Brees is on a collision course with Canton
Cornerback Jabari Greer is in Philadelphia having surgery to repair a groin injury, Saints interim coach Joe Vitt said after Thursday’s practice.
Greer, who started every game last season and has been a standout since arriving from the Buffalo Bills as a free agent in 2009, is expected to recover by the end of the Saints’ exhibition schedule.
“We’ve been through the procedure before,” Vitt said. “Really, we’re looking potentially, he’s going to start working some during the Texans week (the third game of the preseason), and he’ll definitely be ready for the regular season. Some guys are quicker than others. That’s where he is.”
Greer had similar surgery in early December of 2009, New Orleans’ Super Bowl-winning season, and returned for the playoffs.
“I think our staff does a great job with that,” Vitt said. “We’ve had a number of our players go through the procedure and have come back really full speed.”
Dr. William Meyers is performing the surgery. He performed the same operation on former Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey in 2008, and Shockey missed three games.
The Saints are practicing without both starting cornerbacks. Patrick Robinson missed his third consecutive day with a shoulder injury. Greer stretched out at the beginning of Tuesday’s practice before leaving the field.
Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on twitter @CBSSportsNFLNO
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Fans were able to submit questions for DE Cameron Jordan to the Saints Twitter account
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Replacement refs could be a disaster.(Getty Images)
If Sunday’s Hall of Fame Game between the Cardinals and Saints is anything like the Jaguars’ Thursday practice session, it could portend very bad things for the NFL this season. We’re not talking about players here, either, but the officials responsible for keeping order and enforcing the rules.
As it stands, the NFL has locked out its officials, which means replacement officials are a very real possibility. NFL VP of football operations Ray Anderson confirmed on Wednesday that these replacements would be working this weekend in Canton, and it’ll be the first time we’ll see what they can (or can’t) do on a national stage. Hopefully, this isn’t a preview:
NFLreplacement officials working Jaguarspractice are pitiful. Pending disaster for league if no settlement.
— Paul Kuharsky (@espn_afcsouth) August 2, 2012
Exacerbating matters: Anderson admits they’re not able to draw from the entire pool of NCAA officials when searching for replacements. “First of all, division conferences haven’t per se declared their officials off limits,” he said Wednesday. “Rather we have a number of our current officials who are supervisors for those conferences so they have been able to put some pressure on college officials not to make themselves available to the NFL,” Anderson said. “So we don’t want to put that on college conferences, per se. But the officials we are putting on the field have substantial experience, all of whom have some college experience. And we’re very comfortable that they will be very credible and do a very, very fine job for us.” This explains why the NFL was recruiting the lower-division college and semi-pro leagues for warm bodies. And last month, nine former officials said they were fired for refusing to train the replacements. (The league denied the accusations.) While there’s almost no chance that the players will strike in support of the officials, the reality is this: the game will suffer. In fact, it could be a bigger PR nightmare than last summer when the league locked out the players. Of course, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell didn’t blink then — and he got exactly what he wanted. There’s no reason to think that’ll change now. For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our Pick-6 Podcast and NFL newsletter. You can follow Ryan Wilson on Twitter here: @ryanwilson_07.
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TWEETS:
Jabari Greer @Jabari_Greer Special thanks to all of the #WhoDatNation for your well wishes. Excited to use this time as an OPPORTUNITY and not an obstacle.
Lance Moore @LanceMoore16 Throwback Thursday for real lol http://lockerz.com/s/230558131
Drew Brees @drewbrees These are my shoes on the scale after practice. 2.5 pounds! That’s a lot of sweat. Welcome to S. Louisiana in August http://pic.twitter.com/wblCAzsx
New Orleans Saints @Saints The Saints have re-signed CB Cord Parks & waived/injured WR Chris Givens
FaithLeapin @faithleapin @JoeHorn87 BBQ sauce is really good with chicken nuggets. My daughter loves it more than that McDonalds stuff. #whodat http://www.joehornbbq.com/
Jedidiah Collins @JedCollins45 Question of the day- brought to U by the brilliance that is said in the cold tubs after practice: ?Can you hear silence? #Answers#
New Orleans Saints @Saints Good to have former Pro Bowl returner Michael “Beer Man” Lewis helping the young guys at practice http://twitpic.com/aeoq78
Lance Moore @LanceMoore16 The camp blues lol 👉 RT @MalcolmJenkins: Have u ever been too tired to go to sleep? I think I’m experiencing that right now lol
Pierre Thomas @Pierre_Thomas Another hot one out there today, but we’re workin…gotta stay hungry
Johnny Patrick @JohnnyPatrick32 How can you hate on someone that you never even seen or talked to yet..
Johnny Patrick @JohnnyPatrick32 Don’t get it confused football was always my dream.. Everything else just came along with it..
cameron jordan @camjordan94 Today was a good practice, can’t wait till sun I am looking forward to a new opponent lol
Mark Ingram @Mark_Ingram28 Man its steamin outside #Nola
Grandmaster Wang @moosedenied Kickass band name alert! RT @wwltvsports: Shockey groin fiasco
New Orleans Saints @Saints FYI to fans coming to watch us in Foxborough RT @Patriots practice: Tues. (Aug. 7) 1:30-4 joint w/Saints, Wed. 10 am (Aug 8) w/Saints
Jedidiah Collins @JedCollins45 Really enjoyed @drewbrees challenge for best spike during routes on air. Practice is more enjoyable when it’s fun to work hard! #Leadership
New Orleans Saints @Saints LB @MartezWilson95 speaking with the media http://pic.twitter.com/zigKryAs
New Orleans Saints @SaintsNews Jabari Greer to have surgery on his groin. He is fully expected to be recovered & ready for the regular season.
New Orleans Saints @Saints @JuniorG93 says the #FearDaBeard fan signs help motivate him during camp http://pic.twitter.com/1Zn1PRy4
New Orleans Saints @Saints Photos from today’s practice http://on.fb.me/NM5Z83 #Saints
New Orleans Saints @Saints Cool pic from Rita Benson LeBlanc who is currently in London! http://pic.twitter.com/Df4CuEHe
New Orleans Saints @Saints Mr. @Pierre_Thomas at today’s practice http://twitpic.com/aemylj #Saints
New Orleans Saints @Saints Thanks to all of the fans that came out to practice today. Today’s attendance was 1,856. We appreciate your support!
Joe Horn @JoeHorn87 Ok heres little secret!Melt butter in micrawave pour into Bayou87 wait till seasoned meat is done.Dip meat in bayou87 put back on grill!!
Joe Horn @JoeHorn87 Leave all the meat on grill close grill for 15 minutes with onions between the bbq meat squirt lemon over bbq meat close grill!Send me pic
James Varney @jvarneyTP Saints running game looks strong early @ Thursday practice
Kevin Spain @kevinspainTP Spags is intense as a dc should be but he’s calm & encouraging to players
New Orleans Saints @Saints .@TheJimmyGraham is on the cover of this month’s @Eastbay magazine. Here is cool pic from the issue http://bit.ly/QiCIBd
New Orleans Saints @Saints .@TheJimmyGraham talks about his post-TD dunks http://youtu.be/2Y6yV_0Drfw via @Eastbay
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SAINTS CAMP:
Post-Practice Player Quotes From Thursday
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Joe Vitt: “The Teaching Aspect of it is Critical”
August 2 transcript
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Nick Toon injured in practice; severity unknown
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Nick Toon injured in practice; severity unknown.
New Orleans Saints DT Akiem Hicks ready to go with hand injury healed | wwltv.com New Orleans
New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle Akiem Hicks is expected to practice in full pads on Friday for the first time after breaking his hand during organized team activities this summer.
Akiem Hicks ready for action – NFC South Blog – ESPN
Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks said Thursday he expects to take part in Friday’s padded practice. Hicks had been sidelined by a hand injury, but it sounds like he’s about to get thrown right into the mix. Hicks said he’s been told he’ll play in Sunday’s Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Saints Camp Is Awesome Sight to Behold
New Orleans Saints receivers soaking up instructions from new coach Henry Ellard | wwltv.com New Orleans
Henry Ellard isn’t loud. There’s rarely ever any shouting instructions or thunderous motivational calls for New Orleans Saints receivers.
Nick Toon, son of former NY Jets receiver Al Toon, tries to follow father’s legacy at New Orleans Saints training camp – NY Daily News
Nick Toon’s last name means he has been lugging around a load of expectations since the time that he stepped onto a football field. They increased when he switched from running back to wide receiver in high school.
Grubbs hungry to fit in with Saints offense | New Orleans Saints | The Sun Herald
METAIRIE — When Ben Grubbs ventured into free agency, all signs pointed to New Orleans.
New Orleans Saints tailback Mark Ingram looking strong, healthy – New Orleans Saints Football NFL News – NOLA.com
“I’m feeling good,” Ingram said. “Just monitoring it, seeing how it reacts every day. I feel good. I feel strong and fast out there. And we’ll just keep an eye on it.”
New Orleans Saints quote of the day for Thursday: Vitt on Brees, Canton – New Orleans Saints Football NFL News – NOLA.com
“I’m on the back-nine of my career right now and I can see the clubhouse, and at 57 I’m not buying a lot of bananas. He’s got a lot of playing time ahead of him. He has a lot of completions and a lot of touchdowns yet to throw. It’ll be special and it will be emotional.”
Morgan Excited to Return Home
“My expectation is to go out and be consistent,” said Morgan. “I want to do things the right way. I want to try to go off of what I did last year and go above and beyond.”
Behind the Facemask: Cameron Jordan
NewOrleansSaints.com is giving fans an opportunity to submit their questions for their favorite players. Throughout training camp, the Saints will announce a selected player via the team’s Twitter account (@Saints) and fans will be able to reply with questions.
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GREER’S GROIN:
Saints CB Greer Out After Sports Hernia Surgery
Johnny Patrick, Marquis Johnson and Elbert Mack are veterans at corner battling for roster spots along with fifth round pick Corey White. Patrick, the second year player out of Louisville, was the favorite to take the third corner spot and will now have the chance to develop while working with the first team defense throughout camp.
New Orleans Saints CB Jabari Greer having sports hernia surgery | wwltv.com New Orleans
New Orleans Saints still without cornerback Patrick Robinson and receiver Nick Toon left early with a food injury.
Jabari Greer has sports hernia procedure | ProFootballTalk
Vitt said that Greer is expected back at practice the week before the final preseason game against the Texans. That doesn’t leave him much time to shake off any rust before the start of the regular season, but Vitt said he isn’t worried about that.
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GOODELL, GO TO HELL:
Brees: It’s like Sean Payton’s in ‘solitary confinement’ – NFL.com
“It’s gonna be a heck of a journey,” Brees said. “I look at this season as being maybe one of the more exciting seasons for us because of the opportunity that we have. So much swirling around us. The speculation, ‘What are you gonna do without this guy, that guy?’
Brees’ call for dialogue and understanding puts Goodell on the spot | Shutdown Corner – Yahoo! Sports
The turnabout is intelligent in that Brees’ voice is no longer angry and unreasonable. By throwing the burden of reason back on Goodell and the league, he has challenged Goodell to stop with the backroom politics and implied violations against league policy, and turn things around. Just as Goodell has an obligation to maintain order for the good of the league, he also has a responsibility to do so in ways that don’t bring the integrity of his processes into question.
New Orleans Saints DE Will Smith says commissioner made a mistake with suspensions | wwltv.com New Orleans
“Obviously I don’t think it’s fair,” Smith said. “Obviously I think the commissioner made a mistake. All the reports that went out there, a lot of people would agree with that. Ultimately, he made the call and it’s in the court system. We’ll see what happens. If I’ve got to serve the four games, I’ll serve the four games. When I come back, I’ll be 100 percent ready to go and lead my team.”
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BIG WILLIE ROAF:
New Canton Enshrinee Willie Roaf Was Protector of the Blind Side
Class of 2012 enshrinee Willie Roaf was a highly touted tackle coming out of Louisiana Tech in the early 1990s. The New Orleans Saints desperately wanted him, so much so that they orchestrated a draft day deal that included parting ways with popular linebacker Pat Swilling.
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LAGNIAPPE:
Which teams could ruin Green Bay’s quest for perfection? | Audibles
• New Orleans Saints (Home, Sept. 30): If this is anything like last year’s NFL season kickoff, it should be a blast. The Packers won that game, 42-34, and they’ll again welcome the high-powered Saints to Lambeau. We know Drew Brees and Co., can score points with the best of them, so which defense will make the big play?
The Greatest Moments in Saints History- No. 3
3. The 2006 Offseason
SaintsWin: Analysis & Opinion: By The Numbers: Inside Domes and Out
The Saints play six games outdoors this year: Carolina (wk 2), Green Bay (wk 4), Tampa Bay (wk 7), Denver (wk 8), Oakland (wk 11), and the Giants (wk 14). It will be interesting to see if the past six seasons are a predictor of 2012′s outdoor results, or if a new defense and an effective running attack can bridge the gap between “good” and “great.”
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VIDEO:
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Jimmy Graham flies airplanes upside down.
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RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Outside of his daily assignment of carrying in the shoulder pads and helmets of his veteran teammates, Seattle’s Bobby Wagner doesn’t feel much like a rookie.
Read more of this Saints News post via Yahoo! Sports - NFL - New Orleans Saints News
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Jimmy Graham flies airplanes upside down.
