Fleur-de-Links, June 14: summer starts early for Saints with minicamp cancellation

Word on the Street

How will the Saints replace Mark Ingram? A healthy Terron Armstead could be a large piece of the puzzle | theadvocate.com
The New Orleans Saints have a problem to solve.

Saints cancel final minicamp practice, begin summer break early | theadvocate.com
The New Orleans Saints get to start their summer early.

A 'Who that?' of WRs: Saints minicamp Day 2 observations | NOLA.com
Fans searching for household names at wide receiver during Day 2 of New Orleans Saints minicamp needed to look to the sideline or scour Twitter.

How will the Saints replace Mark Ingram? A healthy Terron Armstead could be a large piece of the puzzle | theadvocate.com
The New Orleans Saints have a problem to solve.

How Kurt Coleman might add another layer of deception to Saints defense | theadvocate.com
New Orleans spent last offseason trying to create additional layers of deception.

Tim Hightower, back with Saints for tryout, feels 'strong and healthy' | NOLA.com
He sat out 2017 when no team picked him up after final preseason roster cutdown.

Former Texans quarterback Tom Savage trying to pick up Saints offense as quickly as possible | theadvocate.com
Tom Savage is still in the early stages of his time in New Orleans.

'Pride of knowing what to do' has Alvin Kamara primed for 2nd Saints season | NOLA.com
'Last year, I was learning on the fly,' Kamara says.

Football or futbol? Saints' players relish both as World Cup nears kickoff | theadvocate.com
Typically, it’s all about football around the Brees' household. That’s what you’d expect when the man of the house is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

Marcus Davenport, happy with early development, refuses to let thumb injury hold him down | theadvocate.com
When the New Orleans Saints wrap up mandatory minicamp Thursday and the rest of the roster flies away to parts unknown for the final break of the NFL offseason, Marcus Davenport will be getting ready to go under the knife.

Lagniappe

2018 NFL Draft gives us lessons to learn for offensive line prospects | 247Sports
Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.

Chargers contact Antonio Gates about possible reunion | ProFootballTalk
“Obviously, Antonio would be a natural fit,” Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco said on San Diego station 97.3 FM, via the Los Angeles Daily News.

Bill Belichick turns back the clock for New England Patriots OTAs | ESPN
Bill Belichick created an environment in which Patriots players were going back in time during this week's OTAs.

Next stop for Texans: The Greenbrier | Houston Chronicle
The Texans' next road trip as a team is West Virginia.

Marvin Jones defends Patricia: 'It's football. We run.' | NFL.com
On 'GMFB' Thursday, Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones laughed off the opinion column citing Matt Patricia is alienating players for making them run in practice.

Christian Hackenberg clears waivers, now free agent | NFL.com
One day after the Oakland Raiders severed ties with quarterback Christian Hackenberg, the former second-round pick passed through waivers unclaimed.

Matt Ryan expects Julio Jones to attend July workouts | NFL.com
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones skipped mandatory minicamp the week. Matt Ryan, however, expects Jones to attend a private workout before training camp begins.

Bengals unsure if Eifert (back) will be ready for camp | NFL.com
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert has fought multiple injuries since earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2015 and is still trying to get healthy for 2018.

Jimmy Garoppolo struggling and more NFL minicamp moments - SBNation.com
Thursday’s Rise ‘n Grind takes a look at minicamps around the league and the top headlines from Jimmy Garoppolo struggling to Carson Wentz’s recovery.

What if NFL teams had no draft and had to recruit like college football? - SBNation.com
The Browns won four championships in a row the last time something like this structure existed.

Browns quarterbacks discuss their roles as minicamp wraps up - Dawgs By Nature
Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield and Drew Stanton met with the media on Wednesday