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Since Coach P testified at Graham's Grievance Hearing, How much if any bad blood will there be this upcoming season between Jimmy & the Saints? Also bcuz of this regardless of how this turns out do u see Jimmy in a Saints' Jersey after this season? - Fareed S.
I don't foresee any bad blood or problems here. Someone from the Saints was obviously going to testify on the team's behalf so it certainly shouldn't be a surprise that both Payton and Loomis were there to argue that Jimmy Graham is a tight end. Just as Loomis and the Saints front office shouldn't be upset with Graham for filing a grievance and trying to get more money, neither should Graham be troubled by the Saints trying to stop him. It's just business. All parties involved are big boys. As I've said from the beginning, I expect Graham to receive a long-term contract from the Saints before the start of the season, so I fully expect Graham to be in a Saints jersey in 2015.
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Will we see more "old school" defenses this year, besides just the Seahags? - Dan K.
I'm not sure whether your "old school" label is appropriate or not but If you are calling the Seahawks "old school" then I would say you can definitely expect to see more NFL teams attempt to go that route. This is a copy cat league and when teams achieve success with a certain style or system, other teams inevitably attempt to duplicate it. Heck, I think the Saints are trying to become more like the Seahawks on defense.
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Have you heard if the Saints will hold any practices/make any appearances @ the new old school Yulman Stadium with Coach C? - Hans D.
They most certainly will not. At least not in the foreseeable future. Part of the arrangement with the surrounding neighborhood was that the new stadium would only be used for Tulane football games, to quell fears that parking and traffic would become a nuisance on a regular basis. But that could always change at some point down the road.
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What's your new favorite restaurant to take the family to? What kind of food do they serve? What's your favorite dish there? - Hans D.
You know I'm a sucker for food questions. I don't know about taking the family because it's a fine dining establishment (yet reasonably priced, considering) but my wife and I just celebrated our five year anniversary by having dinner at a very new restaurant in our neighborhood called Carrollton Market. It was great! Head chef Jason Goodenough spent a year as Sous Chef at Emeril's before starting this most recent adventure so he definitely knows what he's doing. I haven't had the chance to try the entire menu, which changes often based on what's in season and ingredients available at the time in local farmer's markets, but the Oysters Goodenough appetizer and "Chicken 'n Dumplins" entree were absolutely spectacular. I see much success for this place in the future. If you go, try to sit at the counter that overlooks the kitchen. It's like watching an episode of Top Chef live and in person.