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KENNER — Will Smith was supposed to be a goner, a certain cap casualty as the Saints looked to put last year’s nightmarish defensive collapse behind them and rebuild with new players and a new scheme. Yet there he was Monday afternoon, talking about being a Saint for life as he played in the … Continue reading →
KENNER — Now that the Saints have switched to a 3-4 defense, coach Sean Payton must decide who will play which position. Tuesday’s start of organized team activities will serve as Payton’s first on-the-field veteran evaluations since he returned from a season-long suspension in January and jettisoned then-defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo along with his 4-3 … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — The agent for former Saints Hall of Fame defensive lineman Frank Warren must appear in U.S. District Court on June 4 to answer charges that he defrauded Warren’s widow and family out of more than half of a $1 million trust fund. According to a bill of information filed last Friday, Benjamin … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — Protecting Drew Brees’ $47.8 million blind side might be the most important job in Louisiana this fall. At least in the sports world, it’s certainly in contention. But barring a late move, the Saints apparently have chosen to address the loss of Pro Bowl left tackle Jermon Bushrod to the Chicago Bears in … Continue reading →
With a little more than half of their spring work behind them, the New Orleans Saints are set to enter the third and final phase of their nine-week offseason program this week. The week will begin easily enough Monday with the 22nd annual Saints Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Classic at the Chateau Golf and Country Club … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — Cameron Jordan is ready to move around the Saints’ defensive line, wherever new coordinator Rob Ryan needs him. Could be defensive end, his preferred spot. Or nose tackle. As long as he gets to the quarterback. “I’m not afraid to do it,” he said. “I actually love … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — Youth in the Uptown area near Harrell Stadium are now playing football on the same turf the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII. As part of the NFL Foundation’s annual $1 million matching grant to the Super Bowl host city, five New Orleans Recreation Department playgrounds have received capital improvements, including Harrell, … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — The New Orleans Saints signed defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui to a two-year deal Thursday. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Aaitui is entering his third year as a pro out of UNLV. He was on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad for part of the 2011 season, then spent the 2012 preseason with Miami and the New … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — The way Saints running back Pierre Thomas sees it, Chris Ivory’s draft-night trade to the New York Jets was addition by subtraction. No, not because he questioned Ivory’s attitude or potential or ability to be a good teammate. He said he reached out right before Ivory left New Orleans to let him … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — Victor Butler has yet to make his first tackle with the New Orleans Saints, and already he’s making an impression. Butler, an outside linebacker who was one of the Saints’ limited free-agent acquisitions this offseason, said Wednesday evening he is ready for the next stage of his NFL career. “Everybody wants to make … Continue reading →
Running back Chuck Muncie, who formed half of the New Orleans Saints’ productive “Thunder and Lightning” backfield of the late 1970s, died Monday of a heart attack at the age of 60. The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Muncie, who wore prescription glasses under his helmet, possessed a rare combination of size and speed for the position in the mid-1970s … Continue reading →
Baton Rouge native Korey Lindsey, a former Scotlandville High standout, was among six players signed by the New Orleans Saints on Monday following the team’s three-day rookie minicamp. Lindsey, a 5-foot-10, 194-pound cornerback, participated in the minicamp on a tryout basis. He was signed with wide receiver Brent Leonard, kicker Jose Maltos, defensive end Baraka Atkins, running … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — Kenny Vaccaro spent four years at the University of Texas preparing for this past weekend, his first in uniform with the Saints. And this NFL offseason, when the Saints spent millions to draft their new young playmaker — a gifted, motivated, personable, even marketable talent to headline the reconstruction of a … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — Kenny Vaccaro spent four years at the University of Texas preparing for this past weekend, his first in uniform with the Saints. And this NFL offseason, when the Saints spent millions to draft their new young playmaker — a gifted, motivated, personable, even marketable talent to headline the reconstruction of a … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — Michel Gleason’s shoulders may appear small. In reality, they’re very, very broad. Broad enough to be the primary caregiver for her husband, former Saints safety Steve Gleason, as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis continues to take away his body’s muscular functions. Broad enough to be highly engaged in Team Gleason, the ALS awareness … Continue reading →
After getting four of their five draft picks under contract Thursday, one day before the start of a three-day rookie minicamp, the New Orleans Saints completed the task Friday when defensive tackle John Jenkins signed his deal. Jenkins, the team’s second third-round pick in the NFL draft last month, signed a four-year contract. Financial terms of the … Continue reading →
For once, the New Orleans Saints got a big jump on signing the players they selected in the NFL draft. With preparations continuing Thursday for a three-day rookie minicamp that begins Friday with two practices, the Saints signed four of the five players they chose in last month’s draft — including safety Kenny Vaccaro, their first-round pick. Continue reading →
METAIRIE — Other than coming home from the hospital and a visit to the doctor, 5-week-old Jake Froeba hadn’t been out of the house in his young life. So when Brandy Froeba of Kenner considered what her infant son’s first public appearance should be, she hit on something Saints-related because “I’ve been a fan since … Continue reading →
With four weeks of their offseason program for veterans already in the books, the New Orleans Saints coaches will get their first look at the 18 players they drafted or signed after the draft in a three-day minicamp that begins Friday. The Saints are set to have 70 players at their Metairie … Continue reading →
With preparations continuing for their three-day rookie minicamp that begins Friday morning, the New Orleans Saints on Thursday signed four of the five players they chose in last month’s NFL draft. General Manager Mickey Loomis announced in a news release that the team signed safety Kenny Vaccaro, who was taken in the first round with the 15th … Continue reading →
In this "The Advocate: Saints Football" podcast, Advocate Online Sports Editor Pierce W. Huff and Advocate sportswriter Sheldon Mickles preview the Saints rookie camp. How can the five draft picks make a good impression? Which picks have a legitimate chance at starting in the fall? Continue reading →
METAIRIE — After several years of veterans catching passes from Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints are preparing for an influx of youth. The addition of 2013 fifth-round draft pick Kenny Stills from the University of Oklahoma gives the Saints three young options to ponder this summer at training camp, which could become one … Continue reading →
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree Saturday from his alma mater. According to a news release from the university, which is located in Charleston, Ill., the degree was given to Payton in “recognition of his generosity and service to society.” Payton received … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — Malcolm Jenkins said he embraced the Saints’ first-round selection of Kenny Vaccaro — despite the threat to his job security at free safety — after recalling Mark Ingram’s less-than-cordial welcome to the franchise by former teammate Reggie Bush. Bush infamously tweeted, “It’s been fun New Orleans,” after the Saints picked Ingram … Continue reading →
Here are some things to ponder: How did the Saints do with their 2013 NFL draft? What player or players can contribute right away? What player or players will need the most time to develop? The new players also signalled the end of the line for some old Saints players, and was that the right decision? Advocate Online Sports Editor Pierce W. Huff and Advocate sportswriter Sheldon Mickles answer those questions in this "Final Score" podcast. Continue reading →
After three long months of what seemed like nonstop talk about the NFL draft, which has evolved into one of the most over-hyped events of the year, Sunday was a day of rest. After 254 selections were made in an often head-spinning 48-hour period between Thursday night and Saturday, it was a perfect time for a little … Continue reading →
Click here to participate in a chat about the New Orleans Saints and their 2013 draft and the NFL with Advocate sportswriter Sheldon Mickles. Continue reading →
Here are some things to ponder: How did the Saints do with their 2013 NFL draft? What player or players can contribute right away? What player or players will need the most time to develop? The new players also signalled the end of the line for some old Saints players, and was that the right decision? Advocate Online Sports Editor Pierce W. Huff and Advocate sportswriter Sheldon Mickles answer those questions in this "Final Score" podcast. Continue reading →
The New Orleans Saints announced Sunday that they agreed to terms with 13 players who were not chosen in the NFL draft. Topping the list is former Tulane quarterback Ryan Griffin, who confirmed Saturday night that he agreed to a deal with the Saints shortly after the final pick was announced. The 6-foot-5, 206-pound Griffin … Continue reading →
Rehabbing from torn ligaments in practice that cost him last season, Chris Faulk took a calculated risk declaring for the NFL draft as a junior. The LSU left tackle’s reasoning went like this: try to keep his once-assumed first-round stock from falling and earn a salary instead of incurring further risk by returning. After three days … Continue reading →
Minnesota went all-in with three first-round picks. Super Bowl champion Baltimore went for replacements for Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. The New York Jets added to their quarterback uncertainty by taking Geno Smith in the second round. Teams loaded up on linemen, making the big and beefy guys this year’s stars. The 2013 NFL … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — After finally getting through a busy second day of the NFL draft late Friday night, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton managed to smile while reminding reporters of something: “This is the time of year everyone says, ‘We got our guys,’ ” he said. Of course, Payton said this after the Saints … Continue reading →
Kenny Vaccaro Round 1, Pick 15 Position: Safety School: Texas Size: 6-0, 214 Earned first-team All-America honors in 2012 from Pro Football Weekly and … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — After a frantic Friday night netted the New Orleans Saints two players who could shore up their offensive and defensive lines, things weren’t as hectic Saturday when the three-day draft came to an end. The Saints continued their quest to add more depth to the roster, however, using their final picks in the … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — Tulane quarterback Ryan Griffin will be continuing his football career in New Orleans. Griffin said he had signed a free-agent contact with the Saints Saturday shortly after not being selected in the draft. “I left some of my stuff in New Orleans,” said Griffin, who returned to his home town of Westlake Village, Calif., … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — A pair of “juniors” made their dads proud Saturday. Kenny Stills Jr. and Rufus Johnson Jr. became the last two members of the Saints’ 2013 draft class, continuing a football lineage begun by their fathers. “Since age six, when I started playing football, I dreamed of playing in the NFL, especially since … Continue reading →
A player searching for a chance at redemption and a team looking to return to its Super Bowl ways, those were the Louisiana story lines for the second day of the NFL draft. Here is a photo gallery from the Advocate that consists of pictures from the memorable players and moments on Friday. Continue reading →
METAIRIE — In a flurry of activity Friday night, the New Orleans Saints moved quickly to fill two areas of need with a pair of third-round selections on the second night of the NFL draft. With their third-round pick, the Saints grabbed Arkansas-Pine Bluff tackle Terron Armstead at No. 75. Just minutes later, they executed a pair … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — Out where Kenny Vaccaro hails from, his last name is a synonym for “cowboy.” That’s fitting. Because if there’s one thing the Saints defense is definitely in need of, it’s a man on horseback. And that’s definitely how the safety out of Texas, whom the team took with its first-round draft … Continue reading →
Projecting what the Saints will do Saturday Pick 144 — Denard Robinson, Michigan , ATH, 5-10, 199 Robinson was considered a Heisman contender as the Wolverines quarterback, but everyone knew his future lay as a receiver/special teams guy. Robinson … Continue reading →
The first round of the NFL draft on Thursday was a special day for fans of the New Orleans Saints and the LSU Tigers. In this photo gallery are pictures of Saints first-round pick Kenny Vaccaro and former LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo (picked at No. 6 by the Cleveland Browns) and former LSU safety Eric Reid (picked at No. 18 by the San Francisco 49ers). Continue reading →
METAIRIE — Most mock drafts get busted in April about as quickly as brackets do in March. But for the Saints on Thursday, things probably worked out as they hoped they would. Basically unable to move up from the No. 15 spot due to the lack of a second-round pick — thanks, Roger Goodell … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — The best-case scenario for the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night, as far as the New Orleans Saints were concerned, was to have one of a handful of the top-rated defensive players slide toward the middle of the round. So when the Saints went on the clock with the 15th pick, … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — More often than not, the New Orleans Saints have used their top pick in the NFL draft to select the best player available on their board when they go on the clock. Not surprisingly, it’s the same method used by most NFL teams. Sometimes you hit. Sometimes you swing and miss, the … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — With just more than 48 hours until the NFL draft, New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis walked through a set of double doors at the team’s training facility Tuesday and smiled at reporters. It wasn’t the first time Loomis has come to his pre-draft news conference with the goal of being as … Continue reading →