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New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

Saints Add Maurice Harris On Futures Deal

January 16th, 2020 at 3:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the other wide receivers in the Antonio Brown-headlined workout will have a chance to stick with the Saints for next season.

The Saints agreed to terms with Maurice Harris on a reserve/futures deal Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. After failing to make the Patriots’ 53-man roster out of training camp, Harris spent the season on the workout circuit.

Prior to what turned out to be a key Saints audition in late December, Harris worked out for the Lions, Buccaneers and Vikings this season. The Patriots signed him early in free agency, but their steady turnover at wide receiver included placing the ex-Redskins wideout on IR and reaching a subsequent settlement.

Harris, 27, played three seasons with Washington. The ex-UDFA’s most notable work came in 2018, when he caught 28 passes for 304 yards. While at Cal, Harris topped out as a senior with 40 catches for 553 yards and six touchdowns in 2015.

The Saints remain in search for reliable Michael Thomas complementary players and, as their Brown and Dez Bryant workouts showed, are not shy about bringing in help. Ted Ginn‘s three-year contract expired at season’s end, and Tre’Quan Smith caught just 18 passes this season. New Orleans, which employs several UDFAs behind Thomas and Smith, also added two other wideouts — ex-Raven Tim White and 2019 UDFA Emmanuel Butler — on futures deals.

Saints Rejected Panthers' Interview Request

January 15th, 2020 at 8:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson
  • The Panthers requested permission to interview Saints assistant offensive line coach Brendan Nugent, but New Orleans rejected the ask because Carolina is a division rival, according to Jeff Duncan of The Athletic (Twitter link), who adds Nugent is a longtime friend of new Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Nugent previously spent time with the Bears as well as in the collegiate ranks.

Saints FB Zach Line Retires From NFL

January 15th, 2020 at 3:44pm CST by Zachary Links

Saints fullback Zach Line announced his retirement on Wednesday. Line, 29, leaves the league after seven pro seasons. 

“As I look back on the last seven seasons in the NFL I cannot help but to feel extremely proud,” Line wrote on Instagram. “I have never bragged about my accomplishments, but knowing the odds and ignoring them, and choosing to instead believe in myself, my faith, and the support of my loving wife and family is something I am proud of. The decision to retire is not easy, which is true for most competitors. This decision is something I have prayed about and communicated with those that I love.”

Line first broke into the NFL with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent out of SMU. In four years with the Vikings and three years with the Saints, Line appeared in 75 games, including 22 starts. Used mostly as a blocking back, Line logged 275 career all-purpose yards and six touchdowns (four receiving, two rushing). This year, a knee injury kept Line out of the regular season finale and the Saints’ Wild Card loss.

We wish Line the best in retirement.

Updated 2020 NFL Draft Order

January 13th, 2020 at 11:01am CST by Zachary Links

The stage has been set for the conference championships. The Titans, Chiefs, 49ers, and Packers are moving on to the semifinals, while the Texans, Seahawks, Ravens, and Vikings will begin planning for the offseason ahead. Unfortunately for the Texans, their first round pick belongs to the Dolphins.

Here’s an updated look at the 2020 NFL Draft order from Nos. 1-28:

1. Bengals (2-14)

2. Redskins (3-13)

3. Lions (3-12-1)

4. Giants (4-12)

5 Dolphins (5-11)

6. Chargers (5-11)

7. Panthers (5-11)

8. Cardinals (5-10-1)

9. Jaguars (6-10)

10. Browns (6-10)

11. Jets (7-9)

12. Raiders (7-9)

13. Colts (7-9)

14. Buccaneers (7-9)

15. Broncos (7-9)

16. Falcons (7-9)

17. Cowboys (8-8)

18. Dolphins (via Steelers 8-8)

19. Raiders (via Bears 8-8)

20. Jaguars (via Rams 9-7)

21. Eagles (9-7)

22. Bills (10-6)

23. Patriots (12-4)

24. Saints (13-3)

25. Vikings (10-6)

26. Dolphins (via Texans 10-6)

27. Seahawks (11-5)

28. Ravens (14-2)

Saints To Lose Mike Nolan To Cowboys?

January 7th, 2020 at 7:13pm CST by Sam Robinson
  • Other candidates have surfaced to relocate to Texas. Cowboys assistants expect Saints linebackers coach Mike Nolan to be named Dallas’ new defensive coordinator, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Nolan was the 49ers’ head coach in 2005, when McCarthy served as San Francisco’s OC. Additionally, Redskins defensive line coach Jim Tomsula is on McCarthy’s radar, per Pelissero (on Twitter). Tomsula was the 49ers’ HC in 2015 and has been the Redskins’ D-line coach since 2017.

Coaching Rumors: Panthers, Rhule, McDaniels

January 6th, 2020 at 2:11pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest from around the NFL:

  • Saints assistant Mike Nolan is a name to watch as new Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy searches for his next defensive coordinator, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears.
  • The Panthers‘ interview with Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski will take place in Minneapolis on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) reports. The Browns could also schedule a chat with Stefanski for that same day. During Stefanski’s first full season at the helm, the Vikings ranked as a top-10 offense in points. With Stefanski on the sidelines, the Vikings also managed a 26-20 win over the Saints on Sunday to advance to the divisional round.
  • The Giants‘ interview with Baylor head coach Matt Rhule has been scheduled for Tuesday, Schefter hears. After that, they’ll meet with Patriots OC Josh McDaniels on Wednesday. Both interviews will take place in New Jersey.
  • At least 4 NFL teams have expressed interest in former Giants head coach Pat Shurmur as an offensive coordinator, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) hears. Shurmur has also heard from “a college team or two.” Shurmur was fired by the Giants after amassing a 9-23 record over the course of two disappointing seasons.

Saints’ Kiko Alonso Suffers ACL Tear

January 6th, 2020 at 11:31am CST by Zachary Links

Saints linebacker Kiko Alonso suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings, sources tell Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The early belief is that he’ll recover in time for the start of the 2020 season, but it’ll be a tough offseason for the linebacker as he approaches his 30th birthday in August. 

This marks the third ACL injury of Alonso’s career. The veteran missed the entire 2014 season with the same injury and suffered a setback in that same knee in 2015.

Alonso is slated to earn $6.375MM in base compensation next year, the final year of his contract. The Saints, in theory, could save $7.85MM against the cap by releasing him, with just $850K left in dead money.

The Saints traded for Alonso in September by shipping Vince Biegel to the Dolphins. In 13 games this year, Alonso recorded 31 tackles and started in just four games.

Updated 2020 NFL Draft Order

January 6th, 2020 at 8:36am CST by Zachary Links

After a weekend full of drama and upsets, four more spots have been determined in this year’s NFL Draft order. Most notably – the Patriots will pick No. 23 overall, their highest original pick since 2006.

Here’s the updated rundown, from Nos. 1-24:

1. Bengals (2-14)

2. Redskins (3-13)

3. Lions (3-12-1)

4. Giants (4-12)

5. Dolphins (5-11)

6. Chargers (5-11)

7. Panthers (5-11)

8. Cardinals (5-10-1)

9. Jaguars (6-10)

10. Browns (6-10)

11. Jets (7-9)

12. Raiders (7-9)

13. Colts (7-9)

14. Buccaneers (7-9)

15. Broncos (7-9)

16. Falcons (7-9)

17. Cowboys (8-8)

18. Dolphins (via Steelers 8-8)

19. Raiders (via Bears 8-8)

20. Jaguars (via Rams 9-7)

21. Eagles (9-7)

22. Bills (10-6)

23. Patriots (12-4)

24. Saints (13-3)

Latest On Drew Brees’ Future

January 5th, 2020 at 9:51am CST by Rory Parks

Patriots QB Tom Brady indicated that he is unlikely to retire, but with all of the talk surrounding Brady, not much has been said about the future of another future Hall-of-Famer, Saints signal-caller Drew Brees.

Brees, like Brady, is eligible for free agency, but unlike Brady, it does not sound as if there is any possibility that he could be playing for a different club in 2020. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Brees wants to remain with the Saints, and given the way he’s playing, it’s likely that the two sides come together on a new contract after the season is over (video link).

The franchise tag is also a possibility, though Rapoport says that would be a last resort. Brees, who will turn 41 later this month, is having an excellent season despite missing five games with a thumb injury (which, in retrospect, may have allowed him to stay fresh). He has thrown 27 touchdowns against just four interceptions en route to a career-high 116.3 quarterback rating, and he is a big reason why the Saints look like one of the most complete teams in football.

Of course, if the Saints do win their second Lombardi trophy this year, there will be speculation that Brees could retire to end his career on the mountaintop. But that does not sound likely either, as a source close to Brees told Rapoport that, if the New Orleans legend wins the Super Bowl in 2020, he’ll just want to win again in 2021.

The Saints host the Vikings in the wildcard round today, a game in which New Orleans is favored by 7.5 points.

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