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By John Sigler | Saints Wire

Talks are ongoing between the NFL and the NFL Players Association as both sides gear up for the 2020 season despite the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. One point of contention in recent conversations between labor and management is an NFL proposal to hold 35% of wages in escrow to help manage costs during the upcoming season.

Naturally, that wasn’t an appealing offer to the players’ union, which told ownership “to kick rocks” when the option was brought up. Superstar New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas took aim a little more directly at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the ownership group he represents, saying that, “Roger and those owners better use their billions and put it in escrow or plan accordingly.”

Thomas is likely more skeptical of whether a season can get off the ground while addressing players’ health concerns than he’s worried about whether it’ll be a profitable season. And he’s not alone in those concerns, with teammate Cameron Jordan laughing at the in-escrow suggestion as “an option on the table.”

Full Story - Saints Wire - USA Today

New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas says players will not play the 2020
season before accepting an NFL proposal to put 35% of their salaries in escrow to
hedge against coronavirus-related financial shortfalls (AFP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

By AFP | Yahoo Sports

New York (AFP) - An NFL proposal for 35% of players' 2020 season salaries to be put in escrow to cover possible revenue shortfalls from coronavirus issues was greeted with scorn by players Wednesday.

Economic issues similar to those that sparked a bitter three-month battle between Major League Baseball players and team owners loom over the NFL with training camps set to open July 28.

The NFL Network reported the escrow idea was suggested by the NFL in case billions of dollars in revenue are lost this year because spectators cannot attend league games.

Record COVID-19 outbreaks in Texas, Florida and Arizona in recent days have raised concerns about the NFL's plan to stage a full season with fans starting September 10 when Super Bowl champion Kansas City hosts Houston.

The NFL Players Asociation told its board of representatives, "Basically, we told them to kick rocks" in snubbing the idea, the report said, considering an escrow deal something that would have to be negotiated.

Full Story - Yahoo Sports

The New Orleans Saints have been one of the best teams in football over the last three seasons, yet can't seem to catch a break in the postseason. SI Fantasy analyst Shawn Childs runs through the franchise with a fantasy breakdown.

By Shawn Childs | SI

Coaching Staff

Over the last 14 seasons with Sean Payton as the head coach (suspended in 2012) and Drew Brees at quarterback, the New Orleans Saints finished first or second in the NFL in offense yards nine times. Payton has a career 131-77 record with one Super Bowl title (2009) and eight playoff appearances (8-7).

New Orleans scored 458 points (third) in 2019, 46 points fewer than 2018 (504). The Saints ranking ninth in offensive yards gained., extending their streak of top top-ten finishes in this area to 14 seasons.

Pete Carmichael returns for his 11th season as the offensive coordinator. New Orleans added him to their system in 2006 when Payton took running the team.

The Saints finished just above the league average on the defensive side of the ball for the past three years. In 2019, they finished 11th in offensive yards allowed and 13th in points allowed (341). Only twice in the Payton era has their defense ranked in the top ten in points allowed (2010 and 2013).

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