Saints Nation: Saints Pick Up DT Isaako Aaitui

Source: Yardbarker

The Saints landed another big body in Isaako Aaitui, who is 6'4" and 315lbs, to create depth behind Brodrick Bunkley and John Jenkins at nose tackle. He has signed a 2 year contract with the Saints for what I can only assume is the minimum. Aaitui has never played in a regular season NFL game after signing with the Dolphins as an undrafted rookie free agent out of UNLV. He was cut during final cuts with the Dolphins and the Dolphins tried to sign him to their practice squad but the Jets snatched him up off waivers. Unfortunately for Aaitui, he tore his MCL and ACL during his time with the Jets and has been recovering from that massive injury ever since. His health seems to be the main thing standing in the way of him possibly landing a roster spot, then. We'll see how he can rebound, but it's been a couple years so he obviously passed a physical if the Saints signed him. I'll be surprised if he makes the team, but you never know. If nothing else he's a...

Reggie Bush compares Lions' offense to Saints'

Source: NFL.com by NFL.com

Running back Reggie Bush says he is comfortable with the Detroit Lions' schemes because it reminds him of his first NFL offense.

Saints News 5/17/13: Payton Has Saints Players Perform Same High-Intensity Workouts That Got Him In Shape During Exile

Source: Canal Street Chronicles by David "Satch" Kelly

Tweets

2013 #Saints schedule card: twitter.com/Saints/status/…

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 17, 2013

You can't achieve perfection if you do not strive for it.

— Roman Harper (@Harp41) May 17,

Saints Fans! Enter The New Era Photo Day Contest!

Source: Saints Gab by Matt Loede

New Era, the official on-field headwear of the National Football League, is teaming up with the NFL to launch the Back to Football Photo Day contest. So what this means is that Saints fans will now have the chance to join the ranks of Drew Brees to also become THE face of the Saints.

The contest, which is live at www.speakwithyourcap.com or through New Era’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/neweracaps?fref=ts) will require Saints

Tulane Coach Curtis Johnson to feature Sean Payton, Saints players at women's football clinic

Source: NOLA.com by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Darren Sproles and Lance Moore are among the Saints players who will attend the clinic.

Falcons sign four draft picks

Source: NFC South Blog

The Atlanta Falcons jumped into the business of signing draft picks Friday. The team announced it has signed defensive ends Malliciah Goodman and Stansly Maponga and safeties Kemal Ishmael and Zeke Motta. Goodman was a fourth round pick and Maponga was chosen in the fifth round. Ishmael and Motta both were seventh-round picks. Cornerback Desmond Trufant (first round), cornerback Robert Alford (second round), tight end Levine Toilolo (fourth round) and quarterback Sean Renfree (seventh round) remain unsigned.

McKay: Falcons' PSLs will be reasonable

Source: NFC South Blog

Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs) will be a part of the cost of the Atlanta Falcons’ proposed stadium, but the cost to fans won’t be as high as it was at some other recently opened stadiums. That was the message from team president Rich McKay on Thursday night as he addressed fans during the team’s State of the Franchise event. “We’ve said from the very beginning that we do believe PSLs will be part of this program,’’ McKay said.

New Orleans Saints OLB Martez Wilson may have found a home in new 3-4 defense

Source: Saints Report by mvtrucking

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif Full Story – Nola.Com Inside the New Orleans Saints defensive meeting rooms, Martez Wilson has been a peripatetic of sorts. The third-year linebacker arrived in New Orleans ready to play outside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' 4-3 defense. Then before last season, he was switched to defensive end during Steve Spagnuolo's one-season stint with the Saints. Now a year into that experiment, Wilson finds himself back at outside linebacker. Only this time, he's doing so in the 3-4 alignment being implemented by new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Sean Payton brought back high-intensity attitude and high-intensity workouts to New Orleans Saints

Source: Saints Report by mvtrucking

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif Full Story – Nola.Com For those who figured Sean Payton would make the most of his season-long suspension by coming up with several new innovative wrinkles to bring back to the New Orleans Saints, it's already begun. In the weight room. The high-intensity CrossFit workouts that helped Payton get into the best physical shape of his life have inspired a new approach to the Saints' offseason workout program. The Saints' new workouts now include both the rapid series of various high-intensity workouts, but also the spirit of competition that CrossFit promotes.

Atlanta Falcons still sorting out O-line

Source: NFC South Blog

With the release of right tackle Tyson Clabo and the retirement of center Todd McClure, the Atlanta Falcons have a lot of uncertainty on their offensive line. Coach Mike Smith didn’t set forth any concrete plan Thursday night at the team’s State of the Franchise event. “There’s going to be an open, big competition with our offensive line,’’ Smith said. “We’ve got some young guys that we’ve drafted and they’re ready to step in and do it.

New Orleans Saints Mailbag: Submit Your Questions

Source: Canal Street Chronicles by Dave Cariello

Between signing a new defensive tackle and the Ben Grubbs charity softball game, there's actually still some Saints off-season action happening. Plus, considering the wealth of information we obtained from Saints rookie minicamp, I'd say there's plenty to talk about.

So if you've got a burning question you've been dying to know my answer to, send an email to blogandgold@yahoo.com, send me a tweet @csctweet, post on our wall at Canal Street Chronicles Facebook page or just ask me in the comment section below.

New Orleans Saints OLB Martez Wilson may have found a home in new 3-4 defense

Source: NOLA.com by Nakia Hogan, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Wilson will be competing with Victor Butler for the strongside OLB spot.

Saints Jabari Greer and Zach Strief discuss the season, Sean Payton hits paydirt, and more on 'Black and Gold Today'

Source: NOLA.com by Larry Holder, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

There's a new sense of urgency around the Saints and the players can feel it.

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton Gets Settlement From 2009 Lawsuit

Source: Who Dat Dish by Mac Gyver

Jan 23, 2013; Mobile AL, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis with head coach Sean Payton scouting the Senior Bowl north squad practice a day after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (not pictured) reinstated New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton after his season long suspension. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Late breaking news today involves an issue most of the New Orleans Saints fans have forgotten about: A lawsuit, or several of them that were filed back in 2009 against a former Saints long snapper, Kevin Houser. Houser was said to have convinced a number of current and former

New Orleans Saints Black and Gold Today: Jabari Greer, Isaako Aaitui, Zach Strief

Source: NOLA.com by Robert Riddick, NOLA.com | Times-Picayune

Black and Gold Today host Larry Holder interviews Saints cornerback Jabari Greer in First Down. In Second Down Larry has the latest on new Saint Isaako Aaitui.You'll hear from Saints tackle Zach Strief in Third Down and we'll get to your comments during Fourth Down.

Breaking Down New Orleans Saints’ Moves From Free Agency to Draft

Source: Saints Report by mvtrucking

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif Full Story – Rant Sports.Com It’s fair to give the New Orleans Saints a pass last year after being torpedoed by BountyGate, but there were still many serious issues lingering over the years that only came to head in 2012. Boasting the league’s worst defense sounded the alarm for this organization and they went right to addressing it, at long last, this offseason. New Orleans brought in excellent-if-emphatic defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to help shore things up along with spending their first-rounder on safety Kenny Vaccaro. They further showed seriousness in addressing this defensive unit by adding blossoming young cornerback Keenan Lewis via free agency. The Saints let

Sean Payton brought back high-intensity attitude and high-intensity workouts to New Orleans Saints

Source: NOLA.com by Mike Triplett, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

New CrossFit-inspired workouts have helped to enhance a palpable sense of urgency among Saints players this offseason

Luke McCown knows how to compete for a role with the Saints

Source: Saints Report by mvtrucking

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif Full Story – Nola.Com As a journeyman quarterback in the NFL, Luke McCown has grown accustomed to making stops and feeling comfortable before long. But McCown is feeling especially familiar in his latest stop with the New Orleans Saints. The locker room, his teammates, the playbook and the offense all have that familiar feel because McCown was in this same position last season before the Saints cut him in favor of Chase Daniel. The Saints signed the nine-year veteran this offseason as a free agent to compete for the backup job to Drew Brees after he moved on to spend last season with the Atlanta Falcons.

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton settles tax credit lawsuit

Source: NOLA.com by The Associated Press

Former Saint Kevin Houser sold Payton nonexistent state movie tax credits from a defunct film studio.

Eight in the Box: Returning from injury

Source: NFC South Blog

A look at key players for each NFC South team who are coming back from injuries: Atlanta Falcons: Bradie Ewing was ticketed for the starting fullback job as a rookie last season. But he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, and the Falcons were forced to juggle fullbacks. That’s one reason why the running game never really got on track last season. The Falcons want a more consistent running game this season, so they brought in running back Steven Jackson to replace Michael Turner.

Agent for deceased New Orleans Saint Frank Warren charged with fraud

Source: NOLA.com by Terrance Harris, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Frank Warren's agent has been accused of stealing more than $500,000 from a trust fund established to provide for his wife and children.

Muncie: The Man, the Myth, the Legend: Jeff Duncan's Weekly Reader

Source: NOLA.com by Jeff Duncan, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Archie Manning: "Chuck was a world-class talent. And he was a good guy, but he had his demons."

Dimitroff confident on Matt Ryan extension

Source: NFC South Blog

Without locking into any time frame, Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said he’s confident a contract extension will be worked out with quarterback Matt Ryan. Dimitroff was asked by a fan for a status update during Thursday night’s State of the Franchise event. “Obviously, Matt’s going to be with us here for a long time,’’ Dimitroff said. “We’re hoping to win many, many more games and many bigger games in the future.

Runoff Election to Decide the Second Member of Mount Saintsmore

Source: Canal Street Chronicles by Dave Cariello

After almost 500 votes in the election to choose the second member of our New Orleans Saints Mount Rushmore replica, we still don't have a clear cut winner receiving a majority vote. So we're going to hold a runoff election. This is what you guys wanted and, hell, we've got nothing better to do anyway.

How Everyone Voted: Choosing the Second Member of Saints Mount Rushmore

There were four names that separated themselves from the field in the initial election. I've rounded up those top four vote-getters -

Smith: 'We're not 10 yards from Super Bowl'

Source: NFC South Blog

When he meets with the media, Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith almost always comes across as polite and not very emotional. But he’s a football coach and you get the sense there’s a lot more inside of him. A glimpse of what a Smith pep talk to his team must look like emerged Thursday night as the Falcons held their annual State of the Franchise event. You can see the video here (skip ahead to about the 59-minute mark to see Smith get really animated).

Who Dat Dish: New Orleans Saints News, Rumors And Links For 5/17

Source: Who Dat Dish by Chris Roling

Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston (12) runs after a catch in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. The Saints beat the Cowboys 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Believe it or not, despite not having much cap space to work with, the New Orleans Saints are still making signings this offseason after the conclusion of rookie minicamp.

Today we’ll talk about that signing, detail an important position change on defense and more.

Let’s take a look.

 

What the national media are writing about the New Orleans Saints and the NFL

Source: NOLA.com by Terrance Harris, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Here is a look at some of the top NFL stories.

The Saints' 2013 defense, Eric Gordon's surgery, 'ridiculous' fishing and more highlight the week

Source: NOLA.com by John Roach, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

The week's best quotes and observations from our NOLA.com Sports stories

Of all the New Orleans Saints offseason moves, which one was best for the team?

Source: NOLA.com by Larry Holder, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Saints question of the day

New Orleans Saints bring Junior Training Camp to J.C. Ellis Elementary in Metairie

Source: NOLA.com by Melinda Morris, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Students at J.C. Ellis Elementary in Metairie were treated to a New Orleans Saints/Gatorade Junior Training Camp Thursday. The boys and girls had a chance to test their football skills in drills and obstacle courses. The clinic lasted approximately 90...

Around the NFC South

Source: NFC South Blog

Let's take or morning run (or bike ride) through some news and notes from around the NFC South: ATLANTA FALCONS General manager Thomas Dimitroff is taking part in National Bike To Work Day. I don’t think we’ll see any roster moves out of the Falcons this morning. Quarterback Matt Ryan turns 28 today. That’s a prime age to become one of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks. The Falcons have stayed quiet about where negotiations are for an extension, but I suspect a deal will get done before training camp.

New Orleans Saints Offseason Opposition Analysis: Carolina

Source: Who Dat Dish by Corey Hogue

Dec 30, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Carolina Panthers defeated the New Orleans Saints 44-38. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Next up on our opposition analysis is the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have added great players through the draft but were handicapped in free agency because of deals from previous GM Marty Hurney. The Panthers were by no means incapacitated this offseason but their improvements seem to have paled in comparison to the

NFC South chat Friday at 1 p.m.

Source: NFC South Blog

A quick reminder that our weekly NFC South chat will be held Friday at 1 p.m. ET. We’ll talk about all things Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints. Bring your questions and join us. Here’s your free ticket into the NFC South chat.

Friday Morning Sports Briefing

Source: NOLA.com by Rachel Whittaker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Join sports reporter Rachel Whittaker every weekday morning as she tells you the top stories to watch for on NOLA.com

Kenny Vaccaro vs. Kenny Stills

Source: Canal Street Chronicles by Win Ellington

It is ironic that two of the Saints 2013 NFL Draft picks, Kenny Vaccaro of Texas and Kenny Stills of Oklahoma, were fierce college rivals.

Instead of alternating home games between their respective campuses, the two bordering state universities meet in Dallas each year in what is billed as the "Red River Shootout." In recent years the Red River Shootout has been more like the Red River Massacre as Stills' Sooners have dominated Vaccaro's Longhorns, winning 63-21 in 2012 and 55-17 in 2011. The 2010 game was also won by the

Thursday's Sports In Brief (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

LONDON (AP) - End it like Beckham.

Saints Positional Previews: Linebackers

Source: Who Dat Dish by Ian-Mitchell Dear

December 30, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is pressured by New Orleans Saints defensive end Martez Wilson (95) and middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

We turn our attention to a major positional preview of concern for the Saints as they head into training camp: linebacker. This is an area of importance for the Saints since they will be transitioning to the 3-4 defensive scheme and they have plenty of talent at the position.

Saints Agree To Terms With DT Isaako Aaitui

Source: Saints Report by Andrus

http://saintsreport.com/images/topics/snews.gif For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 16, 2013 NewOrleansSaints.com The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have agreed to terms with defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui on a two-year contract. The announcement was made by Saints' Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. Aaitui (full name pronounced e-saw-AH-co ah-ah-2-e), 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, originally joined the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins midseason in 2011, spending the 2012 preseason with both the Dolphins and the New York Jets. The Pago Pago native was a four-year letterman and two-year starter at UNLV, where as a senior in 2010, he was a third-team all-Mountain West Conference selection, appearing in

New Orleans Saints Sign DT Isaako Aaitui

Source: Canal Street Chronicles by Dave Cariello

The New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms with defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui on a two-year deal, general manager Mickey Loomis announced Thursday.

The #Saints have agreed to terms with DT Isaako Aaitui on a 2-year contract

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 16, 2013

By the way, that's pronounced: e-saw-AH-co ah-ah-2-e. Whew! I'll bet somewhere right now Jerry Romig and Jim Henderson are both hoping this guy doesn't actually make the

Saints agree to terms defensive lineman Aaitui (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- The New Orleans Saints signed defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui to a two-year deal Thursday.

Ex-Saint Anthony Hargrove signs with Dallas

Source: NOLA.com by The Associated Press

The nine-year veteran was with Seattle the season before the bounty scandal broke. He played for the Saints in 2009 and 2010.

New Orleans Saints sign DT Isaako Aaitui to a two-year contract

Source: NOLA.com by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Aaitui spent preseasons with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.

Cowboys sign DE who was among bounty suspensions (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys have signed defensive end Anthony Hargrove, who sat out the 2012 season after he was suspended as part of the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal.

Sanchez says 'nothing's changed' with Garrard out (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- Mark Sanchez understands the New York Jets' starting quarterback job is still up for grabs.

Tyler Bray in Perfect Position with Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY | From highly touted to undrafted, Tyler Bray's NFL career certainly did not get off to quite the start he had hoped for after jettisoning the University of Tennessee with one year of college eligibility remaining.

Saints News 5/16/13: Jonathan Vilma Says It Was Worth The Pay Cut To Stay With Saints

Source: Canal Street Chronicles by David "Satch" Kelly

Tweets

VIDEO: @jonvilma51 interview: bit.ly/103PrKf #Saints

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 16, 2013

"@whodat_chic: God I love @jonvilma51" I love him too. Lol

— Jonathan Vilma

Luke McCown knows how to compete for a role with the Saints

Source: NOLA.com by Terrance Harris, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Veteran backup quarterback Luke McCown was in the New Orleans Saints camp last year but wasn't given a chance to beat out Chase Daniel. But with Daniel now gone, McCown seems to be the favorite to backup Drew Brees.

Cowboys keep Free, sign DE Hargrove (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Doug Free agreed to a pay cut to remain with the Dallas Cowboys, who guaranteed a $3.5 million salary in 2013, a reduction of $3.5 million.

A positive stat on a Saints' defender

Source: NFC South Blog

I had to look long and hard, but I found a positive statistic about a member of the New Orleans Saints’ defense. Cornerback Keenan Lewis led the NFL with 17 pass breakups (passes that were batted, tipped or defensed) in the 2012 season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Sixteen of those breakups came on passes defended and that also was a league high. Of course, that came while Lewis was playing for Pittsburgh. But his ability to be around the ball should provide a nice boost for a New Orleans defense that ranked No.

Anthony Hargrove finds a job in Dallas (National Football Post)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Cowboys signing defensive lineman