He arrived in New Ofleans in 2006 and has been one of the Saints' top defenders. He has played all three linebacker positions. He came to the Saints in a trade with the Cowboys.
The Saints figure to have more depth at linebacker this season with Johnathan Cassillas coming back from injury and third-round draft choice Martez Wilson, who will begin his career at strongside linebacker.
Part-time linebacker Danny Clark played well last season, but he is 34 and the Saints haven't placed a priority in re-signing him.
Wilson likely will battle JoLonn Dunbar for the starting strongside job.
The Saints are quietly replacing older veterans with youth, following the successful pattern coach Bill Belichick employs at New England.
NFL Schedule
The NFL's schedule is out, but the league and the players union are still in the midst of labor negotiations that could threaten some, or all of the upcoming season.
If the season does in fact get played like most are expecting, the Packers and the Patriots are the favorites to win the Super Bowl, according to Bodog.com.
The Saints' odds are set at 16/1.
Team Odds
Green Bay 7/1
New England 7/1
Pittsburgh 11/1
San Diego 12/1
Baltimore 14/1
New York Jets 14/1
Saints 16/1
Indianapolis 16/1
Atlanta 16/1
Philadelphia 16/1
Dallas 16/1
New York Giants 18/1
Tampa Bay 30/1
Minnesota 35/1
Detroit 35/1
Houston 35/1
Kansas City 35/1
Oakland 40/1
San Francisco 40/1
St.Louis 40/1
Miami 50/1
Tennessee 50/1
Washington 50/1
Cincinnati 60/1
Jacksonville 65/1
Arizona 75/1
Seattle 80/1
Buffalo 100/1
Carolina 100/1
Toronto
Toronto councillor Doug Ford has apologized to New Orleans and Louisiana for saying New Orleans and Jacksonville were on his short list of possible relocating NFL teams to Toronto. Ford said he should have never included the Saints in his remarks to TheScore.com, which published his comments. Ford said his office was flooded with emails all day Thursday. "It was an off-the-cuff remark I should have never made," said Ford. So, I guess that's the end of that.
Kentucky Derby
Derby picks: Saturday's Kentucky Derby selections-- 1) Nehro 2) Dialed In 3) Archardarch. Nehro ran a solid second in the Louisiana Derby and has improved in every race since. He'll be flying at the end. Longshot plays: Twice the Appeal (Calvin Borel) and Comma at the Top.
by Ed Staton
...(Order your 2011 LSU Schedule T-shirts from Louisiana Sports Talk.com).
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