February 2
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints have hired former St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Ken Flajole as the team's new secondary coach, according to a league source. Flajole rejoins Steve Spagnuolo, the former Rams head coach whom the Saints hired last month as defensive coordinator. It was not clear when or if Flajole had begun working in Saints headquarters - the team is yet to make an official announcement of either his hire or Spagnuolo's. Spagnuolo began his tenure on Monday."
February 2
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said there is "no doubt in my mind" that he will work out a long-term contract with the Saints before the start of free agency March 13. Although the Saints could use the franchise tag on Brees to maintain some exclusive negotiating rights to him, Brees said Wednesday that it's important for both sides to get his deal done so they could focus their resources on other priority free agents, including guard Carl Nicks and receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachem. "Yes, yes, absolutely," Brees said when asked if it's personally important to him to get the deal done in that timetable. "My goal, and I know just from my conversations with (Saints"
January 21
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints quarterback Drew Brees echoed the words of coach Sean Payton on Friday, saying that he too would be "beyond stunned" if he's not back in New Orleans next season. Brees is set to become an unrestricted free agent March 13, but he said he hopes his agent, Tom Condon, and the Saints will be able to hammer out a deal sooner. "Really the sooner the better," Brees said Friday during a conference call with the New Orleans media. "Now here we are at the end of the season, and it's time to pick up discussions again, obviously once we all get a chance to step away and decompress and let this season kind of settle. But I've had conversations with (Saints General Manager) Mickey Loomis and my"
January 20
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees echoed the words of Coach Sean Payton on Friday, saying that he too would be "beyond stunned" if he's not back in New Orleans next season. Brees is set to become an unrestricted free agent but said he hopes his agent Tom Condon and the Saints will be able to hammer out a deal sooner than later. "Now here we are at the end of the season and it's time to pick up discussions again, obviously once we all get a chance to step away and decompress and let this season kind of settle," Brees said Friday during a conference call with the New Orleans media. "But I've had conversations with (Saints General Manager) Mickey Loomis and my agent and at some point"
January 20
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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First, my glass-is-half-empty view on the New Orleans Saints' offseason: They're facing the scariest free-agent period in franchise history. Although the Saints have thrived despite losing some valuable players in recent years, they've never lost one as important to the team as Drew Brees, Carl Nicks or Marques Colston. These guys are different. They're the elite of the elite, and they can't be easily replaced. Now, my glass-is-half-full prediction: I think the Saints will keep all three of them. It won't be easy. Although it's practically guaranteed that Brees will stay, the Saints might have to use their franchise tag on him. And Nicks and Colston certainly will attract a long line of"
January 20
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Moving swiftly to counter what appeared to be growing NFL interest in Steve Spagnuolo as a defensive coordinator, New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton decided Thursday to offer him the job in New Orleans, according to sources familiar with the matter. No contract had been signed late Thursday, however, but an announcement is expected by the Saints some time Friday. Spagnuolo reportedly was not in New Orleans late Thursday and is not expected to meet with the media Friday, team officials said."
January 16
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Three years after being brought in to change the culture of the defense and help deliver a Super Bowl title, the tenure of New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams in New Orleans appears to have come to an end. With Saturday's heartbreaking 36-32 loss at San Francisco in the NFC divisional playoffs ending the Saints' season, all signs are pointing to Williams, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, becoming the new defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams. Williams' best friend in the coaching business, Jeff Fisher, became the head coach of the Rams late last week."
January 13
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Linebacker Jonathan Vilma, receiver Lance Moore and tight end John Gilmore missed practice for the Saints on Thursday, and safety Roman Harper returned to team drills on a limited basis. Vilma and Coach Sean Payton both said he is fine. The team was just being cautious by giving him a day to rest his lingering knee injury -- especially because they were scheduled to make the cross-country flight to San Francisco later in the evening. Payton said Vilma will participate in today's walk-through practice at Candlestick Park. "He's good," Payton said. "We're far enough into the schedule now. ... We'll get him some work tomorrow in the walk-throughs. He'll be fine.""
January 1
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints tailback Mark Ingram will almost certainly have season-ending toe surgery this week, a league source confirmed. Ingram has missed four games since originally suffering the turf toe injury, and he suffered a setback in practice earlier this week. The surgery was first reported by FOX's Jay Glazer."
December 8
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints have a chance to clinch the NFC South title this weekend if they beat the Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Falcons lose to the Carolina Panthers. They could also clinch a playoff spot if they win and either the Chicago Bears or Detroit Lions lose. Quarterback Drew Brees said that's nice, since that's one of the first steps toward achieving the team's goals this season. But he said making progress through December is even more important. Coach Sean Payton also said the most important thing this weekend is handling the challenge of playing outdoors in fairly-cold weather against a quality opponent."
December 8
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints tailback Mark Ingram missed practice Wednesday with a turf toe he injured in last Sunday's victory over the Detroit Lions. But he didn't rule out that he might play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. "I'm feeling better. Better than I did yesterday," said Ingram, whose toe was only lightly wrapped Wednesday. "It's an injury that can vary. For some people, it can linger for a while. For others, it can turn the corner fast. Hopefully, these next few days it feels better, and I can be ready to go." The Saints might decide to use extra caution with Ingram, because they have the luxury of a deep backfield. They could activate backup Chris Ivory, who can play a similar role as a power"
December 7
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints tailback Mark Ingram missed practice Wednesday with a right turf toe injury. Linebacker Jonathan Casillas (knee) and defensive end Turk McBride (ankle) also missed the team portion practice. Both Ingram and Casillas suffered their injuries during Sunday night's 31-17 victory over the Detroit Lions, but Coach Sean Payton didn't expand on the severity of either injury. Turf toe injuries can vary greatly in significance, from minor to long-term."
December 1
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Arthur Q. Davis, the architect who, with his partner Nathaniel Curtis, designed the Superdome, the Rivergate Exhibition Center, the New Orleans Public Library's Main Branch and other modernist works that helped define New Orleans' skyline, died Wednesday at Ochsner Baptist Medical Center. He was 91. A lifelong New Orleanian, Mr. Davis graduated from Tulane University and studied at Harvard University under such modernist masters as Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer and then worked with Eero Saarinen. He served in the Navy during World War II. After working in the firm Curtis and Davis, Mr. Davis established his own firm bearing his name. During that period, he designed the New Orleans"
November 25
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints had a short list of players on their injury report Thursday. Defensive end Turk McBride did not participate with an ankle injury, and linebacker Jonathan Vilma was limited as he recovers from a left knee procedure. The only other person on the report was rookie defensive end Cameron Jordan (hand). The Giants will be without tackle Will Beatty (eye, back). The following players were limited: linebacker Michael Boley (hamstring); running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot); receiver Mario Manningham (knee); defensive back Derrick Martin (hamstring); tackle Kareem McKenzie (toe); defensive end Justin Tuck (ankle/shoulder)."
November 23
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints placed tight end David Thomas on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season. The team did not announce Thomas' injury, though it appeared that he suffered another concussion during the Saints' last game, against the Atlanta Falcons. Earlier this season, a severe concussion sidelined Thomas for five games. In Thomas' place, the Saints promoted undrafted rookie tight end Michael Higgins to the active roster. They replaced Higgins on the practice squad with Daniel Hardy Jr., a seventh-round draft pick by Tampa Bay who was released by the Bucs on Sept. 3."
November 16
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Coming off a near flawless performance against the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has once again been nominated as FedEx Air Player of the Week. Fans have until 12 p.m. EST Friday to go to www.NFL.com/FedEx to vote for their choice. Brees completed 30 of 43 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints 26-23 overtime victory that put New Orleans at 7-3 for the season and atop the NFC South entering the team's bye week."
November 7
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints cornerback Tracy Porter is apparently recovering well after a frightening neck injury that left him laying on the field for more than 10 minutes in the first quarter Sunday before he was carted off on a stretcher. The Saints reported that Porter checked out OK during neurological tests at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and that he was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. Porter later tweeted, "This is why I love the #WhoDatNation. We are one big family. I'm doing good u guys, I look forward to being back soon. I love u guys.""
November 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints placed offensive tackle Charles Brown on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season with a hip flexor that he suffered in last Sunday's 31-21 loss at St. Louis. Fortunately for the Saints, veteran Zach Strief is back from s knee injury and will return to his starting job at right tackle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brown had been filling in for Strief the past five weeks after Strief sprained his medial collateral ligament."
September 29
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints sent an intriguing one-way signal Wednesday, hinting to reporters who cover the Jacksonville Jaguars that top receiver Marques Colston has been medically cleared and might play this Sunday. Colston, who suffered a broken collarbone while making a diving catch in the closing minute of the Saints' season-opening loss at Green Bay, returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis, according to Coach Sean Payton's injury report. That Colston was at practice at all signaled a remarkable medical turnaround for the wideout, who was expected to miss at least four weeks. Payton neither elaborated nor was asked about Colston's upcoming status for Sunday's game during his"
September 28
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints apparently have waived defensive tackle Mitch King, according to an item on the internet web site Scout.com. King has appeared in all three of the Saints regular season games and had three tackles. King, 6 foot 1, 280 pounds, is in his second season. He appeared in four games with the Indianapolis Colts last season and spent time on the practice squads of the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams. He played collegiately at Iowa."
September 27
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Saints presented former player Steve Gleason with a ring from their Super Bowl XLIV championship on Monday night in an emotional ceremony at a private party in New Orleans. Mayor Mitch Landrieu also presented Gleason with a proclamation and a key to the city. Gleason played eight seasons for the Saints and retired in 2008. In January, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare terminal disease which damages the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement. Saints coach Sean Payton made the presentation to Gleason before a packed crowd of about 100 friends, family, colleagues and former teammates, including quarterback Drew Brees and Saints owner Tom Benson."
September 26
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints were running out of options and healthy bodies during their 40-33 victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday at the Superdome. In a contentious contest in which the Saints had to overcome a nine-point, fourth quarter deficit, they were forced to make their comeback after losing several key starters, leaving them without any backups along the offensive line and at linebacker. The Saints' injury list started to pile up early. Center Olin Kreutz (left knee) and linebackers Martez Wilson (stinger) and Will Herring (hamstring) all left the game in the first quarter. And right tackle Zach Strief (right knee) left the game in the third quarter and wasn't able to return,"
September 23
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Two New Orleans Saints defensive starters remained out of practice Thursday, but two other defensive players returned to work. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma (left knee) and cornerback Tracy Porter (right calf) did not practice for the second consecutive day, according to Coach Sean Payton. But linebacker Jonathan Casillas and safety Roman Harper, both of whom were held out of Wednesday's practice, returned to action, albeit on a limited basis, Payton said. Harper followed a similar practice path last week -- out Wednesday, limited Thursday -- and then was NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Chicago Bears."
September 20
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints Coach Sean Payton said Monday the team expects defensive end Will Smith, the team's most prolific pass rusher the past few seasons, to return some time this week. That means a player will have to be dropped from the 53-man roster to make room for Smith, a decision Payton said has not yet been made. Smith was suspended for two games - and fined four game paychecks - for his involvement in the so-called Starcaps incident from 2008. Smith and several other players inadvertently ingested a banned substance through a dietary supplement. The suspensions sparked a long legal battle that ended earlier this year."
September 19
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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I'm beginning to take New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees for granted. It's his fault. He doesn't supply enough clunkers to expect much of anything less than excellence. He doesn't come apart at the seams enough to expect much of anything less than calm. He doesn't miss enough to expect much of anything less than pinpoint accuracy. So shows like the one he put on Sunday - when he completed 26 of 37 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns in New Orleans' 30-13 victory over the Chicago Bears at the Superdome - almost can go unnoticed. Brees, simply, has had more of those kinds of days as a Saint than he has had of any other kind. "I hope you don't. I hope you don't (take him for"
September 14
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Drew Brees' agent Tom Condon confiirmed that he spent the day in New Orleans on Tuesday to meet with New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis and try to narrow the gap in their contract negotiations. "We spent a good deal of time together and had a substantial talk," said Condon, though he said he couldn't try and characterize how far along the talks are at this point."
September 14
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Quarterback Drew Brees' agent, Tom Condon, spent the day in New Orleans on Tuesday to meet with New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis and try to narrow the gap in their contract negotiations. "We spent a good deal of time together and had a substantial talk," said Condon, though he said he couldn't characterize how far along the talks are. Although both sides are clearly motivated to work out an extension at some point, a deal could come together within a matter of days or take several months to finalize. Brees, 32, is in the final year of his contract with the Saints. But the Saints aren't under immediate pressure to work out an extension because they can use the franchise tag"
September 11
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Joel Segal, agent of recently retired receiver Randy Moss, confirmed Saturday that he has not been contacted by the New Orleans Saints, and to his knowledge, the team has expressed no interest in his client. WWLTV.com reported that Moss visited the Saints' facility Saturday. The report came two days after Marques Colston, the Saints' leading receiver last season with 1,023 yards, suffered a broken collarbone in Thursday night's season-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers."
September 10
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston suffered a broken right collarbone in Thursday's 42-34 season-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers, according to a league source. FoxSports.com's Jay Glazer first reported the nature of the injury Friday afternoon after Saints Coach Sean Payton confirmed at his Friday news conference that Colston was injured while not going into any detail on the injury. Colston was favoring a shoulder after making a 23-yard reception that brought the ball to the Packers' 18 with 37 seconds left. "It was the second-to-last play," Payton said. "All of these guys were in here today getting treatment. We had two or three guys with specific injuries." Glazer's"
September 9
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The last play of the game, with a chance to score a touchdown and two-point conversion and force overtime, wasn't the time to take the ball out of Drew Brees' hands. That should've happened earlier at Lambeau Field, twice in the third quarter, when the New Orleans Saints desperately needed to pound the middle of Green Bay's defense and move it backward and take by force the couple of yards they wanted. But not on the last play of the game, an untimed opportunity for New Orleans to even the score against the reigning Super Bowl champions in the NFL's regular-season opener Thursday night. Not trailing 42-34, and on Green Bay's 1-yard line only because Brees - who had completed 32 of 49"
September 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints announced Monday they have agreed to terms of a contract extension with Coach Sean Payton through the 2015 season. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed."
September 2
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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When newly signed New Orleans Saints kicker John Kasay pushed a 39-yard field goal attempt wide left on the last play of the first half Thursday night in the Superdome, more questions than what happened on that attempt suddenly arose in the club's thinking. That discomfort only deepened when Kasay missed an extra-point attempt in the fourth quarter, and then lessened, a bit, when Kasay finally hit on a 38-yard attempt to make the final score 32-9 in the Saints' preseason-ending debacle against Tennessee. That's because Garrett Hartley, the kicker Kasay was signed this week to replace, may be injured worse than he or the organization thought when Hartley grabbed his hip after an extra point"
September 2
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints kicker Garrett Hartley, whose soccer-angled right foot put New Orleans into Superdome XLIV with an overtime kick and then set a Super Bowl record by nailing three field goals of more than 40 yards, will be out at least six weeks and possibly as many as 10, according to a league source. Hartley suffered a hip flexor while converting an extra point in the Saints' 40-20 victory over Oakland last Sunday. He did not return, although he indicated in the locker room after the game he hoped the injury would not prove serious."