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Fleur-de-Links Youth Mark Ingram II Jersey , July 26:  on the New Orleans Saints and from around the NFC South.Saints defense hoping to become a top-5 group in the NFL | NOLA.com"When you look at the pieces that we have, when you look at the commitment of the guys we have and then obviously the talent, I think this defense not only can be, but should be a top-five defense," said safety Kurt Coleman, one of the veteran acquisitions this offseason.Sean Kelley's takeaways from Day 1 of New Orleans Saints training camp presented by VerizonThe most important observation of the day was noting the health of the roster at the start of camp. Wide receiver Brandon Coleman and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui are the only two players on the Physically Unable to Perform list. They both worked through rehab off to the side. All other players who either had injuries related to late last season or this offeseason, or who missed some part of OTAs or mini camp were available. That list includes Michael Thomas, Alex Okafor, Cameron Meredith, Marcus Davenport and Andrus Peat.Mark Ingram closing in on Saints' rushing record in what will be an abbreviated season | theadvocate.comMark Ingram has the number memorized, regurgitating it with ease when asked if he knew how close he was."734?" he responded a bit inquisitively, in case he was a yard or two off.He wasn't.The number is important to Ingram.It represents the number of yards he trails Deuce McAllister on the New Orleans Saints' all-time rushing list.LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda watches first day of Saints training camp | NOLA.comAranda said he reached out to Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and linebackers coach Mike Nolan about attending the practice session. Aranda already had been at the facility a few times this year, but he wanted to see how the Saints would start their camp. He plans to watch practice again Friday, too.Saints' line turns to 'unsung hero' Max Unger for leadership | NOLA.com"I think Max is one of these guys that's a little bit of an unsung hero for our club," Loomis said. "I think Max is a really good leader in that room, he's a smart player, a tough player."He's seen a lot of things, there's not many things he hasn't seen. He can communicate that and settle the group down."New Orleans Saints ordered to cough up $400K in dispute with Tom Benson's former personal aide | theadvocate.comThe New Orleans Saints violated federal labor law by failing to pay overtime wages to the former personal assistant of late owner Tom Benson, according to an NFL arbitrator who this week ordered the team to cough up nearly $400 Womens DeMario Davis Jersey ,000.The arbitrator ordered the Saints to pay $100,000 in overtime to the ex-aide, Rodney Henry, as well as a fee of about $105,000 that Henry's contract guaranteed him if he was dismissed by someone other than Benson.Drew Brees finally makes switch to new helmet -- because his old one is about to be banned | theadvocate.com"I'm trying to move into the 21st century here," Brees said. "Turns out my helmet's on the banned list as of next year, so I tried to preemptively get out ahead of that."The Falcons expertly trolled a local news anchor over Julio Jones screensaversThe whole thing is a nice reminder that Twitter can, sometimes, still be fun.Julio Jones of Atlanta Falcons to report to training camp, GM Thomas Dimitroff saysAtlanta Falcons star receiver Julio Jones will report to training camp on Thursday, general manager Thomas Dimitroff announced late Wednesday night.Team and league sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen earlier Wednesday that both sides were working to resolve the contract differences that had Jones planning to hold out of camp.Superdome renovation renderings could be produced by end of 2018 | NOLA.comThe Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District unanimously approved a $1.83 million expense Thursday (July 26) for New Orleans-based Trahan Architects to produce a projected cost estimate and construction timeline for what could be a significant overhaul of the New Orleans Saints' home stadium.This is the next step in what the LSED and Thornton have called the investigative phase of the project that Thornton said could "change the look and feel of the Dome."LagniappeThe latest updates from far and wide around the NFL, and the greater world of sports.Big Ben: Bruce Arians to call Steelers-Browns opener - NFL.comBen Roethlisberger revealed Thursday, via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, that former Cardinals coach and new CBS game analyst Bruce Arians is slated to broadcast Pittsburgh's Week 1 matchup at Cleveland. CBS did not confirm the assignment to the Post-Gazette.Kenny Stills: NFL should have no anthem policy, let players decide for themselves – ProFootballTalk“Obviously I’d like to see there be no policy at all and the guys have a choice to go out there and do what they want to, and we can support each other and the decisions we want to make,” Stills said, via the Miami Herald.Will Jerry Jones be fined for breaking anthem gag order? – ProFootballTalkHere’s a guess: The league won’t do anything, because to fine Jones is to invite a tweet from the Commander-in-Chief chastising the league for attacking Jones for trying to ensure that his employees show proper respect for the flag. If the guess is wrong http://www.thesaintsfootballauthentic.com/max-unger-jersey-authentic , maybe it means the league is inching toward a position of no longer caring about the comments of the President.Donald, Rams don't view Aug. 7 deadline to report - NFL.comDespite the potential diminished leverage, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the Aug. 7 date is not considered relevant by those involved, according to sources informed of the situation. Without that deadline to spur action, we could be in for an elongated holdout from the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.What is the PUP list? Rules, how it works for NFL injuries | SI.comPlayers who start the preseason on the PUP list may not practice until cleared by team medical personnel. They can attend team meetings and work out. Once cleared, they can return to the field.If a player practices during training camp, they are not eligible for the PUP list. Instead, the team has to cut the player or put them on injured reserve.Which Newcomer to the Saints Offense Will Have the Biggest Impact in 2018? The New Orleans Saints have had one of the NFL's best offenses since Sean Payton took the reigns as head coach in 2006. One of the things that made the New Orleans passing offense so dangerous was the depth of their talent. Quarterback Drew Brees often liked to spread the ball around to as many as five or six different receiving threats, all of whom had the capability to be a factor in the outcome of a game. The 2017 season was a bit of a different story. Second year wide receiver Michael Thomas established himself as one of the top receivers in the league, making his first of probably many Pro Bowl berths with a team-record 104 catch season for 1,245 yards and 5 touchdowns. Rookie running back Alvin Kamara added 81 catches for 826 yards on his way to offensive rookie of the year and his first Pro Bowl berth. Ted Ginn Jr. provided an expected big play threat, even in his 11th season, and was also a better all-around wideout than at any point in his career. The Saints got very little production consistently from their other pass catchers last year, however, prompting Payton to highlight this area as one of the team's biggest offseason focuses. Today we take a look at three players that New Orleans brought in to give additional targets for quarterback Drew Brees. Cameron Meredith, WRPhoto by Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesMeredith was signed away from the Chicago Bears this offseason as a restricted free agent. He was the Bears leading receiver in 2016, his second season, with 66 receptions for 888 yards and 4 touchdowns. Coming into 2017 http://www.thesaintsfootballauthentic.com/wil-lutz-jersey-authentic , Meredith was considered to be one of the league's up and coming wideouts, until a devastating knee injury sustained in the preseason ended his season. He's a big receiver (6'3, 207-lbs.) with the speed to make plays downfield, and can be a factor from both the slot and outside. Ted Ginn Jr. had a nice season opposite star receiver Michael Thomas, but Meredith is considered the early favorite to take over the number two receiving duties. He is a physical receiver that will win most battles in the middle of the field, but has the athleticism to be a threat along the sideline and down the field. We won't see much from Meredith during team OTA's and mini-camp as he finishes out his rehab, but all indication is that he will be ready for preseason. All eyes are on how quickly Meredith makes a full recovery from his knee injury, and he does have just one season of productivity, but he looks to be the ideal number two compliment to Thomas in a Saints offense who's complimentary targets struggled to consistently produce a year ago. Tre'quan Smith, WRDerick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsThe Saints drafted Smith in the 3rd round, the 91st overall pick, from Central Florida this spring. Smith led UCF in receptions and yardage in all three of his seasons with the Knights, scoring 22 career touchdowns. He has prototypical NFL size (6'2, 203-lbs.) with excellent down field speed. Smith accelerates quickly into his routes, and has outstanding body control to adjust tothe ball in mid-air. He is expected to be an immediate deep threat for New Orleans, and shows the potential to be a devastating intermediate weapon for a Saints offense that struggled on 3rd downs last season. Smith's likely role, at least initially, will be primarily as an outside receiver. He will get alot of snaps against the Saints' first team defense throughout OTA's and mini-camp to showcase his abilities, while Meredith works his way back from a knee injury. His gamebreaking potential and ability on sideline routes can stretch an opposing defense both vertically and along the boundaries Youth Drew Brees Jersey , also opening up short and intermediate routes for the Saints other receivers. Benjamin Watson, TEPhoto by Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesWatson returns to New Orleans as a free agent, after playing for the team from 2013-15. The 37-yr. old veteran had the best season of his 14-yr. NFL career with the Saints in 2015, catching 74 passes for 825 yards and six touchdowns. After departing to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency, Watson missed the '16 season with injury, but bounced back nicely last year with 61 receptions for 522 yards and 4 scores. He still has the athleticism to threaten the defense on seam routes, and is a trusted target for quarterback Drew Brees, particularly on 3rd downs and near the end zone. Watson is also one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, and will still be expected to be an every down contributor for the Saints offense due to his versatility. He is a major upgrade to a tight end unit that produced little for New Orleans in the 2017 season. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsPrior to 2017, the Saints offense had finished in the top 5 of the league in 3rd down percentage in ten of Sean Payton's first eleven years as head coach, and first in the NFL over the last three seasons. Last year's New Orleans offense dropped to just 19th in 3rd down percentage. The acquisitions of Meredith, Smith, and Watson were made specifically to improve that ranking. The Saints moved on from wideout Willie Snead and tight end Coby Fleener after disappointing 2017 campaigns. The team re-signed Brandon Coleman, who has the trust of Brees and will provide quality depth, as will returning tight end Josh Hill. Kamara and Thomas are as dangerous as any offensive players in the league, but the Saints now look to have a deeper and more talented pass receiving corps for their Hall of Fame quarterback, perhaps making a very productive offense into an elite championship caliber unit.