Fleur-de-Links - Sept. 24th: Jeremy and Ivory Live Together in Perfect Harmony

Please pardon me for drawing inspiration from the classic Paul McCartney/Stevie Wonder song for today's title. I couldn't resist. Jeremy Shockey popped up on the injury report today with a quad injury, but it doesn't appear to be serious enough to keep him from suiting up this Sunday. Chris Ivory was a full participant at practice for the second day in a row and he also is probable for the Falcons game this week. In other news, Reggie says he might be back sooner than expected. More after the jump.

TWEETS:

JonVilma51 great day for the canes (and saints lol)...its back to work now, you already know my motto..win baby win!!

usama_young28 Up and at em.... Let's gooooo!!!

alexbrown96 Headed over to the facility to get some good work in today. 3-0 is the goal huge game this week against Atlanta.

jeffduncantp Get your DVRs ready, Sunday: 10 am, ESPN NFL Countdown, w/SteveGleason feature; noon, Falcons-Saints; 6 pm, 60 Minutes, w/Drew Brees feature

Official_Saints The premiere of the 43rd season of @60minutes will feature @DrewBrees this Sunday at 6 pm CT. Here is a preview - http://tiny.cc/7qdjj

jeffduncantp Ever wonder what would happen if @DrewBrees walked down Bourbon St.? Here's the hysterical video (60 Minutes preview) http://bit.ly/bIwNqg

Official_Saints Yes -Payton & Loomis also RT @DeniseHunnings: @Official_Saints is that the same 60 minutes as Vilma and Shockey are supposed to be on?

jeffduncantp Payton said Shockey bruised his quad during team drills yesterday but should be OK for Sunday.

reggie_bush Another solid day of rehab. Feeling stronger already! Can't wait to get back on the field with my teammates! Have a great day twitter fam!

jeffduncantp Dunno. We're not allowed to watch. RT @bgizle: @jeffduncantp hey jd, how's j.graham been in practice recently?

Official_Saints Coach Payton will hold a book signing for his book "Home Team" this Sat., Sept. 25 from 1-3 pm at Aucoin Hart Jewelers in Metairie.

HeathEvans Gr8 friday practice. All little R&R,date night w/ the wifey...I think we r going to see WallStreet? Looks GREAT!! Suggestions on dinner? #fb

SAINTS PREPARE FOR FALCONS:

Saints injury report: Ivory probable for Falcons game | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
Running back Chris Ivory was full in practice for the second day in a row and Head Coach Sean Payton listed him probable for New Orleans’ Sunday noon home game against NFC South division rival Atlanta.

Tight end Jeremy Shockey added to New Orleans Saints' injury report | NOLA.com
Shockey is still probable for Sunday's game vs. Atlanta Falcons with bruised quad. Chris Ivory and Zach Strief fully participated again and also are listed as probable.

2theadvocate.com | Sports | Gay out again, status unknown for Falcons — Baton Rouge, LA
New Orleans Saints cornerback Randall Gay, who suffered a concussion in Monday night’s game at San Francisco, didn’t practice again Thursday and his status for Sunday’s matchup against Atlanta Falcons is unknown.

Southern supremacy on line Sunday - NFC South Blog - ESPN
"This is a tough division,’’ Brees said. "Anytime you play a divisional opponent there’s a lot of familiarity there and you just know that there are always close games. They’re always fighting . You both know each other’s personnel pretty well. I think a lot of it is about who can out-execute the other. It’s not about fooling them with trick plays or anything else. It’s just about lining up and being able to play better. They have a good football team and obviously they’ll be ready to play us. It’s a big challenge."

Final Word: NFC South - NFC South Blog - ESPN
Trap game? A lot of people talked about the Monday night game in San Francisco being a trap game for the Saints. They made it through that and I don’t think you can say Atlanta really is a trap game because the Saints never take the Falcons lightly. If the Saints really are going to have a chance to win back-to-back Super Bowls, this game will be a huge test. It comes against a good team and it comes after the Saints have played two grueling games.

In the Numbers: Saints look to improve on recent 7-1 record against Falcons | wwltv.com | WWL Sports
For the second season in a row, the Saints have gotten to 2-0. And yeah, that’s a franchise first. Never before has New Orleans reached 2-0 in back-to-back seasons.

Saints' offensive woes not causing panic yet - NFL - CBSSports.com Football
Reggie Bush is hurt, Drew Brees isn't connecting like Drew Brees and Pierre Thomas is having trouble running. Yet the Saints are 2-0, and the champs expect to get their offense back on track soon, Larry Holder says.

Peek at the Week: Saints on notice when Falcons swoop in - NFL - CBSSports.com Football
New Orleans is 2-0, but it's been a little sluggish. Clark Judge says they'll need to find their Super Bowl form as it won't be easy when the Falcons, their chief NFC South threat, come to the Big Easy.

Saints are 2-0. Who Dat Nation? Closer to 0-2. Time to fan up. | NOLA.com
Who Dats have been off their game early in the season. Will the crowd roar return?

Drew Brees' popularity is as high as ever in New Orleans: Saints First-and-10 | NOLA.com
Jeff Duncan's weekly take on the Saints

NFL Week 3 Picks: Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints Odds | Sports Odds
A matchup that can define the NFC South features the Super Bowl Champs New Orleans Saints hosting the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday at 1 PM ET at the Superdome.

Saints Takeaways Loom Large on Falcons' Radar -- NFL FanHouse

Jonathan Vilma, defense may have to rescue New Orleans Saints again | NOLA.com
Team overcame gamble last year vs. Atlanta Falcons

ESPN pregame show to profile Dome-opening New Orleans Saints hero Steve Gleason | NOLA.com
Chris Connolly has reported a where-is-he-now? profile of former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason, to air on ESPN’s "Sunday NFL Countdown" this week (September 26).

The Dallas Cowboys are doomed, the Minnesota Vikings are desperate and the Green Bay Packers are dominant, along with the way every other NFL team has started the season - ESPN
Saints -- Niners running back Frank Gore was right: San Francisco whupped the Saints up and down the field. And yet the Saints still found a way to win. In Drew Brees, I always trust.

New Orleans Saints linemen looking to increase pressure on QB | NOLA.com
"I think we need to step it up a little bit," defensive end Will Smith said.

FALCONS PREPARE FOR SAINTS:

NFL.com news: Falcons, Steelers appear poised to grab tough road wins
It takes a lot to win on the road in the NFL, but there are four teams that possess the ingredients necessary to pull off the difficult feat in Week 3. The Falcons, Steelers, Raiders and Packers all appear to be in position to claim road victories.

Saints are 7-1 against Falcons since drafting Reggie Bush  | ajc.com
Since Reggie Bush was drafted by New Orleans in 2006, the Falcons have dropped seven of their last eight games to the Saints.

American Chronicle | For Falcons, Big Easy always difficult
"We've got to beat all the top contenders to prove we're for real," says running back Michael Turner, who hopes to play despite a groin injury. "We can't just beat the teams we're supposed to beat. Sometimes we're going to be underdogs, and we've got to win."

View from the Other Side: If consistent, Falcons could be special | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
This week they welcome back Darryl Ledbetter, who works for the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

3 keys to Falcons-Saints  | ajc.com
Three key matchups Saints DE Will Smith vs. Falcons LT Sam Baker: Baker has been called for four holding penalties, but the Falcons think his issue may be related to the new placement of the umpire.

Falcons at Saints: 5 big ifs ...  | ajc.com
2. The Saints attempt to take Roddy White out of the passing game. The Falcons' two-time Pro Bowl receiver is off to a tremendous start. He's tied for the league-lead with 20 receptions. The other wide receivers combined have 12 catches, with Harry Douglas leading the group with five.

Dunta Robinson eager to prove his worth vs. New Orleans Saints | NOLA.com
"Any time you're facing the absolute very best in the business, you've got to be happy because that's your goal -- to be the best, " Robinson said Thursday. "Drew is definitely one of those top tier quarterbacks in this league, and we definitely see it as a challenge."

REGGIE EXPECTS SWIFT RETURN:

New Orleans Saints tailback Reggie Bush predicts he'll be back sooner than people think | NOLA.com
It's frustrating," Bush said of the latest in a string of injuries that have interrupted his NFL career. "But I think it will be less time than everybody thinks.

New Orleans Saints Injury Update: Bush expects swift return
New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush is expected to miss between four and six weeks because of a fractured right fibula but he indicated Friday that he might be back sooner than expected.

LAGNIAPPE:

Saints SS Harper quietly making mark on defense | wwltv.com | WWL Sports
If Roman Harper had better timing, he could have found himself on the shoulders of his teammates, riding out of Candlestick Park a hero.

Stay calm Saints fans | HoumaToday.com
If the New Orleans Saints ever needed a wake-up call, they got it during Monday's game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Rita Benson LeBlanc to conduct Super Bowl book signing Saturday at Borders
The Super Bowl XLIV World Champion New Orleans Saints announced today that Owner/Executive Vice President Rita Benson LeBlanc will sign copies of "WORLD CHAMPS: The Official Behind-The-Scenes Perspective of the Super Bowl XLIV Champion New Orleans Saints" on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Borders Book Store located at 3338 St. Charles Avenue from 12:00 p.m. until 2 p.m.

Tyrone Hughes, Herb Tyler, Wayde Keiser, Dan Newman, Steve Barrios to speak at Monday's Quarterback Club
New Orleans VooDoo owner Dan Newman, former New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl player Tyrone Hughes and former LSU quarterback Herb Tyler highlight the speakers for the New Orleans Quarterback Club luncheon on Monday, September 27 at noon at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 315 Julia Street, corner of South Peters in New Orleans.

New Orleans Saints license tag heads to production, officals say | NOLA.com
Saints organization signed off on latest design, but no images available

Drew Brees profile set to premiere on CBS '60 minutes' | NOLA.com
"I have followed his career since he was at Purdue, since I'm from Indiana, and have always read almost everything about him, " Kroft said. "He's an amazing character."

TRANSCRIPT:

New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton

Post-Practice Press Conference

Friday, September 24, 2010

Opening Statement:

"Our final injury report for this week’s game: Zach Strief (knee) was full and is probable; Chris Ivory (knee) was full and is probable; Usama Young (quad) was limited and is questionable; Anthony Waters (hamstring) did not practice and he’s out; Reggie Bush (fibula) did not practice, he’s out; Randall Gay (concussion) did not practice, he’s out; and then one addition was Jeremy Shockey with his quad did not practice and he’s probable. He had a bruise yesterday during team."

With Randall Gay, did he never get cleared to play?

"He hasn’t been cleared. We’ll have to go through the same kind of procedure next week."

Could you comment on Roman Harper’s play through the first few games? Is he a primary guy that covers tight ends in your base coverage?

"Yes, as a strong safety he would be. He has played well the last two weeks. Last week he and Malcolm (Jenkins) were two game ball players for our defense. He has versatility in that he can run and certainly plays well down in the box. He would be someone that based on the looks and the package that we’re in that would have that assignment. He’s doing well."

How much of an influence has he had on Malcolm?

"One of the things, and I’ve said this before, is that Malcolm is such a quick study that from a terminology standpoint and assignment, some of those things come easy to him. It’s the live reps that he continues to get that are so valuable. But certainly the veteran players – such as Roman – have helped with his development."

Did they do a good job covering Vernon Davis?

"By and large – they hooked up on the one play, which was a real good throw and catch – but I thought so. Roman had the one interception. I thought he played real well."

What did Malcolm do to earn a game ball?

"He was involved in a lot. He had the fumble recovery; he had some hurries and his tackles. He played a real good game."

VIDEO: