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Fleur-de-Links: August 23, 2012

By David "Satch" Kelly
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TWEETS:

": In the next nine days, nearly 1,200 NFL players will be cut" Hits home for a guy who has been cut 9 times

Saints announce Aaron Kromer takes over as interim coach when Joe Vitt's suspension begins. Makes sense. Keeps coordinators in tact

Kromer will officially take over the role on Monday, Sept. 3

NBC Sports - ProFootballTalk: Saints sought player input in picking Kromer choice natural fit. Lots of respect

Enjoyed working with AMI Kids of Jefferson today doing great work with our youth to get them back on track

": Enjoyed working with AMI Kids of Jefferson today doing great work with our youth to get them back on track"

man we just trying to make a difference

Ppl often say how bad they want something, but few are willing to work and sacrifice to obtain it. .

"RT U can tell a lot about a person by the Ratio of peanut butter to jelly they put in a PB&J " haha Jed u a fool yo

": You can tell a lot about a person by the Ratio of peanut butter to jelly they put in a PB&J " U funny man

Mom taught me about expectations at a young age. When I was 16, I foolishly expected a car. Now she's turning 50 and expecting the same..hmm

Kromer was in deep consideration in the Rams organization earlier this year with becoming the head coach before Jeff Fisher came along

Brees on Kromer "We have a very strong coaching staff and Aaron is a coach that is very well respected in our locker room"

My Limited Edition Gatorade bottle. Who Dat!

Got the kit for you guys! RT to win and I’ll pick winner tomm! Who’s the best in Madden this yr?

Here is a photo of the kit. Comes with an autographed mini helmet

I'm a 77 Overall In Madden '13 I Need To Step My Game Up ASAP

SORRY for late start on this...

Everyone follow and wish Jahri Evans a Happy Birthday!!

Thanks to every one 4 the BDAY luv...

Spagnuolo on potentially moving Wilson back to LB: ""Interesting thought. But no thought to doing it. Good where he is now."

Spags on Vitt "I have loved every minute working with him. I think he has done an unbelievable job"

When asked who will be playing middle LB Saturday, Vitt joked "You got a ticket? Then you will see"

Vitt on "He has had an outstanding preseason"

Vitt said he doesn't think Ruud will play Saturday.

Vitt said for 2 days in a row the "main emphasis" has been on tackling

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AARON KROMER NAMED AS THE INTERIM TO THE INTERIM HEAD COACH:

Evans: Kromer best choice to continue Saints’ system - NFL.com
“He’s a fiery guy, he’s a guy that wants detail, he’s a guy that wants structure and ultimately is going to do exactly what Joe Vitt has been doing,” Evans said. “These guys know they’re not the head coach … these guys are going to run things the way Sean Payton chose to run them, which is very unique but it’s also very effective.”

Saints name OL coach Aaron Kromer interim head coach to open season | wwltv.com New Orleans
The Saints have designated Aaron Kromer as their acting head coach for the first six games of the season, taking over for Joe Vitt who will be serving a six-game suspension.

Saints Designate Aaron Kromer to Replace Joe Vitt
Offensive Line/Running Game Coach Aaron Kromer brings 22 years of coaching experience to the staff

Aaron Kromer will take over head coaching duties for New Orleans Saints during Joe Vitt's suspension - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Kromer has been with the Saints since 2008, serving as offensive line coach and run game coach

Aaron Kromer will coach New Orleans Saints for 6 games - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
He will assume the head coaching duties for the final two preseason games, while Joe Vitt will continue to handle meetings during the week

New Orleans Saints should make another smooth transition with Aaron Kromer behind the wheel - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Saints have shown great stability in the aftermath of NFL bounty punishments

Saints sought player input in picking Kromer | ProFootballTalk
The decision to make offensive line coach Aaron Kromer the interim to the interim head coach in New Orleans came from the top of the organization, with owner Tom Benson and G.M. Mickey Loomis making the choice.

Saints choose Aaron Kromer to serve as the interim coach for Joe Vitt | ProFootballTalk
When Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt begins his six-game suspension on September 2, he'll be handing his whistle over to Aaron Kromer. A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that Kromer will serve as the interim to the interim head coach during Vitt's suspension.

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OTHER SAINTS NEWS:

Joe Vitt: "The Guys are Excited for Saturday"
Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Joe Vitt talks about the plan for Saturday

Steve Spagnuolo Discusses Tackling, Middle Linebackers
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo met with the media following practice on Wednesday

Pete Carmichael: "We Have to do a Better Job on Third Down"
Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael met with the media following practice on Wednesday.

Greg McMahon Discusses Kicker Competition, Kickoff Coverage
Special Teams Coordinator Greg McMahon met with the media following practice on Wednesday

Greg McMahon Says Kicking Battle Will Come Down to the Wire
Veteran Kickers Garrett Hartley and John Kasay are competing for a starting job through the preseason

SaintsWin: Analysis & Opinion: The Saints' Offense: A Philosophy of More
Sean Payton's ideology focuses on collecting the widest variety of options available, and ensuring that he has a tool for every task. It goes far beyond the simplistic philosophy of acquiring players based solely on speed, size, collegiate pedigree, or whatever else.

Saints likely won’t play RB Darren Sproles for rest of preseason | wwltv.com New Orleans
New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles worked for the past two days after sitting out the five practices as well as the preseason game against Jacksonville this past weekend.

Saints coaches put emphasis on tackling this week | wwltv.com New Orleans
You don’t have to tell New Orleans Saints acting head coach Joe Vitt or defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo that the team’s tackling against the Jacksonville Jaguars was lacking.

Potential Problems, Question Marks Linger for Saints in Preseason
The New Orleans Saints had a great offseason personnel-wise, but they have still been hurt by free agency.

New Orleans Saints RB Darren Sproles likely won't see game action again until Week 1 - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
"If I had to play, I could," Sproles said. "But this is the thing. They don't want to rush me right now. They see it as preseason games so there's no use in risking it."

New Orleans Saints LB Barrett Ruud says it will take time to adjust to his new team - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Joe Vitt doesn't expect LB Barrett Ruud to be ready to play vs. Houston

New Orleans Saints working out tackling issues - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
"Not very good," Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said of the Saints' tackling. "And the guys recognize that. We talked about it. Talking about it doesn't do anything. But this group is one of those groups that when they have something to prove they usually respond.

Ramon Humber is the latest injured Saints linebacker | ProFootballTalk
Between the injury and the suspension, Humber’s going to miss out on a lot of practice time in the next month or so, something that will likely hurt his chances of earning a lot of playing time in the early part of the season. With Chris Chamberlain, David Hawthorne and Lofton all going down in the last week, there’s probably going to be a lot of it to go around.

Morgan tries not to rest on big plays | New Orleans Saints | The Sun Herald
METAIRIE-- Joseph Morgan won't let his latest long touchdown go to his head.

Another New Orleans Saints linebacker goes down as Ramon Humber injures hamstring - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
So if you're keeping track, the list of players who can play middle linebackers that won't be available when the Saints host the Houston Texans on Saturday night in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome include Humber, Jonathan Vilma (suspension), Curtis Lofton (ankle), David Hawthorne (knee) and Chris Chamberlain (knee).

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BOUNTYFARCE:

Source: League “definitely” offered eight-game reduction to Vilma | ProFootballTalk
It’s not known whether there’s a chance of getting the case resolved if the league would offer to cut Vilma’s ban by more than eight game. (The other three players’ suspensions would have to be resolved, too.) It’s believed, however, that the NFL’s lawyers hope to insulate Commissioner Roger Goodell from ever having to testify.

Saints' defensive policy shift started with departure of Gregg Williams after playoff disaster - Yahoo! Sports
More than two months before he was suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for his role in the scandal, Williams, according to a highly placed Saints source, had been essentially fired by coach Sean Payton, who sought a sharp change in defensive philosophy. In January, Williams' lateral move to the St. Louis Rams was publicly portrayed as his own decision, but the source said Payton had made it clear that the Saints were moving in another direction.

Goodell isn’t welcome at restaurant owned by Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams | ProFootballTalk
USA TODAY spoke to an employee of the restaurant who confirmed that the signs are in all of the restaurant’s windows as well as on the walls inside the eatery. The paper wasn’t able to confirm if Vilma or Williams issued an order to post the signs, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Vilma’s scorched earth approach to fighting his suspension has carried over to decorating choices at his side project.

NFL still working out when exactly Saints coach Joe Vitt's suspension starts | wwltv.com New Orleans
Acting head coach Joe Vitt knows his six-game suspension will begin once the regular season starts. He just doesn’t know exactly when; a league source said Wednesday the precise date the suspension begins is still being discussed.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith's impressive preseason makes bounty suspension even harder to swallow - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
"The evidence is out there for people to make their own determination," Smith continued. "And the overwhelming support from other players around the league who know who I am as a person and know what type of player I am know all that stuff is nonsense. And then the only person that really matters is what the commissioner thinks is nonsense. But I just essentially have to not pay attention to it. I mean, he suspended all of us, and we took our pills and our approach and we just have to go from there."

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GOODELL IN LAWSUIT HELL:

Travelers sues NFL over brain injury lawsuits - Yahoo! Sports
Several subsidiaries of Travelers Companies Inc sued the National Football League and a host of other insurers, seeking to avoid paying to defend the league against a wave of brain injury-related claims by thousands of former players and their families.

Court: Ex-NFL punter eligible for workers comp - Yahoo! Sports
''I don't think that clubs are now able to argue that, since football is a hazardous employment, players don't get workers' compensation benefits,'' said Benjamin Boscolo, Tupa's attorney.

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LAGNIAPPE:

Abused as a child, Saints CB Marquis Johnson uses NFL platform to help other victims | wwltv.com New Orleans
Marquis Johnson stood in front of his second-grade class for show-and-tell and levied a threat to those who would listen. Hurt his mother and pay dire consequences.

Saints and Copeland's Jr. Tee Retriever Kickoff Party Rescheduled for Sept. 15
Event was originally scheduled for Aug. 11

New Orleans Saints, 2012 N.F.L. Season Preview - NYTimes.com
The Saints clearly have great pieces on offense, but it's a matter of how well they can be organized in Sean Payton's absence.

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VIDEO:

Joe Vitt's Interview 8/22/12

Steve Spagnuolo's 8/22/12

Greg McMahon's Interview 8/22/12

Pete Carmichael's Interview 8/22/12

Roman Harper's Interview 8/22/12

Garrett Hartley's Interview 8/22/12

Mark Ingram's Interview 8/21/12

Barrett Ruud's Interview 8/22/12


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