New Orleans Saints (7-9-0)
Tuesday's 60-second rant: 2012's biggest tricks, treats
With Halloween a day away, it's time to identify teams that have pulled tricks on us and teams that have treated us to the biggest surprises?
NFC South Spin cycle: Hard to doubt soaring Falcons
Half of the NFC South's teams went home happy with each club playing on the road in Week Eight.
Manning leads Broncos past Saints
Peyton Manning passed for 305 yards and three scores to lead the Broncos to a 34-14 victory over the Saints.
Saints not worked up about running game
The Saints have struggled to establish a balance between the pass and the run, but it has not prevented their offense from remaining one of the league’s highest-scoring units.
NFL files motion, wants Tagliabue to hear appeals
NFL lawyers filed a motion in U.S. District Court in New Orleans requesting former Paul Tagliabue be allowed to hear appeals on the Saints' bounties case.
Friday's 60-second rant: Bucs, NFC South could play spoiler
While slow starts may leave the Bucs, Saints and Panthers out of the playoffs, these squads might determine who makes the postseason.
NFLPA files motion to recuse Tagliabue
The NFLPA confirmed they will make a motion to recuse former commissioner Paul Tagliabue from the Saints’ appeals hearings.
Reports: NFLPA seeks clarification from Tagliabue
The NFLPA sent Paul Tagliabue a letter asking for clarification on his new position of hearing officer for the Saints’ players bounty appeals.
Week Seven Players of the Week
This week, PFW selects Chris Johnson, Malcolm Jenkins and Andy Lee as its Players of the Week.
NFC South Spin cycle: Panthers are in disarray
The Saints beat the Bucs, and the Panthers are still a mess, as most of the NFC South came up short with the Falcons on bye.
Miscast Harper infects Saints' defense
For the Saints to continue their winning streak, PFW personnel analyst Nolan Nawrocki says SS Roman Harper must be used better.
Brees tosses four TDs, Saints hold off Buccaneers
Saints QB Drew Brees threw for 377 yards and four touchdowns to pace a 35-28 come-from-behind victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Vilma activated, expected to play Sunday
The Saints activated MLB Jonathan Vilma on Saturday, and he is expected to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Saints look to be latest 1-4 club to make playoffs
The Saints are hoping to become the seventh team in the past 20 NFL seasons to start with a 1-4 record and make the playoffs.
Goodell appoints Tagliabue to handle Saints' appeals
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has formally recused himself from hearing the Saints’ bounty appeal. Former commissioner Paul Tagliabue will step in.
PLAYER NEWS
Smith, Jason (T)
New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis says the Saints and Smith have agreed to a one-year contract.
Smith, whose acquisition was announced by the Saints on Thursday, has spent four seasons in the NFL, playing in 45 games with 26 starts at both left and right tackle. The 6-foot-5, 308-pound lineman was the second overall pick out of Baylor in the 2009 draft by the St. Louis Rams and spent last season with the New York Jets.
Smith, whose acquisition was announced by the Saints on Thursday, has spent four seasons in the NFL, playing in 45 games with 26 starts at both left and right tackle. The 6-foot-5, 308-pound lineman was the second overall pick out of Baylor in the 2009 draft by the St. Louis Rams and spent last season with the New York Jets.
Leonhard, Jim (S)
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said the team agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Leonhard, a free agent.
Leonhard played in all 16 regular season games and had one start for Denver last year, finishing with two interceptions. He also returned 15 punts for 89 yards.
Leonhard played in all 16 regular season games and had one start for Denver last year, finishing with two interceptions. He also returned 15 punts for 89 yards.
McCown, Luke (QB)
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says New Orleans and unrestricted free agents, defensive end Kenyon Coleman and McCown, have agreed to terms on one-year contracts.
McCown, 6-4, 217-pounds, is a former fourth-round selection of the Cleveland Browns who went to training camp with the Saints last season. McCown, a former Louisiana Tech standout, has played in 22 NFL games with nine starts in stints with Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Atlanta. He has completed 184 of 316 passes for 2,035 yards with nine touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
McCown, 6-4, 217-pounds, is a former fourth-round selection of the Cleveland Browns who went to training camp with the Saints last season. McCown, a former Louisiana Tech standout, has played in 22 NFL games with nine starts in stints with Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Atlanta. He has completed 184 of 316 passes for 2,035 yards with nine touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Coleman, Kenyon (DE)
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says New Orleans and unrestricted free agents, Coleman and quarterback Luke McCown, have agreed to terms on one-year contracts.
The 6-foot-5, 293-pound Coleman has spent the last two seasons as a starting defensive end in Dallas' 3-4 alignment. He will rejoin new Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who held the same position with the Cowboys during Coleman's time in Dallas.
The 6-foot-5, 293-pound Coleman has spent the last two seasons as a starting defensive end in Dallas' 3-4 alignment. He will rejoin new Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who held the same position with the Cowboys during Coleman's time in Dallas.
Herring, Will (LB)
The New Orleans Saints re-signed Herring to a one-year contract Thursday.
Herring was released earlier this month. Acquired as a free agent in 2011, he played in all 16 games last season, starting one, and was credited with 13 tackles and one forced fumble. In two seasons with New Orleans, the former Auburn standout has played on special teams, while also providing depth at linebacker.
Herring was released earlier this month. Acquired as a free agent in 2011, he played in all 16 games last season, starting one, and was credited with 13 tackles and one forced fumble. In two seasons with New Orleans, the former Auburn standout has played on special teams, while also providing depth at linebacker.
Lewis, Keenan (CB)
The New Orleans Saints have signed free agent cornerback Keenan Lewis to a five-year contract.
The 6-foot-0, 208-pound Lewis is a New Orleans native, playing high school football in the city at O. Perry Walker. The 26-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, moving into a starting role last season and leading the NFL with 23 passes defended. Lewis visited with the Saints earlier this week.
The 6-foot-0, 208-pound Lewis is a New Orleans native, playing high school football in the city at O. Perry Walker. The 26-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, moving into a starting role last season and leading the NFL with 23 passes defended. Lewis visited with the Saints earlier this week.
Drescher, Justin (C)
The New Orleans Saints have announced signed Drescher to a four-year contract. The team made the announcement Wednesday but did not release financial terms of the deal.
Drescher arrived in New Orleans in November of 2010 as a rookie free agent and has played in all 41 games since then, handling snaps on field goals and punts. Saints punter Thomas Morstead was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time last season and said the reliability of Drescher's snaps was a significant factor.
Drescher arrived in New Orleans in November of 2010 as a rookie free agent and has played in all 41 games since then, handling snaps on field goals and punts. Saints punter Thomas Morstead was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time last season and said the reliability of Drescher's snaps was a significant factor.
Herring, Will (LB)
A person familiar with the situation said Herring was being released by the Saints after two seasons with the club. Herring said on Twitter that he appreciated his time in New Orleans.
Herring, acquired as a free agent in 2011, played in all 16 games last season, starting one, and was credited with 13 tackles and one forced fumble.
Herring, acquired as a free agent in 2011, played in all 16 games last season, starting one, and was credited with 13 tackles and one forced fumble.
Smith, Will (DE)
People familiar with the situation say Smith and linebacker Jonathan Vilma have agreed to restructure their contracts in order to remain with the New Orleans Saints.
The 31-year-old Smith and 30-year-old Vilma, both veteran defensive captains who were implicated in the NFL's bounty probe, would have consumed about $23 million combined in salary cap space had they not agreed to new deals before the new league year - and free agency - began Tuesday afternoon.
The 31-year-old Smith and 30-year-old Vilma, both veteran defensive captains who were implicated in the NFL's bounty probe, would have consumed about $23 million combined in salary cap space had they not agreed to new deals before the new league year - and free agency - began Tuesday afternoon.
Vilma, Jonathan (LB)
People familiar with the situation say defensive end Will Smith and Vilma has agreed to restructure his contract in order to remain with the New Orleans Saints.
The 31-year-old Smith and 30-year-old Vilma, both veteran defensive captains who were implicated in the NFL's bounty probe, would have consumed about $23 million combined in salary cap space had they not agreed to new deals before the new league year - and free agency - began Tuesday afternoon.
The 31-year-old Smith and 30-year-old Vilma, both veteran defensive captains who were implicated in the NFL's bounty probe, would have consumed about $23 million combined in salary cap space had they not agreed to new deals before the new league year - and free agency - began Tuesday afternoon.
