INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Bountygate hangs over the New Orleans Saints, who are, all that aside, a fantasy juggernaut in so many regards. So, from a fantasy perspective, put the suspensions of Sean Peyton and Jonathan Vilma aside and look at what the Saints, especially on offense, are. Last year, the Saints were the top offensive unit averaging 467.1 yards per game. That’s about all you need to know from a fantasy perspective. No reason to expect anything less than that type of prolific output again this year.

SCHEDULE
The Saints have the 11th hardest schedule, according to Vegas. Playing in the NFC South, wher e there aren’t a bunch of defensively stout opponents helps the Saints out. Expect high-scoring affairs more times than not. The Saints’ bye week is Week 6.

STUDS
You could look many places here, but it’s just so obvious to select Drew Brees. It’s not overly insightful to point out that Drew Brees is a fantasy stud who is a must start, and a safe first-round selection. He broke passing records last year, and there is absolutely no reason to believe there will be any drop at all. I’m throwing in another no-brainer here in tight end Jimmy Graham, who is going in the early rounds of fantasy drafts, and for good reason. He had 99 catches for 1,310 yards and 11 TDs making him elite. In leagues that require the starting of tight ends, Graham is a must-grab early. Darren Sproles could be on this list too, especially in PPR formats.

DUD
Robert Meachem departed via free agency, and some have said that Devery Henderson will benefit. I’m not buying Henderson as a viable fantasy option, even in this prolific offense. Between Marques Colston, Graham, Lance Moore and Darren Sproles, there’s too many options, and Henderson is low down the target list.

SLEEPER
Mark Ingram came in last year as someone who was predicted to flourish as a rookie. Injuries hampered him a little, and depth at the RB position kept his numbers way down to only 474 yards and 5 TDs. Ingram looks to be in line for more goal line opportunities this year, as the Saints have demonstrated in preseason already. Ingram will improve on his numbers from last year, and can be a nice mid-round selection and potential FLEX or RB3 on your fantasy squad.

NEW ADDITIONS
The Saints’ off season was quiet from a free agency standpoint. And the one big signing is someone who won’t get drafted on anyone’s fantasy squad. Guard Ben Grubbs arrives to shore up the Saints offensive line. His impact will be felt in protecting Brees and blowing open more holes for the running backs.

POSITION BATTLE
The real battle lies in the backfield. Pay no attention to who gets named the starter, as the Saints give lots of love to their running backs.  Sproles, Ingram, Pierre Thomas and even Chris Ivory get plenty of opportunities in the backfield. But, which one of this group grabs the most touches is something to watch.

BENCH BUILDER
Pierre Thomas only had 5 TDs and 500 yards rushing last season. Nothing to write home about, but Thomas can be looked at as a nice bye week or emergency fill in, and someone to consider handcuffing if you draft Sproles or Ingram.

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5-Star & T-Bone sound off on Saints' QB Drew Brees contract situation...

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The 2012 NFL Draft is in the books and now it's time to hand out some report cards...

FOXSports.com
Good Grades: Steelers (A+), Bengals (A), Patriots (A), Rams (A), Colts (A-), Redskins (A-)
Bad Grades: Saints (D), Raiders (D)

SportingNews.com
Good Grades: Bengals (A+), Cowboys (A+), Patriots (A), Packers (A), Steelers (A-), Ravens (A-)
Bad Grades: Seahawks (D), Raiders (D), Saints (C-), Jaguars (C-)

CBSSports.com
Good Grades: Bengals (A+), Colts (A), Steelers (A)
Bad Grades: Saints (F), Raiders (D), Browns (C-), 49ers (C-)

Rotoworld.com
Good Grades: Colts (A+), Bengals (A), Steelers (A), Bucs (A), Packers (A-), Redskins (A-)
Bad Grades: Jaguars (D), Raiders (D), Saints (D)

SI.com
Good Grades: Bengals (A+), Vikings (A), Chargers (A), Panthers (A-), Colts (A-), Eagles (A-), Steelers (A-)
Bad Grades: Broncos (D), 49ers (D), Saints (D+), Jets (D+)

FFToolbox.com
Good Grades: Bengals (A), Rams (A), Eagles (A), Dolphins (A)
Bad Grades: Seahawks (F), Saints (F), 49ers (F), Raiders (F)

Tampa Tribune
Good Grades: Bengals (A), Vikings (A-), Colts (A-)
Bad Grades: Jets (F), Raiders (F), Broncos (D), Saints (D), Falcons (D), Seahawks (D)

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We look back at what proved to be a monumental news day in the NFL…

SAINTS PUNISHMENT DELIVERED
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the verdict in the Saints’ Bountygate and delivered easily the harshest punishment of his tenure as commissioner and one of the most severe acts of discipline ever dealt to a professional sports franchise.

When the dust settled head coach Sean Payton was suspended without pay for a year, former defensive coordinator Greg Williams (now w/STL) was suspended indefinitely, GM Mickey Roomis was fined and suspended for the team’s first eight regular-season games and the team was stripped of 2nd Round picks in 2012 and 2013.

TEBOW DEALT TO THE JETS
One day after signing free agent quarterback Peyton Manning the Denver Broncos traded Tim Tebow to the New York Jets along with their seventh round pick in exchange for the Jets 4th and 6th Round selection. In addition, the Jets will reimburse Denver half of the $5 million advance on Tebow’s contract.

Shortly after the deal was announced there was a minor snag in the contract which opened the door for Jacksonville to re-enter trade discussions. However, in the end Tebow choose New York over his hometown Jaguars. He is expected to be the backup to Mark Sanchez, but will likely be used in some Wildcat-type packages by new offensive coordinator Tony Sporano.

BENGALS SIGN LAW FIRM
Two days after he visited the Queen City, the Bengals signed free agent running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis to a three-year deal.  The former Patriot will replace Cedric Benson on the team’s depth chart for the time being though the team could still add another running back in April’s draft.

Green-Ellis, 26, has scored 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons for the Patriots.  The team also welcomed Michael Bush to town earlier this week, but the former Raider has several suitors and is likely to command a larger contract.

SMITH STAYING IN SAN FRAN
The 49ers made it official on Wednesday that Alex Smith will remain under center for the foreseeable future in San Francisco. The team made a run at signing Peyton Manning, but quickly locked up Smith after the future Hall of Famer opted for Denver by agreeing to a 3-year, $9 million deal.

Smith posted career highs in 2011 by completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 3,144 yards and a 90.7 QB rating. He threw 17 touchdown passes and just five interceptions while starting all 16 games.

QUICK LINKS
--Ward Retires A Steeler
--Caldwell Headed To Denver
--Bills Sign DE Anderson
--Texans Deal Ryans

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Saints quarterback Drew Brees passed Dan Marino’s 27-year old, single-season record for passing yards by throwing for 307 yards in Monday night’s 45-16 win over the Falcons as New Orleans clinched the NFC South. Marino threw for 5,084 yards in 1984.

There has been some criticism for the manner in which Brees got to the number as the Saints were still passing late in the game with a big lead, but take nothing away from the veteran’s accomplishment.

Comparing eras in the NFL is always difficult as much about the game has changed over the nearly three decades since Marino’s magnificent season.  The league is more pass friendly and more pass-heavy now, but Brees’ 2011 season still surpassed Tom Brady’s 2007 numbers, several great seasons by Peyton Manning and even all of Brees’ own Pro-Bowl campaigns.

To get to the mark Brees has thrown for 300 more yards in 12 of his 15 games, including eight games with over 350 yards. With a Week 17 tilt versus Carolina still on tap Brees will have a good chance to further pad his numbers.

It's easy to root for Brees. Check out his post-game comments to his team below and you will agree:

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The Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch had one of the greatest runs in playoff history...

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There are seven weeks down in the NFL season. It’s time to start looking at which teams are the biggest disappointments:

Dallas Cowboys (1-5) – The Super Bowl will be in Dallas this year, but the Cowboys won’t be in it. The team has looked terrible and struggled to find an identity. Now with Tony Romo (broken clavicle) out 6-8 weeks you can officially stick a fork in the Cowboys.

San Francisco 49ers (1-6) – Every expert on the web picked the 49ers to be to lock pick to win the lowly NFC West. San Fran has not delivered. They’ve already fired their offense coordinator and head coach Mike Singletary may be the next to go.

San Diego Chargers (2-5) – It appears as if getting rid of LaDainian Tomlinson was not a wise move. L.T. is lighting it up for the Jets and the Chargers are struggling to move the ball on the ground. The team may be getting top receiver Vincent Jackson back, but it is going to be too little, too late for the ‘Bolts.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) – In 2009, the Bengals ran the table inside the division and won the AFC North. However, the team has dropped eight of 11 games dating back to last season and is train wreck waiting to happen. Carson Palmer looks like a shell of his former self and the defense has managed just six sacks in six games.

Minnesota Vikings (2-4) – Brett Favre’s return to the Twin Cities has not been the honeymoon many were expecting. The veteran’s interception rate is double of last season and now he appears to be hobbled. Getting Randy Moss was a nice gesture, but time is running out for Minnesota to get back into the NFC playoff picture.

New Orleans Saints (4-3) – New Orleans is the only team with a winning record on the list. Still, the Super Bowl champs have looked far from super in 2010. The defense is not coming up with the big plays it did a year ago and Drew Brees has struggled with consistency due to injuries in the backfield and a bum knee.

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Ryan Parker pays tribute to the Saints with another classic...

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It has already started, the Peyton Manning critics have begun to come out oft wood work.

Within hours of the Colts losing 31-17 to the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV, it amazes to see how many are suddenly questioning Manning and his place in the game.

Here are just a few examples from around the web:

Saints trash Peyton Manning's legacy [Jason Whitlock]
Another disappointment for Peyton [Joe Posnanski]
Lone fourth-quarter turnover haunts Peyton Manning after loss [USA Today]
Manning beats an unhappy, hasty retreat [FoxNews]
Poll: Is Peyton Manning's legacy tarnished if he doesn't win another Super Bowl? [LA Times]

***
I just want to know where all these people were for the past two weeks when I searched long hard to find someone besides myself that picked the Saints. Regardless of how yesterday unfolded, Manning is clearly one of the best to ever play the game. At the very least, he's a top five quarterback with still plenty of good years ahead. If any legacy got changed in Sunday's game, it is that of Drew Brees. After tying Tom Brady for most completions in a Super Bowl on his way to be naming a MVP Brees gets that much closer to Hall of Fame consideration.

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Some final thoughts from the Saints' Super Bowl XLIV win over the Colts...

*BALLS OF SOLID STEAL - I like aggressive coaches. It can back fire when it doesn't work out. Just ask Bill Belichick about his gutsy 4th down call against the Colts earlier this season. But even after failing to convert on the goalline play at the end of the first half, Sean Payton opted to start out with the second half with an onside kick. The Saints recovered and went on to score a touchdown.

*COOL BREEZE - Saints' quarterback Drew Brees was amazing. After a rocky start, Brees would finish the game by tying a Super Bowl record with 33 receptions. He handled the pressure well, made few mistakes and was simply amazing once he found his groove.

*MANNING IS JUST A MAN - There's no arguing Peyton Manning's greatness, but people need to realize that he is not Superman. It doesn't take Kryptonite to shut him down. The Saints certainly didn't shut him down, but they did contain him and they were able to come up with the big turnover, a trait that defined their unit.

*THE FREENEY FACTOR - Thank god I don't have to hear anymore about Dwight Freeney's ankle. He did play and was productive in the first half, but as the game wore on he wore down. By the fourth quarter he was inffective, aiding the Saints' comeback.

*KICKING IN THE CLUTCH - It was refreshing to see Garrett Hartley actually deliver in the clutch. After watching Shayne Graham, Nate Kaeding and Neil Rackers all choke with the game on the line it is nice to see their are kickers out there that can still deliver when it counts most.

*OVER OVER QUICKLY - The over/under on the game was 57 points. I admit I expected it to hit myself. However after the game was 10-6 at the half it was pretty obvious the game wasn't going to turn into the best shootout in Super Bowl history as many speculated it would become.

*GAME'S PLACE IN HISTORY - The Super Bowl was a good game overall, but the early-game sputtering failed to deliver on the hype. It will probably rank somewhere in the middle as far as best super bowls ever. It had nothing on the Steelers over Cards or the Giants-Patriots' match-ups.

*MY TOP 5 COMMERCIALS - #1 Dorito's - "Keep Your Hands Off My Mama"; #2 Snicker's - "Betty White; #3 Boost Mobile - "'85 Bears"; #4 Volkswagen "Punch Buggy w/Stevie Wonder"; #5 HomeAway.com "With the Griswalds,

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