Aug. 24: Kickers Part 2

AP Photo New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Taylor Mehlhaff kicks a field goal while teammates watch during the team’s final practice at training camp.

Saints make roster cuts

The New Orleans Saints made five roster moves today to reach the NFL limit of 75 players.

Saints still searching for identity

METAIRIE - Pardon the New Orleans Saints if, in this political year, they sound a bit like Admiral James Stockdale, the former vice-presidential candidate who in 1992 famously opened a debate by asking, “Who am …

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Manning activated, can finally practice (AP)
More than a month after having knee surgery and enduring weeks of rampant speculation about whether the injury was worse than first feared, two-time league MVP Peyton Manning finally provided his doubters with one emphatic answer Tuesday: He’s back, right on schedule. “This is a significant step for me to get back out on the practice field,” Manning said before throwing and running with teammates.

Brady still hoping to play in Pats’ final preseason tuneup vs. Giants
Tom Brady says he’ll be ready for the New England Patriots opener even if a foot injury keeps him from taking a single snap in exhibition games.

Commissioner meets with Rooneys about Steelers ownership issues
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell calls his meeting with Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and his four brothers about the franchise’s ownership situation “productive.”

Mourning Vincent mum on NFLPA plans (AP)
Troy Vincent declined to discuss whether he’s interested in succeeding Gene Upshaw in leading the NFL Players‘ Association because he is still mourning the union’s executive director’s death — and a person Vincent referred to as “a mentor.” “I will not discuss anything outside of my mourning and sympathy for (the Upshaw) family,” Vincent wrote in an e-mail sent to The Associated Press on…

Ravens put DL Edwards on injured reserve (AP)
The Baltimore Ravens placed defensive lineman Dwan Edwards and two others on injured reserve and cut two players to reach the roster limit of 75 on Tuesday. Edwards has been hampered by a back injury and sat out in the Ravens‘ 24-10 loss to the St. Louis Rams over the weekend. The former Oregon State standout started a career-high 13 games last season and recorded 58 tackles in place of injured…

SB XLII: Wes Welker highlights
Wes Welker tied a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions for 103 yards in the Patriots 17-14 loss vs. the Giants.

NFL GameDay: Chargers vs. Patriots highlights
Highlights from Chargers-Patriots AFC Championship on NFL GameDay.

Giants 23, Packers 20
Broadcast calls and video highlights of the Giants win over the Packers in the 2007 Divisional Playoffs

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Defensive tackle Hollis Thomas out 2 months (AP)
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Hollis Thomas could be out two months with a right triceps injury, all but ensuring that top draft pick Sedrick Ellis will be thrust into a major role on the interior of the defensive line this season. Saints coach Sean Payton disclosed Thomas’ injury on Thursday after the 12-year veteran had surgery to repair an injury that occurred during pass-blocking drills…

Saints sign DTs Reed, McGill (PA SportsTicker)
The New Orleans Saints on Monday signed defensive tackles James Reed and Tim McGill.

Shockey a “walk-on” with Saints
New New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey won’t play in Thursday’s preseason opener. But he’s already fitting in with the Saints. During his first days at Saints training camp, Shockey has played down the flamboyant demeanor he displayed in New York and sought to strike a more subdued chord with his new teammates. Besides, he said, his personality is blown out of proportion.

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League-wide intrigue over Harvey’s status (Yahoo! Sports)
Outsiders are tuned in to how much Jacksonville will have to spend to end rookie Derrick Harvey’s holdout.

New Orleans Saints Aug. 21 practice report

After spending the first half of the work week in a training camp mode, the Saints turned their attention Thursday to Saturday night’s road exhibition game against the Cincinnati Bengals .

Saints‘ top pick joins training camp (AP)
New Orleans Saints first-round pick Sedrick Ellis took a healthy amount of ribbing from his teammates on the defensive line as he arrived Wednesday at Millsaps College for training camp. Ellis gave it right back to them as he practiced for the first time since signing his five-year contract earlier in the day.

McAllister, Shockey sitting out vs. Cardinals (AP)
Deuce McAllister and Jeremy Shockey are among several projected regulars that Saints coach Sean Payton has decided to keep out of the lineup when New Orleans plays its first preseason game at Arizona on Thursday. Cornerbacks Mike McKenzie and Tracy Porter, as well as wide receiver Devery Henderson, will sit out as well, Payton said Monday.

Saints DT Thomas out two months

A starter for much of his two seasons with New Orleans, last season he started 14 of the 16 games he played, registering 50 tackles and three sacks.

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Saints sign two, release two on Monday
The New Orleans Saints made several roster moves on Monday, including the release of DE Marquies Gunn.

Deuce can’t wait to get loose
New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister has had just one minor setback with the rehabilitation of his knees during training camp. He may not quite be ready to play, but McAllister is licking his chops at the prospect of yet another comeback in 2008.

McAllister-Bush Tandem: The Right Choice?
Saints running backs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush helped propel New Orleans deep into the playoffs in 2006. But with McAllister attempting to return from another knee injury, is it time to turn the reigns solely over to Bush? Scout.com’s Ed Thompson digs into the numbers from STATS and shares his analysis.

Thomas out for two months
The New Orleans Saints announced on Thursday that DT Hollis Thomas will miss at least two months after surgery on his right triceps muscle.

Saints post-scrimmage Q&A
New Orleans head coach Sean Payton watched his Saints go through their intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday. What did the head coach have to say afterward? Find out right here at Saintsinsider.com.

2009 NFL Draft: Top Ten Senior CBs
Scout.com’s NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber reveals his top-ten senior cornerbacks in college football and provides his scouting reports of the prospects. Find out where Steuber ranks the likes of Malcolm Jenkins, as well as the rest of the CBs and see where they stand in the 2009 NFL Draft.

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Umenyiora will miss season; Taylor out 2 weeks (AP)
The New York Giants will have to defend their Super Bowl title without a key part of the defense that won it for them. The Giants learned Sunday that two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora will have season-ending surgery on his injured left knee. Umenyiora was hurt in the second quarter of Saturday’s preseason game against the New York Jets, and Dr.

Healthy again, Bush driven to excel

So spectacular were some of Reggie Bush’s long gains in college, so full of abrupt cutbacks, spins, leaps and sudden bursts of speed, that he began to draw comparisons to Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers.

Bucs GM says no offer was made for Favre (AP)
No more rumors, no more speculation about Brett Favre. With Tampa Bay no longer a potential destination for the iconic quarterback coming out of retirement, a sense of normalcy returned to Buccaneers training camp Thursday. There was even a denial that the team was ever a serious player in trade talks with the Green Bay Packers.

Pierre Thomas emerging in Saints backfield (AP)
Pierre Thomas joined the Saints as an undrafted rookie and a long shot to make a roster loaded with running backs. He not only beat out fourth-round draft choice Antonio Pittman to make the team, but later ended the season by earning a mention in the franchise record books, becoming the first player in the Saints‘ four-decade history to have more than 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in…

Technology should sharpen defenders’ minds (Yahoo! Sports)
The new coach-to-player radio system should help defenders get more in-tune with the play-calling.

Saints sign DT Ellis to five-year deal (PA SportsTicker)
JACKSON, Mississippi (Ticker) - The New Orleans Saints on Tuesday signed defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis to a five-year contract.

NFL Preseason Preview - New Orleans

By Tony Moss, NFL Editor — - The Cincinnati Bengals will get a glimpse of what life without wideout Chad Johnson could look like on Saturday night, when they welcome the New Orleans Saints to Paul Brown …

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Pierre Thomas emerging in Saints backfield (AP)
Pierre Thomas joined the Saints as an undrafted rookie and a long shot to make a roster loaded with running backs. He not only beat out fourth-round draft choice Antonio Pittman to make the team, but later ended the season by earning a mention in the franchise record books, becoming the first player in the Saints‘ four-decade history to have more than 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in…

Aug. 24: Kickers Part 2

AP Photo New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Taylor Mehlhaff kicks a field goal while teammates watch during the team’s final practice at training camp.

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League-wide intrigue over Harvey’s status (Yahoo! Sports)
Outsiders are tuned in to how much Jacksonville will have to spend to end rookie Derrick Harvey’s holdout.

Popularity: 15% [?]

Saints still searching for identity

METAIRIE - Pardon the New Orleans Saints if, in this political year, they sound a bit like Admiral James Stockdale, the former vice-presidential candidate who in 1992 famously opened a debate by asking, “Who am …

Saints travel to play Cincinnati

Coaches and players like to say the worst thing about a loss is that you’ve got an entire week before you can redeem yourself.

Defensive tackle Hollis Thomas out 2 months (AP)
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Hollis Thomas could be out two months with a right triceps injury, all but ensuring that top draft pick Sedrick Ellis will be thrust into a major role on the interior of the defensive line this season. Saints coach Sean Payton disclosed Thomas’ injury on Thursday after the 12-year veteran had surgery to repair an injury that occurred during pass-blocking drills…

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NFL Insider Blog-Will Birk Get a New Deal?
An update on Matt Birk’s contractural status…Why did Houston want to sign Mike Bell?…Do the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers want to get one of their key offensive linemen signed long-term?…Do the Baltimore Ravens have the next Anquan Boldin on their roster?…Details and more including contract breakdowns of over 100 rookies inside…

Shockey a “walk-on” with Saints
New New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey won’t play in Thursday’s preseason opener. But he’s already fitting in with the Saints. During his first days at Saints training camp, Shockey has played down the flamboyant demeanor he displayed in New York and sought to strike a more subdued chord with his new teammates. Besides, he said, his personality is blown out of proportion.

Brees sees great potential in Shockey
Onee New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees got past some eyebrow raising, he quickly determined that adding tight end Jeremy Shockey via trade was perhaps a decision that could chnce the course of the Saints’ season.

McKenzie returns to Saints practice (AP)
Without Mike McKenzie on the field, the New Orleans Saints‘ defense takes on a different look. Forget the long dreadlocks flopping from the back of his helmet. It’s his ability to cover receivers 1-on-1, which frees up teammates for other assignments and gives defensive coaches a little less to worry about.

Saints‘ DeMario Pressley out for the season (AP)
Defensive tackle DeMario Pressley was placed on injured reserve by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, forcing the fifth-round draft pick to miss his rookie season. Head coach Sean Payton said Pressley, who practiced as recently as Saturday, was increasingly bothered by an old right foot fracture that had never healed properly.

After lost rookie season, Saints WR shows promise (AP)
The highlight of Robert Meachem’s rookie season was a foot race against his older brother in a parking lot during Super Bowl week. That’s not exactly what the New Orleans Saints had in mind when they selected the former Tennessee wide receiver in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft, but Meachem saw the way he ran that day in Scottsdale, Ariz., as a good sign.

Competition heats up among Saints receivers (AP)
Sean Payton’s love for the passing game and Drew Brees’ ability to throw the ball has produced fierce competition among receivers during the New Orleans Saints‘ past three training camps. Heading into the Saints‘ third preseason game at Cincinnati on Saturday night, the only certainty for the receiving corps is that Marques Colston is their leader.

League-wide intrigue over Harvey’s status (Yahoo! Sports)
Outsiders are tuned in to how much Jacksonville will have to spend to end rookie Derrick Harvey’s holdout.

McAllister, Shockey sitting out vs. Cardinals (AP)
Deuce McAllister and Jeremy Shockey are among several projected regulars that Saints coach Sean Payton has decided to keep out of the lineup when New Orleans plays its first preseason game at Arizona on Thursday. Cornerbacks Mike McKenzie and Tracy Porter, as well as wide receiver Devery Henderson, will sit out as well, Payton said Monday.

Thomas out for two months
The New Orleans Saints announced on Thursday that DT Hollis Thomas will miss at least two months after surgery on his right triceps muscle.

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