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New Orleans Saints free agent Billy Miller has backup plan
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On Today
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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New Orleans Saints take to red carpet for Super Bowl XLIV DVD premiere
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-09-2010
10:50 AM
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By James Varney / Times-Picayune
Now gridiron kings, several past and present members of the New Orleans Saints were treated like Hollywood royalty Monday night at the Prytania Theater.
About 300 people -- and several score more outside in a steady drizzle -- were on hand at the art-house icon to view the premiere of the Saints DVD chronicling the team's amazing 2009 season that culminated with their triumph in Super Bowl XLIV last month.
Quarterback Drew Brees, joined by defensive standouts Tracy Porter, Darren Sharper and Will Smith, and Saints ambassador Deuce McAllister, walked the red carpet. They followed the Oscar script, chatting with camera crews and fans along the ropes and then, inside, running a gamut of news cameras and microphones before the curtain went up.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Saints' news and notes on Darren Sharper and free agent visits (video)
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-09-2010
06:30 AM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Safety Darren Sharper has not paid any visits to any teams as of yet and there is nothing new on the situation with him and the Saints. Word is that the team wants him back and he wants to stay so it is rumored that he'll be back in black and gold.
Monday night though, Sharper showed up at the Saints' DVD premiere and he looked a tad different. NOLA.com is reporting that Sharper was on crutches after having arthroscopic knee surgery to correct a few problems.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Money talks again as Fujita leaves Saints for Browns
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-09-2010
06:28 AM
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By Brian Allee-Walsh / New Orleans.Com
NEW ORLEANS – On Sunday, we were reminded once again that the NFL is a busine$$.
In the case of 30-year-old linebacker Scott Fujita, the Cleveland Browns showed him the money, lots of it, and the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints did not.
Nothing more, nothing less.
There is no one to blame here. Saints officials did what they felt is best for their organization by exposing Fujita to free agency in an uncapped year, the Browns saw an opportunity to upgrade their roster, and Fujita did what most of us would have done given the same set of circumstances. He took the money (a three-year, $14 million contract that includes $8 million in guarantees) and will join the Browns for offseason workouts in the coming weeks after tying up loose ends in New Orleans.
Full Story – New Orleans.Com
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Scott Fujita will always be 'saint,' even if he isn't wearing black and gold
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-08-2010
05:40 PM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Scott Fujita won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints only a month ago and now he is a member of the Cleveland Browns. The linebacker though wanted to say goodbye properly to the place he called home for the past four years.
Fujita took his Super Bowl check and gave half of it to charity. Half of that amount went to the relief efforts in Haiti while the other half is going to coastal restoration in New Orleans.
Talk about leaving on the sweetest and kindest note imaginable.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Drew Brees and other Saints to get red carpet treatment at DVD premiere
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-08-2010
02:15 PM
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By Danny Cox / New Orleans Sports Examiner
Your New Orleans Saints have won the Super Bowl and now they are going to see what it is like to live as movie stars.
The DVD of the miraculous Saints' 2009 season comes out on Tuesday in stores everywhere, but fans can purchase it in different locations at midnight tonight. Drew Brees and other players though will be enjoying Monday evening in a different way.
The Prytania Theatre will be hosting a VIP premiere of the Saints' Super Bowl DVD which starts at 6 P.M. This event is not open to the public, but Brees and many more from the championship squad will be on hand.
Full Story – Examiner.Com
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Replay: New Orleans Saints Monday chat
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-08-2010
02:13 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
The New Orleans Saints lost Scott Fujita to free agency over the weekend, one of the more popular players on the roster.
There is the possibility Darren Sharper could leave, but there is also the possibility they could sign someone.
So, let's chat.
Join The Times-Picayune's Saints beat reporter Mike Triplett at noon to talk all things Saints.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Trust New Orleans Saints in the decision to let Scott Fujita walk
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-08-2010
02:11 PM
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By John DeShazier / Times-Picayune
Given that almost every move the New Orleans Saints made last season turned into sterling silver - which, since that's what the Lombardi Trophy is made of, is even better than gold in the NFL - the inclination certainly is to give them the benefit of the doubt on linebacker Scott Fujita.
The Saints, who know more about Fujita than any team in the league, assigned a value to the unrestricted free agent. The Browns, courtesy of a reported three-year deal worth $14 million (with $8 million guaranteed), obviously lept over it. The Saints wouldn't budge, Fujita got his financial security and while Fujita certainly can claim victory, it's difficult to say the Saints absorbed a heavy loss.
If, that is, the Saints have an effective backup plan.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Meachem fans Saints fever
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-08-2010
08:02 AM
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By Leigh Coleman / Sun Herald
BILOXI — Saints fans got a chance to meet one of their heroes at Edgewater Mall on Sunday.
New Orleans Saints receiver Robert Meachem spent the afternoon signing headgear, posters, T-shirts and footballs.
John “Mustang” Malley of Pass Christian was one of the more than 400 fans who lined up to snag an autograph from Meachem.
He said the Saints fervor on the Coast is getting stronger by the day.
Full Story – Sun Herald.Com
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Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita talks about moving on
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-07-2010
11:36 PM
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By Mike Triplett / Times-Picayune
Just heard from Scott Fujita, who obviously has some mixed emotions after four unforgettable years in New Orleans, now that he's joining the Cleveland Browns. Here's what he had to say about the move via email:
"Obviously this is a bittersweet time for our family. We're extremely excited about this new opportunity, but it's definitely hard to say goodbye to all the great friends we've made in New Orleans.
"I am so proud of all the things we accomplished here -- both on and off the field -- and I'm proud of the role I played in helping this incredible city experience it's first Super Bowl. In planning for their future, the Saints just didn't value that partnership the same way. And that's fine -- this can be an interesting business, but I wish the Saints nothing but the best.
Full Story – Nola.Com
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Cleveland Browns sign linebacker Scott Fujita, who helped New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-07-2010
06:47 PM
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By Tony Grossi / Cleveland.Com
The Cleveland Browns have signed former New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita to a multi-year contract. A source told The Plain Dealer the deal is for three years for $14 million.
Fujita, 30, was an unrestricted free agent. He started at outside linebacker the last four seasons, including last season, when the Saints won the Super Bowl. The Saints did not believe he would leave them because of his strong ties to the New Orleans community.
"Scott possesses tremendous size for a linebacker, and this will allow him to play inside or outside in our 3-4 defense," Browns general manager Tom Heckert said. "He has been a starter throughout his career, has been exposed to several different defensive schemes and has been successful in all of them. He is a great leader and played a big part in the success that the Saints achieved last year."
Full Story – Cleveland.Com
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In the NFL, it’s all about business
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-07-2010
01:40 PM
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By Mike Detillier- NFL Analyst / Houma Today
There is one thing about the NFL that never stops — the business side is always at work.
It has been a few weeks since the New Orleans Saints captured their first Super Bowl title, and while it was an enjoyable ride for a few weeks, the business side of the game has taken over.
I spoke to former Oakland Raider coach and TV analyst John Madden two years ago about the NFL offseason, and this week I thought about the comments the Hall of Fame coach said about the importance of the offseason.
“The NFL season really doesn’t end,” Madden said. “When I was coaching, there was a lull because there wasn’t free agency back then. The draft was moved from early February to April and while that element of the game is very important you didn’t have to deal with these everyday free-agent issues that happen today. You wonder about the salary cap, roster bonuses, work-out clauses, extensions of contracts and you could go on and on.
Full Story – Houma Today.Com |
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NFL owners meeting to center around labor negotiations
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-07-2010
01:37 PM
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By James Varney / Times-Picayune
When the NFL owners gather in Orlando, Fla., next week for their annual meeting, the biggest topic of discussion is arguably what will happen next year.
The league's collective bargaining agreement is slated to expire one year from now. As is common early in labor negotiations, both sides - owners and players - are taking hard-line stances couched in placating tones. But with talks typically not beginning in earnest until the 11th hour on these sort of mammoth deals, experts said each side needs to get its fallback positions in order soon lest professional football vanish for some time in 2011.
For the moment, each side presents a united front and, perhaps more telling, is represented by a man engaged in his first protracted labor agreement. In negotiations sometimes colored by personalities, the character and mettle of the front men represents the unknown fact
Full Story – Nola.Com |
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New Orleans Saints offensive players among most difficult to scout
Posted By: mvtrucking
Posted On 03-07-2010
01:33 PM
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By Jeff Duncan / Times-Picayune
Here's another reason why New Orleans Saints fans should love Drew Brees: He's even a positive factor during free agency.
Not only does nearly every player in the league want to play with the Saints' Super Bowl MVP quarterback, but his brilliance also keeps rival teams from raiding the Saints' roster for free agents.
How so?
NFL scouts will tell you that Saints offensive players are among the most difficult in the league to evaluate.
Full Story – Nola.Com |
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