One the Road to Camp: Saints

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton predicted after practice Monday the team would make a roster move at running back, “sooner rather than later,” and hours later the team came to terms with Ladell Betts, according to Saints officials.

The contract has not yet been signed, according to the team.

Betts had come in for a workout even before Lynell Hamilton, the Saints third running back, was lost for the season with a fluke knee injury during a non-contact drill at New England last week. At that time, however, the team did not offer him a contract.

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BY TONY GICAS

CLIFTON — They may be the nation’s gladiators capable of performing awe-inspiring feats and sustaining violent collisions but a group of thankful NFL players have teamed up with a Clifton priest to inspire people facing tall odds and sobering hardships.

The Insightful Player program employs current and former NFL athletes who have endured life’s tragedies such as drug addiction, alcoholism, gang involvement, reckless personal behavior, divorce, suicidal thoughts, poverty, life-threatening illness, physical limitations and low self-esteem.

Read about Billy Miller… HERE.

By SHELDON MICKLES

After entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008, New Orleans Saints linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar was happy just to be a part of the team the past two seasons.

Known mostly for his crushing special-teams hits, it was a bonus when Dunbar was called on to start five games — three of them last season — when strongside linebacker Scott Fujita was sidelined by injuries.

But something happened in early March that dramatically changed Dunbar’s outlook on the future. When Fujita signed with the Cleveland Browns as an unrestricted free agent, Dunbar suddenly became a candidate to be a starter in Gregg Williams’ attacking, multifaceted defense.

While he’s got a long way to go before he can claim the job, Dunbar has to prove himself beginning with the team’s exhibition opener at 6:30 p.m. today against the New England Patriots in Gillette Stadium.

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Some highlights from Saints visit to the White House.

Dedication. Check out these drills being run by the Saints tight ends in the porta-potties.

Set your TIVOs!! Might have to incorporate this into pre-game warm up!!

Will appears to be focused and in shape ready to defend the Superbowl title.

I am always weary of Belichkick – but it is still nice to hear the words coming from his mouth. He must be remember the Monday Night Football beat down from last year. The Who Dat Nation certainly remembers it as our coming out party on the route to SuperBowl Champions!