Grand Prize:

Winner will receive Heath Evans 2009 New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Ring
Weighing in at a little over 2 ounces, the ring’s rectangular face stretches from the knuckle to the base of the finger. The fleur de lis, outlined in black, features a .06-carat round diamond, representing the team’s first Super Bowl win. Sixteen diamonds surrounding the face represent the 16 wins during the 2009 season. Forty-four diamonds circling the entire ring symbolize the 44th Super Bowl. Flip the ring on its sides, and on one shank, there’s the score, the Super Bowl XLIV logo, the game date (engraved as “02.07.10”), the location (“Miami, FL”) and the NFL shield. On the other shank is the player’s name, number and position as well as a city skyline design, featuring the Superdome, a Carnival float (complete with riders holding the Lombardi Trophy aloft) and a line of music notes from “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Winner will be awarded a cash prize in the amount of $3,325.00 to mitigate the Winner’s tax liability that results from winning the raffle. This prize is withheld and paid, on behalf of the Winner, directly to the IRS ($2,800.00) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ($525.50). The actual amount awarded may be adjusted proportionally based on the value of the actual prizes received.

**DUE TO THE EFFECTS AND AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE ISAAC, THE ENTRY DEADLINE FOR HEATH’S SUPER BOWL RING RAFFLE HAS BEEN EXTENDED**

Click here to enter now !

By Pat Yasinskas

There was a very unique development in New Orleans on Monday.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who usually speaks to the media later in the week, called an audible. After consulting with the team’s director of public relations, Spagnuolo decided to speak to the media Monday.

I salute Spagnuolo for being a stand-up guy. He realizes that, in the eyes of a lot of fans and media, he is the scapegoat for the team’s 0-2 start. There might be some validity to that because the defense has been terrible in the first two games.

Read more from Pat here.

Larry Holder, The Times-Picayune

New York – New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma emerged from a three-hour meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday afternoon with no decision reached regarding his suspension for his alleged participation in a bounty program with the Saints from 2009-11, Vilma said.

Read more here.

Bradley Handwerger / WWLTV.com Sports Reporter
Email: bhandwerger@wwltv.com | Twitter: @wwltvsports

METAIRIE, La. — Rafael Bush wanted the No. 36 when he was signed by the New Orleans Saints this past weekend.

Fans in the greater New Orleans metropolitan area wanted him to take the No. 25.

After all, many already had No. 25 Saints jerseys with the name Bush on the back, even if they were for Reggie and not Rafael.

Read more here.

By Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com

NEW ORLEANS — Defensive end Will Smith, who previously was suspended for the first four games, appears likely to play in Sunday’s season opener against the Washington Redskins.

The New Orleans Saints activated Smith onto their regular roster Saturday afternoon. The Saints also released receiver Adrian Arrington and fullback Korey Hall and placed offensive tackle Marcel Jones on injured reserve.

Read more from Pat

By Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Andrew Brandt writes that an appeals panel’s decision to overturn the suspensions of players in the bounty saga is a blow to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s power, at least in the short term. But this story is far from over. The panel simply said that Goodell did not have the jurisdiction to issue punishments based on non-contract payments. Goodell still can issue discipline on detrimental contact. Maybe it will be fines or shorter suspensions, but I think Goodell still will try to send a strong message about bounty programs.

Read more from Pat !

Ever since the National Football League announced player suspensions for what it called a three-year bounty program by New Orleans, I’ve said the on-field implications for the Saints weren’t all that significant.

Linebacker Jonathan Vilma was handed a season-long suspension and defensive end Will Smith received an eight-game suspension. Vilma has been the leader of the defense since his arrival in 2008, but knee problems and age really seemed to slow him last season. The Saints went out and signed Curtis Lofton in free agency and I view him as an upgrade over Vilma, at this late stage of his career. Smith is New Orleans’ top pass-rusher, but the Saints could have gotten through those four games without too much trouble. They survived last season when Smith was suspended for the first two games.

But, after hearing Friday’s news that an appeals panel has overturned the suspensions, I’m starting to think having Vilma and Smith back is a huge victory for the Saints and will be significant on the field

Read more for Pat Yasinskas

As the preseason wraps up and the 2012 NFL regular season is finally about to start, many Saints fans are cautiously optimist that everything will work out well. Coming off a record-breaking season passing the ball a season ago, many thought the passing game would be the least of the team’s worries. This preseason has brought up some issues though. Here is a look at the three receiving targets that Drew Brees needs to step it up a bit.

Jimmy Graham

Yes, it is just preseason, but the breakout star from a year ago seems unfocused and lacking motivation in the games so far this season. Most fans do not seem to worried since he is healthy and young, but Graham is the top guy on offense for Brees. Coaches want to see him continue to progress instead of being happy with where he is now. Right now, he is playing as though he is just slightly worse than a season ago.

Devery Henderson

With Graham handling the short yard passes, Henderson needs to continue to be a solid deep threat for Brees. His job becomes even more important now that Robert Meachem is in San Diego. Brees loves to go for it all a few times a game, so Henderson will get the shot to pick up some yardage and make some big plays.

A year ago, Henderson started strong but then quickly disappeared. With a bigger role in 2012, that can be a cause for concern. Joseph Morgan could push him some for that wide receiver deep threat spot, but it’s Henderson’s to lose going into the season.

Joe Morgan

One of the most impressive things Drew Brees has done as a NFL quarterback is turn regular wide receivers into valuable options. Morgan came into the 2011 season as a true afterthought. The undrafted rookie had a great preseason though, but a torn meniscus prevented him from really ever getting a chance in real games.

Morgan is now officially back, and this preseason he looks to be even better than before. He is a big-play threat that is full of potential and raw talent. It will be interesting to see how much the Saints actually use him in the 2012 season, but it would not be surprising to see him earn more and more time (and targets) as the season goes along. Remember, very few people knew who Robert Meachem was until Brees turned him into a Pro Bowler.

This article has been guest written by the football guys at FanDuel.com, the best site for weekly fantasy football leagues.