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Fleur-de-Links: Saturday, November 17

Your daily collection of New Orleans Saints news, opinion and whatnot. TODAY'S HEADLINE: Former Saints head coach Mike Ditka hospitalized after stroke.

Mike Ditka, former Bears player and former Saints coach suffered a stroke on Friday night.
Mike Ditka, former Bears player and former Saints coach suffered a stroke on Friday night.
Malcolm Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Twitter

Ralph MalbroughIf Ditka can survive having Heath Shuler as his QB he can survive a stroke

deuce mcallisterStudying for my game tomorrow Tulane/East Carolina. 230 kickoff on CST

Ralph Malbrough@AndrewJuge Dikta's gonna totally kick that strokes ass but I couldn't resist making a Heath Shuler joke

Andrew Juge@MilneMalbrough I was trying to think of a trading your entire draft joke

Ralph Malbrough@AndrewJuge sad thing is Ditka is best guy on ESPN kickoff Sunday show, now with Caliendo it's fucking unwatchable, get well soon coach

Thomas MorsteadLanded #WhoDat

Chris IvoryFinally landed in Oakland

Courtney RobyLanded safe & sound..thanks for the many 's..

Will SmithMade it safely to the West Coast on the wings of your prayers. #WHODAT

rafael bushMy shawty done cut me loose! http://lockerz.com/s/262042580

Lance MooreWhat up California???

cameron jordanLanded safely in CALI, idk who coughin away on this bus but c'mon bro keep it to yourself -_- anywho time to focus up, already ready

JAHRI EVANS"@freakdQWT_Reese: Showt to my chapter bruh the NFL BRUHZ @J_7TRE_E ROOO QUE hold it down."---->ROOO QUE

akiem hicksMan, back in Cali playing in front of my fam, on my birthday weekend#BLESSED

cameron jordan@The_Dream99 happy bday lil big guy

akiem hicksWatching the Whitney Huston tribute she was quite possibly one of the best to ever sing at the Super Bowl!!!

akiem hicksHalle berry just walked out to open the show, she's still stunning

Malcolm JenkinsΩΨΦ 101 years of excellence! Grateful for the experiences, memories, and friendships! God Bless the Ques! http://instagr.am/p/SHuBO0LGm6/

Varg VargasShockey is posting pictures of Miami harbors with quotes from Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." This happened.

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From the Saints Sideline

Joe Vitt Gives Final Injury Update Before Facing the Oakland Raiders | neworleanssaints.com
Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Joe Vitt spoke with the media Friday to give a final injury update and to discuss the defense before traveling to Oakland to face the Raiders on Sunday.

Pete Carmichael Talks About Marques Colston, Running Game | neworleanssaints.com
Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael met with the media Friday to discuss the running game and Marques Colston approaching the franchise touchdown record.

New Orleans Saints vs. Oakland Raiders: Inside the game | NOLA.com
Nakia Hogan - Will Marques Colston set TD record? Will Johnny Patrick be able to hold up in coverage?

New Orleans Saints: The Big Picture | The Advocate
Perryn Keys - Few expected them to drop their first four games. Few expected them to get back in the playoff hunt.

New Orleans Saints zeroing in on Oakland Raiders, not increasing playoff chances | NOLA.com
Larry Holder - Everyone else seems to be talking about the Saints making a push in the second half of the season except the Saints.

Jabari Greer remains humble after game-saving play vs. Atlanta Falcons | The Advocate
Brett Martel - For Jabari Greer, adhering to the adage that NFL defensive backs must have short memories is easier said than done.

Saints TE Graham healthy, feeling like old self | wwltv.com
Bradley Handwerger - Jimmy Graham rose high, slipping the ball over the goal post closest to Girod Street in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome before landing on both feet, his post-touchdown celebration finally finished.

Jimmy Graham: The Contest in Oakland is Going to be a Battle | neworleanssaints.com
Saints tight end Jimmy Graham spoke with the media Friday about his health and facing the Oakland Raiders.

Sproles 50/50 To Play Sunday Against The Raiders - WWL | AM870 | FM105.3
Kristian Garic's Friday notebook.

The Only Thing Holding Chris Ivory Back is Ball Security | thesaintsnation.com
Andrew Juge - Chris Ivory has played so well the last two weeks there's almost no way the Saints can go back to shelving him on the inactive list again.

Raidiers storied franchise struggling | The Advocate
Brian Allee-Walsh - "Just Win Baby!’’ Before his death on Oct. 8, 2011, those three simple words served as the business model and marching orders for a proud Oakland Raiders franchise under its irascible, renegade owner, Al Davis.

New Orleans Saints Travel to Face the Oakland Raiders on Sunday | neworleanssaints.com
Saints looking to earn their fifth win in six games.

Broadcast Information: Saints at Raiders | neworleanssaints.com
Saints and Raiders battle on Sunday at 3:05 pm CT on FOX.

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Raiders' Regatta

Oakland Raiders notebook: Mike Mitchell waiting for his first start at strong safety - San Jose Mercury News
Jerry McDonald - Whether Mike Mitchell makes his first start at strong safety won't be determined until game day as Tyvon Branch emerged from the locker room after warmups and drills and was a limited participant in practice Friday.

Game Preview: Raiders vs. Saints | raiders.com
Rebecca Corman - The Raiders host the New Orleans Saints in 2012 Week 11 action.

Coach Allen Friday | raiders.com
Head Coach Dennis Allen took questions from the media after Friday's practice.

Raiders still missing key players - AFC West Blog | ESPN.com
Bill Willimason - As expected, the Oakland Raiders will be without starting running back Darren McFadden and his backup, Mike Goodson, for the second straight game Sunday when they host New Orleans.

Final Word: AFC West - AFC West Blog | ESPN.com
Bill W. - Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 11

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Lagniappe

NFL picks for Week 11 from NOLA.com panel | NOLA.com
Predictions for the New Orleans Saints game against the Oakland Raiders and the rest of the NFL slate.

The Journalist Circle Jerk, In One Screencap | The Angry Who Dat
This about sums it up.

ESPN NFL analyst Mike Ditka hospitalized after minor stroke | ESPN.com
ESPN NFL analyst Mike Ditka is in the hospital after suffering a minor stroke on Friday.

Final Word: NFC South - NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y. - Five nuggets of knowledge about the Week 11 games.

Film of the NFC South chat - NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y. - Friday's NFC South chat was held outside its normal time frame due to a scheduling conflict.

The NFC South injuries that matter most - NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat. Y - There are a lot of injury issues in the NFC South this week. Let's take a look at the latest on the most significant injuries.

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V-Roll Roll Call

Video: Joe Vitt Interview 11/16/12 | neworleanssaints.com
Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach Joe Vitt speaks with reporters after practice on Friday, November 16, 2012.

Video: Pete Carmichael Interview 11/16/12 | neworleanssaints.com
Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael speaks with reporters after practice on Friday, November 16, 2012.

Face of the Franchise Video: Jimmy Graham | NFL.com
New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham explains how the team has been able to turn their season around and come up with some wins in the second quarter of the season.

Video: Tommy Says The Saints Will Go 11-5! - WWL | AM870 | FM105.3
WWL Morning Show Host Tommy Tucker breaks out the chalkboard to explain in detailed, scientific fashion why the Saints will run the tables, finish the season 11-5, and secure a playoff bid.