- There is little to report since last time. Drew Brees is still not signed. If you're looking for a reason for that, just browse the internet. You'll find several thousand theories. I'd add mine but I have several swirling in my head, too. There are four people who really know what's going on. They are Drew Brees, Tom Condon (His agent), Mickey Loomis and Tom Benson. Everyone else is just guessing. Here's mine: He'll get signed soon. The pressure is mounting on both parties. Both sides need a deal.
- The Saints are in hot water with the league again. This time over a scuffle that broke out AT PRACTICE. The new CBA limits contact at mini camps and OTAs. This is something the players wanted but it looks like it's going to be a stick the NFL will use to beat them. As I understand it, the scuffle broke out when linebacker Curtis Lofton grazed quarterback Chase Daniel on a pass play. Daniel then threw the ball to the ground at Lofton's feet and the two subsequently got into each others grill. Others jumped in. Some pushing and shoving followed between offensive and defensive players but no punches were thrown. BFD. Aside from football being a very emotional activity, jobs are at stake, money is at stake, pride is at stake, and it's hot and humid as hell in Louisiana in June. Tempers flared. It's football. This happens at every level from teeny tots all the way up to the pros. The Seahawks were penalized two OTAs last week for a similar incident. This is ridiculous. I'm OK with the new rules but common sense has to come into any judgement. If the drill or the activity is designed to where hard contact is inevitable, do something about it short of penalizing the team. If the activity is designed well and still results in unintentional or incidental contact, just ignore it.
- The whole bounty thing is finally starting to wind down. I don't expect there to be any changes to the Saints outlook for the season. The suspensions of Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis, and Joe Vitt will not change. I also don't think Jonathan Vilma's or Will Smith's suspensions will be reduced. The Saints have pretty much already replaced Vilma with Curtis Lofton. Smith's absence in the first four games will be a problem but I think they can overcome it. This team has championship talent. Rumors of their demise are premature. There are differences of opinion on this, though. For instance, Darren Woodsen of ESPN has them finishing 3rd in the NFC South.
- The Mickey Loomis wiretapping story has lost all of its luster. It had a two day shelf life before someone at ESPN noticed that there probably wasn't an ounce of truth to it. It has completely disappeared from ESPN's reporting. Mickey should sue ESPN. They are not a credible source of sports news any more. The New York Post has a nice rundown of some of their ridiculous mistakes and shoddy reporting. It's a shame. When they were just a little sports outlet on a cable channel, their reporting was second to none. Their reporters had extensive knowledge of every sport and every league. They're now littered with personalities and ex-jocks rather than reporters. Like their fantasy football website, though.
88 days until football season ...
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