Fleur-de-Links, November 16: Saints prep for Eagles, NFL devotes resources to neuroscience

Saints News:

Brandon Marshall -- Healthy, excited for New Orleans Saints opportunity
Six-time Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall said Wednesday he's grateful for the opportunity to join the Saints after being cut twice this year. "I've spent most of my career as the guy on top, All-Pro, Pro Bowl guy ... and I'm at the bottom right now," he said.

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara on Philadelphia Eagles trash talk
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara turned heads this summer with some choice words on the 2017 playoffs and Philadelphia Eagles.

First-year Saints players in awe of a New Orleans phenomenon: the airport welcome parties | nola.com
Airport welcome parties are introduction to Saints fandom for many of the team's newcomers

Eli Apple still hounding teammates as he continues adjusting to Saints | nola.com
Apple caught his first interception since 2016 on Sunday against the Bengals.

Alvin Kamara's knack for scoring puts him in elite company for New Orleans Saints
'Whatever I've got to do. Whatever it takes'

The Saints will wear white uniforms because Sean Payton lost a bet
It'll be Color Rush for the Saints.

Surging Saints brace for desperate Eagles | FOX Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles are trying to snap out of their Super Bowl hangover and re-establish a measure of credibility to their title defense

Saints Film Room: How the Eli Apple trade has the Saints defense back on the right track – The Athletic
The change of scenery from the Big Apple to the Big Easy is working out well for the former first-round pick.

Saints film room: Defense back to aggressive schemes, blitzes in blowout of Bengals | Saints | theadvocate.com
If you ask people who have worked alongside or played for Dennis Allen about the defining characteristics of his defense, they would respond by saying that he is aggressive, that

NFL News:

Week 11 NFL score predictions - Guide to best games, fantasy outlook, more - 2018
Winners and projections for every matchup, plus fantasy nuggets to get you through the weekend. Catch up on Week 11 here.

Report cards for new NFL coaches - Chicago Bears Matt Nagy heads 2018 class
What grades do the new head coaches deserve, and what do they need to do down the stretch? We have reports on all seven 2018 hires.

The NFL’s 10 greatest long-term dynasties - SBNation.com
New England’s current run of dominance is nearly unprecedented in NFL history. Nearly.

Packers' latest loss to Seahawks might usher in end of an era - NFL.com
The Packers seemed on the verge of an early blowout before succumbing to a Seahawks rally. Michael Silver writes how the defeat left the Green Bay locker room frustrated and in fear of missing the playoffs.

NFL awards $35 million in neuroscience research grants - NFL.com
The NFL announced Thursday it has awarded more than $35 million in grants to fund brain health and injury research. The grants are part of the $40 million commitment the NFL made in 2016.

Life in N.F.L. Purgatory - The New York Times
Where do N.F.L. players go when they are cut? Plenty end up at a gym in Phoenix where they can stay in shape and trade war stories.

The NFL's rule tweaks are saving the kickoff from extinction - NFL Nation- ESPN
The NFL reinvented the kickoff this season in an attempt to save it. It's working, but not necessarily how the league expected.

Hot seat check - 6 NFL coaches whose jobs are on the line 2018
Mike McCarthy and John Harbaugh have Super Bowl-winning résumés but they could be coaching for their jobs down the stretch.

Pelicans News:

Why Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans are more confident than ever - NBA
After a rash of injuries and a six-game losing streak, there has never been more optimism about this team's potential.

Kushner: Pelicans' ball-security woes? Answers can be found on bench with Elfrid Payton | Pelicans | theadvocate.com
After 14 games, Alvin Gentry knows the bellwether of his team’s success rests in two places on the postgame box score.

New Orleans Pelicans shouls pass on the chance to sign Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony and the Houston Rockets are parting ways. the New Orleans Pelicans should pass on the opportunity to sign him once he becomes available

Game Preview: New Orleans Pelicans welcome Mitchell Robinson and New York Knicks - The Bird Writes
Which Pels’ team shows up tonight?

New Orleans Pelicans should explore possible trade deal for either Spencer Dinwiddie or Tomas Satoransky - The Bird Writes
As the team begins to return to health, there remains some fragility in their rotation. Wings will always cause New Orleanians to salivate, but another playmaking point guard is the key to balancing out the roster.

LSU/CFB News:

Rabalais: What’s Rice worth? A recipe for LSU to find value in another SEC rent-a-win | LSU | theadvocate.com
In soccer they call them “friendlies” — games between countries that have no impact on the standings.

LSU Tigers, Les Miles reach $1.5 million buyout agreement
Les Miles left $5M on the table with LSU, instead reaching a $1.5M buyout agreement. In addition, sources told ESPN that Miles has met with Kansas about their opening for 2019.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron in hypothetical brawl? ‘Normal people don’t want to fight crazy’ | LSU | theadvocate.com
If every coach in college football got into an all-out brawl, how good are LSU coach Ed Orgeron’s chances to come out on top?

For LSU seniors Nick Brossette, Cole Tracy and others, this is the grand (home) finale | LSU | theadvocate.com
Cole Tracy and Nick Brossette both had different high school experiences, and they both started their collegiate careers in different places, but they will both end in Tiger Stadium on

John Emery, top running back of 2019 class, commits to LSU Tigers
John Emery, the No. 14-ranked prospect in the class of 2019 and top-ranked running back, committed to in-state LSU on Tuesday night.

How senior Mississippi State defensive linemen leave distinct legacies
Mississippi State's entire starting defensive line might be starting its final game at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday.

For Fitzgerald, Mississippi State's Military Appreciation Game has memorable meaning
Senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald trots onto the field at Davis Wade Stadium for the last time Saturday. It will be special for many reasons.

College football week 12 picks, odds: What are our experts' best bets? | SI.com
What are Andy Staples and Ross Dellenger's top SEC bets on the board in Week 12? Which ACC underdog does Joan Niesen think has a strong chance of covering? All of our best bets for this weekend are here.

CFB Playoff Takeaways: The scenario that'd cause the most chaos
The third College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings of 2018 were released Tuesday, and we’ve got … chalk: No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Clemson, No. 3 Notre