It's way too soon to start predicting who will or won't be in the playoffs ... except, actually, no, it's not. There are some clubs out there that should be candidates to make it but that continue to remind us they really aren't. These are their stories. ...more

New Orleans is on track to set NFL records for defensive incompetence, and that's keeping the Saints down. But what's the problem with these guys, and why can't it be fixed? Let's take a look. ...more

A three-member panel will allow the New Orleans 4 to return to work, and that's a setback for the commissioner who imposed their punishment. But he can impose it again, only I' d suggest another course of action. ...more

The New Orleans Saints reached agreement with quarterback Drew Brees on a five-year, $100 million contract, and it's about time. The club and Brees were going to reach a deal sooner or later, and it turns out it was later. ...more

When New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma walked out of Monday's meeting with Roger Goodell, he said the appeals process wasn't 'fair' because Goodell had too much authority. He's right. But his complaint isn't with Goodell. He's simply exercising power invested in him by a new CBA that Vilma and others agreed to a year ago. ...more

With Bountygate in front of us again, there's something that doesn't add up -- namely, why the Saints put bounties on the heads of two quarterbacks in the 2009 and forgot the third? I'm talking about Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLIV, where there's no evidence of any bounties. But why? ...more

The four players who were suspended Wednesday by commissioner Roger Goodell for their roles in Bountygate plan to appeal, and good luck. They're going to need it. According to former U.S. attorney Mary Jo White, there's a mountain of "overwhelming" incriminating evidence from "multiple and independent" sources. ...more

There's been a suggestion that the University of Arkansas hires Sean Payton for the next year to replace Bobby Petrino, and tell me this isn't serious. Because it can't be, and I'll tell you why in four words: It makes no sense. Period. ...more

The New Orleans Saints just suffered historic penalties for Bountygate, with their head coach suspended for a season and their general manager sidelined eight games. So what does owner Tom Benson do with the money he saves by not paying them? We have a suggestion. ...more

With Peyton Manning signing a five-year, $96 million contract in Denver, the price for Saints' franchise player Drew Brees just went up. Brees hasn't signed the franchise tender, and good thing. He just gained leverage with the Manning deal. ...more