Sean Payton knew he needed a better defensive coordinator to get to a Super Bowl, so he hired Gregg Williams.
Jedidiah Collins Special Olympics @SOLouisiana Oath: “Let me win, But if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt” #Inspired http://pic.twitter.com/YC9dSKMQ
DougTatum New Orleans soccer fans #Jesters begin their season tonight at Pan Am Stadium http://www.nola.com/soccer/index.ssf/2012/05/new_orleans_jesters_looking_for_better_finish_this_year.html
skooks Wow. Did Jeff Duncan just do a column about how great Tom Benson is?
Corey White About to hit up Cumberland with @WhitesIsland_29 #MallFlow
Roman Harper Hey everyone check out this great article on @JonVilma51 News Article | NFL | Fox Sports | MSN – http://extreme.mobile.msn.com/sports/NFL/article/1414866 @Harp41 @WhitlockJason
JUNIOR GALETTE Damn So Much Beef On my Mentions Summer Not even Here Yet 😂 #OOMF Gets Pple Sooo Mad 😂😭 LAWWWD (HansDat note: Galette may take over the ‘epicruean tweeter’ role from the departed Tracy Porter)
Mark Ingram “@AnnaDiMarco: @Mark_Ingram28 can I get a happy birthday from my favorite RB!!! #WHODATNATION #saintsbirthday” happy birthday!
cameron jordan Ooo up n active, n az wit da fam happy belated ta my Lil sis
Andrew Tiller Watching this cross fit competition on espn, it amazes me how old some of the ppl are that do cross fit! I salute you! Lol
team gleason Only in NOLA can I give speeches like this on the same day. -SG Saints HOF: http://videos.nola.com/times-picayune/2012/05/new_orleans_saints_hall_of_fam_1.html Annual Bar-A-Thon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0omGVdyx8o&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Jonathan Vilma “@Smallhands89: wore my @JonVilma51 jersey yesterday never got so many comments on a jersey all positive…#FreeVilma“feels gd to hear that
Topps Company @Nick2oon welcome to the BIG SHOW @saints http://pic.twitter.com/UMSREkMn
cameron jordan woke up to you feel amazing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXgn6T2NNLA @WeAreRadical my boy @BewareOfLog
Jedidiah Collins Excuse me-@TheJimmyGraham @MalcolmJenkins @LanceMoore16 @JonVilma51 @iWillSmith Can we talk about @Mark_Ingram28 vert? http://pic.twitter.com/v0ZU1mB6
Johnny Patrick Watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vfMb8TMsVQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Jedidiah Collins “@SOLouisiana: Thanks @JedCollins45 for coming to cheer on the athletes! http://pic.twitter.com/r5zxIDKK” Always puts a smile on my face! #Inspired
Jermon Bushrod These crossfit games challenge is beast mode
Jermon Bushrod no way “@super2510: @j_bushrod7475 have you done crossfit”
Jermon Bushrod S/O to my lady @jessmendez_ for graduating and getting her degree… Proud of her!!
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THE CONTRACT
New Orleans Saints owner sounds an upbeat note on re-signing Drew Brees | NOLA.com
James Varney – It wasn’t all basking in past accomplishments Friday for Tom Benson as the Saints owner was announced as a member of the 2012 class of the club’s Hall of Fame.
Despite Brees’ Public Concerns, Loomis and Benson Promise New Deal Will Get Done | sportsnola.com
Brian Allee-Walsh – One day after estranged quarterback Drew Brees publicly declared his growing frustration over stalled contract talks, New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis kept his inner most thoughts to himself.
Loomis: Drew Brees deal will get done – NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y – Although Drew Brees said this week that he was frustrated with negotiations for a new contract, New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis once again said Friday that the quarterback will get a long-term deal.
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Other Saints Stuff That’s Not Nearly As Important
Saints embrace same ‘us vs. the world’ mentality as 2007 Patriots | NFL.com
Albert Breer – The New England Patriots opened the 2007 season with a blowout of the rival New York Jets. The initial Spygate story broke the day after that.
Daily Special, May 19, 2012 | Who Dat Social Club
Himself – Yesterday, I facetiously wrote that not much new was going on, Saints-wise. Today, I can write the same thing with a straight face, because it’s true. Every day can’t have bombshells.
Vilma right to take on dictator Roger | FOX Sports on MSN
Jason Whitlock – Hell, yes, Jonathan Vilma should sue Roger Goodell.
During a tumultuous offseason, the New Orleans Saints take time out to recognize four during Hall of Fame announcement | NOLA.com
James Varney – Tom Benson, Deuce McAllister headed for induction.
New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson’s actions tell the story much more accurately than his words | NOLA.com
Jeff Duncan – Benson has always been a fan favorite.
McAllister, Benson make Saints Hall of Fame | The Advocate
Sheldon Mickles – To hear former New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister tell it Friday, it was only fitting that he would be elected to the Saints Hall of Fame along with team owner Tom Benson.
Benson, McAllister headed to Saints HOF – NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y – Team owner Tom Benson and former running back Deuce McAllister have been selected as the 2012 inductees to the Saints Hall of Fame. They were elected by a media selection committee.
Tom Benson, Deuce McAllister and Steve Gleason Headed to Saints’ Hall of Fame | thesaintsnation.com
Andrew Juge – The Saints announced yesterday that Tom Benson, Deuce McAllister and Steve Gleason are all headed to the Saints Hall of Fame.
Jimmy Graham No. 2 on Clayton’s TE list – NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y – John Clayton has his list of the NFL’s top 10 tight ends and the NFC South has some pretty strong representation.
Around the NFC South – NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y – A quick look at the Saturday morning headlines from around the NFC South.
Film of the NFC South chat – NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y – Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from Friday’s NFC South chat.
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Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles
In a Fanshot, Mknkachow recently linked to a tweet from WDSU’s Fletcher Mackel (that Satch first brought us in Friday’s Fleur-De-Links) that hints at coming news about the fate and fortune of one Rita Benson LeBlanc, the recently-allegedly-exiled Saints executive/Heir to the Saints:
Fletcher Mackel
@FletcherMackelTom Benson just said “in the coming days were gonna have some big big news regarding my granddaughter Rita” interesting. Stay tuned.
Speculation on what this means began last night in the FDL’s comment thread, and should continue with renewed vigor today.
Why? Because what else are we going to do? Pay attention to our families? Complete chores? I don’t think so.
Make the jump and have at it!
Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles
He did a local TV interview this week
Read more of this Saints News post via New Orleans Saints Central
Saints Shut Out of NFL’s Top 70-61 Players of 2012
I am not endorsing/unendorsing this writer’s assessment, but this was just the first article I found with a list of the players from 70-61, to demonstrate the lack of Saints on it. Ho hum.
Jesse Bartolis
nflmocks.com
Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles
Yesterday, the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame announced the men it is honoring in 2012: former running back Deuce McAllister, owner Tom Benson, former safety and special teams standout Steve Gleason, and announcer Jim Henderson.
Our man Dave was on the J-O-B and reported on this as it happened (live, local, and late-breaking with new storm-cutter HD supper doppler real-time satellite imagery), giving us the “who” and the “what” and a little bit of the “why”, while bringing in some Taylor Swift/Deuce sunshine with that sweet photo.
This afternoon, I bring you more on the “what” and “why”, along with a little bit of history, courtesy of this release and the HOF’s official page from the Saints team site.
It awaits you on the other side of the jump…
First, here’s a little info on what the Saints Hall of Fame is all about (emphasis added for irony)…
The Saints Hall of Fame has brand new exhibits and memorabilia covering the entire history of the New Orleans Saints from the awarding of and formation of the franchise to the present. Fans can review a time line tracing the history of the team through the years, enjoy the Saints Theater with highlight films from every season in team history, check out the locker room display, the great moments in Saints history video, the actual playing surface on the floor of the Superdome, the all-time team display, the Hall of Honors with all of the busts and portraits of previously inducted Saints Hall of Famers and an evidence room of proof that the Saints won a Super Bowl.
The Saints Hall of Fame opened on July 16, 1988 in Rivertown, Kenner and was the vision and creation of Aaron Broussard. Expansions in size came in 1992 and in January of 2004. The Superdome location opening occurred in conjunction with the Saints vs. Carolina game on October 7, 2007. The Saints Hall of Fame Museum is open three hours prior to game time and remains open until 30 minutes after the completion of each home game.
Benson and Deuce will be the sole members of the Class of 2012 inductees into the Saints Hall of Fame (the 40th and 41st individuals to be so honored), on September 21, 2012 – Saints Hall of Fame All Saints Weekend. Go here to read who the other members of the Saints HOF are.
Here’s Benson’s bio that merited his selection:
A native New Orleanian, Benson stepped up to help save the New Orleans Saints franchise in 1985, purchasing the team from John Mecom. Within two years, Benson fielded the first winning team and first playoff appearance by the Saints in franchise history (1987). His teams have made the playoffs nine times. Under Benson, the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7, 2010, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Benson’s 2006 New Orleans Saints reached the NFC championship game.
During Benson’s tenure, New Orleans has hosted four Super Bowls and will host a fifth (Super Bowl XLVII) on February 3, 2013 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Benson has been one of the NFL’s most important and influential owners, serving three stints as Chairman of the league Finance Committee.
Benson’s community and charitable involvement is substantial and he has invested in the city through the purchase of Dominion Tower, the New Orleans Hornets, and WVUE-TV. Mr. Benson and his family have helped raise over $2.5 million for community causes through the Saints Hurricane Katrina and Gulf Coast Renewal funds.
For those that don’t already know Deuce’s career highlights…
McAllister played for the Saints for eight seasons from 2001-2008. A two-time Pro Bowler (2002 and 2003), McAllister was a first-round draft pick of the Saints in the 2001 NFL Draft (23rd overall).
McAllister retired as the leading rusher in the history of the franchise, amassing 6,096 yards on 1,429 carries (4.3 avg.). He is the all-time leader in touchdowns with 55 and rushing touchdowns with 55.* In addition, McAllister ranks fifth all-time in scoring with 330 points and ranks tenth in receptions with 234. He led the Saints in rushing in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. McAllister was named first-team All-NFC by Pro Football Weekly in both 2002 and 2003.
* HansDat Note: Pro-football-reference.com credits Deuce with 49 rushing TDs and 55 total TDs.
Jim Henderson, the “Voice of the Saints” on the radio for more than two decades and the longtime sports director of WWL-TV, will be the 23rd recipient of the Joe Gemelli Fleur-de-Lis Award, which is…
presented annually to a person who has supported the New Orleans Saints organization and contributed to the betterment of the franchise over a significant period of time.
To read the names of the other 22 winners, go here. And if you’re wondering who in the heck Joe Gemelli is…
The award is named in honor of the late Joe Gemelli, who was widely regarded as the biggest Saints fan. Gemelli founded the Touchdown Club, which continues to support the New Orleans Saints. Gemelli was the first president of the Saints Hall of Fame.
Gleason is being recognized for the special contributions he has made to the franchise and the New Orleans community as a whole by having a “legacy gallery” established at the HOF that will bear his name.
Dave reported yesterday that it will be called “Steve Gleason Hall”, and while I’m looking carefully, I haven’t read anything about whether or not the volunteer docents in this new section will be called “Steve Gleason Hall Monitors.”
The Speeches
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That’s a lot of big news from the Saints Hall of Fame. In addition to hearing more from you below about Benson, Deuce, Jim and Steve, I’d also like to hear from any of you who have experienced the HOF in person.
I went there with my Dad one summer in the early 90′s when it was in Kenner, and as I recall, it seemed a little cheesy, but it was a heck of a lot of fun to tour, reading all the blurbs and seeing all the old pictures and artifacts. I remember lining up to kick a FG (and missing wildly, multiple times) in the “Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard kick exhibit”, buying a copy of Wayne Mack’s ‘Saga of the Saints’ coffee table book from the gift shop, and stopping somewhere nearby for lunch on the way back to Covington (fried shrimp po-boys and french fries…maybe we split some onion rings, too, but I’m not too sure about that). It was a special trip that I will always remember fondly.
Read more of this Saints News post via Canal Street Chronicles
This week the New Orleans Saints announced some recent transactions they made to their roster.
Read more of this Saints News post via New Orleans Saints News
The Times-PicayuneFormer Saints running back Deuce McAllister will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame JAZZ: Former LSU star CHARLES ALEXANDER was named to the College Football Hall of Fame this week by the National Football Foundation. He…
Read more of this Saints News post via New Orleans Saints Central
Former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper will be covering the Saints as a sports analyst for WWL-TV, a local news station in New Orleans. Sharper will start his new job in August and his arrival is sure to boost ratings. Sharper spent most of his playing days with the Green Bay Packers and only played for the Saints in his final two seasons. However, Sharper was part of the Saints’ Super Bowl team that won in 2010 and became some what of a fan favorite. It is obvious that Sharper returns the love, as he will be the new Saints analyst for WWL-TV.
Sharper, who had a 14-year career in the NFL, is one of the most accomplished safeties and is no doubt hall of fame bound. Over his career Sharper totaled 943 tackles, nine forced fumbles, and 63 interceptions, which is good enough for sixth on the all-time interception list. In 22 games with the Saints, Sharper produced 87 tackles and nine interceptions, three of which he returned for defensive touchdowns. Even though he was at the end of his career Sharper proved to be a valuable asset to the Saints as he helped them capture their first ever Super Bowl championship.
WWL-TV is excited to have Sharper and the station thinks Sharper’s analysis will bolster their Saints’ coverage and provide viewers with an insider’s feel to the game. Being a 14-year veteran there is no doubt that Sharper will bring in lots of insight to the Saints coverage and should be somewhat of an authority on the Saints. Sharper has done some work for ESPN and NFL Network in the past as an analyst so he is no stranger to the newsroom. Sharper was one of the greats at the safety position and his experience on and off the field will give him the tools he needs to continue to be a great sports analyst.
