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Our Saints have arrived in Dallas and are getting ready for the franchise's first ever smack-down game on Thanksgiving Day. This is shaping up to be the marque matchup tomorrow. StubHub is reporting that this is not only the Cowboys' top-selling game of the season, but also the top-selling NFL game of the season. The stadium will surely be packed and the television ratings will most likely be through the roof. Isn't it awesome that our once dismal Saints franchise is now getting so much exposure? All they had to do was win a Super Bowl. To do that again this season, a win tomorrow would surely help our cause. Come on 8-3!
Make the jump for the latest links to all things Who Dat Nation.
TWEETS:
drewbrees Look forward to seeing all the Who Dats in Big D on Thanksgiving Day. It will be here before we know it. Hope everyone has a great holiday
ChaseDaniel Excited about being back in the Big D...wheels up tomorrow! It's already here!
ChaseDaniel Having the QB's & our QB coach over at the Daniel household tomorrow night for a Thanksgiving dinner..mom has been cooking all day, pumped!
reggie_bush Good morning my fellow Ninja's!!!!!
Official_Saints Safe travels! RT @mjwiethop: @Official_Saints we are on I20!! Will be in Dallas soon! Lots of black and gold around us on the road!
Official_Saints What do you guys think of Roman Harper & Jabari Greer's suits for Cowboys road trip? http://twitpic.com/39t6r7
usama_young28 Clean! RT @Official_Saints: db's say they are the best dressed position group on the team.Check out @usama_young28 http://twitpic.com/39t82n
MalcolmJenkins All the DB's are wearing bow ties this week...we gotta be the "cleanest " unit on the team lol http://twitpic.com/39t9ll
Official_Saints RB Bush (Fibula), S Jenkins (Neck) & Sharper (Hamstring), TE Shockey (Rib) – questionable. RBs Betts & Thomas are ruled out
Official_Saints Cowboys Final Injury Report: LB James (Knee), DB Newman (Ankle) – Probable. RB Jones (Hip) – Questionable. DE Lissemore & QB Romo – Out
robyslyfe Wheels up to Dallas...WHO DAT Nation stand up!!!
alexbrown96 And forgive me for saying this early but I will be a bit busy tomorrow.. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and eat lots of turkey and yams.. ;)
JonVilma51 Tomm its thanksgiving for y'all, but its all business for me...I'll celebrate after we win,, Who Dat!!
T_Porter22 Safe and sound n #cowboy country...can't wait til turkey day..its gon be a great one!!! #whodats make sure u watching!
reggie_bush Official Saints After Party Tomorrow Night @ Club AmPm in Downtown Dallas....Lets go!!!! Who's coming?
HeathEvans The World Champs R N Dallas! 23Hrs till kick-off! Who Dat!!
usama_young28 Here in Dallas.... Can't wait to get to the hotel and knock out
ChaseDaniel In the Big D! Can't wait
NFLPlayerNews NFL.com Saints | Darren Sharper a game-time decision http://bit.ly/fNA4MF http://bit.ly/6WGcRd
NFLPlayerNews NFL.com Saints | Jeremy Shockey not expected to play Week 12 http://bit.ly/gFRBjT http://bit.ly/6WGcRd
PRACTICE REPORTS:
New Orleans Saints Notebook: Bush still no lock to face Cowboys
"We’ll see,’’ Payton said in his best poker face.
Saints' Bush, three other key players listed as questionable | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
Running back Reggie Bush (fibula), safeties Darren Sharper (hamstring) and Malcolm Jenkins (neck) and tight end Jeremy Shockey (rib) all were limited Wednesday and given a 50-50 shot at playing in the franchise’s first-ever Turkey Day soiree.
Payton 'optimistic' Bush will play vs. Dallas
If the Saints decide not to play Bush, Payton says fullback Heath Evans could see more action as a ball carrier because Ladell Betts is out with a sprained neck. Chris Ivory and Julius Jones are New Orleans' only other healthy running backs.
New Orleans Saints release final injury report prior to Cowboys game | NOLA.com
New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton released the team's final injury report Wednesday prior to the Thanksgiving Day game against the Cowboys, but cautioned the report in some cases was more a projection than a firm indicator because of the unusually short practice week.
SAINTS @ COWBOYS:
Saints defensive backs have their work cut out for them against Dallas | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
"Pretty good group," New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said. "There are some good matchups there. I’m really a fan of them until you have to play them."
Cowboys-Saints: Five things to watch - NFC South Blog - ESPN
Jon Kitna vs. time. The Dallas quarterback is 38 and the short week could leave him a little tired. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will try to exploit that. Williams brings the blitz often, but he might bring it even more than usual against Dallas.
2theadvocate.com | Saints | SAINTS NOTES: Cowboys coach Garrett once played for Payton — Baton Rouge, LA
Payton, who served as the New York Giants offensive coordinator from 1999-2002, and Garrett became friends when they spent three years together while Garrett was a backup quarterback from 2000-03.
Saints have a feel for a Paul Pasqualoni defense | Dallas Cowboys Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | The Dallas Morning News
As you continue to look for the differences in how Paul Pasqualoni runs a 3-4 defense compared to how Wade Phillips did it, the Saints are doing the same thing. Sean Payton & Co. don't have to go too far back to look either. They went against Pasqualoni's defense last year in Miami, winning 46-34. They put up 414 yards and scored 22 points in the fourth quarter to erase what was at one point a 24-3 Dolphins' lead.
Cowboys Thanksgiving game "hot ticket" | Dallas Business Journal
"The matchup is not only the top-selling Cowboys game of the season, but it is also the top-selling NFL game of the season," said Michelle Flores, a spokeswoman for StubHub.com, which connects third-party ticket buyers and sellers. Fans have been paying an average of $253 for the Cowboys-New Orleans Saints game, she said.
Saints fans flocking to Dallas for Thanksgiving | HoumaToday.com
HOUMA — Several local residents are ditching turkey for football today.
Glenn Guilbeau: Saints need to keep momentum going | shreveporttimes.com | Shreveport Times
3. The No-Nickname Defense: The Saints are No. 3 in the NFL in total defense with 277 yards allowed a game. In the history of the Saints, which includes nicknames for its defenses like the "Dome Patrol" in the 1990s and the "Dyn-O-Mite Gang" in the 1970s, they have never led the NFL in total defense. This could be the year. The Saints are also No. 1 currently in pass defense with 166.3 yards a game. And they have had to play with several injuries. If Dallas owner Jerry Jones knew anything about football, he would give Saints genius defensive coordinator Gregg Williams a call.
Overheard in the Saints’ locker room: Tuesday Dallas edition | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
Linebacker Scott Shanle on the depth of the team: "Since I've been here this is by far the most depth we've had, overall on the whole team. The one thing that helps when new guys step in is that there's so much continuity and trust already at the other positions that it doesn't matter when you work one or two guys in. There are a lot of guys here who have played a lot of football together."
Saints fans flock to Dallas for Thanksgiving | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
"We can always have turkey, but how often do the Saints get to play on Thanksgiving?" Daigle said. "It was a no-brainer. The tickets were expensive, but we just had to be there to watch the Saints beat those Cowboys."
In Saints' Payton, Cowboys coach Garrett is facing a former mentor | Dallas Cowboys News | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News
"I'm excited to see him do well in this opportunity," Payton said Tuesday. "It's not surprising at all. Aside from this game, I wish him all the luck in the world."
Saints LT Bushrod seeks redemption versus Cowboys' Ware
"I knew this was going to be a big week,’’ a smiling Bushrod told a handful of reporters in the Saints’ locker room. "I knew you guys were coming.
NFL.com news: Bush's return gives Saints much-needed threat, decoy
Happy Saintsgiving! Will the game change your Turkey Day plans? | NOLA.com
It's another indication to the New Orleans Saints the the Who Dat Nation that we've made it. The team will play the Dallas Cowboys on one of the most premier game day slots in America - Thanksgiving Day. For some Southern Louisiana families - who usually eat Thanksgiving meals in the late afternoon - the 3:15 p.m. game fits...
Dallas Cowboys have rallied behind backup quarterback Jon Kitna | NOLA.com
"Kitna is just a consistent guy who just walks and talks to everybody," Cowboys receiver Roy Williams said. "It doesn't matter if you play offense or defense, he doesn't care. He just does a great job of earning respect and gaining respect from other players."
LSU's Danny McCray living his dream with Dallas Cowboys | NOLA.com
Undrafted free agent finds his niche
New Orleans Saints' Jermon Bushrod ready to take on Dallas Cowboys' challenge | NOLA.com
"You know, I can't go on the field and think about everything that happened last year. And I'm really not. I'm just going to worry about my play, worry about my technique and trying to keep whoever's lined up across from me off the quarterback."
The latest line for this week's NFL games | NOLA.com
For Week 12 of the NFL season
Scouting report: Saints' passing attack loaded with options | Dallas Cowboys News | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News
If the Cowboys manage to contain the four wideouts, they still have a problem in pass coverage. The Saints expect Reggie Bush back after an eight-game absence with a broken leg. He has more receptions than any NFL running back over the last five years and caught a TD pass against the 49ers in the last game he played.
Forecast: Saints on Thanksgiving final perk of Super Bowl win | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Social
Let’s see how the Cowboys react when they get hit square in the mouth and face adversity early. The Saints offense is getting cranked up and doesn’t it just feel like either Brees or Reggie Bush will explode and be eating a turkey leg during the post game show?
LAGNIAPPE:
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees says Louisiana elected officials should keep close eye on possible lockout | NOLA.com
"Certainly a lockout would effect the local economy in a very great way, especially when you talk about the Saints, the Packers, the Bills and some of these other teams that are considered small market teams," Brees said. "Think about all the jobs, all the revenue that are generated. I think there's about 100,000 game day jobs around the country that obviously would be affected.
moosedenied " Blog Archive " Nothing says "Obey Me" like a bloody head on a fence post
How I See It: NFC South Stock Watch - NFC South Blog - ESPN
2. Pierre Thomas, Saints running back. He’s been sidelined by an ankle injury and it doesn’t sound like he’s anywhere close to returning. Other guys have stepped up in his absence and Thomas doesn’t appear to be in the good graces of the coaching staff. He may be looking for a new team to play for next season.
NFC South programming notes - NFC South Blog - ESPN
If there are any New Orleans fans that want to stop by the chat, please do because I’ll be surrounded by Dallas folks and need some NFC South company.
New Orleans Saints Notebook: Saints trio have high school connection
The snap-hold-kick operation of the New Orleans Saints suddenly has a distinctive Texas flavor on the eve of their Thanksgiving Day showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
Giving thanks for the obvious, not so obvious
Saints fans should be thankful for a team that can disappoint you with a 4-3 start, considering that a 4-3 start by a pre-Super Bowl Saints team would have set off wild celebrations. Be especially thankful that they’re now 7-3 and counting.
Vote for Brees & Ivory for NFL Weekly Awards
Al Woods impresses, so Bucs release Sims
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been so happy with the play of rookie defensive tackle Al Woods that on Tuesday they released veteran defensive tackle Ryan Sims.
2theadvocate.com | Sports | Ayodele stuffing run for Saints — Baton Rouge, LA
"He’s a block eater," defensive line coach Bill Johnson said of the 6-foot-2, 330-pounder. "He’s a guy that has got to do his job so other guys can go run and make plays while he plugs a gap. He’s a big-body guy. Every chance we get he’s out there on first and second down, especially if they have a tight end and two backs in the game.
ProFootballWeekly.com - MVP Meter: Brady reaches the top
4. Saints QB Drew Brees (No. 3) — The Week 11 takedown of the Seahawks was one of Brees' best games of the year, as he threw for a season-best 382 yards and four touchdowns. New Orleans' offense had the look of its '09 form, with the quarterback throwing three TD passes of 22 yards or longer.
Power Rankings: Yup, bungled by picking Bengals - NFL - CBSSports.com Football
7. Saints: Here they come. It's push time for the Saints. Don't you get the idea they're gearing up to make a real push?
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