By Pat Yasinskas

Real quick, name the most stable franchise in the National Football League?

By one measure, it’s the New Orleans Saints. Yes, the same franchise that was a laughingstock for its early decades and wasn’t even sure it would stay put after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, has become the model for the rest of the league.

Check out this column by Jeff Duncan and scroll down a ways to find a very important nugget. Duncan points out this will be the sixth consecutive year the Saints have had the same coach, general manager and quarterback. That’s Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis and Drew Brees and that’s a very strong combination.

There’s not another franchise in the league that has had the same coach, general manager and quarterback for the last six years. Yes, not even the Patriots, Colts, Steelers and Packers, who are usually pointed to as the models for stability.

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By James Varney, The Times-Picayune

The New Orleans Saints announced Monday they have agreed to terms of a contract extension with Coach Sean Payton through the 2015 season.

Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

In a statement, Saints owner Tom Benson praised Payton’s skills and success.

“I am very pleased to announce this contract extension today for Sean that will run through the 2015 season,” the statement read. “Our goal is to continue to build a TRADITION of winning here in New Orleans and Sean represents that tradition.”

By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

Here’s what the New Orleans Saints’ 53-man roster looks like after all their roster moves this weekend. Keep in mind, it’s subject to change on a daily basis from here on out:

QB – Drew Brees, Chase Daniel

RB – Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Joique Bell

FB – Korey Hall, Jed Collins

WR – Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Adrian Arrington

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By The Times-Picayune

at Green Bay, Thursday: All games count as one, but this one will have the hype and feel of more than that as the NFL showcases the last two Super Bowl champions. The Saints’ defense must contend, right out of the gate, with a super offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and boasting perhaps a resurgent running game with the return of Ryan Grant.

vs. Chicago, Sept. 18: The Bears went to the NFC championship game last season but few are expecting them to repeat that run. Which means this is a conference game the Saints must win, particularly if they are coming off a loss in the opener. New Orleans will have plenty of time to prepare, given Green Bay is a Thursday night game.

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By John DeShazier, The Times-Picayune

Literally, it’s hard to argue that the New Orleans Saints didn’t pluck the biggest free agent off the market this year.

See, despite the team’s reasonable statistical ranking against the run last season – New Orleans ranked a middle-of-the-pack 16th overall, allowing 112.3 yards and 4.3 yards per attempt – there was an obvious hole that required a plug.

And, well, you have to figure that Shaun Rogers and his 6-foot-4, 350-pound frame can plug a man-sized hole.

Ted Jackson/The Times-Picayune

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By The Times-Picayune

The New Orleans Saints have made several moves today, according to the NFL transaction wire:

There was conflicting reports on Chris Ivory’s status on the team, but according to a league source, he is headed to the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP).

Other moves:

Reserve/injured: RB Patrick Cobbs; WR Joe Morgan (knee); S Paul Oliver.

Reserve/non-football injury: DE Greg Romeus (knee). Contracts terminated: OT Jordan Black; S Quincy Butler; OT George Foster; TE Tory Humphrey; CB Trumaine McBride; S Pierson Prioleau; S Chris Reis; FB Chris Taylor (from reserve/injured, injury settlement).

Placed on waivers: WR Montez Billings; DT Dexter Larimore; TE Tyler Lorenzen; LB Dwight Roberson

By James Varney, The Times-Picayune

The NFL announced Friday that New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith will be suspended for two games and fined four game checks for a banned substance case that dates back to 2008. The suspension will be for the first two games and thus Smith is out for the Saints – and the league’s – season opener this Thursday at Green Bay.

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By Jimmy Smith, The Times-Picayune

Already adhering to a regular-season policy of limiting information about injuries, New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton on Tuesday declined to expound upon place kicker Garrett Hartley’s apparent hip injury while announcing the team had signed a veteran replacement — and long-time New Orleans nemesis — John Kasay.

Kasay, who spent the bulk of his two-decade career with the Carolina Panthers and on several occasions broke the Saints’ hearts with winning kicks as time expired, was cut at July’s end by the Panthers, and replaced by former Saints kicker Olindo Mare.

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By Jerry McLeod, The Times-Picayune

Apparently New Orleans Saints fans have comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres to thank for the team’s 40-20 walloping of the Oakland Raiders Sunday night.

“The (Saints) won! I’m taking full credit,” the Metairie-born DeGeneres boasted via Twitter after the preseason match-up.

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By James Varney, The Times-Picayune

Today marks the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the most profound disaster to hit New Orleans and much of the Gulf South since the Civil War. It also marks the event that helped quarterback Drew Brees think perhaps there was a larger meaning to him becoming the Saints signal caller.

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