Tuesday Morning Headlines: Saints Slip Past Eagles, ESPN Radio Voice Durham Dies
By Mel Payne
November 5, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Martez Wilson (95) sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) but is flagged for unnecessary roughness penalty during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
The Saints extended their Monday Night Football win streak with a win over the struggling Philadelphia Eagles. Vick was sacked seven times for a loss of 46 yards, threw one touchdown, and one interception that sealed the game for the Saints. Drew Brees was only sacked twice for a loss of 8 yards and threw two touchdown passes with zero interceptions. The Saints pulled it out 28-13 in the Superdome.
Speaking of the Saints; The NFL has granted the team permission to negotiate a new contract with suspended coach Sean Payton. His suspension for the bounty scandal forbids him from speaking with the organization, but they are now permitted to discuss his contract situation for next season.
In hometown NFL news, the Bengals signed UC Bearcat stand-out J.K. Schaffer to the practice squad yesterday. The linebacker was undrafted in the 2012 draft after spending the preseason with the Jaguars and more recently a stint on the Buccaneers practice squad.
Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has denied a motion to step down as the arbitrator for the appeals hearing of those current and former Saints players that were disciplined in the bounty program. The hearing is scheduled for November 20.
ESPN NBA radio voice Jim Durham died Sunday at his home in Tomball, Texas. He was 65 and no cause of death has been announced. He called NBA games on ESPN Radio since 1996. Durham was the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Curt Gowdy Media Award winner in 2011.
The Knicks are keeping hopes alive in New York in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The team is off to their first 3-0 start since 1999.
In the spirit of the election, LeBron James announced his support for Barack Obama. James said, “I’ve been second guessed. They’re saying it’s bad for the brand. If I feel like I want to support someone, then go for it.”
O.J. Mayo’s younger brother, Marquette sophomore Todd Mayo, has been ruled academically ineligible and play or be able to practice in the first semester. The school released a statement on Monday that stated Mayo has “rendered himself academically ineligible.” Mayo has already been suspended twice since arriving in Milwaukee.