Category: Saints on Social Media

Teammates and rivals congratulate Drew Brees on a well-earned retirement

Saints QB Drew Brees retired, drawing reactions from his everyone from Zach Strief to Baker Mayfield, Tom Brady, and Russell Wilson.

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Salute to a legend. That’s the message from dozens of Drew Brees’ teammates and peers across the league upon announcing his retirement, with New Orleans Saints standouts and NFL icons past and present each taking time to shout out No. 9. Everyone from Zach Strief to Russell Wilson chimed in. Here are the last reactions to Brees’ big news:

https://twitter.com/TomBrady/status/1371219197435514884

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Teammates react to Saints terminating contract with Thomas Morstead

Thomas Morstead will be missed by his New Orleans Saints teammates after being released, following 12 years and a Super Bowl 44 victory.

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Every locker room in the NFL could use someone like Thomas Morstead. That much is clear after the New Orleans Saints released their longtime punter, who set a high bar in 12 years with the black and gold. From his high-stakes rookie year — which peaked with the “Ambush” onside kick in Super Bowl XLIV — to a 2012 Pro Bowl nod, he’s been an always underrated asset to the team.

Just look at how his teammates reacted to continuing on without him. Saints kicker Wil Lutz thanked Morstead for pushing him every day on the practice field and in the weight room, while special teams ace Justin Hardee called the experience of working with Morstead “a privilege,” and “legendary.” One of Morstead’s fellow team captains, defensive end Cameron Jordan, wished him the best and expects to see him often around town, though he noted it won’t be the same now that they aren’t teammates anymore. See for yourself:

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Alvin Kamara hits the slopes, shows off custom NHL Predators jersey

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara visited Montana for a week of snowboarding and ice hockey, wearing a custom NHL Predators jersey.

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Could Alvin Kamara make an appearance at the Winter Olympics? Or maybe the X Games? The NFL’s Renaissance man got a taste of winter sports during a vacation in Montana, hitting the slopes for a few days of snowboarding before trying his hand at ice hockey. While he had some trouble trying more advanced moves, Kamara took to these new pursuits about as well as a unique, world-class athlete might hope to.

He just had to remind himself not to “get too cute” after wiping out on one flashy maneuver. When a fan asked if Sean Payton was cool with Kamara’s offseason adventures, the New Orleans Saints head coach replied “41 cool like Luke,” so that’s quite a green light to receive.

It makes sense for Kamara to look natural out there. One of his best athletic traits is his balance and tremendous core strength, which are perfect for snowboarding. He’d probably be a very gifted surfer if he chose to try it. For now, though, we’ll be happy to enjoy watching him set franchise scoring recovers with the Saints.

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Buccaneers fans try, fail to troll Saints with New Orleans billboard

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans celebrated their Super Bowl 55 win by trying and failing to buy a billboard taunting the New Orleans Saints.

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Well, they can’t say they weren’t warned this would happen. Tampa Bay Buccaneers rallied on social media to raise funds for a billboard in New Orleans proclaiming “We Dat” after their team won Super Bowl LV, but their bid was ultimately unsuccessful. Organizers shared an update on Twitter that the billboard company they initially reached a deal with back out of the agreement and refunding their money.

That decision probably followed serious consideration as to whether Saints fans would stand for this kind of taunting. It’s a lesson Atlanta Falcons fans learned back in 2019 when New Orleans businesses wouldn’t accept their money. This was all prompted by one Saints diehard purchasing billboards in Atlanta after the “NFC no-call,” though Louisiana sports fans have an even deeper history of buying out billboards to send a message (remember the “Free Devin White” signs before 2018’s LSU-Alabama matchup?). Better luck next time to these NFC South rivals.

To the organizers’ credit, they’re taking this loss as well as they can, putting the next step in their supporters’ hands. A poll is running now to decide whether they should seek out a billboard in Tampa or, better yet, to donate the funds to Bruce Arians’ foundation, which supports Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), “in making sure that children who are involved in the court system, as a result of abuse or neglect by their families, receive the love and help they need.” More than 70% of the 1,200 votes cast at time of posting are coming in to support the Arians Family Foundation, so here’s hoping the money ends up helping a good cause.

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WATCH: Drew Brees breaks a sweat in Terrell Owens-style driveway workout

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees could be headed for retirement, but a recent workout video suggests he isn’t finished training just yet.

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Okay, it’s not quite the same as Terrell Owens doing ab crunches during a press conference in his driveway (at his publicist’s direction, of course), but Drew Brees doesn’t appear to be going off quietly into the night. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill shared a video from Brees’ trainer Todd Durkin on Instagram showing Brees setting a new personal best while pushing a weight sled down and up his driveway, perilously knifing into and out of traffic while making the turn.

These training sessions with Durkin — as well as Brees’ longtime friend and occasional backup Chase Daniel — are routine pieces to the quarterback’s offseason, regardless of whether he’s retiring or not. But Underhill added that Brees is deliberately taking his time in making a decision, while also taking care to remain in top condition should he choose to return for another season.

Of course, Brees’ recent pay cut would mean he plays for little over $1 million in 2021 at the veteran’s minimum. Considering he’s taken pains throughout his career to maximize his earnings as well as those of his former players, and well, it would be tough to see him return after giving up $24 million. But stranger things have happened in the NFL, so stay tuned. Surely it’s a coincidence video of Brees pumping iron is shared by his personal trainer days after Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was linked to the Saints in trade rumors.

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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell comments on Saints-Russell Wilson rumors

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell gave her blessing on a potential trade between the Saints and the Seattle Seahawks for QB Russell Wilson.

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If the New Orleans Saints are able to pull off a blockbuster trade for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, Mayor LaToya Cantrell wants it known that Wilson and his wife Ciara would be welcomed to the city with open arms.

Cantrell commented on the speculation surrounding a Saints-Seahawks trade on Saturday evening — fueled by several recent reports that the Saints are on Wilson’s shortlist of teams which he’d waive his no-trade clause to join. Word is frustrations have grown over the years between Wilson and Seattle head coach Pete Carroll, which could put the 8-time Pro Bowl quarterback on the move.

“We not only admire you, we want you,” Cantrell said in a video shared from her official Twitter account, twirling a black and gold umbrella while wearing matching Mardi Gras beads. “The culture of the city of New Orleans awaits you.”

The mayor added that she knows Wilson would be a package deal, along with his five-time Grammy Award nominee wife Ciara, who Cantrell envisioned headlining the annual Essence Festival. Both of them would be a great fit in New Orleans, if a deal were to go through.

But it’s too soon to do more than speculate. Wilson has not requested a trade, though he’s curiously specified the teams he’d sign off on moving to. The Seahawks have every incentive to keep him in Seattle for the rest of his career. Odds are the Saints will continue marching towards the offseason as they have been, expecting a training camp battle between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston (if he re-signs) once Drew Brees has made his retirement official.

Then again — isn’t it fun to dream a little?

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Michael Thomas reacts to news of Saints being on Russell Wilson’s shortlist

Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson reportedly named the New Orleans Saints as a trade destination, putting WR Michael Thomas on notice.

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Count Michael Thomas in the lobby that would love to see Russell Wilson wearing black and gold. The New Orleans Saints wide receiver shared a tweet from ESPN’s Adam Schefter listing the Saints among a small group of teams the Seattle Seahawks quarterback would waive his no-trade clause to join on his official Instagram account, quickly followed by a photo of Thomas and Wilson together at the Pro Bowl.

That’s about as strong of an endorsement as anyone can make right now. Wilson has not requested a trade from Seattle, but it’s unusual he did give the Seahawks a shortlist of teams he’d approve a trade to. And no deals can become official until the start of the new league year on March 17, so Thomas really isn’t in position to say anything of greater substance.

But you have to like the fit of Wilson in New Orleans. Thomas certainly appears to be eager for a team-up. Injuries kept him sidelined too often in 2020, but it’s worth remembering that followed his record-breaking 2019 campaign that won NFL Offensive Player of the Year recognition. Pairing Thomas with a quarterback who is capable of making more throws than anyone else Thomas has played with — Taysom Hill, Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston, and Drew Brees, too — sure would be enticing.

On the other hand — the Seahawks would have to explore including Thomas in a possible trade for Wilson, right? He’s arguably New Orleans’ biggest trade chip considering their lacking draft capital right now. At any rate, the 2021 offseason is shaping up to be the most exciting in recent memory for Saints fans. It’s sure to be the least predictable.

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Drew Brees comments on the death of Marty Schottenheimer

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees shared his reaction to the death of his former Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer on Instagram.

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The NFL lost an icon with the passing of Marty Schottenheimer at 77, after battling Alzheimer’s since 2014. Schottenheimer finished his 21-year NFL coaching career with the eighth-most wins in league history (totaling a 200-126-1 record) and was named 2004 Coach of the Year for his efforts with the then-San Diego Chargers.

And his quarterback that year? New Orleans Saints passer Drew Brees, who earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2004 under Schottenheimer’s guidance. Brees reacted to news of his former coach’s death on social media.

“The lessons and wisdom of Marty Schottenheimer will forever ring in my ears,” Brees wrote from his official Instagram account. “He loved his players and he loved his family. I am so grateful and honored to have played for him. Rest In Peace Coach Marty!”

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Michael Thomas, Carlton Davis keep their rivalry going on Twitter

New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas has a new rival on and off the field in Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis, who burnt him on twitter

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Michael Thomas was at home like the rest of us, watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete for the right to advance into Super Bowl LV. Late in the game, he had some fun at Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis’ expense after his Green Bay Packers counterpart Davante Adams torched the defender on a slant route for a 2-yard touchdown catch, referring back to Davis boasting about how well he covered Thomas’s own slants in the past.

And Davis took that personally. After the game, he lit into Thomas, chirping about the Saints wideout failing to catch a pass in his last game with Tampa Bay and posting just middling stats in two regular season meetings. He followed it up with an edited photo of Thomas grimacing during his trademark flexing celebration:

Say what we will about living vicariously through others and maintaining an active social media presence, but this round has to go to Davis. Thomas got the better of him in 2019 (totaling 19 catches for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns), but the corner bounced back in a big way to shut Thomas down in 2020. If his past performance is any indication, Thomas will be looking forward to payback in 2021.

Jimmy Graham, Tyrann Mathieu shout out Drew Brees

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees earned praise from Jimmy Graham and Tyrann Mathieu after his team was eliminated in the playoffs.

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If this is it for Drew Brees, he’ll be leaving the NFL with a mountain of respect from players around the league. That extends to his former teammates, like Jimmy Graham — who thanked the New Orleans Saints quarterback for showing him the ropes, saying “I’m proud to be one of your greatest creations.” Brees connected with Graham on 54 touchdown passes back in the day, including the playoffs, and it’s obvious Graham still harbors a lot of goodwill towards him.

Another NFL star who saluted Brees was Tyrann Mathieu, who was a big-time high school recruit in New Orleans at the time Brees was first turning the Saints around. Mathieu experienced the chaos of Hurricane Katrina firsthand, and remembered how the Saints’ success around Brees galvanized the city. He added, “None of us are perfect but he was close.”

These probably aren’t the only well-wishes we’ll see Brees receive in the months ahead. He hasn’t officially announced his retirement. His Hall of Fame candidacy is still years away. But expect more anecdotes like these as Brees’ legacy continues to grow.

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