New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has always seemed like a stand-up guy. A respectable man who always puts his team first, the former San Diego Chargers star took to Twitter today to promote this, something very special for him. 

On Twitter, Brees said:

Drew Brees ‏@drewbrees

"If you are in the LA area and want to join a great cause, check outhttp://teamgleasonla.org. Thurs 5/31 party, auction, raffle raising $ 4 ALS"

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Always a man looking to make an impact, like with what he did during Hurricane Katrina, the quarterback is back at it. To find out more visit the link above and do your part to help out, if you are in the area. 

If you are unfamiliar with the story, be sure to watch the video below. 

To find out more, watch this video. 

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. 

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. 

Good morning all. Let's take a look around the conference with the major news story for each on this lovely Saturday.

Buccaneers

Tampa Bay and new head coach Greg Schiano found themselves a defensive coordinator, finally.

Bill Sheridan, a Super Bowl winner on the New York Giants staff, joins the team as DC.

Here is the official release fom the Bucs' official website.

Falcons

Things are a bit slow around Atlanta, not too much going on, but the general manager Thomas Dimitroff has a bit of a new role.

Here is the official release from the Bucs' official website.

Panthers

Everyone knows the type of rookie season that Cam Newton had. As a result, the awards keep coming in. The talented former Auburn quarterback already won the Pepsi Rookie of the Year award, but there is more. 

Here is the official release from the Panthers' official website.

Saints

Sean Payton and company recently made some BIG hires on the staff, including bringing in an elite defensive coordinator with the hope of taking home another Super Bowl title, with a guy who has experience doing so.

Here is the official release from the Panthers' official website.