran eyes to practice and the meeting room."
Full Story –WWL.Com
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Saints return boosts New Orleans businesses
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-28-2010
02:47 PM
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By Sean Murphy / New Orleans Sports Examiner
With the New Orleans Saints training camp kicking off this week, Saints news has again started to dominate the columns in the Times-Picayune, the conversation on 870AM, and the lead stories on the nightly news stations.
There's no question Saints fans are excited about the upcoming football season, which kicks off on September 9 when the Saints host the Minnesota Vikings in front of a national TV audience. On that night the Saints will unveil their championship banner from last season, and begin their quest to become the first franchise to win two consecutive Super Bowls since the New England Patriots accomplished the impressive feat in 2005.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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New Orleans Saints can make history just by winning NFC South
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-28-2010
02:25 PM
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By Guerry Smith / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Will the Saints buck history and win back-to-back Super Bowls?
That is the million-dollar question as they enter the most anticipated training camp in franchise history, but the answer may come from a seemingly simpler goal. Let’s hold off on the Super Bowl talk and just see if they can repeat as division champions.
Strangely, no team has won the NFC South twice in a row since the NFL went to its current alignment in 2002, and the curse is even worse than that fact indicates.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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A response to an article proclaiming the 'crooked' nature of the New Orleans Saints
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-28-2010
09:00 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourself to be quite angry.
Prepare yourself to read things that you were not expecting to read today.
Prepare yourself to sit there and realize that there are extremely varying opinions in the literary world and you most definitely will not agree with all of them.
I'm not entirely sure how many of you know who Larry Holder is, but I personally did not until yesterday. He apparently is a blogger / writer for CBSsports.com and NBA.com while also doing a sports' talk show on 690 WIST-AM. Seems he's local too but my first exposure to him came yesterday when I read this article of his:
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Brees' appearance brings excitement, tears of joy
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-27-2010
07:11 PM
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By Raymond Legendre / Houma Today
HOUMA — Dee Penn opened the book, took one look at the quasi illegible signature inside and began to cry Monday morning outside Books-A-Million in Houma.
Months earlier, she felt her deceased son's presence for the first time while watching cornerback Tracy Porter return an interception for a touchdown to clinch the New Orleans Saints first-ever Super Bowl victory. On Monday, quarterback Drew Brees' squiggly lines, which formed a “D” and “B,” made her think again of her son, Jon, who passed away two years ago.
“I wish I was giving (this book) to my son,” the 56-year-old White Castle resident said. She had three books signed, having spent the previous day in line — her birthday — to secure a ticket for the signing session.
Full Story –Houma Today.Com
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Capping the end of the line: analyzing the Saints' tight ends
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-27-2010
06:35 PM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
When you're a member of the number one offense in the league; you can very well say that your particular contribution and position is a big part of that. Sure any player will spew forth that they are a major reason their offense tops the league year after year.
When Drew Brees is your quarterback and leading your offense...then claiming to be a major contributor is probably 100% truth.
There is no wasted talent when it comes to the New Orleans Saints and the brilliant mind of coach Sean Payton. The guy knows how to incorporate every single player out there so that they are useful in one way or another.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Charles Brown signs four-year deal with New Orleans Saints
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-27-2010
09:23 AM
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By Robert Stewart / Times-Picayune
This Charlie Brown isn't a blockhead -- he got his deal signed before the start of training camp.
Charles Brown, the New Orleans Saints' second-round pick out of Southern California, signed a four-year deal with the team Monday, four days before training camp starts
Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
New Orleans' roster now stands at the league max of 80 active players, according to the team.
Four of the Saints' six draft picks have signed with the team. The other three who have signed are defensive tackle Al Woods, quarterback Sean Canfield and center Matt Tennant.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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New Orleans Saints position series: Tight end
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-27-2010
09:19 AM
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By Nick Peruffo / Times-Picayune
In anticipation of the New Orleans Saints upcoming training camp, we will be running a series of online position-by-position breakdowns with our bests guesses as to who will make the final 53-man roster. Along with these breakdowns, we will also run interactive polls so that the voice of Who Dat Nation can be heard.
At the tight end position, the charismatic Jeremy Shockey is obviously a virtual lock to make the 53-man roster after hauling in 48 receptions for 569 yards in 2009 despite missing the final three games of the season with an injured toe. After eight NFL seasons, Shockey remains one of the more talented tight ends in the NFL, and excels in both the passing and running games. Shockey was limited, however, at the end of last season with a toe injury, and suffered a bizarre fainting incident during the teams OTAs in June. After eight extremely physical seasons in the NFL, it is worth wondering whether Shockey may be beginning to break down.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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New Orleans Saints sign second-round pick Charles Brown
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-26-2010
08:41 PM
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By Robert Stewart / Times-Picayune
The New Orleans Saints have signed second-round pick Charles Brown, the team announced Monday.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but the team said in a release that Brown, an offensive tackle out of Southern California, has inked a four-year deal.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Champs find no respect from ESPN preseason power rankings
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-26-2010
04:36 PM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
ESPN releases a weekly power rankings throughout the NFL season as games are won and lost. These rankings have no real relevance to teams or their places in the standings or if they get into the playoffs or not. It's simply the opinions of NFL analysts and where they feel each team belongs in the order of the league.
Still, it's a good feeling to see your favorite team at the top of the list.
Maybe "no respect" is a bit of an exaggeration because the Saints are actually ranked second in the first power rankings released by ESPN. That's ahead of thirty other teams, but it still seems a tad strange to me that the Super Bowl champions from the year before would be placed behind the team they beat a mere six months ago.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Mickles: Champs have questions as camp opens
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-26-2010
09:12 AM
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By Sheldon Mickles / The Advocate
For the second straight year, New Orleans Saints fans will be able to watch their team prepare for the 2010 season when they hold training camp in Metairie.
Only, this time it will be different, considering the Saints go into camp as the defending Super Bowl champions for the first time in franchise history.
Given that, fans are expected to flock to the 21 practice sessions scheduled to be open to the public between Friday and Aug. 30.
Because General Manager Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton have built a solid foundation — especially on offense — and didn’t have much turnover thanks to an uncapped year, there aren’t many concerns going into Payton’s fifth season.
But here are five things to watch for during camp:
Full Story –2The Advocate.Com
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New Orleans Saints position series: Tackle
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-26-2010
09:09 AM
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By Nick Peruffo / Times-Picayune
In anticipation of the New Orleans Saints upcoming training camp, we will be running a series of online position-by-position breakdowns with our bests guesses as to who will make the final 53-man roster. Along with these breakdowns, we will also run interactive polls so that the voice of Who Dat Nation can be heard.
In what was likely the Saints most controversial move of the 2010 offseason, former Pro Bowl left tackle Jammal Brown was sent to the Washington Redskins for either a third or fourth round pick in 2011. The move was made largely to cut costs, as Brown is scheduled to make about $3.6 million this season, but would have been much less palatable if Jermon Bushrod hadn't proven to be a viable replacement while filling in for the injured Brown during the Saints 2009 Super Bowl run.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Drew Brees' back-up: who should the Saints bring in?
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-26-2010
09:06 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Training camp has begun for a lot of teams already, but it starts in Metairie this Friday, July 30. As of right now, the New Orleans Saints don't really have glaring holes anywhere on the team.
Scott Fujita bolted to the Browns, but there are a few names ready to step in for him at linebacker.
The Philadelphia Eagles have claimed the services of Mike Bell, but it isn't a great loss because Lynell Hamilton and others are ready to move up the ladder.
One spot though is a question mark and it's a rather important one at that. Who is going to be backing up Drew Brees at quarterback?
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Bobby McCray back with New Orleans Saints after hectic stretch
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 07-26-2010
12:18 AM
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By Brian Allee-Walsh / New Orleans.Com
These days, newly-signed New Orleans Saints defensive end Bobby McCray must be asking himself -- “What Next?’’
Consider:
On June 16, the seven-year veteran speed rusher received his Super Bowl XLIV ring during red carpet ceremonies at the historic Roosevelt Hotel outside the French Quarter.
Six days later, the Saints abruptly released McCray with three years remaining on his contract in what could only be perceived as a cost-saving measure. He was due a $1.25 million signing bonus around July 1.
Full Story –New Orleans.Com
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