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Saints News, 10/8/15: Struggling Saints Gaining Hope from Return of Key Veterans

From USA Today: "Getting Keenan Lewis and Byrd back last week has really bolstered them in the secondary," Chip Kelly said. "Obviously, Jairus is an unbelievable ball hawk." "Byrd, we thought played well," Payton said. "Keenan had balls thrown away from him. I think Ellerbe playing in the weak side linebacker position did a really good job, oftentimes in coverage. ... All three of those guys handled their first week back, and that transitioning continues."

By David "Satch" Kelly

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Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

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Saints News

Struggling Saints gaining hope from return of key veterans
Brees asks off injury report, says Saints prospects improving as key veterans return to health

2 New Orleans Saints earned veteran rest day, Sean Payton says | NOLA.com
Saints receiver Marques Colston and defensive tackle Kevin Williams sat out Wednesday's practice, but they weren't hurt.

New Orleans Saints still have healthy dose of respect for Malcolm Jenkins, Darren Sproles | NOLA.com
Sproles and Jenkins parted ways with the Saints in 2014

Zach Hocker remains New Orleans Saints' kicker after 3 visit for tryouts | NOLA.com
Saints kicker Zach Hocker was in the locker room Wednesday afternoon after practice and is reportedly safe for at least another week.

Brandon Fields ready to help, even if job with New Orleans Saints is brief | NOLA.com
"I'm going to be here as long as they want me and try to help the team win," Fields said.

WHY the Saints Traded Akiem Hicks and It's No Big Surprise
The Saints trade of DE Akiem Hicks to the Patriots for TE Michael Hoomanawanui came as a surprise to many Saints fans, but it's really no surprise why

Saints' top draft pick, Andrus Peat, preparing to start if needed - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN
If left tackle Terron Armstead can't play Sunday, the Saints will have to toss top draft pick Andrus Peat into the pool and see if he can swim.

Drew Brees off injury report | ProFootballTalk
Saints quarterback Drew Brees returned to the lineup last Sunday and threw the game-winning touchdown pass to C.J. Spiller to beat the Cowboys in overtime. Those were pretty good indications that the right shoulder injury that kept him from playing in Week Three wasn't a major problem any longer.

C.J. Spiller, "I'm looking forward to it"
New Orleans Saints Running Back C.J. Spiller met with media Wednesday, Oct. 7 and talked about the Saints looks to carry momentum from their win over the Cowboys into their match-up with the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. Video by Brendan Hassett

Hoomanawanui, "I love it, the people are great"
New Orleans Saints Tight End Michale Hoomanawanui met with media Wednesday, Oct. 7 and talked about how things have been going with the New Orleans Saints after being traded from the New England Patriots last week. Video by Brendan Hassett

Tyeler Davison, "Us younger guys are used to it"
New Orleans Saints Defensive Tackle Tyeler Davison met with media Wednesday, Oct. 7 and talked about how the defense will need to be prepared for the Philadelphia Eagles up-tempo offense this weekend. Video by Brendan Hasset

Kenny Vaccaro, "We have to be prepared"
New Orleans Saints Safety Kenny Vaccaro met with media Wednesday, Oct. 7 and talked about how the defense needs to prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles up-tempo offense this weekend. Video by Brendan Hassett

Drew Brees' Wednesday Press Conference: Oct. 7
Drew Brees speaks to the media leading up to the Eagles game on Sunday

New Saints TE Michael Hoomanawanui is working to get up to speed, hopes to play this week - Black and Gold

Terron Armstead misses practice due to knee injury, Jahri Evans returns - Black and Gold

Thomas Morstead's injury will allow him to be back 'much sooner than later' - Black and Gold

Forecast: Three Saints future Hall of Famers aging out together
New Orleans' source for complete news coverage of the Saints football team with schedules, scores and stats. WWLTV.com

After 0-3 start, Saints left with little room for error
New Orleans' source for complete news coverage of the Saints football team with schedules, scores and stats. WWLTV.com

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Eagles News

Jason Peters could miss Saints game
Jason Peters did not participate in the Eagles' practice Wednesday because of a lingering quadriceps injury, and the team is preparing for the possibility that Peters cannot play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Eagles' o-line injury shuffle
Jason Peters might be held out, which could put Matt Tobin back at left tackle.

Chip Kelly points to risk at QB that paid off: Drew Brees
Before the Eagles acquired Sam Bradford, Chip Kelly studied a decision that Sean Payton made in 2006. He learned about the conditions that led to Drew Brees' departure from San Diego. Kelly examined how the Saints landed Brees, and why Nick Saban - then the coach of the Miami Dolphins - passed on Brees.

Look for Bradford to go deep again vs. Saints
Sam Bradford's visits to the podium at the NovaCare Complex were cut in half after the first week of the season. Rather than answer questions on two days each week, the Eagles quarterback opted for just one day - as is his right - but for a longer period.

Eagles cornerbacks face daunting task against Drew Brees - The Morning Call
Philadelphia Eagles cornerbacks will be tested every which way by Saints QB Drew Brees

Film Study: Drew Brees Still Has It
NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell shares his observations of the upcoming opponent through the tape study of the team's previous game. Here are Cosell's notes from New Orleans' overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys. Fran Duffy's Eagle Eye in the Sky will feature the All-22 of the Saints' offense on Thursday.

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NFL News

Goodell explains why NFL has no issues with daily fantasy | ProFootballTalk
The NFL consistently fights any effort to expand gambling on its games. The NFL has no qualms whatsoever about gambling on its players. The easy explanation is that it's not gambling, because Congress decided in 2006 that it's not gambling.

PFT’s Week Five picks | ProFootballTalk
Florio’s take: Two years ago, the Saints ended Philly’s season with the first road playoff win in franchise history. This time, the Saints could end Philly’s season as a practical matter. I can’t imagine that happening; if just a handful of plays had gone the other way in Washington, the Eagles would have won easily.

Antonio Gates: Shannon Sharpe wants to tarnish what I’ve done | ProFootballTalk
When Chargers tight end Antonio Gates was suspended for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, his harshest critic was Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe. Gates thinks Sharpe's criticism was an attempt by Sharpe to protect his own status among the league's all-time great tight ends.

Goodell says NFL will continue to improve replay review | ProFootballTalk
The NFL's replay review system has evolved like this: (1) the league identified a finite list of reviewable plays; and (2) the league has added specific reviewable plays to the list in the aftermath of embarrassing outcomes where bad calls that could have been fixed easily through replay review were...

Anonymous AFC owner: DeflateGate "mountain out of a mole hill" | ProFootballTalk
As expected, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell didn't really expound on the league's appeal of the overturned DeflateGate suspension of Tom Brady. But it sounds like his bosses are as tired of the story as many others.

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