DE Grant Placed on IR; Team Brings Back Thomas

The season is over for Saints starting defensive end Charles Grant, who was placed on IR Monday with a triceps injury. The team moved quickly to replace Grant, by re-signing veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas.

“Charles has played a key role for our team since we drafted him six years ago,” GM Mickey Loomis said. “This is obviously a loss for our defense, but injuries are a part of our league and it presents an opportunity for other players to step up and answer the call.”

The 30-year-old Grant had led the team with three sacks through the first eight games this season, and he had recorded 33 tackles, 27 solo and six assists. Thomas started 26 games for the Saints during the past two seasons. Thomas tore his right triceps in preseason and was released after reaching an injury settlement with the Saints, making him a free agent.

One Day After Cuts; Saints Sign New Kicker and Punter

After cutting their kicker and punter on Tuesday, the Saints today filled their spots with the signing of kicker Garrett Hartley and punter Glenn Pakulak. The team cut ties with rookie kicker Taylor Mehlhaff yesterday after he was 3-for-4 on field goals and 9-for-10 on extra points.

Pakulak will take the spot of Ben Graham, who also was shown the door by the team Tuesday. “We were impressed with both Garrett and Glenn throughout the competitive sessions and we will continue to evaluate the positions closely throughout the remainder of the season,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said. The Saints also signed defensive back Tanard Davis to the practice squad.

Saints Cut Kicker Mehlhaff and Punter Graham

Today the Saints made two roster moves, cutting both their kicker and punter. The team cut ties with kicker Taylor Mehlhaff, and also punter Ben Graham. As of this point, the team has not made any official roster moves to replace the duo. Both had their issues and the team needs to upgrade each position if they are going to make a serious run at the NFC South title and the postseason.

McAllister Set to Remain Teams Starting RB for Now

It appears that despite his issues with testing for a positive substance, Duece McAllister will remain the teams starting running back according to the Times-Picayune.  McAllister is not supposed to meet with the league till mid-November, and should be active for the teams next game vs the Falcons on November 9th.  McAllister is one of at least six to eight players leauge-wide who reportedly tested positive for Bumetanide, which the players are arguing they consumed through an over the counter weight-loss product called StarCaps.

Brees’ 3 TD Passes Elevates Saints Past Chargers 37-32

Maybe it will be a tradition that the team that wins the league’s exhibition game in London goes on to win the Super Bowl. Last year, the New York Giants beat Miami in London and went on to win it all. Saints fans can only hope.

It was wet at Wembley Stadium but the kind of game that you would expect from two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The two key factors that turned the tide towards New Orleans were 74 fewer yards in penalties and no turnovers for the Saints despite fumbling twice and getting an interception reversed on a challenge with about six minutes left in the game.

QB Drew Brees did well playing for the first time against his old team since joining New Orleans in 2006. Brees had his sixth 300 yard plus game of the season, finishing the game with 339 yards and three touchdowns. Brees again showed no favorites by spreading the scores around to three different receivers. The first was a 12-yard pass to Devery Henderson about four minutes into the second quarter on a 10 play, 89-yard drive.

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RB McAllister Likley to Face a Four-Game Suspension

The issues that came out Friday surrounding players testing positive for a drug on the NFL’s list of prohibited substances will eventually lead to suspensions. One player that will be on that list is Saints RB Deuce McAllister, who according to the Time-Picayune will face a four-game suspension in the near future.

The story is that McAllister allegedly tested positive for a weight-loss diuretic and possible steroid-masking agent called Bumetanide. McAllister will likely appeal the suspension, and it may even get reduced from four games to two since it would be McAllister’s first issue of any sort with the league.

As for the other players on the list, the league will take a look at each case, but most of them would also have to face some sort of suspension, and the league will likely start looking at those cases of each player sooner rather than later.

Field Pass: San Diego Vs. New Orleans

McAllister, Smith Among Players That Tested Positive Under NFL Steroids Policy

Fantasy Matchups for Sunday’s Saints-Chargers Matchup

Saints QB Drew Brees vs. Chargers defensive line

Both sides are very familiar with each other; they two battled for several years on the practice field. All the Chargers need to do is watch the way the Carolina Panthers pressured Brees in Week 7, and they can find a recipe for success. The Chargers realize how quick Brees can unload the football, though. If Brees returns to form, he should have a typical 300-yard performance. He will be highly motivated to play against his former team and eager to put up big numbers, a likely possibility against an underachieving defense ranked last against the pass.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers vs. Saints secondary

The Chargers can’t rely on running back LaDainian Tomlinson and the running game any longer. They need their passing offense to carry them if they are to beat the high-scoring Saints. Rivers has been up to the task of winging the ball (he leads the NFL with 16 touchdown passes), and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (478 receiving yards) has been highly productive. If the offensive line can keep Saints defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant away from Rivers, he could be in line for a big day against an average Saints secondary. Cornerback Mike McKenzie will need some of his teammates to step up their play, particularly if wide receiver Chris Chambers (ankle) returns to action.

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Preview: Saints and Chargers Tangle in London

The NFL’s second regular season game in London takes place this Sunday, as the 3-4 San Diego Chargers square off with the 3-4 New Orleans Saints. Both teams come in after a loss Sunday, and both teams need a win to keep pace with their division leaders. The Saints were pounded in Carolina last Sunday, while the Chargers fell 23-14 to the Bills in Buffalo.

One player that is not in London is game-breaker Reggie Bush for the Saints. The teams leading rusher and punt return star is out after hurting his knee last week during a return against the Panthers. He’ll miss the next few weeks, and his presence will be missed. Look for the Saints to turn to vet Deuce McAllister and Aaron Stecker in his place to try and run the ball.

Drew Brees had a tough go of it vs the Panthers, as he was held to just 231 yards passing on 21-of-39 with one pick. He is a player that will look to challenge the Chargers secondary, and with the running game in a flux without Bush, the team will look to the air often, meaning you could see Brees with 40 or more pass attempts regardless of being ahead of not.

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