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New Orleans Saints
Location: Metairie, La. | Stadium: Louisiana Superdome (64,900) | Owner: Tom Benson | GM: Mickey Loomis
Coach: Sean Payton | League Championships: 0
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Saints report: Inside slant
 

The Sports Xchange
 
 
Inside slant · Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes
 

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When the Saints made a trade with the New York Jets and acquired middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma in late February to be the centerpiece of their defense, the team's fans were ecstatic.

Their only question was Vilma's health considering a knee injury that eventually led to surgery ended his 2007 season after seven games. Would the former Pro Bowl pick return and be the player that won NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2004?

The Saints certainly considered the move to be low-risk since they gave up a fourth-round pick. But when the team began its Organized Team Activities (OTAs), it was already looking like the risk would turn into reward.

In the first week of the on-field coaching sessions, Saints coach Sean Payton had to pull back on Vilma's reins to make sure he wasn't doing too much while he continues his rehab from the fall surgery.

"He's participating in half a practice," Payton said last week. "He's not taking part in any of the team reps, but he's working in the individual and seven-on-seven sessions. I have been encouraged with his progress. There have not been any setbacks. It's been real positive."

When reporters were allowed to view their first session at mid-week, there were no signs of a limp and Vilma wasn't wearing any knee brace or protective sleeve on the knee.

While he didn't think there was a need for a knee brace, Vilma admitted that he wasn't 100 percent just yet. But it was easy to tell that he didn't like going half-speed.

"It's one of those things where there's no need to be out there and forcing the issue, especially when we have a couple of months ahead of us," Vilma said. "Right now it's more of a time where you just take it in stride and just gradually go ... it's really just about taking it easy. Unfortunately, I have to hold back, which is something that I don't like to do.

"I'd say I'm pretty close," Vilma said. "I'm pretty close, barring any setbacks. I should be ready to go by training camp. ... I feel good about where I am right now, but I'm not going to be satisfied until I get out there and we're playing full pads."

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New Orleans Saints Message Board
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July 9, 2009 5:06 pm
 2008 the New Orleans Saints' secondary was the weakest link of the team. All three of the Saints' 2008 starting corners, Mike Mckenzie, Randall Gay and Tracy Porter, spent ...(more)
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July 7, 2009 3:43 pm
A 2009 New Orleans Saints Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook
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July 8, 2009 10:37 am

Today's version is about the play-action passing game, something the Saints have used very successfully in the past few years and no doubt will do so again this season.

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July 9, 2009 4:39 pm
I don't care about the rest so I just posted the Gregg Williams portion:

In the eyes of many national pundits, the NFC South is known as a defensive division.  The reason why is a bit of a mystery though, as it's been several years since Atlanta and Carolina fielded defenses that merited any sort of praise whatsoever, and even longer since the days of the ...(more)
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June 26, 2009 8:23 am

New Orleans Saints mailbag: Enjoy it. Final installment until training camp

Posted by Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune June 25, 2009 11:08AM

OK, gang. This will be the ...(more)

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June 18, 2009 7:24 am
Saints, Bush seek balancing act that finally puts it all together By Larry Weisman, USA TODAY For the New Orleans Saints to measure balance, they would need a scale that weighs in three dimensions. Offensively, their reliance on the pass is overwhelming compared with what they are able to do when they run. Defensively they're weak, wit ...(more)
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July 6, 2009 8:28 am

In the weeks leading up to the start of the New Orleans Saints’ 2009 training camp, NewOrleansSaints.com will take an inside look at some interesting facts and figures of various high-profile players on the Saints’ roster. This is part four in the series.

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July 1, 2009 6:08 pm

2009 Offensive Line Analysis - New Orleans Saints 

from Ultimate Fantasy Football Strategy dot com's web site: 
http://www.ultimateffstrategy.com/2
009_OLine/new_orleans_saints.htm
 
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July 7, 2009 6:29 am
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Think of it like tortilla chips without salsa or apple pie sans ice cream.

 

They're good. There's just something missing.

It's the same for some NFL teams as they prepare to enter training camp later this month. Even after an offs ...(more)

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July 9, 2009 2:25 pm
Only New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis know if Kevin Houser's unceremonious release last week was related to Tax Credit-gate.

But the evidence p ...(more)

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July 4, 2009 7:37 am

In the weeks leading up to the start of the New Orleans Saints’ 2009 training camp, NewOrleansSaints.com will take an inside look at some interesting facts and figures of various high-profile players on the Saints’ roster. This is part three in the series.

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July 8, 2009 10:10 am
fter calling most of my friends to tell them to tune into our local sports radio station, I paced my backyard waiting for the DJ to put me on the air. 

The line finally clicked over and a voice spoke, revealing the reason that I called in that evening. 

"Patrick from Metairie," spoke the faceless voice. "Who should ...(more)

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July 8, 2009 11:22 am
(POLL) Hey all...
For me its that time of year in my office where EVERYONE thinks their team is it. In here I have a SF fan, 2 Cowboy (I know right) fans, and by ___, a Steelers fan. After heated debate the question has been posed to me "what is soooooo different from this year and the last 2? (Defense I mean)" Let me explain: In th
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July 7, 2009 3:36 pm

New Orleans Saints X's and O's: Identifying Concepts: The Play-Action Pass

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June 27, 2009 11:05 am

These rookies have made a good first impression at offseason camps

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