New Orleans Saints

San Francisco and South Florida are competing to host the game.

August 17, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith (91) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports Will Smith has had a tumultuous few years with the New Orleans Saints and things are set to get worse for the defensive end in defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s new 3-4 defense. According to Larry Holder of NOLA.com, General Manager Mickey Loomis says Smith will have to make the transition to 3-4 outside linebacker. It’s a shocking development for multiple reasons. For one, Smith is going to have to lose some weight if he wants to effectively contribute as a linebacker. At 282 pounds, Smith is simply too heavy for the position. Of course, he’s arguably on the light side of things to act as a 3-4 defensive end. Smith is 31 years old and has had issues getting to the quarterback in the past few years. After recording 13 sacks in 2009, Smith has failed to tally more than 6.5 sacks in a season. The ineffectiveness is part of the reason his salary was slashed by $6 million this offseason so he could even stay with the team. Now Smith is tasked with learning a new defense, potentially cutting weight and finding a way to be productive. Depending on how Ryan wants to use him, Smith may be asked to drop into coverage and be stout in run support as well. Outside of the above challenges, Smith is going to have to beat out talented players such as Victor Butler, Martez Wilson and Junior Galette for playing time. At this stage of his career, it’s hard to see Smith doing so, especially when it’s likely his last season in New Orleans with the team scheduled to pay him over $10 million in 2014. The move for Smith simply reeks of desperation from the coaching staff. That, or they truly don’t know what to do with him. Outside linebacker was one of the team’s biggest needs heading into the draft, but the front office simply didn’t have enough picks to address each need. Smith is not the answer for the Saints at outside linebacker. Its seems like a one-year experiment at best before the team moves on to younger, more fluid fits at the position. Like Who Dat Dish? Let us know on Twitter @whodatdish or  on Facebook.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton has come back Mr. Positive instead of Mr. Bitter after one-year suspension.

I had a great time at the #KYCares charity basketball game this weekend. #GoodTimes

Marcus Carmouche, a 10-year veteran of the Sports Department of The Times-Picayune and NOLA Media Group, will take over as Sports manager of NOLA Media Group in June, replacing longtime Sports Manager and Editor Doug Tatum, who is leaving...

December 16, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith (91) prior to kickoff of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports The big news surrounding the New Orleans Saints, as it has been all season, is about the switch to a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Today the Saints news focuses on the new defense as we’ll examine position changes and how the overall unit will perform. Let’s take a look. Canal Street Chronicles Argues Saints Defense Won’t Suck Per Dave Cariello:  First and foremost it’s incredibly important to remember that the Saints are switching to a new 3-4 scheme; a scheme that Sean Payton realized needed to be implemented immediately just 3 days back on the job. They didn’t switch because some new defensive coordinator said so. Payton made the decision himself, then went out to find a defensive coordinator that best fits the job description. If the genius responsible for transforming the Saints into perennial winners thinks the team needs to switch defensive schemes after having the opportunity to study them from afar for an entire year, it’s probably a good idea. You get what I’m saying? In addition, the guy Payton wound up hiring as his new defensive coordinator bears a striking resemblance in both coaching style and intensity to Gregg Williams. You remember old Gregg, don’t you? He was instrumental in helping the Saints win a Super Bowl in his first year on the job. An aggressive, opportunistic defense was exactly what the Saints needed in 2009 and it could still very well be exactly what they need in 2013. I also think this was one of the better NFL Drafts the Saints have had in recent years. No head scratching selections, no wasteful trade ups. On paper it looks like every pick the team made was a smart one. ProFootballTalk Reports Will Smith is Playing OLB, Not DE Per Darin Gantt:  According to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times Picayune, Saints G.M. Mickey Loomis said Smith will open OTAs as an outside linebacker. The Saints need help at the position, as signing former Cowboys backup Victor Butler was the extent of the additions there. And while Butler could be a good addition — he was productive in spot duty behind two stars in Dallas — the Saints need more. How the 6-foot-3, 282-pound Smith holds up while standing up will be a key. He’s been a good-not-great pass-rusher in the past, but he’s probably going to need to drop some weight, in hopes of being more fluid than he’s been in the past. ICYMI: NFC South Editor Ranked the Top 13 Players in the Division.  Like Who Dat Dish? Find us on Twitter @whodatdish or  on Facebook.

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What away game(s) will you attend this year? -Charles I have no plans thus far to attend any away games. If I did, it would probably be the one against the Jets, since I could use it as an excuse to see my family and I'd have a free place to stay. But that's right smack in the middle of busy season at work so I doubt it will happen. I've got a standing offer from the Glazer family to attend a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game that I should definitely cash in one of these days. *** Do you have a favorite jersey? - Can I. Probably my white Drew Brees jersey. How can you go wrong with that? I'm also quite fond of my old, worn out Marques Colston black jersey for obvious sentimental reasons. And in case you were wondering, I like the old Reebok jerseys better than the new Nike ones. *** Since Payton surely won't lead the pre-game chant on September 8, how cheaply opportunistic would it be to replace him with Gleason? - Sly First of all, they've already had Steve lead the chant so it's not like that would be such a far-fetched idea. But unfortunately, I'd be concerned at this point whether Gleason's ALS has progressed passed the point that he'd physically be able to lift his arm and swing it down to start the chant. Incredibly sad. *** I have a recurring dream of the Saints playing a defense with 3 safeties. Should I seek professional help? - Russ T. That wasn't a dream, that was an article I wrote two weeks ago. Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis have both alluded to the possibility of a defensive package utilizing three safeties. Payton likes that Vaccaro has shown the ability to defend slot receivers as a nickel back, as he often did against spread offenses in college. This past week, general manager Mickey Loomis addressed the possibility of having Jenkins, Vaccaro and strong safety Roman Harper on the field simultaneously. Before the draft, when we were talking about different scenarios," Loomis said on WWL Radio, "one of the scenarios was that Malcolm could move into the nickel position because he has done that before and he does have good coverage skills. 2013 NFL Draft pick Kenny Vaccaro already has experience defending slot receivers. So does Malcolm Jenkins. Because of that versatility they both offer I am more than certain we'll see a fair amount of three-safety nickel packages. Now wake up! *** Question:I think this D going to suck (almost crying). Can you give me some serious arguments before i hang myself? - S.T.D. I really don't want you to hang yourself so have no fear because I'm about to save your life. First and foremost it's incredibly important to remember that the Saints are switching to a new 3-4 scheme; a scheme that Sean Payton realized needed to be implemented immediately just 3 days back on the job. They didn't switch because some new defensive coordinator said so. Payton made the decision himself, then went out to find a defensive coordinator that best fits the job description. If the genius responsible for transforming the Saints into perennial winners thinks the team needs to switch defensive schemes after having the opportunity to study them from afar for an entire year, it's probably a good idea. You get what I'm saying? In addition, the guy Payton wound up hiring as his new defensive coordinator bears a striking resemblance in both coaching style and intensity to Gregg Williams. You remember old Gregg, don't you? He was instrumental in helping the Saints win a Super Bowl in his first year on the job. An aggressive, opportunistic defense was exactly what the Saints needed in 2009 and it could still very well be exactly what they need in 2013. I also think this was one of the better NFL Drafts the Saints have had in recent years. No head scratching selections, no wasteful trade ups. On paper it looks like every pick the team made was a smart one. Everything in my gut tells me the Saints defense isn't going to suck in 2013. I'm not saying they're going to be amazing, but that's

METAIRIE -- Moss Point native Tom Johnson spent his first two seasons with the Saints securing his role as a contributor, a defensive tackle that could be relied on to…Click to Continue »

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