Posts Tagged blogs

TWEETS:

Courtney Roby @robyslyfeI need grocery stores to stop selling Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, they’re hard & taste nothing like the real thing..jus cut my gum biting into 1

New Orleans Saints @SaintsDarren Sproles float in the Bacchus Parade last night twitpic.com/8mgd30 #Saints #MardiGras

Lance Moore @LanceMoore16Had to take my bro to the airport. But im headed to miami/lauderdale later this afternoon RT @loridwright: @LanceMoore16 where ya headed?

Lance Moore @LanceMoore16Happy presidents day all! On this holiday I figured I’d take my talents down to south beach lol. Wheels up ✈☀🌊😁

Lance Moore @LanceMoore16RT @DLO614: @LanceMoore16 wheels down<— Right! Really been an hr and they haven’t let us know what’s up. Come on AirTran!

Lance Moore @LanceMoore16There was just too many problem free flights in a row for me I guess lol. Made us de-plane and now we have no clue when we will leave.

Will Smith @iWillSmithLundi Gras!

Will Smith @iWillSmithOrpheus parade today with @rockie91

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterFormer Oakland CB Stanford Routt reached agreement with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tracy Porter @T_Porter22Just had a crucial breakfast 🍴🍞🍳. S/o to @devynaporter. She FINALLY cooked. My first meal in 2 weeks. Lmao

Tracy Porter @T_Porter22Just kiddin y’all…

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterFormer Jaguars and Titans running backs coach Earnest Byner is the Buccaneers new running backs coach.

Grandmaster Wang @moosedeniedHigh comedy. I LOLd. RT @bradhand: The Legend of the #Hornets‘ creepy King Cake Baby mascot | bit.ly/wRS0lf

Tracy Porter @T_Porter22Thanking that guy upstairs for blessing me with great friends and family! 🙏

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterTeams with most cap room today: Tampa Bay ($67 million under cap); KC ($62 mil): Cincy ($60 mil); Denver ($49 mil); Washington ($49 mil).

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterTeams with least cap room today: Pitt ($11 million over cap); Oak ($11 mil over); Carolina ($9 mil over); Giants ($9 mil over); Jets (even).

Drew Brees @drewbreesCustomer Appreciation Day, Thurs 2/23, $1 subs, 11-3 pm, inshop only, 1 per customer, at our @jimmyjohns only 4301 Veterans Blvd in Metairie

Pierre Thomas @Pierre_ThomasJust ran into Patrick Sharpe, cool guy #Blackhawks

Drew Brees @drewbreesFound out the sex of the baby by Brittany baking cupcakes today. Bit into the center, all BLUE. Boy #3 is on the way!

Lance Moore @LanceMoore16@drewbrees congrats man! Living right has done u well my friend lol

LINKS:

Who should get tagged? | ProFootballTalk
In Segment 1 of PFT Live, Mike Florio discusses whether Drew Brees and Ray Rice will be given the franchise tag and suggests a modification in that regard for offensive linemen.

Saints Nation: NFL Combine Week! | February

New Orleans Saints show interest Portland State defensive tackle – Who Dat Dish – A New Orleans Saints Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
The New Orleans Saints are showing an interest in defensive tackle Myles Wade of Portland State.

Drew Brees Tweets baby will be third son | wwltv.com New Orleans
Two years ago Drew Brees reigned as Bacchus, tonight, on the night of Bacchus, he Tweeted that his wife Brittany found a unique way to tell him he’d be having another son.

NFL franchise tag period opens, Saints could have to use it on Brees | wwltv.com New Orleans
Each day that goes by without Drew Brees signing a long-term contract with the Saints draws the franchise one day closer to having to use the franchise tag on the quarterback.

New Orleans Saints say franchise tag a last minute option
New Orleans Saints say franchise tag a last minute option

Mocking with Mel Kiper – NFC South Blog – ESPN
We’re a little more than two months away from the NFL draft, but we’re about to enter a key time. The scouting combine starts later this

Around the NFC South – NFC South Blog – ESPN
Time for a look at the top Monday morning headlines from around the division. The Falcons reportedly have begun preliminary negotiations with some of

“Exclusive” franchise tag could finally have real meaning | ProFootballTalk
The final number won’t be known until those deals are done; thus, the Saints and Brees will be operating in the dark until those numbers are set. Which could make it difficult to have any meaningful negotiations until the end of April. Which could make it more likely that Brees won’t be available to the Saints when the offseason program launches, unless he signs the one-year franchise tender and reports for duty.

NFL.com news: Plenty of players preparing for franchise tag
Monday marks the first day teams can place the franchise tag on their impending free agents like Matt Forte. Jason La Canfora evaluates the options for all 32 teams.

An early look at the New Orleans Saints 2012 linebacker core
But with fundamental scheme changes comes personnel changes, and the unit likely to see the most shake-up under Spagnuolo is the linebacker core.

Saints Nation: Pressure Mounting on Mickey Loomis, Brees’ Deal Still Not Done | February

2013 Super Bowl preparations are already under way in New Orleans | NOLA.com
Event has grown since it was last in New Orleans 10 years ago

Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles

It was an interesting draft weekend. Trades, reaches, and steals, oh my! The NFC South made six trades, and only ended up picking 20 players between the four. Tampa Bay made no trades, with the other 3 teams each making two deals. Carolina had the least amount of picks, with four, while Tampa had the most, at six. After the jump, I’ve listed all the trades and picks within the division, as well as my own analysis of how each team did.

*There were rules on trades. Only draft picks could be traded, from this year and next, with the exception being that a team that drafted a player ON THAT SAME DAY could trade said player for other draft picks. The St. Louis Rams drafted Robert Griffin III, and then dealt him to Washington, as they could not agree to terms of a trade before the Rams were forced to pick. Also, any trades had to be within 200 points on a Draft Pick Value chart.

Tampa Bay:

1.5 Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

2.4 Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

3.5 Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

5.5 Tank Carder, ILB, TCU

6.4 Dan Herron, RB, Ohio State

7.5 Jacory Harris, QB, Miami

Richardson is being brought in as a replacement/upgrade to Legarrette Blount. It will be interesting to see him go up against his former teammate, and fellow running back, Mark Ingram twice a year. Charles is a big-bodied, athletic tight end. He was named a team captain in his junior year, and should be a good backup for Kellen Winslow. Boykin is small, at 5’10, but seems to be a great kick return specialist. He is second all-time in the SEC in return yardage, with 2663 yards. Carder was the Mountain West defensive player of the year for the second straight year, and a first team All-MW selection. Herron surprisingly dropped to the 6^th round, possibly due to an ankle injury that kept him out of the team’s first six games this year. A solid back, he was named a team captain and MVP as well. Harris won’t see any time outside of Josh Freeman being injured, although he was a solid 3 year starter at Miami. Compiled a 65 percent completion percentage and 152.8 QB rating this season.

Carolina:

1.13 Melvin Ingram, DE, Southern Carolina

1.24 Devon Still, DT, Penn State

6.10 Terrell Manning, OLB, NC State

7.9 Mycahl Kendricks, OLB, California

Trades:

Carolina #9->Arizona #13, #82

Carolina #40, #82, #105, #136-> Pittsburgh #24

Carolina traded away most of there draft in order to move up back into the first, and draft Still. Both Ingram and Still are good defensive linemen, though as that is the strength of the Panther defense, the picks were called a waste by other fans. Manning and Kendricks will both be looked at to provide depth behind oft-injured Thomas Davis.

Atlanta:

3.2 Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia

3.13 Jamell Flemming, CB, Oklahoma

5.22 Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri

6.22 Donnie Fletcher, CB/S, Boston College

7.22 Danny Coale, WR, Virginia Tech

Trades:

Atlanta #55->Philadelphia #77, #100

Atlanta #86, #100, 2013 5^th->Rams #66

Not having a selection until pick number 66, the Falcons were really looking for depth in this draft. Cam Johnson is a very good defensive end, who could be able to replace John Abraham if he leaves. Flemming will provide depth, and may push for a starting spot if Brent Grimes signs elsewhere. Egnew is a solid tight end, who will get a chance to learn from the GOAT at his position. Fletcher is there for more depth at the Corner and Safety positions. Coale will replace Harry Douglas.

New Orleans

2.27 Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma

3.1 Jerel Worthy, DT, MSU

4.27 Akiem Hicks, NT, University of Regina

5.2 James Brown, OT, Troy

6.9 Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas

Trades:

New Orleans #91, #155, #219, 2013 2^nd/4^th-> Indianapolis #65, #193

New Orleans # 167, #193->Denver #130

Travis Lewis is one of the best OLB in the draft. Brought in to push incumbent starter Scott Shanle for his position. Jerel Worthy is a potential first-round pick, and when he was still available on the start of day 2, I made sure to jump up and grab him. The Rams GM told me he had a deal with the Falcons in place, and when I couldn’t get him to trade the pick to me instead, I started talking to Indianapolis. I made the deal with them, jumped the Falcons and got Worthy. It was later revealed that the Falcons GM made his trade to try and get Jerel Worthy as well. Akiem Hicks was just sitting there, waiting for me. I’ll admit, his being Canadian definitely made me biased, but he looks like a great nose-tackle in the making. Brown was a depth pick, but he could push Zach Strief out of his starting spot. Jeff Fuller, the receiver I really wanted in the 6th round, got taken 6 picks ahead of me by the Minnesota Vikings. Luckily Childs, another big-bodied receiver, was still there. Could be a very good possession receiver in our offense, and would definitely reduce the sting of a departed Marques Colston.

So, to sum up, I’d say the Buccaneers had the best draft, followed closely by the Saints. The Panthers most certainly had the worst draft, as they traded most of it for Devon Still. With this draft, my predictions for the NFC South is as follows:

Saints 14-2

Falcons 9-7

Buccaneers 9-7

Panthers 5-11

Cam Newton suffers from a sophomore slump, the Bucs get better, the Falcons get worse, and our Saints win the Super Bowl. Homerism? Maybe, but I’ll never admit it.

So what are your thoughts? How does my draft compare to the rest of the NFC South? Does our team get better, or worse next year? Is the Big Boy REALLY that good of a hamburger?…Seriously. We don’t have Big Boy up here, and I’d really like to know.

Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles

Below are my answers to last weeks reader questions submitted Friday. Special thanks to all those that participated. Feel free to continue the discussion on any of these topics in the comment section below.

Based on the recent decline in participation, I think we’ll be cutting back the frequency of our ‘What Up With Dat’ series to every other week.

Do you think the Panthers will be a serious threat in the division next season? -Mike R.

Absolutely. That doesn’t mean I think they will win the division, but they will absolutely be a threat. The NFC South is the most unpredictable division in the league. Worst to first a regular occurrence so it could actually be the Buccaneers we all need to fear.

How many years and how much money will be on Drew Brees‘ contract and who would you love to see perform at the Super Bowl halftime show? – Cameron.T

To answer the first part of your question, I would say the length of Drew’s new contract will be six years and I think it will be worth at least $95 million dollars, if not more. When all is said and done, Brees could become the highest paid quarterback in the NFL, and rightly so.

As far as the Super Bowl halftime show, I’d love to see Billy Joel perform since they’ve already had both Tom Petty and the Stones fairly recently. Perhaps Billy will be the choice when the Super Bowl is played in New York. If we’re talking about Super Bowl XLVII here in New Orleans next year, I think you’ve got to go with some sort of ensemble performance of local artists including but not limited to acts like Rebirth (Grammy winning), Trombone Shorty, Dr. John, Better than Ezra, Harry Connick, Jr., Kermit Ruffins, Jon Cleary, Amanda Shaw, Irma Thomas, Allen Touissant, anyone with the last name Marsalis or Batiste…

Do you think this years play-off loss, really drove us into hibernation more than usual. - Chad L

Nah. I’d say things are running as normal. The off-season just sucks donkey balls.

Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles

• Mark Ingram has been a hot topic this off-season and feelings seem to be divided as to whether the running back was worth drafting in the first round. Sound familiar? I’m really starting to worry that we’ve got another one of them Reggie Bush situations happening all over again. Personally, as hard as it may be to believe, I trust Sean Payton when he admitted to holding Ingram back and keeping him from being Rookie of the Year. That’s the most important piece of evidence in this entire discussion. If not, be sure to buckle up for four more years of constant arguing and strife in Who Dat Nation.

Plus, there’s one other problem with putting the franchise tag on Brees. It wouldn’t completely protect him. Another team could attempt to sign him to a monster deal, but it would cost that team two first-round draft picks. Teams have been hesitant to do that in recent years because the cost is so steep. But this is Brees we’re talking about. I don’t think many teams would hesitate to cough up two first-round picks for Brees.

Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles

Found out the sex of the baby by Brittany baking cupcakes today. Bit into the center, all BLUE. Boy #3 is on the way!

Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles

Twitter

Johnny Patrick Good morning, new Orleans I’ll see y’all later…….

Held Over “@JHScramble: damn. I want the new SportsCenter anchor and I want her now.” Pics or GTFO.

Courtney Roby Happy Sunday World..headed north for my bro’s 1st Arena Football game of 2012.. @RobyIsBlessed do work bruh!! Y’all send those

Russell S. Baxter 2012 #NFL Coaching Changes (with Coordinators) at ProFootballGuru.com tinyurl.com/6qqvxnc

Jermon Bushrod “@JusAnderson23: Straight A’s pic.twitter.com/cQdTa1ZJ” nice!

Jermon Bushrod Ok spike I see u wit that LiN Harvard jersey on

Jeff Duncan RT @GrapeSmuggla: Finally started reading @JeffDuncanTP “From Bags to Riches”. Didn’t even finish the first chapter before I started crying.

team gleason So… That was awesome! Thx NOLA for havn Mardi Gras. Thx Mid city 4 havn Endymion. Thx Endymion 4 havn me! -SG pic.twitter.com/Olm8KR5h

Deadspin VIDEO: There was an honest-to-goodness full-frontal streaker at today’s FA Cup match at Anfield deadsp.in/xUEEde

Tracy Porter I need a jacket…

Conan O’Brien I can’t believe no one likes my show idea about a bunch of undead bathroom remodelers called “The Caulking Dead”.

Greg Romeus #Heat show

Mark Ingram 178K followers I appreciate all y’all!!!

Mark Ingram They hate what they don’t understand

Lance Moore Could go for some dummy food right about now. How is everybody’s day going?

Johnny Patrick ✈✈✈✈✈

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Links

New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees are still trying to reach a deal | NOLA.com
Jeff Duncan – Everyone says they know a deal will get done, yet a deal is not done.

Graham plans on starting foundation | The Advocate
Sheldon Mickles – After taking part in a USA Network show called “NFL Characters Unite” last week, New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham plans on starting his own foundation to aid foster children.

Saints have free agent questions | The Advocate
With a little more than three weeks to go before the start of the NFL’s free agency signing period, there are more questions than answers for New Orleans Saints’ fans about what their team will look like in 2012.

The future of the franchise tag could be bleak, for players | ProFootballTalk
Florio alert: We explained earlier today that the franchise tags will be lower in 2012 than they were in 2011. The difference comes from a new formula for calculating the franchise tenders.

Ex-NFL players sue league in La. over concussions | SI.com
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Nearly a dozen former NFL players living in Louisiana have sued the NFL, the latest players to accuse the league of failing to protect players from the risks associated with concussions.

Kickoffs and Concussions, Reviewing 2011 Numbers | NYTimes.com
Toni Monkovic – The N.F.L. expected fewer kickoff returns in 2011 after a rules change intended to make the game safer. So what were the final numbers?

NFL will allow 250 fans to attend combine | nfl.com
Marc Sessier – After fans were awarded the opportunity to witness Media Day and Radio Row firsthand during Super Bowl week, the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine will be next.

Scouting the Draft, L.S.U.’s Morris Claiborne | NYTimes.com
LSU! LSU! LSU!

Sunday morning one-liners | ProFootballTalk
Josh Alper with quick links from around the League.

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V-Roll Roll Call

Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles

Saints beat columnist Jeff Duncan drops a column in today’s Times-Picayune that updates, elaborates, speculates, and “analyzes” the current state of the negotiations between Drew Brees/Tom Condon, and Pay-loo/Tom Benson.

The offseason media carnival, crisis, and boondoggle that Grandmaster Wang acknowledged at the end of January as being just around the corner has now poked its honey badger snout up out of its honey badger burrow on the prairie. And remember, honey badger don’t give a s***.

It’s not quite as widespread, bad, or personally attacking as Wang portended yet, but the seeds are being sown for a March Madness like we’ve never seen.

Come across the jump for the details and my very own brand of speculation/criticism…

After opening with a statement alluding to the extended nature of the negotiations, Duncan mentions a sentiment that may not be as pervasive as he believes:

The uncertainty is driving Saints fans into purple, green and gold conniptions.

Conniptions? Really? Do you have a source or any supporting details on this, Jeff? I have yet to see WWL-TV footage of fans “connipting” in the streets or anything. Are you getting some emails or tweets to this effect? It might help to share a bit more with us as to how you came to this conclusion. You didn’t even qualify that statement with a conditional cushion like “some”, or “at least one ardent fan who cornered me at a bar last week” or anything like that.

He then speaks of intrigue, surprise, confidence, drops another mention of the extended duration, and starts to stoke the fire a bit.

And yet, here we are, almost 18 months into negotiations without a signed document.

Something clearly doesn’t add up. It shouldn’t be this difficult when two parties are committed to the same goal.

Well, that “hard 18″ doesn’t account for the few months they took off from negotiations while the season was heating up to its conclusion, but I agree it has been going on for a long time.

It’s not adding up, and it shouldn’t be this difficult? How many of these types of deals have you negotiated in your journalism career, Jeff?

Then the build-up begins…

These deals are complicated, but it shouldn’t be this difficult to hammer out the details, especially if the sides are “on the same page” as everyone insists.

But with each passing day, the public placation rings more hollow. In fact, there’s a “Move along, nothing to see here” feel to them.

And now I can almost see Duncan with his hand cranking the “panic alarm” and hearing it increase in volume and pitch and annoyingness:

It leads one to believe the negotiations have become a tad contentious.

Um, it does?

Maybe that’s why Brees’ agent, Tom Condon, said at the Super Bowl he was “baffled” by the lack of progress in talks.

Nobody is at each other’s throat, but the negotiations clearly are not as hunky-dory as the sides have portrayed them to be.

Condon’s baffled! That’s the first time I’ve ever heard an agent say that during contract negotiations! This deal is never going to get done!!

After taking a few paragraphs to acknowledge the importance and complicated nature of this contract for both sides, Duncan pretty much torpedoes all the “angst inducing” he engaged in earlier by telling us not to worry yet and letting us know when we CAN worry…

You’ll know the deal has reached the critical stage if it’s still not finalized by the start of free agency. Until then, there’s no reason to get worked up about the lack of progress. The rest is just posturing and positioning.

But what do I do with all this fear you mongered, Jeff? You can’t just drop “not hunky-dory”, “public placation rings more hollow”, and “a tad contentious” on us without giving us an outlet for it!!! C’mon, man!

He closes by providing some context and stating what was already probably pretty obvious to most of us.

A year ago, Colts owner Jim Irsay described contract talks with Manning as “not a normal negotiation, his legacy and our relationship, it’s very unusual.”

The same can be said for the Brees deal. This is anything but a normal negotiation. That’s becoming clearer with each passing day.

Thanks, Jeff. I’m glad it’s becoming more clear to you that this isn’t just your routine “new contract” negotiation.

* * *

And there you have it, folks, the beginning of the beginning of what we’ll be getting from the media on this until the deal is done. Prepare yourself for the worst, and hope for the best (in regard to both the coverage of, and the issue itself).

How am I going to deal with my angst over this stuff? I’m not sure how it’s going to work out, but I’m going to try and hold my judgements (or juge-ments) and speculation until I get info on concrete progress (which probably won’t be forthcoming) or an announcement on a done deal, and until then, spend time writing more CSC 2012 Election pieces with Ralph, that’s how.

What do you think of the state of things and Duncan’s assessment? Are you worried? When will you worry? When will Satch reinstate his Alfred E. Newman profile picture?

Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles

Who will stay: Colston or Nicks? That is the question.

It is 99 percent certain that Drew Brees will be staying in New Orleans for a while, as he is expected to be signed to a record contract and has said that the deal should be done soon. Saints receiver Marques Colston and guard Carl Nicks wish they could say the same about their futures with the team but in reality they both have question marks above their heads.

The Saints have limited funds to go around and might not be able to afford both players. Colston has stated that he, “Will not give the team a hometown discount.” Nicks has expressed his disinterest in the franchise tag and wants a long-term deal himself. Until Brees gets signed, the uncertainty will continue to build.

Both Nicks and Colston have been crucial cogs in the Saints offensive machine, and have been productive since they were rookies. In Colston’s career, he has totaled 6,240 yards and 48 touchdowns. He has been Drew’s security blanket in tight situations and is probably his favorite receiver. Being very tall and having decent speed, Colston is a great possession receiver.

Nicks is widely viewed as the best guard in the league. His role on the team is a little more important because he protects Drew, even more so due to his size. In Nicks’ career, he has twice been a Pro Bowler as well as being named to the All-Pro team twice.

In my opinion, I think that the Saints will let Colston walk and keep Nicks. With the emergence of record breaking tight end Jimmy Graham, you can wonder if the team feels Colston is expendable. Don’t get me wrong, Colston is a tremendous player and has contributed immensely, but Brees isn’t short on targets at which to throw. Replacing him wouldn’t be that difficult either with other receivers hitting the market this year such as Plaxico Burress, Vincent Jackson, and Randy Moss, who recently expressed his interest in getting back into the league.

If the Saints lost Carl Nicks, the void would be much greater to fill. They would be losing a player on the Madden Most Valuable Protectors tandem and Brees’ best guard. There also are not too many Pro Bowl guards floating around that are willing to play for cheap.

Obviously, we as fans would be ecstatic to have Colston and Nicks both return next year, but the numbers will be very hard work. The Saints’ number one enemy this off-season, the salary cap, is going to get closer and closer to being met with the many players the Saints will need to re-sign. Ultimately, the team will have to decide if they feel comfortable without one of these players. If so, one or both could be let go to save a little cash.

Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles

Twitter

Greg Romeus Bourbon.. #MardiGras lockerz.com/s/184979904

Greg Romeus #rip to my kicks last night

Deadspin VIDEO: In light of this morning’s ESPN blunder, here’s “What about his eyes?” & other Linsanity media missteps deadsp.in/yyayNg

Tracy Porter Headache.com

Zach Strief “@whoisjwright: Is it racist that I think of @bengraham7 every time I hear a #Geico commercial?” hahaha

Nate BUSSEY #indeed 😃RT @PilarEllis: For any1 who doesn’t think these NFL Regl combines can help UR chances (cont) tl.gd/g06ag7

Johnny Patrick Love is a gamble….

Chris Ivory Hittin the steam room

Pierre Thomas Trying to learn a new language, rosetta stone (español)

Pierre Thomas Y’all saying full sentences… I’m only on my abc’s Hahaha jk

Lance Moore Nice little Saturday.

Jermon Bushrod I hate when grown ass people don’t be covering their mouth when coughing in public!! #ewwwww

cameron jordan I’m up officially Nd hungry… #riseandgrind

New Orleans Saints Peyton & Eli Manning filmed a PSA this morning for @Team_Gleason pic.twitter.com/86TEE9ji pic.twitter.com/1FF9p5JI

Nate BUSSEY Daddy’s little girls are watching Disney on ice Live… They are do excited @BusseyBravo

Ralph Malbrough LSU basketball is officially out of the black hole! 6-6 in SEC! NCAA Bubble HERE. WE. COME.

team gleason Thanks to Peyton & Eli for shooting an awesome #NoWhiteFlags PSA this morning. -SG pic.twitter.com/kiKoPgAF

team gleason Also thx to @wprieur504 & @Jeremiahfry for hosting & production -SG pic.twitter.com/XjqWxrPD

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Links

Saints Blogger Series: 10 Questions With Dave Cariello | thesaintsnation.com
Andrew Juge

Saints could face choice between free agents Marques Colston and Carl Nicks | sportsnola.com
Brian Allee-Walsh – I am writing today using the premise that quarterback Drew Brees will be back with the New Orleans Saints next season armed with a new multi-year, mega-buck contract.

Notable NFL free agents in the 2012 class | nfl.com
The list of impending free agents features plenty of recognizable names, including Patriots WR Wes Welker. See who else could be on the market come March 13.

Randy Moss A Saint? Why Not! | wwl.com
Kristian Garic – trying to stir up readers…

Six Questions With Drew Brees | The Balance Sheet
Alllison Winn Scotch – I am wrapping up my celebrity interview series (and this blog…more on that later), and I can’t think of a better way to finish up than with New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees.

NFL Scouting Combine Home Page | nfl.com
Feb. 22-28, 2012 – More than 300 top prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft will be invited to participate at the combine in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Questions surround defensive linemen entering combine | nfl.com
Bucky Brooks – Is Quinton Coples an elite player? After the Giants’ Super Bowl run, every NFL team wants one. Unfortunately, questions abound among defensive linemen in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Talent misevaluation: Why do players slip through the cracks? | nfl.com
HansDat note: If Michael Lombardi knows this so well, why isn’t he still working for a team in the NFL? Whatever. Maybe they can get Matt Millen to sound off on this next.

Chad Jones’ dream of playing in NFL is closer than most would have thought | NOLA.com
Jeff Duncan – Betting against Jones would be huge mistake.

Chad Jones To Play Again | wwl.com
Kristian Garic’s radio interview with Chad Jones.

Tirico mum on ‘how, why’ behind Jaworski’s ‘MNF’ exit | nfl.com
Mike Sessier

Goodell says NFL committed to keeping teams where they are | nfl.com
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday that the league is not currently planning on adding new teams, clarifying comments that he made in early February that might have seemed to indicate otherwise.

Rejected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame | NYTimes.com
Toni Monkovic – Can you name the following quarterback? He’s not in the Hall of Fame but he won a Super Bowl and an M.V.P. regular-season award.

How to Fix Football’s Hall of Fame Voting System – The Fifth Down | NYTimes.com
Andy Barall, who writes about pro football history for The Fifth Down, takes a look at the recent controversy over Hall of Fame balloting and fairness.

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V-Roll Roll Call

Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles

Good afternoon, Saints fans! We are smack dab in the middle of Mocking the Draft’s 2012 Live Draft. Last night, we concluded with the end of Round 2. So far, your New Orleans Saints have selected Travis Lewis, Outside Linebacker out of Oklahoma at the end of the second round. As the GM for this Live Draft, there was no decent offer to move into the first round, so I decided to stick where I was. Lewis was the number one guy on my board, and he would hypothetically fill a big need we have. Today, we have picks #91, #123 and #155, as well as #167, #169 and #219 available for trade. I am currently exploring opportunities to move up in the third round and grab Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State. Other names still on the board: Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia; Zebrie Sanders, OT, FSU; Audie Cole, MLB, NC State; Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana-Lafayette, as well as others. Below, I have linked the updated Big Board, Draft Tracker and MTD Draft Thread.

Live Draft Tracker

2012 Updated Big Board

Mocking the Draft Live Thread

So, what do you think? Should I try to move up, or stick with #91 and see who drops? Since we can only trade draft picks from this year, and next year, what would you give to move up?

Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles