METAIRIE, La. – Much was made of the success the New England Patriots had last year against New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham when they used physical cornerback Aqib Talib against Graham in press coverage.

In fact, probably too much was made of it, as few NFL teams have cornerbacks with that ability and no other teams copied the Patriots’ blueprint after that Week 6 matchup.

But one way or another – whether he’s being pressed by cornerbacks, jammed by defensive ends or harassed by linebackers – Graham knows he’ll keep seeing new wrinkles in the way teams cover him this season.

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Bring on Week 1.

It only took one quarter for Drew Brees to prove he’s ready for the regular season on Saturday night. And the rest of the New Orleans Saints‘ starting units didn’t look too shabby themselves in a 23-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

The Saints weren’t perfect — especially in the penalty department (10 for 84 yards), which has been a maddening problem this preseason. But they did most of the important things right while cruising to an early 20-7 lead.

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It’s a good thing New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham got his contract situation figured out, because the NFL just took a decent chunk of it away.

Graham was fined $30,000 by the NFL for dunking the football over the goal post twice in last Friday’s preseason game, according to numerous sources including the New Orleans Advocate. The NFL actually took it easy on him. As the Advocate pointed out, he could have been fined a little more than $33,000 based on the league’s rules for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

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By Mike Triplett | ESPN.com

NEW ORLEANS — Although the New Orleans Saints beat the Tennessee Titans 31-24, coach Sean Payton will be seething over the stunning amount of penalties his team committed. The Saints finished with 22 of them (14 in the first half) and had at least four others declined. Payton was already upset when the Saints committed 10 penalties a week ago.

No, Pierre Thomas has not become the odd man out in the Saints’ three-way time-share at running back. After sitting out the first preseason game, he was heavily involved Friday — especially as a pass-catcher and pass-protector on third downs. Thomas caught three passes for 27 yards. As I’ve been saying, I expected to see him in Darren Sproles‘ old role tonight. … The Saints’ run game wasn’t very effective Friday, but Mark Ingram did catch a 23-yard touchdown pass — showing that he’ll have a chance to play a more versatile role this year in the Saints’ offense.

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New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) dunks the ball after catches a 6-yard touchdown pass during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Friday, August 15, 2014.(Michael DeMocker, Nola.com / The Times-Picayune) (Michael DeMocker)

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham has largely ignored the NFL’s efforts to stamp out his signature touchdown celebration.

But after he dunked the football over the crossbar of the goal post for a second time Friday night, Graham may have fueled a conflict with his head coach.

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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va — All-Pro Saints tight end Jimmy Graham won’t be able to get around the NFL’s ban on dunking this upcoming season by finger-rolling or shooting the ball over the field goal’s crossbar.

It will all constitute using the ball as a prop illegally and draw a flag for a 15-yard penalty, NFL referee Gene Steratore said Saturday morning during a media briefing at The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia.

“That was the question I had yesterday — look, if it’s a clean dunk or a finger roll, I mean, come on,” Steratore said. “But no — (that’s a) prop. We just have to go prop.”

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Who Dat Nation . Com

We are looking for a few good Saints fans who have strong opinions.  You think this is the year of the Saints will get in on the ground floor.  Join us and each week we will have a story you prepare to be posted on our site.  THEN…. let’s see what the people think.

Send us an email at admin @ whodatnation.com and we will be reviewing them soon… first game is only few weeks away.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Undrafted rookie safety Pierre Warren continued to “flash” on the New Orleans Saints‘ practice field Monday morning — this time diving to intercept a pass that was dropped by receiver Brandon Coleman in full-team drills

Earlier in camp, Warren also forced and recovered a fumble against running back Derrick Strozier. The former Jacksonville State standout has also made a handful of nice pass break-ups over the past few days.

And the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder clearly showed coaches something they liked long before this week — because he spent all of organized team activities and minicamp working with the second-string defense (taking advantage of starter Jairus Byrd‘s injury absence).

Obviously it’s way too early to grant Warren a spot on the 53-man roster based on a handful of highlights. He’s probably had his share of low moments, too, that aren’t always visible to the naked eye. (For instance, Warren was involved in a secondary breakdown Sunday that left a receiver wide open, but it was unclear who missed the assignment).

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The 12^th man might be the most die-hard fanbase in the NFL, but its pretty much secluded in the Pacific Northwest. Drew Brees is a fan favorite in the South and this map reinforces that.

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Well, it is not a spitting fan, but it’s close.

New Orleans could probably argue both points. Besides holding the NFL’s leading rusher, LeSean McCoy, to 77 rushing yards, the Saints also racked up 434 total yards.

Article from NOLA.