Forte tears it up for the Wave. (Photo Source)

The Times-Pic had a nice article on my man Matt Forte. The story discusses the fact that Forte has a good chance to become the number one running back on this team and make an immediate impact simply because he is really the only choice.

"I wasn't really paying too much attention to the situation. A lot of people say, 'Now, your role is more expanded since he's gone,' and all that stuff. But in my mind, it's really kind of the same. Coach Lovie (Smith) took me in, and he was like, 'Don't feel like you have a lot of pressure on you.' My mind-set, when I first got there, was I was going to go in and compete and try to get playing time anyway."

Here is what he had to say about the Cedric Benson situation.

"Of course (I feel sorry for him)," Forte said. "You don't want anything bad like that to happen to anybody, especially in the situation he's in. I think having him would have been a lot better for our team. You need at least two or three running backs in the NFL now -- everybody runs with two, or even three.

"I think he really would have helped us out, and it's a shame, because he's a really good guy. I spent a lot of time with him during (offseason training activities) when I was there, and it was just a shame to see what happened.

"You can't harp on it or stay stuck on it. You have to look forward, just like any other obstacle in life."

And here are some more quotes from Forte.

"It's a great task," he said. "I'm just happy to be in that situation. It's a big dream, and we always dream big. So just to be in these shoes right now is a blessing. I'm just ready to prove myself and hopefully, have a career where I can eventually be mentioned among those names.

"I think I've been placed in the perfect situation, with the history of the running backs for the Bears and also the city of Chicago, which is all about Bears football. So I don't think there's any better situation that I could have been in."

"That's just the way God made me," he said. "I'm very relaxed and calm in certain situations. I think that actually helps me in football, during the game, being calm and relaxed.

"I don't get nervous, and it helps me focus. A lot of the game is physical, but I think a lot more is mental ability. My ability to focus is what helps me."

Colston should get paid!(Photo Source)

The Times-Pic also had another article, this one about the contract situations of Marques Colston and Jahri Evans. Their feelings on the situation...

Don't panic, though, Saints fans. I'll be shocked if they don't work out deals with both players at some point, this year or next.

It then goes on to say how valuable both players are, particularly Colston. Evans happens to be underrated because he plays a low profile position. Trying to gauge their value is difficult however, because they have not been in the league very long. Read the entire article for more of Mike Triplett's reasoning.

Check out this video of Reggie's Free Flo Do workout. They keep saying it looks hard but it doesn't look that hard to me. Not saying I could do it, but it looks kinda fun.

If you were wondering what Reggie did for his Fourth of July, we need only to check Kim Kardashian's official blog. The Bush and Kardashian families spent the day together at Reggie's house. There was much Rock Band to be played and even an American flag cake. By the end of the day, everyone wound up in the pool.

This doesn't really look safe and the risk for injury in this situation is high.

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.

Actually have a bit to report today after yesterdays slow day.

The big news from yesterday was the signings of OL Rob Hunt and Isaiah Ross. The New Orleans Saints official website has the lowdown.

Hunt, a 6-4, 301-pound product of North Dakota State, is a former fifth-round draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts in 2005. He spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons on the practice squad of the Denver Broncos and was later signed by the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he played in the 2007 preseason. The native of Cavalier, North Dakota can also play guard and played two seasons in NFL Europe (Rhein, 2006 and Berlin, 2007) prior to the 2008 campaign with the AFL’s VooDoo.

Ross (6-3, 320) has spent the last two springs playing indoors in the Arena League, 2007 with the Nashville Kats and ’08 with the VooDoo. Playing indoors, Ross caught 14 passes for 140 yards and five touchdowns in addition to his blocking duties for the VooDoo during the 2008 season. He first signed out of the University of Nevada as a rookie free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 2004 and went on to start 10 games for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe in 2005.

I think thats pretty cool that they both played for the Voodoo.

Also of note, the team released OL Marquay Love and Carnell Stewart. So basically we just pulled the old switch-a-roo.

RotoWorld has their Minicamp Tour of the NFC South right here. This is what they had to say.

New Orleans Saints: The Saints have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for LaMont Jordan and other running backs. That supports my belief that Deuce McAllister is highly unlikely to contribute much this season. Unfortunately, another teammate would be bad news for Rotoworld's favorite ADP value, Pierre Thomas. … Marques Colston's knee surgery proved to be minor, and he was fully practicing in June. Colston still has room to improve entering his third season, making him a potential top-five wideout. … Robert Meachem predictably enjoyed an improved offseason. The second-year pro has an outside chance to start, although I expect Devery Henderson, David Patten, and Meachem to cancel each other out.

Seems like the word is out about Pierre Thomas.

Here is a video from MSNBC from the same guy who wrote the above RotoWorld piece, Greg Rosenthal.

I hate these stupid interviews with these know it alls. They just don't give off the heir of legitimacy. I do like the stats they had on Colston though.

All the way from the UK is this article from the Voice about the International Series game at Wembley. It's all the same stuff from Bush and Tomlinson's PR tour a little while ago.

“I’m really excited, its my first time playing out of the country, I'm excited to come over here and help promote football and make it big over here. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“I’m still in the early stages of my career I haven’t reached my peak yet. Hopefully this will be a great year for me. I have been working tremendously hard,” he explained.

 

He added: “It’s going to be a tough game. Obviously LaDainian is a great player. We’re going to have to block the hype out and just concentrate.”

Yes Reggie...hopefully.

The article ends with this kinda funny Did you Know section.

• Did you know….?

• The National Football league (NFL) is the largest professional American football league in the world.

• It was formed by eleven teams in 1920. The league currently consists of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions, divided evenly into two conferences The American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC).

• At the end of the regular season, six teams from each conference play in the NFL playoffs, a twelve team single elimination tournament that culminates with the championship game, known as the superbowl.

• Over the years the superbowl has become the most-watched U.S. television broadcast of the year, and has become likened to a de facto U.S. national holiday.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl - cite_note-0 In addition, many popular singers and musicians have performed during the Super Bowl's pre-game and halftime ceremonies.

• The NFL has the highest per game attendance of any domestic professional sports league in the world drawing over 67,000 spectators per game.

On top of the OL signings yesterday was the signing of Brian Adams. No, not everyone's favorite Canadian rocker. Adams will be the new assistant director of college scouting for the Saints after leaving the Panthers as their college scout. This all comes from an article in Rock Hill, SC's Herald. The good news is this.

The Carolina Panthers lost yet another member of their scouting department, the third at the end of a year of significant personnel turnover for the team.

Maybe this means the Panthers will be a team in turmoil this year!

The New Orleans Saints official website also had some info about a fund raising event this weekend being put on by Mike McKenzie's 34 Ways Foundation at the W Hotel here in town.

Regarding the event, McKenzie states “The people of New Orleans have lost a lot. They’ve lost not just material things, but they’ve lost family, friends, and their livelihoods. We are raising funds for a facility that will provide the guidance and support necessary to uplift this devastated community, especially for the youth who have nowhere to go when they’re not in school. We are here to try to rebuild the New Orleans community from the inside out.”

Really not much news today. The biggest news of all was this story covered by about a million websites, but I am just linking the New Orleans Saints official website. The second general admission sale was held for the Saints game at Wembley Stadium against the Chargers. 15,000 tickets were sold in 30 minutes.

“Once again this demonstrates the huge interest in the sport in the UK,” said ALISTAIR KIRKWOOD, managing director of the NFL’s UK office. “Fans here are excited to be able to see two teams of this caliber playing in the UK, and with a full Wembley Stadium, we expect the atmosphere to be electric when the Saints and Chargers take the field.”

I'm sure our friend Adam would agree!

The Times-Pic has been going through the greatest New Orleans sports teams in history. Yet again a Saints squad has made the grade, this time its the 2006 Saints and they are ranked number two of all time New Orleans teams.

I don't know who this is but he is a Loyola fan and he has the explanation for us. Anything is better than David Gladow.

Here is their final list of New Orleans teams.

Greatest N.O. sports teams of all time

10.) 1984 UNO baseball (46-26);
2001 Tulane baseball (56-13);
2005 Tulane baseball (56-12)
9.) 1967-68 New Orleans Buccaneers (48-30)
8.) 1959 Tulane men's tennis
7.) 1998 Tulane football (12-0)
6.) 1992 New Orleans Saints (12-4)
5.) 1934 Tulane football (10-1)
4.) 2007-08 New Orleans Hornets (56-26)
3.) 1998 New Orleans Zephyrs (76-66)
2.) 2006 New Orleans Saints (10-6)
1.) 1910 New Orleans Pelicans (87-53)

Yet another Live Chat with David Gladow over at the Times-Pic. Here is the usual rundown.

On Colstons contract.

I've heard no word on him at all, and as far as I know, neither has anyone else.   I suppose the Saints could surprise us and announce a signing later today, but I'm not expecting it.   I think Saints fans can begin to worry about a potential holdout ... not saying it's a definitie, but the lack of word on that front is discouraging.

I'm not worried.

On what the Saints could possibly expect to receive in a trade for Jason David.

A bag  of coal  and an autographed David Hasselhoff album?

Ouch! That's rough.

David isn't going to attact very much in a trade scenario.   If you really want to get rid of him, you either have to cut him or package him with someone else.

i think he's still in New Orleans' plans though.

Thats it really. Everything else was about the Hornets and the recent NBA draft.

Time for another Saints Chat with Mike Triplett from the Times-Pic. As always, you can find the entire thing right here.

On Reggie and the running backs.

I think the question you’re asking is probably the first question that Sean Payton asked himself heading into this offseason, and I think the answer is a definite yes. … The Saints will absolutely find ways to make Bush more effective this year and to take advantage of his unique talents. I think back to the final two months of that 2006 season, and Bush stood out to me as one of the most dangerous playmakers in the entire NFL.

The Saints will be the first to admit that they didn’t use Reggie to his full potential last year after Deuce went down with his knee injury. But now they’ve had a full year to get back to the drawing board, and I think Payton is one of the most creative offensive minds in the league. I expect really big things from Bush this season – and keep in mind, he’s healthier after fighting through that nagging knee injury most of last year.

Also, I think the Saints know they can trust Pierre Thomas and Aaron Stecker a little more now than they did last year, so they’ve got some better backup options if Deuce isn’t healthy.

On Devery Henderson.

I think Devery is definitely on the hot seat heading into training camp. He needs to prove that he is one of the three best receivers on the roster to keep his job, and that means out-shining Robert Meachem, among others. … But he has the skill set to do that. There’s a reason the Saints keep sticking with him despite the inconsistency and all those dropped passes. He’s a legitimate deep threat who gives defenses an extra dimension to worry about.

My best guess? Devery has a great preseason and wins the No. 3 job. He always seems to shine in July and August. Whether or not he continues that success into September and October, I’m going to wait to see it before I’m a true believer.

On Marques Colston's contract.

Obviously, this is a hot topic, but it’s not one I’m too worried about. Eventually, the Saints will pay Colston what he’s worth. They know how special he is, and they’re not gonna let him get away.

Obviously the Saints have proven time and time again that they see the value in getting these deals done before they become distractions. I don’t know for certain how they will operate with Colston, since he’s only set to become a restricted free agent next year and they’ll still have the first right of refusal with him. But my best guess is that they work something out before this season. … He won’t come cheap, though. He’s already a top-10 receiver in this league, and if you’re projecting forward, you might even rank him in the top five.

On Pierre Thomas.

Of course my first instinct is to tell you that’s a ridiculous question – that he was an undrafted tailback and that he’s only started one meaningless game in his entire career so far. But I’m not going to rule out the idea completely. He’s been very impressive every time he’s had a chance to audition, and he’ll probably continue to get better throughout training camp and the preseason. … He probably needs to get better at blitz pickups and reading defenses, and all the intricacies of the game that take years to master. But I’m sure the Saints will use him a lot more often in the rotation this season, especially if Deuce is limited by his injuries.

On our kickers.

Unfortunately, I can’t offer too much insight on the kicker battle just yet. You can’t tell too much on the practice field. Those first few preseason games will tell us a lot. … But I think Gramatica is the favorite. He earned the coaches’ trust last year, and now that he’s healthy, there’s really no reason to doubt him.

They might keep two kickers, if the rookie clearly has a stronger kickoff leg than Gramatica. They used two kickers down the stretch in 2006, so that’s obviously important to them. But it’s not like Gramatica is useless on kickoffs.

On Mike McKenzie.

So far, Todd, he’s supposedly on target to be practicing in training camp and playing in September. He hasn’t had any complications or setbacks. But "full speed" is always a case-by-case question. McKenzie plays a position that relies on speed and cutting ability. We won’t really know until he gets out there on the field in a preseason game.

On Skyler Green.

Skyler has been looking decent – but then again, he’s the kind of guy who really stands out when a team is practicing without pads because of his pure speed. … Unfortunately I’d consider him a long shot to make this roster. He’s already been cut by the Cowboys and Bengals, so he’s obviously not quite at the Devin Hester level. He needs to be superb to earn a roster spot solely as a return man, because the Saints do have guys like Reggie Bush, Tracy Porter, Pierre Thomas, etc., who can also return kicks.

Here's an interesting tidbit reported by Pro Football Weekly. It's short so I will just repost the whole thing.

With Saints FS Josh Bullocks out for OTAs while on the mend from knee surgery, Kevin Kaesviharn has moved ahead in the race to become the team’s starting free safety, the way we hear it. Bullocks is the incumbent at the position and has started 43 of the 46 games he has played in during his three seasons in the league, but his performance has been inconsistent, particularly in coverage. Missing a large chunk of time that could have been spent working on eliminating mistakes that plagued him in the past didn’t help his cause as he enters his contract year. Kaesviharn started three games last season, his first with New Orleans, but sources say he looks like the more dependable option at this point and is penciled in as the starter next to SS Roman Harper, who also has encountered consistency issues. Competition throughout the Saints’ secondary should last through training camp and the preseason as defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs tries to improve his unit’s pass defense, which ranked 30th in the league last season.

Interesting. Good to know.

The Sporting News did a breakdown of wide receivers in the NFC. Nothing new here for the Saints.

8. New Orleans Saints: Marques Colston is a big target and a go-to guy in the red zone. David Patten was a pleasant surprise as the No. 2 in '07. Devery Henderson has too many drops, and Robert Meachem must rebound from a lost rookie year.

Marques Colston was in the last spot on their Top 5 NFC receivers list.

Yet another episode of The Manning's. Today we follow brothers Peyton and Eli as they host 'Iberia Bank Air-It-Out' session in John L. Guidry Stadium on July 12 at 11 a.m. as part of the Manning Passing Academy. This is the fourth year the Manning Passing Academy has been held at Nicholls.

The Manning Passing Academy helped spearhead the complete renovation of the playing surface in John L. Guidry Stadium last year. Archie Manning, former New Orleans Saints quarterback and current spokesman for AstroTurf, was responsible for getting the turf donated by General Sports Venue. In a ceremony last year before the camp, the field in John L. Guidry Stadium was officially named `Manning Field by AstroTurf.'

Man this family is busy. And Archie is the spokesman for AstroTurf? Is there any gig this family doesn't turn down?

After yesterdays pole I see that its a pretty even split down the middle as far as the jumps are concerned. In an effort to compromise I will try and mix it up a bit.

Actually a good amount of news today.

The New Orleans Saints official website gave us a little info about Reggie's trip to the UK. He is touring with San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson, doing countless interviews and photoshoots. 

"It’s been a long process, but really fun meeting so many people here," said New Orleans’ running back Bush. "It is obvious that there is a lot of excitement here around this game and everybody has been interested to hear from us about every aspect of our sport."

"I have heard about Wembley and I am looking forward to seeing the stadium," said Bush. "One thing I am going to check out is the turf as it is important for a player at my position to be able to get good traction."

I was recently asked about the condition of the turf at Wembley Stadium by a CSC reader and I honestly have no idea what condition it's in. I believe they said after the game last season that they would make adjustments to prevent it from happening again. I also think the turf they played on last season was newly laid.

A panel from Scout.com answered a few questions from readers yesterday. Here are the questions and answers pertaining to the Saints.

Is Will Smith, as his contract would suggest, a top three or even five DE in the NFL?
—Nick from New Orleans

Ed Thompson: No. I'd place him in the top 10, but it's hard to see him in the top five, whether you look at his performance last season or even over the past three years. He's a highly talented player with plenty of upside, which is why he got paid so handsomely. But as of right now, I'd say he still lags behind players such as Minnesota's Jared Allen, Miami's Jason Taylor, Baltimore's Terrell Suggs, Tennessee's Kyle Vanden Bosch, Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney, Buffalo's Aaron Schobel, and Green Bay's Aaron Kampman.

Chris Steuber: I think a lot of people forget about Will Smith, because he plays in New Orleans on a mediocre defense. But statistically speaking, he's been the Saints most consistent defensive performer and has averaged more than eight sacks a year during his four-year career. The Saints may have overpaid Smith a bit, but the contract he received is the going rate for a pass rusher with his ability. With that said, I don't think Smith is a top five defensive end in the league, he's close, but I'd say he's in the top eight.

Adam Caplan: While Smith is seen as a team leader and is certainly above average against the run, I wouldn't necessarily put him in the top-five of all defensive ends. You could make a case for him around the top-10 as a pass rusher.

Here are the ends I'd put ahead of him:

Jared Allen, Minnesota
Jason Taylor, Miami
Osi Umenyiora, N.Y. Giants
Aaron Kampman, Green Bay
Patrick Kerney, Seattle
Aaron Schobel, Buffalo
Terrell Suggs, Baltimore
Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tennessee
Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis

Tom Marino: NFL GMs have put a premium on QBs, LOTs, DCs and outside pass rushers. Personally I don't think any of them are worth they money the teams are currently paying them, but the market obviously supports what the elite players are getting paid today. I believe Will Smith is a very solid player and among the top five to six at the position within the league. Without question he along with Charles Grant is the best combination within the league. I really liked Will as a college player (light years ahead of Vernon Gholston at a similar stage of his development).

Best combination in the league? More hype!

How are the defensive additions looking on the field and do you think the additions are enough to get New Orleans back in the playoffs? Will Jo Lon Dunbar compete for some playing time at weakside linebacker?
—Clint from Shreveport, La.

ET: I think the Saints helped themselves tremendously on defense. Sedrick Ellis is a monster, pure and simple. He's going to have some veteran offensive linemen wondering how they are supposed to stop this kid. Former Jags defensive tackle Bobby McCray was a very smart addition, as well; his versatility will be a big plus. I fully expect Jonathan Vilma to thrive in New Orleans' 4-3 defense as long as he doesn't have any further trouble with his knee. Tracy Porter is going to surprise a lot of folks, as well. I talked to a few wide receivers from this year's draft class who pointed Porter out as the toughest defender they went up against during their college career. As for Dunbar, I was stunned that he wasn't drafted. While I don't think it's realistic that you'll see him getting much time with the starters this year, I do expect to see him make the team and battling for a starter's role by his third season.

CS: The selection of Sedrick Ellis will prove to be the best addition the Saints made this offseason. Randall Gay and Jonathan Vilma were good additions, but Ellis has star potential written all over him. He's looked very good during OTAs and don't be surprised if he's a starter on opening day. Jo Lon Dunbar has a shot to make the team and will have to perform well on special teams. It all depends on how Dunbar plays during training camp and pre-season games to see if he will compete for playing time at weakside linebacker. The Saints have a lot of veterans at LB and Dunbar could be a player they groom for the future.

AC: One player from the offensive side of the ball told me recently he thought Ellis looked good during their OTAs. The expectation is that Ellis will be an impact player right away. As for Dunbar, he has to make the team first since he was an undrafted free agent. But the backup weak-side job still looks to be open so it's not out of the question that Dunbar makes the team.

TM: Clint, Jo Lon Dunbar was a steady college football player with limited physical qualities. The Will backer position is in most cases the most critical of the linebacker positions. At the outset, I don't think he runs well enough to play a "Will" backer position and if a college free agent was good enough to get playing time over established players (Shanle, Fijuta, Simoneau, and Evans), I would say they have some very big holes to fill in New Orleans. I would say his only chance to make it would be as a back-up special teams player. Vilma, Ellis and overpaid D.C. Gay should provide a big lift to the Saints' defensive unit.

Overpaid?

Here is the traditional synopsis of Jimmy Smith's live Saints Chat over at the Times-Pic.

On Colston.

I expect something will happen pretty soon with Marques Colston. Now that his agent, Joel Segal, has the Will Smith deal out of the way, he can focus his efforts with the Saints on Colston, who has obviously outperformed his original rookie contract. It’s time for the Saints to continue their efforts of stepping up and keeping their key players happy. It’s likely that will happen with Colston before training camp.

On LeCharles Bentley.

Now that LeCharles Bentley has gotten his release from the Browns, he’s free to negotiate with anyone. The problem is, however, that he’d probably want to come into a situation where he’s guaranteed to be the starter. Will that happen with the Saints? Don’t know. The position belongs now to Jonathan Goodwin. It would be difficult to guarantee a starting job to a player who has practiced just once since 2005.

On the wide receivers.

As it has been the last two training camps, NOLAKeith, the wide receiver position is going to be one of the most hotly contested of the summer. And from the looks of all these questions, it's going to be closely watched. Here's what I think is going to transpire this summer in Jackson: Marques Colston, David Patten and Devery Henderson will head into camp as the top three receivers. Robert Meachem is going to push hard for the fourth spot. Terrance Copper is a valuable special teams player who has the inside track for the fifth spot because of that versatility. I think six WRs could be a long shot, but Lance Moore is on the bubble right now. Skylar Green could make the roster simply as a return specialist. Arrington is a long shot, but has skills. If they could sneak him through the waiver process, he'll be a practice squad player.

On a possible Shockey trade.

A weekly update for all you Jeremy Shockey fans out there. As you've no doubt read, he was unhappy last week at the Giants minicamp. He's being guided in his unhappiness, no doubt, by his agent Drew Rosenhaus. But Shockey doesn't want to play with the Giants any more. Sean Payton loves what Shockey can bring to an offense. He's still the property of the Giants, however, and until a trade can be negotiated, he'll still be with the Giants. I don't think the Saints are through with their infatuation, however, and it's possible that up until the October trading deadline, anything can happen. So until that deadline comes and goes, there's still a possibility that the Saints could acquire his services.

On the running game.

Deuce, I believe, will be the starting tailback come September, TheGuy. That said, based on watching Pierre Thomas go through his paces last year on the practice field, I do believe he has the strength and tools to be a capable backup. There are still some guys in front of him, though. He'll have to move ahead of those guys in training camp to be the No. 1 backup.

On the Charles Grant situation.

Spoke with Charles' attorney this morning, Brian from VA, and there's nothing new on the case, no court dates have been set, and nothing appears to be imminent. This kind of schedule could disrupt Grant's presence in training camp or during the exhibition season, but the wheels of justice are turning rather slowly in Blakely, Ga.

On the cornerback position.

All these cornerback queries indicate that some of you have been reading this weekly chat. Still thinking that cornerback, and the secondary in general, is the weak link on this defense. I think the Saints will go into training camp with the cornerbacks who are on the roster. There shouldn't be any additions. Fred Thomas is no longer on the roster. It's tough to compare Porter and Gay. Gay is an experienced NFL player, Porter is a rookie. There has to be some concern right now that Mike McKenzie won't be full speed once he gets to training camp. He didn't have surgery until late December and sometimes it takes   a year to fully recover from ACL repair. Jason David's biggest challenge is his height, or lack thereof. He's not going to get any taller. And being elevationally challenged myself, I can say that. Right now, I'll have to put Jason Craft as the starter in McKenzie's spot and, for good or bad, Jason David, until someone beats him out in training camp.

On Skyler Green.

To answer all these queries, I think Green's best chance to make the roster is as a return specialist, though he did display good hands in the workouts we witnessed. He also showed he still has good speed. I don't think he's as fast as Devin Hester, but in the few special teams drills we witnessed, he is a good returner with good moves. Remember, though, these moves were executed in shorts and helmets. Let's reassess once they put the pads on. But he could upgrade the return game.

On tight end.

Having written a story last week on the return of Mark Campbell from his back injury, Chris, I believe the Saints running game this year will be greatly improved. Campbell is the best run-blocking tight end on the roster. We haven't seen anything of Eric Johnson because he has been limited because of recent ankle surgery. Ortega and Ghent, BirdMan, have looked OK in the OTAs but they'll be hard-pressed to top Campbell, Johnson and BIlly Miller. I still think the Shockey scenarios are alive.

This list  from ESPN is technically for fantasy, but it still should say something. They rated all 32 offensive lines in the league. Saints were ranked an impressive 9.

9. New Orleans Saints
The Saints allowed a measly 16 sacks last year despite Drew Brees' 652 pass attempts. Brees, who is exceptional at feeling the rush and getting the ball out quickly, deserves some of the credit, but obviously, his protection was exceptional as well. However, the Saints didn't do nearly as good a job opening holes for the running backs, who averaged just 3.7 yards per rush. This stark contrast obviously puts a ton of pressure on Brees and the Saints' passing game, but that group has stepped up quite well. Still, to be an elite offense, New Orleans is going to have to run the ball with more consistency. Jammal Brown is one of the top left tackles in the league, but the Saints lost Jeff Faine to division rival Tampa Bay. Jonathan Goodwin, who is bigger and more powerful at the point of attack, will take over at center, but overall, this is a downgrade, and Faine's nasty edge and leadership will be missed. Keep an eye on underrated RG Jahri Evans. He has a chance to develop into one of the best guards in the game today.

The news is so slow that the New Orleans Saints official website reported on the Voodoo themselves. For those of you, like myself, who follow the Voodoo, you know that the game at the Graveyard this Saturday is a must win situation. 

“If we win, we’re in (the playoffs),” VooDoo Head Coach Mike Neu said. “It’s as simple as that. We have a second chance at the same scenarios as we had last week. We have a chance to control our destiny, and we’re at home. That’s all we’re concerned about right now.”

“We control what’s in front of is,” Neu said. “The opportunity is sitting right in front of us and we’ve got to take advantage of it.”

For those of you who have never been to a Voodoo game, Saturday is the perfect time to start showing some support.

Here are the Voodoo playoff scenarios.

The New Orleans VooDoo face numerous playoff scenarios this week. Four teams-New Orleans (8-7), Orlando (9-7), New York (8-7) and Cleveland (8-7)-are battling for three remaining playoff spots in the hotly contested National Conference. Philadelphia (12-3), Dallas (12-3) and Georgia (10-5) have clinched playoff spots. If the VooDoo makes the playoff, they would play next week in a wild-card game.

With a VooDoo win:
-New Orleans would host New York is the Dragons win.
-New Orleans would host Cleveland if the Gladiators win and the Dragons lose.
-New Orleans would travel to Orlando if the Gladiators and Dragons lose.

With a loss:
-New Orleans would make the playoffs of Cleveland loses and would then travel to either Philadelphia or Dallas. If Cleveland wins, the VooDoo are eliminated from the playoff race.

Usama in his old number. (Photo Source)

“Usama’s an incredible talent.  He runs in the 4.3's and jumps 43.  All he needs now is the opportunity to translate that athleticism onto the field.  My man led the team in special teams tackles as a rookie and looks to build on that success in 2008.”

That is how Usama Young's agent Nate Haber describes his talented player. Which is good, because Usama will certainly need to display all of his skills later this summer in training camp while battling for a spot at one of the most hotly contested positions this offseason, cornerback. Recently, CSC had a chance to talk with Usama. The following is what we discussed. Hope you enjoy.

CSC: First of all, what’s with the number change? You went from 38 to 28.

Usama: I played 3 years in high school wearing 28, and my last year they lost my #28 and they gave me #18, and throughout my college years I just stuck with 18.  But then the Saints gave me 38.  I stuck with 38 for the year because I wasn’t thinking about a number.  I was just thinking about making my mark.  Now it’s time to go back with my #28 from high school.

CSC: How did you spend your offseason? Do anything fun, exciting or different?

Usama: Mainly traveling and seeing family.  That was how I wanted to spend my first offseason.  I hadn’t seen my brother in Cali in a while, my grandma in NY, my family in Maryland.  Got to spend time there and in Indy with my mother.  Went to Ohio to see some old friends and teammates, and of course, Vegas for my brother’s birthday celebration.

CSC: Who has stood out so far this offseason at OTAs and minicamp?

Usama: We’ve made several changes on D.  The offense is still going for the big play.  Everyone’s playing more aggressive.  Everyone’s working harder.  Basically, everyone’s doing their thing.

CSC: Are you ready for training camp…and the heat?

Usama: I’m definitely ready for it, excited about it, but at the same time I’m gonna enjoy my time off.  It’s pretty hard to prepare for the heat, but you know it makes you stronger going through it.  I’m more excited to start the season.

CSC: What’s your favorite part of training camp? What’s your least favorite?

Usama: Favorite part is when we break meetings at night (laughs).  When we get to go back to the dorm room and lay back down.  The least favorite is the early morning wakeup call.  Once you get out on the field it’s all fun and competition though.

CSC: Cornerback is one of those positions that everyone will be watching with the hopes that it will be improved and it’s a tight, crowded race. You nervous?

Usama: No man, just excited to start the season.  We know that everyone’s watching the secondary.  We know people look at it as a weakness.  So we have to go out there and turn it into a strength.  When you’re in the secondary, you always gotta be on your toes.  We gotta play like we’re the best and prepare like we’re the best.

CSC: Have you been learning a lot from veterans like Aaron Glenn, David Patten or Mick McKenzie?

Usama: Aaron Glenn has been very helpful.  His route recognition is great.  You can see him on the field, he knows where the receiver is gonna go.  D. Patten, I ask him for advice and his knowledge because he has gone against the best in his career, so he’s been helpful.  He’s given me advice to help me get to the next level.  And Mike has been helping me since I arrived last year.  He’s been critiquing me this offseason and helping me improve my game.

CSC: A lot of people, including myself, think you show a lot of promise and that this could be your breakout season. I assume you agree?

Usama: It definitely could be.  Thats what I’m looking for, that’s what I’m preparing for.  I’m preparing to do great things.

CSC: The front office was pretty aggressive this offseason; signing some key free agents, twice moving up in the draft and giving certain players the big contracts they wanted. How is everyone in the locker room feeling about this season? I don’t want to jinx it but, ya know, is this the year?

Usama: Everyone is feeling good, yes.  We've been working hard and we want it to pay off.  The front office has been making moves and hopefully it helps to improve upon last year.

CSC: What game do you have circled on your calendar this season?

Usama: We've got a few. We get to go out to London, my first time overseas.  I get to go home to Washington to play the Redskins.  People been hitting me up already about that game.  Green Bay and Denver, I get to see one of my former teammates from Kent.  Like you said, it’s gonna be an exciting year.  And that game in London, man I can’t wait to play out there.

CSC: What has been your most memorable moment as a Saint so far?

Usama: That first game against the Colts when I stepped on the field.  It was like “Wow, I’m here.  I’m finally here.”  It’s what every kid dreams of, playing football and playing at the highest level.  I wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school.  I went to a small school at Kent State and people thought we didn’t play against elite talent.  Then I wasn’t invited to the Combine.  But then being drafted 66^th overall was an amazing feeling, and then finally stepping out there for my first professional game was incredible.  I was in awe.

CSC: Who is the toughest receiver you have faced? What makes him so tough?

Usama: Steve Smith.  He runs great routes and is untouchable in the open field.  He blocks well for a smaller receiver.  His motor is always running.  I go up against some of the best, too, everyday in practice, but yeah, I’d have to say Steve. 

CSC: Were you nervous about what to expect coming to play for the Saints in New Orleans after the storm?

Usama: No, I looked at it as an opportunity to help a city on the rise and playing a major role in helping them rebuild.  As a member of the Saints, we’re part of the community.  We help others who have suffered.  They have gone through more than you could ever imagine – losing their houses, their loved ones.  I wanted to help these people, including my sister who was staying out there too. 

CSC: Who is the most fun in the locker room? Who are the leaders?

Usama: Man, there’s so many leaders.  Let me think of the characters... Mike McKenzie’s a character.  Charles Grant, he’s a character.  We got a whole lot of different clowns on the team who keep us loose.  They keep a smile on the guys’ faces.  There’s a lot of leaders too.  Drew’s a great leader, he’s a hell of a player.  Will Smith is one of those leaders by example, constantly working.  David Patten leads.  Marques Colston leads.  Deuce is another, just to name a few.  We have a ton of guys who do a great job on this team.

CSC: What is your game day routine?

Usama: Night before, calling my father and praying.  Watch some film.  I make sure I get to sleep early for a noon game.  We get a wakeup call at 7am.  Eat breakfast with the team and head to the stadium.  I’m a candy fiend, so gotta have some Skittles before the game.  Get to the field early for warm-ups and drills, stretching, talking to some of the guys and then going out there and making it happen.

CSC: What are your favorite activities to do in New Orleans?

Usama: Gotta say eating.  They got so many restaurants down here. 

CSC: What do you think about the food down here? Whats your favorite restaurant?

Usama: They’ve got great seafood down in this city.  My favorite restaurant is Montrel’s Bistro.  They better give me some free food from now on (laughs).  It’s a small, family-owned spot with a lot to choose from.  Great food.

CSC: Anything else you want to say or let Saints fans know?

Usama: Looking for a Superbowl this year, baby.  New Orleans deserves it.  We truly do have some of the best fans in the country.  Everywhere we go, there are Saints fans supporting us.  We really appreciate y’all and hope to make the city proud this year.

CSC would like to thank Usama Young for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions and we wish him luck in training camp and the upcoming season. For more info on Usama check out his official website.

I found this article on MyCentralJersey.com about new Director of Football Administration, Khai Harley. This guys got a long, impressive track record and its all covered in this article. It also tells us exactly what his responsibilities will be with the New Orleans Saints.

With the Saints, Harley will research contracts and cap statistics from not only the club but from around the league. It is similar to the daily and yearly reconciliation he did for all 32 clubs, where he calculated cap figures for each team, made adjustments for the following year and analyzed statistical trends related to player signings.

In New Orleans, Harley's duties will also include coordinating different areas of the football operations, contract negotiations, and being involved in the administrative functions of running the club.

Time for yet another Live Chat from the Times-Pic.

On Skyler Green.

The speculation on Green has risen a great deal over the past several weeks.   I can't tell if that's more because the fans are so curious about him and won't let the topic go, or if it is because Green is impressing in camp.

Maybe a little of both?   Seriously, if Green can make an impact on special teams (which Henderson doesn't appear capable of doing, and Lance Moore is only so-so at), he has a shot, and a good one at that.

We won't really be able to judge his return skills until he gets into a live game situation though, so Green fans wil have to wait until the preseason gets here to get a better idea.

On who will have the biggest impact this year on defense.

Well, with Will Smith back in the fold (hooray!), I'm tempted to say him.   No other player on that defense (with the possible exception of a healthy Mike McKenzie) is as important to the Saints' success, and I'm hoping for big things from him this year.

As far as newcomers, OTA attendees are raving about Bobby McCray, and obviously Sedrick Ellis is going to be an important cog as well, but if Jon Vilma can come in healthy, he's a 200-tackle kind of player ... meaning he could have a major impact right away.

On Colston's contract.

Nothing new to report, though I think it's important to note that the Saints ARE negotiating with him.   It's not like there's some line in the sand that neither party is willing to cross, or that either side is feeling bitter or angry.   I think a deal will get done on that basis alone.   It's just a question of when.

On the Saints possibly acquiring Matt Jones.

There are rumors that Jones is falling out of favor in Jacksonville and could be cut soon -- so I give you props for staying on top of things.

I'll ask you this, though.   If Jones can't beat out the likes of Troy Williamson, does he even have any chance at making this Saints roster?   I'm not so sure he does.   Is he worth  a look?   Maybe.   Is he going to be a major contributor for someone?   Probably not.

I can just agree to disagree I suppose -- He had a Pro-Bowl level QB last year in David Garrard, and yet he didn't produce.   Okay, give him a pass for the frustration thing ... you'd think he'd be onboard now.   But he isn't.   Maybe he's being scapegoated by the coaches, but he's just not doing well in OTAs -- running third-team at best.   I just don't see how a guy like that is liable to help you.   Sure he can turn it around, but will he?   It's looking rather doubtful.

Here's a heart warmer from CommunityPress.com. Zach Strief is having his annual benefit dinner.

"I hope to continue to help out locally in my hometown of Milford this year and also to start working even more to help out in the New Orleans area I have grown to love by way of recreational and mentoring programs," Strief said in a press release.

Sadly, the New Orleans Voodoo lost another close one last night that would have locked up a playoff spot. This one is going south real quick. It's an awfully familiar feeling.

Hey guys, guess what!! Will Smith signed got his new contract! Bet you haven't heard that news yet! Actually, the RotoWorld Widget I have on the sidebar is really good and always has the breaking news, so you can always keep it here for the latest. Anyway, I think we all should have seen this coming. Not too surprising. Good news I think. For those of you living in a cave here is the link for the Times-Pic coverage and some of these quotes.

"The Saints really stepped up," said Smith's agent, Joel Segal. "They continue to sign their core players as they demonstrate a strong commitment to winning."

"We're excited about getting this long-term contract done with Will," General Manager Mickey Loomis said in a press release. "We view him as one of our core players and look forward to having him (make) an impact on our defense for years to come."

AOL Fanhouse covers the story also and the only reason I mention it is because I think they raise a good point.

But with the money tied in its ends, the team will be hearing some deserved scorn from its fanbase if they're not a terror for quarterbacks.

This is very true. The three of them had better have great seasons. It would be a huge disappointment if Will got complacent this season, if Grant was distracted off the field or McCray turns out to be a bust.

John DeShazier of the Times-Pic thinks otherwise and says we have nothing to worry about per this article. The end of the piece sums it up well.

What he has done, and likely will continue to do, makes his cash-in hundreds of times better, and more deserving, than giving similar money to a first-round draft choice that might, or might not, live up to his potential.

And it sends the right kind of message to his teammates, that if they handle their business on the field and play well, they'll be taken care of when the time comes.

The Saints, in fact, have made a good habit of doing just that. They've done a good job of paying market value, which has prevented some of their best players even from wanting to test the market.

So place this one in the Money Well Spent file.

Place it there because the Saints were smart, and Smith hasn't done anything to suggest he'll do something to make the franchise look any other way.

The Sun Herald also had its own coverage of the Will Smith contract signing. Here are some interesting facts.

The contract makes Smith the third highest-paid defensive end in the league behind Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney and Minnesota's Jared Allen, and one of the highest-paid defensive players in league history.

The Saints have one of the highest-paid defensive end duos in league history as well.

Part of the article compares Smith and Grant.

Comparing the statistics between the Saints' two pass rushers during the past four seasons, Smith's numbers have been better, and thus Smith's contract is more lucrative. Grant compiled 21½ sacks while Smith tallied 33½ sacks. Smith was only a full-time starter for two of those seasons, but Grant lined up with the starting unit for all four years.

Both Smith and Grant were first-round draft picks by the Saints. Grant went 25th overall in 2002 and the team selected Smith in 2004 at No. 18.

Apparently we wasted our money on Charles Grant.

The Times-Pic once again did their Live Chat Talk Saints with Jimmy Smith.

On Weakside Linebacker and Marvin Mitchell.

Dennis, what's wrong with the position now? There's not much wrong with Scott Shanle. No one has beaten him out yet and he's a fairly stout player against both the run and pass. I think the Saints are happy with the position. If you've noticed, the moves they've made at the linebacker spot in free agency the last two years have been in the middle, even though Mark Simoneau has yet to relinquish his spot.

Jacque, Marvin Mitchell has been getting plenty of action with the first unit in the practices we've seen because the staff is still holding Jonathan Vilma bck a bit because he's recovering from knee surgery. Those reps with the top guys can do nothing but help Mitchell in the long run. We haven't seen him work too much on the outside yet. Don't think the Saints will go after anyone else at that position.

On Adrian Arrington.

From what we've seen so far of Arrington, Ronnie S, he seems to be a player with plenty of potential. I don't think the Saints, at this point anyway, would expose him to waivers, but again, lots can happen between now and the time the final roster cuts have to be made. If they want him on the practice squad, if he can't make the 53-man roster, he'll have to go on the waiver wire. Injuries could play a part in the decision making, or Arrington might be so good this summer that he wins a spot outright.

On Mark Campbell.

Doug, the Saints do a lot of personnel switching with their tight ends, depending the play and the formation. But if it's a running down, I do see Campbell on the field. The running game certainly suffered in his absence last season. He's the best blocking tight end on the roster, and Payton admitted that this week in a post practice interview. He's an underrated receiver, I think, who has good hands and can be productive in the passing game. But he's invaluable in the running offense.

On Hollis Thomas and Defensive Tackle.

Weight is always going to be an issue with Hollis Thomas, Michael B, and he has been shirting in and out of the rotation with Sedrick Ellis, as has Brian Young. What I think, though, is if anyone is in trouble it might be Young. I think Thomas' energy and his ability to fill up the middle in the rushing defense is important. Then again, the Saints like to do a lot of rotating in and out of linemen to keep bodies fresh. Clancy and Harris are OK, but neither is as good as Young and Thomas. By the time the season rolls around, Thomas wil be in shape to play the 20 or so plays he's needed, but Ellis' presence improves the position.

On the return game.

There's no question one of the priorities this season is to improve the return game. The Saints, don't forget, made a change at the special teams coordinator position this season when John Bonamago took a similar position in Miami. The Saints didn't put up much of a fight to keep him, so you have to think they weren't happy with the overall performance of the special teams. Green has looked good in what we've seen, d Kode/Gretna Saints fan. It's a wide-open battle right now. It would't be surprising if Green can make the team strictly on his return ability, though.

On Usama Young.

It's great to hear from all those Usama Young fans. I think Young had a little bit farther road to travel to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the current cornerbacks in camp. But he is making progress. While he might have been considered a reach as a No. 2 pick, it's hard to say whether this is why Mueller fell out of favor with Payton. Suffice to say, Payton didn't like some of the personnel moves the Saints made but he isn't saying which ones he took exception to and Mueller, given the opportunity last week, declined to comment.   Let's wait and see what Young looks like when they put the pads on in Jackson before we say whether he has a shot at more playing time this fall.

On Reggie Bush.

Having Bush around this offseason will definitely help him in the eyes of his teammates, some of whom were not pleased last year when he decided to stay and work out in California. It's too early to think the Saints might be shopping him, but certainly he'd have a great deal of value to someone. Remember the Herschel Walker deal that netted the Cowboys all those draft choices which Jerry Jones turned into the core of Dallas'   Super Bowl run in the 1990s. But let's give Bush   another training camp, and at least the early par t of the regular season, to see if he can still be a threat in the Saints offense. He was diminished last year by the absence of Deuce McAllister. He's a vital part of the plan if he has other people around him, as evidenced in his rookie season.

On Robert Meachem.

I'm told that Payton really liked Robert Meachem coming out of college and that it was Payton who pushed for the pick. So to answer all you Meachem fans out there, if Meachem was, in fact, a Payton choice, he'll be getting every opportunity to prove he can play in the NFL. He won't be a starter, but from what we've seen so far, he's vastly inmproved over last year when he was hurt and out of shape. He hasn't worked his way up to the third receiver spot yet, but Devery Henderson might have to start looking over his shoulder.

I noticed the Times-Pic hasn't come out with anymore of those odd home movies with David Gladow. Maybe they realized they were a little freaky.

Also still haven't heard anything about Marques Colston and why he was missing from OTAs. Have I missed something guys? Maintaining this site usually means I am pretty on top of it. Is this just being ignored?

This one got my blood boiling. For those CSC readers who are currently living in NOLA and even those who aren't, maybe you will agree. The article is from Mike Florio at the Sporting News and its about potential teams that could move their franchise to Los Angeles. Yep, that means the Saints were on the list.

New Orleans Saints
The NFL is unlikely to abandon New Orleans as it continues a slow recovery from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina. But, sooner or later Saints ownership and league officials will have to face the difficult reality of running a big-league sports franchise in a city that might never return to the big leagues in terms of business or population.

We hope the Saints remain a fixture in New Orleans for as long as there's an NFL. Still, pro football is driven more by business interests than sentimentality. In the end, the dollars and cents might make the Saints a no-brainer candidate for a move.

WHAT!? "...a city that might never return to the big leagues in terms of business or population!?" I will agree its going pretty slowly down here, but if our city was good enough before the storm to support the Saints it will most certainly be as good if not better post-K! Has the dome not been sold out the last two years? Is there not a waiting list to get season tickets? Give me a break with this one.

And away we go.

Starting off with an article that really isn't even about the Saints actually. I guess the Sun Herald felt that Eli Manning is New Orleans related enough and so they bring to you this article. It's all about Eli and the Giants outlook for next season.

"We've said we're not going to talk about repeating or doing that, just becoming a better team,"

Becoming a better team so you can win another Superbowl! C'mon, don't give us this B.S.

The article also tells us that the BBC will be offering live coverage of the London game on October 26th.

The New Orleans Saints official website had the follow up on the Saints rebuilding project yesterday. Some quotes for ya'.

"It’s an awesome sight," said Payton as he stood over a metal fence that he and four other players were sanding rust off of and applying a fresh coat of black paint. "The guys know how important these type of things are to our community. We are all in this together. This is our city. This is our home. We are just doing a small part, but it matters to the people that live here and it shows we care about them."

"Living here and playing here in New Orleans is a privilege," said Bush. "To be able to come out here as a team and make a difference is special. A woman that lives here in the neighborhood told me that it gives this community a sense of pride that the Saints came out here and lent a helping hand. I think we are all taking something very positive away from this experience."

"This is something else to see," said Benson. "Look how hard this men are working and how proud they are of what they are doing. Each one of these men really cares and want to make a difference. It’s a heartwarming day for all of us and it makes me very proud."

Also from the New Orleans Saints official website is this quick article about Tom Benson being honored by the Volunteers of America.

Volunteers of America, one of the nation’s largest and oldest human services organizations, has selected New Orleans Saints’ owner Tom Benson as the winner of its annual Good Samaritan Award in Philanthropy in recognition of his incomparable efforts to rebuild the region following Hurricane Katrina.

Congrats Mr. B.

The Times-Pic wrote a little something something about the leagues attempt to reduce the number of serious head injuries.  Here's whats happening.

With the NFL poised to hold a forum today on concussions to be attended by members of each team's medical staff, the league has formulated new guidelines on how concussions will be handled.

Check out the rest of the article if you are really interested in this. It explains the new guidelines.

The guys over at Who Dat Say will act as ambassadors of New Orleans to Adam, the NFL loving Brit who has sold his apartment and made it his life's mission to attend 35 NFL games in one season. Part of Adam's adventure includes three Saints games. Check out Who Dat Say's plan and check out Adam's website.

CSC only has one question for Adam. Do you have a job and/or a girlfriend/wife?

I don't know if anyone else noticed this or maybe I missed something but I haven't heard anything else about Colston? Why was he missing from OTAs the other day? Anyone know anything?