Quinn says he’s sorry for Tebow comments

FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2010, file photo, Denver Broncos quarterbacks Brady Quinn (9) and Tim Tebow (15) chat before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Quinn is apologizing to Tim Tebow for unflattering comments Quinn made about the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback in a GQ article. The article on Tebowmania was written by Michael Silver and titled

DENVER — Brady Quinn is apologizing to Tim Tebow for unflattering comments Quinn made about the Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback in a GQ article. The article on Tebowmania was written by Michael Silver and titled “The year of Magical Stinking: An Oral History of Tebow Time.” In it, Quinn was quoted as saying, “We’ve had a lot of, I guess, luck, to put it simply.” He also said he felt the fans were the reason Tebow leapfrogged him on the depth chart when supplanting Kyle Orton as the … Continue reading →

Former Tiger Flynn an option for troubled Dolphins

Green Bay Packers' Matt Flynn throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

MIAMI -- The most interesting team in baseball, the Marlins, begin spring training on Wednesday and then the best team in basketball, the Heat, host the Knicks and phenom Jeremy Lin on Thursday. So before I get sidetracked by all of this week's excitement and excellence, let me quickly mention something on the troubling side. Continue reading →

Graham plans foundation 

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) celebrates a pass reception during the third quarter. Graham surpassed the single season receiving yards by a tight end later in the quarter. The previous record of 1,290 yards was set by Hall of Famer  Kellen Winslow of the San Diego Chargers in the 1980 season.

After taking part in a USA Network show called “NFL Characters Unite” last week, New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham plans on starting his own foundation to aid foster children. Graham was featured in the show as one of four NFL celebrities who overcame long odds off the field to excel on it. Continue reading →

Saints have free agent questions

With a little more than three weeks to go before the start of the NFL’s free agency signing period, there are more questions than answers for New Orleans Saints’ fans about what their team will look like in 2012. Unfortunately, answers won’t be coming for at least a couple more weeks. Monday is the first day … Continue reading →

MNF goes to two-man booth 

The former ESPN Monday Night Football team of Ron Jaworski,  Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden.

BRISTOL, Conn. - "Monday Night Football" is switching to a two-man booth. Analyst Ron Jaworski has signed a five-year contract extension to appear on other programming on ESPN and will no longer join play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico and color commentator Jon Gruden on Monday nights, the network said Wednesday. Jaworski, the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, will work various ESPN studio shows year-round, … Continue reading →

Retired NFL players seeking better benefits

MINNEAPOLIS — The group of NFL retirees that was a part of the labor talks during the lockout last year has not given up their push for better post-career care. The money they helped gain for their fellow former players was less than what they believe they were promised, and they’re eager to argue … Continue reading →

Tackle Roaf  elected to  Hall of Fame

Advocate Staff Photograph by Jeff Adkins.Picture shot on 08/08/97Saints #77 William Roaf, right, blocks against Kansas City Chiefs # 77, Pellom McDaniels during an exhibition game in New Orleans Saturday August 8, 1997.

The New Orleans Saints will be represented at the Pro Football of Fame Induction Ceremony for the second time in three years this summer after tackle William Roaf, who starred for the team from 1993-2001, was elected to the Canton, Ohio, shrine on Saturday. Roaf, a former Louisiana Tech star who was the … Continue reading →

Nicks wants to stay in N.O.

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) celebrates his touchdown guard Jahri Evans, back, and guard Carl Nicks (77) during the second half.  New Orleans won 14-9.

When it comes to getting contracts done this offseason, All-Pro left guard Carl Nicks understands the protocol New Orleans Saints officials are going to follow. He knows it will start later this month with a record-setting quarterback who’s probably going to get a deal comparable to the ones Peyton Manning and Tom Brady … Continue reading →

Brees, Saints line garner NFL awards

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks for a receiver during the first half of the Saints' game against the Tampa Bay Bucs Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011 in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, La. The Buccaneers won 23-13.

Befitting a unit that shattered a pair of longstanding NFL offensive records during the 2011 season, the New Orleans Saints picked up two major awards Wednesday in conjunction with Super Bowl XLVI activities. Quarterback Drew Brees was named the FedEx NFL Air Player of the Year for the fourth time in six seasons … Continue reading →

Time Out: Les East column for Jan. 31, 2012

It’s Super Bowl week, which means members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee will gather Saturday in Indianapolis to choose the 2012 class for induction. As always, there will be numerous induction-worthy candidates, some of whom will be in this class, some of whom will be part of later classes, as well as some … Continue reading →

Spagnuolo has Super memories

Because he’ll be plenty busy this week, it’s not likely that newly hired New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will have much time to reflect on what was happening four years ago at this time. Then again, with preparations being made for Super Bowl XLVI, a game that will be a rematch of the New York … Continue reading →

Time Out: Sheldon Mickles column for Jan. 24, 2012

While there have been far more Super Bowls that turned out to be duds, here’s hoping this year’s game is as interesting as the AFC and NFC championship games were on Sunday. While they weren’t nearly as compelling as the San Francisco 49ers’ dramatic 36-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Playoffs a … Continue reading →

Pieces in place?

Saints coach Sean Payton confers with quarterback Drew Brees against the Houston Texans earlier this season.

As the New Orleans Saints raced through the second half of their schedule on a lengthy winning streak, gaining more and more confidence with each game, the question came up almost weekly in their locker room: Were these Saints better than a team that two years earlier won its first 13 games en route to claiming the … Continue reading →

Brees wins ‘Whizzer’ White Award

LOS ANGELES — Saints quarterback Drew Brees was named the winner of the 46th annual Byron “Whizzer” White Award on Friday night at the NFLPA PULSE Awards. The award is presented annually to the player who serves his team, community and country. “It’s such a tremendous honor. As I look at the list … Continue reading →

For Saints, this season was one to remember

It will be difficult for followers of the New Orleans Saints to muster much interest in the NFL conference championship games Sunday, especially that NFC game in San Francisco. If the Saints could have stopped the 49ers in the final minute and a half last Saturday, the New York Giants would be headed to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome … Continue reading →

Brees: Focus on keeping Saints together

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Updated at 4:51 p.m. –
His contract may be expiring, but the Big Easy's biggest sports star doesn't see himself changing teams any time soon.

Brees said Friday he would be "beyond stunned" if he and the Saints are unable to agree on a contract … Continue reading →

Spagnuolo to take over Saints’ defense  

FILE - In this Feb. 20, 1989 file photo, Darrell Waltrip hugs his wife Stevie in victory Lane after winning a Daytona 500 auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla. Waltrip has made a living from running his mouth, with a trash-talking style that helped him become a NASCAR superstar and led to a second career as a television analyst.  Now the three-time champion is headed into NASCAR's Hall of Fame.  (AP Photo/Doug Jennings, File)

METAIRIE — Former St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo has agreed to take over as defensive coordinator for with the Saints. A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday about the hiring on condition of anonymity because the Saints have not announced it. Spagnuolo, 52, was head coach in … Continue reading →

Jaguars hire Saints assistant

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — New Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey is close to completing his staff. Mularkey hired former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Greg Olson as quarterbacks coach and former New Orleans secondary coach Tony Oden to the same position Thursday. The moves leave the Jaguars with just a few open spots, including running backs coach, … Continue reading →

Packers’ loss adds to the Saints’ pain

On a long plane ride home from the West Coast late Saturday night, the New Orleans Saints probably figured their lost weekend couldn’t get any more painful than it already was. Yet, it did Sunday afternoon. The Saints were still feeling the sting of an NFC Divisional Playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday … Continue reading →

Saints announce signing of 10 players for 2012

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton answers questions at a news conference at the club's training facility in Metairie, Thursday, Oct.  20, 2011. This Payton's first event since breaking his left leg on the sidelines during the Tampa Bay-Saints game.

The New Orleans Saints announced Wednesday the signing of 10 players to futures contracts for the 2012 season. Seven of the 10 were on the Saints’ practice squad at one time or another in 2011. Six of them were members of the practice squad when the season ended with a 36-32 loss to … Continue reading →

Spagnuolo to interview as Saints’ DC

St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo.

The New Orleans Saints are expected to interview former St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo on Wednesday for the team’s vacant defensive coordinator position. Saints coach Sean Payton is in search of a new defensive coordinator after Gregg Williams left Monday to take the same job with the St. Louis … Continue reading →

Curtain dropped on Saints’ season

Three days after being eliminated from the playoffs with a disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton on Tuesday put a wrap on the 2011 season. After bringing his players in for team and exit meetings on Monday, Payton held the end-of-the-season news conference that all but … Continue reading →

Hit on Thomas was legal

San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner, right, is called for pass interference while defending New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham during the first quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in San Francisco.  (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The helmet-to-helmet hit by San Francisco safety Donte Whitner that sent Saints running back Pierre Thomas to the locker room early in Saturday’s NFC playoff game was legal. Whitner was not penalized because the tackle was not against a defenseless player. Helmet-to-helmet hits are banned against defenseless players in eight categories, and a runner is not one … Continue reading →

Time Out: Sheldon Mickles column for Jan. 16, 2012

Before the start of the postseason, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and some of his players talked about the “finality” of what they were about to get into. Twelve teams get into the playoffs; only one comes out in possession of the Vince Lombardi Trophy to take home after the Super … Continue reading →

Flattened

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hits the ground in front of San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois (95) during the second quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in San Francisco.  (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

For a team whose calling card this season was a ferocious and stingy defense, the San Francisco 49ers’ offense didn’t do a bad job in the final four minutes of Saturday’s NFC Divisional Playoff game with the New Orleans Saints. In fact, when the game and a spot in the NFC Championship … Continue reading →

Loss of RB Thomas hurts Saints offense

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) breaks up a pass intended for New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) during the third quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

With running back Mark Ingram already on injured reserve, the New Orleans Saints offense took a big hit on its first possession of Saturday’s NFC Divisional Playoff game with the San Francisco 49ers. Running back Pierre Thomas suffered a concussion when he caught a pass near the 49ers’ goal line … Continue reading →

Saints: How they scrored 

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) catches a 25-yard touchdown reception over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver (29) during the second quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in San Francisco.  (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

First quarter 49ERS: Vernon Davis 49-yard pass from Alex Smith at 2:08 (David Akers kick). DRIVE: 2-54-0:46. KEY PLAY: Davis catches a deep out from Smith and shakes free and scampers to the end zone when safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper collide at the Saints’ 30. 49ERS 7, SAINTS … Continue reading →

Hard work pays for 49ers

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) walks on the field after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in San Francisco. The 49ers won 36-32. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

SAN FRANCISCO — The New Orleans Saints got beat Saturday on a play that was installed Wednesday — kind of. In the aftermath of the 49ers’ thrilling 36-32 victory in the NFC Divisional Game this much was certain: It pays to study film — kind of. The Niners’ Alex Smith hit Vernon Davis with … Continue reading →

Saints summary

Summary 49ers 36, Saints 32 New Orleans 0 14 0 18 — 32 San Francisco 14 3 3 16 — 36 First Quarter SF: V.Davis 49 pass from Ale.Smith (Akers kick), 2:08. SF: Crabtree 4 pass from Ale.Smith (Akers kick), :41. Second Quarter SF: FG Akers 25, 14:12. NO: Graham 14 pass from Brees (Kasay kick), 9:32. NO: Colston 25 … Continue reading →

49ers rally to shock Saints, 36-32

San Francisco 49ers safety Colin Jones (43) celebrates after recovering a fumble by New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles on a punt return as strong safety Roman Harper (41) looks on during the third quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in San Francisco.  (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Alex Smith hit Vernon Davis with a 14-yard touchdown with nine seconds left as San Francisco shocked New Orleans 36-32 in the NFC Divisional playoffs Saturday at Candiestick Park in San Francisco. Davis' second touchdown of the day answered Jimmy Graham's 66-yard touchdown from Drew Brees with 1:48 left, giving the Saints a 32-29 lead. There … Continue reading →