New Orleans Saints and NFL: Top News and Video Clips

"New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and Drew Brees’ agent, Tom Condon, recently resumed negotiations on the Pro Bowl quarterback’s new contract. Brees has a choice to make about the direction of the negotiations. He must decide whether to maximize his contract or take a “discount” in an effort to help keep the Saints’ nucleus intact. Peyton Manning did the latter last summer. He reportedly left money on the table by turning down a five-year, $100 million contract so the Indianapolis Colts could use the savings to improve the talent level and depth on the roster."

"Right now the Saints are sitting on a salary capof $94 million for 2012. Early reports had their cap at $106 million already committed to the 2012 season. But that figure included a charge of almost $12 million for Drew Brees, but that $12 million was voided out of Brees’ contract.. So it’s $94 million. But that will change when Brees gets a salary of about $18 million. Brees’ new deal will put the cap figure somewhere around $15 million unless the Saints can spread his money out."

"The Oakland Raidersare bringing back quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo for a second stint. The Raiders also announced Tuesday the hiring of five other assistants: receivers coach Ted Gilmore, tight ends coach Mark Hutson, defensive line coach Terrell Williams and defensive backs coaches Clayton Lopez and Johnnie Lynn."

"Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had a rare achievement during the 2011 regular season. Last season, Stafford played three games with a fractured finger, making his achievement even more impressive. Well, impressive to everyone but Marshall Faulk, an analyst for the NFL Network"

"The Buccaneers announced Wednesday that they’ve released well-traveled (and much-mocked) defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, the third team in the past season which has decided it’d be better off without him. Haynesworth — the $100 million man with the Redskins who was traded by Washington before last season and who was then axed by the Patriots in the middle of 2011 before signing with Tampa Bay — started six of seven games with the Buccaneers, recording 25 tackles."