"I just have a feeling about these Saints that they're always going to win more," Gruden said. "I just don't see anybody stopping them in the Dome. I think they're going to win seven or eight games at home. They have such an advantage of playing there, they're going to find a way to rally under difficult circumstances. You watch. I think they're gong to win more."

#Saints Fans, spread the word: For your planning purposes tonight: As the official emergency management station of the state of Louisiana, we will continue to bring you comprehensive coverage of Isaac on WWL—870AM and 105.3FM through the evening and overnight But, the Saints have graciously allowed us to bring you tonight’s Saints/Titans game on our sister station—BAYOU 95.7! Join Bobby Hebert and Deke Bellavia for "Countdown to Kickoff" today at 4 on Bayou, followed by the game and The Point After" with Bobby and Deke till midnight…on BAYOU 95.7. Our in-depth coverage of Isaac & its aftermath here on WWL-AM/FM and dot com through the evening... and, note, if you’re lucky enough to have power--the game will be telecast on WVUE-TV Fox 8.

The NFL knows that fans love football enough that we’re going to watch the games no matter who the officials are. And so the owners aren’t concerned that angering the fans by locking out the officials could affect their bottom lines. But if the owner has his head coach and his general manager in his office, telling him, "These refs are going to cost us a game," that might be a message that gets the owner to act.

QB Luke McCown has signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Saints were bounced from the playoffs by virtue of Alex Smith’s singular moment of career triumph. It was a disappointing ouster from the playoffs, but New Orleans had no reason to despair. Until the world found out that Gregg Williams really wanted the head of Frank Gore, then things got a bit out of hand. Now the Saints have no head coach for the year, no interim head coach for six weeks and the league paying real close attention to every questionable hit they make. Oh, and their city is hosting the Super Bowl this year.

"Win the Super Bowl, then I'll cut it off," said Galette, who signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2010, the season after the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV. "That's the plan. But until then, I'm going to keep it."

With Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski cashing in after only two NFL seasons, many assume that Saints tight end Jimmy Graham will be next.

What was John Barr's motivation? What was ESPN's motivation? Were they going to find something negative to report on the Saints to pour gasoline on the BountyGate fire regardless of facts? Were these sources properly vetted? Why has ESPN not followed up on the initial OTL report? Why did ESPN feel comfortable publishing these significant allegations without evidence? What is ESPN's response now that no evidence has turned up against Loomis? Will there be an apology, a retraction, or even a lawsuit from Loomis? Is Poynter following this at all?

Make no mistake, this Saints wiretapping report is quickly turning into as big of a journalistic black eye for ESPN as Bruce Feldman and Syracuse were. It used to be that an Outside the Lines report was the best in sports journalism. Not anymore. Not after the last year. How ESPN could run with a report so heavy on accusations and light on facts is still utterly baffling. How ESPN could heavily promote a report with unprovable accusations from unnamed sources on behavior from almost a decade ago is, as John Clayton said, unplausible. These were serious, serious allegations against Mickey Loomis and the Saints franchise, and they were built on paper thin evidence.

You expect that kind of risky, cavalier, shaky journalism from the National Enquirer. You'd hate to have to expect it from ESPN, too.

"Now, nobody ever wants to go into a season or an offseason without their head coach. There’s a great deal of love and respect for Sean. . . . I look forward to being with him next year, but I really feel like this organization, more than anyone I’ve ever been with, just really has a way with being able to adjust."

Vilma said: "I didn't really think anything. I came here with no expections. I'm glad she could see through some of the b.s. I'm cool with that until we get a decision. Patience is my best friend."

"She encouraged us to engage in settlement discussions," Vilma said. "It's courts, that's all I'm saying. I'm learing it's a long process."

Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for the NFL Players Association, said, "Hopefull she will rule before the start of the season."