By Adam Schefter | NFL Network

Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins have been unable to find a trading partner for the No. 1 pick. But the St. Louis Rams now have options at No. 2.

The Saints have made inquiries with the Rams about what it would take to go from New Orleans’ scheduled 10th overall pick all the way up to St. Louis’ at No. 2.

Based on the antiquated NFL draft point chart, the Rams pick at No. 2 is worth 2,600 points. The Saints pick at No. 10 is worth 1,300, and their second round pick is worth another 490, meaning New Orleans is going to have to come up with more than its two first-day picks.

New Orleans is looking at add a stud defensive player, and it could opt for LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, a pick that would be enormously popular in that area, or even Ohio State linebacker Vernon Gholston, who would be a terror on the turf in the Superdome.

People who have spoken with the Saints insist the talks are not substantiative, more informal, but the fact that one team has pursued moving up is noteworthy. This year, no team has been willing to move up to Miami‘s spot at No. 1, even New Orleans. The Saints are unwilling to pay what it would take to satisify the Dolphins or the player picked at No. 1.

In previous years, teams have declined to move into the top 10 picks. The last time there was any type of blockbuster trade was 2004, when the Chargers and Giants were involved in a trade that featured quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Eli Manning.

As interested as the Saints might be in moving up, the Rams are in no rush to relinquish their pick. They recognize that they’re going to come away with help for one of their lines -– either Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long or Dorsey.

In an upset, the Rams could always opt for the top-rated player on their board -– running back Darren McFadden. But it’s up to the Saints -– or any other team that’s interested –- to entice the Rams with an offer that is good enough to get them to surrender the No. 2 overall pick.

The NFL has released the Saints 2008 schedule. The Saints host the Buccaneers to open the season September 7th. In all the Saints will have three prime time games, including two Monday night games at home against Green Bay and Minnesota. The Saints will play the Bears in Chicago in a Thursday night game.

Here is the complete schedule.

Date	Opponent	Time
Sept. 7	TAMPA	Noon
Sept. 14	@ Washington	Noon
Sept. 21	@ Denver	3 p.m.
Sept. 28	SAN FRANCISCO	Noon
Oct. 6 (Mon.)	MINNESOTA	7:30
Oct. 12	OAKLAND	Noon
Oct. 19	@Carolina	Noon
Oct. 26	SAN DIEGO (London)	Noon
Nov. 2	Off
Nov. 9	@Atlanta	Noon
Nov. 16	@ Kansas City	Noon
Nov. 24 (Mon.)	GREEN BAY	7:30
Nov. 30	@Tampa	Noon
Dec. 7	ATLANTA	Noon
Dec. 11 (Thurs.)	@Chicago	7:15
Dec. 21	@Detroit	Noon
Dec. 28	CAROLINA	Noon

PACKAGE OPTIONS AND
ORDERING INFORMATION

OPTION 1: ON LOCATION COMPLETE TICKET, HOSPITALITY & TRAVEL PACKAGES

PACKAGE BENEFITS

• Stay with other Saints Fans at a great hotel in a perfect, and safe, location in London.

• Guarantee the authenticity of your game tickets, game hospitality and ground transportation with NFL On Location, the only League approved travel packages for the 2008 International Series.

• Saints fans receive discounted package rates, saving you money while offering exclusive ticket, game day hospitality, special events and transportation to/from the game.

All Packages include the following:

• Three nights (Fri, Sat, Sun) hotel accommodations at the Hyatt Regency London – Churchill

• Saturday evening party featuring Saints Celebrities with ground transfers provided to/from hotel and event.

• Game day round-trip ground transportation to/from Wembley Stadium

• Official NFL International Series Gift Bag

• Plus, select one of the four Game Ticket & In-stadium Hospitality options from below

Club Package

• Official NFL Tailgate Party for 3 hours pre-game (food & beverage available for purchase)

• Ticket in end zone location on the Club Wembley Level

• VIP Entrance to the stadium

• Access to exclusive Club Wembley cash bars and cafes pre-game

Price per person:

Double Occupancy: $2,399

Single Occupancy: $2,949

Premium Package

• Official NFL Tailgate Party for 3 hours pre-game (food & beverage available for purchase)

• Premium sideline ticket on Club Wembley Level

• VIP Entrance to the stadium

• Access to exclusive Club Wembley cash bars and cafes pre-game

Price per person:

Double Occupancy: $2,449

Single Occupancy: $2,999

Sapphire Package

• 3-course meal with wine before the game in one of Wembley’s stunning restaurants

• Complimentary bar with wine, beer and soft drinks before the game, cash bar post-game

• Official Souvenir Program for each guest

• Premium ticket near the 50-yard line on Club Wembley Level with access to all concourse facilities, including exclusive use of Club Wembley cash bars

Price per person:

Double Occupancy: $2,749

Single Occupancy: $3,299

Diamond Package

• Champagne reception on arrival

• Superb 3-course meal with wine before the game in one of Wembley’s exclusive dining areas

• Complimentary bar including wine, beer and soft drinks before the game, cash bar available post-game

• Premium ticket near the 50-yard line on lower tier, either side of players’ tunnel

• Official Souvenir Program for each guest

• Seat with access to cash bar facilities throughout the event

Price per person:

Double Occupancy: $3,099

Single Occupancy: $3,649

Additional Available Options:

• Round-trip airfare with ground transfer to/from hotel

• Day & evening sightseeing tours

• Additional Room Nights

WEMBLEY STADIUM SEATING DIAGRAM – PACKAGES

• Diamond (sec 101) • Sapphire (sec 226) • Premium (sec 225) • Club (sec 213)

 

HOW TO ORDER:

Packages go on sale Monday, April 7

For more information or to order one of the NFL On Location hospitality and ticket packages:

By Phone: call 1-800-449-2479

By Internet: visit www.quintevents.com/ics-2008

In order to receive these special discounted package prices please use this code:

Saints Promo Code: SAINTSLONDON

 

OPTION 2: INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKETS

Individual Game Tickets go on sale Monday, April 14 at 10:00 AM

TO ORDER VIA INTERNET:

• Visit www.neworleanssaints.com and click on the “London Game” link under the Tickets tab.

• Follow the steps to order individual game tickets.

• Once you have selected the price category and ticket quantity, enter your credit card number to complete your order.

• Specific seat locations will be assigned in July. Your credit card will be charged when your seat location is assigned. Orders will be processed in UK currency and converted to US dollars on your credit card.

• Ticket orders will be processed on a first come, first served basis and subject to ticket availability.

TO ORDER BY MAIL:

• Simply select the price category and quantity of tickets.

•Mail your ticket order to:

New Orleans Saints Ticket Office

Attn: London Ticket Offer

5800 Airline Drive

Metairie, LA 70003

• Please enclose your credit card number and expiration date.

• The Saints Ticket Office will forward your ticket order to the UK NFL Ticket Office for processing. Specific seat locations will be assigned in July.

• All ticket orders will be processed on a first come, first served basis and subject to ticket availability.

TO ORDER IN PERSON:

• Stop by the New Orleans Saints Ticket Office:

5800 Airline Drive

Metairie, LA 70003

• Credit cards will be accepted.

• Checks will be made payable to NFL International LLC.

• The Saints Ticket Office will forward your ticket order to the UK NFL Ticket Office for processing. Specific seat locations will be assigned in July.

• All ticket orders will be processed on a first come, first served basis and subject to ticket availability.

TICKET DISTRIBUTION

Individual game tickets ordered will be available for pick-up in London the week of the game. Season Ticket Holders will be required to show photo identification when picking-up their tickets. Your seat assignment will be sent to you in July and will include information on where to pick-up your tickets in London.

WEMBLEY STADUIM SEATING DIAGRAM

 

Note: Prices listed in UK pound amount above. The actual charge for tickets purchased will be based on the current conversion rate with the UK pound to US currency and will be determined at the time of seat assignment. Due to conversion rate, credit card is the preferred method of payment.

 

Defensive end appears unhappy with unsettled contract situation

Thursday, April 03, 2008By Jimmy Smith

PALM BEACH, FLA. — Saints defensive end Will Smith, apparently unhappy that the team has yet to restructure his soon-to-expire contract, is not participating in the team’s offseason conditioning program, Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday.

Smith played for a base salary of $695,000 last season. Fellow lineman Charles Grant last year signed a seven-year contract that could eventually be worth $63 million.

Smith’s original contract earned him $20 million in bonuses, and by reaching certain incentives, Smith (the club’s first-round draft choice in 2004) is scheduled to earn more than $1 million this season in the last year of his contract.

Payton said he understands Smith’s position and feels certain the team will come to a new agreement with the former Pro Bowl player.

“He’s one of the guys who has become a leader in that locker room,” Payton said. “I think for him it’s wanting to get a new deal, and hey, all parties want that. It’s just a matter of sorting through and arriving at the right number.”

Smith’s agent, Joel Segal, did not return calls Wednesday.

Payton said he respected Smith’s demeanor last season, not complaining about Grant’s multi-million dollar deal, and met with Smith about a month ago when Smith informed Payton of his decision to sit out the offseason conditioning program in New Orleans.

“I think this, and I told him, the day after Charles got a new contract, five reporters are in his locker asking him how he feels,” said Payton, who participated in the annual NFC coaches media breakfast at the NFL owners meeting in Palm Beach. “And the bottom line is when any one of us signs a contract, a year later there’s going to be someone at the same position signing one for a higher number. Last year he was two years away from another contract. He understands, and his representation understands, the business side of this, and hopefully it will be something that’s resolved sooner than later.

“He’s a very talented player. We’ve stayed in communication. My main focus has been on the guys who’ve been there, and that’s got me excited. Because I’ll call the strength coach, and these guys are all there for every lift and run. That’s good.”

Payton said that Smith has been the program’s only absentee.

“I’ve had guys where things come up, I visit with them, and they move on and get right back in it,” Payton said. “Everyone that I’ve talked with has been there. It’s been encouraging. Will and I had a chance to visit and talk probably three or four weeks ago, and it’s a decision the player makes. I understand why. We have a great relationship, as Will does with (General Manager) Mickey (Loomis). I think for me, I get more excited about 99.9 percent of the team being there.

“If any given season there’s one player who’s not, it’s a pretty good offseason program. Will will stay in shape and do what he needs to do get ready. It’s part of what we deal with.”

Payton said he had concerns about the health of running back Deuce McAllister’s knees, though he added McAllister’s rehabilitation from surgery on his left anterior cruciate ligament and microfracture surgery on his right knee were progressing well.

“I think you have to have some concern with what he does and the position he plays,” Payton said. “As best we can, we’re trying to gather all the information and seeing how he responds to the treatment and rehab.”

. . . . . . .

Jimmy Smith can be reached at jsmith@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3814.

by Doug Miller, NewOrleansSaints.com
Thursday, April 03, 2008 – 1:00 PM

The New Orleans Saints learned today they will begin their 2008 preseason with a nationally televised game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. and then will play three straight games against AFC foes to close out their preseason schedule.

The opening game for the Black-and-Gold will be on Thursday, August 7, 2008 with a nationally televised game on ESPN in Arizona against the Cardinals.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT.

In preseason week two, the Saints will host the Houston Texans at the Superdome (date and time to be announced at a later date).

Week three of the preseason will see the Saints travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals (date and time to be announced at a later date). It will be a re-match of the 2007 preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium, a contest the Saints won, 27-19.

The Saints will return home for their final preseason game of the 2008 preseason when they host the Miami Dolphins (date and time to be announced at a later date). The two teams met last season in the preseason finale, with the Saints prevailing, 7-0.

The 2008 regular season schedules will be announced in the coming weeks.

Check back to NewOrleansSaints.com for the latest news.