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Tweets
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Sitting next to RobRyan ! He Is a cool and down to earth person! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%231stclass">#1stclass</a></p>— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mathieu_Era/status/306511037992148993">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I guess Mathieu is talking to the Saints. RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/mathieu_era">mathieu_era</a>: Sitting next to RobRyan ! He Is a cool and down to earth person! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%231stclass">#1stclass</a></p>— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) <a href="https://twitter.com/LarryHolder/status/306513455698042880">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Big day in the Brees household. Baylen gets his first wetsuit. Kelly Slater lookout! <a href="http://t.co/KDkXsoPMIC" title="http://twitter.com/drewbrees/status/306500786165260289/photo/1">twitter.com/drewbrees/stat…</a></p>— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) <a href="https://twitter.com/drewbrees/status/306500786165260289">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I prefer they just draw the line around the roster spots RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/miketriplett">miketriplett</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Saints">#Saints</a> should draw line around $3m/yr with Smith, Vilma, Harper</p>— Grandmaster Wang (@moosedenied) <a href="https://twitter.com/moosedenied/status/306478364183654401">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I hope Goodell says "W/ 21st overall pick, Bungles take Tyran Matthieu who im sure will hit it off with Pacman" and winks=crowd goes wild</p>— PFTCommenter (@PFTCommenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFTCommenter/status/306469963324084224">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Heard the weather out there is Chicago is crazy!! I got outa town yesterday just in time...be careful on those roads ChiTown!!</p>— Pierre Thomas (@Pierre_Thomas) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pierre_Thomas/status/306474936183189504">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The gist of the Tom Brady deal - he pockets $31M guaranteed in 2013, keeps base salaries below $10M for next 5yrs, cap hit never above $15M</p>— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/306473150890254337">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>So excited about this year's camp! Last year was a blast and it will be even better this time around.… <a href="http://t.co/XAkTEkpmVQ" title="http://instagr.am/p/WNFNNDLGlp/">instagr.am/p/WNFNNDLGlp/</a></p>— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalcolmJenkins/status/306472937970622465">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The top 9 official times in the 40-yd dash among defensive backs at the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NFLCombine">#NFLCombine</a> via @<a href="https://twitter.com/nflnetwork">nflnetwork</a> <a href="http://t.co/xtUY3AuOSk" title="http://twitter.com/Saints/status/306465323249451009/photo/1">twitter.com/Saints/status/…</a></p>— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/status/306465323249451009">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Tyrann Mathieu to <a href="http://t.co/GBiJHnZevp" title="http://on.nfl.com/NFLLive">on.nfl.com/NFLLive</a>: I feel like I am an elite prospect <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NFLCombine">#NFLCombine</a></p>— NFL Media PR (@InsideNFLMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/InsideNFLMedia/status/306447148734636032">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>On a positive note: No DB catches the ball more naturally than Mathieu</p>— gregg rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/greggrosenthal/status/306430443954270209">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Matthieu is having a great day. Very natural in positional drills. Great hands and ball skills.</p>— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuckyBrooks/status/306426390083936256">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Maybe in the "swisher rolled tight, getting blazed to tonight" sense... "@<a href="https://twitter.com/nfl">nfl</a>: Deion: 'Mathieu will be a baller in the NFL. Immediately.'"</p>— Held Over (@hakimdropsball) <a href="https://twitter.com/hakimdropsball/status/306426471809970177">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>If a horse named Ikea Meatball doesn't win the Kentucky Derby this year, I swear I just don't know anymore.</p>— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) <a href="https://twitter.com/pattonoswalt/status/306252685689098240">February 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Who dat talkin' 'bout dem Saints?
Jermon Bushrod expects negotiations with Saints to start soon | ProFootballTalk
"But at the end of the day, the business aspect is going to come out and that’s just something you have to be prepared for and ready for. There should be no hard feelings," Bushrod said, via Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "Every single player that’s left and gone to another team, they’ve definitely appreciated the experience here in New Orleans. You can’t get your feelings too wrapped into this. It’s a tough situation. But sometimes, you may have to experience change. Things aren’t always going to remain the same."
Breaking down the New Orleans Saints defensive talent | NOLA.com
Saints columnist Mike Triplett offers assessment of Saints' current defensive players, including list of 2013 salaries
New Orleans Saints should draw the line around $3 million per year with Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma, Roman Harper | NOLA.com
Veteran players still have value but nowhere near their current price tags
Saints Hire Wesley McGriff as Secondary Coach
A 22-year coaching veteran in the college ranks, McGriff helped the Rebels improve from a 2-10 campaign in 2011 to a 7-6 record in 2012 including a 38-17 victory over Pittsburgh in the 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl and three more Southeastern Conference victories than the previous season.
Saints hire McGriff as secondary coach | New Orleans Saints | The Sun Herald
McGriff also has a proven track record for developing defensive backs on the collegiate level including New York Giants safety Kenny Phillips, Green Bay Packers defensive back Sam Shields, Houston Texans cornerback Brandon Harris and New York Jets defensive back Yeremiah Bell.
Jimmy Graham Calls New Secondary Coach Wesley McGriff a Good Fit for the New Orleans Saints
Wesley McGriff coached at the University of Miami in 2009, Jimmy Graham’s one season of college football
From the Coach’s Office: Analyzing Super Bowl's 3-4 Defenses
New Orleans Saints fans were given a superb look at the modern 3-4 defense in Super Bowl XLVII since that is the base defense for both the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens. While both teams utilized 3-4 personnel, they were used in contrasting styles.
Saints' top cap figures - NFC South Blog - ESPN
The Saints still need to trim somewhere between $14 million and $15 million in cap space before the start of the league year on March 12. They likely will have to release some veteran players and restructure some existing contracts.
Jerry Jones: Rob Ryan’s defense is "too much scheme" | ProFootballTalk
"Where we fundamentally came down with Rob is that his philosophy is about multiple scheme," Jones said, via the Star-Telegram. "I think you have to skinny it down. Philosophically, I don’t think Rob believes in that."
Saints Nation: Saints History of Passing on Good Draft Picks
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NFL Combine & the Draft
NFL Scouting Combine winners and losers
For every player who improved his draft stock, another suffered a hit. So, who got exposed in Indy? Find out as FOXSports.com denotes the big winners and losers from the weekend.
DL risers and sliders: Barkevious Mingo moving up
INDIANAPOLIS -- The defensive linemen took to the field Monday at the NFL scouting combine, and scouts were impressed with the athleticism of the group. Gone are the days of sloppy prospects who rumble around
NFP gives thoughts on players who shined Monday at Combine | National Football Post
Russ Lande tells us what NFL teams saw at today's Combine workout.
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Lagniappe
Former NFL player Albert Haynesworth completes required community service - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN
Former NFL defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth has finished the community service he was required to do as a result of a plea deal in a case in which he was accused of touching a waitress' breast at a Washington, D.C., hotel.
Whitlock: Roger Goodell can be beacon for tolerance for gays in NFL - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN
Proper leadership from Roger Goodell’s office could fix the Te’o "problem" and move the Neanderthal sports world into the 21st century. For a commissioner looking for a Pete Rozelle-like legacy, Manti Te’o’s elephant has provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Report: Lions interest in Reggie Bush is "real" | ProFootballTalk
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that the team has "real" interest in adding Bush to their offense for the 2013 season.
Tom Brady gets $30 million to sign | ProFootballTalk
So much for less money. The new contract signed Monday by Pats quarterback Tom Brady pays him $27 million total over the final three years. But he was paid $30 million as a bonus for applying his name to the dotted line at the bottom of the document.
Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger plan to restructure contract | ProFootballTalk
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is close to coming to terms on a restructuring of his contract to free up cap space this year. NFL Network's Albert Breer reports that a renegotiated deal is expected to be completed this week, although neither the Steelers nor Roethlisberger's camp are giv...