Coach Payton, on location in Mobile (that's pronounced Mo-beel, not Mo-bul) for the Senior Bowl, confirmed what Heath Evans leaked out earlier today - Drew Brees did play some games this season with a low-grade MCL sprain. He also said that Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas had successful surgeries and both have begun rehabs.
In other news, Payton will moonlight as an ESPN analyst during Super Bowl week, former Saint Bill Cody is dealing with memory loss and other health problems years after retirement, and (big surprise) Bears fans are ready to throw Jay Cutler under the bus. Who didn't see that coming? I'm surprised he escaped their scorn for as long as he did.
TWEETS:
THE BREES KNEES AND OTHER SAINTS NEWS:
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees played with low-grade MCL sprain, Sean Payton confirms | NOLA.com
Coach provides injury updates, surgical reports on several key players
Heath Evans: Drew Brees played 6 games with knee ligament tear
According to Saints fullback Heath Evans, Brees played "six weeks with a torn MCL’’ in his left knee, referring to a medial collateral ligament.
Colston, Pierre Thomas face long rehab in offseason | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
Marques Colston and Pierre Thomas face some lengthy rehabilitation from surgery for injuries and another seven players are likely to go under the knife for "cleanup" work, head coach Sean Payton said Monday from the Sr. Bowl.
New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans makes AP All-Pro team | NOLA.com
Carl Nicks, Malcolm Jenkins, Darren Sharper make second team
New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton will moonlight as analyst for ESPN during Super Bowl week | NOLA.com
Payton will appear on set with Monday Night Football crew, among others
New Orleans Saints safety Roman Harper to play in Pro Bowl | NOLA.com
He replaces the Green Bay Packers' Nick Collins
SUPER BOWL XLV:
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers: A hair-raisin' game in Dallas | NOLA.com
Packers open as 2 1/2-point favorites
Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers intriguing Super Bowl XLV matchup | NOLA.com
Stopping Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger will be key
Several New Orleans Saints players picking Green Bay Packers: links | NOLA.com
What the players are sharing via Twitter
BEARS FANS BEHAVING BADLY (AS USUAL):
Roundup: Burning Jay Cutler Jerseys, Bashing Jay Cutler, and Defending Jay Cutler | The Big Lead
Watch Idiots Burning Jay Cutler Jerseys " Bear Goggles On | A Chicago Bears Blog
Well, it didn't take Bears fans long to give up on Cutler. No surprises here.
LAGNIAPPE:
Sources: Indianapolis Colts make lucrative pitch to Peyton Manning - ESPN
In an effort to make inroads on what is expected to be the richest player contract in NFL history, the Colts and Peyton Manning's agent Tom Condon met face-to-face Thursday and for the first time the team presented a proposal to its quarterback.
Supersized NFL Linemen on Collision Course with Death
Businesses say Superbowl boom may not be over yet | wwltv.com | Local News
With the Saints no longer in the running to "Two Dat" in 2011, and a late Mardi Gras, is the tourism industry set to take a dive in the first few months of this year compared to last year? Those in the industry say no.
Collision aftermath: Former Saint, Auburn linebacker Bill Cody fights daily battle with memory loss | al.com
"It is frustrating that you just did something yesterday or the day before and you can't remember what you did. You know you did something. Two or three days later it might all of a sudden just hit you."
LSU's Drake Nevis, potential 1st round pick, has pulled out of the Senior Bowl | NOLA.com
He will participate in the NFL combine next month
Dolphins hire Dan Campbell as tight ends coach | National Football Post
Campbell joined the Dolphins after 11 years of playing experience with the New York Giants (1999-2002), Dallas Cowboys (2003-05), Detroit Lions (2006-08) and most recently the New Orleans Saints (2009).