Fleur-de-Links: June 16, 2011

TWEETS:

SAINTS:

Photo: New Orleans Saints defensive backs at practice | NOLA.com
Unit had best turnout of any position group Wednesday

VIDEO: Deke Visits Saints Workout At Tulane - WWL - AM870 | FM105.3 | News | Talk | Sports
(Jon note: I've embedded the video below, but there is also some more notes in the link)

Things moving in the right direction, Saints' Drew Brees says - NFL - SI.com
NEW YORK (AP) -- Negotiations completed for the day and likely the week, NFL owners are setting sights on their upcoming meeting in Chicago. Many players are looking beyond then -- with optimism -- toward getting back to work.

Saints closing out workouts at Tulane | Saints | 2theadvocate.com — Baton Rouge, LA
2theadvocate is your leading source for the latest in news, sports, and entertainment for the Baton Rouge area and its surrounding communities

Saints Nation: Jimmy Graham Bulking Up | June

Johnson was integral to Saints' rise to elite | Daily World | dailyworld.com
When people talk about the New Orleans Saints of the late 1980s and early 1990s, it doesn't take long for the conversation to evolve into the heart and soul of the organization's best teams to that point in franchise history.

New Orleans Saints ranked number 3 franchise in sports world by ESPN - New Orleans New Orleans Saints | Examiner.com
Fans in New Orleans will always consider their 2010 Super Bowl champion Saints to be the best sports team in all of the world. Well, considering the number of s

Eagles eagerly anticipate start of free agency - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
Though the owner-imposed lockout prevents Roseman from commenting on specific players, another Eagles source familiar with the organization’s thinking threw out names like Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth(notes), ex-New York Giants wideout Plaxico Burress(notes) and even current New Orleans Saints halfback Reggie Bush(notes) as players Philly might explore as potential acquisitions.

AROUND THE LEAGUE:

Umenyiora to file affidavit about broken promises, may still want out of New York | ProFootballTalk
Schefter also says the Giants face a "critical decision" regarding Umenyiora, who has two years left on his deal and has moved out of his New Jersey home with plans to live in Atlanta. Umenyiora is "no longer confident" he’ll get a contract extension in New York.

Whisenhunt, Kubiak will visit the troops | ProFootballTalk
As the NFL and the NFLPA* move toward a possible labor deal, two of the league's 32 head coaches may miss out on some of the action because they're heading overseas to visit the troops.

Report: John Harbaugh didn’t want Jimmy Smith | ProFootballTalk
Howard Eskin of WIP radio in Philadelphia, who patrols the sidelines (often in a mink coat) as part of the team's radio broadcasts, knows Ravens head coach John Harbaugh from the time he spent as an assistant coach with the Eagles.  And Eskin recently said in an interview with 105.

Jim Harbaugh not worried about any rift between Crabtree and Alex Smith | ProFootballTalk
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh isn't publicly worried about his wide receiver Michael Crabtree's reputation for being a diva.  He also doesn't show much concern for the reported strain between Crabtree and quarterback Alex Smith.

LABOR PAINS:

Sides confirm talks in NFL labor dispute
SportsNOLA.com IS New Orleans Sports and beyond. We cover the Saints, Hornets, LSU Tigers, Tulane Green Wave, High School Sports and everything in between.

Expected windfall from next NFL broadcast deal a key issue as labor negotiations reach critical juncture | NOLA.com
NFL expected to become even more lucrative

NFL owners, players know what the bottom line is | NOLA.com
Ending lockout before regular season begins smartest move

VIDEO: