By James Varney

SEATTLE – Injuries aside, the New Orleans Saints‘ roster is liable to look much different in 2011. The exact nature of the upcoming free agency market remains unknown because the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union will end the first week of March.

But by the rules that existed under the old arrangement, the Saints would have a whopping 28 players as unrestricted free agents. Those with six or more years in the league are running backs Ladell Betts and Julius Jones, fullback Heath Evans, center Jonathan Goodwin, safeties Darren Sharper, Pierson Prioleau and Matt Giordano, linebacker Scott Shanle, Kawika Mitchell and Danny Clark; defensive linemen Anthony Hargrove and Jimmy Wilkerson and long snapper Jason Kyle.

The following players have five years experience: safety Roman Harper, cornerback Leigh Torrence, wide receiver Lance Moore, wide receiver/kickoff returner Courtney Roby, tight end David Thomas and offensive tackle Zach Strief.

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By Peter Finney, Times-Picayune

Cherish the memories.

There went Tracy Porter, on Feb. 7, picking the pocket of Peyton Manning, carrying a pass back 74 yards to sew up a 31-17 Super Bowl victory.

What a moment that was.

For our heroes.

And there was Porter on Saturday, being brushed off by Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks, as Lynch was on his way to a 67-yard touchdown gallop to sew up a 41-36 victory that ended the dream of the defending world champion Who Dats.

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By Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune

SEATTLE — All that was missing was the confetti.

Giddy Seattle Seahawks teammates rejoiced at midfield. “Stand Up and Get Crunk” blared over the public-address system. Incredulous fans danced in their seats and hugged and cheered and cried.

It was a scene right out of Sun Life Stadium. Except this time the New Orleans Saints were the vanquished instead of the victorious. And this time it was Matt Hasselbeck not Drew Brees basking in the glory, his son and an entire city riding piggy-back on his shoulder pads as he jogged out of Qwest Field to a hero’s welcome.

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Doug Tatum, The Times-Picayune

There are a number of stats that jump out at you from the gamebook of the Seattle Seahawks’ stunning 41-36 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Saturday.

No. 1. Matt Hasselbeck’s four touchdown passes. The Saints’ defense – No. 4 in the NFL this season – had surrendered just 13passing touchdowns in the 16 regular-season games. Hasselbeck, who was 22 of 35 for 272 yards and a 113.0 rating, took advantage of strong safety Roman Harper three times in the first half to connect with John Carlson (twice) and Brandon Stokely for touchdown passes.

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Seattle – The hangover is over. Nearly 11 months after the New Orleans Saints celebrated their first Super Bowl championship — a revelry that lasted for weeks and spread throughout the streets of New Orleans — they have earned an invitation back to the party.

The reigning NFL champions will open their playoff run today at 3:30 p.m. against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, where they are heavy favorites despite being the lower-seeded team.

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By Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune

Reggie Bush was back in his element Wednesday.

Camera crews mobbed his locker. Reporters thrust mics and lights in his face and peppered him with questions for nearly an hour during the New Orleans Saints‘ media session.

He was the topic of conversation in press conferences for both coaches as they prepared for Saturday’s NFC wild-card playoff game between the Saints and Seattle Seahawks.

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By James Varney,

When the New Orleans Saints buckled down Wednesday morning in preparation for Saturday’s wild-card playoff game against the host Seattle Seahawks, the first topic Coach Sean Payton said he stressed was turnovers.

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Pierre Thomas will not play in the playoffs with the New Orleans Saints.  The team has placed the running back on injured / reserve.

The Saints have signed Joique Bell from the Eagle’s practice squad to take his place.  Thomas re-aggrevated an ankle injury last week.

This comes on the heels of the Saints putting leading running back Chris Ivory on the injured / reserve list as well.  So, the team’s two top rushers are now out for the postseason.

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