New Orleans SAINTS official thread 2014-15

[treeduck]

Quick takes from Saints practice

May, 29, 2014

 

By Mike Triplett | ESPN.com

 

METAIRIE, La. -- The media got its first glimpse of the New Orleans Saints' full squad on the practice field during Thursday's OTA session. The biggest news was the absence of safety Jairus Byrd, who is undergoing back surgery that is expected to have him back at full speed in time for training camp.

 

I'll have more to come later this afternoon after we speak with players in the locker room. For now, here are quick observations from practice:

 

Welcome back: On a more positive injury note, cornerback Patrick Robinson and linebacker Victor Butler were back at full speed after missing all of last season with knee injuries. And safety Kenny Vaccaro was full speed after ending last season on injured reserve with a fractured ankle.

 

Robinson actually lined up with the first-string defense throughout practice, while corners Champ Bailey and Corey White lined up with the second string. It's far too early to read anything into the depth chart -- especially as it pertains to Bailey, since newcomers often line up with the second string while the playbook is being installed.

 

However, that's another great sign of the Saints' faith in Robinson, who struggled in 2012 before being injured in 2013. Both coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan spoke highly of Robinson's skill set and how his offseason has been going. Don't count him out in the crowded battle for that No. 2 cornerback job.

 

Welcome, Bailey: Speaking of Bailey, he made his presence felt by forcing a turnover during team drills late in practice. He broke up a pass intended for receiver Kenny Stills, popping the ball into the air, where it was intercepted by linebacker Kyle Knox.

 

Looking good: The defense had a few highlights during the practices that don't involve pads or live contact. Defensive end Akiem Hicks batted down a pass from Drew Brees on the first play of team drills. Safety Rafael Bush and cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste also forced fumbles by stripping receivers Marques Colston and Andy Tanner, respectively.

 

Knox also leaped high in the air to bat down a pass at one point, showing nifty athleticism. Knox is a second-year pro who spent time with the Saints last season on special teams and on the practice squad. He's an athletic outside linebacker who also shouldn't be forgotten in the battle for backup roster spots along with more highly-touted draft picks like Rufus Johnson, Khairi Fortt and Ronald Powell.

 

As for the offense, quarterback Ryan Griffin threw a couple of nice darts that stood out.

 

Depth-chart notes: Other than Robinson, there weren't any surprises with the players lining up on the starting units. Ramon Humber took snaps at outside linebacker with the first string, rotating with Parys Haralson, while the Saints lined up in mostly 3-4 defensive alignments.

 

Noteworthy among the backup rotation: The second-string line was Bryce Harris at left tackle, Senio Kelemete at left guard, rookie Matt Armstrong at center, Marcel Jones at right guard and Ty Nsekhe at right tackle. Rookie Tavon Rooks worked with the third string at left tackle. Mike Golic Jr. worked as the third-string center.

 

The Saints weren't necessarily practicing their punt returns, but during a coverage drill they had receivers Stills, Robert Meachem and Charles Hawkins lined up as punt returners.

 

Sitting out: Receiver Joe Morgan was held out of practice while recovering from his own knee injury. Defensive linemen John Jenkins, Tyrunn Walker and Moses McCray, outside linebacker Cheta Ozougwu, and receiver Steve Hull were also held out for undisclosed reasons. Guard Ben Grubbs was limited during practice for an undisclosed reason.

 

As expected, tight end Jimmy Graham and receiver Brandin Cooks were not in attendance Thursday. Graham is still unsigned, while Cooks is not allowed to participate until his college semester comes to an end since Oregon State is on a quarters system.

 

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Bailey making strong impression with Saints

 

http://i.imgur.com/KOdbl20.jpg

 

METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- Roland ''Champ'' Bailey, who turns 36 next month, figures there's no use trying to fool anyone - least of all himself - about his age.

 

As of now, he's the oldest every-down player on New Orleans' roster; place kicker Shayne Graham is his only elder teammate.

 

''If you put me on any team, I'm always going to be the old guy,'' Bailey said. ''It's just something I've got to get used to.''

 

Preferring to avoid comparisons to the player he was several years ago, Baily is focusing on what he can do in 2014. That's when the Saints' relatively young and partly overhauled secondary will need his leadership, veteran savvy, and still formidable play-making skills.

 

''One thing I don't want to do is look back or look too far ahead. I'm taking care of what's in front of me. That's getting in shape and getting to know my guys,'' Bailey said. ''My first thing is to lead by example, show how hard I can work and try to lead that way. And all these guys - I know I have a lot of experience and I'm not going to shy away from telling them things I think they need to hear and making sure I'm there for them when they have questions.''

 

Now entering his 16th NFL season, Bailey has been named to 12 Pro Bowls. His 52 career interceptions are the most among active players.

http://i.imgur.com/4N3WgjM.jpg

 

He was among the more high-profile free-agent additions New Orleans made this offseason, along with safety Jairus Byrd.

 

Unlike Bailey, Byrd is in the prime of his career, entering his sixth season with three Pro Bowls and 22 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles already to his name. Also unlike Bailey, Byrd was not available to participate in voluntary offseason practices this week because of back surgery.

 

Coach Sean Payton said Byrd's procedure to address a nagging problem with a disc should not sideline the safety beyond the start of training camp.

 

''It's something that didn't need to be done, but both he and ourselves felt like it would be something that would prevent any issues in the fall,'' Payton said. ''Our guess would be that we'll be real cautious ... and then he'll start up training camp with no problem.''

 

Bailey, who last season missed 11 games with a left foot injury, said he feels good now, and backed it up with his performance on the field. During 11-on-11 drills, Bailey made a leaping breakup of Luke McCown's pass intended for Andy Tanner along the sideline. Later, Bailey tipped McCown's slant pass intended for Kenny Stills, resulting in an interception by linebacker Kyle Knox.

 

View galleryBailey making strong impression with Saints

New Orleans Saints cornerback Champ Bailey (27) takes a knee during an NFL football minicamp in Meta …

''He looks fantastic,'' defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said. ''You look out there and you think he's one of those young guys running around. But he's bringing excitement to our defense and knowledge and it's awesome to add a great player like him.''

 

Quarterback Drew Brees recalled throwing an interception that Bailey returned for a 25-yard touchdown in 2005, when Brees was with San Diego and Bailey with Denver. The Broncos came back to win that game in large part because of Bailey's play, and Brees said Bailey's play-making was why game plans included ''no-throw zones,'' whenever Denver was the opponent.

 

''Certain routes, certain areas of the field, you just knew: 'Don't even think about it. It's not worth it,''' Brees recalled.

 

The Saints hope Bailey will still come up with such plays while mentoring younger cornerbacks including 2010 first-round pick Patrick Robinson, who missed most of last season with a knee injury; rookie Stanley Jean-Baptiste, a second round pick; and third-year cornerback Corey White. Even Keenan Lewis, the Saints' top cornerback, could benefit from Bailey's presence.

 

''There's so much value in having a guy like that,'' Brees said. ''Not only what he can teach our young guys, but just he's still and extremely productive player. ... He wouldn't have chosen the New Orleans Saints if he didn't think we had a legitimate shot here - and that he could help us.''

 

Notes: In addition to Byrd, those missing practice included DT John Jenkins, DE Tyrunn Walker, WR Joseph Morgan and WR Brandin Cooks. Cooks was excused to finish the school year at Oregon State. Payton declined to address the conditions of Jenkins, Walker or Morgan, though Morgan wore a sleeve his left knee, which he injured last training camp, putting him out for the season

 

[Nate2112]

Shit ducky. I thought I would be a hero making this thread earlier but you showed up!

[treeduck]

Shit ducky. I thought I would be a hero making this thread earlier but you showed up!

 

[treeduck]

Report: Saints reach a deal with Jonathan Goodwin

 

Posted by Mike Wilkening on June 2, 2014, 2:33 PM EDT

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/cd0ymzcznguwzdbhnduynddiytjhm2yyzthlmtjjotqwyyznptywy2nkzgizyzfjmjhimzywymy0mwe0zti3ogjlzgu4-e1401733971918.jpeg?w=182

 

Jonathan Goodwin appears set to return to the Saints.

 

The 35-year-old center, who played for New Orleans from 2006 through 2010, has reached a deal with the Saints, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reported Monday. The contract is expected to be finalized on Tuesday, per ESPN.

 

Goodwin (6-3, 318) figures to push second-year pro Tim Lelito for the starting job in the middle of the Saints’ line.

 

Goodwin had been the 49ers’ starting center for the last three seasons. He has made 86 consecutive regular season starts dating back to 2008.

[treeduck]

Saints add line depth with Goodwin, Deaderick

 

Posted by Darin Gantt on June 3, 2014, 1:29 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/j-goodwin.jpg?w=141

 

The Saints added some line experience Tuesday with a pair of deals.

 

According to Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Saints signed defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick, who visited Monday.

 

The Saints also announced the acquisition of veteran center Jonathan Goodwin, which had been previously reported.

 

While the Saints might be looking other, younger players for their spots, they add some depth along the interior, giving them good insurance.

[treeduck]

The New Orleans Saints have signed C Jonathan Goodwin and DL Brandon Deaderick to one-year contracts. The club also has waived G Mike Golic Jr. and ILB Spencer Hadley it was announced by Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis.

 

 

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/assets/article_images_new/2014/goodwin_article.jpg

 

Goodwin, 6-3, 318, returns to New Orleans, where he played from 2006-10, after serving as the starting center of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-13. Originally selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round (154th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft, Goodwin has appeared in 181 career regular season games with 106 starts, 93 taking place at center. He’s a veteran of 16 postseason contests, opening the last 12 games. The durable Goodwin has opened 86 consecutive games, third most among active NFL centers.

 

In 2013, Goodwin started all 16 games at center for the fifth consecutive season for a San Francisco squad that reached the NFC Championship Game and ranked third in the NFL in rushing offense. The 12-year NFL veteran was chosen by his teammates as the 49ers recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. He also opened all three postseason contests.

 

Signing with New Orleans as an unrestricted free agent in 2006 and serving as a backup offensive lineman his first two seasons, Goodwin evolved into one of the quiet leaders of the Saints offense from 2008-10. The veteran opened the last 45 regular season games and four postseason contests he appeared in for the Black and Gold and was responsible for all of the calls and adjustments on the Saints’ offensive front, which surrendered the third-fewest sacks in the NFL over that period. He earned Pro Bowl Honors in 2009 for the Super Bowl XLIV champions.

 

Goodwin was a top performer at Michigan, opening 20-of-29 games from 1999-2001 while playing every position on the offensive front except left tackle.

 

Deaderick, 6-4, 305, is a four-year NFL veteran, who has played in 47 career games with 15 starts and has posted career totals of 50 tackles (36 solo), 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed. Originally a seventh round draft pick (247th overall) of the New England Patriots in the 2010 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama, the Elizabethtown, Ky. native started 14 regular season games and five playoff contests along the New England defensive line over his first three seasons. In 2013, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars and appeared in 13 games with one start as a part of their defensive line rotation and posted nine tackles (eight solo), 0.5 sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

[treeduck]

NFL strident about Graham grievance

 

Posted by Mike Florio on June 10, 2014, 8:59 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/graham.jpg?w=250

 

 

Here’s a shock. The NFL feels very strongly about its position in the Jimmy Graham grievance.

 

When it comes to legal matters, the league rarely lacks in confidence. And for good reason; the league rarely loses.

 

That said, the NFL easily could lose the Graham case. But the unnamed league source that spoke to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com doesn’t sound concerned about defeat in a fight that has more than $5 million hanging in the balance.

 

“The union’s position is a naked cash grab,” the unnamed league source told Triplett. “It ignores Mr. Graham’s use as a traditional tight end on roughly 60 percent of the snaps where he lined up within four yards of the tackle. It also ignores the historical use of the tight end position.

 

“Since the days of Mike Ditka, coaches have split the tight end wide to gain information about the defensive set and gain a matchup advantage. According to the union’s position, last year’s All-Pro tight end was not a tight end and Mike Ditka was a wide receiver.”

 

The union’s position flows from the letter of the labor deal negotiated and signed by the two parties. The language is clear. A franchise player will be designated based on the position at which he participated in the most plays during the prior league year.

 

While we’ve yet (and don’t plan) to study game film from the 1960s to see how many times Mike Ditka lined up tight to the end of the line (ergo, “tight end”) or in the slot or split wide, the issue isn’t nearly as clear as the league believes. If the system arbitrator, subject to appeal to a three-person panel, finds after next week’s hearing that the snaps taken by Graham in the slot constitute plays in which he participated as a receiver, Graham wins. If the system arbitrator, subject to appeal, finds that the tight end position includes snaps in the slot, Graham loses.

 

It’s hardly as cut-and-dried as Triplett’s unnamed source suggests. And to the extent it’s a “naked cash grab,” so be it. The NFL routinely makes “naked cash grabs,” like when it dictates terms for the potential Super Bowl host cities. Moreover, the folks who own NFL teams didn’t get to that point without making a few naked and/or fully-clothed and/or scantily-clad cash grabs.

 

At best, the NFL allowed an ambiguity to creep into the labor deal on this point. At worst, the NFL created the same kind of loophole that results in centers and guards being paid franchise-player wages at the same level of the league’s elite left tackles because the league inexplicably agreed to lump offensive lineman into one category.

 

The league may still win this. But the chances of losing are far greater than Triplett’s source will concede.

 

If the league’s position were so clear, the Packers would have pushed the issue two years ago with Jermichael Finley. Likewise, the Titans wouldn’t have blinked in 2013 with Jared Cook. In both cases, the NFL’s Management Council wouldn’t and couldn’t give the kind of guarantee that Triplett’s source is selling.

 

Which means that Triplett’s source may not really be quite so confident, and that the quotes are instead aimed at persuading the public to view Graham as greedy.

[treeduck]

Drew Brees: Brandin Cooks could fill Darren Sproles’ role

 

Posted by Josh Alper on June 18, 2014, 2:08 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/cd0ymzcznguwzdbhnduynddiytjhm2yyzthlmtjjotqwyyznpwrhyzu5owy1n2uxmjaymmm0ndzknzywzta2zme4mjaz.jpeg?w=250

The Eagles see Darren Sproles as “an outstanding running back” and that they plan to line him up in the backfield this season.

 

That’s a change from the role Sproles played with the Saints. New Orleans lined Sproles up all over the place and threw him the ball more than they handed it to him. They don’t have a clear replacement for Sproles among the running backs on the roster, but quarterback Drew Brees underscored how different Sproles’ role will be in Philly when he said that wide receiver Brandin Cooks could take over the responsibilities.

 

“Even though Darren Sproles played the running back position, we were creative with him,” Brees said, via Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “We did a lot of things with him out of the backfield. We’d split him out. We’d throw him screens. We’d do all kinds of stuff with him. So, that role can be filled by maybe even a receiver. Hey, we go out in the draft and get a guy in Brandin Cooks out of Oregon State — an explosive player, great speed, great talent, tremendous young man, loves to learn, loves the game of football. … From all indications, this guy can do a lot of things for us, and he’s eager to fill a role that we need him to on offense.”

 

Brees continued to rave about all of the things that Cooks could do to help the offense, which explains why the Saints made the wideout their top choice in last month’s draft. If he lives up to the hype while Kenny Stills and others take steps forward, there shouldn’t be much of a drop at all on offense in New Orleans.

[treeduck]

Jim Kelly receives autographed poster from New Orleans Saints

Posted 1 hour ago

By NewOrleansSaints.com

 

New Orleans Saints players and coaches autographed a poster for former Buffalo Bill and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly

 

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

 

New Orleans Saints players and coaches sent an autographed poster to former Buffalo Bills QB and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, who is still recovering from his last round of treatments for sinus cancer.

 

The poster is a close-up shot of a player holding a New Orleans Saints helmet. Along with autographs, the players and coaches wrote words of encouragement and prayers for Kelly.

 

Kelly’s wife Jill and daughter Erin posted photos of Jim with the poster on their respective Instagram accounts Saturday.

 

Jill posted: “And then the FedEx truck pulls up and out comes this huge box with a message of HOPE and prayer from the entire #NewOrleansSaints team WOW! Thank you @neworleanssaints JK is feeling extra loved and blessed right now!”

 

Erin wrote: “Wow!!!! Incredibly blessed!!! Thank you to the entire New Orleans Saints team for signing this for my dad and for praying for him!!!! Love the NFL family! #prayersforjk #kellytough”

 

Kelly recently finished chemo and radiation treatments for his second bout with cancer. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has been recovering from home the past two weeks.

 

For more information on Kelly’s progress follow @HJKforever on Twitter and check out his foundation Hunter’s Hope.

[laughedatbytime]

Jim Kelly receives autographed poster from New Orleans Saints

Posted 1 hour ago

By NewOrleansSaints.com

 

New Orleans Saints players and coaches autographed a poster for former Buffalo Bill and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly

 

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

 

New Orleans Saints players and coaches sent an autographed poster to former Buffalo Bills QB and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, who is still recovering from his last round of treatments for sinus cancer.

 

The poster is a close-up shot of a player holding a New Orleans Saints helmet. Along with autographs, the players and coaches wrote words of encouragement and prayers for Kelly.

 

Kelly’s wife Jill and daughter Erin posted photos of Jim with the poster on their respective Instagram accounts Saturday.

 

Jill posted: “And then the FedEx truck pulls up and out comes this huge box with a message of HOPE and prayer from the entire #NewOrleansSaints team WOW! Thank you @neworleanssaints JK is feeling extra loved and blessed right now!”

 

Erin wrote: “Wow!!!! Incredibly blessed!!! Thank you to the entire New Orleans Saints team for signing this for my dad and for praying for him!!!! Love the NFL family! #prayersforjk #kellytough”

 

Kelly recently finished chemo and radiation treatments for his second bout with cancer. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has been recovering from home the past two weeks.

 

For more information on Kelly’s progress follow @HJKforever on Twitter and check out his foundation Hunter’s Hope.

Classy. :clap: :clap: :clap:

[treeduck]

Jim Kelly receives autographed poster from New Orleans Saints

Posted 1 hour ago

By NewOrleansSaints.com

 

New Orleans Saints players and coaches autographed a poster for former Buffalo Bill and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly

 

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

 

New Orleans Saints players and coaches sent an autographed poster to former Buffalo Bills QB and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, who is still recovering from his last round of treatments for sinus cancer.

 

The poster is a close-up shot of a player holding a New Orleans Saints helmet. Along with autographs, the players and coaches wrote words of encouragement and prayers for Kelly.

 

Kelly’s wife Jill and daughter Erin posted photos of Jim with the poster on their respective Instagram accounts Saturday.

 

Jill posted: “And then the FedEx truck pulls up and out comes this huge box with a message of HOPE and prayer from the entire #NewOrleansSaints team WOW! Thank you @neworleanssaints JK is feeling extra loved and blessed right now!”

 

Erin wrote: “Wow!!!! Incredibly blessed!!! Thank you to the entire New Orleans Saints team for signing this for my dad and for praying for him!!!! Love the NFL family! #prayersforjk #kellytough”

 

Kelly recently finished chemo and radiation treatments for his second bout with cancer. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has been recovering from home the past two weeks.

 

For more information on Kelly’s progress follow @HJKforever on Twitter and check out his foundation Hunter’s Hope.

Classy. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Aye.

 

:hail: :sundog:

[LyndseyG]

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb414/lyndseyg2112/IMG_37717424978368.jpeg

[treeduck]

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb414/lyndseyg2112/IMG_37717424978368.jpeg

:ebert:

[treeduck]

Graham ruling expected next week

 

Posted by Mike Florio on June 27, 2014, 1:38 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/graham1.jpg?w=250

It’s been more than a week since an arbitrator considered arguments and evidence in the franchise-tag grievance between Jimmy Graham and the Saints. To date, no ruling has been issued.

 

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, a ruling is expected next week. (Which probably means it’ll come this afternoon.)

 

That won’t be the end of it. The losing party party inevitably will appeal the outcome to a three-person panel under the labor deal. And a decision may or may not be issued before the July 15 deadline for working out a long-term deal.

 

Which means that there’s a decent chance the decision won’t be official before the team and the player have to decide whether to work out a long-term contract or let it ride on a one-year deal with franchise tender to be determined by the appeals panel.

 

The stakes are considerable. In addition to a $5.3 million gap in 2014 pay, the likelihood of the Saints using the tag again in 2015 will drop considerably if Graham wins. By rule, his one-year pay for 2015 would bump to $14.76 million for a second tag.

[treeduck]

Sean Payton testified at Jimmy Graham hearing

 

Posted by Mike Florio on June 27, 2014, 3:14 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/graham1.jpg?w=238

 

 

Things got a little awkward, to say the least, when Saints quarterback Drew Brees recently suggested that the team’s offense will be fine with or without tight end* Jimmy Graham. Things got a little more awkward at Graham’s grievance hearing.

 

Per multiple sources, the case against Graham’s position that he should be treated as a receiver for franchise tag purposes included testimony from coach Sean Payton.

 

The specifics aren’t known, but the gist of the testimony was that Graham is a tight end, not a receiver. The consequence, if Payton’s testimony is accepted, will be $5.3 million less in 2014 earnings for Graham.

 

The league and the team believe that snaps taken by a tight end in the slot don’t alter his role as a tight end. As one source pointed out to PFT on Friday, this position would allow a team to call a player a tight end, line him up 100 percent of the time in the slot, and avoid ever paying him as a receiver for franchise tag purposes.

 

Graham lined up only 33 percent of the time in 2013 as a traditional tight end. The labor deal requires franchise-tagged players to be paid according to the tender for the position at which they participated in the most plays during the prior league year.

 

A ruling from the arbitrator is expected next week. The appeal process may not be finished before the July 15 deadline for signing Graham to a long-term deal. Regardless of when he shows up, Graham and Payton will need to find a way to put this chapter in their relationship behind them.

[treeduck]

The All-22: How Brandin Cooks could redefine New Orleans' offense

 

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/74dbe89b1002c19200a48c834983963b0c285750/c=0-206-2908-4087&r=537&c=0-0-534-712/local/-/media/LafayetteLA/2014/06/19/saintsfootball.jpg

 

Since he became the New Orleans Saints' head coach and offensive mastermind in 2006, Sean Payton has always endeavored to put his skill players in unusual positions to make plays. Reggie Bush, the team's first-round pick in that first season, caught a career-high 88 passes, and brought in 294 for the team over five seasons. Payton's preference for motioning Bush from the backfield to the slot pre-snap caused defenses to alter their coverage paradigms because he presented an unpleasant problem for third linebackers when he became an extra receiver. Defenses started using more nickel against the Saints, subbing out their third 'backers for fifth defensive backs, which of course helped New Orleans' underrated run game. This was especially effective in 2009, the season in which the Saints won their only Super Bowl.

 

When Bush was replaced with Darren Sproles in 2011, that paradigm continued. Sproles was uniquely talented, and could alternate between so many places in the formation as a runner and receiver. He was Drew Brees' second "satellite back" -- the player who could force defensive uncertainty with his mere presence on the field.

 

But when the Saints traded Sproles to the Eagles in March, a new weapon was needed. Payton and Brees found the next iteration of their satellite player in a receiver, not a running back: Oregon State's Brandin Cooks. New Orleans took Cooks with the 20th overall pick, and many thought that Cooks would be used as a volume receiver more than anything else. It would make sense -- after all, he led the nation in 2013 with 1,730 receiving yards, catching 128 passes and scoring 16 touchdowns. But when USA Today's Tom Peliserro asked Brees about Cooks' potential in Payton's multiple offenses, a different story was told: Cooks was the next in a line of innovative ideas.

 

NFL

NFC South offseason review: NFL podcast

Audibles Podcast: Breaking down the offseason in the NFC South

 

“Even though Darren Sproles played the running back position, we were creative with him,” Brees said. “We did a lot of things with him out of the backfield. We’d split him out. We’d throw him screens. We’d do all kinds of stuff with him. So, that role can be filled by maybe even a receiver.

 

“Hey, we go out in the draft and get a guy in Brandin Cooks out of Oregon State – an explosive player, great speed, great talent, tremendous young man, loves to learn, loves the game of football. … From all indications, this guy can do a lot of things for us, and he’s eager to fill a role that we need him to on offense.”

 

A role? More like roles, plural. And as it turns out, the college tape shows that Cooks is uniquely qualified to do just that. The Saints create separation with as diverse a series of schemes as any team in the NFL, and there are similarities between what Brees calls and what Cooks was involved in at Oregon State. This sweep at the start of the Beavers' 38-23 win over Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24 was an ideal example of how defenses must alter their approaches to account for Cooks as a potential runner.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30sP1UWr71c

 

 

What Boise State did not do on this play was to drop one of their safeties down to mirror Cooks in motion. Oregon, for one, had done so earlier in the season and was able to contain Cooks in a relative sense. But the Broncos didn't have anyone who could match Cooks' short-area speed, and with nobody to close in on him at the right time, Cooks got to the second level quickly and with little resistance.

 

Two plays later, quarterback Sean Mannion hit Cooks for 21 yards on a short-angle comeback -- the kind of quick pass you see from the Saints pretty frequently. It was up to Cooks to make something of this play, and he certainly did.

 

Another way in which the Saints will surely use Cooks is in twin and stack release concepts. New Orleans uses these quite often in the passing game, and Sproles was frequently involved, especially in the inside slot. In these schemes, receivers are grouped tightly together, either slightly offset or with one on the line of scrimmage and the other about a yard behind. In Oregon State's 44-17 win over Colorado on Sept. 28, Cooks showed how he gets free and upfield using a similar idea. The result was a 36-yard gain.

 

The replay of this play shows an excellent close-up of how both receivers got free against Colorado's defense. When defensive backs are playing close, especially in man alignments, route diversity is an optimal way to create openings. And again, once Cooks gets a little bit of free space, it's off to the races.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VqBlH47n7g

 

 

“Oh man, I’ve seen all the highlights, and that gets you excited,” Brees concluded. “I think he can do a lot of things. I think he can play outside receiver. I think he can play inside in the slot. You can hand him reverses. You can throw him screens. He can return punts. He’s a very versatile player, very explosive player that you just want to get the ball in his hands and get it to him in space and good things will happen.”

 

Of course, there are ways in which Cooks and Sproles are not similar. The point here is not that the Saints are trying to take a 5-foot-10, 189-pound receiver and somehow make him do the same things a 5-6, 181-pound running back will do. Sproles is a red-zone threat as an inside runner who can block well and will run different and shorter routes. Cooks is a route-savvy receiver who has been used in ways similar to everyone from Percy Harvin to Cordarrelle Patterson to Sammy Watkins -- outside, in the slot, with some backfield looks, and definitely as a legitimate running threat. So, when Brees talks about a similarity to Sproles, he might be speaking in a more general fashion. It could be that, as some other NFL teams have done, the Saints are about to take their more traditional offensive notions and add new flavors of multi-positional razzle-dazzle.

 

What makes that work is the fact that there are so many concepts with which Cooks is already familiar; it's easy to look at Oregon State tape and see a lot of natural fits

 

"To be honest, it intersects," Cooks said at the 2014 Rookie Premiere when asked how his old and new offenses are similar. "We both have a pro-style system; a West Coast offense and some creativity going on. The terms are different, but other than learning the concepts, it's been pretty easy."

 

In this case, familiarity could breed even more explosive plays for New Orleans' offense.

 

 

 

[troutman]

Jim Kelly receives autographed poster from New Orleans Saints

Posted 1 hour ago

By NewOrleansSaints.com

 

New Orleans Saints players and coaches autographed a poster for former Buffalo Bill and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly

 

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

 

New Orleans Saints players and coaches sent an autographed poster to former Buffalo Bills QB and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, who is still recovering from his last round of treatments for sinus cancer.

 

The poster is a close-up shot of a player holding a New Orleans Saints helmet. Along with autographs, the players and coaches wrote words of encouragement and prayers for Kelly.

 

Kelly’s wife Jill and daughter Erin posted photos of Jim with the poster on their respective Instagram accounts Saturday.

 

Jill posted: “And then the FedEx truck pulls up and out comes this huge box with a message of HOPE and prayer from the entire #NewOrleansSaints team WOW! Thank you @neworleanssaints JK is feeling extra loved and blessed right now!”

 

Erin wrote: “Wow!!!! Incredibly blessed!!! Thank you to the entire New Orleans Saints team for signing this for my dad and for praying for him!!!! Love the NFL family! #prayersforjk #kellytough”

 

Kelly recently finished chemo and radiation treatments for his second bout with cancer. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has been recovering from home the past two weeks.

 

For more information on Kelly’s progress follow @HJKforever on Twitter and check out his foundation Hunter’s Hope.

Classy. :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

Yeah,

 

Very Cool! :D

[treeduck]

Arbitrator rules Jimmy Graham’s a tight end

 

Posted by Darin Gantt on July 2, 2014, 12:16 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New Orleans Saints

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/7ec08738cbeb40b111f9e531d6ba256a.jpeg?w=250

 

Jimmy Graham is officially a tight end.

 

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, arbitrator Stephen Burbank’s ruling is out, and Graham has been deemed to be a tight end for the purpose of his franchise tag.

 

The difference of $5.3 million in tags ($7 million for tight ends, $12.3 million for wide receivers) creates the urgency for an immediate appeal.

 

The Saints still have until July 15 to reach a long-term deal with Graham, and this ruling gives them a bit of leverage, or at least the high ground. They can come in with something greater than every other tight end in the league as an olive branch, and still be saving money.]

Edited July 2, 2014 by treeduck

[troutman]

I know I have posted this in the past,

 

But I will never forget seeing it back then!! :codger: :D

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ziTME4lfsU

 

 

[treeduck]

Four yards save Saints more than $5 million

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 2, 2014, 2:02 PM EDT

 

Arbitrator Stephen Burbank has issued his decision regarding the Jimmy Graham grievance. Ultimately, four yards of turf saved $5.3 million for the Saints.

 

Burbank, finding the plain language of the labor deal not plain enough to allow him to determine whether lining up in the slot makes a player a receiver or a tight end, drew an unofficial line between the tackle and the sideline.

 

When Graham lined up within four yards of the tackle, Graham was still a tight end. When he lined up more than four yards away from the tackle, he was a receiver.

 

“I conclude that Mr. Graham was at the position of tight end for purposes of Article 10, Section 2(a)(i) when, at the snap, he was aligned adjacent to or ‘arm’s-length’ from the nearest offensive lineman and also when he was in the slot, at least if such alignment brought him within four yards of such linemen,” Burbank wrote in the 14-page, single-spaced decision obtained by PFT. Because Graham lined up in either of those two ways more than half the time in 2013, Burbank concluded that Graham is a tight end for purposes of the franchise tag.

 

So why did Burbank draw a line in the slot? Burbank concluded that, within the distance of four yards, a tight end can perform any of his three primary roles: blocking on running plays, blocking on passing plays, and running pass routes.

 

The somewhat arbitrary distance crafted by the arbitrator feels like an effort to reach the result that Burbank believed to be the fair result, based on evidence that the Saints scouted and drafted Graham as a tight end, that Graham calls himself a tight end, that he made the Pro Bowl as a tight end, and that he generally is a tight end. Unable to easily tuck the snaps taken in the slot into either the tight end or receiver bucket, Burbank crafted a dividing line that put enough snaps in the tight end category.

 

Right or wrong, Burbank’s decision becomes the law of the NFL land unless and until it’s reversed on appeal. And the appeal will become moot if the Saints sign Graham to a long-term deal — or if another team swoops in and signs him to an offer sheet that the Saints won’t or can’t match.

[laughedatbytime]

Four yards save Saints more than $5 million

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 2, 2014, 2:02 PM EDT

 

Arbitrator Stephen Burbank has issued his decision regarding the Jimmy Graham grievance. Ultimately, four yards of turf saved $5.3 million for the Saints.

 

Burbank, finding the plain language of the labor deal not plain enough to allow him to determine whether lining up in the slot makes a player a receiver or a tight end, drew an unofficial line between the tackle and the sideline.

 

When Graham lined up within four yards of the tackle, Graham was still a tight end. When he lined up more than four yards away from the tackle, he was a receiver.

 

“I conclude that Mr. Graham was at the position of tight end for purposes of Article 10, Section 2(a)(i) when, at the snap, he was aligned adjacent to or ‘arm’s-length’ from the nearest offensive lineman and also when he was in the slot, at least if such alignment brought him within four yards of such linemen,” Burbank wrote in the 14-page, single-spaced decision obtained by PFT. Because Graham lined up in either of those two ways more than half the time in 2013, Burbank concluded that Graham is a tight end for purposes of the franchise tag.

 

So why did Burbank draw a line in the slot? Burbank concluded that, within the distance of four yards, a tight end can perform any of his three primary roles: blocking on running plays, blocking on passing plays, and running pass routes.

 

The somewhat arbitrary distance crafted by the arbitrator feels like an effort to reach the result that Burbank believed to be the fair result, based on evidence that the Saints scouted and drafted Graham as a tight end, that Graham calls himself a tight end, that he made the Pro Bowl as a tight end, and that he generally is a tight end. Unable to easily tuck the snaps taken in the slot into either the tight end or receiver bucket, Burbank crafted a dividing line that put enough snaps in the tight end category.

 

Right or wrong, Burbank’s decision becomes the law of the NFL land unless and until it’s reversed on appeal. And the appeal will become moot if the Saints sign Graham to a long-term deal — or if another team swoops in and signs him to an offer sheet that the Saints won’t or can’t match.

Did the Saints win this battle only to lose the war???

[treeduck]

Four yards save Saints more than $5 million

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 2, 2014, 2:02 PM EDT

 

Arbitrator Stephen Burbank has issued his decision regarding the Jimmy Graham grievance. Ultimately, four yards of turf saved $5.3 million for the Saints.

 

Burbank, finding the plain language of the labor deal not plain enough to allow him to determine whether lining up in the slot makes a player a receiver or a tight end, drew an unofficial line between the tackle and the sideline.

 

When Graham lined up within four yards of the tackle, Graham was still a tight end. When he lined up more than four yards away from the tackle, he was a receiver.

 

“I conclude that Mr. Graham was at the position of tight end for purposes of Article 10, Section 2(a)(i) when, at the snap, he was aligned adjacent to or ‘arm’s-length’ from the nearest offensive lineman and also when he was in the slot, at least if such alignment brought him within four yards of such linemen,” Burbank wrote in the 14-page, single-spaced decision obtained by PFT. Because Graham lined up in either of those two ways more than half the time in 2013, Burbank concluded that Graham is a tight end for purposes of the franchise tag.

 

So why did Burbank draw a line in the slot? Burbank concluded that, within the distance of four yards, a tight end can perform any of his three primary roles: blocking on running plays, blocking on passing plays, and running pass routes.

 

The somewhat arbitrary distance crafted by the arbitrator feels like an effort to reach the result that Burbank believed to be the fair result, based on evidence that the Saints scouted and drafted Graham as a tight end, that Graham calls himself a tight end, that he made the Pro Bowl as a tight end, and that he generally is a tight end. Unable to easily tuck the snaps taken in the slot into either the tight end or receiver bucket, Burbank crafted a dividing line that put enough snaps in the tight end category.

 

Right or wrong, Burbank’s decision becomes the law of the NFL land unless and until it’s reversed on appeal. And the appeal will become moot if the Saints sign Graham to a long-term deal — or if another team swoops in and signs him to an offer sheet that the Saints won’t or can’t match.

Did the Saints win this battle only to lose the war???

Why, do you think Graham will hold out?

[laughedatbytime]

Four yards save Saints more than $5 million

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 2, 2014, 2:02 PM EDT

 

Arbitrator Stephen Burbank has issued his decision regarding the Jimmy Graham grievance. Ultimately, four yards of turf saved $5.3 million for the Saints.

 

Burbank, finding the plain language of the labor deal not plain enough to allow him to determine whether lining up in the slot makes a player a receiver or a tight end, drew an unofficial line between the tackle and the sideline.

 

When Graham lined up within four yards of the tackle, Graham was still a tight end. When he lined up more than four yards away from the tackle, he was a receiver.

 

“I conclude that Mr. Graham was at the position of tight end for purposes of Article 10, Section 2(a)(i) when, at the snap, he was aligned adjacent to or ‘arm’s-length’ from the nearest offensive lineman and also when he was in the slot, at least if such alignment brought him within four yards of such linemen,” Burbank wrote in the 14-page, single-spaced decision obtained by PFT. Because Graham lined up in either of those two ways more than half the time in 2013, Burbank concluded that Graham is a tight end for purposes of the franchise tag.

 

So why did Burbank draw a line in the slot? Burbank concluded that, within the distance of four yards, a tight end can perform any of his three primary roles: blocking on running plays, blocking on passing plays, and running pass routes.

 

The somewhat arbitrary distance crafted by the arbitrator feels like an effort to reach the result that Burbank believed to be the fair result, based on evidence that the Saints scouted and drafted Graham as a tight end, that Graham calls himself a tight end, that he made the Pro Bowl as a tight end, and that he generally is a tight end. Unable to easily tuck the snaps taken in the slot into either the tight end or receiver bucket, Burbank crafted a dividing line that put enough snaps in the tight end category.

 

Right or wrong, Burbank’s decision becomes the law of the NFL land unless and until it’s reversed on appeal. And the appeal will become moot if the Saints sign Graham to a long-term deal — or if another team swoops in and signs him to an offer sheet that the Saints won’t or can’t match.

Did the Saints win this battle only to lose the war???

Why, do you think Graham will hold out?

Not sure. But I'm guessing he's gonna be pretty pissed. Would he bring two #1s back if they tried to/had to move him?

[treeduck]

Four yards save Saints more than $5 million

 

Posted by Mike Florio on July 2, 2014, 2:02 PM EDT

 

Arbitrator Stephen Burbank has issued his decision regarding the Jimmy Graham grievance. Ultimately, four yards of turf saved $5.3 million for the Saints.

 

Burbank, finding the plain language of the labor deal not plain enough to allow him to determine whether lining up in the slot makes a player a receiver or a tight end, drew an unofficial line between the tackle and the sideline.

 

When Graham lined up within four yards of the tackle, Graham was still a tight end. When he lined up more than four yards away from the tackle, he was a receiver.

 

“I conclude that Mr. Graham was at the position of tight end for purposes of Article 10, Section 2(a)(i) when, at the snap, he was aligned adjacent to or ‘arm’s-length’ from the nearest offensive lineman and also when he was in the slot, at least if such alignment brought him within four yards of such linemen,” Burbank wrote in the 14-page, single-spaced decision obtained by PFT. Because Graham lined up in either of those two ways more than half the time in 2013, Burbank concluded that Graham is a tight end for purposes of the franchise tag.

 

So why did Burbank draw a line in the slot? Burbank concluded that, within the distance of four yards, a tight end can perform any of his three primary roles: blocking on running plays, blocking on passing plays, and running pass routes.

 

The somewhat arbitrary distance crafted by the arbitrator feels like an effort to reach the result that Burbank believed to be the fair result, based on evidence that the Saints scouted and drafted Graham as a tight end, that Graham calls himself a tight end, that he made the Pro Bowl as a tight end, and that he generally is a tight end. Unable to easily tuck the snaps taken in the slot into either the tight end or receiver bucket, Burbank crafted a dividing line that put enough snaps in the tight end category.

 

Right or wrong, Burbank’s decision becomes the law of the NFL land unless and until it’s reversed on appeal. And the appeal will become moot if the Saints sign Graham to a long-term deal — or if another team swoops in and signs him to an offer sheet that the Saints won’t or can’t match.

Did the Saints win this battle only to lose the war???

Why, do you think Graham will hold out?

Not sure. But I'm guessing he's gonna be pretty pissed. Would he bring two #1s back if they tried to/had to move him?

If he signs the tag yeah, it'd cost two #1s.