What you missed this week with the New Orleans Saints

It’s Week 15 across the NFL, which means the New Orleans Saints have just three games remaining on their 2017 schedule. On tap is the visiting New York Jets, who enter with Bryce Petty as their quarterback and won’t have Muhammad Wilkerson. People are projecting the Saints to be as many as a three-touchdown favorite. I guess we’ll see. Here’s what you may or may not have missed this week.

Quick Hits

• If you didn’t hear because you live under a rock, Alvin Kamara is playing against the Jets. However, A.J. Klein (groin) and Trey Hendrickson (ankle) won’t be. New Orleans enters as the No. 4 seed in the NFC. It’s black and gold for the uniforms, in case you’re interested.
• The Saints made a waiver claim for Jonathan Freeny, formerly of the Patriots. Sterling Moore was released to make room. They also signed veteran pass rusher George Johnson to help in Hendrickson’s absence. Perhaps Al-Quadin Muhammad might be active on Sunday.
• Morten Andersen and Michael Lewis will be at the Saints Hall of Fame on Sunday. So if you’re going to the game, you can get some autographs from them there. They’ll undoubtedly be featured as the Saints Legends of the Game.
• Mark Ingram needs just 29 yards to eclipse his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season. He could become the first Saints player to hit that feat since Deuce McAllister (2002-2004).
• The salary cap is expected to rise, like it has been, so that’s great news for the Saints.
• The ridiculously and hilariously way too early mock drafts feature defense for the Saints in the first round.
• Somehow, Vonn Bell was the only one that got fined from that dreadful Falcons game. Bell’s flag for a facemask drew a $9,115 fine. Speaking of fines, Sean Payton got slapped with a $10,000 fine for ‘improperly entering the playing field’. I smell something.

Willie Snead thinks this could be the week he gets the opportunity to have a bigger role | theadvocate.com
But Snead thinks this week will be his opportunity to get involved and make some plays — and it could be a big one if Ted Ginn Jr. is limited at all with a rib injury.

“That’s the most exciting part,” Snead said. “I know the opportunity is coming. Whether Ted plays or not, I’ll have a lot more reps than I’ve had in the past. I am excited about that.”

I have a feeling that Payton hasn’t opened up the entire playbook for the Saints offense. There’s some interesting theories out there on why Willie Snead isn’t doing much, but this is a week where he can really remind people who he is and can be. Snead won’t cash in on a big payday like he hoped for, but he can still be a solid restricted free agent you tender without hesitation.

Saints season-ticket holder sues for refund over player protests: 'One way or another they'll pay' | theadvocate.com
Lee Dragna filed a lawsuit Monday in 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna seeking a refund for the tickets as well as attorney’s fees, claiming the protest by some players against police brutality and racial injustice has prevented him and his family from enjoying the games.

Dragna said he hasn’t attended a game since the first home game of the 2017 season against the New England Patriots, on Sept. 17, when he said some of the players did not come out for the singing of the national anthem.

Sean Payton Could Be The Next Coach Of The Giants | Steve Gorman SPORTS | FOX Sports Radio
Steve and Jeffery discuss how Saints head coach Sean Payton could be in line to take over as coach of the New York Giants. Jeffery says that Payton wants out of New Orleans and that he would fit in New York as a younger Tom Coughlin.

I strongly hesitated giving this kind of stupid garbage attention, but it was just hilarious. Gorman cites sources that Payton wants out of New Orleans. I had to check the date, and it’s really 2017.

Reggie Bush on his NFL career: 'I'm done. For sure' - NFL.com
While the tailback, who's set to turn 33 in March, said he'd listen to playoff contenders if they wanted him to carry the ball for them this postseason, he admitted that's a long shot. His career is over.

"Listen, the Saints know I'm coming home at some point," Bush said. "I'm going to come home to retire as a Saint. But yeah, man, I'm done. For sure. I'm done."

I’m sure everyone could conjure up some of their favorite (or least favorite) Reggie Bush memories from his time in the black and gold. You have to be appreciative of the dynamic he brought to the Saints offense, and he absolutely helped bring a Super Bowl to New Orleans. It’s a crazy business seeing NFL backs not be nearly as durable as what they once were. Just travel back to the 1990s, and you’ll understand what I mean.