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Saints News, 10/11/13: OT Bryce Harris Ready To Start If Zach Strief Can't Play

Starting right tackle Zach Strief sustained an ankle injury against the Bears and has missed both practices thus far this week. Back-up offensive lineman Bryce Harris has been practicing with the first string offense this week and says he's ready to go if needed. "That's my job as a backup: Be always ready. I've been ready for the first five weeks, and I'm gonna be ready for Week 6," said Harris. In other news that is both sad and infuriating, Adrian Peterson's two-year-old son is in critical condition after being severely beaten by his mother's boyfriend.

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Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Tweets

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Praying for <a href="https://twitter.com/AdrianPeterson">@AdrianPeterson</a> and his family!</p>&mdash; Roman Harper (@Harp41) <a href="https://twitter.com/Harp41/statuses/388737148842561537">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>NFLPA tells <a href="https://twitter.com/wingoz">@wingoz</a> that, depending on what MRSA containment report says, the NFLPA could advise Bucs-Eagles not to play this weekend.</p>&mdash; Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/statuses/388734028049686528">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Drago&#39;s oysters for the team lunch! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a> <a href="https://t.co/CCN65wYdYS">https://t.co/CCN65wYdYS</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/statuses/388731581197975552">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Adrian Peterson plans to play on Sunday <a href="http://t.co/xMZB6cNYO1">http://t.co/xMZB6cNYO1</a></p>&mdash; ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/statuses/388730904698294272">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Absolutely horrible situation with Adrian Peterson&#39;s son. My heart goes out to all involved. Tragic what people are capable of doing to kids</p>&mdash; Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/statuses/388726832071073792">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/SeanPayton">@SeanPayton</a> &amp; coordinators will speak with the media around 1:35 pm CT. Watch Live: <a href="http://t.co/cBlBfIOzAS">http://t.co/cBlBfIOzAS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NOvsNE&amp;src=hash">#NOvsNE</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/statuses/388722260791402497">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>BREAKING - Third Buccaneer Diagnosed with MRSA <a href="http://t.co/Fpt7j4mMOZ">http://t.co/Fpt7j4mMOZ</a></p>&mdash; Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBBuccaneers/statuses/388718475671117824">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>A preview of the Saints-Patriots game &amp; an interview with <a href="https://twitter.com/WendellPierce">@WendellPierce</a> on today&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/blackbluereport">@BlackBlueReport</a> podcast: <a href="http://t.co/uUpPqzYWWL">http://t.co/uUpPqzYWWL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NOLA&amp;src=hash">#NOLA</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/statuses/388714296084938752">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a> will wear white jerseys-black pants Sunday @ <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Patriots&amp;src=hash">#Patriots</a>. (1)</p>&mdash; WWL-TV Sports (@wwltvsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/wwltvsports/statuses/388711613756231680">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a> have worn the white-black combo 5 times in 3 p.m. games. They&#39;re 2-3 in those contests winning @ DAL (&#39;10) &amp; @ OAK (&#39;12). (2)</p>&mdash; WWL-TV Sports (@wwltvsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/wwltvsports/statuses/388711823626600448">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>In stretches in which the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a> have worn white-black combo at least 3 straight times, Saints went 2-1 (&#39;08) &amp; 2-2 (&#39;12). (3)</p>&mdash; WWL-TV Sports (@wwltvsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/wwltvsports/statuses/388712056431460352">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a> own 52% winning percentage on road in white-black. (4)</p>&mdash; WWL-TV Sports (@wwltvsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/wwltvsports/statuses/388712282877722624">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Fantasy football turns some people into idiots. Here are plenty of examples (courtesy of <a href="https://twitter.com/angrywhodat">@angrywhodat</a>). <a href="http://t.co/apLA2t0C3J">http://t.co/apLA2t0C3J</a></p>&mdash; ThirdDownConversion (@3DownConversion) <a href="https://twitter.com/3DownConversion/statuses/388706773445513216">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>SURPRISE APPEARANCES today @ Sam&#39;s Clubs in NOLA&#10;1-3pm Kenner 4- 6pm Metairie</p>&mdash; Joe Horn (@JoeHorn87) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeHorn87/statuses/388705056515559424">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>My thoughts and Prayers to my <a href="https://twitter.com/CAAFootball">@CAAFootball</a> family...AP be strong my brother</p>&mdash; deuce mcallister (@dmcallister26) <a href="https://twitter.com/dmcallister26/statuses/388702299641884672">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I hear Adrian Peterson&#39;s son is in critical condition and my first thought is about my fantasy team. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BadPerson&amp;src=hash">#BadPerson</a>... But he&#39;s still in right?</p>&mdash; Connor Burke (@ConB1299) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConB1299/statuses/388701881553661952">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Bottom line, people: there&#39;s a 2-year-boy fighting for his life b/c some gutless adult beat him. That it&#39;s a son of Adrian shouldn&#39;t matter.</p>&mdash; Sean Jensen (@seankjensen) <a href="https://twitter.com/seankjensen/statuses/388697767628926976">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Gregg Williams is just happy to be coaching, not worried about his future <a href="http://t.co/9j4IxLOrOY">http://t.co/9j4IxLOrOY</a></p>&mdash; ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/statuses/388698530837045248">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Thoughts and prayers go out to <a href="https://twitter.com/AdrianPeterson">@AdrianPeterson</a> as he deals with this serious situation</p>&mdash; Joseph Morgan (@jmthegreat) <a href="https://twitter.com/jmthegreat/statuses/388694801186443264">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>As a father I couldn&#39;t imagine someone putting their hands on my daughter. I&#39;d lose my mind!!!</p>&mdash; Joseph Morgan (@jmthegreat) <a href="https://twitter.com/jmthegreat/statuses/388694977062002689">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Gathering ESPN&#39;s Patriots-Saints predictions, with majority leaning toward New Orleans. <a href="http://t.co/dQJwPUJ3dU">http://t.co/dQJwPUJ3dU</a></p>&mdash; Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/statuses/388690569418899456">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Just awful RT <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk">@ProFootballTalk</a>: Report: Adrian Peterson&#39;s two-year-old son severely beaten, in critical condition <a href="http://t.co/04WqEnzzaM">http://t.co/04WqEnzzaM</a></p>&mdash; Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) <a href="https://twitter.com/LarryHolder/statuses/388682245424177152">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>

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Saints Prepare for Patriots

Saints injuries: OT Harris ready if needed - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN
METAIRIE, La. -- There were no changes to the New Orleans Saints' injury report Thursday, with four players still held out of team drills -- offensive

Clash of the tight ends: Graham, Gronk - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN
METAIRIE, La. – Naturally, the quarterbacks will take center stage in Sunday’s matchup between the New Orleans Saints and New England Patr

Morning report: Pats, Saints best since '09 - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN
METAIRIE, La. – New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton insisted this week that his team is still behind the New England Patriots in terms of sheer

Double Coverage: Saints at Patriots - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
. The New England Patriots are coming off their first loss of the season, and questions are mounting about the team’s revamped offense. There ar

2013 NFL Scouting: Week Six's Top Match-ups to Watch and More | NFL Articles | Draft

Five things to know about the New Orleans Saints on Friday, October 11
The Saints will travel to New England tonight

Game of the Week preview: Patriots | Fox News
FOX NFL Game of the Week preview on the New England...

New Orleans Saints vs New England Patriots series history
A look at the series history between the Saints and the Patriots in their last 12 games

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Patriots Prepare for Saints

patriots - Oh, brother: Rob Ryan's Saints defense presents Patriots with major challenge - WEEI | Christopher Price
FOXBORO -- If it’s not one Ryan, it’s the other. While Rex gets more than his share of headlines in New England, brother Rob -- a linebackers coach for the Patriots from 2000 through 2003 who now is the defensive coordinator for the unbeaten Saints -- also has made life difficult for Tom Brady and the Patriots offense in the past.

No matter the position, Saints' Graham proving hard to stop | wwltv.com New Orleans
Bill Belichick knows a good receiver when he sees one.
New Orleans’ Jimmy Graham fits that mold.

Cut by the Saints, signed by the Pats, Ninkovich has insight into both clubs | wwltv.com New Orleans
It’s not uncommon these days to read about how good the New Orleans Saints are at finding undrafted rookie free agents to fill out their roster.

Groupings: 4 WR package emerges - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
One of the things that will be charted on a weekly basis is the positional groupings utilized by the New England Patriots offense, as they reveal play

Shades of development for Aaron Dobson - Extra Points - Boston.com
A closer look at rookie wide receiver Aaron Dobson's development, tweet of the week, reader reaction, and what's to come.

Brady and Brees have plenty in common - Sports - The Boston Globe
They’ve combined for 677 touchdowns and four Super Bowl victories, they hold single-season NFL records for yards and touchdowns, and their career pass completions, when measured, would travel from Gillette Stadium well past Worcester. Tom Brady is 17 months older and 4 inches taller, but he and Drew Brees share plenty of similarities. Since becoming the starting quarterback for the Patriots in 2001 – the year Brees joined the NFL – Brady has put together a body of work not many can match. Brees, though, comes pretty close. Two of the best at their position – maybe ever – they’ll be on the same field for just the fifth time this Sunday, when Brees brings the 5-0 New Orleans Saints to town for a date with Brady and the 4-1 Patriots. Only a loss last week at Cincinnati – when Brady had one of the worst games of his career – kept this from being a battle of unbeatens.

Facing Saints defensive coordinator Ryan, Pats have been down this road before | Sports - Patriots | providencejournal.com | The Providence Journa - The Providence Journal
The Patriots usually work against a Ryan-coached defense twice each year. This season is a bonus. It is happening three times.

Bill Belichick talks Sean Payton, Saints
Quotes from Bill Belichick's press conference on October 11, 2013

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Other Saints News

Sean Payton thinks of everything, including coin toss | ProFootballTalk
"That sun was sitting hard to our left into the field," Payton said on his radio show. "So if you’re a receiver and you’re looking back into that sun it was going to be really challenging. We felt by the second quarter that was going to be diminished some. With the direction we went, the eyes of our receivers were going to look into a clear blue sky, not the sun. Plus, there was a slight wind advantage [for us in the first quarter]."

Sean Payton to appear at fund-raiser to benefit K9s for Warriors
Wendy Diamond's AnimalFair.com is staging the Bark Business Tour

It’s all about time for Sean Payton and the Saints | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA
Time of possession is one of the most maligned statistics in football. With the rise of up-tempo, no-huddle offenses, it’s common to hear t…

Saints' Jimmy Graham in rarefied air among tight ends
METAIRIE, La. — When the ringing in his ears from the Superdome crowd finally subsides on a Victory Monday, Jimmy Graham slides on a headset, straps himself into the pilot seat of his fixed-wing, single-engine

New Orleans Saints Owner Rita Benson LeBlanc receives honor from Congressional Coalition on Adoption
LeBlanc receives Paul Singer Award

John DeShazier: Saints have been squeezing opponents in middle quarters
New Orleans has outscored opponents by a combined 78-24 in the middle quarters

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Around the League

Report: Peterson’s son severely beaten, in critical condition | ProFootballTalk
When reports emerged that Vikings running back Adrian Peterson missed practice and traveled to South Dakota due to a "medical issue involving [a] young family member that likely will be a police matter," several tipsters linked the news to reports from Sioux Falls of a man named Robert Joseph Patt...

Report: Another Bucs player has MRSA | ProFootballTalk
Right about now, the Buccaneers likely are longing for the good old days, when their biggest problem was a fallen franchise quarterback who was creating daily headaches for the coaching staff and the front office.

Bucs bring infectious disease specialist to meet with players | ProFootballTalk
Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano has said, "The easiest way to be defeated is to be distracted." The Buccaneers now have a huge distraction, two days before a game against the Eagles. In a press conference conducted earlier this afternoon at the team's facility, G.M. Mark Dominik and Dr.

Deion Sanders is fired . . . by Deion Sanders’ school | ProFootballTalk
It's still unclear whether Deion Sanders will be prosecuted for allegedly assaulting an employee at Prime Prep Academy. It is clear that Sanders has been fired by the charter school Sanders co-founded in 2012. The allegations arose on Thursday.

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Video

Video: Schefter's take on Gronk situation - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
With the news this morning that Rob Gronkowski looks less likely to play Sunday than was anticipated earlier in the week, "SportsCenter"

VIDEO Tom Brady: Saints are playing great in all phases
New England Patriots QB Patriots talks about playing the New Orleans Saints (video provided by the New England Patriots)

VIDEO New Orleans Saints Morning Report: October 11
New Orleans Saints senior writer John DeShazier previews Friday's Saints news and talks with OT Bryce Harris in the Morning Report (New Orleans Saints video)

VIDEO Junior Galette talks Cam Jordan, Patriots
New Orleans Saints LB Junior Galette talks about DE Cameron Jordan's progress and facing the New England Patriots after practice on Thursday, October 10, 2013. (New Orleans Saints video)