New Orleans Saints

Making the Pro Bowl more watchable has long been a goal of the NFL, which is why it was a topic of discussion at the league's spring meeting in Boston this week. As it stands now the game is boring, the players give minimal effort and nobody watches it. But Albert Breer reports that the league has some ideas to make things a little more interesting. Albert Breer of NFL Network reported that the league is considering elements that would make the game more like a game show, such as having incentives paid out during the game. Oh hey, great idea! But something feels familiar about all of this. Rewarding players with cash incentives for particular plays on the field? Seriously I swear I've heard this before. Damn I just can't put my finger --- HOLY $#!+ IT'S F***ING BOUNTYGATE! Those bastards have stolen our scandal and now they're using it to fix their crappy all-star game! Yeah okay, I know I said just last week that we need to start putting the past behind us but c'mon this is ridiculous. Let's be honest. The whole game show concept is just a pay for performance program in a more respectable package (Heeeeeere's your host, Gregg Williams!) and incentive is just another word for bounty. The Bountygate Effect: Blaming Bountygate for Everything Isn't it more than a bit hypocritical that Roger Goodell and the league spent an entire year making sure the world knew that pay for performance systems would not be tolerated but are now willing to incorporate it heavily into the Pro Bowl? Isn't it laughable that Roger Goodell once said, "The bounty rule promotes two key elements of NFL football: player safety and competitive integrity. It is our responsibility to protect ... the integrity of our game" yet the league is okay with throwing it away, y'now just this one time. Breer added that the NFL doesn't "feel the need to keep the integrity of what a normal football game is." I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. It's like they think we're freakin' morons. The NFL needs to get its act together and figure out once and for all exactly what message they're trying to send their fans regarding incentive payments because the NFL is currently sending this particular Saints fan mixed signals. You could imagine why I might have a serious problem with that.

Saints News: New Orleans Saints Working Through Defensive Transition Under Rob Ryan - #saints

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Some would say the New Orleans Saints got a gift this offseason when they landed defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. The veteran DC was unfairly put on the chopping block in Dallas, but now he’s got a new life in the Big Easy. Part of the hiring of Ryan, is that fact that he plays a 3-4 defensive scheme. So naturally, there’s going to be an adjustment process for the returning players. One such veteran that this change is directly impacting, is none other than captain Will Smith. Smith will now be shifting from defensive end, to outside linebacker. Head coach Sean Payton recently acknowledged the transition for the defense’s captain: “That’s where we’ll start him. We can play him right and left, but I think initially that right outside position would be very similar to what he’s played for us in the past.” The new OLB said that he’s getting used to being in an upright stance, but for the most part, his role will be very similar. While this is technically a position change, it’s really more of a conversion. OLB is basically the equivalent of a DE in a 3-4 such as Ryan’s. Adjustments like this are all part of the transformation in New Orleans. I’m confident that Ryan will turn the Saints-D around, and I think we’ll see noticeable improvement after just a few games. Ryan runs a proven system, and so far, all indications are that the players have bought in. Switching schemes is not an easy thing, but the Saints have the right man for the job to do it. Follow Andrew Fisher on Twitter

Tweets #Saints begin Organized Team Activities today! instagram.com/p/ZkwWGlmKvA— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 21, 2013 First day of OTA's twitter.com/MartezWilson95…— Martez Wilson (@MartezWilson95) May 21, 2013 Sheriff is back in town, rookies are here, and the sun is shining.Time to go to work!#OTA1— Jedidiah Collins (@JedCollins45) May 21, 2013 Felt great to get back on the field in a practice environment today. Football season is upon us, and we're getting better now!— Lance Moore (@LanceMoore16) May 21, 2013 3 Sacks In 12 Plays I'm A #MADMAN Great 1st day Time to rest up PLAYBOOK and #Nap God Bless Every1 hope y'all Grinding!— NuLa C.E.O. (@JuniorG93) May 21, 2013 It's not how many hours you put it ... it's what you put into those hours that counts. #OutworkTheCompetition— Roman Harper (@Harp41) May 21, 2013 There is no success without some struggle along the way. #KeepGoing— Roman Harper (@Harp41) May 21, 2013 OTA's... Finally back to football!!! Let the journey begin or better yet let it continue! Who Dat! #Saints— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) May 21, 2013 Smh I woke up all excited like, what fit imma wear today... Like it's bthe first day of school... Goodmornin #whodatnation 1st day of OTA's— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) May 21, 2013 In 2016, you'll be watching the NFL and some guy will hit a guy & there will be a Mario-esque "FINE!" graphic over his head & "bling!" sound— Will Kill 4 Biscuit (@moosedenied) May 21, 2013 2016: "Next week, Microsoft will give one lucky fan the opportunity to literally control your favorite team's actual punter via your XBox!"— Will Kill 4 Biscuit (@moosedenied) May 21, 2013 Deadspin reminds that a week ago ESPN unveiled its new $125mil set for sportscenter. Today they laid off 400 people. deadspin.com/source-espn-la…— whodoes (@whodoesblog) May 21, 2013 Super Bowl lineup the next four years: NY/NJ after 2013 season; Arizona after 2014; SF/Santa Clara after 2015; then Houston.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 21, 2013 On our way up to the NBA Lottery- Monty and Anthony, Mickey Loomis and Mr & Mrs Benson twitter.com/GregBensel/sta…— Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) May 21, 2013 Anthony meeting with local New Orleans media pre-lottery twitter.com/GregBensel/sta…— Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) May 21, 2013 Man who killed Bears fan in Jacksonville pleads guilty to murder wp.me/p14QSB-8WKo— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 21, 2013 So, the 49ers will hold the most tech-equipped Super Bowl ever, Texans trumpet their available park/tailgate space and Miami group is sour— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) May 21, 2013 _______________________________________________ Who dat talkin' 'bout dem Saints? Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton Talk About OTAsThe New Orleans Saints began organized team activities on Tuesday. At the Saints Hall of Fame Golf tournament on Monday, Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis and Head Coach Sean Payton talked about the work ahead: Saints ready to practice with Payton again | wwltv.com New Orleans Even as Sean Payton tried to make the best of his one-season bounty banishment from the NFL by spending time with his children, getting in shape and playing golf, he often compared his punishment to prison time. Saints prepare for start of OTAs; release Broughton | Black and GoldThe Saints, who begin their organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, announced Monday that the club waived defensive end Braylon Broughton. Changes loom as Saints return to practice field | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LAKENNER — Now that the Saints have switched to a 3-4 defense, coach Sean Payton must decide who will play which position. Tuesday’s

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Press Release REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. and the National Football League (NFL) today announced a multiyear, landmark partnership that will deliver truly unique interactive NFL television experiences for the next-generation Xbox One and leverage Microsoft devices and services to evolve the in-game, sideline experience for coaches, players and other personnel. "We love the passion that players, coaches and fans bring to the NFL game; it's what makes the NFL game-day experience so unique," said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO. "We're excited to apply our passion for technology to the NFL experience, both on the sidelines through the innovative use of Microsoft Surface devices, and for fans through an enhanced NFL viewing experience on Xbox One." The agreement provides Microsoft with the rights to create exclusive interactive experiences through products such as Xbox One and Surface, transforming the way fans will experience the NFL in the years to come. The NFL on Xbox will provide fans with an all-new viewing experience through innovations around Skype and Xbox SmartGlass; an all-new, innovative fantasy football solution allowing fans to view players and live competition side by side on a single TV screen; and a personalized NFL destination featuring information about the players, teams and games fans care about most. Xbox also retains the exclusive rights to extend these interactive experiences to tablets, enabling fans to use Xbox SmartGlass technology to enhance game day. "When we started working with Roger Goodell and the team at the NFL we knew that we could create great new experiences that fans would love," said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "This partnership will redefine NFL experiences through exclusive and interactive content that you will find only on Xbox. For fans, the NFL on Xbox will provide the most complete way to enjoy live football by bringing the first fully-integrated fantasy football experience to the TV, exclusively through Xbox." This partnership also changes the game for NFL teams because coaches and players will soon have access to a variety of cutting-edge Microsoft solutions, including Surface tablets to enhance on-field communications, photo viewing and play calling. Microsoft and the NFL envision a sideline of the future with players reviewing in-game photos from different camera angles directly from the sideline and head coaches calling plays off connected Surface tablets instead of today's static paper products. With Microsoft technology, NFL coaches, players and other personnel will have the technology they need to improve decision-making and on-field performance. "From the use of instant replay to the yellow first-down line that has become an important element of the at-home television viewing experience, the NFL is committed to leveraging technology to improve our game for coaches, players and fans," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "We're thrilled to be teaming with a true innovator like Microsoft to shape the future of the NFL game experience, both on-field and in the living room." As part of the partnership, Surface by Microsoft branding will appear on NFL sidelines in unique ways, including on the hoods of the official on-field NFL instant replay stations. As part of the relationship, Microsoft will be granted the following designations: Xbox remains "The Official Game Console of the NFL" and will also become "The Official Interactive Video Entertainment Console." Microsoft is "The Official Sideline Technology Sponsor of the NFL." Surface by Microsoft and Windows are "The Official Tablet and PC Operating System of the NFL."

The deal is worth $400 million over five years for the NFL

Senator Boxer has already succumbed to the temptation to politicize any and all disasters with her screetching hissy-fit imploring us to see that global warming is responsible for the recent storms that tragically killed and injured so many in Oklahoma. Let’s keep it in perspective.  If global warming were causing a trend in more frequent strong storms, we would see it in the actual weather records. I am trully saddened by what happened in Oklahoma, and I hope I can think of better ways to help, rather than jumping up and down with no factual data and using the event to call for passage of my Carbon Tax bill.