Due to surgery on a broken hand, Darren Sproles will be out of action for the foreseeable future, which stands to benefit Pierre Thomas from a fantasy perspective.

Of Brees’ 37 pass attempts, 11 were playaction, accounting for 30% of their passing plays. Brees completed 10 of those 11 for 171 yards and 2 TDs.

Former NFL head coach Brian Billick isn’t sold on the idea of Bill Parcells coming out of retirement to coach the New Orleans Saints during Sean Payton‘s one-year suspension.

Saints coach Sean Payton spoke with Bill Parcells on Tuesday about a possible role for the retired coach during Payton’s upcoming one-year suspension, but nothing is imminent, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The Saints and head coach Sean Payton are considering several options with their coaching staff for the 2012 season, according to league source, including hiring Bill Parcells on an interim basis.

As the only Saints player named specifically in the NFL’s news release announcing the punishments of Saints personnel involved in the team’s “bounty” program, LB Jonathan Vilma is likely in line for steep discipline as well.

League officials will spend Tuesday and Wednesday in discussion to determine the appropriate penalties for the New Orleans Saints in connection with the “pay for performance” system, according to league sources.

A well-rested and conditioned Randy Moss could replace the role of free agent Robert Meachum (who generated a low catch count yet a high number of big plays).

Several players who played for former Saints DC Gregg Williams elsewhere — such as Washington and Buffalo — said privately that there were never any formal “bounty” programs on those teams.

Saints coach Sean Payton says he has no intentions of taking his foot off the gas this week against the Panthers, providing a huge help to fantasy owners.

NFL Films gives us a glimpse at the best pregame rituals from Week 1.

NFL Network analyst Jason La Canfora covered a range of topics in his chat today on everything from the expected draft and labor questions to musical musings when asked this two-parter from Jason Bourne (who is presumably not a contract assassin with amnesia) from New Orleans.

The Saints Super Bowl championship was won because of a gutsy call — an onsides kick to start the second half of Super Bowl XLIV. Could this same bravado have ended the team’s championship run?

Ignoring the NFC playoff seedings for now, I believe the Falcons and Saints are trending toward a third meeting this season, one that will decide who goes to Super Bowl XLV.

The defending NFL champions will get a chance to defend their title.