New Orleans Saints Free Agency Update 03 12 2013
This is an update on the latest news for the New Orleans Saints at the start of free agency on 03 12 2013.
New Orleans Saints Free Agency Update 03 12 2013
The free agency season for the New Orleans Saints started with some surprises. Some New Orleans Saint players stayed with the team by restructuring their contracts.
=>NFL Nation: Vilma And Smith Take Big Pay Cuts<=
All Pro Bushrod goes to the Bears for more than most felt he was worth.
=>ESPN: Bushrod Goes To The Bears For Big Bucks<=
New Orleans Saint Backup QB Chase Daniels goes to KC to battle for a starting job. This could open the door for Luke McCown to return as the backup to Drew Brees.
=>NOLA.com: Chase Daniels Goes To KC<=
It is still early in the free agency process. Some targets that have been mentioned for the New Orleans Saints are:
1. OLB VICTOR BUTLER, Dallas Cowboys
2. DL RICKY JEAN-FRANCOIS, San Francisco 49ers
3. OLB CONNOR BARWIN, Houston Texans
4. CB CARY WILLIAMS, Baltimore Ravens
5. CB MIKE JENKINS, Dallas Cowboys
6. OT Sam Baker, Atlanta Falcons
7. OLB Anthony Spencer, Dallas Cowboys
8. OLB Manny Lawson, Cincinnati Bengals
9. S Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens
10. OT Andre Smith. Cincinnati Bengals
Check back for updates on the New Orleans Saints Free Agency News
The Saint’s Secret Cheerleader
This is a story about of the many things that Coach Sean Payton has done for the people of the New Orleans area off the field. There are other resource links at the end of this article.
This great story was passed to me via e-mail. I wanted to share it with you. All the ”Bless you Boys!” have been answered. The New Orleans Saints and us Saints fans have a coach to be proud of . What a great guy!
New Orleans Saints’ Head Coach Sean Payton and his wife have two
children. The Paytons are members of our parish, Mary, Queen of Peace (MQP)
in Mandeville, LA., and the children attend Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic
School.
Earlier in the year, on the Friday before the Monday Night Game (Nov.
2, 2009) in the Super Dome against the Atlanta Falcons, MQP School held a
fundraiser for our Youth Director’s family. Our Youth Director and her
husband have five children. The youngest, at 8-months, had been diagnosed
with cancer and had been hospitalized for several months. The fundraiser was
a flag football game between the students and faculty. The students had been
practicing and were more organized, having their own coaching staff and
having already played together in several games. The faculty was not as
organized and lacked the know-how of an experienced coaching staff.
Coach Payton, with the Saint’s six-game winning streak on the line and
poised to step onto the national spotlight on Monday night, spent Friday
afternoon at the MQP fundraiser coaching the faculty. When the game ended,
the students had prevailed and Coach Sean Payton’s MQP faculty team had lost
a closely contested gridiron battle, all in the best interest in giving.
Following the game, the faculty and student body at MQP gathered around
Coach Payton and let him know that this was the only game he could lose all
year!
Even more amazing, the second grade children at MQP have a tradition
they practice regarding a statue of Mary, Mother of God. During the school
year, each second grade student has the opportunity to bring this statue
home from school for a week to share with their family.
Prior to leaving for Miami and Super Bowl XLIV, Sean Payton’s son, a
third grade student at MQP, recalling the second grade tradition, requested
permission to take the second grade students’ statue of the Blessed Virgin
Mary with him and his family as they traveled to the Super Bowl. As soon as
he received the permission of the second grade teacher, Coach Payton’s son
obtained the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Coach Payton
placed it the Saints’ locker room at Sun Life Stadium in Miami during the
game, so the Blessed Mother was with them at the Super Bowl.
I hope you enjoyed reading these two stories about the Payton family as
much as I have enjoyed sharing them.
Written by Deacon Eddy Beckendorf of MQP parish with minor editing
*picture from Mary Queen of Peace website
Sharon Denise Talbot
Resources:
Raw Video: Saints Fans Go Wild on Bourbon Street
With all of the bad news the New Orleans Saints have received over the past few months it is easy to forget that they won the Super Bowl just a little over two years ago. This video shows the scene on Bourbon Street after that historic win. The New Orleans Saints will be back on top, WHO DAT!
Bourbon Street in New Orlean’s French Quarter came alive Sunday night as the New Orleans Saints won their first Super Bowl, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17. (Feb. 7)
Duration : 0:1:46
Resources:
Wikipedia: List Of Super Bowl Champions
New Orleans Saints News Let The Games Begin Jonathan Vilma Sues Roger Goodell
The New Orleans Saints have been the target of an investigation by the National Football League. This article talks about Jonathan Vilma’s decision to sue Roger Goodell.
Who Dat Do Dat Jonathan Vilma Sues Commissioner Roger Goodell
Just when you thought the season could not get any crazier for the NFL, Roger Goodell and The New Orleans Saints it does. Jonathan Vilma, New Orleans Saints linebacker, has decided to sue Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner. This lawsuit is historic on many fronts.
Jonathan Vilma has what would seem to be a basis for his lawsuit. The punishment that Goodell has handed down to Vilma is based on facts received by third parties. Vilma did not provide any information since he was not interviewed in the investigation. Goodell says there are 50,000 pages of information but this information has not been made public. Goodell alleges that Vilma made an offer to give anyone who knocked Brett Favre out out of the 2010 playoff game $10,000 in cash.
How much Vilma will receive in damages in terms of how his career has been impacted will be difficult to determine. It does not have an impact on Vilma’s ability to perform on the field, if allowed to play whether for the New Orleans Saints or another NFL team. However, the statements made by Commissioner Goodell are very specific which will play in Vilma’s favor.
The most likely responses by the NFL are as follows:
1. It is frivolous suit and should be dismissed.
2. It can not move forward because it falls under the collective bargaining agreement. This means the suit should be dismissed.
3. Vilma is a public figure so actual malice must be proven if the suit goes forward.
4. The truth is not defamation and the statements regarding Vilma are true. The danger with this defense is that it will lead to discovery which the NFL wishes to avoid.
5. The NFL could also claim that it did not release any information to the media thus no real damage.
Vilma’s attorney’s could argue the following:
1. There is no language that allows the NFL or the commissioner to defame any player.
2. Goodell’s statements are so egregious that there would be no need to examine them any further and the court should rule in Vilma’s favor.
3. Vilma could say that the NFL impacted his ability to gain employment by releasing false information to potential employers, the other NFL teams.
This lawsuit is a challenge to a commissioner who has acted with more power than any other in U.S sports history. Goodell has wielded power to control the entire process when there has been any issue or complaint. The results will have a large impact on the sports industry whichever way it goes.
Resources:
The New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update Defense Is Improved In Round 3
The New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update Defense Is Improved In Round 3
The New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update Defense Is Improved In Round 3
The New Orleans Saints continued its move to improve the defensive side the ball as the draft moved into the third round Friday night. The New Orleans Saints picked linebacker Martez Wilson and cornerback Johnny Patrick in the third round.
Martez Wilson was projected by some to go in the first or second rounds unless teams went for certain needs versus the best player available. The quarterback run in the first round created this opportunity for the New Orleans Saints although no mock drafts had Martez Wilson being available at this point. Martez Wilson was a first team All Big Ten linebacker in 2010 on the Illinois football team. At 6ft 4in and 250 lbs Martez Wilson will probably compete for a position at outside linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans Saints Third Round Pick Martez Wilson
Martez Wilson may have dropped because he missed his junior year as a result of a herniated disc in his neck. This however did not slow Martez Wilson down and showing great work ethic he was quicker and more aggressive than he had been during his sophomore year. In 2010, Martez Wilson had 111 tackles and of those 46 were solos along with 4 sacks. Martez Wilson had a good combine and had the fastest time among linebackers, with a 4.49, who attended and was third in the broad jump hitting a mark of 10ft 6in.
If Wilson adds some weight he could even play some defensive end under certain situation. Still the more likely position will be at outside linebacker especially based on the New Orleans Saints current depth chart.
The New Orleans Saints had another pick in the third round and they continued the approach of improving the defense. The New Orleans Saints took Johnny Patrick with the 88th overall pick. The 5-11, 191 lb Johnny Patrick is a cornerback from Louisville. Johnny Patrick has some work to do after a disappointing 40 time at the combine. There were other cornerbacks who had been rated higher by many pundits. There must be something that excited the New Orleans Saints and Jon Gruden seem to agree because he said that Johnny Patrick had the smoothest back peddle he had ever seen. Still Johnny Patrick was an All Big Ten Selection in his senior year with 49 tackles and 5 interceptions.
Johnny Patrick New Orleans Saints Third Round Draft 2011
There were some questions regarding an arrest in 2010 for misdemeanor assault New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said the team had investigated the incident and was satisfied that Johnny Patrick did not have a character issue.
The New Orleans Saints have two picks remaining in the 7th round of the draft on Saturday.
The New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update
The New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update Defense And Offense Addressed In Round 1
The New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update Defense And Offense Addressed In Round 1
New Orleans Saints Draft 2011
The New Orleans Saints may have had two gems fall in their lap in the first round of the draft Thursday night. When the New Orleans Saints looked up a quality defensive lineman in Cameron Jordan was available and they were able to trade up to get a bruising running back.
When the 24th came up the New Orleans Saints saw a run stopping defensive end named Cameron Jordan staring them in the face. Some had expected Cameron Jordan to be chosen in the top 10 picks and certainly in the top 20. Cameron Jordan being available at the 24th spot could not have been expected. The New Orleans Saints had problems with the run in the 2010 – 2011 year and Cameron Jordan is a player who could help in that area. While the New Orleans Saints could not have afforded teams to allow Cameron Jordan to fall to the 24th spot they certainly did not complain when he did.
Cameron Jordan New Orleans Saints 24th Pick
Cameron Jordan is a physical specimen at 6ft 4in and 287 lbs. This will give the New Orleans Saints something to work with. Cameron Jordan is considered a quality run stopper and could play a strong side defensive end or possibly move to defensive tackle if he grows into that position. Either way Cameron Jordan is a quality pick for the New Orleans Saints. Cameron Jordan’s father, Steve Jordan, played in the NFL so this should help him with some experience about what it takes to be a true professional. The New Orleans Saints chose an elite athlete with plenty of upside.
Then again the New Orleans Saints saw an opportunity four picks later. The New Orleans Saints traded into the first round again by giving up their 2011 2nd round pick and their 2012 1st round pick to get Mark Ingram from Alabama.
Although many people expected that Mark Ingram would be the first running back taken few expected him to last this long. Some had Mark Ingram being picked by the New Orleans Saints but when the opportunity to pick Cameron Jordan came up that seemed improbable if not impossible. So for the New Orleans Saints to be able to address two problem areas was amazing.
Mark Ingram has often been compared to Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith. Mark Ingram’s ability to be effective both in the running and passing games will fit right into the offensive scheme of the New Orleans Saints. Mark Ingram was the first Heisman trophy winner in the storied history of the Crimson Tide.
Mark Ingram set the Alabama single season rushing record in 2009 and helped lead the Alabama football team to a national title. Mark Ingram became the first Alabama running back to be taken in the first round since Shaun Alexander in 2000.
Mark Ingram New Orleans Saints 28th Pick
Mark Ingram will certainly fit into the New Orleans Saints offensive scheme as an every down running back. Mark Ingram is considered one of the most polished running backs to come out of the college game in recent history. Mark Ingram has great vision and can run either between the tackles or make defenders miss in the open field. He has the power to run over tacklers and the speed to run away from them. The other important aspect to Mark Ingram’s game is he is an excellent pass blocker.
The addition of Cameron Jordan is not likely to cause anyone on the defensive side of the ball for the New Orleans Saints to be cut. Cameron Jordan will be an addition that will probably not cause a subtraction. Mark Ingram is likely to have a different effect on the New Orleans Saints offensive team.
Pierre Thomas has already signed a long term deal so Reggie Bush has now become an expensive odd man out. While Reggie could stay it would take a reworking of his contract that he will probably not agree to. The best evidence of this is the words of Reggie Bush on his twitter account “It’s been fun New Orleans.”
New Orleans Saints Draft Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram in the first round.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft April Update
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft April Update
New Orleans Saints
The NFL draft is fast approaching and less than 1 week away and the excitement is building. The New Orleans Saints had a respectable season in the 2010 – 2011 campaign but are looking to improve and get back to the Super Bowl. So what is the plan to accomplish a Super Bowl run and place the New Orleans Saints in the discussions of the NFL’s dynasty teams?
The New Orleans Saints were upset in the wild card round of the NFL Playoffs at the end of the season. There were several weaknesses that were evident during the game against the Seahawks. These are some of the things that will need to be addressed in the 2011 NFL draft.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft April Update Summary
When you look at the offensive side of the ball the New Orleans Saints are a very talented team. Drew Brees can make any team look good. Still there are some weaknesses, depth at running back, fullback and offensive line that came to light with injuries during last year’s season.
On the defensive side of the ball the New Orleans Saints did not live up to their Super Bowl standards. The way the Seattle Seahawks were able to run against the New Orleans Saints was just a continuation of what teams could have done almost all season. The area of linebackers and defensive line is lacking.
Still the New Orleans Saints have a very strong core of experienced players and with a few tweaks could challenge for the title again in the 2011 – 2012 season.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Offensive Line
The New Orleans Saints probably would have been better off had they been able to pick up a free agent or two in free agency. Still right now that option is up in the air. Still if the New Orleans Saints are able to pick up a player in the draft that has the ability to play multiple positions that could be an option. Players like Gabe Carimi, Nate Solder and Derek Sherrod are possibilities, if they are the best available at the 24th slot or in later spots if the New Orleans Saints pick for a different position at 24. The more likely scenario is for the New Orleans Saints to bring their entire line back and draft for depth in the later rounds. Finding a long snapper is something that is necessary and could be taken care of with this pick. Jason Kyle will probably be allowed to move on. This is a position that is often overlooked but can be a game changer. As Drew Brees ages, making sure the offensive line is able to provide the protection needed becomes more important.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Defensive Line
The defensive line was an area of weakness in 2010. There are some talented players on the defensive line but age is a factor for some. Defensive ends Will Smith and Alex Brown have both been solid players. Brown lacks pass rushing ability and as a result he could be replaced. Sedrick Ellis is the solid anchor on the inside of the defensive line, and Remi Ayodele played pretty decent in 2010.
The New Orleans Saints added a big body to the defensive line with the addition of Shaun Rogers. Rogers is coming off his worst statistical year during his career. Still he is a big body and alongside the athletic Sedrick Ellis. Ellis is considered by most experts to be one of the most underrated defensive tackles in the NFL. Ellis is locked in at the number one spot in the interior of the D line. So in the short term the interior of the line could be ok. Names like Phil Taylor and Muhammad Wilkerson have been mentioned if the New Orleans Saints to the route of an early draft pick. There is a bigger question however, at the defensive end position.
The New Orleans Saints could use the 24th pick to get an elite pass rusher who overtime could develop into and every down player. Some names that have been tossed around are Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State; Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa; Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri; Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Linebackers
The linebacker corps was once the strength of the New Orleans Saints defense. That group took a step backwards when Scott Fujita left the team after the 2009 season. Scott Shanle did and adequate job while Danny Clark is not a starter. This means the New Orleans Saints need to upgrade to replace Fujita even if both Shanle and Clark return which is not likely.
In the middle, Jonathan Vilma is still the man. Vilma is a more than reliable playmaker who would be hard to replace. The more likely approach would be to draft or find at least one free agent who could be a starter and then grab more depth at the linebacker spot.
Here are some names who have been brought up as possibilities. The ones that are inside linebackers show promise on the outside. Possible draft choices: Nate Irving, ILB North Carolina State; Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon; Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA; Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Fullback
The New Orleans Style of play requires a true fullback. When the New Orleans Saints released Mike Karney and then picked up Heath Evans many fans were left wondering what the reasoning was. Evans to this point has not produced as expected and the New Orleans Saints have used tight end Dave Thomas in many running situations. The New Orleans Saints could look to improve at this position in the draft. The New Orleans Saints can wait until after the draft to make a decision on Evans. Here are some possible draft choices: Stanley Havili, FB, USC. Really Havili is the best choice otherwise they should resign Evans.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Safety
It is not likely that the New Orleans Saints are going to retain both Roman Harper and Darren Sharper so the New Orleans Saints are going to need to look at adding both depth and talent to the safety position. Jenkins has done a great job and is maturing into the position. Short term the New Orleans Saints need depth and long term a side kick for Jenkins.
Two names jump out at this position, DeAndre McDaniel and UCLA S Rahim Moore.
DeAndre McDaniel would be the best fit but Moore could be a development project. They are both going to be second round picks.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Running Back
The New Orleans Saints are set at running back if certain things happen. First, Pierre Thomas comes back and is healthy. Second, Reggie Bush renegotiates his contract to an acceptable level. Reggie creates some mismatches that are hard for defenses to adjust to but right now he is too expensive. Third, Chris Ivory comes back at 100%. Chris Ivory had a great season but is coming off of foot surgery. If the New Orleans Saints have all three of these players back then they are fine at running back unless a gem falls in their lap. If not then they will have to adjust based on the missing pieces.
Some possible running back choices for the New Orleans Saints could be John Clay of Wisconsin, Charles Clay of Tulsa a multiple position player, and Alex Green of Hawaii have all been mentioned.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Cornerback
The cornerback position for the New Orleans Saints was one that was plagued with injuries. Still having said that are still in pretty good position. It is likely that Randall Gay will retire and Malcolm Jenkins will continue to play safety. So who does that leave as starters? Both Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter are able to do a good job as starters and Patrick Robinson is showing lots of promise. So this means that if the New Orleans Saints have another impact player they may make a move early but more than likely they will pick a player in the late rounds if at all or wait for free agency. Possible names mentioned at this position are Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Tight End
Jeremy Shockey has departed from the New Orleans Saints and so now they are down to two tight ends and Dave Thomas. Jimmy Graham is the most likely choice for the starting tight end position. Thomas is a very good backup who could start of many teams. Still the New Orleans Saints will probably pickup a third player via the draft or free agency. USC tight end Jordan Cameron has been named as a possibility.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Wide Receiver
The strongest part of the New Orleans Saints team is probably the wide receiver position. This has a lot to do with the talent and the quarterback. Marques Colston is the undisputed number one wide receiver but the way Drew Brees distributes the ball, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, and Lance Moore could all be number one. This is a position where it would really take an unbelievable talent to fall into the New Orleans Saints lap for them to spend a pick on a wide receiver.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Kicker / Punter
Really no need at this point because Punter – Thomas Morstead and Kicker – Garrett Hartley are in place.
New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update: Quarterback
When the New Orleans Saints are on offense, Drew Brees is the unquestionable leader of the team. Drew Brees runs the offense like a well oiled machine. Still if the New Orleans Saints are going to continue their winning ways they have to begin training a replacement. Chase Daniel is the current backup for the New Orleans Saints. The New Orleans Saints should consider drafting someone to push Daniel to develop.
Chase Daniel was going to be the backup to Brees next season, but I think the Saints could draft a quarterback at some point to compete with Daniel for the backup position or elevate Sean Canfield to do so. Some possible choices are Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware; Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama; Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada.
That is our rundown of the New Orleans Saints 2011 Draft Update. We will be back after draft to review how the picks affect the New Orleans Saints going forward.
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Hornets and Saints Annoucement
New Orleans
Chris Paul and Rita Benson LeBlanc Lead Charge for Regional Effort
to Teach Kids Entrepreneurial Skills
Georges Enterprises and Raising Cane’s are program’s presenting sponsors
New Orleans
WHAT: Announcement of major youth initiative in South Louisiana, New Orleans
WHO: New Orleans Hornets All-Star Point Guard Chris Paul Saints Owner/Executive Vice President Rita Benson LeBlanc
Todd Graves, Founder and CEO, Raising Cane’s
John Georges, CEO, Georges Enterprises
WHEN: Wednesday, February 23
12:00PM
WHERE: Louisiana Children’s Museum
420 Julia Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
WHY: The announcement is part of a nationwide initiative to teach youth the skills they need to be successful in life. The program is the perfect opportunity for acommunity to show kids they care while training the next generation of entrepreneurs through a free, fun, engaging and empowering activity.
Come have fun in New Orleans
New Orleans
New Orleans Saints Off Season Update Wide Receivers
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints Off Season Update Wide Receivers
When you look at the stats for the New Orleans Saints offense you think WOW they must have some league leading receivers. Not really. Marques Colston was 15th in the league in receiving yards with 1,023 in the regular season for the New Orleans Saints. The next receiver to show up on the list for the New Orleans Saints is Lance Moore at number 38 with 763 yards. This says a lot when the 3rd ranked offense in passing only has 1 receiver in the top 15 and no one else in the top 35. Drew Brees does a great job of spreading the ball around to his receivers.
So that begs the question “Do the New Orleans Saints NEED to do anything about a wide receiver”?
The simple answer is probably not. Lance Moore will be a free agent at the end of the season. Lance has already tried the free agency route. He will test the waters but last time he went through this exercise he ended up right back where he started. Still if the New Orleans Saints lose Moore it is not a huge loss. Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson are under contract and can easily fill Moore’s shoes. This is a fairly deep draft at the wide receiver position so the New Orleans Saints could pick up a mid round project. When you look at the type of wide receiver that works well with the New Orleans Saints it is someone who is not selfish, works hard and is aware that if you run your route correctly you have a good chance to get the ball if you are open.
The New Orleans Saint will likely make an effort to resign Marques Colston to a long term deal prior to the end of the 2012 season. This will lock in their most consistent wide receiver and set the tone for rewarding the type of wide receiver the New Orleans Saints are looking for.
Next we will take a look at the Tight End position for the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 draft and off season picture.
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints Off Season Update Quarterbacks
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints Offseason Update Quarterbacks
There is no one who thinks Drew Brees is not currently ranked in the top tier of quarterbacks in the NFL. This post is not questioning whether or not Drew Brees should be the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints next year. The question that should be asked is who should be the quarterback of the future and the current backup quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
Is Chase Daniel the quarterback of the future for the New Orleans Saints? This is a question that needs to be asked. Drew Brees has done a fantastic job for the New Orleans Saints. Still he is not immortal. There will be some point when Drew Brees will retire or become injured and will not be able to play for a period. So can Chase Daniel step in and fill Drew Brees shoes as the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints even for a little while. There is not enough evidence to give a quality answer. Daniel played the position for the New Orleans Saints in the preseason. His rating was 89.7 which is not bad unless you take into account he was probably playing against second and third stringers.
So if I’m the New Orleans Saints I would look for a little insurance and I should be prepared if a quality quarterback falls into my draft pick.
The draft this year has several quarterbacks who would be mid round selections. There will also be some who will fall through the draft into free agency. The means that the New Orleans Saints can wait until after they take care of more pressing needs before they look at the available quarterbacks. This is not a pressing need but more of a long term need, that if quality falls in your lap you have to be prepared.
Next we will take a look at the wide receiver position for the New Orleans Saints.
