Off-Topic » The New Orleans Saints franchise has seen its ups and downs

They've endured multiple losing seasons in their history David Montgomery Jersey , became playoff contenders through the early 90s, the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Steve Gleason's memorable blocked punt that led to a touchdown in their triumphant Superdome return, experienced a Super Bowl victory, and the Bountygate scandal.After Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, the hiring of head coach Sean Payton and the free agent signing of quarterback Drew Brees following a forgettable '05 season turned their fortunes around. The Saints have since won three division titles during the Payton era with an explosive offense that boasted Brees Riley Ridley Jersey , Reggie Bush, and Marques Colston, along with a defense anchored by Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma. The Saints marched to Super Bowl XLIV in Miami and claimed their first title against the Indianapolis Colts. But the team failed to clinch a playoff berth in 2012, as Payton earned a year-long suspension with four other players for their involvement in Bountygate, and has missed the playoffs for the last three years. Let's count down the eight best and seven worst Saints players since the 2000 season.
The Detroit Tigers recovered quickly from the loss of their biggest star. They now have a chance to collect a series win over a key division rival.

The Tigers rallied for four runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Minnesota Twins 5-2 on Wednesday night. Detroit was playing its first game since learning Miguel Cabrera would miss the remainder of the season with a ruptured biceps tendon.

“We talked about it beforehand,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Miggy’s down Greedy Williams Jersey , we lost a tough one last night but the one thing this ballclub has done to this point is always bounce back. They always come back with fight and they did it tonight.”

The Tigers will rely on a younger, unheralded group of players to carry them the rest of the way. John Hicks, who replaced Cabrera at first base, had three hits Wednesday. So did utilityman Niko Goodrum. Victor Reyes, a Rule 5 draftee who has played sparingly, knocked in the go-ahead run.

“That’s when a team is rolling Sione Takitaki Jersey ,” right fielder Nicholas Castellanos said. “Flip a coin. Everybody’s picking up the slack, everybody’s doing their part. Even when I don’t come through, Candy (Jeimer Candelario) doesn’t come through or (Leonys) Martin doesn’t come through, that’s OK because we know the guy behind us is going to step up and do it.”

Michael Fulmer will oppose Lance Lynn in the finale of the three-game series Thursday afternoon.

Fulmer (2-5, 4.40 ERA) got a no-decision in his last start but it was one of his most powerful performances this season. He held Cleveland to one run on five hits in seven innings while recording seven strikeouts Friday.

He threw 71 fastballs between 95 and 99 mph that evening.

“I finally felt like I was back to my old self a little bit,” Fulmer told the Detroit News afterward. “My fastball was coming out good. My change-up and slider were there. Now I have to keep doing what I’ve been doing Sheldrick Redwine Jersey , keep getting better.”

He’s given the Twins fits in his three major league seasons. Fulmer has won all of his four career stats against them while posting a 3.04 ERA. He’s struck out 23 in 23 2/3 innings in those outings.

Lynn (4-4, 5.08 ERA) has settled into a groove after a slow start. He’s won three of his last four outings, including a six-inning stint Friday when he held the Los Angeles Angels to one run on four hits in a no-decision.

“It’s getting there,” Lynn told mlb.com afterward. “Had the one inning (in the second) where I gave up the run, threw a bunch of pitches, which cost me the ability to go deeper into the game. But overall Austin Seibert Jersey , my stuff was good.”

That quality stretch began with his best performance of the season, when he held the Tigers scoreless for 6 2/3 innings on May 22.

In three career starts against Detroit, Lynn is 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA.

Following Thursday’s matinee, Minnesota heads to Cleveland for a three-game series while Detroit begins an eight-game road trip against the Chicago White Sox.