Saints Reggie Bush on hot seat?

Who knows what next season is going to bring, but the Saints will owe Reggie Bush $11.8 in base salary, and that’s pretty steep for a utility running back. — Fox Sports

Steelers offense better than ’08 Super Bowl winners

  • When it was all said and done, the Steelers’ defense led the league in yards per play allowed at 4.5. They also led in 2008, when they won the Super Bowl, and this year’s team is significantly better on offense (5.6 YPP and 23.6 PPG this year vs. 4.9 and 21.7 in 2008).
  • Roddy White’s 115 catches ties him for 10th all-time. There’s been at least one 100-catch receiver every year since Jerry Rice started the trend in 1990; the only time it didn’t happen was when Miami’s O.J. McDuffie led the league with 90 in 1998.
  • The Ravens played in 13 games decided by 10 points or fewer, the most of any team.
  • Green Bay scored 22 more touchdowns than their opponents did in 2010; they outgained their opponent in seven of the last eight weeks (vs. a strong schedule); Brandon Jackson had more than 20 touches in a game only once, but managed to go over 1,000 yards from scrimmage (1,045).
  • New Orleans finished the season 11th in scoring at 24.0 PPG – way off the 31.9 PPG of 2009. In fact, they topped 31.9 points in a game only three times this season.
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Seattle, New Orleans mayor’s wager seafood, music

Under a wager made Thursday between New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, the winner’s spoils also will include a package of seafood and music from the loser’s home city.  At a Thursday afternoon news conference, Landrieu said he spoke to McGinn about 12:30 p.m. The two discussed the value of sports franchises to a city — and also talked a little trash, he said. “That part of the conversation will go unreported,” Landrieu said. — New Orleans Times-Picayune

Defensive player has NFL’s top selling jersey

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu sold the most jerseys this season, according to NFLShop.com. It’s the first time since Continue reading

NFL player tops list of rising sports stars

Green Bay Packers’ running back John Kuhn has earned the top spot on the list of Rising Sports Stars to watch in the month of January. Kuhn scored three touchdowns in Green Bay’s Dec. 26 win against the New York Giants and has emerged as a fan favorite, gaining notice for key downs and special teams play. Kuhn’s popularity has increased 79% over the past 30 days, and cheers for “KUUUUUUUHN” ring out when he carries the ball. Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints and Brandon Bass of the Orlando Magic round out the top three. Continue reading

Falcons getting lots of help from refs

  • The Falcons have picked up 39 first downs thanks to penalty, an extraordinarily high number, and allowed just 13 on penalty. This is one of the reasons they’re winning while getting outgained easily on an average down (5.0 yards per play for vs. 5.6 yards per play against).
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NFL player facing civil lawsuit finds new team

The Ravens’ new long snapper comes with controversy. Kevin Houser, who was signed by the Ravens on Wednesday to replace the injured Morgan Cox, has been accused by former New Orleans Saints teammates and coaches Continue reading

NFL teams postgame picture criticized

Just as they had several times before after big road wins, several New Orleans Saints defensive players returned to the playing field to commemorate Monday night’s 17-14 victory at Atlanta by taking pictures on the midfield Falcons logo. Continue reading

McLovin’ watches Cowboys game from Miami bar

Watching football Sunday at the Clevelander’s 1020 Music Box bar: actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse, a.k.a. McLovin’ from Superbad, checking out the New Orleans/Baltimore and Washington/Dallas games with friends. Says our source, “They were having a great time and amicable conversation with a female bartender.” They also had some snacks and a few shots. — Miami Herald

NFL player to battle 100-mile Scottish highlands event

Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey could set a career low in receptions this year, but don’t think he’s slowing down. Next May, he heads to the Scottish highlands for the sixth annual Drambuie Pursuit, which’ll put 10 teams through a 100-mile gauntlet that includes mountain climbing, dune-buggy racing and white-water rafting. Mr. Shockey’s contingent of Americans, dubbed Team Jeremy, is welcoming online applications. — Wall Street Journal

NFL QB tops list of best-mannered people

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who is commended for being a role model to young people, heads the “Ten Best-Mannered People of 2010,” by the National League of Junior Cotillions.

The list, which is in its 19th year, is compiled by the NLJC, an etiquette and social training program involving thousands of young people in the United States.
The 2010 best-mannered individuals are:
1. Drew Brees – for being a positive example and helping New Orleans rebuild.
2. Justin Bieber – for consistently showing courtesy to his fans.
3. Kate Middleton – for the poise and dignity with which she conducts herself in the public spotlight.
4. Jamie McMurray – for the respect he has earned as a NASCAR driver.
5. Elizabeth Edwards – for the grace she displayed in facing life’s greatest challenges.
6. Chilean Miners – for demonstrating optimism under pressure during their struggle for survival.
7. Taylor Swift – for inspiring young people with her music and her manners.
8. Sandra Bullock – for setting high standards of excellence as an actress.
9. Robin Roberts – for extending warmth and kindness to “Good Morning America” guests.
10. Bill and Melinda Gates – for their example of generosity in giving to those less fortunate. — New Orleans Times-Picayune

Colts have NFL’s best offensive line

The New York Life Protection Index was created by sports information leader STATS to provide a composite gauge for this undervalued component of the game. While the New York Life Protection Index is calculated using a proprietary formula, the fundamentals are comprised of the length of a team’s pass attempts combined with penalties by offensive linemen, sacks allowed and quarterback hurries and knockdowns. The New York Life Protection Index is updated weekly throughout the regular season. — Stats Inc.

  1. Colts 90.6
  2. Saints 81.4
  3. Giants 79.9
  4. Falcons 78.3
  5. Patriots 74.4
  6. Texnas 71.5
  7. Broncos 71.1
  8. Cowboys 71.0
  9. Lions 68.1
  10. Chargers 68.0
  11. Bengals 68.0
  12. Seahawks 66.7
  13. Packers 66.1
  14. Jets 65.9
  15. Titans 65.2
  16. Dolphins 64.8
  17. Ravens 63.4
  18. Rams 61.4
  19. Bucs 59.5
  20. Bills 59.0
  21. Browns 57.9
  22. Chiefs 55.2
  23. Cardinals 53.8
  24. Vikings 52.0
  25. Redskins 51.0
  26. Eagles 48.6
  27. Jaguars 45.2
  28. 49ers 45.1
  29. Steelers 44.9
  30. Panthers 42.6
  31. Raiders 39.0
  32. Bears 29.6

State lawmaker urges Tom Benson to keep Saints playing amid NFL contract negotiations

A Democratic state senator sent a letter to New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson last week urging a resolution to the stalemate that could lead to a lockout of National Football League players when the current collective-bargaining agreement between players and team owners expires in early March. “Louisiana taxpayers have invested millions of their hard-earned dollars in the Saints organization, and Saints fans have been loyal for decades,” said Sen. Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte. “They deserve earnest negotiations and a resolution of this matter as soon as possible.” — New Orleans Times-Picayune

NFL rookies punk’d on coaches TV show

The Sean Payton Show

Kim Kardashian “very upset” with NFL stars new woman

Kim Kardashian’s on-again, off-again romance with Reggie Bush ended earlier this year, but the reality star and merchandising maven is said to be very upset about the New Orleans Saints player apparently becoming engaged to her look-alike — Cuban model and singer Mayra Veronica — after only six months of dating. Veronica is sporting quite the sparkler, said to be “a friendship ring.” A longtime Kardashian insider said Monday, “Kim is one of those people who can’t stand someone having something she wanted — even after she no longer wants it. It’s weird, but she’s obsessive that way. Go figure.” — Chicago Sun-Times

Baby named after NFL head coach, starting quarterback

Born on July 3, almost five months after the New Orleans Saints won their first Super Bowl, a baby in Louisiana was named after coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees. His name is Payton Brees Blair. Relatives call him “Baby Brees.” His mother, 24-year-old Jon Lauren Blair, has been a Saints fan all of her life. She decided on the name last November, almost immediately after finding out that she was pregnant, and before she knew the sex of the child. “Either way, that was his name,” Blair said. “Once I set it in my head, no one could talk me out of it. Even if the Saints did start to lose, Drew Brees and Sean Payton are excellent people. Drew Brees is the epitome of an all-American guy,” she said. — New Orleans Times-Picayune

NFL star quarterback among GQ’s men of the year

GQ magazine announces its 15th Men of the Year issue featuring this year’s outstanding achievers, leaders, and renegades: cultural icons who have impacted our society, from entertainment and music to sports and politics.  The 2010 Men of the Year are profiled in the December issue, on newsstands November 23. New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees, who was named Super Bowl MVP, was among the men of the year. Brees was named, “Patron Saint of the Year.” — GQ

Injured chain gang member out of hospital, wants to return to Saints sideline

The New Orleans Saints chain crew member who suffered an alarmingly brutal blow from a player running out of bounds in the Superdome on Oct. 24 has left the hospital and continues an encouraging recovery at home, his son said. Al Nastasi Jr. left Ochsner Regional Medical Center on Nov. 5, said Al Nastasi III. He is recovering at his Mandeville home as he awaits follow-up appointments with doctors. “He’s just at home, getting back to the basics of life,” said the younger Nastasi. “He’s definitely getting back into all his old routines.” His son said the longtime Saints chain crew member, who also coaches track at East Jefferson High School in Metairie and teaches physical education at Joshua Butler Elementary School in Westwego, remains interested in resuming his job of marking yardage for the officiating crew during Saints games, a role he has filled for three decades.
Special teams member Courtney Roby plowed into Nastasi, 68, during a game against the Cleveland Browns in a shocking collision that delayed the game for several minutes as a medical team carted Nastasi off the field on a stretcher. — New Orleans Times-Picayune

Eagles Michael Vick odds improve for MVP

Odds to win the 2010 NFL MVP

…………………………………..LAST WEEK                 THIS WEEK

Peyton Maninng (IND) QB           7/2                                4/1


Philip Rivers (SD) QB                 15/2                              7/1


Aaron Rodgers (GB) QB             15/2                              15/2


Arian Foster (HOU) RB               8/1                                16/1


Drew Brees (NO) QB                  10/1                              12/1


Tom Brady (NE) QB                   10/1                              9/2


Chris Johnson (TEN) RB             10/1                              18/1

Adrian Peterson (MIN) RB           15/1                              20/1

Michael Vick (PHI) QB               25/1                              5/1

Clay Matthews (GB) LB              25/1                              20/1

Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG) RB       25/1                              30/1

Roddy White (ATL) WR              50/1                              40/1

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) WR          50/1                              50/1

Field                                         2/1                                3/1

Source: Bodog

Drew Brees NOT getting Saints extension?

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was asked about his own situation. Brees is under contract through the 2011 season, though the threat of a labor dispute between the owners and players could complicate things after this season. “It’s not an issue during the season,” Brees said. “It’s not on my radar. I’m just thinking about winning games. But obviously when the time comes, we’ll definitely be talking.” — New Orleans Times Picayune

NFL stars girlfriend wearing engagement ring?

Latina singer Mayra Veronica was sporting what appeared to be an engagement ring on the red carpet at last week’s Latin Grammys. She’s been romantically linked to Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints and drawn comparisons to Bush’s ex, Kim Kardashian.  — Las Vegas Review-Journal

Saints star spends weekend in Chicago

Injured New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush was spotted at Lux Bar in Chicago on Sunday. — Chicago Tribune

Louisiana hawking Saints license plates

Members of the Who Dat Nation will have to wait another two weeks to get the license plates commemorating the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl victory from last February. With the current National Football League season already half over, the state is completing a last-minute agreement with the league that should clear the way for the plates to be delivered to local Office of Motor Vehicles branches around Dec. 1, agency spokeswoman Michelle Rayburn said Tuesday. State officials said the first batch of tags was ready to go a few weeks ago, but the NFL wanted an agreement signed with the state to guarantee that the Super Bowl logo used on the plate wouldn’t be changed. That’s the agreement now under review, Rayburn said. “There has to be a contract with the NFL,” said Lt. Doug Cain, a spokesman for State Police, the agency that oversees the Office of Motor Vehicles.

NFL has most balance since 1981

For the first time since 1981, no NFL team has fewer than two losses midway thought the season. Las Vegas Sports Consultants provides wagering lines to Las Vegas sports books, and the odds to win Super Bowl XLV have more teams than usual at low odds. Here they are: Steelers the 6-to-1 favorite; Giants, Jets, Patriots and Ravens each 7-to-1; Colts, Packers and Saints each 8-to-1; Falcons 9-to-1; Eagles 18-to-1; Vikings 25-to-1; Chiefs 30-to-1; Bears, Chargers and Titans each 35-to-1 (very tempting); Dolphins, Redskins and Texans each 50-to-1; Buccaneers, 49ers, Rams and Seahawks each 60-to-1; Raiders 75-to-1; Cardinals 150-to-1; Bengals, Jaguars and Lions each 250-to-1; Broncos and Browns each 500-to-1; Cowboys 1,000-to-1; Panthers 3,000-to-1; and Bills 5,000-to-1. — Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

Latin Singer spotted wearing NFL stars jersey she’s rumored to be dating

Latin singer Mayra Veronica has further fueled rumors that she is dating Kim Kardashian’s ex-boyfriend, NFL star Reggie Bush by picking up her groceries in his jersey. The pop star wore the New Orleans Saints jersey at the weekend and was pictured posing suggestively for the awaiting paparazzi in a short white skirt while she bent over to place her shopping bags in the car. But, the football shirt was also apparently signed by Bush with the “To Mayra” scribbled on the back. — TaleTela

Saints QB Drew Brees laughs off report about severity of knee injury

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees laughed off the local radio report that his knee injury is more serious than he and the team are letting on. He even did a few jumping jacks in front of his locker as a demonstration. Brees said he had just drop-kicked a 40-yard field goal at the end of practice, something he does often. And he poked fun at the report by WIST radio’s Kenny Wilkerson by saying, “I’m a hundred million billion trillion percent sure it would hurt if I tried to drop-kick a football with a broken knee.” — New Orleans Times-Picayune

NFL team attempts to set Guinness World Record

NBC Sports will have a Guinness World Records representative at the Louisiana Superdome on Sunday night to officially certify the New Orleans Saints-Pittsburgh Steelers game as the world’s largest Halloween gathering. In addition to the matchup, which pits the past two Super Bowl winners, Halloween night and the prospect of costumed fans was one of the big appeals for NBC in lobbying to carry the game on “Sunday Night Football,” the network’s national prime-time NFL showcase. “Halloween night in New Orleans was too rich to pass up,” said Fred Gaudelli, “Sunday Night Football” producer. “I think America has never seen anything quite like this, and we intend to take full advantage of it.” — New Orleans Times-Picayune

NFL’s most popular ticket in week 8

Week 8: Top 5 Most Popular NFL Matchups BY DEMAND

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers @ New Orleans Saints
  2. Green Bay Packers @ New York Jets
  3. Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
  4. Tennessee Titans @ San Diego Chargers
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars @ Dallas Cowboys

*The NFL Ticket Exchange “Buzz Index” utilizes a proprietary algorithm incorporating site traffic, ticket demand, sales volume, and ticket revenue to calculate each game’s popularity for the week. — Ticketmaster

Saints RB Pierre Thomas’ agent denounces suggestion Thomas is shirking

With questions about New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas’ relationship with Coach Sean Payton swirling since Sunday, Thomas’ agent said Monday the notion Thomas isn’t champing at the bit to return to action is absurd. Lamont Smith said he has no inside information about whether Thomas and Payton are at odds, as was reported Sunday on Fox Sports. He characterized the whole matter as an unwelcome and counter-productive diversion from the Saints necessary focus on football. “He’s too good a kid to let that be stated,” Smith said. “I don’t understand how anyone could say – when you consider where this kid is from, when you consider he’s played in the past with cracked ribs – I don’t know how anyone could even think if he could be out on the field he wouldn’t be out there.” — New Orleans Times-Picayune

Saints can’t stand rookie QBs

The Saints are the first defending Super Bowl champion ever to lose to two starting rookie quarterbacks in the same season: Colt McCoy on Sunday and Max Hall of the Cardinals two weeks ago. — Elias Sports Bureau

Most in demand Week 7 NFL tickets

The Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers matchup ranks #1 on the NFL Ticket Exchange “Buzz Index” for Week 7 according to the NFL Ticket Exchange by Ticketmaster.

Week 7: 10/24 – 10/25 – Top 5 Most Popular NFL Matchups BY DEMAND
*According to the NFL Ticket Exchange “Buzz Index”

1. Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
2. New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
3. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Miami Dolphins
4. New England Patriots @ San Diego Chargers
5. Cleveland Browns @ New Orleans Saints

*The NFL Ticket Exchange “Buzz Index” utilizes a proprietary algorithm incorporating site traffic, ticket demand, sales volume, and ticket revenue to calculate each game’s popularity for the week.

NFL star wins name battle with wife

Frenzied speculation and thousands of suggestions aside, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said Wednesday the name, ‘Bowen,’ which he and his wife, Brittany, bestowed on their second son this week was the one he favored all along. “I won the name battle?” Brees said with a laugh Wednesday when asked about reports he and Brittany struggled with the choice. “It wasn’t really a name battle, but it was, we had a lot of good choices and Bowen has been mine ever since Baylen was born, for that matter. I always hoped we’d be able to give him a little brother.” Baylen Brees, 21 months, is the boy famous in Who Dat nation for sitting in his father’s arms, protective headphones strapped on, in the joyous on-field celebration that followed the Saints victory in Super Bowl XLIV. — New Orleans Times-Picayune

NFL coach jawing with opposing players during game

Saints coach Sean Payton was said to be jawing with some Tampa Bay players during the game, but Bucs coach Raheem Morris didn’t take offense. “Sean’s a big-time trash-talker,” Morris said. “He provides a lot of fun for the game. We sent text messages after the game.” Payton is so competitive that he even wants to outdo the Bucs off the field, Morris joked. Payton apparently got a look at the team’s massive flag at One Buc Place and might try to one-up Tampa Bay. “He’s searching for a flag right now that’s bigger (than ours) so he can be more obnoxious,” Morris said. “He’s a big-time trash-talker, and that’s very common for Sean. That’s who he is.” Is Morris a trash-talker? “Not to the extent of Sean,” Morris said. — St. Petersburg Times

Darren Sharper return to Saints practice today

When the Saints return to the practice field on Wednesday to begin preparation for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, safety Darren Sharper and linebacker Clint Ingram are expected to make their first appearance in team drills. Both players have spent the entire preseason and regular season on the physically unable to perform list, keeping them from participating in practices with the remainder of the team. Saints Coach Sean Payton said he and the team’s medical personnel will keep a close eye on how both players respond to the heavier work load. Sharper and Ingram, who was signed during the offseason, both had microfracture procedures performed on their knees this offseason. — New Orleans Times-Picayune

Reggie Bush: Can’t help Saints at 75%

Saints tailback Reggie Bush said he doesn’t know yet when he’ll return to the practice field after suffering a broken fibula three weeks ago at San Francisco. He said he’s been “making huge leaps” every day in his recovery while running on the treadmill and in the pool and working on the exercise bike. But he hasn’t begun running on grass or making football moves yet. Bush said he’d love to be back in time for the Week 7 home date with Cleveland or the high-profile Sunday night game against Pittsburgh in Week 8. But he said he doesn’t want to risk a setback if the leg isn’t ready to absorb hits from defensive players. He also said it wouldn’t help the team if he tried to come back at 50 percent or 75 percent. “If I can’t be me, there’s no point in me being out there,” Bush said. “This is a game of inches, so if somebody else can do it better than me, they should be out there.” — New Orleans Times-Picayune

Kim Kardashian sharing custody of NFL stars dog

Kim Kardashian is still seeing her ex-boyfriend Reggie Bush despite breaking up earlier this year. But before you get too excited, it’s not in a romanitc capacity, the former couple are simply sharing custody of their dog. Kim and Reggie have a boxer dog called Rocky and according to reports, Reggie misses the pup so much that he travels to Los Angeles to see him. A friend of Reggie’s told Hollywood Life: “I was just with [Reggie] a few weeks ago at his place in New Orleans and he kept talking about how much he missed Rocky. “He said he was going to fly to Los Angeles to see the dog, but obviously Kim has the dog the majority of the time, so there’s no way to avoid seeing her.” — Entertainment Wise