New Orleans SAINTS official thread 2015-16

[treeduck]

Saints release Junior Galette

 

Posted by Josh Alper on July 24, 2015, 2:34 PM EDT

 

The Saints have made a big change to their defense just before the start of training camp.

 

According to multiple reports, the Saints have released linebacker Junior Galette. Galette signed a six-year deal with the team last September that has already paid him more than $17 million, but he’s gone after turning in 10 sacks in 16 games for the team last season.

 

This probably isn’t about Galette’s ability to produce on the field, however. Galette was arrested this offseason on domestic violence charges, which were later dropped, and then a video surfaced that appeared to show Galette hitting a woman twice. He said last month that he was scheduled to talk to the NFL about off-field troubles, but the league wouldn’t confirm whether a meeting took place or say if Galette will be disciplined earlier this week.

 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that meeting has taken place and that the Saints have been frustrated with Galette for some time, something that Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting as well. Galette also has a pectoral injury that limited his offseason participation, although the hope was that he’d be back to work in camp.

 

That’s not going to happen and the Saints are going to have to look elsewhere for pass rushing help this season. Anthony Spencer, Parys Haralson, 2015 second-round pick Hau’oli Kikaha and 2014 fifth-rounder Ronald Powell are the outside linebackers they now have on hand.

[treeduck]

Junior Galette: Cutting me is the worst call the Saints have ever made

 

Posted by Michael David Smith on July 24, 2015, 4:32 PM EDT

 

Hours after he found out the Saints are cutting him, pass rusher Junior Galette complained that the team is mistreating him when he’s going through hard times.

 

“[it was] the worst call they’ve ever made,” Galette told the Times Picayune. “It was a terrible call to kick me when I’m down.”

 

But if Galette is “down” right now, it’s his own doing. Galette has been accused of two separate incidents of violence against women, and the NFL is considering discipline against him. Considering the Saints have paid Galette $18 million in the last year, they likely think they’re the ones who got the raw end of this deal. Galette alluded to the money he’s made in his comments today.

 

“I’m blessed and highly favored,” he said. “I’m set for life. My mom’s set for life. My son’s set for life. . . . This is not adversity. Adversity is getting kicked out of Temple [where Galette was suspended before his senior season] with no money in your pocket.”

 

Galette is coming off back-to-back seasons with double-digit sacks, but coach Sean Payton decided Galette just isn’t worth the trouble.

 

“Everything is Sean’s call,” Galette said. “He told me that himself. He’s the one who pulls the trigger.”

 

Now Galette hopes some other team will give him a shot this year.

[laughedatbytime]

Saints release Junior Galette

 

Posted by Josh Alper on July 24, 2015, 2:34 PM EDT

 

The Saints have made a big change to their defense just before the start of training camp.

 

According to multiple reports, the Saints have released linebacker Junior Galette. Galette signed a six-year deal with the team last September that has already paid him more than $17 million, but he’s gone after turning in 10 sacks in 16 games for the team last season.

 

This probably isn’t about Galette’s ability to produce on the field, however. Galette was arrested this offseason on domestic violence charges, which were later dropped, and then a video surfaced that appeared to show Galette hitting a woman twice. He said last month that he was scheduled to talk to the NFL about off-field troubles, but the league wouldn’t confirm whether a meeting took place or say if Galette will be disciplined earlier this week.

 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that meeting has taken place and that the Saints have been frustrated with Galette for some time, something that Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting as well. Galette also has a pectoral injury that limited his offseason participation, although the hope was that he’d be back to work in camp.

 

That’s not going to happen and the Saints are going to have to look elsewhere for pass rushing help this season. Anthony Spencer, Parys Haralson, 2015 second-round pick Hau’oli Kikaha and 2014 fifth-rounder Ronald Powell are the outside linebackers they now have on hand.

Wow...sounds like OLB is definitely a weak spot for the team. Was he suspended at all? If so, then that plus the expected weakness in production from the injury likely make it a defensible move.

 

ETA: posts crossed, I see the part about league discipline above.

Edited July 24, 2015 by laughedatbytime

[treeduck]

Galette leaves Saints with plenty of cash, Saints brace for cap hit

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 24, 2015, 5:24 PM EDT

 

Former Saints linebacker Junior Galette claims that cutting him was the biggest mistake the team ever made. Signing him to a new contract last year may have been a bigger mistake. And renegotiating the deal in March may have compounded it.

 

Per a source with knowledge of the contract, the Saints gave Galette $3.5 million to sign last September, along with a $750,000 salary for 2014.

 

Then came the time to make a decision, in March. With a $12.5 million roster bonus due on the third day of the league year and a looming cap number of $15.45 million, the Saints converted the payment to a signing bonus instead of cutting or trading Galette. He also has a fully-guaranteed base salary of $1.25 million for 2015.

 

At the time, he’d been arrested for battery in January, but the charges had been dropped in late February. Since then, however, a disturbing video has emerged of Galette in a 2013 beach brawl. The images include Galette hitting a woman in the face with a belt.

 

The Saints have committed a total of $18 million to Galette since September. With Galette not suspended and with Galette not retiring, it will be difficult if not impossible to recoup any of the money. The only hope would be to gain credit for the 2015 base salary if Galette signs with someone else.

 

As it currently stands, the Saints will carry a cap charge of $5.45 million for Galette in 2015. Next year, a total of $12.1 million in dead money hits the cap in 2016.

 

Those figures say plenty about had quickly the team’s position on Galette changed. It also shows that the Saints likely never will regret cutting him as much as they regret paying him. Twice.

[treeduck]

Saints release Junior Galette

 

Posted by Josh Alper on July 24, 2015, 2:34 PM EDT

 

The Saints have made a big change to their defense just before the start of training camp.

 

According to multiple reports, the Saints have released linebacker Junior Galette. Galette signed a six-year deal with the team last September that has already paid him more than $17 million, but he’s gone after turning in 10 sacks in 16 games for the team last season.

 

This probably isn’t about Galette’s ability to produce on the field, however. Galette was arrested this offseason on domestic violence charges, which were later dropped, and then a video surfaced that appeared to show Galette hitting a woman twice. He said last month that he was scheduled to talk to the NFL about off-field troubles, but the league wouldn’t confirm whether a meeting took place or say if Galette will be disciplined earlier this week.

 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that meeting has taken place and that the Saints have been frustrated with Galette for some time, something that Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting as well. Galette also has a pectoral injury that limited his offseason participation, although the hope was that he’d be back to work in camp.

 

That’s not going to happen and the Saints are going to have to look elsewhere for pass rushing help this season. Anthony Spencer, Parys Haralson, 2015 second-round pick Hau’oli Kikaha and 2014 fifth-rounder Ronald Powell are the outside linebackers they now have on hand.

Wow...sounds like OLB is definitely a weak spot for the team. Was he suspended at all? If so, then that plus the expected weakness in production from the injury likely make it a defensible move.

 

ETA: posts crossed, I see the part about league discipline above.

Yeah he's got a suspension coming, some kind of civil action pending, hangs around with a bunch of fools apparently, has a history of finding trouble one way or another, uses twitter like he's got tourettes and on top of that he's got a pectoral injury - not that the injury is a reason to release him but that's just another thing.

[laughedatbytime]

Saints release Junior Galette

 

Posted by Josh Alper on July 24, 2015, 2:34 PM EDT

 

The Saints have made a big change to their defense just before the start of training camp.

 

According to multiple reports, the Saints have released linebacker Junior Galette. Galette signed a six-year deal with the team last September that has already paid him more than $17 million, but he’s gone after turning in 10 sacks in 16 games for the team last season.

 

This probably isn’t about Galette’s ability to produce on the field, however. Galette was arrested this offseason on domestic violence charges, which were later dropped, and then a video surfaced that appeared to show Galette hitting a woman twice. He said last month that he was scheduled to talk to the NFL about off-field troubles, but the league wouldn’t confirm whether a meeting took place or say if Galette will be disciplined earlier this week.

 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that meeting has taken place and that the Saints have been frustrated with Galette for some time, something that Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting as well. Galette also has a pectoral injury that limited his offseason participation, although the hope was that he’d be back to work in camp.

 

That’s not going to happen and the Saints are going to have to look elsewhere for pass rushing help this season. Anthony Spencer, Parys Haralson, 2015 second-round pick Hau’oli Kikaha and 2014 fifth-rounder Ronald Powell are the outside linebackers they now have on hand.

Wow...sounds like OLB is definitely a weak spot for the team. Was he suspended at all? If so, then that plus the expected weakness in production from the injury likely make it a defensible move.

 

ETA: posts crossed, I see the part about league discipline above.

Yeah he's got a suspension coming, some kind of civil action pending, hangs around with a bunch of fools apparently, has a history of finding trouble one way or another, uses twitter like he's got tourettes and on top of that he's got a pectoral injury - not that the injury is a reason to release him but that's just another thing.

Is Jerry Jones in his future?

[treeduck]

Saints release Junior Galette

 

Posted by Josh Alper on July 24, 2015, 2:34 PM EDT

 

The Saints have made a big change to their defense just before the start of training camp.

 

According to multiple reports, the Saints have released linebacker Junior Galette. Galette signed a six-year deal with the team last September that has already paid him more than $17 million, but he’s gone after turning in 10 sacks in 16 games for the team last season.

 

This probably isn’t about Galette’s ability to produce on the field, however. Galette was arrested this offseason on domestic violence charges, which were later dropped, and then a video surfaced that appeared to show Galette hitting a woman twice. He said last month that he was scheduled to talk to the NFL about off-field troubles, but the league wouldn’t confirm whether a meeting took place or say if Galette will be disciplined earlier this week.

 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that meeting has taken place and that the Saints have been frustrated with Galette for some time, something that Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting as well. Galette also has a pectoral injury that limited his offseason participation, although the hope was that he’d be back to work in camp.

 

That’s not going to happen and the Saints are going to have to look elsewhere for pass rushing help this season. Anthony Spencer, Parys Haralson, 2015 second-round pick Hau’oli Kikaha and 2014 fifth-rounder Ronald Powell are the outside linebackers they now have on hand.

Wow...sounds like OLB is definitely a weak spot for the team. Was he suspended at all? If so, then that plus the expected weakness in production from the injury likely make it a defensible move.

 

ETA: posts crossed, I see the part about league discipline above.

Yeah he's got a suspension coming, some kind of civil action pending, hangs around with a bunch of fools apparently, has a history of finding trouble one way or another, uses twitter like he's got tourettes and on top of that he's got a pectoral injury - not that the injury is a reason to release him but that's just another thing.

Is Jerry Jones in his future?

He's also a problem in the locker room so yeah Jerry will be reaching him very soon.

[treeduck]

How Junior Galette's relationship with the Saints soured and ultimately led to his release

 

http://imgick.nola.com/home/nola-media/width620/img/saints_impact/photo/18399104-mmmain.jpg

 

When New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton told Junior Galette on Friday the embattled linebacker would be released less than a week before training camp, the move shocked many around the NFL.

 

It was an abrupt ending for the 27-year-old defensive captain, who signed a four-year, $41.5 million extension with the team last September.

 

Galette's demise, however, began almost a year ago.

 

Multiple team sources said the Saints grew weary of Galette's behavior soon after rewarding him with the new deal and spent virtually the entire offseason trying to sever ties. Saints officials went over various scenarios in the past six months to rid themselves of Galette, from seeking possible trade partners to his outright release, which would result in a massive salary cap hit.

 

Galette's change in attitude after the new contract coupled with his arrest in January on a domestic violence charge in Kenner ultimately sealed his fate with the organization, sources said. Team officials were on board with jettisoning Galette even before a video surfaced in June that showed a man identified as Galette by a league source striking a woman with a belt.

 

Shortly after Galette's arrest, a team source predicted he would not be in a Saints uniform by the fall. Then after the video surfaced, the Saints submitted the clip of the altercation to the NFL per league protocol. The league, which has been increasingly vigilant in enforcing its new off-field conduct policy, recently summoned Galette to its New York offices to investigate his participation in the video. A first-time offender for domestic violence, regardless if he's found guilty by the court system, could face a league suspension of at least six games without pay.

 

But the clock essentially ticked toward the 11th hour on Saints officials, forcing them to make a decision on Galette's future with the team. With training camp looming and the league's investigation into Galette's off-field conduct ongoing, the team ultimately decided this week to take the $5.45 million cap hit in 2015 and swallow another $12.1 million in 2016 and release Galette before players reported for camp in West Virginia on Wednesday.

 

In the end, the Saints wanted Galette gone badly enough they essentially paid to get rid of him.

 

"(It was) the worst call they've ever made," Galette told NOLA.com | The Times Picayune Friday afternoon. "It was a terrible call to kick me when I'm down."

 

LACK OF LEADERSHIP

 

The Saints knew they could have some growing pains after parting ways with veteran defenders Roman Harper, Malcolm Jenkins, Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith and Jabari Greer last offseason. They didn't know quite how much.

 

Galette was voted a captain by teammates at the beginning of last season. According to a source, Saints coaches were unsure about how such a move would go, but preferred not to step into the players' affairs.

 

Saints coaches and players quickly found out that Galette didn't exactly embrace his new role the way some older veterans thought he should.

 

"He thought being captain was more so about status on the team instead of being a leader on and off the field," one source said.

 

According to sources, Galette's attitude changed after he received the new contract in September.

 

A former Saints teammate told NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune of Galette: "He stayed focused long enough to get paid, then the real Junior came out. Sad."

 

The cracks began to show as the team, which entered the season as a Super Bowl contender, started losing. A source said some coaches and players wondered privately why Galette, who'd never been lauded for his leadership skills, had been chosen as a captain in the first place.

 

He was a sharp contrast from Jenkins, a previous defensive captain and longtime safety who commanded respect and ran the defense prior to his departure to the Eagles.  Or linebacker Curtis Lofton, the other team captain in 2014, who led by example and preferred to keep issues in-house as much as Galette seemed to want to talk about them publicly.

 

Jenkins, an impassioned player who was capable of making rousing pregame speeches, ran the secondary and essentially made sure everyone on the defense knew their roles. With him gone, it was a struggle as other veteran defenders tried to fill the void.

 

But that was just one part of it.

 

MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS

 

By all accounts, Galette has never wavered on his commitment to football. He played through injuries, including a broken toe last season, and nobody questioned his on-field effort. While Galette struggled in run support last season, he was one of the few bright spots on a defense that finished 31st, second to last, in the league overall. Galette finished with a team-high 10 sacks.

 

Off the field was a different story.

 

Sources said the new contract rankled some teammates and some Saints coaches, and shortly after Galette signed the new deal he exhibited behavior that led to those same players questioning if he warranted such a show of faith. Team officials, who initially thought they secured a good deal for a talented pass rusher, soon after began to privately have buyer's remorse, multiple team sources said.

 

Sources said Galette's new contract was particularly a simmering point of tension between him and Cameron Jordan, a young Pro Bowler who had not yet received a new contract after a 12.5-sack season in 2013. Ultimately Jordan would get a five-year, $60 million contract after the season.

 

Then there were those in the locker room in support of All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham went to arbitration to fight for his contract last offseason, when Payton testified against him. Graham eventually got the contract, but the damage was done. While Graham seemingly fought for every dollar, a source on the team said some players felt Galette had been given a contract he did not have to work for.

 

On a losing team, every issue was magnified. Multiple sources said the atmosphere in the locker room was often sour. Galette and defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick, who is no longer with the team, got into a fistfight before one of the Saints' preseason games.

 

There was a trickle-down effect.

 

Sources also said Deaderick got into another fight with a defensive lineman around the time of the Saints' loss to the 49ers in November.

 

The fights were more than simple pushing and shoving matches, the sources said. They were all-out brawls the likes of which some in the locker room had never seen.

 

Team chemistry was non-existent.

 

Galette wasn't solely responsible for the team's internal issues or disappointing 7-9 record last season, but he also was not part of the solution.

 

TURBULENT OFFSEASON

 

Galette's fall from grace in 2015 seems even stranger when compared to his first few years on the team.

 

When Galette showed up as an undrafted rookie out of Division II Stillman in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in 2010, he was a mile-a-minute talker who was happy just to be in the same room as Drew Brees. He used to chatter about playing as Brees in the Madden video games, and still smiled years later when recalling the moment Vilma brought him up to assistant coach Joe Vitt's office to tell him he'd made the roster of the defending Super Bowl champion.

 

"He stayed focused long enough to get paid, then the real Junior came out. Sad." -- former Saints teammate.

But still, it was a show of faith for the Saints to take Galette on, as he'd run into trouble after only one season at Temple. After personality clashes with coaches and an incident in which his cousin, who was living with him, was arrested for stealing laptops, Galette transferred to Stillman.

 

Galette proved himself as a rookie in 2010 at Saints training camp and rewarded the team by becoming a solid backup behind Smith then eventually a full-time starter. He had 9.5 sacks combined in his first three seasons before producing a career-best 12 sacks in 2013.

 

Galette appeared to have matured beyond his past transgressions, and giving him a new contract at some point seemed like a no-brainer for team officials. The Saints' timing, however, raised eyebrows. Galette still had two years left on his original deal and the organization previously had been reluctant to offer early contract extensions to its players, including stars such as Graham and Brees.

 

But Galette's teammates seemingly were in full support of his new windfall soon after word surfaced.

 

Back in September with the 2014 season still full of promise, there didn't seem to be a raised eyebrow from players in the locker room when Galette entered, giddy with excitement after signing his contract extension. It was the culmination of a lifetime of hard work for Galette, who grew up in an impoverished area of Haiti.

 

Brees put basketballs in Galette's locker as a lighthearted prank. The team played his favorite artist, Rihanna, at practice. He was voted a team captain. Galette, who sported a grin ear to ear, proclaimed it was "the best week of my life!"

 

Almost a year later, Galette might consider this week one of his worst.

 

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

 

What Galette didn't know was shortly thereafter the Saints were increasingly growing tired of his act.

 

Galette insisted his relationship with Payton, whom he looks to as a father figure, was on solid ground.

 

Sources said, however, that had not been the case for quite some time.

 

Payton had always been irked by Galette's loose lips to the media and via social media, but that was a minor issue until December.

 

Galette squarely put himself in Payton's doghouse when he told the media that the team's current players were better than the ones they replaced, causing former Saints players publicly lambast him on social media.

 

They still hadn't forgotten by Friday, as ex-Saints defensive end Bobby McCray posted a GIF directed to Vilma and Smith that said, "Now comes the part where we throw our heads back in laughter."

 

"Karma came calling," Vilma tweeted.

 

Former Saints Scott Shanle and Scott Fujita both reacted with tweets indicating laughter.

 

Galette said his proclamation wasn't a slight to the former players. Instead, he was trying to pump up his own teammates with praise. A source said Saints coaches, Payton in particular, didn't think Galette had done enough of note in his own career to be castigating his predecessors, some of whom helped the Saints win their only Super Bowl five years ago.

 

That was nothing compared to the list of things that followed.

 

First came the arrest. Galette has been adamant that he was the victim in the situation. He said a former friend woke him up and demanded money for a cab or she would call the police. He and his cousin, Terrance Banks, forcibly removed the woman from the house and both were arrested on a charge of simple battery with domestic violence.

 

Banks would be arrested again a week later, while driving Galette's car, after police found marijuana on the seat during a traffic stop. Galette was not present.

 

The domestic violence charge was dropped in February. But the woman filed a lawsuit against Galette accusing him of physical, mental and sexual abuse.

 

The woman's attorney, Joe Raspanti, stepped down from the case, citing uncooperativeness by the plaintiff. The lawsuit is now in limbo with authorities unable to contact the woman. 

 

That was followed by two unflattering videos of Galette, one posted to a friend's Instagram account in which Galette shouted in the background about the jewelry around his neck and his next contract, while a friend went on a profanity-laced tirade directed at "Sean."

 

Then the video surfaced in June, showing a man a league source identified as Galette involved in beach brawl. In the 2013 video, Galette is seen striking a woman with a belt at least twice, striking a man with a belt and throwing punches during the melee. The video was posted on YouTube by an onlooker.

 

Galette's lawyer insisted it was not his client in the video. With Galette's past transgressions, the court of public opinion already had made a decision.

 

In each of those situations, Galette reacted as if his detractors were out to get him. He privately and publicly accused some members of the media of being purposely negative. He has stated he doesn't need to change the company he keeps.

 

He once went back and forth with his critics on his Twitter account, but after his arrest, he left Twitter and said he has become more of a recluse. His Instagram account was deleted shortly after the video of the beach fight surfaced.

 

"Really, at this level, you can conduct yourself as good, as choir boy as you want, sometimes the trouble comes to you," he said in the offseason.

 

THE FUTURE

 

So what's next for Galette?

 

The NFL investigation into his off-field conduct is still pending. The league, citing confidentiality, said there is no update as to his current status.

 

While some teams might be wary of signing Galette given his recent troubles, in the NFL, second chances are a dime a dozen -- especially with talented players in their prime. Talent has never been an issue with Galette.

 

And with pass rushers at a premium, it's likely he'll find a home with another NFL team despite his off-field red flags.

 

And maybe, he said, the Saints will see they made a mistake.

 

"Who knows, maybe I'll get 40 sacks the next two years and we'll reunite," he said Friday. "The business is the business, you know?"

[treeduck]

Junior Galette sends video of angry workout to media

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 25, 2015, 1:10 PM EDT

 

Former Saints linebacker Junior Galette apparently is done talking about the team’s decision to cut him. But he still has a message to send.

 

Via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, Galette sent a video that shows him working out, slamming his way through a gauntlet of tackling dummies with a bad attitude.

 

Given that Galette was arrested for battery in January (the charges were later dropped) and that a video surfaced of a 2013 beach brawl that apparently includes an image of Galette striking a woman in the face with a belt, the sight of Galette using his hands to knock down upright objects is a little awkward.

 

But the moves he’s making are what football requires, and a guy who racked up 10 sacks in 2014 and 12 sacks in 2013 is available for any team that wants to sign him.

[laughedatbytime]

Junior Galette sends video of angry workout to media

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 25, 2015, 1:10 PM EDT

 

Former Saints linebacker Junior Galette apparently is done talking about the team’s decision to cut him. But he still has a message to send.

 

Via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, Galette sent a video that shows him working out, slamming his way through a gauntlet of tackling dummies with a bad attitude.

 

Given that Galette was arrested for battery in January (the charges were later dropped) and that a video surfaced of a 2013 beach brawl that apparently includes an image of Galette striking a woman in the face with a belt, the sight of Galette using his hands to knock down upright objects is a little awkward.

 

But the moves he’s making are what football requires, and a guy who racked up 10 sacks in 2014 and 12 sacks in 2013 is available for any team that wants to sign him.

Florio is being a moron here (not that it excuses Galette's behavior). A film sent to other teams of a player showing him slamming his way through a gauntlet of tackling dummies with a bad attitude is probably what teams are looking for in a pass rushing linebacker. What's he supposed to do, send a video of himself drinking tea?

[treeduck]

Junior Galette sends video of angry workout to media

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 25, 2015, 1:10 PM EDT

 

Former Saints linebacker Junior Galette apparently is done talking about the team’s decision to cut him. But he still has a message to send.

 

Via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, Galette sent a video that shows him working out, slamming his way through a gauntlet of tackling dummies with a bad attitude.

 

Given that Galette was arrested for battery in January (the charges were later dropped) and that a video surfaced of a 2013 beach brawl that apparently includes an image of Galette striking a woman in the face with a belt, the sight of Galette using his hands to knock down upright objects is a little awkward.

 

But the moves he’s making are what football requires, and a guy who racked up 10 sacks in 2014 and 12 sacks in 2013 is available for any team that wants to sign him.

Florio is being a moron here (not that it excuses Galette's behavior). A film sent to other teams of a player showing him slamming his way through a gauntlet of tackling dummies with a bad attitude is probably what teams are looking for in a pass rushing linebacker. What's he supposed to do, send a video of himself drinking tea?

Florio is trying to show the hot women in his town that he's not just an NBC playboy.

[laughedatbytime]

Junior Galette sends video of angry workout to media

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 25, 2015, 1:10 PM EDT

 

Former Saints linebacker Junior Galette apparently is done talking about the team’s decision to cut him. But he still has a message to send.

 

Via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, Galette sent a video that shows him working out, slamming his way through a gauntlet of tackling dummies with a bad attitude.

 

Given that Galette was arrested for battery in January (the charges were later dropped) and that a video surfaced of a 2013 beach brawl that apparently includes an image of Galette striking a woman in the face with a belt, the sight of Galette using his hands to knock down upright objects is a little awkward.

 

But the moves he’s making are what football requires, and a guy who racked up 10 sacks in 2014 and 12 sacks in 2013 is available for any team that wants to sign him.

Florio is being a moron here (not that it excuses Galette's behavior). A film sent to other teams of a player showing him slamming his way through a gauntlet of tackling dummies with a bad attitude is probably what teams are looking for in a pass rushing linebacker. What's he supposed to do, send a video of himself drinking tea?

Florio is trying to show the hot women in his town that he's not just an NBC playboy.

I guess it's better than starting a "Dancing With the Stars Talk" website.

[treeduck]

Junior Galette sends video of angry workout to media

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 25, 2015, 1:10 PM EDT

 

Former Saints linebacker Junior Galette apparently is done talking about the team’s decision to cut him. But he still has a message to send.

 

Via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, Galette sent a video that shows him working out, slamming his way through a gauntlet of tackling dummies with a bad attitude.

 

Given that Galette was arrested for battery in January (the charges were later dropped) and that a video surfaced of a 2013 beach brawl that apparently includes an image of Galette striking a woman in the face with a belt, the sight of Galette using his hands to knock down upright objects is a little awkward.

 

But the moves he’s making are what football requires, and a guy who racked up 10 sacks in 2014 and 12 sacks in 2013 is available for any team that wants to sign him.

Florio is being a moron here (not that it excuses Galette's behavior). A film sent to other teams of a player showing him slamming his way through a gauntlet of tackling dummies with a bad attitude is probably what teams are looking for in a pass rushing linebacker. What's he supposed to do, send a video of himself drinking tea?

Florio is trying to show the hot women in his town that he's not just an NBC playboy.

I guess it's better than starting a "Dancing With the Stars Talk" website.

Aye!

[treeduck]

Galette passes physical, heads to free agency

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 27, 2015, 11:38 AM EDT

Former Saints linebacker Junior Galette soon will have a chance to sign with any team he wants. The question is whether any team will want to sign him.

 

Galette tells Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate that the former Saint passed a physical over the weekend, paving the way for his official release.

 

Once officially released, Galette’s four-plus years of service will make him eligible for instant free agency.

 

So who will sign him? The NFL is still considering how to handle the aftermath of an arrest from earlier this year (the charges were dropped, possibly after a civil settlement was reached with the alleged victim) and a 2013 video showing Galette hitting a woman in the face with a belt during a beach brawl.

 

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Saints waited as long as possible to cut Galette, in the hopes that the NFL would take action that would allow the Saints to possibly collect some of the signing bonus money previously paid to him. While the Saints realize they made a mistake in signing Galette to a new contract last year (and in converting a $12.5 million roster bonus to a signing bonus in March), they chose not to compound the mistake by keeping him around to justify the money already spent.

 

Galette was no locker-room darling in New Orleans; other players on other teams may not be thrilled about the possibility of bringing Galette to town. Beyond whatever opinions have made their way through the NFL grapevine from New Orleans to other cities, an apparent social media rant from Galette that emerged over the weekend could make a prospective employer less inclined to employ Galette.

 

Galette’s agent, Alvin Keels, has not confirmed that Galette made the statements, which some think were posed onto a social-media account belonging to his girlfriend. Keels may need to have a thorough explanation, if he’s going to convince someone else to take a chance on being the next team that becomes the potential target of Galette’s online ire.

 

Considering how Galette has treated a team that paid him $18 million since September, how would he treat a team that pays him a lot less than that?

[treeduck]

Junior Galette denies going on anti-Saints Twitter rant

 

Posted by Michael David Smith on July 27, 2015, 12:36 PM EDT

Shortly after Junior Galette was cut by the Saints, someone took to Twitter and blasted the team, some players and coaches. Some websites published the Twitter rant and said that it was written by Galette, using his girlfriend’s Twitter account.

 

But Galette says that’s not the case.

 

“I don’t even have a Twitter. I haven’t used it since January. Neither does my girlfriend,” Galette told Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate.

 

Galette has had plenty to say about the Saints since they cut him, calling the move the worst decision the Saints have ever made. Some Saints players have indicated that they’re glad he’s gone, while others have said they wish him well elsewhere.

 

If Galette really were behind that anti-Saints rant, he wasn’t just burning bridges, he was nuking them. But Galette insists that he hasn’t said anything about the Saints on Twitter at all.

[treeduck]

Sean Payton wants to see Junior Galette do well elsewhere

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 28, 2015, 3:08 PM EDT

The Saints have decided that they no longer want to employ linebacker Junior Galette. But that doesn’t mean coach Sean Payton regards Galette as unemployable.

 

Payton appeared on Tuesday’s PFT Live on NBC Sports Radio, and I asked what he’d tell another coach who is considering signing Galette.

 

“You are going to get a guy that gives great effort,” Payton said. “He is someone that works hard, he’s passionate, you know I love that about him. He plays with passion. I think the key thing in the area that I get frustrated with myself is just making sure that there’s that communication, like ‘Hey here’s what we’re doing, here’s the expectation level.’ And look, guys are going to make mistakes, you know all of us are and at the same time I think it just really got to a point where we felt for this upcoming season it was a decision we had to make.”

 

Payton mentions he has had success with players who didn’t work out elsewhere, mentioning Anthony Hargrove as a guy who “battled a handful of demons” before flourishing in the fleur-de-lis.

 

“I think it’s about the fit,” Payton said, “and listen I would be more than happy to visit with another coach or G.M. with regards to signing Junior. You want to see him do well. I want to see him do well and have success and realize all his dreams.”

 

Payton also explained that “a series of things” contributed to the decision to move on from Galette.

 

“I think when it’s all said in done there was more expected off the field,” Payton said. “There were too many times there were some inconsistencies, some things that took place where we didn’t feel comfortable as a club. Obviously when you write a check like that and make a commitment like that you have a long-term vision. Certainly we did. That same vision we had when we signed Junior as a rookie player. Shoot, as a head coach you feel like you failed because you take a vested interest him having success and seeing him accomplish all the things you want. Yet at the same time there is team element that we felt was really paramount, and it was really in the best interest for in what we felt going forward for our team.”

 

Galette still faces potential league scrutiny for a paid of off-field incidents, which could prompt a team to take a wait-and-see approach to signing him. Also, a head coach or G.M. will likely want to conduct plenty of other research before giving the guy who squandered his roster spot in New Orleans a second chance.

[laughedatbytime]

Sean Payton wants to see Junior Galette do well elsewhere

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 28, 2015, 3:08 PM EDT

The Saints have decided that they no longer want to employ linebacker Junior Galette. But that doesn’t mean coach Sean Payton regards Galette as unemployable.

 

Payton appeared on Tuesday’s PFT Live on NBC Sports Radio, and I asked what he’d tell another coach who is considering signing Galette.

 

“You are going to get a guy that gives great effort,” Payton said. “He is someone that works hard, he’s passionate, you know I love that about him. He plays with passion. I think the key thing in the area that I get frustrated with myself is just making sure that there’s that communication, like ‘Hey here’s what we’re doing, here’s the expectation level.’ And look, guys are going to make mistakes, you know all of us are and at the same time I think it just really got to a point where we felt for this upcoming season it was a decision we had to make.”

 

Payton mentions he has had success with players who didn’t work out elsewhere, mentioning Anthony Hargrove as a guy who “battled a handful of demons” before flourishing in the fleur-de-lis.

 

“I think it’s about the fit,” Payton said, “and listen I would be more than happy to visit with another coach or G.M. with regards to signing Junior. You want to see him do well. I want to see him do well and have success and realize all his dreams.”

 

Payton also explained that “a series of things” contributed to the decision to move on from Galette.

 

“I think when it’s all said in done there was more expected off the field,” Payton said. “There were too many times there were some inconsistencies, some things that took place where we didn’t feel comfortable as a club. Obviously when you write a check like that and make a commitment like that you have a long-term vision. Certainly we did. That same vision we had when we signed Junior as a rookie player. Shoot, as a head coach you feel like you failed because you take a vested interest him having success and seeing him accomplish all the things you want. Yet at the same time there is team element that we felt was really paramount, and it was really in the best interest for in what we felt going forward for our team.”

 

Galette still faces potential league scrutiny for a paid of off-field incidents, which could prompt a team to take a wait-and-see approach to signing him. Also, a head coach or G.M. will likely want to conduct plenty of other research before giving the guy who squandered his roster spot in New Orleans a second chance.

Junior better not destroy his cell phone.

[treeduck]

Sean Payton wants to see Junior Galette do well elsewhere

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 28, 2015, 3:08 PM EDT

The Saints have decided that they no longer want to employ linebacker Junior Galette. But that doesn’t mean coach Sean Payton regards Galette as unemployable.

 

Payton appeared on Tuesday’s PFT Live on NBC Sports Radio, and I asked what he’d tell another coach who is considering signing Galette.

 

“You are going to get a guy that gives great effort,” Payton said. “He is someone that works hard, he’s passionate, you know I love that about him. He plays with passion. I think the key thing in the area that I get frustrated with myself is just making sure that there’s that communication, like ‘Hey here’s what we’re doing, here’s the expectation level.’ And look, guys are going to make mistakes, you know all of us are and at the same time I think it just really got to a point where we felt for this upcoming season it was a decision we had to make.”

 

Payton mentions he has had success with players who didn’t work out elsewhere, mentioning Anthony Hargrove as a guy who “battled a handful of demons” before flourishing in the fleur-de-lis.

 

“I think it’s about the fit,” Payton said, “and listen I would be more than happy to visit with another coach or G.M. with regards to signing Junior. You want to see him do well. I want to see him do well and have success and realize all his dreams.”

 

Payton also explained that “a series of things” contributed to the decision to move on from Galette.

 

“I think when it’s all said in done there was more expected off the field,” Payton said. “There were too many times there were some inconsistencies, some things that took place where we didn’t feel comfortable as a club. Obviously when you write a check like that and make a commitment like that you have a long-term vision. Certainly we did. That same vision we had when we signed Junior as a rookie player. Shoot, as a head coach you feel like you failed because you take a vested interest him having success and seeing him accomplish all the things you want. Yet at the same time there is team element that we felt was really paramount, and it was really in the best interest for in what we felt going forward for our team.”

 

Galette still faces potential league scrutiny for a paid of off-field incidents, which could prompt a team to take a wait-and-see approach to signing him. Also, a head coach or G.M. will likely want to conduct plenty of other research before giving the guy who squandered his roster spot in New Orleans a second chance.

Junior better not destroy his cell phone.

If it upsets him he'll take a belt to it.

[treeduck]

Saints release Brodrick Bunkley

 

Posted by Josh Alper on July 28, 2015, 5:46 PM EDT

The Saints have said goodbye to another member of last year’s defense.

 

Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley was released on Tuesday after failing a physical. Bunkley tore his quad last season and ended the year on injured reserve before taking a pay cut to remain with the team this offseason. The team also released linebacker Junior Galette this week.

 

Bunkley started 11 games with the Saints last season and spent the last three seasons as a regular on the team’s defensive line. He had 18 tackles and could help someone’s rotation as a run defender if he can show he’s healthy enough to contribute this season. The Saints

 

The Saints signed Kevin Williams this offseason to increase their options up front and 2013 third-round pick John Jenkins returns for a third year with the team.

 

New Orleans also placed safety Jairus Byrd, wide receiver Marques Colston and defensive tackle Glenn Foster on the physically unable to perform list. Byrd did limited work this offseason after last year’s season-ending knee injury while neither Foster nor Colston did much work during the spring. Cornerback Brian Dixon was also placed on the non-football injury list.

[treeduck]

Cam Jordan could replace Junior Galette as New Orleans Saints' edge-rushing end

 

http://imgick.nola.com/home/nola-media/width620/img/saints_impact/photo/18347305-mmmain.jpg

 

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. -- Cam Jordan was rarely mentioned on the long lists of possible replacements for recently released New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Junior Galette.

 

Now it appears that Jordan, the Saints' fifth-year defensive end, might have been the most obvious candidate all along.

 

Although it was only Day 1 of training camp at the Greenbrier resort, the Saints new-look defense appears to envision Jordan being more of an edge-rusher, lining up on the outside pad of the offensive tackle or tight end and letting loose after the quarterback.

 

"It's starting to feel a little bit more Cam-friendly," Jordan said. "I don't have to deal with a guard and a tackle on the inside."

 

The edge role primarily belonged to Galette in 2014. Although listed as an outside linebacker, Galette mainly lined up with his hand on the ground and rarely dropped into pass coverage.

 

Jordan, officially listed as a defensive end, played both inside and outside in 2014. Versatility and flexibilty, he said, have been hallmarks of his career.

 

"In prior years, I've had to flex out and set the edge and keep the edge safe," he said. "I've also played inside, all the way to the nose (tackle)."

 

If the new defense does, in fact, push Jordan to the edge in a full-time role, he would be part of a beefed-up front line.

 

Defensive end Akiem Hicks, who frequently played inside in 2014, has lost weight and could also play outside more regularly, Payton said.

 

One formation displayed on Thursday included Jordan and Hicks on the outside with big tackles Kevin Williams and John Jenkins in between them.

 

While embracing his new role, Jordan also cautioned it was too early to make sweeping pronouncements about what the defense would look like in 2015.

 

"It's too early to tell. It's only Day 1," he said. "Come back in eight, nine days and we can have a further, in-depth conversation about my role."

 

Labels have always been difficult to assign in the Saints defense, and it seems unlikely that the 6-foot-4, 287-pound Jordan will start being introduced as a linebacker before games.

 

The move will give him an opportunity to do what he does best -- get after the passer -- and probably would require him to drop back into coverage in only the rarest of circumstances.

 

"Being the outside guy, you set the edge and you worry about outside-in instead of inside-out," Jordan said. "Clearly, I'm comfortable with my hand in the dirt. If I'm asked to stand up, I can stand up."

[treeduck]

http://i.imgur.com/meZkA2L.jpg Edited July 31, 2015 by treeduck

[treeduck]

http://i.imgur.com/Nl2gPju.jpg

[treeduck]

Washington Redskins signs Junior Galette to one-year deal for minimum

 

Posted by Darin Gantt on July 31, 2015, 12:23 PM EDT

 

Washington just added another pass-rusher, and a cheap one.

 

Agent Alvin Keels, who represents former Saints outside linebacker Junior Galette, just tweeted out word that Galette had signed a one-year deal for the league minimum.

 

“This deal isn’t about the money,” Keels wrote. “Junior feels that he has a lot to prove both on and off of the field.”

 

On the field, he has proven himself reasonably well, with 22.0 sacks the last two seasons.

 

Off the field has been the issue, as the Saints couldn’t wait to get rid of him despite paying him $17 million as part of a six-year deal last September. Galette’s arrest on domestic violence charges could still see him punished under the league’s personal conduct policy, and that helped make his price so low.

 

When he’s eligible, he’ll pair with the recently extended Ryan Kerrigan to give Washington an exceptional duo of pass-rushers.

[treeduck]

Saints add Morten Andersen to ring of honor

 

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 3, 2015, 11:40 AM EDT

 

Not many kickers get their names in the rafters at NFL stadiums, but not many kickers have careers like Morten Andersen.

 

Andersen, one of the greatest kickers in NFL history, has been announced as the next addition to the Saints’ ring of honor. In making the announcement today, Saints coach Sean Payton argued that Andersen also belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

 

Payton makes a good case. Andersen was a Hall of Fame finalist last year, and he’s the NFL’s all-time record holder for games played (382), points scored (2,544) and field goals made (565).

 

The argument against Andersen basically boils down to an argument against putting any kicker in the Hall of Fame. There’s only one pure kicker in the Hall of Fame, Jan Stenerud, and voters may not be ready to put a second kicker in. (If Andersen doesn’t make it, the next kicker who would have a good shot of getting a bust in Canton would be Adam Vinatieri.)

 

There’s no argument, however, that Andersen is one of the greatest players in the history of the Saints. He’ll be recognized as such at a Superdome ceremony this season.

[laughedatbytime]

Saints add Morten Andersen to ring of honor

 

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 3, 2015, 11:40 AM EDT

 

Not many kickers get their names in the rafters at NFL stadiums, but not many kickers have careers like Morten Andersen.

 

Andersen, one of the greatest kickers in NFL history, has been announced as the next addition to the Saints’ ring of honor. In making the announcement today, Saints coach Sean Payton argued that Andersen also belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

 

Payton makes a good case. Andersen was a Hall of Fame finalist last year, and he’s the NFL’s all-time record holder for games played (382), points scored (2,544) and field goals made (565).

 

The argument against Andersen basically boils down to an argument against putting any kicker in the Hall of Fame. There’s only one pure kicker in the Hall of Fame, Jan Stenerud, and voters may not be ready to put a second kicker in. (If Andersen doesn’t make it, the next kicker who would have a good shot of getting a bust in Canton would be Adam Vinatieri.)

 

There’s no argument, however, that Andersen is one of the greatest players in the history of the Saints. He’ll be recognized as such at a Superdome ceremony this season.

Andersen belongs in the Hall, IMO.