Tagged: nfl

New Orleans Saints fans are celebrating the return of coach Sean Payton from his suspension following last year's "bountygate" scandal.

But NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who will present the NFL championship trophy when the Super Bowl is played in New Orleans on Feb. 3, is getting a less-than-warm welcome in some quarters.

Some hold a grudge over the suspension of Payton and key players and coaches. Signs saying Goodell won't be served are posted at some bars and eateries. And Goodell's image adorns the dart board at one lounge.

As excitement over Super Bowl XLVII builds here in the Crescent City, Mayor Mitch Landrieu sat down with a who’s-who of New Orleans sports executives this afternoon to welcome the media to New Orleans, and to showcase the progress the city has made since Hurricane Katrina.

The New Orleans Saints have signed Head Coach Sean Payton to a five-year contract extension, the team announced today in a press release.

Payton, whose contract will reportedly pay him $8 million a season — making him the highest-paid coach in the league — has presided over the most successful run in the team’s history since being hired by the Saints in January of 2006.

Drew Brees has passed for more than 5,000 yards, making him the only player to do so in a season three times.

The Saints quarterback surpassed the coveted yardage mark with a touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. That was also the 41st scoring pass for the season for Brees, the only quarterback to pass for 40 TDs in consecutive seasons.