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Saints News 5/8/13: Consistent Thorn in Saints' Side Ronde Barber to Retire

Out of all NFC South opponents, Barber may have been the most consistent drive-killer for the Saints during the Sean Payton era. I have a great amount of respect for him, but I won't be sad to see him go. In other news, the Saints have $140.5 million (second only to Dallas at $145 million) already committed to the 2014 cap due to recent player contract restructures, according to Pat Yasinskas at ESPN. Looks like Mickey may have to keep restructuring in the future in order to continue his and Payton's obvious "WIN NOW" approach.

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Tweets

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.@<a href="https://twitter.com/ritaleblanc">ritaleblanc</a>, @<a href="https://twitter.com/pelicansnba">pelicansnba</a> staff &amp; @<a href="https://twitter.com/jasonsmith014">jasonsmith014</a> visited the LA House of Representatives today! <a href="http://t.co/DnKwY9OJy8" title="http://twitter.com/Saints/status/332224530837819396/photo/1">twitter.com/Saints/status/…</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/status/332224530837819396">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Watch some of your favorite <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Saints">#Saints</a> players in a charity basketball game tonight at Rummel! Tickets are just $5: <a href="http://t.co/yypVtOyJum" title="http://bghoops.eventbrite.com">bghoops.eventbrite.com</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/status/332221989819412481">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Thx to @<a href="https://twitter.com/bradhand">bradhand</a> for sending this yr's NOLA Jazz Fest Triathlon t-shirt. Short shorts were "in" when pic was taken. <a href="http://t.co/sQQdymmq2u" title="http://twitter.com/sfujita55/status/332220341294346240/photo/1">twitter.com/sfujita55/stat…</a></p>&mdash; Scott Fujita (@sfujita55) <a href="https://twitter.com/sfujita55/status/332220341294346240">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23RandomQuestion">#RandomQuestion</a>Is it:1) I am "Jumping rope"Or2) I am "Jump-roping"Please respond, these are the important questions in life.</p>&mdash; Jedidiah Collins (@JedCollins45) <a href="https://twitter.com/JedCollins45/status/332218196436336642">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>About time. GOOD RIDDANCE RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/jayglazer">jayglazer</a>: Just got off the phone w Ronde Barber who told me he is officially retiring.</p>&mdash; Saints Nation Blog (@SaintsNationBlg) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaintsNationBlg/status/332214204327149568">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Ronde Barber calls it a career <a href="http://t.co/7UWcpWGEtf" title="http://wp.me/p14QSB-8Li6">wp.me/p14QSB-8Li6</a></p>&mdash; ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/332211430025723904">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Don't miss the right perspective because you're too busy looking for an angle. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23BePatient">#BePatient</a></p>&mdash; Roman Harper (@Harp41) <a href="https://twitter.com/Harp41/status/332181728644964352">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Just had a <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23fatherhood">#fatherhood</a> first. Went to give Judah a kiss and he threw up on my face. I love you too son...</p>&mdash; Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenjaminSWatson/status/332229399254532096">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>RT Need to defend my home run derby title! @<a href="https://twitter.com/bengrubbs66">bengrubbs66</a>: Go <a href="http://t.co/JyzNN3mV4V" title="http://BenGrubbs66.com">BenGrubbs66.com</a> to get your tix. Charity Softball May 15 6pm Zephyr field</p>&mdash; Drew Brees (@drewbrees) <a href="https://twitter.com/drewbrees/status/332168377596534784">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.@<a href="https://twitter.com/thomasmorstead">thomasmorstead</a> with a Vine message for you about tonight’s B-Ball game! <a href="https://t.co/YIrjrqDZkk" title="https://vine.co/v/b2I999ZKwMx">vine.co/v/b2I999ZKwMx</a> Tickets: <a href="http://t.co/yypVtOyJum" title="http://bghoops.eventbrite.com">bghoops.eventbrite.com</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Saints">#Saints</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/status/332162997676044288">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>*Throws up* RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/atlanta_falcons">atlanta_falcons</a>: We'll be ready <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23RiseUp">#RiseUp</a> RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/saints">saints</a>: 4 months from today: Saints host Falcons to open 2013 regular season!</p>&mdash; Saints Nation Blog (@SaintsNationBlg) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaintsNationBlg/status/332156346159996928">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rex Ryan advised Chris Christie on weight-loss surgery <a href="http://t.co/Y6svwRDx4D" title="http://wp.me/p14QSB-8L2g">wp.me/p14QSB-8L2g</a></p>&mdash; ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/332143628149481472">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/sportslawguy">sportslawguy</a> I may know a thing or two about what he's feeling :-)</p>&mdash; Scott Fujita (@sfujita55) <a href="https://twitter.com/sfujita55/status/332143042242957312">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"@<a href="https://twitter.com/resident_d">resident_d</a>: @<a href="https://twitter.com/sfujita55">sfujita55</a> Can't take it anymore, 2 much liberalism in ur tweets. Have to Unfollow. Have a nice day." - Thanks for alerting me</p>&mdash; Scott Fujita (@sfujita55) <a href="https://twitter.com/sfujita55/status/332236564161765378">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"@<a href="https://twitter.com/mrs75">mrs75</a>: And he wonders why I don't like him to go out in public who wears basketball shorts with a… <a href="http://t.co/pNarrdcNjB" title="http://instagram.com/p/ZD8q66o1_j/">instagram.com/p/ZD8q66o1_j/</a>" lmao!! He's old</p>&mdash; Jonathan Vilma (@JonVilma51) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonVilma51/status/332235102685908992">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Some NFL team officials fear Pilot Flying J mess could drain Jimmy Haslam financially <a href="http://t.co/iLkAzeBAUg" title="http://wp.me/p14QSB-8Lle">wp.me/p14QSB-8Lle</a></p>&mdash; ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/332229901249835009">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

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Who dat talkin' 'bout dem Saints?

NFC South three-year cap check - NFC South Blog - ESPN
New Orleans Saints: They’re $3.1 million under this year’s cap after restructuring a bunch of contracts. But the downside to the restructures is that the Saints have pushed a lot of cap room into future years. They have $140.5 million (second only to Dallas at $145 million) already committed to the 2014 cap. The Saints only have 23 players under contract through 2015 and they already have $113 million in cap space committed toward that year.

Rookie minicamps conclude Sunday — and then OTAs begin | ProFootballTalk
Almost three-quarters of NFL teams will begin organized work with their rookies on Friday. The 23 teams holding rookie minicamps running Friday, May 10 through Sunday, May 12 are the Bears, Bengals, Bills, Broncos, Browns, Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs, Colts, Cowboys, Eagles, 49ers, Giants, Jets, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Raiders, Rams, Saints, Seahawks, Texans and Titans. The other nine teams had rookie minicamps last weekend.

New Orleans Saints rookie Terron Armstead has turned his raw talent into an NFL job | NOLA.com
Armstead set to show off his skills at rookie minicamp

Saints’ Jimmy Graham Not a Member of PFF’s Top 101 - Who Dat Dish - A New Orleans Saints Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) fights for the ball after a fumble in overtime against Dallas Cowboys saf

New Orleans Saints: Bounty-Gate Thugs or Post-Katrina Heroes?
The New Orleans Saints built a reputation as community leaders post-Hurricane Katrina. Bounty-Gate threatens to tarnish that.

NEW ORLEANS: Jenkins gets ready for challenge of keeping his job as Saints free safety | New Orleans Saints | The Sun Herald
Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins stood within an earshot of the Jazz and Heritage Festival's soulful entrance on Saturday afternoon, eager to experience his latest taste of Southern culture.

Saints Nation: Players That Need to Step Up Their Game in 2013
1. Mark Ingram - I believe in Ingram and his ability to be the featured RB in the Saints' backfield. As you all know, his career has not started off like a first round pick's career should and I fear if he doesn't have a breakout year in 2013 that he will be gone. Ingram has shown flashes of his talents and has also been hampered by injury and a crowded backfield. With Ivory gone, Ingram should see a considerably increased number of reps.

New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees barely makes the cut on list of NFL's top players of 2012 | NOLA.com
Saints, Brees should fare much better on NFL Network's 2013 ranking than they did on Pro Football Focus' 2012 list

The Saints' young WRs, the team's charity outing and Drew Brees' surprising ranking are featured on 'Black and Gold Today' | NOLA.com
Saints' wide receiver corps goes under the microscope on 'Black and Gold Today'

New Orleans Saints draft pick John Jenkins traces his football roots to Mississippi Gulf Coast CC | NOLA.com
"It was a journey, but at the end of the day it was a blessing, a true blessing, a road of ... It's crazy," Jenkins said. "As a child when you start playing this sport, you think that you want to be a professional athlete and then it's just a dream but when it comes true, it's like, wow, I can't believe this is happening right now. I'm just caught up in the moment.

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Other NFL News

Buccaneers fixture Ronde Barber retiring | ProFootballTalk
One of the longest-standing players in the NFL has decided to call it a career. According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, Buccaneers defensive back Ronde Barber has decided to retire. "I've had a better run than I ever could've dreamed of having," Barber told Glazer.

NFC South News: Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ronde Barber Calls It Quits - Who Dat Dish - A New Orleans Saints Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
For quite some time, the New Orleans Saints have been terroized by cornerback Ronde Barber of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the course of a career that may land him in the Hall of Fame.

49ers strike 20-year, $220 million deal with Levi’s | ProFootballTalk
We heard earlier on Wednesday that Levi's would be buying the naming rights to the new 49ers stadium under construction in Santa Clara, but we didn't know just how deep into their jeans pockets Levi's would be dipping for those rights. Now we know.

San Francisco 49ers new home will be called Levi's Stadium | NOLA.com
Levi Strauss & Co, 49ers reach agreement on 20-year, $220 million deal

Bernard Pollard wants to lead by hitting | ProFootballTalk
Part of the reason safety Bernard Pollard is in Tennessee is to provide some leadership to a defense that allowed 471 points last season. Pollard isn't one for leading with words, though.

Rob Gronkowski needs a fourth, and hopefully last, arm surgery | ProFootballTalk
When we last checked in on the twice-broken arm of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, the outlook was reasonably good, as Gronkowski hadn't had any unforeseen setbacks. But there is one outstanding question that could be a reason for concern.

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Lagniappe

NFL Quarterback Danny Wuerffel Diagnosed With Guillain-Barré Syndrome - ABC News
Former quarterback Danny Wuerffel has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that causes paralysis. Wuerffel noticed he was losing sensation in his legs and strength in his arms shortly after he battled a stomach virus June 4. It's thought that his immune system started to attack the nerves that control movement and sensation, mistaking them for the virus.

Chris Kluwe Pens Impassioned Editorial On Challenges Facing Cut NFL Punters | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
MINNEAPOLIS—Following his release from the Minnesota Vikings earlier this week, punter Chris Kluwe reportedly responded Tuesday by composing a fiery editorial in which he laid out the numerous challenges facing cut NFL punters.