Despite having last week off, several Saints players are still hobbled and are either questionable to play or have already been ruled out. Pierre Thomas (ankle), Jeremy Shockey (ribs), and Darren Sharper (hamstring) won't be taking the field against the Seahawks. Reggie Bush (fibula), despite positive reports from earlier in the week, is questionable and will be a game-time decision.
The free safety position is of unexpected concern now that Sharper is out and Malcolm Jenkins (stinger) is questionable. If Jenkins can't go, Usama Young would draw the start. Would it be safe to assume that Gregg Williams is gonna dial up the heat on Matt Hasselbeck? I expect him to bring the blitzkrieg on most passing downs. Get your popcorn ready!
TWEETS:
JonVilma51 We're getting close y'all just 2 days away it won't be long now!!
jeffduncantp Awesome! RT @OnionSports: Brett Favre Claims He's One Loss Away From Career-Ending Injury http://onion.com/dtoVq5
jeffduncantp RT @SBJLizMullen: Reggie Bush's ex-agent Mike Ornstein set 2 B sentenced today in SB tix, fake #NFL jersey case. He faces max of 25 years.
Official_Saints They were not designed by Nike & will not be used by NFL RT @saintscenter: @Official_Saints Any comment on the alledged Nike uniform pics?
Official_Saints Payton said RB Bush & DB Robinson are questionable for Sunday.
Official_Saints Payton said he was encouraged by RB Thomas' work this week.
NFLprguy just to clarify, the artist renderings of NFL uniforms floating around ARE NOT from the league or Nike. stand down
Official_Saints Shanle-"Execution of everyone doing their assignments, why we have given up fewer big plays" RT @djberns247 How has Def. improved this yr?
Official_Saints Shanle-"I love his aggressiveness.Every week we go after teams, never conservative" RT @Thomas_Spence How is it playing 4 DC Gregg Williams?
Official_Saints Shanle-"More time in ice tub, more sleep, mentally overcome the way ur body feels." RT @PFB428 How do u prepare to play 3 games in 15 days?
Official_Saints Saints Hall of Fame kicker Tom Dempsey! RT @ESPNBOI @Official_Saints who will be in the Saints Hall of Fame signing?
HeathEvans Focused.
Seahawks S Earl Thomas was excused from practice for family reasons but will join the team in N.O. and play on Sunday vs. the Saints
SBJLizMullen SBJLizMullen Breaking--Reggie Bush's ex-agent Mike Ornstein sentenced to 8 months in prison, spokesman for US Attorney says.
INJURY REPORTS:
Bush listed as questionable for game against Seattle; trio of Saints out | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
"I feel like I can play," Bush said. "That’s kind of where we’re at. We’ll test it out on Sunday and see how it goes and see what the coaches think."
New Orleans Saints injury report: Tight end Jeremy Shockey, safety Darren Sharper, tailback Pierre Thomas out | NOLA.com
Tailback Reggie Bush (leg) is listed as questionable after being limited in practice all week. But Coach Sean Payton said he had a good week of practice and remains optimistic he will be able to play, depending on how he looks in pre-game workouts.
New Orleans Saints' injury news improving and other notes | NOLA.com
"Getting back into the groove, I'm happy about that, I feel good about it," Thomas said. "It's starting to feel a little bit better. I still want to be safe and make sure it's fully healed. I'm just working, taking a few steps. That's all I'm doing right now, taking little steps at a time just to make sure I'm on the right track and I'm not aggravating it. Trying to get my conditioning back so I can be game ready. I can tell you right now, my conditioning is not game ready, yet, but that's why I'm working now this whole week just to get ready."
2theadvocate.com | Saints | SAINTS NOTES: Payton notes improvement in Thomas — Baton Rouge, LA
"If he was at 100 percent, then he’d be getting team reps," Payton said. "But he’s making progress, and I think we’ve turned a corner a little bit in the last week and a half.
Kristian: Pierre Thomas Getting Back In The Groove - WWL - AM870 | FM105.3 | News | Talk | Sports
The "PT Cruiser" hasn't played since week 3 against Atlanta. Thomas is admired in the locker for playing through injuries in the past, including last season when he played with cracked ribs. This injury is a little different. "My job is to run. The wheels are good. I can't go out there with a nail in my tire. If I keep aggravating it, it's just going to bust, right? I've got to make sure everything is good," Thomas told me.
New Orleans Saints Notebook: Pierre Thomas finally making progress for return
"I strap on weights, and I was pulling the sled yesterday just to have that extra weight, just to get that reality that I’m running through a hole and have a defender on my back,’’ he said. "I’m just trying to see how it feels with that much pressure and everything on that ankle.
New Orleans Saints' Pierre Thomas expects to return 'sooner than people think' - ESPN
Saints running back Pierre Thomas says he could return to the field sooner than people think.
SEAHAWKS @ SAINTS:
Saints getting ready to hit peak - NFC South Blog - ESPN
So why does it seem like no one outside New Orleans is talking about the Saints, who are on a two-game winning streak, including a victory over a Pittsburgh team that was supposed to be the class of the AFC?
Final Word: NFC South - NFC South Blog - ESPN
All indications are that New Orleans running back Reggie Bush will make his return from a broken leg when the Saints play the Seahawks. Although there’s no question a healthy Bush would provide a boost for the offense down the stretch, I wouldn’t count on seeing too much of him right away. With a quick turnaround for the Thanksgiving game at Dallas, I think the New Orleans coaches will limit how much time Bush spends on the field.
Hey, remember the Saints? | khou.com | Houston News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | NFL News
Praise is flying toward the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles. The powerhouses in New York and New England are drawing headlines. Does anyone remember the New Orleans Saints?
Hasselbeck: 'There's no limitation' - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
"I can do everything, there's no limitation," said Hasselbeck. "I didn't take active snaps yesterday, just to let the swelling go down or whatever, but I'm really not in that much pain at all. I actually feel like I dodged a bullet.
Carroll’s ties to Saints’ Bush, Ellis won’t help him Sunday | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
"Not at all," Bush said. "There’s no extra incentive. We do talk. I still have the utmost respect for him and highest regards for him. I love him to death.
Computer gives Saints 81 percent chance of winning this week | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
After simulating the Sunday game between the Saints and Seahawks 10,000 times, a computer found the Saints won 81 percent of the time.
Saints will try to contain renewed Seattle WR Mike Williams | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
"He’s a big receiver (with) great hands," New Orleans safety Roman Harper said. "He’s definitely a go-to target for those guys, especially on third downs. He has really lived up to all the hype and made a lot of big plays for Seattle."
Saints ready to see what they've been missing from injured Reggie Bush
"I can’t wait to get back out there,’’ Bush said Thursday. "I definitely hear people say they miss me out there and that my value to the team is obviously now being seen more since I’ve been away.’’
First-and-10: New Orleans Saints have never led NFL in total defense | NOLA.com
Plus 10 more observations
LAGNIAPPE:
Brett Favre Claims He's One Loss Away From Career-Ending Injury | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
"At this level, and at my age, it would take just one game-breaking play—a deep pass, a long run, anything—by the opposing offense to aggravate an injury to the point where I can't go on," said Favre, who later claimed his injuries become more serious with each defeat he suffers.
2theadvocate.com | Saints | MICKLES: New Orleans defense playing at higher level — Baton Rouge, LA
"I think we’re playing our best defense in that time frame, and I think the turnovers will come with the effort and hustle and energy we’re playing with," Payton said. "We’re doing a good job.
Drew Brees named GQ Magazine's 'Patron Saint of the Year' | NOLA.com
Still flying high from the Superbowl win, Drew Brees lands on GQ's 2010 Men of the Year List. You can see the list when the latest issue hits newsstands on Nov. 23, says ABC 26 News. What do you think of his "Patron Saint of the Year" title? What do you call Brees in your household?
New Orleans Saints collecting food donations before Sunday's game at the Superdome | NOLA.com
Saints team with Winn-Dixie to collect food for Second Harvest Food Bank
Former Saint Mark Simoneau retires - KansasCity.com
One day after being placed on the injured reserve list, linebacker Mark Simoneau announced his retirement. In a statement released by his agent, Simoneau said a neck injury he received in Sunday’s loss to Denver led to his decision to retire.
New Orleans Saints teammates say Roman Harper doesn't get credit he deserves | NOLA.com
"I always tell people how (underrated) Roman Harper is," veteran teammate Pierson Prioleau said. "I mean, you look at the way he pressures, his sacks, the guy can cover tight ends and wide receivers. He's everything you look for in any safety in this league -- a strong safety or free safety. But, you know, sometimes safeties in this league go unnoticed, and he's definitely one of them.
Bengals Reportedly Sign Defensive End Bobby McCray - Cincy Jungle
McCray was released by the Saints on September 3.
Injured chain gang member out of hospital, wants to return to New Orleans Saints sideline | NOLA.com
He was accidently hit by Courtney Roby in the Saints game against Cleveland
VIDEO:
VIDEO - Saints Vlog: November 19 - Mood upbeat as Seattle awaits
Is anyone else able to view these videos at the Times-Pic site? I can't.