By Pat Yasinskas

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton just finished his final press conference before Sunday’s NFC Championship Game and he provided the official injury report.

Tight end Jeremy Shockey (knee) is questionable and sat out of practice for the third straight day. It’s the same story for cornerback Malcolm Jenkins with his hamstring injury.

Wide receiver Robert Meachem (ankle) practiced on a limited basis and is listed as probable. Payton sounded particularly optimistic about Meachem. Safety Darren Sharper also practiced on a limited basis and is listed as probable.

Defensive end Bobby McCray (back) and center Jonathan Goodwin (knee) each practiced fully and are listed as probable.

By Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune

January 21, 2010, 1:45AM

On behalf of my fellow New Orleanians, I would like to extend a hearty welcome to all invading Minnesota Vikings fans.

As you may have noticed, you’re not in Minneapolis any more. For starters, the ground here is not frozen tundra.

And New Orleans abounds with more first-rate food, music and distraction than just about anywhere.

Musically speaking, Minnesota gave the world Prince, Bob Dylan and the Replacements. Not bad.

New Orleans gave the world basically everything else, from Louis Armstrong to Lil Wayne.

John McCusker / The Times-Picayune

To read the rest of the story click here.

If you are thinking about going to Miami for the Superbowl to see the Saints, make sure you check out DMI’s webpage and see how you can sign up  now.

CLICK HERE NOW to visit DMI’s webpage on the Superbowl

By Dave George Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

METAIRIE, LA. — Reggie Bush did a celebratory somersault into the end zone the last time he played in an NFC Championship game.

Flashy and fun, that burst of rookie improvisation, but, much like his still-fresh NFL career, fleeting in its significance. New Orleans lost that game three years ago and lost it big, 39-14, at Chicago’s wintry Soldier Field.

When asked on Wednesday what he remembers of that day, Bush didn’t mention the 88-yard reception that set up his touchdown tumbling act, and he didn’t mention the $5,000 fine that he got from the NFL for taunting Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher with a finger wag.

“I remember after that game I stayed on the field little bit to kind of watch what was happening, to watch Brian Urlacher collect the (conference championship) trophy,” Bush said.

“That was tough. It wasn’t our time.”

Read the rest of the story here

And Weezy’s not picking his hometown team, the New Orleans Saints.

by Shaheem Reid

Of course Lil Wayne has infinite love for his hometown of New Orleans. He’s shouted out his city in his songs, he performs there often and Weezy is generous in giving back to the community. But this weekend when the New Orleans Saints host the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game, The Cash Money/ Young Money Millionaire will not be pulling for Drew Brees, Reggie Bush (Wayne name-checks on the Birdman’s “Money to Blow”), and the rest of team Black and Gold. See, Wayne’s favorite player, Brett Favre, plays for the visitors.

“I’m rooting for Brett because I’m a diehard,” Weezy explained to us early Thursday (January 21). A signed Favre football is one of the prize possessions in Weezy’s extensive sports memorabilia collection. As for who the dynamic performer thinks will win the game, Wayne — who’s appeared on ESPN a few times to talk sports — gave his analysis from an unbiased standpoint. Minnesota has a superior ground game and defense in his opinion.

Read the rest of the story here.

By Nakia Hogan, The Times-Picayune

January 22, 2010, 6:00AM

At an early morning staff meeting the day before Saturday’s 45-14 victory against the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams had another game he wanted to play with his assistant coaches.

The “What If” game.

“As trite as this may sound, the day before the game at an 8 a.m. staff meeting, I posed a bunch of what ifs, ” Williams said. “The first what ifs was tell me what your body language is going to be, tell me what your demeanor is going to be, tell me what your coaching point is going to be, tell me how you are going to react if something bad happens on the first play of the game.”

Guess what?

To read more click here.

By Mark Lorando, The Times-Picayune

January 21, 2010, 5:27PM

New Orleans Saints Superdome screaming lessons from an opera singer

Listen up, Who Dat Nation: If you’re attending the game, you’re part of the game. And if you want to affect the outcome of Sunday’s Saints-Viking NFC Championship Game with your voice, you’d better know the right way to raise it.
With the help of a professional vocal coach, we’ve put together a Superdome screaming game plan for New Orleans’ legendary “12th Man.”

It’s the diaphragm, stupid: “Ninety-nine percent of people, when they scream, scream from their throat,” said Kristin Samuelson, a vocal coach who bills herself “The Voice Doctor.” “You can actually see the muscles bulging in the neck. That’s the brute force approach.” But the way to maximize volume, Samuelson said, is to consciously push the air from your diaphragm — the muscle separating the chest and abdomen — and into “that space in the back of the mouth that opens up when you yawn or burp.” That creates a more powerful, resonant sound than the throat can project on its own. “How is it someone like Pavarotti can be heard over 80 instruments in an orchestra? It’s the resonance,” she said.

Read the rest of the steps here.

From  By Pat Yasinskas

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans coach Sean Payton said tight end Jeremy Shockey (knee) and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring) did not practice Thursday.

That pair also sat out Wednesday’s practice. Receiver Robert Meachem (ankle) returned to practice on a limited basis. Safety Darren Sharper (knee) also was limited in practice.

Center Jonathan Goodwin (knee) and defensive end Bobby McCray (back) also were on the injury report, but Payton said both fully participated in practice.

Earlier this week, Usher made a public call for youth involvement in the relief for Haiti. Now, other notable adults are stepping up and taking a lead the youth to join the efforts to help Haiti.

In support of the youth efforts to raise funds for the United Nations Foundation Central Emergency Response Fund(CERF), and Usher’s New Look’s efforts, Will Smith, NFL star athlete with the New Orleans Saints is calling on his fans—especially young people in New Orleans to answer Usher’s call to action. “As our own Katrina recovery continues, the plight of Haiti today is too familiar for those of us in New Orleans to ignore. All of us should be compelled to help. That’s why I’ve joined Usher to help raise money for Haiti’s recovery efforts,” said Smith.

“We are specifically asking for young people to raise small donations for the United Nations Foundation relief efforts. As 50% of the world population, youth have the power to collectively make a huge impact on the relief efforts. I feel it is especially important for youth in our community to support Haiti due to the history we share and the estimated 5,000 Haitian families residing in New Orleans today,” Smith continued.

To read more about what Will Smith is doing with Usher CLICK HERE.