The other day I read and interesting article from PFT. Within the article it had this to say:

"The four players were suspended for "conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the game of professional football." Under Paragraph 15, suspensions may be imposed "only after giving Player the opportunity for a hearing at which he may be represented by counsel of his choice."

"The question then becomes whether the players are entitled to a hearing before, or after, the initial decision. It’s a technical legal concept, the difference between due process before and after imposition of discipline. But the league contending that the Commissioner has the right to review the decision that the Commissioner made, a pre-decision hearing could be far more valuable than a post-decision hearing."

Did the Commissioner violate the players due process as outlined in the CBA? I will let you decide on that one.

Just the other day when I posted Hargorve's declaration, what did it say. What it didn't says seems to be more important. At no point did he admit that there was a bounty system in place.

"He simply stated he was instructed to deny any existence. What does this really say. I have tried to be rational with all of the information thus far. I have tried to not be bias (if that is even possible), but the NFL's Case in its entirety is starting to dwindle in credibility. They misrepresented (lied) to the media about the contents of Hargrove declaration, which they called a "Confession"

Why would they do this?

Today I read another article from USA. Dominique Foxworth had this to say:

It's a cruel insult to conclude that we would place hundreds of NFL athletes who play by the rules at risk in order to protect a handful of players proven guilty of literally gambling with the safety and livelihoods of others. Why would the NFLPA risk alienating themselves just for four players.

Why would Foxworth put his job on the line for four people?

This article goes on the say that the evidence is not present to suggest a pay-to-injure scheme was in place. I think the majority of Saint fans believe there was an incentive pool, but other that that is yet to be proven. My favorite part of the article is when Foxworth begins to illuminate what Saints fans have been feeling all the time.

He says "Instead of transparent and fair due process for the four suspended players, the NFL chose news media leaks, character assassinations, PR campaigns and legal manipulation to mislead the public

Is this not how we have been feeling the entire time?

The NFLPA goes on the say

"Our obligation is to protect every NFL player in the game and in the business of football. We're obligated to ensure that the league is fair, accountable and transparent and upholds our collective bargaining agreement. If we are not vigilant in protecting these basic tenets, the consequences put every player's livelihood and career at risk.

Why is it that all of this makes sense to me. Is it that I want to believe in the Saints, that I am blinded by common sense, or is it common sense to believe that finally the pieces of the puzzles are beginning to fit and we as fans are starting to feel justified?

Let me know what you think.

There is a lot of speculation in this off season about the ability to sign Drew Brees, Carl Nicks, and Marques Colston. Now if you are like me you like your cake with several different options of Ice cream. Will the Saints put the tag on Brees? Will they retain Nicks, Colston. Who stays and who goes is a very curious proposition. One that I am grateful that I do not have to make (Looking at you Mr. Loomis).

Tagging Brees, would signal a massive fail to communicate. If we tag Brees before free agency, we can say goodbye to both Nicks and Colston. It also would send a signal to everyone in the New Orleans area that it is about money and a business, rather than a cultural thing. Loomis and Peyton have always bought into the entire cultural and people of New Orleans, and to tag Brees would be going against a major part of the Saints' organizational concept. It would make more sense to then make a long term deal with high end incentives as bonuses for achievements such as making the Pro Bowl, playoffs etc. I think the entire league has learned a lesson from the Peyton manning saga by promising to much money. Brees will have a contract and will not be tagged at any point.

Tagging Nicks sounds very plausible, based upon my logic mentioned above. Tagging Nicks would enable the offensive line to stay intact for another year at the very least. The offensive line is the strongest yet at the same time weakest portion of the Saints' offense. When they are clicking they are clicking. When they are horrible they are horrible. All you have to do is watch the tape between both Lions games and then watch the St. Louis game to understand what I am taking about. Nicks will be tagged. In addition to tagging Nicks the act of the tagging would enable him to play just as hard as last year and the year before because of the lack of a long term contract.

Marques Colston, what can I say about the guy? He has been an instrument of success and has shown the world that regardless on where you or drafted you can become the go to guy with enough hard work and determination. Colston is the oxymoron of wide receivers. He does not have a need to self stimulate on twitter, or any type of drama. He is quiet as a mouse, and a true professional. When I look up that the perfect wide receiver is in the dictionary it says "see Marques Colston". Unfortuantly for us I truly believe that Colston is at a coin flip at best to being retained. He has been plagued by injuries such as his Clavical fracture in addition to his knee procedure. I would love to be wrong with this analysis, and would enjoy someone being able to say "I told you so", but I do not think this will happen.

Overall, I believe that Brees will be under contract, Nicks will be franchised, and Colston will walk. However, there is a glimmer of hope. If we remember our Super Bowl winning season people said that there would be no way that we could retain our core players, but we did. Loomis, acting like a hall of fame General Manager, did just that. I believe this off season will define Loomis's career more so than in 2009.

Who do you believe will be tagged, retained, or let go of. Comment to your hearts intent.

Hello everyone, it is nice to be back within the football stratosphere.  We have been waiting for this moment for quite some time.  I digress though.  One thing that I would like to contribute is a competitor injury report.  I know that if you are like me you do not wish anyone to be injured from any team, however for some strange reason the injury information becomes captivating when attempting to formulate your fantasy football line up and when the Saints play that particular opponent.  So instead of posting a hundred fan shots to let you know this information, my hope is that you can go to one source and get all the tidbits of information you need to fuel your inner football demon.

 I will organize the information with Saints' injury news first, followed by division rivals.  After the division, I will list the information that reflects the closest game day organization that the Saints have to play any given Sunday.  If you will, leave some feedback on how you perceive this information. Since injuries are constant ongoing process, sometimes additional information comes out and I will miss it. If I have left anything out please let me know and add your information to your comments.  Call this an entire CSC community post.

Saints

• 1. Chris Ivory RB: Just underwent a sports hernia surgery recently. He is still recovering from a linastic fracture (please google it) However the recovery time of his ankle and his sports hernia surgry is approximately the same duration. His status if official doubtful for week 1.

• 2. Tracy Porter DB: Is continuing to recover from knee surgery. As of right now has has not passed his physical, but his progronosis is that he will be ready for week 1

• 3. Greg Romeus: In may of this year Romeus underwent knee surgery, as of right now his prognosis is similar to Tracy Porter's, however he is listed only as questionable for training camp.

• 4. Will Smith DE: According to www.rotoworld.com they already have Will Smith listed as suspended for the first 4 games. The effective date of this information is 3AUG2011.

Falcons

• 1. Curtis Lofton LB: Underwent knee surgery in April of this offseason. Several reports have him back in camp in addition to him regaining his speed and fluidity.

• 2. Shann Schillinger DB: Injured his ankle in December his return to camp is questionable.

Bucs

• 1. Brian Price DL: One of the Bucs top picks from last year has some issues with a pelvic injury. (these injuries are very slow to heal) Price's official status is listed as doubtful for week 1

• 2. Jeff Faine C: tore his triceps muscle in December and is currently listed as participating in training camp

• 3. Andrew Economos C: ruptured his achilles tendon last year, and his status is doubtful for week 1

• 4. Tanard Jackson DB: Violated the league substance abuse policy, as a result his return if reinstatement is granted by the NFL, would be no earlier than week 3.

Panthers

• 1. Ron Edwards DL: He came from the Chiefs during the FA. A big blow to the depth of the panthers defensive line. He tore his triceps muscle and his status is likely out for the entire season.
• 2. Jon Beason LB: Suffered an Achillies injury and his return is expected, yet not until the first preseason game.
• 3. Tony Pike QB: Shoulder injury questionable for the first preseason game.
• 4. Greg Hardy DL drafted 6th round in 2010 had very high marks coming out of college, however encountered an injury that sent him falling into the 6th round instead of earlier rounds. Managed 3 sacks last year and a blocked punt and a safety.  His injury is listed as his side (whatever that means) He is currently listed as doubtful for training camp, and questionable for the start of the regular season.  7/29/11
• 5. Thomas Davis LB: First round pick in 2005: Injured his knee last season and his return is questionable for the start of training camp.

Packers

 1.  Jermichael Finley TE: One of Arron Rogers favorite targets injuried his knee last season and was unable to continue his season. His status is questionable for the first preseason game and Probable for the first regular season game. 08/02/2011

 2.•    Johnny Jolly DL:  Violated the league substance abuse policy and is suspended indefinitely 7/26/2011

There you have it.  I am sure that by the time this gets posted there will be other updates to add.  Feel free to add to this list.  Once again please leave some feedback within your comments in regards to improvement, sustainability, and impressions. At the very least I believe we can all agree that this is a start.

Information used to compile this information can be found at the following websites:

www.nfl.com www.rotoworld.com  www.cbssports.com

The Times-pic today provided us with yet another reason to despise them.  Today around 5pm they came out with an article in reference to Colston's and Meachum's off season conditioning following their individual surgeries.   Mr. I never make a mistake Mike Triplett of the Times  had this to say in his article. Triplett tells us that

 "Colston and Meachem were grinding through drills with fellow receiver Devery Henderson and new Saints tailback Mark Ingram, among other athletes under Harris' direction Thursday afternoon in the 90-degree heat".

I was excited to hear that Ingram had made a trip to Tulane to be with his fellow team.  However later in Triplett's article he writes about Mark Ingram's training.  Triplett writes:

Ingram still has not joined his veteran teammates for their player-run workouts at Tulane over the past two weeks. He said he's been considering it and still may join them. Though he didn't expand on what's holding him back, the fact that he still has not signed a contract with the Saints is certainly playing a part in the decision.

Really?  Wow! Saints GM Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton must have noticed Ingram's ninja skills prior to the draft and determined that Ingram's ability to be at two places at once was the determining factor in sacrificing a first and a second round pick to acquire him.

Way to go Mr. Triplett! Once again you provide us with a glimpse of what flawless article would look like.  Please continue to do what you are doing.  It will give us pause to laugh and discuss what the definition of an idoit is.

Next time sir, proofread your article.

Sincerely you biggest fan,

Mr. Dumb blogger

In other news, a reliable secretive source has informed me that Mr. Triplett would wager a monthly paycheck against our fearless leader Dave, to a journalistic duel of epic proportions.  In addition,the loser would have to dress in drag and run up and down the French Quarter.