I'm sure most of you were freaking out about whether I would be able to get you your weekly dose of opponent insight but have no fear cause I got the hook up! I had a quick chat with Matty I over at The Phinsider and got some answers about going to London, losing a lot and, of course, Ricky Williams. Be sure to check out my answers to his questions over at The Phinsider.

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Mike Triplett has an article in the Times-Pic today covering a topic everyone is curious about: McAllister and McKenzie's recovery progress.

I am reposting a good chunk of this article because I think everyone might be interested in this.

Both of them are at similar stages in their recovery, though, because McAllister had more extensive surgery. In addition to the left ACL repair, he also underwent microfacture surgery on his right knee to repair cartilage from a previous injury.

Both players said they are optimistic about the recovery process so far, and they both expect to be on the field for the season opener Sept. 7 against Tampa Bay at the Superdome.

"I'm proud and pleased with (my progress)," said McAllister, who was practicing in a limited fashion with his teammates last month and taking part in the individual position drills. "I don't know if there's really a 'next benchmark' to be met on my part. It's pretty much just getting out there and trying to make plays. That's what I'm looking forward to.

"As far as getting out there and doing something I haven't done already up to this point, that would just be playing the game."

McAllister said he has been able to stay in good shape, but he admitted that his conditioning isn't quite up to "football strength" just yet. That only comes with the rigors of daily practices.

McKenzie said he has done most of his conditioning work on the treadmill. But he said he's just trying to be safe and smart with his timetable, and the only milestone that matters is the first regular-season game.

"That's the schedule I want to stay on. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize being ready for Week 1," said McKenzie, who estimated his current health at about 85 percent. "At the same time, I do have to push it. So I'm looking forward to those preseason games being a real test."

Smith isn't coming off of an injury, but he is eager to bounce back after a season in which he failed to play up to his lofty standards. He said the entire defense feels a responsibility to play better this season.

"(Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs) had a talk with the defense as a unit, and he told us, 'Hey, we didn't do what we were supposed to last year,'¤" said Smith, who also was celebrating his 27th birthday Friday. "Everybody clearly understands that, and everybody's been working hard to get better this year."

Ye Olde Fantasy Master Ross Devonport with the Times-Pic had a Loser's Day (Apparently, thats what British people call July 4th) fantasy football update. He has some info from around the league but here is what he had to say about Saints players.

- Taking a look at where the Saints' Fantasy studs are being taken in CBSSports.com drafts: Drew Brees is going with the 21st pick on average, which makes him the fourth-highest QB; Reggie Bush is being taken with the 39th pick on average, and is the 19th most popular RB; Deuce McAllister is being taken at the 89th spot on average, which makes him the 34th running back; and Marques Colston is going at No. 24 on average, and is the seventh most popular wide receiver.

Seventh most popular!? Please. He's the first receiver I would take. Am I biased?

"I'm not a UFO guy,"

That's all I am going to give you from this article from WWL that I missed the other day. It's all about Ricky Williams and his hopes and dreams and experiences. You know this one has got to be interesting. Check it out for yourself.

I have always liked Cris Carter because of his work on Inside the NFL. I like all those guys actually. Yes, even Bob Costas. Here is a video of an inspirational speech Carter gave at the recent NFL rookie symposium. It's pretty good, I suggest checking it out. Also, I really do think its a great idea that the NFL does this every year.

In case you forgot about the whole investigation involving Matt Lehr and his alleged steroid distribution, The NY Times has some more news.

Jacobs said his lawyer would be present next week for a second meeting with league investigators, and Jacobs planned to bring documentary evidence regarding sales to players.

Greg Aiello, a spokesman for the N.F.L., confirmed that league representatives had met with Jacobs and said future meetings were scheduled but declined to discuss the matter further.

Jacobs said the investigators expressed concern that the information he had would be reported by the news media before the league had a chance to investigate the matter fully.

“They said they didn’t want to go through what baseball has gone through with the public and Congress,” Jacobs said.

The results of these meetings could spell doom for Lehr depending on what kind of evidence Jacobs has and whether he is, in fact, telling the truth or not.

Saints Insider had an article about Sedrick Ellis and his acclimation to life in New Orleans and as a Saint. Most of it is stuff we have already heard about his desire to work hard and earn a starting spot. Of course there is the standard discussion of the many dangers and pitfalls of our great city of New Orleans.

“Even when you work out in California and you think you are in shape, the air is a little different here and you have to get acclimated. …” he said. “My body is getting used to it and we’re working it out. I think I came in here in pretty good shape.”

And there’s the New Orleans food.

Ellis wouldn’t be the first Saints lineman to take advantage of New Orleans plentiful restaurants and reputation as a diner’s delight, but, he said, he’s ready to fight the temptation.

“It’s always a concern for a big guy, but as a professional now, you have to be disciplined, get your workouts in and watch your eating habits,” Ellis said.

You may have found this news over on the RotoWorld widget to my right, your...right. Or this could be the first your hearing of it, either way you got it from CSC. The Star-Ledger has a quick article about DE Renaldo Wynn visiting the Giants. This is what his agent said.

"He had a good visit and there's interest on both ends," Schaffer said. "We'll continue to talk and see what develops."

This news is freaking out Giants fans who think this is a sign of Strahan's retirement. I highly doubt the Giants will repeat, so why not go out on top?

Mickey Loomis pretty much confirmed on Sirius Satellite Radio that the Shockey deal was all but dead. Quote from this article at The Record.

“It’s no secret we had some discussions with them and we just couldn’t come to a conclusion on the right compensation,” Loomis told Sirius NFL Radio. “I understand that. He's a very good player and the Giants don't want to just give him away - unless they feel like they're getting really good value.
“But for the most part that’s dead ... I don't anticipate that being rekindled.”

So quit talkin' about it!

This one  is sure to make you chuckle. Apparently, Ricky Williams was invited to party on Cedric Benson's boat the day he was arrested but declined.

"I think if I had come down, things might have worked out a little bit differently," Williams told the American-Statesman. "I find I have a calming influence on people I'm around.

"As a high-level athlete, it's just something that's ingrained in me. I always think that if I'm there, things would be different. I can't say how."

I am on the floor laughing. Its just hilarious on so many levels. Soooo many levels. To be inside his mind for one day.

In somewhat stupid news, Drew Brees' Southern Smokehouse Bacon Burger beat out Adrian Peterson's Jalapeno Smokehouse Bacon Burger and Brian Westbrook's Triple-the-Cheese Bacon Burger in Chili's Restaurant Smokehouse Bacon Burger Showdown. The good news: Brees receives $10,000 for his foundation.