Does the NFL own the rights to the "Who Dat" Phrase?  From wwltv.com:

NEW ORLEANS - As the Saints' appearance in their first Super Bowl gets closer, the marketplace is being flooded with Saints merchandise and memorabilia as businesses are looking to cash in on the euphoria, but the NFL is cracking down on the use of their trademarks, including the iconic phrase "Who Dat."

But who really owns "Who Dat"? Does anyone? Who is a "Who Dat?" What is a "Who Dat?" Who owns the phrase, "Who Dat?"

It's a crock if ya ask me!!

Entire article here

Per wwltv.com:

Quarterback Drew Brees and guard Jahri Evans will start for the NFC. Tackle Jon Stinchcomb makes the squad as a reserve.

On the defensive side of the ball, Darren Sharper will start at free safety. Jonathan Vilma makes his second Pro Bowl as a reserve.

Article Here

Good showing for the Saints, hopefully they won't be playing tho cuz they will be getting ready for the Big Show the following week.

According to wwltv.com, Bobby McCray was arrested for DUI:

Saints defensive end Bobby McCray was arrested for driving under the influence in New Orleans around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to Gary Flot, a spokesman for the NOPD.

The Saints only comment on the situation came from the teams spokesperson, Greg Bensel:

"We are aware of the situation involving Bobby McCray and we will let the legal process take its course,"    

Not much info in the article, we'll probably get more later. Negative publicity is definitely not something the Saints need at this time. Hopefully this won't keep him from playing in the playoffs but it could spell the end for McCray if the team decides to treat him like they did practice squad players Biren Ealy and Kolomona Kapanui, who were immediately released after being arrested for urinating in public back in May. 

"Everyone in this locker room sees the potential for us to be special," Saints wide receiver Marques Colston said after Friday's practice. "Everyone is focused on one common goal. That's to finish the season in Miami (for Super Bowl XLIV)."

Team unity is one of the qualities that distinguish this Saints squad from those in recent seasons. Since an NFC Championship game run in 2006 — the furthest the franchise has ever advanced in the postseason — New Orleans has failed to make the playoffs. The defense struggled and the running game, especially in short-yardage situations, was spotty.

Entire article here

I just ran across an article where the Jets DE Shaun Ellis was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy. For ONE game!!! From the article:

Ellis Article

New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis was suspended without pay Monday for the team's regular-season opener and fined $100,000 by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

His violation?

The 31-year-old Ellis was arrested in November and charged with possession of marijuana, speeding and driving without insurance after being pulled over by police in Hanover, N.J., a few miles from the team's training facility in Florham Park.

One game and a fine? For criminal offenses? And Garrett Hartley gets FOUR games for taking a pep pill??  Charles Grant and Will Smith get four games for taking something they had no idea contained a banned substance?  Is it no wonder why the NFL catches so much flak over how they run their substance abuse policy?

No story up yet, just a breaking news headline on wwltv.com. I still can't figure the deal with the musical kickers. Maybe one day they will finally come across a kicker they can settle on. I think I have enough words now!

The New Orleans Saints have signed kicker John Carney to a one-year deal. He is in New Orleans and expected to be at practice tomorrow. Carney kicked for the Saints from 2001-2006.

Not Saints related but I thought worth sharing:

Story here

Former quarterback Steve McNair has been killed after suffering a fatal gunshot wound to the head in downtown Nashville, police officials told CBS station WJZ-TV in Baltimore. An unidentified female victim was also found dead at the scene. 

 

No suspects have been taken into custody. Several people were being taken to police headquarters for questioning, Don Aaron with the Metro Nashville Police Department told CBS affiliate WTVF-TV in Nashville.

Bradley Handwerger posted some observations from this morning's mini camp practice. A few highlights:

The last time we (the media) were able to look at the Saints, much was made about how "spirited" the defense was.

About two weeks later, not much has changed. The defense is still feisty and jumping on every loose ball on the field.

RB Mike Bell looked good. He was quick and caught the ball well.He's an early candidate in my opinion to get some good reps this season.

RB Lionel Hamilton looks like a truck. He's a big dude. He, too, could be a big player this year. But it's early in mini-camp. August isn't even here yet.

WR Devery Henderson started with the 1's today since Colston was out. He looked good. He had one drop, but he also had several marvelous catches. He went high for one and made another with outstretched hands. He went high and caught a pass from QB Drew Brees over CB Randall Gay.

Article here

Link to story:

Former Georgia Tech defensive end Pat Swilling was named Thursday to the National Football Foundation’s 2009 College Football Hall of Fame induction class. The onetime Yellow Jackets star was honored along with 15 other former college standouts, including Tim Brown, Chris Spielman and Grant Wistrom.

Playing at Georgia Tech from 1982-1985, Swilling was part of the “Black Watch” defense that helped rebuild a struggling Yellow Jackets program grow into one that would claim a national title in 1990.

Selected in the third round of the 1985 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints, Swilling made it to five Pro Bowls before being named to the Saints’ own Hall of Fame in 2000. In just his fourth professional season, he was named Defensive Player of the Year after recording 17 sacks

AP has broken what the big announcement later today is. Per wwltv.com:

The New Orleans Saints have agreed to a lease extension that will keep the NFL team playing home games in an improved Louisiana Superdome through the 2025 season.

An announcement by Saints owner Tom Benson and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Superdome.

A person with direct knowledge of lease negotiations confirmed to The Associated Press that a general agreement has been reached and was expected to be signed later in the week after final details have been worked out. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team and governor had yet to make the announcement.

I think the Panthers front office needs some serious drug testing!!! Reading the comments to this story it appears their fans think so too.

Link to story:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The Carolina Panthers signed Jake Delhomme to a five-year, $42.5 million extension on Thursday that keeps their quarterback under contract through the 2014 season.

The extension comes just over three months after the 34-year-old Delhomme had the worst game of his career, throwing five interceptions and losing a fumble in Carolina's 33-13 loss to Arizona in the NFC divisional playoffs.

But coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney had expressed strong support in the offseason for Delhomme, who has been the Panthers' starter since 2003.

From the official Saints website

The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with unrestricted free agent cornerback Jabari Greer.

“Jabari is a young and energetic corner and will fit in nicely into our defensive backfield,” said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. “He’s an aggressive player and has outstanding speed and athleticism and translates the skills very well to the football field. We are excited to have him join our team.”....

And a Q&A with our newest cornerback from the New Orleans Saints official website.

NewOrleansSaints.com: “You took the hard road into the NFL as a rookie free agent. How would you describe your career to this point?”

Jabari Greer: “I would describe it as a work in progress. I am one not to rest on my laurels and the things that I have done in the past. I’m blessed that I have an opportunity to play in the NFL and am very proud of the road that I have taken and wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve had to work very hard to get to this point in my career and I think that’s why I’ve been so blessed with the opportunities I have been fortunate enough to come across.”

NewOrleansSaints.com: “You have been pretty busy touring some other teams and cities since the start of free agency. What were some of the things that you liked best about New Orleans and led to your signing?

Jabari Greer: “The corn grits that they served in the cafeteria (laughing). No, honestly I sensed something different here when I walked into the building and met the people that work here. I got the sense that every single person I have come in contact here are pulling in the same direction and there is a real hunger and passion here. From the coaching staff to the front office to the players that were here working out, I just came away really impressed and knew this was the spot for me. No one here said, “We are this, and we are that.” Instead they told me what their vision is for the team, what the expectations are. They treat you like a man. They showed it to me through their hard work and I appreciate that. At the end of the day, to me it made the most sense to sign here because of the feeling I got that everyone here is on the same page.”

NewOrleansSaints.com: A lot of fans that follow the fans may not be all that familiar with you as a player. How would you describe yourself as a player?

Jabari Greer: “Above and beyond all else I am a hard working guy and think I am very coachable and I put the team’s best interests above anything on an individual basis. I’m determined and ready and willing to do whatever is asked of me. I can line up and play in the slot, or cover out wide and am not afraid to come up and support the run. I will do whatever it takes to help the Saints win.”

NewOrleansSaints.com: Do you know any players on the team and did they talk to you when you said you were going to visit the Saints?

Jabari Greer: “I know Meach (Robert Meachem) and Marvin Mitchell very well from our days at Tennessee and I spoke to them and they both said I would like it here and it’s a great place to play and live. I also met Mike McKenzie and Tracy Porter on my visit and they couldn’t have been nicer or more gracious. They talked to me and encouraged me to sign here and get a deal done. I met a few other guys on the team and it really helped in my decision-making. There’s a lot of energy here and I feed off of it and am thrilled with my decision to sign with the Saints and am eager to get started.”

Came across this on Fox Sports:

Link to story:

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Former New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister has filed for bankruptcy protection for a car dealership he owns in Mississippi.                                                                                             

The free agent running back is in a dispute with Nissan's financing arm. Nissan says McAllister owes more than $6.6 million and nearly $300,000 in interest.

The company says McAllister defaulted on a deal, then exceeded his credit line.

McAllister said Tuesday he filed for bankruptcy to protect his inventory and is searching for an investor.

The 2001 first-round draft pick was released by the Saints in a salary cap move last month and is now looking for a new team. He was due $7 million next season.

McAllister also owns a luxury vehicle dealership in Jackson

 Guess we will have to look elsewhere.  Per wwltv.com.

Story here

One of the NFL's top free agent cornerbacks has decided to return to the St. Louis Rams despite being offered a five-year deal by the Saints.

Ron Bartell signed a similar length deal with the Rams, Eyewitness Sports Juan Kincaid has learned.

Bartell visited with the Saints last week and ESPN.com said he was one of the top free agent cornerbacks available.

And some more linkage courtesy of NewOrleans2Florida.

A couple of days after making a free-agent visit to the New Orleans Saints, the Rams cornerback reached a four-year, $28 million deal to stay in St. Louis, according to a source. Included in the deal is $13.6 million in guarantees.

It appears the charges were dropped. This is from AP.

Story here

MIAMI (AP) — Prosecutors in Miami are dropping all charges against New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

Authorities announced their decision in court Wednesday. Vilma was arrested last month on a felony charge of resisting arrest with violence and misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors did not immediately give a reason for dropping the case.

Attorney Michael Tein (TEEN) says his client is relieved and is looking forward to focusing on football again.

Vilma will be a free agent this winter but has said he would prefer to stay in New Orleans. He played every defensive snap and led the Saints in tackles in his first season with New Orleans after spending his first four years with the New York Jets.

Now let's get him a brand new contract!

Article from Fox8

A member of the New Orleans Saints has been arrested tonight in Miami. Miami-Dade police have booked Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, 26, with reckless driving and resisting arrest.

Police report that Vilma was weaving throughout traffic in his Range Rover; before being pulled over he ran a red light, and nearly hit two pedestrians. After being pulled ove,r Vilma refused to exit the vehicle at the officer's command exclaiming " You have to give me a reason. I aint going anywhere til I know what's going on." After finally getting out of the car he refused to place his hands on the side of the car as told to. After a heated debate between both parties he was placed under arrest for the obstruction of justice and was asked to place his left hand behind his back. After another refusal he attempted to move away from the vehicle. The officer called for backup as Vilma continued his struggle to pull his arms away before he was eventually handcuffed. Vilma was booked into the Miami Dade County Jail a little after 6 p.m., his bond is set at 65-hundred dollars.

Vilma has been in the NFL for five years, he came to the Saints last year in a trade from the New York Jets.

I guess it's official!!

Article here from the Times-Pic

The Saints made their first big free agent acquisition of 2009, agreeing to terms with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams on Thursday morning. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

One of the most respected defensive minds in the game and one of the most coveted candidates on the market, Williams will take over a Saints defense that ranked 23rd in the NFL in yards allowed and tied for 26th in points allowed last season.

As per wwltv.com, Jammal Brown is going to the Pro Bowl as a replacement

Article here

New Orleans Saints starting left tackle Jammal Brown has been named to the 2009 NFC Pro Bowl squad as an injury replacement.

Brown, who was an alternate selection in the Pro Bowl balloting, is slated to replace Washington Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels, who will miss the game due to an injury.

Brown will join teammate Drew Brees on the NFC squad.

I ran across this article on wwltv.com. The article states that the Saints may have been on the market before Katrina hit.

Read article here

The 32 years have gone by quickly. That is how long Paul Godfrey has been chasing his tail, trying to land a National Football League franchise for Toronto...

All of that paid off in 2005 when the league quietly gave him and MLSEL chairman Larry Tanenbaum permission to negotiate to purchase the New Orleans Saints.

"We never did meet the owner (Tom Benson)," Godfrey said. "We met other family members in San Antonio. We met with the lawyer. The team was definitely in play. And then (Hurricane) Katrina hit. The Saints became a symbol for that community. Whatever deal there might have been disappeared."

Add yet another player to the injured reserve:

Article here

The Saints placed starting safety Kevin Kaesviharn on the injured reserve list Thursday, ending his season after he suffered his second stinger in four weeks.

With defensive end Charles Grant's move this week from the injured reserve to the suspended reserve list, there are now 14 players on the Saints' injured reserve list.

The Saint signed defensive end Tearrius George from the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad to take Kaesviharn's active roster spot. 

WWLTV.com is reporting that the appeal for Deuce and the others will be heard tomorrow. From their report:

Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen Kevin and Pat Williams met with NFL officials Monday to appeal their suspensions after testing positive for a weight-loss diuretic considered a masking agent for steroids.

The hearing was to be followed Tuesday by additional appeals for three New Orleans Saints: running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith.

 The link to the entire article:

http://www.wwltv.com/topstories/stories/wwl111708tpdeuce.1c0fa81f7.html

Ran across this on the Saints website:

Article here

Taking his place on the roster will be cornerback Leigh Torrence, whom the Saints claimed off waivers from the Washington Redskins.

Also:

Torrence is a third-year pro who has played in 35 career regular season games with one start, making 43 tackles on defense and 29 more on special teams. The 5-11, 179-pound product of Stanford University played in Washington’s first nine games this season before being waived on Saturday. So far in ’08, Torrence has recorded nine tackles as a reserve defensive back along with 11 on special teams.

From NOLA

The Saints have signed rookie kicker Garrett Hartley and punter Glenn Pakulak, according to their agent, Mark Mersel.

Hartley, 22, was undrafted out of Oklahoma. He signed with the Denver Broncos but was released before the start of training camp.

Pakulak, 28, has bounced around the league for several years, though he's never landed a regular-season gig. He was most recently with the Raiders this preseason, averaging 45 yards per punt.

nola.com

I got this from the RotoWorld widget below.

Saints G Jamar Nesbit filed suit Tuesday against StarCaps, the maker of a weight-loss supplement, alleging it was spiked with a diuretic banned by the NFL. Nesbit realized that the NFL considers players fully responsible for what is in their bodies, so he went after StarCaps for his lost salary instead. Nesbit's leftover pills were reportedly tested and found to include Bumetanide (the same substance for which Deuce McAllister and others have tested positive), which was not listed as an ingredient. It sounds like Nesbit may have a case, but it's unlikely that it would affect the suspensions of other players.

-RotoWorld

Original source - Sporting News

Per the Times-Pic

he Saints have signed rookie kicker Taylor Mehlhaff to replace Martin Gramatica, who was placed on injured reserve because of a groin injury.

Mehlhaff was flown in Wednesday morning for a physical, according to his agent Scott Smith of X-A-M Sports, and he will practice with the team this afternoon.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis confirmed both moves.

The Saints drafted the strong-legged Mehlhaff in the sixth round out of Wisconsin this year, but Gramatica won the kicking job with a steadier performance during training camp and the preseason.

A day after the team placed him on injured reserve the Saints cut defensive tackle Hollis Thomas. Thomas has been recovering from a torn triceps injury he suffered in the team scrimmage with the Texans prior to the second preseason game.


Earlier in the week during locker room interviews Thomas told the media his recovery was going well and he anticipated playing again this season.


The 13 year veteran was in his third season with the Saints. During his time with the Black & Gold, Thomas played in 18 regular season games, 93 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

Source: wwl.com

Additional source:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hUHG-1v3Jcnq6w5GEChv_Yn7rtGgD934MRUG0

From the saints website, I figured Arrington would go on IR, other than that no big surprises so far:

The club has placed seventh-round draft pick WR Adrian Arrington (toe) on Reserve/Injured, where he will spend the entire season. The Saints have also terminated the contract of veteran S Lance Schulters, and waived DE Jeremy Geathers, TE Ronnie Ghent, DE Marcus Pittman, S David Roach, G Isaiah Ross and T Brian Stamper.

entire article here