rod walker

(AP Photo/Bill Feig)By Rod Walker | The AdvocateThe road to the Super Bowl officially runs through New Orleans.The Saints made sure of that Sunday when Drew Brees connected with Michael Thomas for a 2-yard pass with 1:25 left to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28 in the Mercedes-Benz...

By Rod Walker | The AdvocateMarshon Lattimore knows just what he, fellow cornerback Eli Apple and the rest of the New Orleans Saints could be up against Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.The Steelers boast one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. They are...

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)By Rod Walker | The AdvocateTerron Armstead could make his return on Sunday.The Saints left tackle, who hasn't played since suffering a pectoral injury in the Nov. 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, has no injury designation for Sunday's game against the...

By Rod Walker | The AdvocateSaints offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod was the only Saints player who didn't practice on Thursday.It was the second straight missed practice for Bushrod, who injured a hamstring in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.Five other Saints, including four...

Advocate staff photo by SCOTT THRELKELDBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateIt hasn't quite been the same since the Nov. 29 trip to Dallas.The Saints offense, the high-powered and usually most dependable unit on the team during the Sean Payton — Drew Brees era, has all of a sudden started to...

The Saints have signed Cornelius Lucas. Lucas, a former Edna Karr lineman, previously played for the Los Angeles Rams. He wore number 73 in an Aug. 30, 2018 preseason game against the Saints. Advocate file photo by MATTHEW HINTONBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateCornelius Lucas never would have...

By Rod Walker | The AdvocatePittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints in Week 16When: 3:25 p.m. SundayWhere: Mercedes Benz SuperdomeTV: CBSRadio: WWL-AM, 870; WWL-FM, 105.3 in New Orleans; KMDL-FM, 97.3 in Lafayette; WDGL-FM, 98.1 in Baton Rouge; en español: WGSO-AM, 990; WVDU-FM, 97.9...

(AP Photo/Mike McCarn)By Rod Walker | The AdvocateCHARLOTTE, N.C. — It wasn't pretty. Far from it. And it wasn't easy. Far from that too. But the defense came up with enough plays to allow the New Orleans Saints to escape Bank of America Stadium with a 12-9 victory over the...

By Rod Walker | The AdvocateCarolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton keeps a reminder in his locker.Well, actually two of them.One is a bottle of wine sent to him from Saints defensive end Cam Jordan.The other is a broom that he said was sent to him as well after the Saints swept the...

Advocate Photo by STEPHEN LEWBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateMark Ingram's 17-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter tied him with Deuce McAllister for most rushing touchdowns in Saints history.Ingram and McAllister are now tied with 49 rushing touchdowns."It's amazing, it's a blessing,"...

Advocate Photo by STEPHEN LEWBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateTAMPA, Fla. - It took a while, but the Saints finally got going Sunday.Once they did, they were able to avenge their season opening loss and capture a division title as well.Sparked by Taysom Hill's blocked punt, the Saints...

By Rod Walker | The AdvocateIt's been nine months since Demario Davis decided to play for the New Orleans Saints.His reason was simple.Through seven NFL seasons, the linebacker watched the Saints from afar while playing six years with the New York Jets and another with the Cleveland...

Advocate Staff photo by SOPHIA GERMERBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateP.J. Williams is treating it just like any other game.Never mind that he'll be in Tampa, just 90 miles from his hometown of Ocala, Florida.Never mind that he'll be going up against his college teammate and friend, Tampa...

Advocate staff photo by SCOTT THRELKELDBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateIt started around the middle of October.All of a sudden, the sacks started coming for the New Orleans Saints.And the sacks also started coming for the team the Saints face on Sunday.In fact, since Week 7, the Saints...

Advocate staff photo by SCOTT THRELKELDBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateNew Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14When: Noon SundayWhere: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.TV: FoxRadio: WWL-AM, 870; WWL-FM, 105.3 in New Orleans; KMDL-FM, 97.3 in Lafayette; WDGL-FM, 98.1 in...

Advocate Photo by STEPHEN LEWBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateDallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was referring to his own team Thursday night.But his statement could have applied to the team in the much quieter visitors' locker room at AT&T Stadium as well."I really think this bunch is going...

Advocate Photo by STEPHEN LEWBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateAs soon as the play was over, New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata was greeted by teammate Sheldon Rankins, who met him facemask-to-facemask while holding up three fingers.Onyemata had just bulldozed Dallas left guard...

Advocate Photo by STEPHEN LEWBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateARLINGTON, Texas — The streak is over.The New Orleans Saints, who for the past 10 weeks looked downright invincible, all of a sudden came crashing back to reality Thursday night at AT&T Stadium.A usually high-octane offense was...

By Rod Walker | The AdvocateThe speech typically lasts no more than 30 seconds.Sometimes Drew Brees knows what it will be when he wakes up on game day.Other times, it doesn't hit him until he's on his way to the stadium.But 45 minutes before kickoff, he's ready to deliver it, like a...

By Rod Walker | The AdvocateNew Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys in Week 13When: 7:20 p.m. ThursdayWhere: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TexasTV: FoxRadio: WWL-AM, 870; WWL-FM, 105.3 in New Orleans; KMDL-FM, 97.3 in Lafayette; WDGL-FM, 98.1 in Baton Rouge; en español: WGSO-AM, 990; WVDU-FM...

By Rod Walker | The AdvocateChris Banjo raised his voice before answering the question, just to make sure the Ohio State alums on the New Orleans Saints roster could hear him."I would like to say we are the glue of the locker room," Banjo said with a laugh.The "we" the Saints safety was...

(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)By Rod Walker | The AdvocateSaints safety Vonn Bell got a chance to see Ezekiel Elliott every day in practice during their playing days together at Ohio State University.A "Buckeye brother for life," Bell calls him.So Bell knows all too well the tall task at hand...

By Rod Walker | The AdvocateSaints defensive end Alex Okafor has played in AT&T Stadium twice.The first time was in the Big XII championship game when he played at the University of Texas and the other was during his second NFL season with the Arizona Cardinals.So Okafor knows all too well...

Advocate staff photo by SCOTT THRELKELDBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateCam Jordan didn't fire back with one of his usual quick-witted one-liners this time.The mention of the name of the late Will Smith, whom Jordan tied for fourth on the Saints' all-time career sacks list Thursday night...

Advocate staff photo by LESLIE GAMBONIBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateAs Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan walked off the field after the play Thursday night, he glanced up at the giant Mercedes Benz Superdome video board to watch a replay.Moments later, the television cameras caught Ryan...