Saints Nation: Dan Morgan retires again!?!?

Are you kidding me with this guy? I'm going to stop short of calling him a coward, because I don't want him to hunt me down and break me in half. After all, he was an amazing football player for a short time. What I won't do is hide the fact that I've never been so terribly unimpressed with this player. Dan Morgan was a superstar player during his prime, and when the Saints added him I felt like we were in for a major upgrade at linebacker. Last year, very early on, Morgan decided his heart wasn't in the game anymore and he retired. At the time I was disappointed, but I also understood. The guy rivaled Steve Young in the amount of concussions he suffered and he's probably already caused long term damage to his brain with the beatings he took. I felt sorry for the guy because he cut what was a terrific football career short, but he did so for his own well being and for his family. I can understand that. Fast forward to today, and I read THIS ARTICLE. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice... I think we all know how that goes. For this guy to have the audacity to pull this stunt once, then come back claiming "I miss football, I'm ready to make it up to the Saints" only to pull the same stunt again? Unbelievable. I don't know how serious his injury was but by all accounts it was a strained calf. If a minor calf injury is enough to derail this guy's football spirit, I'm sorry but he doesn't have the mental makeup to compete in a low stakes poker tournament. Did he really think he was going to go through the entire season without any bumps and bruises after injuries have been the calling card of his career? You're not getting any younger, Dan.

While admittedly disgusted, I will say at least this is happening now. We can avoid the investment in Morgan of giving him 1st team reps and putting any more energy into mistakenly believing he might help us. The bad news is the upgrades I was hoping for at weakside linebacker with Morgan back in the fold and Arnoux drafted didn't pan out. So now we're back to Scott Shanle with Jo-Lonn Dunbar as a backup. Scott Shanle must have a voodoo doll because as mediocre as his play has been from time to time, no one can touch that guy's spot in the starting lineup. Hopefully the Saints sign someone to cushion the blow. As for you Dan Morgan, I don't know where your head is at, but I wish you the best. I think you handled this terribly, and as a Saints fan I know I speak for many when I say: good luck and please don't bother coming back. Based on the comments made by Sean Payton that he got up and left after the injury, and that he hasn't spoken to him, it looks like Dan Morgan didn't even have a heart to heart with anyone or explain his situation. He just blew the Saints off, again. If he applies that same spirit and ethic with what he's doing next (apparently he owns a restaurant in Charlotte), I have no doubt that endeavor will fail as well. What a lame development, and I'm honestly mad at myself for not seeing this coming.

Saints Nation: Bullet Points from Mini Camp (2)

-- There's lots of talk about how this is Roman Harper's year, and that he's going to benefit most from this defensive scheme change. All I have to say is I hope the coaches are right. For all the promise he's shown with big hits and sure tackling (sometimes), he's also been victimized on deep balls as much as the scapegoats Josh Bullocks and Kevin Kaesviharn. There's more coverage depth this year on the team, so the idea is that will allow him to blitz and play more freely at strong. Harper (pictured left) still needs to prove he can play well more consistently.

-- No major injuries so far, which is a good thing (outside of the achilles tendon tear for Stanley Arnoux). Dan Morgan and Scott Shanle have minor calf injuries which have increased the reps for Jo-Lonn Dunbar. Randall Gay, Jammal Brown, Pierre Thomas, Darnell Dinkins, Lance Moore and Dave Cambpell are all dinged up - but they should all be fine. Marques Colston and Reggie Bush have been practicing.

-- The Saints have added a 3-4 package for special plays with Smith-Ellis-Grant playing as the ends, and Bobby McCray coming off the edge as a blitzing linebacker. That was something I lobbied for the entirety of last season. Finally someone gets it.

-- Anthony Hargrove is really turning heads with his pass rushing ability and athleticism. Can he keep his nose clean?

-- Meachem has been looking pretty good, and is in terrific shape. Fans have to feel pretty good about the Saints' receivers, 1 through 4. Not too many teams have 4 solid receivers at their disposal. We know Colston and Moore can play, but if Henderson and Meachem start to become more reliable that is only going to make Brees more dangerous.

Saints Nation: Bullet Points from Mini Camp

- Devery Henderson (pictured) has been said to be catching the ball very well and making a great impression. That's great to see after the promising season he had which rewarded him with a new long term contract. Perhaps he'll get more responsibilities this season. He needs to step up with Lance Moore currently out and Marques Colston limited.

- Dan Morgan injured his calf. Nothing serious, but don't expect the guy to be beating out Shanle any time soon if he gets injured which by the way has been his calling card. Lucky for him, Shanle sat out of a practice with the exact same injury.

- Adrian Arrington is banged up. I know a lot of you think he's the second coming, but after last preseason the guy simply isn't going to make it if he can't get on the field healthy.

- Malcolm Jenkins arrived yesterday after finishing exams at Ohio State. Nice to finally have him getting reps out there.

- Mike Bell is 10 pounds heavier. He claims he is in the best shape of his life and the added weight is muscle, but Sean Payton alluded that he might be too heavy. If he wants any chance of getting that #3 running back spot he may want to listen to what Sean Payton wants.

- Even with Campbell and Dinkins out, Shockey was only working with the 3rd team. Sounds like somebody got punished and is in the doghouse. Not good.

- Thomas Morstead apparently outdrove Glenn Pakulak on almost every punt in practice. Impressive considering how strong Pakulak's leg was last season. The main question will be, though, who's better in games. I wouldn't say Pakulak has no chance because if Morstead outkicks his coverage, it'll lead to big returns. This will be a good battle to keep an eye on.

- Tim Duckworth and DeMario Pressley got into a scuffle because Pressley tackled Lynell Hamilton. Good to see some intensity and guys having each other's back.

- Rob Ninkovich has been competing with Kevin Houser at long snapper. House is the longest tenured Saint, but he might be in jeopardy if Ninkovich snaps well because he would have the ability to play snaps at defensive end as well. You know Sean Payton likes versatility. It would be sad to see a guy like Houser go who has been such a mainstay for the Saints. Hopefully he outperforms Ninkovich but we'll see.

- Sean Payton thinks Heath Evans is a better blocker than Mike Karney? Wow.

Saints Nation: Saints fans should be patient with new defense and applaud Saints' attempt to improve

If you look at what the Saints have done to improve their team in the offseason, intent is there. Gregg Williams has been added to revamp the defense and lead a unit that has cost the Saints dearly the past two seasons. Newcomers that should contribute immediately also include Jabari Greer (pictured), Darren Sharper, Dan Morgan, Rod Coleman, and Malcolm Jenkins. Going into this season no one expects the Saints to be transformed into a top 5 defense in the NFL, we're just hoping as fans they get good enough to stop getting in the way of the best offense in the NFL. One thing that you can count on is the typical Sean Payton type player has good character. The positive about having good character, among other things, is that it's typically accompanied with a high IQ. Hopefully this means the majority of the players on the defensive side of the ball will be quick to pick up Gregg Williams' schemes. That will be the key, ultimately, to how the Saints' season goes. We have to expect that there will be painful mistakes, and there will be a leaning curve based on the big amount of turnover with both the staff and the players. In the end, though, change was needed and change has happened. As fans we have to be grateful for that, and take the bad with the good as the new players learn. Bottom line, the organization is trying to make that defense better. Don't expect it to not be a progressive process, but it should be a lot more promising that what we've seen out of the Saints' defense the past 2 seasons. 

Saints Nation: New Orleans Saints season tickets sell out again!

THIS ARTICLE on from Nola.com has announced that the Saints have sold out the season, yet again, for the 4th straight season (all since the return from Katrina). This is a testament to New Orleans truly having the greatest fans in the world. New Orleans boasts less job opportunities, less high profile jobs, and an overall inferior economy when compared to the other major cities hosting NFL teams. The residents of the city and nearby fans from Baton Rouge, Mississippi Gulf and northern/western Louisiana are just that committed to supporting their beloved team. Major props to all Saints fans out there for backing our boys. With a waiting list of now 50,000 people despite 2 straight seasons falling short of the playoffs, imagine what a little more success would do for the ball club. This kind of support means we're doing our part as fans, so it's time for the coaches and players to step up! GEAUX SAINTS!

Saints Nation: RIP Sam Mills

As Saints fans we all remember Sam Mills very well. I stumbled across THIS ARTICLE today and remembered how great the eternal #51 was. Known by a nickname he hated, "the Field Mouse", Mills never allowed his small stature to stop the size of his heart and resolve. I will always remember Sam Mills fondly, even in his defecting years to Carolina where he became a division rival. Wherever he is I know he's still rooting for the Saints to experience success. He was one of the greats we were all fortunate to watch play.

Saints Nation: You might want to consider Drew Brees 1st overall in fantasy drafts

If you play fantasy football, and chances are you do if you are visiting this website, you should know that the trendy move of going with running backs early is something of the past. Teams are starting to rely more on 2 or even 3 backs to carry the load instead of the traditional 1 guy getting the bulk of the carries. This is in an effort to keep their best runners fresh, so the safest bet when drafting early is to go with a guy you know will touch the football on every offensive play. Based on his stats these 3 years under the Sean Payton offense, how can you not consider Drew Brees very early in the selection process? Check out THIS ARTICLE which was released today. It discusses Brees' obvious top notch fantasy value.