Fleur-de-Links: November 3, 2011

TWEETS:

BUCS @ SAINTS:

Saints add Zach Strief to injury report - NFC South Blog - ESPN
We’ve got an update to our previous post about how there might be some injury-report games going on in advance of Sunday’s game between the Saints and Buccaneers.

Saints-Bucs turning into 'Thumbgate' - NFC South Blog - ESPN
Looks like we might have a little game going on even before the Buccaneers and Saints play Sunday in New Orleans. Raheem Morris suggested (jokingly?)

Saints trying to recommit on o-line, stop sacks | wwltv.com New Orleans
Pop open the Saints annual media guide and flip to past years’ stats and roll your finger down the page until it hits sacks given up. You won’t find quarterback Drew Brees getting hit for a loss by defensive linemen all that often.

Saints LG Nicks trying to forget St. Louis | wwltv.com New Orleans
"You realize the mistakes you made," Nicks said, laughing when the word was repeated his way, "just like when you watch film. Everybody makes mistakes. (You) figure out why you did it and figure out why you should never do it again. That’s what I did."

Saints haven't been successful lately in Tampa Bay series | wwltv.com New Orleans
The Saints (5-3) host Tampa Bay (4-3) in a game that means a whole lot more today than many of us likely thought it would.

Saints hoping to improve on 23rd-ranked run defense | wwltv.com New Orleans
When the Saints signed defensive tackle Shaun Rogers prior to the NFL lockout, there were question marks as to whether he would A) fit in with the locker room and B) have the drive to succeed.

New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Charles Brown's season ended because of a hip flexor - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Zack Strief will return to the starting lineup

Drew Brees said the New Orleans Saints haven't proven themselves an elite team - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
He said they have the ability to be one, they just have to get it done

New Orleans Saints injury report: Tailback Mark Ingram, linebacker Jonathan Vilma remain sidelined - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
No changes from Wednesday's injury report

Bucs notes: Blount's return needed for offense | TBO.com
The Buccaneers are counting on LeGarrette Blount's return to restore the offensive balance they crave heading into Sunday's matchup at New Orleans.

Let the Race Begin
The NFC South is as tight as it has ever been at the season’s midpoint, and Tampa Bay and New Orleans will start the second-half chase with their second meeting in just a few weeks

Jackson, Barber To Lead Bucs' Secondary Against Brees-Pewter Report: Your source for inside and breaking news on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucs' Donald Penn playing, talking big - NFC South Blog - ESPN
"He loves to talk and talks about nothing all the time,’’ said New Orleans defensive end Will Smith, who will line up against Penn on Sunday in the Mercedez-Benz Superdome. "He’s a nice guy. I know him off the field. But on the field, he just loves to talk about anything. He loves to self-promote himself.’’

Keeping pace with Drew Brees' numbers - NFC South Blog - ESPN
If he continues on his current pace, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees will break -- or at least come very close to -- several NFL records.

NFL Videos: Week 9: Buccaneers vs. Saints Preview
The Saints will try to avenge last month's loss to the Buccaneers at the Superdome in a matchup which has control of the NFC South at stake.

EXCELLENT ANALYSIS OF SAINTS' O-LINE PROBLEMS AGAINST RAMS:

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Word of Muth: A Saintly Stumble
When you watch the tape play-by-play, the one thing that sticks out is how close the Saints were to making plays. It seemed like once a drive Darren Sproles just got tripped up, Drew Brees got hit just as he was releasing the ball to an open receiver, or a fullback just missed a block on a linebacker that would’ve sprung Pierre Thomas. That’s typical of these kinds of upsets: for whatever reason, the favored team just can’t seem to make the plays they typically make. New Orleans’ offensive line was certainly a big part of it.

LAGNIAPPE:

Peyton Manning takes a shot at Phil Simms | ProFootballTalk
Well, the flesh may be weak, but the spirit still has a perpetually impatient look on its face. The decision of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to show up unannounced and meet with the media included a comment about the recent ridiculous remarks from Phil Simms of CBS and Showtime that Manning w...

Knight to Appear at Saints Hall of Fame on Sunday

2011 NFL Midseason Report includes awards, story of year - Don Banks - SI.com
EGG-LAYING OF THE YEAR -- Saints 62, Colts 7, Week 7. It's never a good development when your defense gives up more touchdown passes (five) than incompletions (four), but that's the kind of night it was for the winless Colts.

NFL.com Blogs " Blog Archive Data Points: Unbalanced leaders "

Forbes: Tom Benson a top 10 owner - NFC South Blog - ESPN
New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson came in at No. 8 on the best list.

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