November 7
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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A new mouthpiece being used by several Saints players this season has been getting much attention since ESPN analyst Jon Gruden praised it during the "Monday Night Football" broadcast. The Makkar PPM (Pure Power Mouthguard), which retails at $2,000 according to an article in the Los Angeles Times, is touted by its designers as "more than just a mouthguard." By custom-fitting the mouthpiece to each player, the goal is to improve balance, strength, flexibility and oxygen flow by better aligning the lower jaw with the neck and the spine. Many Saints remain skeptical about those supposed benefits. A common refrain heard throughout the locker room during an informal poll Friday was, "It's ..."
November 7
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Morten Andersen distinguished himself for 25 NFL seasons, arguably kicking a football between two unforgiving goal posts better than anyone who has played the game. On Friday, the Great Dane reaped his just reward, joining other franchise greats in the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame during luncheon ceremonies at the Best Western Landmark Hotel in Metairie. Andersen, 49, played 13 seasons in New Orleans from 1982 through 1994 before finishing his storied career with the Atlanta Falcons (1995-00, 2006-07), New York Giants (2001), Kansas City Chiefs (2002-03) and Minnesota Vikings (2004). "Today my heart is smiling, and today my spirit soars," said Andersen, the Saints' and NFL's all-time ..."
November 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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After further review, Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner gained a season's worth of yards-after-contact in his team's 35-27 loss Monday night to the usually sure-tackling Saints. Turner muscled and motored his way to 151 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown, becoming the first running back to pass 100 yards rushing against the undefeated Saints this season. Consequently, New Orleans tumbled from fourth overall (92.3 yards per game) in rushing defense to 11th in the latest NFL rankings (102.1 yards per game), a fact that is sure to be emphasized Sunday by the run-oriented Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (3-4) boast the one-two punch of running backs DeAngelo Williams and ..."
November 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Late in the third quarter against the Giants, Saints receiver Lance Moore took off from the left slot on 3rd-and-17 and bolted downfield on what was supposed to be a deep post route. However, the linebacker dropped off his coverage early, and with a nice cushion from safety C.C. Brown, Moore decided to cut his route short and turned back toward quarterback Drew Brees. "As soon as I turned, the ball was right there," said Moore, who gained 22 yards on the catch, setting up a touchdown two plays later. That kind of synergy is constant when the Saints offense is on the field. Brees and his receivers are loaded with examples of plays that started off one way and changed in an instant because ..."
November 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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No one is kicking himself over the Saints' recent kicking woes more than veteran John Carney. In each of the past three games, the Saints have suffered a kicking miscue. In Monday's 35-27 win over the Falcons, Carney missed a 37-yard field-goal attempt wide right. The week before against the Dolphins, a poor snap and hold caused a 49-yard Carney kick to sail wide left. He also missed an extra-point attempt against the Giants after a poor snap and hold. Carney has made eight of 11 attempts this season, including a long of 46, but he has missed two of his past four kicks. "It concerns me," Carney said. "It's my job to correct it. So yeah, it's very concerning. My job is to not miss field ..."
November 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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This has been a rough year for Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme. It began in January, when the Lafayette native threw five interceptions in a playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and it carried over to this season. Carolina lost its first three games and got off to a 2-4 start, with Delhomme throwing 13 interceptions, fumbling twice and being sacked 13 times in his first six starts. Then when the Panthers were finally playing their best game last week, a 34-21 victory at Arizona, he got knocked out during the third quarter with a chest injury that sent him to the emergency room. But Delhomme checked out OK, and he practiced fully Wednesday. So as far as the Saints are ..."
November 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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After further review, Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner gained a season's worth of yards-after-contact in his team's 35-27 loss Monday night to the usually sure-tackling Saints. Turner muscled and motored his way to 151 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown, becoming the first running back to pass 100 yards rushing against the undefeated Saints this season. Consequently, New Orleans tumbled from fourth overall (92.3 yards per game) in rushing defense to 11th in the latest NFL rankings (102.1 yards per game), a fact that is sure to be emphasized Sunday by the run-oriented Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (3-4) boast the one-two punch of running backs DeAngelo Williams and ..."
November 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints weren't perfect Monday night, as they outlasted the division-rival Atlanta Falcons for a sometimes sloppy, sometimes spectacular 35-27 victory. But their performance was perfectly acceptable as they matched the best start in franchise history at 7-0. "This is a huge win," quarterback Drew Brees said. "We knew this coming in obviously, you win and really it's worth two (in the division standings). It wasn't the prettiest win at times. But we did what we needed to do when we needed to do it. That says a lot." New Orleans has now opened a three-game lead in the NFC South, with Atlanta (4-3) the closest contender. Although it's clearly way too early to make postseason promises, a ..."
November 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints quarterback Drew Brees didn't have to throw all his passes perfectly Monday night. When it came to Brees connecting with wide receiver Marques Colston, all Brees needed to do was get the ball high in the air. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Colston was able to do the rest, twice leaping high into the air to haul in pivotal receptions during the Saints 35-27 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in front of a sellout crowd at the Superdome. Colston, who caught six passes 85 yards and a touchdown, made two of the biggest plays of the game. With the Saints trailing 14-7 early in the second quarter, Colston outleaped cornerback Tye Hill for an 18-yard touchdown reception, tying the score at 14. ..."
November 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The slow walk to the sideline with his hands on his hips. The blank stare on the face, which suggests that the person is stunned by the events that have just transpired. And, the occasional sighs from the reality that it's going to be a long night. Atlanta Falcons second-year quarterback Matt Ryan is considered to be one of the young guns in the NFL, with a strong arm and an intelligence that makes the game slow down for him. But there were times when even Ryan couldn't help but look like so many other quarterbacks who have faced the Saints this season. Forced to have to score plenty of points against an opportunistic New Orleans defense to keep up with the Saints' high-powered offense, ..."
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons did everything they could to quiet one of the loudest Saints crowds in the 34-year history of the Louisiana Superdome. They elected to receive after winning the opening coin toss, the best way to keep the ball from the Saints' high-powered offense. It paid off in the form of a long drive and 7-0 lead. And they simply shocked and shushed the 70,088 on hand in a big way when they took a 14-7 lead, their last, on defensive end Kroy Biermann's fumble recovery and 10-yard touchdown run. But it didn't last long as the Saints (7-0) responded in a big way, stunning the Falcons (4-3) in a pivotal 23-second stretch just before halftime and then holding on for a 35-27 victory and an ..."
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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They showed us something. They showed the Saints something. They showed the nation something. But in the end they showed us both what they are and what they are not. The Falcons are a pretty good football team. But they aren't so good that they can throw two egregious interceptions on the road against the NFL's best team and hope to win. They proved Monday night they can still run the ball and actually play a little defense, but they fell short of a famous upset because the famous Matt Ryan twice threw the ball to the wrong team at the absolute wrong moment. And now, for all the skill and heart on display here, a sobering notion rears its head: What if Matty Ice isn't quite as good as we ..."
November 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons were teetering on the edge of being another Saints blowout victim. They survived a flurry, regrouped and then battled back to stand toe-to-toe with their NFC South rivals before coming up short. The Saints were not in the clear until running back Pierre Thomas did a somersault into the endzone with 3:03 left in the game. The Saints held on to prevail 35-27 over the Falcons before 70,088 fans on Monday night at the Superdome. The Saints remain the only undefeated team in the NFC and go to 7-0. The Falcons dropped to 4-3 and fall three games behind the Saints with nine games to play. The Falcons found their rushing attack as Michael Turner churned more than 150 yards and wide ..."
November 1
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis has been ruled out of Monday night's game against Atlanta in the Superdome. Linebacker Scott Fujita (calf) is listed as questionable, but he has not practiced for two weeks. Cornerback Tracy Porter (foot) practiced fully Friday and is listed as probable. The Saints have not offered a timetable on Ellis' recovery. But Coach Sean Payton said Ellis has a sprained knee, not as serious as the meniscus tear that sidelined him for three games last season. "I was encouraged with his first week of rehab," Payton said. "So hopefully it's sooner than later." Ellis' absence will mean more snaps for backup tackles Anthony Hargrove and Kendrick Clancy, who ..."
November 1
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Rod Woodson says he doesn't mind that Saints safety Darren Sharper is threatening to erase his name from the NFL record books. With Sharper's game-breaking heroics becoming almost a weekly occurrence, the 13-year veteran is sprinting closer and closer to Woodson's career marks for interception return yardage (Woodson 1,483, Sharper 1,353) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (Woodson 12, Sharper 11). "Honestly, they should be broken," said Woodson, a 2009 Hall of Fame inductee who seemed almost proud that a wily veteran is getting the better of some of the young passers around the league. "The league is set up now so you throw the football, and that really gives defensive backs an ..."
November 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons running back Aaron Stecker will try to give the team a boost against his old team, the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. Stecker, who was signed Tuesday after working out for the Falcons on Oct. 20, ended last season on the Saints' injured-reserve list and had hoped to re-sign with them. With injuries to Falcons running backs Ovie Mughelli (calf), Jason Snelling (hamstring) and Jerious Norwood (right hip flexor), Stecker, who played for the Saints from 2004-07, will be pressed into service Monday night. "He's picked it up pretty well," offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey said after Saturday's practice. "He's come in and really, it's been impressive how quickly he was able to ..."
November 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons' defense has their most difficult challenge of this young season waiting for them Monday night. They must somehow derail the New Orleans Saints' high-scoring offense, which has scored at least 45 points in four of their six games. In five of their six games, the Saints have started strong and kept their lead foot on the gas pedal. Overall, the Saints are 17-2 under coach Sean Payton when leading after the first quarter. "They've been off to a very good start all season long," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "The only time that they didn't score off their opening drive was last week." Payton, a daring play-caller, has a deep stable of weapons at his disposal. Quarterback Drew ..."
October 31
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints defensive end Bobby McCray is in his sixth NFL season, having spent his first four years in Jacksonville before coming to New Orleans as a free agent in 2008. The former Florida Gator has established himself as a speedy pass-rushing threat, rotating into the lineup with starting ends Will Smith and Charles Grant. You can learn more about McCray on his Web site, bobbymccray.com. He has also agreed to share his thoughts with Saints fans through a diary this season. Here is his latest installment: . . . "It's still early in the season. Not even halfway, but we're getting there. I can say as a team, that win at Miami had to be the most memorable win we've had so far and ...
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October 31
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints running back Mike Bell learned a valuable lesson during a two-year stint with the Denver Broncos, a lesson that serves him well this season as he shares the workload with teammates Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. "Rod Smith once told me, there are a lot of good players in the NFL, and you don't have time to get in a rhythm as a running back. So you've got to make the most of every opportunity that you get," Bell recalled. "Every opportunity I get now, whether it's the first run or the last run, I'm running like it's the last chance that I'll get. When you look at the depth of our running backs, you don't have time to get in a rhythm. You've got to make the most of every opportunity ..."
October 31
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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"What if?" is a question that Saints quarterback Drew Brees doesn't mind answering. For certain, it's a question he asks with frequency. Among the myriad reasons that the 6-0 Saints are playing at a record-setting pace is his willingness to completely ingest coach Sean Payton's game plan. The Falcons will get a firsthand look Monday night in New Orleans, their first of two tests against their NFC South rival Said Brees, "I think that through my preparation, I'm going to prepare myself in every possible way to go out there and be confident about everything." The Saints have averaged 39.7 points per game through six games, putting them on track to break New England's 2007 record for points ..."
October 30
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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With one more takeaway, the Saints will match their entire season total from 2006. They've committed 18 acts of thievery through six games this season, which ties them for the NFL lead with Philadelphia, and they've returned five of them for touchdowns, signaling a culture change on defense and special teams. In the past three years, the turnover ratio was the Saints' Achilles' heel. They have regularly been in the "minus" territory, not forcing more than 23 takeaways in a season or ranking higher than 20th in that category. But now they've become aggressive, opportunistic . . . even intimidating. Now they're making game-changing plays instead of giving them up. "That statistic is one ..."
October 30
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints will have to chase their lofty goals without fullback Heath Evans. Evans will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery in Gulf Breeze, Fla., to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Saints Coach Sean Payton confirmed Thursday. Noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews performed the reconstructive procedure, which typically requires a rehabilitation period of nine to 12 months. Evans has been placed on injured reserve and replaced on the 53-man roster by veteran fullback Kyle Eckel, a 5-foot-11, 237-pounder who went to camp with the Eagles and is a former teammate of Evans in New England. "To date, (Evans) has really played for us, both in ..."
October 29
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints fullback Heath Evans has been placed on injured reserve and replaced on the 53-man roster by former New England Patriots fullback Kyle Eckel, Coach Sean Payton said Thursday. Evans suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will be lost for the season. Dr. James Andrews performed surgery Thursday on Evans. "We're losing a starter who has really played well these first six games,'' Payton said. Also, Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis suffered a sprained right knee and his status for Monday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons will be updated through the week. Eckel, 27, was a former teammate of Evans' in New England, where he saw his most ..."
October 29
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints will bring back undrafted rookie tailback Herb Donaldson to their practice squad today to replace tailback P.J. Hill, who was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles' active roster on Wednesday, General Manager Mickey Loomis said. Both Hill and Donaldson showed impressive potential during the offseason after signing with the Saints as undrafted free agents in April. But they were buried behind a deep backfield that includes Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Lynell Hamilton. They chose Hill for their practice squad, but the Eagles plucked him away Wednesday to help fill in while veteran tailback Brian Westbrook is out with a concussion. Donaldson, from Western Illinois, ran ..."
October 27
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Down three touchdowns late in the first half Sunday, it appeared the Saints' perfect start to the season was ticking to a slow and painful halt, about to be buried beneath an avalanche of blitzing Dolphins. It would not have been a surprise if some Saints fans considered hitting the power button on their televisions, calling it a day. Those who continued to tune in witnessed one of the most remarkable comebacks in Saints history. The Saints scored 43 points in the final 30:02 for an improbable 46-34 victory against the Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium. The win matched the Saints' largest comeback in franchise history, tying their 21-point turnarounds in a 41-24 victory against Cincinnati ..."
October 27
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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There is no miracle going on in New Orleans with its NFL franchise, though the Saints seemed divinely touched during their Sunday comeback in Miami. True, what happened in South Florida was the Lazarus equivalent of athletic resuscitation, the Saints erasing a 24-3 deficit en route to a 46-34 road victory over the Dolphins, the team seamlessly transitioning from lifelessly prone to actively upright before the nation's eyes. But when a team is as good as the undefeated Saints -- and at present, it's a pretty weak argument that there's a better team than New Orleans -- there do not appear to be impossibilities. "I will say that there was really no doubt on our sideline that we would come ..."
October 26
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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When asked if he took any pleasure in having 80 rushing yards, his career long run and only the second three-touchdown game of his career against his former team, Dolphins running back Ricky Williams already was shaking his head halfway through the question. "Nope," Williams said. Loquaciousness -- at least about football -- never will be a Williams trademark. His description of his 68-yard touchdown run, on which he got beautiful blocks from pulling guard Justin Smiley, fullback Lousaka Polite and wide receiver Greg Camarillo, could've come from Reader's Digest: "I saw a crease and I hit it." He wouldn't question the Dolphins' play calling, which featured only eight runs for he and ..."
October 26
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The ball just continues to find Saints safety Darren Sharper, who now has six interceptions and three touchdown returns this season. But he wasn't the only big-play defender who brought the Saints back from the brink in Sunday's dramatic 46-34 victory over the Miami Dolphins. There was Roman Harper's forced fumble and Scott Shanle's recovery, two sacks by Anthony Hargrove, a series of wicked hits by linebacker Jonathan Vilma on third-down stops and a clinching interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Tracy Porter. After Miami jumped to a 24-3 lead, thanks to a series of miscues on both sides of the ball, the Saints' defense went into shut-down mode -- and then some. "When ..."
October 26
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Yeremiah Bell could smell a knockout. Up three touchdowns on the NFL's highest-scoring team, Bell's Dolphins were nearly halfway to a pivotal upset of the unbeaten New Orleans Saints that could have evened their record after another horrendous start. Instead, the Dolphins were the ones who wound up face down on the canvas, and it may take them awhile to clear the cobwebs. "We had those guys on the ropes," Bell, the Dolphins strong safety, said after Sunday's 46-34 loss at Land Shark Stadium. "We had them where we needed one more punch and we could have kept them down." Stunningly, the bumbling Dolphins (2-4) found a way to blow a 24-3 lead beneath a deluge of quick-strike plays from the ..."
October 25
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Today's game between the Saints and Miami Dolphins pits teams that apparently have grown weary of each other. For New Orleans, it has been Wildcat this and Wildcat that all week, prompting the question: How on earth will the Black and Gold be able to defend the trendy offshoot of the single wing, starring Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams? Answer: Based on what has become a larger-than-life formation, it simply can't be stopped. For Miami, it has been Drew Brees this and unbeaten Saints that since coming off a last-second win against the New York Jets on Oct. 12, prompting the question: Can the Dolphins hold the second coming of the Greatest Show on Turf to fewer than 50 points. Answer: ..."
October 25
Miami Herald
columnist Armando Salguero
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If their carefully crafted game plan had worked in 2006, Tony Sparano and Sean Payton both would be working for the Saints on Sunday instead of against each other on opposing sidelines. Sparano and Payton, in that group of young, hard-driving coaches NFL teams now covet, are friends to this day. But their bond was never closer than three years ago when Payton was hired to coach the Saints and, in turn, wanted to hire Sparano to run the New Orleans offense. Payton left the Cowboys and his assistant head coach job to make the trek to New Orleans and wanted Sparano, the Dallas offensive line coach, to go with him. The two friends knew they were like-minded after spending countless hours ..."
October 25
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Dolphins running game vs. Saints run defense Even though the Saints are allowing only 3.8 yards per carry, New Orleans' injury-depleted 4-3 defensive scheme shouldn't be too much of a challenge for the Dolphins' physical line, which has helped the offense average 177 rushing yards. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have scored nine of the team's 13 touchdowns. If Saints SLB Scott Fujita doesn't play because of his calf injury, expect the Dolphins to attack his replacement, Troy Evans. Dolphins passing game vs. Saints pass defense In his second start, Chad Henne proved he has the big-league arm needed to be successful in the NFL, but he faces a secondary that is tied for the NFL lead with 11 ..."
October 25
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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This is not an easy admission for Jason Taylor. He has spent more than half of his life making life miserable for the pretty boys who play sports' most glamorous position. He has chased, jarred and slammed them, all while striving to separate them from the football — and if they got separated from a limb in the bargain, so be it. If Wile E. Coyote had offered him some spare Acme products for an inflated price, the Dolphins defensive end probably would have tried those, too. So what does Taylor think of the current crop of NFL quarterbacks? "There's a handful of guys now that are really spectacular," he said. This season, the Dolphins have already faced three: Matt Ryan, Peyton Manning and ..."
October 24
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Surrounded by roughly 300 area soldiers inside the Saints' practice facility on Friday afternoon, Saints owner Tom Benson was presented with the Army Strong award by the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion of Baton Rouge. The Army Strong award honors leaders in the community who exemplify the Army values and demonstrate those values among their peers and community in their daily lives. Benson, who was accompanied by his wife, Gayle, was presented with a plaque and a saber, which is a sign of leadership. "Let me say something," Benson said after lifting the sword in the air. "We're gonna take this all the way to the Super Bowl with us." Meeting briefly with reporters after the ...
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October 23
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Because of the Saints' prolific offense and penchant for scoring this season, their kickoff coverage team has been unusually busy. That was never more evident than Sunday against the New York Giants, when quarterback Drew Brees led the Saints to seven touchdowns in their 48-27 victory at the Superdome. In that game, New York return specialist Domenik Hixon set up a touchdown and a field goal with kick returns of 45 and 68 yards, giving the Giants excellent field position at midfield and the Saints' 37-yard line. Hixon also set up another Giants' touchdown with a 27-yard punt return to midfield. Consequently, Saints Coach Sean Payton and special teams coordinator Greg McMahon are devoting ..."
October 23
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints' starting defensive line right now is made up of three first-round draft picks -- and a guy who's been scratching and clawing to stay in the league for the past four years. Remi Ayodele, 26, has finally found his place in the NFL, emerging as a playmaking nose tackle for the Saints after previous stops in New England, Baltimore, Dallas, Frankfurt, Germany in NFL Europe, Atlanta and Dallas again. "I think he's always been talented. I think in the NFL sometimes, guys just get caught up in the pipeline," defensive end Will Smith said of Ayodele, who joined the Saints' practice squad last September before being activated and playing sparingly in six games later in the season. ..."