Malcom Brown
An unmasked New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, right, greets a masked Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater before an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints 10/25/2020

Oct. 25, 2020 11:50 AM EDT

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talks to quarterback Drew Brees during practice at their NFL football training facility in Metairie, La., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. The Saints also have had very little turnover on coach Payton’s staff. The coordinators and most position coaches remain the same. Having so many familiar faces remain in an organization coming off three straight NFC South titles should only help in a year when a global pandemic has wiped out traditional offseason programs and preseason games. “I do think the continuity can provide us that advantage,” Payton said.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, Pool)
Saints see Super Bowl as the only bar for success in 2020

By Brett Martel Aug. 27, 2020 04:32 PM EDT

Patriots get 4 compensatory draft picks, two in third round

Mar. 10, 2020 06:54 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The New England Patriots will have the maximum four compensatory picks in next month's NFL draft, including two in the third round, the highest...

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) drops back to pass as he throws a pass that was fumbled and recovered by the New Orleans Saints in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints 1/5/2020

Jan. 05, 2020 01:27 PM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hands off to running back Latavius Murray (28) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers 12/29/2019

Dec. 29, 2019 01:24 PM EST

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. The New Orleans Saints won 26-18. Ryan was sacked nine times in the game. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Saints showcased depth, dynamism in clinching NFC South

By Brett Martel Nov. 29, 2019 04:35 PM EST

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew, lower left, is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan, center, as Jaguars offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, right, tries to slow Jordan down during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Saints defense looking more dominant by the week

By Guerry Smith Oct. 14, 2019 06:17 PM EDT

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) and defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) celebrate a sack in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. The Saints won 31-24.(AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Saints' defense in dominant form

By Guerry Smith Oct. 07, 2019 07:09 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2019, file photo, New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) leaves the field after an injury in the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans. Rankins has returned to practice for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in New Orleans’ divisional round playoff victory over Philadelphia last January. Saints coach Sean Payton says he does not think it is realistic that Rankins would play in the regular season opener. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, File)
Saints' long-awaited shot at redemption starts vs. Texans

By Brett Martel Sep. 05, 2019 11:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2018, file photo, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs in for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL football game, in Cincinnati. The NFC South’s reputation as the NFL’s most balanced division has taken a hit. The New Orleans Saints’ two-year run as division champion, including a dominant showing in 2018, has left other teams eager to prove there is still parity in the South. (AP Photo/Frank Victores, File)
NFL 2019: Saints aim to overcome past playoff devastation

By Brett Martel Aug. 22, 2019 12:03 PM EDT

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore steps on the field at the start of an NFL football training camp practice, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Gilmore turns a corner, might be anchor of Patriots defense

By Kyle Hightower Aug. 01, 2019 04:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2019, file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton reacts to a call during the second half of the NFL football NFC championship game against the Los Angeles Rams, in New Orleans. The Saints have no time to waste if they want to win another Super Bowl with record-setting quarterback Drew Brees under center _ which is why three of their top four 2019 draft slots have already been traded away. The Saints aren’t slated to pick until late in the second round _ 62nd overall _ because they largely mortgaged the top of this year’s draft in hopes of winning it all last season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Saints await to make 1st pick in 2nd round of NFL draft

By Brett Martel Apr. 26, 2019 12:02 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2019, file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton reacts to a call during the second half of the NFL football NFC championship game against the Los Angeles Rams, in New Orleans. The Saints have no time to waste if they want to win another Super Bowl with record-setting quarterback Drew Brees under center _ which is why three of their top four 2019 draft slots have already been traded away. The Saints aren’t slated to pick until late in the second round _ 62nd overall _ because they largely mortgaged the top of this year’s draft in hopes of winning it all last season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Saints' 2019 draft options limited by past deals

By Brett Martel Apr. 18, 2019 03:35 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Iowa tight end Noah Fant scores on a 5-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northern Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa. Fant is a possible pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Patriots could be active in draft with several needs to fill

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 18, 2019 02:08 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2018, file photo, New York Jets running back Isaiah Crowell carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game, in Nashville, Tenn. The Jets have released running back Isaiah Crowell, an expected move after the team agreed to terms early Wednesday morning, March 13, 2019, with Le'Veon Bell.(AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
The Latest: Jets agree to terms with CB Brian Poole

By The Associated Press Mar. 14, 2019 10:10 PM EDT

Free Agency-Patriots Capsule

By The Associated Press Mar. 11, 2019 05:39 PM EDT
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-5) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: K Stephen Gostkowski, P Ryan Allen, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Chris Hogan, WR Phillip Dorsett,...

New England Patriots' Sony Michel dives for a touchdown during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Latest: Patriots set Super Bowl records with 6th title

Feb. 04, 2019 12:59 AM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks with members of the media during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, ahead of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Latest: Zuerlein, Gurley, Countess ready for Super Bowl

Feb. 01, 2019 05:56 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks with members of the media during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, ahead of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Latest: Rams hold practice outside at Falcons' facility

Jan. 31, 2019 07:24 PM EST

New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski arrives for a news conference Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, ahead of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Latest: Rams have a practice at Falcons' facility

Jan. 30, 2019 07:18 PM EST