Well, the New Orleans Saints and QB Drew Brees expect a deal to get done for the star thrower. Here is the official story by the NFL and my thoughts:

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said that a long-term contract extension for franchised quarterback Drew Brees will get done. Owner Tom Benson went one further, guaranteeing that an extension will get done, Juan Kincaid of WWL-TV reports.

"Look, we love Drew Brees, every fan of the New Orleans Saints loves Drew Brees. So do I," Loomis said Friday while attending an event at the Saints Hall of Fame. "No one wants to get him signed more than I do. ... But we also want to have the best team we can have on the field. ... We've just got to get it right."

Brees is coming off one of the most impressive passing seasons in NFL history, setting the single-season NFL record with 5,476 yards and leading the league with 46 touchdown passes. Since signing with the Saints as a free agent in 2006, Brees has passed for 28,394 yards with 201 touchdowns and 93 interceptions. He has gone to five Pro Bowls and led the Saints to their lone Super Bowl win -- and trip -- in franchise history.

Brees expressed his frustration with Saints management Wednesday over a lack of communication and progress in talks toward a new deal. The Saints placed a $16.371 million "exclusive" franchise tag on Brees in early March.

"I feel for him. I feel with him. He wants to be here right now. I want him to be here right now and we'll work hard to get that accomplished," Loomis said. "It's important to Drew, but it's important to our team. The magnitude of this contract is going to impact our team for a long period of time, so we've got to get it right. It's got to be right for Drew, but it's got to be right for our team as well."

The Saints and Brees have until July 15 to reach a multi-year extension.

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Obviously, this is something that has to get done. It would hard to imagine Brees skipping out of town after this season and he has repeatedly spoken highly and been a big part of the New Orleans community. I'd expect a four-to-five year deal to get done at some point this season, but there are many questions marks with the Saints after the recent scandal. If any success is set to happen, Brees will have to be a part. Only time will tell. 

My friend Pete Prisco at CBS ranked the top 100 players in the NFL. It is a very interesting list, and as always with Pete's work, there are some questions.

To access the list, click here. 

Here are the totals for the NFC South squads:

Atlanta

48. QB Matt Ryan

61. WR Roddy White

75. LB Sean Weatherspoon

95. RB Michael Turner

COMMENT: Hard to argue with any of this. All are fine players, and he didn't miss on one. 

Carolina

46. WR Steve Smith

68. OG Jordan Gross

83. QB Cam Newton

93. CB Chris Gamble

COMMENT: I think Ryan Kalil should be in this list over Chris Gamble, but this just shows the pieces that Carolina has at this moment. Look out for the Panthers. 

New Orleans

6. QB Drew Brees

21. TE Jimmy Graham

53. OG Jahri Evans

100. Darren Sproles

COMMENT: I think it is a bit high for Graham, but hard to argue for the rest. Sproles has added a bunch to the team. 

Tampa Bay

17. Carl Nicks

COMMENT: Don't agree with this at all, but not just because I am a loyal Bucs fan. Davin Joseph should be on here along with Nicks, as should Vincent Jackson. Josh Freeman, had he not suffered a tough year last year, would be top 50. 

What are your thoughts?

Atlanta 

The Falcons cut 31-year-old veteran fullback Ovie Mughelli.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution created a post-Mughelli depth chart for fans, quite interesting. 

Carolina

The Panthers signed former Jaguars punter Nick Harris, while a coveted WR opted to sign with the Ravens. 

New Orleans

Jonathan Vilma news, as his lawyer says the NFL has yet to respond to his request...this one is getting interesting

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson impressed the Bucs during the rookie mini camp and looks to stick with the team after earning a contract. 

Also, right now, here are my predicted records for each NFC South team next season. Way too early, I know, but it is for fun.

Saints 10-6

Falcons 10-6

Panthers 8-8

Bucs 7-9

The NFL.com's Elliot Harrison came out with his NFL Power Rankings today. Where do you think each NFC South team stands?

To find the list, you can click here. 

When I consider the NFC South teams, I would put the New Orleans Saints at six, the Atlanta Falcons at nine, the Carolina Panthers at 20 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 26.

Harrison has the New Orleans Saints at nine and this for his explanation:

Bountygate: Medieval
Saints: Reeling.
Rest of the NFC South: Improved.
But still ...
Brees > Ryan > Cam > Freeman.

For Atlanta, Harrison has the team at 17 saying:

The Falcons have morphed into a passing team, looking to ride the right arm of their fifth-year veteran behind center. It's hard to believe Matt Ryan has been in the league that long, but it's time this "franchise quarterback" takes the next step. This team has won 42 games in his first four seasons, but really has nothing to show for it. On defense, the onus falls on the pass rush, where Ray Edwards (3.5 sacks) hasn't complemented aging John Abraham the way the club envisioned.

The Panthers come in at 24:

Carolina chose not to grab a defensive tackle or give Steve Smith a viable No. 2 in the early rounds -- a bit of a surprise from draft weekend. What the Panthers did get is a big-time player in linebacker Luke Kuechly. The only pause here is the enormous amount of bad luck Carolina has had at linebacker.Thomas Davis can't stay healthy. The team's best player, Jon Beason, missed almost all of 2011 due to injury. Dan Morgan was a beast, but couldn't stay healthy, either. Let's hope Kuechly lines up 16 and knocks 'em down.

While Tampa rounds up the NFC South just two spots back of Cam Newton and company:

Who are the Bucs? Are they the club that lost the last 10 games of 2011 under Raheem Morris? Or are they a new-look team with a new head coach -- as well as new No. 1 receiver, new guard, new safety, etc. -- that can compete in a division whose champion is knee-deep in turmoil? The answer lies somewhere in between, but if the defensive line plays up to its potential, this is a completely different football team. All four players on the line were first- or second-round picks. Look no further than the Giants to see what a good front four can do for playoff hopes.

What do you think of these rankings? I guessed Tampa spot on, but I'm a bit surprised each of the first three aren't a nod higher. What say you?

Well, today was the day. Commishoner Roger Goodell brought down the hammer for the bounty scandal. 

The official release from NFL.com is below, and all of these punishments seem fair, when thinking about how Goodell goes about punishing people. He doesn't take crap, that is for sure, and this is just another example. 

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been suspended for the 2012 season, as the NFL handed down its player discipline Wednesday for the Saints' pay-for-performance "bounty" scandal.

Three other players -- Scott Fujita, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith -- in addition to Vilma were notified that they have been suspended without pay for conduct detrimental to the NFL as a result of their leadership roles in the "bounty" program that endangered player safety over three seasons from 2009-2011.

"It is the obligation of everyone, including the players on the field, to ensure that rules designed to promote player safety, fair play, and the integrity of the game are adhered to and effectively and consistently enforced," Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "Respect for the men that play the game starts with the way players conduct themselves with each other on the field."

The discipline breaks down, per a league release, as follows:

• Linebacker Jonathan Vilma of the Saints is suspended without pay for the 2012 NFL season, effective immediately per league policy for season-long suspensions.

• Linebacker Scott Fujita (now with the Cleveland Browns) is suspended without pay for the first three games.

• Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (now with the Green Bay Packers) is suspended without pay for the first eight games.

• Will Smith of the Saints is suspended without pay for the first four games.

"In assessing player discipline," Goodell said, "I focused on players who were in leadership positions at the Saints; contributed a particularly large sum of money toward the program; specifically contributed to a bounty on an opposing player; demonstrated a clear intent to participate in a program that potentially injured opposing players; sought rewards for doing so; and/or obstructed the 2010 investigation."

"No bounty program can exist without active player participation," Goodell added. "The evidence clearly showed that the players being held accountable today willingly and enthusiastically embraced the bounty program. Players put the vast majority of the money into this program and they share responsibility for playing by the rules and protecting each other within those rules."

Now, it was reported that Vilma expected a suspension from two to eight games. Mr. Vilma, do you know who you are messing with?

This sends a big message league wide that there is no tolerance for any activity that results in a negative outlook towards the NFL. Now, the Saints, players, coaches and all, know first hand. 

Hey guys,

Welcome back. What a fun NFL Draft 2012 eh?

I'm hear to deliver the draft grades for each team, so why wait? Let's get started!

Atlanta Falcons

Best Pick: Peter Konz OC, Wisconsin -- The big man can play any position along the offensive line and was a nice grab by Atlanta in the second round. He should be a solid player for them for the next decade. 

Questionable pick: Trading everything they did last season for Julio Jones. It was way, way too much. 

Steal: Konz

Analysis: They were able to nab a nice player in Konz and Lamar Holmes, who could push for time. Solid, but not spectacular. 

Grade: C+ 

Carolina Panthers

Best Pick: Luke Kuechly LB, Boston College -- An amazing player, he can do it all as a defender and should help right away in Carolina. 

Questionable pick: None

Steal: Amini Silatolu, OG Midwestern State -- A powerful presence, the lineman has quick feet and just so much strength. Solid pick. 

Analysis: Landed some really good players to continue adding to an already nice pool of talent. 

Grade: B

 New Orleans Saints

Best Pick: Nick Toon WR, Wisconsin -- A fast receiver, he is just another weapon for Drew Brees. He should have a nice rookie campaign. 

Questionable pick: Bounty Scandal, of course. 

Steal: None. 

Analysis: The scandal cost big, losing a second-round pick. 

Grade: D- 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best Pick: Lavonte David LB, Nebraska -- This kid will be a star. He is so versatile and will start from Day 1 at outside linebacker. Another great Buc linebacker. The next Derrick Brooks. 

Questionable pick: None, addressed needs. 

Steal: Doug Martin RB, Boise State -- Martin, the Muscle Hamster, can do it all. He is the most complete back in the draft and will start. 

Analysis: Starting off with Mark Barron at safety, the Bucs struck gold in this one, picking up potentially four starters. 

Grade: A