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By John Sigler | Saints Wire

The New Orleans Saints lost a great member of the black and gold this week when former linebacker Vaughan Johnson died after battling kidney disease. He was 57, and is survived by his wife and children.

Johnson was a key piece of the famous “Dome Patrol” Saints defenses of the late 1980s and early 1990s, having played alongside Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling and the late Sam Mills. Johnson represented the Saints in four Pro Bowls, including the 1992 game in which all four linebackers were invited — the only time it’s happened in the history of the NFL’s all-star game.

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By Fletcher Mackel | WDSU

A member of the New Orleans Saints famed "Dome Patrol" passed away Thursday evening.

Vaughn Johnson was a Pro Bowl linebacker for the Black and Gold who, along with Pat Swilling, Rickey Jackson and the late Sam Mills, formed one of the best linebacker units in NFL history.

The four men were simply known as the Dome Patrol.

Full Story - WDSU

By Brian Allee Walsh - Special to the Sun Herald

The bright lights of Monday Night Football on ESPN can’t come soon enough for the three-time defending NFC South-champion New Orleans Saints, who seem extremely comfortable playing on a national stage.

One assumes they have moved on from last Sunday’s stunning 48-46 last-second loss to the San Francisco 49ers inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Let me put it a different way. The Black and Gold (10-3) better have learned from their mistakes and buried the past or they could find themselves on the wrong end of the final score Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) at the Superdome (7:15 p.m.).

Full Story - The Sun Herald

By John Sigler | Saints Wire

It’s been a frustrating season for New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, despite his team’s success. On top of a handful of knee and ankle injuries that sidelined him midway through, he’s struggled to get into the end zone, scoring just two touchdowns all year (both in Week 3’s huge game with the Seattle Seahawks). Considering Kamara scored 14 touchdowns in 2017 and 18 touchdowns in 2018, that’s a huge drop-off.

But it doesn’t tell the whole story. While he hasn’t gotten many opportunities inside the red zone (meaning the opponent’s 20-yard line, which is prime scoring position), logging 29 touches in 11 games this year (2.63 combined runs and targets per game) after getting 110 looks in his previous 31 regular season games (3.55 per game). In addition to that context, Kamara’s efficiency stats are lining up well against what he accomplished just last season. He’s only averaged three rushing yards and five receiving yards less per game:

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By Brian Jones | Pop Culture

Drew Brees is about to be back on CBS, but it won't be for football. According to The Advocate, Brees and his sports bar, Walk-On's, will be featured on the show Undercover Boss. The show is now in its ninth season and Brees' episode will air on this January, and see the star quarterback in disguise as a dishwasher while his business partner, Brandon Landry will be disguised as a kitchen manager.

"We're at a critical growth point, looking to double our presence over the next year," Landry said in a statement. "Going undercover afforded me the unprecedented opportunity to address areas for improvement and make refinements so that we can continue on our strategic growth path."

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By John Sigler | Saints Wire

New Orleans Saints fans will enjoy a rare tranquil Sunday this week, with their team scheduled to host the Indianapolis Colts during “Monday Night Football” on the sport’s biggest stage. The Saints offense turned in their best game of the year a week ago, while the defense couldn’t keep up the pace, so there’s understandable anxiety going into the next week of the season. At least fans can enjoy a peaceful Sunday of stress-free games beforehand.

Full Story - Saints Wire - USA Today