Fleur-de-Links, June 18: dog days of summer begin for Saints

Word on the Street

Breaking news on the New Orleans Saints and stories from around the NFC South.

Native son Arthur Maulet 'tremendously improved,' 'fighting for a spot' with Saints | theadvocate.com
The New Orleans Saints appear to have stocked the pantry full at cornerback.

Saints receivers coach Curtis Johnson impressed by depth | WWL
There's no doubt that one of the fiercest battles to watch in Saints training camp this summer will be the competition at wide receiver.

'QB' controversy? Saints' D loaded after adding Demario Davis | ESPN
New Orleans now has four guys with a history of playing middle linebacker and serving as the signal-calling "quarterback of the defense."

Ranking the New Orleans Saints' top 20 players on the 2018 roster: fan edition | NOLA.com
New Orleans Saints fans have spoken! And I have to say, many of their submissions of their top 20 Saints player lists made plenty of sense.

Who's on deck to replace Jim Henderson to call Saints games? | The Sun Herald
The New Orleans Saints begin the 2018-19 season in a little over a month and WWL Radio has yet to name a replacement for longtime play-by-play man Jim Henderson, who retired earlier this year.

Julio Jones's absence not a problem (yet) at Falcons' minicamp | SI.com
Falcons top wideout Julio Jones is demanding more money before the start of the season, and for now, QB Matt Ryan and the Atlanta coaches are putting on a good face about it.

Lagniappe

The latest updates from far and wide around the football world.

A Saints’ approach: Packers could copy New Orleans’ run plan | ESPN
Whether it’s copying the Saints’ strategy or some other form of running back by committee, it’s clear the Packers don’t plan to rely on one back.

Oklahoma football 2018 preview: No Baker? Big 12 fave anyway - SBNation.com
Lincoln Riley’s Sooners still have more proven pieces than just about anyone and a very doable path back to the CFP.

Bucky Brooks: Vikings have the best receiving corps in the NFL - Daily Norseman
"Mr. Brooks is right," he said in a completely unbiased tone

49ers video: Jerick McKinnon mic’d up might be most-feel good mic’d up witnessed | Niners Nation
Just watch him dance. And rap.

6 takeaways from Tom Brady’s interview with Oprah Winfrey - Pats Pulpit
New England’s quarterback opened up about a variety of topics.

MMQB: Andrew Luck throwing, Mike McCarthy's minicamp tradition | SI.com
Andrew Luck is throwing again, in case you didn’t know. But here’s why it's different from seemingly every other time he’s attempted to come back from injury. Also, Mike McCarthy explains a longtime Packers minicamp tradition, Norv Turner’s ideal situation in Carolina, why so many players are holding out from minicamps this year and more