SB Nation User Blog: BayouRebel

Steve McNair found dead

BayouRebel — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:42:29 -0000

Not Saints related but I thought worth sharing:

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.

Mini Camp Morning Report

BayouRebel — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:05:32 -0000

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

Pat Swilling inducted into College Hall of Fame

BayouRebel — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:18:20 -0000

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

Saints in New Orleans until 2025

BayouRebel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:59:06 -0000

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.

Carolina: Delhomme worth $42.5 mil?

BayouRebel — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:30:09 -0000

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.

Saints Sign Jabari Greer

BayouRebel — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:53:22 -0000

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.”

Deuce files for bankruptcy

BayouRebel — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:58:04 -0000

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

Bartell Chooses Rams Over Saints

BayouRebel — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:38:59 -0000

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.

Charges Dropped Against Vilma

BayouRebel — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:11:43 -0000

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!

Poll

Were you worried about Vilma's case?

I knew they would drop the charges.

31 votes

A little bit.

34 votes

Doesn't matter, the Saints aren't going to re-sign him.

7 votes

I was already looking at ILB draft prospects.

3 votes

75 votes | Poll has closed

Vilma Arrested in Miami

BayouRebel — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:16:10 -0000

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.