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Tweets
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Not a good trend for players...In 2011, 10 of 14 players tagged got deals (71.4%); In 2012, it was 12 of 21 (57.1%); In 2013, 1 of 8 (12.5%)</p>— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/statuses/356870924240306178">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The 4 p.m. deadline has come and gone, and it looks like Ryan Clady is the only one of eight tagged players to get a long-term deal.</p>— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/statuses/356868193735819267">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Strong statement by Denver w/ indefinite suspension.NFL suspended a Ravens Coach in '11 for 2 gms for DUI.Was his 3d alcohol-related offense</p>— Gabe Feldman (@SportsLawGuy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsLawGuy/statuses/356854429913325568">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"<a href="https://twitter.com/Saints">@Saints</a>: Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/thomasmorstead">@ThomasMorstead</a> and Courtney Roby who each got married last Saturday! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&src=hash">#Saints</a>" Don't forget Ben Grubbs</p>— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) <a href="https://twitter.com/thomasmorstead/statuses/356850514572480512">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>MLB's Home Run Derby is tonight. From the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&src=hash">#Saints</a> Charity HR Derby last May, Brees: <a href="https://t.co/rz9q2BNiHz">https://t.co/rz9q2BNiHz</a> McCown: <a href="https://t.co/BPbmF1YsRe">https://t.co/BPbmF1YsRe</a></p>— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/statuses/356847272874614784">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>NFL has informed the Broncos it has no plans for further punishment for Heckert and Russell transgressions.</p>— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/statuses/356846392020451328">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>And how cool is this groom's cake?! -> RT <a href="https://twitter.com/thomasmorstead">@thomasmorstead</a> Groom's cake <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WhoDat&src=hash">#WhoDat</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&src=hash">#Saints</a> <a href="http://t.co/umegvW0OCg">pic.twitter.com/umegvW0OCg</a></p>— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/statuses/356834182250496000">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>You know dont nothing compare to this heat down here <a href="https://twitter.com/iamisa1">@iamisa1</a> Finally hot up north. New Orleans heat for the last week I'm here. I love it!!</p>— Curtis Lofton (@CurtisLofton50) <a href="https://twitter.com/CurtisLofton50/statuses/356806257304289280">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/CurtisLofton50">@CurtisLofton50</a> lol I already know.</p>— Isa Abdul-Quddus (@iamisa1) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamisa1/statuses/356806871635595264">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>A new week means new opportunity <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TakeAdvantage&src=hash">#TakeAdvantage</a></p>— Roman Harper (@Harp41) <a href="https://twitter.com/Harp41/statuses/356792536116895745">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Nothing to see here... Just swimming with dolphins! amazing experience! @ Blue Lagoon <a href="http://t.co/i7dziha727">http://t.co/i7dziha727</a></p>— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalcolmJenkins/statuses/356784236117757953">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Things there are NEVER 2 identical: 1) Finger prints 2) Snowflakes 3) Todays <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Enjoy2day&src=hash">#Enjoy2day</a></p>— Jedidiah Collins (@JedCollins45) <a href="https://twitter.com/JedCollins45/statuses/356778231115939842">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>10 days from today, all <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&src=hash">#Saints</a> players report for 2013 Training Camp presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/Verizon">@Verizon</a>! Schedule: <a href="http://t.co/8DEZdH0cu0">http://t.co/8DEZdH0cu0</a></p>— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/statuses/356776061557673986">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Franchise-tag period ends quietly
NFL franchise-tag negotiating period ends without a bang - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN
This NFL franchise-tag negotiating period was one of the quietest ever. NFL franchise-tag negotiating period ends without a bang
Contract deadline looms for franchise-tagged players - NFL.com
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Branden Albert is among the seven franchise-tagged players who remain without long-term contracts. The teams and players have until 4 p.m. ET to strike a deal.
No Franchise Tag for the Saints in the 2013 Off-Season - Canal Street Chronicles
With only a few hours remaining before the deadline and no real players worthy of the designation, it appears the Saints will forego their use of the franchise tag in 2013.
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Saints Stuff
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2012 Run Defense by Number of Backs
Trailing them was another poor tackling team, the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are no stranger to either list. After having the sixth-highest broken tackle rate last year, the Saints moved up to fourth in 2012, thanks to Malcolm Jenkins and Curtis Lofton combining for 22 broken tackles. The largest factor in the Saints' 31st-ranked run defense DVOA against single-back sets, however, is their defensive line, which also finished 31st in our Adjusted Line Yards metric. It's no surprise that Steve Spagnuolo didn't get a second season to sort out the mess. Rob Ryan will be counted on to recreate the results he had in Dallas, where the Cowboys ranked 12th and 10th in run defense DVOA against single backs the last two years.
10 Impressive Wins in the Payton Era: Saints have glorious Dome return in '06 | wwltv.com New Orleans
It would have been easy for the Saints to have emotionally been drained even prior to this game. The opening two games were on the road. There was no true home during the preseason as the Superdome was being repaired and training camp was in Jackson.
Saints Questions: Which is the critical game on the schedule? | wwltv.com New Orleans
There’s no question when looking at the Saints’ 2013 schedule that there’s an "Amen Corner" stretch that jumps out at you.
25 Reasons to Get Excited about 2013 Saints Training Camp Presented by Verizon: No. 12 Jabari Greer
NewOrleansSaints.com will showcase one reason a day to get excited about the start of the 2013 New Orleans Saints Training Camp presented by Verizon. Reason No. 12 – Jabari Greer
Saints Nation: Training Camp Position Battle Preview - Tackles
25 Reasons to Get Excited about 2013 Saints Training Camp Presented by Verizon: No. 11 Nick Toon
NewOrleansSaints.com will showcase one reason a day to get excited about the start of the 2013 New Orleans Saints Training Camp presented by Verizon. Reason No. 11 – Nick Toon
New Orleans Saints question of the day: Where is Darren Sproles most valuable? | NOLA.com
Is Sproles a better runner, receiver or return man?
Most compelling games on the New Orleans Saints' schedule: No. 5, at Chicago Bears | NOLA.com
Saints haven't had much luck at Soldier Field
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Other NFL News
Maurkice Pouncey apologizes for "Free Hernandez" hat | ProFootballTalk
The public apology suddenly has become the latest trend for NFL players.A day after Falcons receiver Roddy White and Giants receiver Victor Cruz apologized for their tweet-first-think-later comments about the Zimmerman verdict, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey has apologized for his Hernandez-relate...
Aaron Hernandez’s Last 2 Fans
While New England Patriots fans are among the most loyal in the bunch, we’ve learned they too have boundaries…and shooting someone in the head is one of them.
Broncos suspend Russell indefinitely, Heckert one month | ProFootballTalk
The Denver Broncos have suspended both of the team executives who have been arrested for drunk driving this offseason. Broncos player personnel director Matt Russell has been suspended indefinitely without pay and pro personnel director Tom Heckert has been suspended for one month without pay, ac...
NFC South Top 25: No. 5 - NFC South Blog - ESPN
Darrelle Revis, cornerback, Buccaneers
Pro Football Hall of Fame removes photo of Aaron Hernandez - ESPN Boston
The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, has removed a photo of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez after receiving complaints about it, an official from the museum told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.
Highlights from the Manning Passing Academy Air-It-Out session - Video | NOLA.com
Watch highlights from the Air-It-Out event at the Manning Passing Academy, featuring Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Chase Clement, Jacob Tamme, Odell Beckham & more.
NFL arrest problem more about perceptions than statistics | ProFootballTalk
In his first column back from vacation (which included no arrests -- that we know of), Peter King of SI.com points out the statistical realities of arrests in pro football. The 1.9-percent arrest rate among pro football players comes in far lower than the 2010 arrest rate for all Americans, at 4.
Johnny Manziel incident at Manning Passing Academy putting his NFL reputation at risk - NFL - Peter King - SI.com
Good morning. Happy to be back after my annual summer break. The beginning of the training camp trip is five days away, in Oxnard, Calif., with the Cowboys. Always my favorite time of the year. Everybody's got hope, much of it legitimate, and the stories are new and fresh. Then there's the new project, The MMQB, I'm heading up. That's the new NFL-centric website that'll go live starting next Monday morning.
Lack of Pioli leaves Belichick unchallenged | ProFootballTalk
For years, the Patriots have been willing to buy low, to take chances on players with some degree of questions marks, for the chance of getting value.
Broncos could be fined for Heckert, Russell suspensions | ProFootballTalk
On Monday, the Broncos are expected to decide the fate of director of player personnel Matt Russell and pro personnel director Tom Heckert, both of whom were arrested in separate drunk-driving incidents over the past few weeks. Once a decision is made, executive V.P.
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ESPN making some unpopular changes to its comments section
No more ESPN article comments unless you have a Facebook account
SATCH NOTE: You must have a Facebook account to add a comment on certain sections of ESPN.com starting July 17th and any comments one makes on an ESPN article will be visible to that person's Facebook friends by default. Also, other ESPN commentors will be able to view your Facebook public personal information.