Saints News:Saints preparing for physical matchup with Ravens’ ball-control offense

‘It’s going to be a fight’ | nola.comThe Ravens have run more plays than any other team in the NFL this season and rank third in both third down efficiency and time of possession.Saints WR Keith Kirkwood is learning and growing behind the scenes | Saints | theadvocate.comKeith Kirkwood is ready and waiting.Saints Mailbag: Is Michael Thomas more active on social media this year? Who will fill Ted Ginn Jr.'s role? | Saints | theadvocate.comEach week Womens Cameron Jordan Jersey , Nick Underhill reaches into his mailbag and answers a few of your questions regarding the Saints and the NFL in general. Here are some of the highlights aheadBetting on the New Orleans Saints? Ravens have hit the ‘under’ in four consecutive games | nola.comDrew Brees has second-shortest odds to win MVPSaints rookie Tre'Quan Smith 'ready for the opportunity to fill role of injured Ted Ginn Jr. | National | dailylocal.comSaints rookie receiver Tre'Quan Smith is coming off the best game of his young NFL career.Everything You Need to Know: Saints at RavensUnbeaten at home, Ravens hope to maintain mastery over Saints quarterback Drew Brees.Saints-Ravens gameday breakdown: See analysis, injury report, more | Saints | theadvocate.comThe New Orleans Saints face the tall task of handling the Baltimore Ravens' defense on Sunday following the bye week.Drew Brees' MVP chances lead this week’s Saints Twitter mailbag | nola.comAnswering questions about Drew Brees, Patrick Peterson, Teddy Bridgewater and more.New Orleans Saints OL Jermon Bushrod mourns death of newborn daughterNew Orleans Saints offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod's newborn daughter has died, he said in a tweet Saturday, writing, "My heart has been broken."Marcus Davenport is having too much fun drilling quarterbacks to let up now – The AthleticThe Saints moved up to No. 14 in the draft to grab the UTSA defender and are glad they did.Saints Film Room: Sack-happy Ravens will be a big test for Brees – The AthleticIn their last five outdoor games, the Saints have averaged 30 points per outing.NFL News: Breaking: NFL heavily fines Vontaze BurfictThe NFL is bringing down the hammer on Vontaze Burfict. Last Sunday, the oft-suspended but extremely talented linebacker played in his second game since serving aGronk (back) does not make trip, doubtful vs. Bears - NFL.comThe New England Patriots will likely be without Rob Gronkowski on Sunday. The star tight end did not make the trip with the team to Chicago, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.Head of officiating Al Riveron says NFL will discuss making hair tackling illegal - CBSSports.comBills running back Chris Ivory was dragged down by the hair on Sunday, but it was a legal tackle32 things that made the NFL fun again in the 2018 seasonA record number of points. Star quarterbacks staying healthy. Innovative celebrations. The NFL has shown us plenty of ways it has been fun in 2018.Jets release receiver Terrelle Pryor after six games - NFL.comTerrelle Pryor will soon again be a man without a team. The New York Jets are releasing the wide receiver, who is dealing with a groin injury, NFL Network's Kimberly Jones reports.Packers top trade, free agent targets ahead of 2018 NFL deadline.PFF: Brian O’Neill among NFL’s most underutilized players - Daily NorsemanBut could that change before too much longer?Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Targeted By NFL Owners To Buy Seattle SeahawksNational Football League owners reportedly want Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to join the club by purchasing the Seattle Seahawks franchise. The Seahawks were owned by Paul Allen, who passed away earlier this week from septic shock after battling a recurrence of cancer. Bezos, who may be the richest man in thePanthers' darkest hour revisited with Rae Carruth's release from prison - Carolina Panthers Blog- ESPNCarolina's 1997 first-round draft pick has spent 17 years behind bars. What happened? How is his son doing? Why should fans care? Here's what to know.Giants vs. Falcons odds: Monday Night Football NFL betting line favors Atlanta at home - SBNation.comThe Atlanta Falcons will try to build on their win last week when they host the New York Giants as betting favorites at the sportsbooks for Monday Night Football.2018 NFL trade deadline: When it is Authentic Ted Ginn Jr Jersey , what you need to know, latest on Le'Veon Bell - CBSSports.comWhat you need to know about the trade deadline, which could be busy based on the events of last yearNFL: Chargers' Philip Rivers hot, Giants' Eli Manning under pressureWeek 7 in the NFL, including why the Chargers' Philip Rivers is hot, why the pressure is on the Giants' Eli Manning, a which team could be upset.NFL’s TV ratings and TD numbers are on the riseAfter years of bad publicity, the league’s bosses believe they have turned things for the better.Which NFL team should relocate to London? - SBNation.comSince Shad Khan isn’t buying Wembley Stadium, which franchise deserves exile the opportunity to play in Europe full time?NFL Nation - 32 team reporters answer Week 7's biggest fantasy questions - 2018Bigger roles for Kerryon Johnson and Josh Gordon? Is Tyreek Hill's production sustainable? NFL Nation reporters weigh in.Week 7 NFL injuries: Melvin Gordon downgraded to questionable, Dalvin Cook out, T.Y. Hilton returns - CBSSports.comSeveral defensive stars are also on the sidelines in the Week 7 injury reports, while Khalil Mack is questionableNFL Sunday Week 7 guide: TV schedule, point spreads for every game | For The Win2018 New Orleans Saints Training Camp Preview: Offensive Line Most any football coach will tell you that the lifeblood of their offense is in the play of their offensive line. The 2017 New Orleans Saints were certainly no exception. Veteran quarterback Drew Brees was allowed the time to complete an NFL record 72% of his passes, getting sacked just 20 times in 556 dropbacks, his fewest since the 2009 season. Mark Ingram and offensive rookie of the year Alvin Kamara received the headlines for a devastating rushing attack that ranked 5th in the league, but it was a dominating performance by the offensive line that paved the way for an offense that finished 2nd in the league in total yardage. They opened holes for a New Orleans running game that averaged 4.7 yards per carry, good for second in the NFL, and scored a league best 23 touchdowns on the ground. Despite some injury woes, the Saints offensive line played as well as any unit in the league a year ago. All five starters from that unit return Womens Ken Crawley Jersey , but the team will have some questions about it's depth when training camp officially begins on July 26th. In today's training camp preview, we take a look at the personnel for one of the most underrated part of any football team. OFFENSIVE LINE Key Losses: Zach Strief (retirement), Senio Kelemete (free agent, Texans)Key Additions: Jermon Bushrod (free agent, Dolphins), Rick Leonard (draft, 4th round), Will Clapp (draft, 7th round)Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesThe Saints surprised some with their selection of Ryan Ramczyk in the first round of the 2017 draft, the 32nd overall pick. The pick paid almost immediate dividends. Ramczyk opened the year as the starter at left tackle, due to an injury to Terron Armstead, then was moved to the right side when longtime fixture Zach Strief was lost to injury, where he remained for the rest of the season. After some early struggles, Ramczyk settled in to have a fine first year, earning a spot on the NFL's All-Rookie team and having the look of a Pro Bowl fixture. The 24-yr. old Ramczyk and 27-yr. old Armstead form one of the better offensive tackle pairs in the league. Strief, likely to be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame someday, retired after a successful 12-yr. career, but appeared in just parts of two games in 2017. Armstead is considered throughout the league to be an All-Pro quality left tackle. A force against the run, as well as the ability to handle the top edge rushers in pass protection Womens Alex Anzalone Jersey , he is a valuable part of what the Saints do offensively. The only concern for team officials is the mounting injuries to their star offensive lineman. Armstead has missed 15 full games, and parts of numerous others, over the last two seasons. His absence from the lineup has caused a shuffling along the offensive line that not only results in lesser quality at left tackle, but often weakening another part of the offensive line as well. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsAndrus Peat has often filled in at left tackle when Armstead has missed time. Originally drafted as a tackle when selected by New Orleans with the 13th overall pick of the 2015 draft, Peat has proven to be a more effective fit inside at guard. The 24-yr. old former Stanford standout played at a Pro Bowl level at times in 2017 at left guard, teaming with Armstead to give Brees outstanding protection on his blind side. Peat has a powerful punch as a run blocker as well, and athletic enough to get into the second level of the defense quickly to open holes downfield. Peat suffered a broken fibula in the team's wild card playoff win over Carolina, but appears to be on his way to a full recovery by training camp. Right guard Larry Warford was a key free agent signing by the Saints during the 2017 offseason. He stepped in for the departed Jahri Evans and the New Orleans offense never missed a beat. The 27-yr. old Warford started 14 games, was named as a Pro Bowl alternate, and teamed with Ramczyk to form a dominant run blocking duo on the right side. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports32-yr. old Max Unger is the elder statesman of the Saints front five, and enters his fourth season as the team's center. He helps Peat and Warford keep clear passing lanes for Brees, who stands just 6'0 tall, also allowing their veteran quarterback to buy extra time by consistently stepping up into a clean pass pocket. The loss of Senio Kelemete in free agency leaves a big question mark concerning the team's depth. Kelemete capably played every offensive line position, and effectively started 18 games over the last two seasons, giving the Saints a quality injury replacement. New Orleans brought back an old friend, signing former Saints Pro Bowler Jermon Bushrod in free agency. Bushrod, who will turn 34 during the preseason, re-joins the Saints for his 12th NFL season, after playing his first six years with the team. New Orleans spent a 4th round draft choice on Rick Leonard from Florida State Womens Terron Armstead Jersey , then a 7th round pick on Will Clapp out of L.S.U. Leonard impressed the team's coaches with his athleticism leading up to the draft, and is expected to compete primarily at tackle, while Clapp will likely be looked at for the inside positions of guard and center. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY SportsThe Saints will likely keep 9-10 linemen on the active roster, with a few more to the practice squad. Leonard and Clapp will compete primarily against Josh LeRibeus, Cameron Tom, Michael Ola, John Fullington, Landon Turner, and Andrew Tiller, among others. New Orleans has one of the better starting offensive lines in the league, with Armstead's durability being the only real concern, as well as the always present specter of injuries that exist in football. Quality of play from the reserves is worth paying close attention to once training camp begins and the preseason games commence. The Saints have little proven depth behind the starting five. LeRibeus played fairly well in limited opportunities a year ago, and the team's coaching staff is high on Tom. Bushrod is on the downside of his career, and Turner regressed from the potential he had showed in 2016.Questions of quality and versatility from their backups must be answered quickly, otherwise an injury or two along the offensive line could easily derail the championship hopes of a talented roster.