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Saints News, 4/24/14: Five Games That Will Shape The Saints' Season?

Mike Triplett of ESPN.com has singled out five games on the Saints' schedule that he believes will be the most critical: Week 1 @ Atlanta, Week 7 @Detroit, Week 8 vs. Green Bay, Week 10 vs. San Francisco, and Week 14 vs. Carolina. Do you agree that these will be the most critical match-ups? Starting the season at Atlanta will be a tough test and may loom large for how the division race plays out. See below for much more Saints schedule analysis from various sites.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tweets

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dance off with <a href="https://twitter.com/camjordan94">@CamJordan94</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a> <a href="https://t.co/qlqyEY4ats">https://t.co/qlqyEY4ats</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/statuses/459422937888878592">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Drew Brees likes Colin Cowherd&#39;s comparison of Jimmy Graham and LeBron James among other topics discussed on The Herd <a href="http://t.co/i3KVNKWUqC">http://t.co/i3KVNKWUqC</a></p>&mdash; Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeTriplett/statuses/459410382826651648">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Teams expect Texans to trade down, maybe to Falcons at 6. <a href="https://twitter.com/SeniorBowlPhil">@SeniorBowlPhil</a> says rookie pay scale makes taking Clowney, then trading tough.</p>&mdash; Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Edwerderespn/statuses/459407390342152192">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>What&#39;s going on in Austin. Every hotel is booked</p>&mdash; Kenny Dwayne Vaccaro (@KennyVaccaro4) <a href="https://twitter.com/KennyVaccaro4/statuses/459408456168927232">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>He&#39;s a good kid just misguided!RT <a href="https://twitter.com/LeChatNoir25">@LeChatNoir25</a> At one of my client&#39;s schools. Curtis schoolin a punished ki… <a href="http://t.co/ZoCaPg01zv">http://t.co/ZoCaPg01zv</a></p>&mdash; Curtis Lofton (@CurtisLofton50) <a href="https://twitter.com/CurtisLofton50/statuses/459402706805727233">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Are you buying the idea that QBs could be in for a freefall in the draft? Not me: <a href="http://t.co/vvBUr6UbLO">http://t.co/vvBUr6UbLO</a></p>&mdash; Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/statuses/459399476869070848">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>If your going through tough times just remember one thing, God loves you and he would never put you… <a href="http://t.co/DYEwwVJpoX">http://t.co/DYEwwVJpoX</a></p>&mdash; Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReggieBush/statuses/459387636508278784">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>A very entertaining chat with <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a> fan <a href="https://twitter.com/AnthonyMackie">@AnthonyMackie</a> &amp; a schedule review on today&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/blackbluereport">@BlackBlueReport</a> podcast <a href="http://t.co/3m98I6w43l">http://t.co/3m98I6w43l</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/statuses/459385029664440320">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"<a href="https://twitter.com/GolfLb3">@GolfLb3</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkIngram22">@MarkIngram22</a> again thanks for letting me get your score and the autographs were great too <a href="http://t.co/zGPajwQNAH">pic.twitter.com/zGPajwQNAH</a>" no prob man!</p>&mdash; Mark Ingram (@MarkIngram22) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkIngram22/statuses/459373895322062848">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sean Payton as Scarface <a href="https://twitter.com/SaintsGab">@SaintsGab</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SaintsCSC">@SaintsCSC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cover32_NO">@cover32_NO</a> <a href="http://t.co/cZMRAExdsQ">pic.twitter.com/cZMRAExdsQ</a></p>&mdash; Robert Fouquet (@RobertFouquet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertFouquet/statuses/459187404243734528">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Them&#39;s some Touchback Thighs right there! RT <a href="https://twitter.com/thomasmorstead">@thomasmorstead</a>: Maxwell has officially joined <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamGleason">@TeamGleason</a> &#10;<a href="http://t.co/M23q2sKpfo">pic.twitter.com/M23q2sKpfo</a></p>&mdash; Grandmaester Warg (@moosedenied) <a href="https://twitter.com/moosedenied/statuses/459369141661888512">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Get ur tickets to see <a href="https://twitter.com/drewbrees">@drewbrees</a> @jairusbyrd@KGLewis28 <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachStrief">@ZachStrief</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jdrescher88">@jdrescher88</a> all be a part in my charity event. <a href="http://t.co/mrlO7GsMvw">pic.twitter.com/mrlO7GsMvw</a></p>&mdash; Ben Grubbs (@BenGrubbs66) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGrubbs66/statuses/459364253443432448">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Saints News

Five games that will shape Saints' season - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN
There's not a single game on the New Orleans Saints' 2014 schedule that they CAN'T win. And I'm not just saying that in an "any given Sunday"...

New Orleans Saints schedule analysis - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN
Breakdown: In general, the New Orleans Saints' schedule is fairly manageable. Their strength of schedule is tied for 23rd in the NFL, and they...

New Orleans Saints unsure about Mark Ingram's 2015 option, Sean Payton says - ESPN
The New Orleans Saints have not decided whether to exercise a 2015 team option on running back Mark Ingram's contract, coach Sean Payton said Wednesday.

Lelito is snapping for the chance to start at center | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA
During an offseason in which his team’s three-year starter at center left town, second-year Saints offensive lineman Tim Lelito invested ti…

Which stretch of games on the New Orleans Saints 2014 schedule appears most challenging? | NOLA.com
The Saints announced their 2014 regular season schedule Wednesday

The 2014 Saints Schedule: A Closer Look
Now that we can pull back a small part of our excitement from the 2014 NFL schedule release, it's time to look at the Saints schedule a little closer.

If Saints avoid slow start, user-friendly schedule sets up well | Thursday's Dunc Shot | NOLA.com
First six games are against non-playoffs teams from 2013

NFL1000 Punter Rankings: Thomas Morstead Out of the Top-20 - Who Dat Dish - A New Orleans Saints Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
NFL1000 Punter Rankings: Thomas Morstead Out of the Top-20

Saints start season on the road, have 2 Monday games | New Orleans Saints | The Sun Herald
NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints have as many as five night games on their 2014 regular season schedule, which begins with road games in Atlanta and Cleveland.

Lewis: Saints slate comes up balanced | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA
Roger Goodell still hates the Saints. Why else would they be playing play back-to-back games against a pair of tough, unfamiliar foes (Balt…

Saints’ success puts games in primetime | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA
After qualifying to the postseason three times and appearing in the divisional round twice since winning Super Bowl XLIV a little more than…

Saints 2014 Schedule Breakdown | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA
Week 1: at Atlanta WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 7 TIME: Noon. TV: Fox NEED TO KNOW: After losing both games to the Falcons from 1995 to 1999, the S…

Texas A&M’s Nate Askew offers self up to Saints fans as name to watch late in draft, undrafted free agency | Black and Gold
Askew on Wednesday told the radio station ESPN 980 in Washington D.C. that the Saints were among several teams he had visited ahead of the May 8-10 draft. However, he also said he had spoken with Washington, Denver and New England; worked out for Philadelphia, Atlanta and Dallas; and visited Carolina, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville.

Drew Brees, Colin Cowherd compare Jimmy Graham to LeBron James - ESPN
Brees laughed when Cowherd asked him the popular offseason question about whether Jimmy Graham is a tight end or wide receiver. "I hate this question," Brees said.

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NFL News

NFL wary of putting Seahawks home games in prime-time due to recent blowouts | ProFootballTalk
The Seattle Seahawks will host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Sept. 4 for the kickoff of the 2014 NFL season. However, it's the only time this year the defending Super Bowl champions will be at home for a nationally televised prime-time game.

Week 16 features Saturday doubleheader | ProFootballTalk
Officially, Week 16 launches with a Thursday night game in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars will host the Titans.  But the real action gets rolling on Saturday, when the league brings back the concept of the late-season Saturday doubleheader.

Sean Weatherspoon still recovering from late-season knee injury | ProFootballTalk
The Falcons' dismal 2013 season was marked by injuries to several of their key players, including linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. Weatherspoon missed seven games with a foot injury that put him on injured reserve for half the season and then he missed the final two weeks of the season after hurting...

We roll on with the draft previews with a look at the Bucs | ProFootballTalk
There are overhauls, and then there's what the Buccaneers did to the roster this offseason. The Bucs hired a new General Manager (Jason Licht) and a new coach (Lovie Smith), dumped their most expensive player (Darrelle Revis) and a talented-but-troubled wide receiver (Mike Williams).

Bernie Kosar: Concussions cost me a broadcasting job | ProFootballTalk
Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar says concussions suffered during his NFL career have caused him to develop a speech problem, which in turn led to his dismissal as the color commentator for Browns preseason games.

Draft delay not good for the NFL | ProFootballTalk
Whatever the motivation — the given excuse was a scheduling conflict at Radio City Music Hall for an event that eventually was canceled due to lack of interest — the NFL’s decision to bump back the draft by two weeks has been as much of a dud as the NFL-sanctioned film Draft Day.  A palpable fatigue has emerged regarding the draft.  We sense it, and we (or at least I) currently have it.

Goodell: Playoff expansion to be discussed at next owners meeting | ProFootballTalk
An expanded NFL playoff field is probably inevitable, even if it's not imminent. But don't tell that to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell told Bob Glauber of Newsday that owners would discuss the proposal at their May 20 meeting in Atlanta, with a vote possible.

Report: Bucs would seriously consider Manziel at No. 7 | ProFootballTalk
Since the draft should be today but won't be today because the NFL moved it to two weeks from today, we'll spend today and the next 13 tomorrows wondering what will happen when draft day finally is today. The guy about which everyone wonders the most is quarterback Johnny Manziel.

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Video

Mark Ingram's Future With Saints - ESPN Video - ESPN
ESPN Video: Mark Schlereth breaks down the Saints' uncertainty about Mark Ingram's 2015 option.