Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints defensive back Malcolm Jenkins, who stripped the ball away from Dallas Cowboys receiver Roy Williams, giving the Saints an opportunity to come back and win the Thanksgiving Day game in Dallas, has been named the NFC defensive player of the week.
Updated at 10:10 p.m. Tuesday
NEW ORLEANS – Injured running back Pierre Thomas could make his long-anticipated return to active duty Sunday in an important road game against the Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton said Tuesday night.
Payton said Thomas has “turned the corner’’ in his rehabilitation/recovery from a severely sprained left ankle that has sidelined him the past eight games and triggered widespread speculation as to the nature of the injury.
James Varney
Drew Brees, who brought his rebuilt shoulder to a city some thought would never rebuild after Hurricane Katrina and led the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl title last season, was selected Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year on Tuesday.
As Sports Illustrated Group Editor Terry McDonell, who personally made the pick, put it, Brees didn’t win because his admirable work is done. Rather, more is to come with Brees, he said. His artistry on the field is inseparable from his work off. All of which, McDonell said with undisguised astonishment, is genuine.
Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune
Defensive end Will Smith released a statement tonight through the New Orleans Saints regarding his arrest over the weekend in Lafayette, La.
Here is the complete statement:
“During the past weekend, my wife Racquel and I were visiting her family in Lafayette, Louisiana for the holiday weekend. Early Saturday morning, an unfortunate misunderstanding led to my arrest.
“My wife was not injured as reported and this was not a domestic issue. I am confident that the legal process will bear this out. Both Racquel and I look forward to having the legal process play out and will cooperate fully. Until then, and based upon legal counsel, I will not be able to make any further comment on this matter.
“Racquel and I are both extremely thankful to everyone that has offered support through this trying time.”
Cindy Chang, The Times-Picayune
Sports writer Mike Triplett contributed to this story.
New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was arrested and charged with domestic abuse battery early Saturday morning after he allegedly grabbed his wife by the hair near a Lafayette nightclub.
According to a news release from the Lafayette Police Department, Smith was arrested shortly after 2 a.m. in the 300 block of Jefferson Street after police officers observed him arguing with his wife, Racquel Smith.
Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune
There was much to glean from the New Orleans Saints’ 30-27 win against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
But more than anything else, here’s what I took from it:
The Saints offense is back.
The balanced, big-play, quick-strike, score-from-anywhere-on-the-field krewe we’ve grown accustomed to seeing on Sundays finally reappeared, just in time for the holidays.
James Varney, The Times-Picayune
When safety Malcolm Jenkins entered New Orleans Saints lore by ripping a ball free in the closing minutes and giving his team a chance to win on Thanksgiving Day, New Orleanians rejoiced at a rare and improbable holiday gift.
For them, it was something new. For those who have watched Jenkins over the years, however, the forced fumble and recovery against the Dallas Cowboys produced yet another amazed shake of the head. The play seemed familiar to those who watched Jenkins lead Piscataway Township High School to three consecutive New Jersey prep championships, or those who saw him chase a Texas receiver down from behind at Ohio State.
Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune
Arlington, Texas — The New Orleans Saints played poorly in the second half, but got the one drive then had to have and beat the Dallas Cowboys 30-27 at Cowboys Stadium on Thanksgiving Day.
The Saints dominated the first half and had a 20-6 lead at halftime. But Dallas fought back in the second, and led 27-23 with less than two minutes remaining.
Saints running back Reggie Bush widely was expected to play on Sunday against the Seahawks. On Saturday, he first heard that Bush may not make his return in Week 11. By Sunday, it became official.
John DeShazier, The Times-Picayune
A few thousand jaws slacked inside the Superdome when Seattle Seahawks receiver Mike Williams hauled in a 68-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck about six minutes into the first quarter Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, and maybe twice that many joined in when Ben Obomanu and Hasselbeck combined on a 42-yard completion with about 84 seconds left in the quarter.
Loading ...
