New Orleans Saints

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Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports With the New Orleans Saints switching to a 3-4 defense, the team will need a defensive tackle to anchor the defense. The Saints were planning on using Akiem Hicks at defensive tackle, but they also drafted John Jenkins in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. Both players seem capable of playing the nose tackle in the 3-4 defense, but both are inexperienced in playing that position at the professional level. In order to add some depth, the Saints added defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui. Aaitui spent some time last season with the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, and has only every played in the preseason with four tackles and a sack.  He will likely compete for a backup spot at defensive tackle, but having an extra player for the position will be valuable to the Saints. Aaitui has good size at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds and will be able to provide the team with some depth on the defensive line. Hicks will likely be the starting defensive tackle, but there was talk of using him as a defensive end as well. Even though he will only be a rookie, Jenkins could see some time at defensive tackle. The nose tackle position is arguably the most important position in the 3-4 defense and one of the most demanding. I don’t think it would be out of the question for the Saints to implement a rotation at nose tackle that features Hicks, Jenkins, and Aaitui. With a good training camp and preseason Aaitui could find himself earning some playing time during the regular season. However, only time will tell if Aaitui even makes the 53-man roster, but his addition gives the Saints some good depth at defensive tackle. Alejandro Aviles is the Featured Writer for the New Orleans Saints at Rant Sports @aaviles312

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports Even though it is only the offseason for the New Orleans Saints, that doesn’t mean that some starting jobs aren’t already set. There is no official word on which players will be starting where, but many people have a pretty clear idea of some positions. Some vital starting positions for the Saints will be on the defensive side of the ball. One thing that the Saints will need to focus on next season is improving their pass rush. The Saints had a chance to draft an effective pass rusher in this year’s draft, but instead opted for Kenny Vacarro to help their secondary. One player that will have to step up this season is outside linebacker Junior Galette. Galette had limited playing time last season but he will see his role increase next season as the team implements their new 3-4 defensive scheme. Galette is the favorite to win the starting weakside outside linebacker position, and perhaps his potential is part of the reason the Saints did not feel the need to draft a pass rusher with their first-round pick. In 12 games last season Galette was very productive as he managed 20 tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble. As a regular starter, Galette’s production could increase and he could become the pass rusher the Saints have been looking for. He has great size at 6-foot-2, 258 pounds and is the perfect fit for a 3-4 outside linebacker. Galette also has great speed and strength that will allow him to get to the quarterback and vastly improve the Saints’ pass-rushing attack. He will probably benefit the most from the switch to the 3-4 defense and could become a force on the Saints’ defensive line. Alejandro Aviles is the Featured Writer for the New Orleans Saints at Rant Sports @aaviles312

Matthew Emmons – USA Today Sports Images The New Orleans Saints are a team that is looking for a big bounce back year in 2013 after their 2012 NFL season was marred by the “Bounty-gate” suspensions to key defenders for most of the season and their head coach for the entire year. They finished last year at just 7-9 and six games behind the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South. However, the Saints offense didn’t miss too much of a beat last year, with star quarterback Drew Brees throwing for over 5,000 yards and more than 40 touchdowns for yet another year. There’s no question that they could put points on the board last year, even if it was largely through the passing game. The Saints threw 671 pass attempts last season, while calling just 370 rushing plays. They have been and will likely continue to be a team that heavily favors throwing the ball, largely because Brees is such a game-changer. Despite how great Brees is, though, having a consistent running threat would make him even better. However, the Saints didn’t have that last season. Their leading rusher last season was Mark Ingram, who got 156 carries and produced 602 yards. Pierre Thomas got the second most carries at 105, followed by Darren Sproles at 48 and the now-departed Chris Ivory at 40 carries. The Saints ran an obvious platoon at running back last season, but Ingram was the featured back in that system. Looking towards the 2013 season, though, that shouldn’t be the case anymore. In his first two NFL seasons, Ingram has 278 carries for just 1,076 yards, only good for a 3.9 yards per carry average. Meanwhile, Thomas has 215 carries over the past two seasons for 1,035 yards, making his yards per carry average 4.8. Thomas is five years older than Ingram, so the team is obviously trying to develop him. However, it seems like Ingram may just not be an effective enough back at the pro level. Though Sproles is used in the passing game out of the backfield more frequently than he’s handed off to, he can still help the Saints run a platoon if that’s the way they want to roll. Rookie Khiry Robinson and Travaris Cadet can also be developed as young running backs if New Orleans wants to continue to try and do that. The fact of the matter is, though, that Ingram has shown little signs of being an effective running back and the Saints should work on getting him fewer carries this season. Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.

Twitter The Dalai Lama Visits New Orleans bit.ly/17LQjul #Saints— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 18, 2013 League source confirms Irvin suspended for aderall use. Did not appeal suspension. Out first 4 games of 2013— Dave Softy Mahler (@Softykjr) May 17, 2013 ##Whodatnation Do me A Favor And Follow Rookie #LINEBACKER @ctcard44 #WHODAT— NuLa C.E.O. (@JuniorG93) May 18, 2013 Good luck narrowing the Miami Mt. Rushmore to four wp.me/p14QSB-8Wwq— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 18, 2013 Wish J-Ice was here so we could go enjoy a frozen summer treat— Joseph Morgan(@jmthegreat) May 18, 2013 Stunning lack of sweet milf action at tee ball. D'oh.— Will Kill 4 Biscuit (@moosedenied) May 18, 2013 Back on beautiful @smu campus today for @andrewrgalloway professional MBA graduation.#HardWorkPaysOff#Brothers4Life twitter.com/thomasmorstead…— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) May 18, 2013 Smoothie king told me they don't accept smoothie king gift cards #what— Joseph Morgan(@jmthegreat) May 18, 2013 Thats complete bs RT @brandonfalgout: @jmthegreat they just quit here in Lafayette about a month ago!Smh...— Joseph Morgan(@jmthegreat) May 18, 2013 Beautiful @smu graduation out in front of Dallas Hall#Mustangs twitter.com/thomasmorstead…— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) May 18, 2013 The key to today's race is to try and not preak too soon.— skooks (@skooks) May 18, 2013 Congrats lil cuz on walking now go handle your business on the field this fall @macnificent31— deuce mcallister (@dmcallister26) May 18, 2013 Pool Party Coming Soon!!! Stay Tuned twitter.com/JuniorG93/stat…— NuLa C.E.O. (@JuniorG93) May 18, 2013 ________________ Saints Stuff Cameron Jordan ready to be more than the Saints’ silver lining | The AdvocateGary Estwick - Cameron Jordan is ready to move around the Saints’ defensive line, wherever new coordinator Rob Ryan needs him. Film of the NFC South chat - NFC South Blog | ESPN.comPat Y. - We had all sorts of great questions in Friday's NFC South chat. Here's a team-by-team look at some of the highlights. Friday's NFC South Chat with Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.comComplete transcript...in case you want to see what didn't make the highlight reel. Saints Positional Previews: Linebackers - Who Dat DishIan-Mitchell Dear - An in-depth look at the linebackers fighting for a starting spot in the 2013 New Orleans Saints new 3-4 defense. New Orleans Saints: Terron Armstead is Better Option at LT Than Charles Brown | Who Dat DishChris Roling Saints Nation: Ranking the Top 32 Quarterbacks Going into 2013 | thesaintsnation.comAndrew Juge - For the second consecutive year I'm taking a stab at ranking each team's trigger man starter going into the season. Dozens of current, former New Orleans Saints gather at Black and Gold Classic in Grand Isle | NOLA.comJeff Duncan - Hundreds of fans attended the barbecue and skeet shooting competition awards presentation at the third annual event on an idyllic night at Bridge Side Marina. The Dalai Lama Visits New Orleans | neworleanssaints.comAlex Restrepo - New Orleans Saints Owner/Vice Chairman of the Board Rita Benson LeBlanc was part of a group that had lunch with the Dalai Lama on Friday. Includes photo gallery. ________________ Lagniappe Falcons sign four draft picks - NFC South Blog | ESPN.comPat Y - (HansDat note: But they still haven't signed their whole draft class...) 111-Day NFL Warning: Wes Welker Switches Sides in the Brady-Manning Blood Feud | GrantlandWhat's that? You were wondering exactly how many days until the start of the NFL season? Well, you're in luck! We here at the Triangle are set to spend the next three and a half months providing a daily reason to get excited about pro football's return. Report: Bruce Irvin suspended for Adderall use | National Football PostBrad Biggs - A four-game suspension for Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin

Former New Orleans Saints tailback Reggie Bush compared his current Detroit Lions offense to that of the Saints during his time with the franchise. Here is an excerpt from Bush's interview with NFL AM on NFL Network: "As far as from an offensive perspective it's a lot like what we did in New Orleans," Bush said of the team he won a Super Bowl with in 2009. "It's a lot of spread-open passing. Obviously we can attack downfield, and with the running game, a lot of screens, draws and stuff like that. Basically what I did in New Orleans, so running this offensive system has been pretty easy for me." Reggie, c'mon now. It's over. You had some laughs, we had some laughs, but look we've been done for a while. We broke it off because we just couldn't depend on you. We remember when you went down to Miami because she gave you that chance we weren't willing to commit to. That was cool and we were happy for you but even she broke up with you after a while. Now you're hooking up with someone who reminds you of us? I know you would never do that, you're not like that, right?

Some athletes say fans cross the line with their critiques and personal attacks.

@Editilla There's live stats at but otherwise I don't know. I'm watching on DirecTV channel 613.

Feb 23, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arkansas-Pinebluff offensive lineman Terron Armstead takes a rest on the bench after participatin in on the field workouts during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports The New Orleans Saints have an interesting positional battle coming up in OTA’s and training camp when rookie Terron Armstead takes on Charles Brown for the right to protect Drew Brees from the left tackle position. Brown has been with the team for a few years now but has had to deal with injuries while sitting behind starter Jermon Bushrod. Armstead joined the Saints this offseason courtesy of the No. 75 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft and is set to leapfrog Brown for multiple reasons. Head coach Sean Payton has stressed how uneasy he is about the left tackle position in New Orleans all offseason long, and Brown has obviously read the quotes. As he told Nakia Hogan of NOLA.com, he’s ready to compete and win the starting job:  ”It’s definitely time for me to step up and prove myself and prove that I can protect Drew back there,” Brown said Wednesday night at Ben Grubb’s charity softball game at Zephyr Field. The Saints’ defense beat the offense 10-2 in the game. “It’s going to be really exciting,” Brown said. “Right now I’m just trying to get out there and be the best I can and perfect every play and just stay out there.” Unfortunately for Brown, his battles with injuries and the raw potential of Armstead are not good signs for his chances of getting and holding onto the starting job. Payton and Co. grabbed Armstead in the draft for a reason. If the staff had the utmost confidence in Brown, Armstead wouldn’t have been selected. Heck, the front office wouldn’t have picked up one of the biggest busts in NFL history in former second overall pick Jason Smith either. Armstead is the right choice at left tackle based on his athleticism. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran a 4.7-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 34 ½-feet vertical leap. This is the type of athleticism the Saints need at the position in order to keep Brees on his feet. The fact of the matter is, Brees has a habit of making his offensive linemen look better than they really are thanks to his exceptionally quick reads and release. With Brees at the heal, Armstead can rely on his raw athleticism to shut down pass-rushers just longenough for Brees to get rid of the ball. This will also allow him to develop in live action rather than while sitting on the bench and only seeing reps in practice. Brown isn’t a horrible backup by any means, but Armstead should have a tight grip on the starting left tackle job by the time the regular season rolls around. Like Who Dat Dish? Let us know on Twitter @whodatdish or  on Facebook.

New Orleans Saints Owner/Vice Chairman of the Board Rita Benson LeBlanc was part of a group that had lunch with the Dalai Lama on Friday