Saints call Falcons ‘classless’

The New Orleans Saints — still trying to put the infamous “Bountygate” scandal behind them — are calling the Falcons “classless” after handing Atlanta its first loss of the season Sunday.

From USA Today:

“They were talking (expletive) to our guy Curtis Lofton,” Saints linebacker Scott Shanle told Mike Silver on Sunday night. “I couldn’t even understand them. They were just walking all over our drills trying to mess with him. (Linebacker Jonathan) Vilma went and told their coach it was classless and they didn’t even say anything. It set the tone for the day. It was classless and they got what they deserved.”

Lofton is a former Falcon playing in his first season with the Saints.

Vilma, by the way, is only playing while he appeals a year-long suspension for allegedly participating in a program that paid players for injuring opposing players.

Some of the Saints players were also offended by a dance video made by Atlanta safety William Moore.

The “D-Block” rap video was posted on the Falcons’ website over the weekend.

“That video would never be allowed nor would our players make a video like that in our locker room,” NBC’s Pro Football Talk quoted an unidentified “Saints source.”

Of course, the Falcons have done their part to stoke the rivalry, which has been dominated in recent years by the Saints.

Last week, Roddy White told the Journal-Constitution:

“I don’t like nothing about the Saints. The colors. The city. Nothing. But they’ve got some good food, though. Other than the food, nothing.”

After Sunday’s game, White refused to credit the Saints.

“It’s not like they came out here and won a game,” he said. “I think we kind of gave it to them.”

Shanle, however, told Yahoo! Sports that Sunday’s result just proves the Saints “own” the Falcons.

“They’re like our little brothers. Deep down they know they can’t mess with us even when we are having a down year,” he said.

210 comments Add your comment

JASon

November 13th, 2012
12:06 pm

“’They were talking (expletive) to our guy Curtis Lofton,’ Saints linebacker Scott Shanle told Mike Silver on Sunday night.”

We all need to be aware that these stories are advanced by the national media…who is contractually obligated to support certain teams. The saints sell jerseys.

vince

November 13th, 2012
12:15 pm

This accusation from a group that paid players to injure opponents?
This accusation from a group that urinated on the Falcon logo in the dome?

Really? Seriously?

Andre

November 13th, 2012
12:22 pm

Classless, the same team last year that took a photo on our midField logo.

A

November 13th, 2012
12:25 pm

“I don’t like nothing about the Saints.
Roddy apparently didn’t pay attention at all in school or college. Amazing how you could be in college and not know what a double negative is. Hey Roddy, this means you DO like something about the Saints you idiot. Learn how to speak simple english.

wagreen1

November 13th, 2012
12:25 pm

Falcons fans need to sit down. You have no superbowl win under your belt. You have no playoff win under Matt Ryan and you have been losing to the Saints for the past couple of years. Your fans first of all are not fans just a bunch of arrogant wannabes like the players specifically, Roddy White. You will not go to the superbowl this year are any year in the near future. The Saints have a ring and you don’t thats why you mad. You can’t even beat the Saints in a down year. You sound like Romney and his boys. KICK ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired

November 13th, 2012
12:26 pm

Anything related to the City of New Orleans, e.g., the Saints, the fans, Bourbon Street, the French Quarter, etc. lacks class. That is why so many of its former citizens did not go back after Katrina prefering to remain in Houston and Atlanta. They will never admit it but the word “CLASS” doesn’t fit anything related to New Orleans.

d

November 13th, 2012
12:27 pm

Shanle isn’t good enough to carry Spoon’s bags. Down year? Big talk from a pretty average player.

Justin

November 13th, 2012
12:29 pm

Ok…say what you will about classless and bountygate, but I’d like to say a few things. One…no matter who left or didn’t leave or whatever else, you bring up katrina, you are making fun of people dying. People, old, young, middle aged…..CHILDREN lost their lives during that storm….are you serious? How can that further, even a little bit, your point about football, ATLANTA? What does men, WOMEN AND CHILDREN dying have to do with your cause here except to cause harm to others who survived and outlasted their family members and friends? Does anyone really think pay for play even begins to scrape the surface of the sick non-human attitude it requires to make fun of children dying? families being broken and people losing their entire life? I am a Saints fan forever, and guess what? I never was paid for play. I didn’t give any money to anyone for injuries. I hate that it even happened….but you scrape open horribly deep wounds, hoping to bring pain to people who may only be browsing this website to look at comments about their beloved team? Maybe even MOST of these fans looking at this sight didn’t pay for any injuries (imagine that….milllions innocent, and a few guilty, which is the truth no matter what comes out of the bounty gate hearings.) And even to that point, listen to all the announcers. I’m not even going to say my opinion on whether or not the saints were the only team that did it…listen to all the ex pro football player announcers, coaches, pundits…….what do they say? Go check it out…it’s all out there and has been there throughout the whole ordeal. You talk smack to a fellow ex-teammate for following the money? WHO DOESN’T follow the money, wal mart truck driver or fortune 500 executive. Where’s the Fault? You want to rile someone up? for an advantage? what does that say about you? that that’s important. That it is somehow important to you winning to get in someones head. who wins like that? I can’t think of any team actually winning a sport or important event that prized that kind of thinking where “it’;s part of the game to get in their head” when singling out an individual with whom they used to be friends. Yeah…you give another team heck, talk trash and all that, but a single player? One you used to cheer? Are you serious? I don’t know what will come of the Saints season, but I know one thing. That 100 million dollar quarterback someone mentioned earlier was not part of pay for play, if anyone was. Plus, he has donated more in time AND money to people needing help than, I would venture even though I could be wrong, the ENTIRE Falcons organization. That’s what class is, even being associated with a team who is going through bountygate. You want to hate the Saints, so be it, don’t hurt those innocent who lost children and family in a natural disaster just to get in someone’s head.

rob

November 13th, 2012
12:29 pm

cause as we all know, the saints organization just echo’s of class!!!!

Justin

November 13th, 2012
12:34 pm

Yeah, there you go rob, nice jab. And to all the saints fans out there ignorantly posting just to post, I sat right in front of about 9 falcon fans talking smack all game. We were talking smack too…..then after the game everyone shook hands and no one cared other than having a little hurt pride. The game is a game, even when you bleed black and gold, you still remember that there are more important things than the scoreboard.

Native Atlantan

November 13th, 2012
12:35 pm

So “A” it appears you got English mastered. Roddy has his education and career and you’re on a blog teaching English with a lower case “e”. Then you started your blog off with a quote but did not use an end quote. Poetic justice. #IJS

I’m not teaching English but this IS A BLOG and you c-c-c-c-can’t be l-l-l-l-laughing at someone who st-st-st-studders if you have the same i-i-i-i-issue.

d

November 13th, 2012
12:35 pm

Justin
Bountygate was classless.
Saints are classless.
No way around it.

Harry Reid

November 13th, 2012
12:37 pm

Saints are all ghetto!

Justin

November 13th, 2012
12:38 pm

bye the way, every fan loves their team. It’s just a matter of fact. Only difference is how you show that love. You need to hate to feel proud? New Orleans, you are better than that. I have lived in Louisiana all my life and it’s confusing seeing some of these posts from saints fans…..fans who all wear purple n gold on saturday, no matter where you live. It’s all about coming together for a common good, loving the saints and tigers…not coming together to bring another team down…what does that do? They don’t dcare what you say….I promise you that…they are gonna love the Falcons no matter what. So what are you accomplishing? Who is bennifitting from the smack talk? Let it go and just love the game.

Native Atlantan

November 13th, 2012
12:40 pm

Who we play next? Oh yeah, Arizona.

Let the Aints fans continue to be obsessed with us while we keep our eyes on the prize.

Justin

November 13th, 2012
12:42 pm

Ok….well I think that demonstrates my point…no comment about the substance of my message…just the response that New Orleans is classless. It doesn’t matter what you say bloggers….NO ONE CARES…if all these people can overlook all said about death and destruction and still focus on the class of a city based on nothing…….that should prove it……..keep arguing with each other people. You might as well be talking to a mirror.

Native Atlantan

November 13th, 2012
12:42 pm

Justin- you’re alright with me. (except for that purple and gold, lol).

kevinofconyers

November 13th, 2012
12:45 pm

Bad year to yell ‘who dat’, isn’t it? The falcons will add their name to the list of SIX teams that are indeed the answer to your question.

-Redskins
-Panthers
-Chiefs
-Packers
-Broncos

a quick list of DEM dat beat dem saints… Bird Gang will just be #6.

Don’t worry, though- if Taint fans really want to boo the falcons, you’ll get your chance again. They’ll be at that garbage dump y’all call the superdome again on February 3rd. #RiseUP

Justin

November 13th, 2012
12:51 pm

Thanks Atlantan….funny how we can be civil even having totally different teams huh? oh yeah man…kevin…we’ll see…that’s why you play the game tho isn’t it….nothing is ever for sure. To all my Saints fans why talk smack here? Let it go….non of this is important. And before you pose remeber one thing….It is a million times more important to love the saints than it is to hate the Falcons, or any other team for that matter. That’s what makes a fan, not who they hate, but for whom they cheer. Take care Atlanta, I know it’s not everyone in Atlanta writing these posts and personally I prefer a close game than a complete blowout anyway so I look forward to playing you guys again. Stay real. Justin

Ern

November 13th, 2012
12:54 pm

Classless? Sounds like Saints fans to me. And their players are not innocent. They’ve all done the same kind of stuff before too.

little

November 13th, 2012
12:54 pm

the FALCONS are a bunch of bums

Mermaid

November 13th, 2012
12:55 pm

The Aints team was decimated from the GM to the head coach and his staff down to the players because of “BOUNTY-GATE”!! Is paying bonuses to players to mame and put hits out on opponents not the epitome and definition of CLASSLESSNESS???!!! LOL! How can it be viewed otherwise?!? Aints players and fans have NO room to call anyone classless. Shanle and Vilma especially, should quickly look in the mirror before they even think to utter the word “classless” to describe ANYONE other than themselves. In fact, they should just keep a mirror in their back pockets! It’s comical! Hahaha…the Saints organization and their fans are complete jokes!!! Thanks for this laugh, now please go sit ALL THE WAY DOWN on the pointy end of your fleur de lis!!! LOL!!

Zarcon

November 13th, 2012
12:56 pm

@Justin – You nailed it down pretty well. And don’t worry, we are looking forward to it as well on 11/29 :)

Ackshun

November 13th, 2012
1:01 pm

You will have to forgive me if I refuse to attend a lecture in class led by members of the same crew that posed and urinated on the Falcons logo at the Georgia Dome last year.

pikedawg

November 13th, 2012
1:03 pm

I’m sorry…I can’t hear the Saints players and fans yapping from 4 games behind us…they need to speak up

falcon672011

November 13th, 2012
1:11 pm

The saints are the lowest team in the NFL.They have no class and are doing what they do best lie and try to divert attention from there own bull.Why don t just one of your beloved aints stand up and admit the truth just once. The kids follow all of you and think you are so great.You really should be ashamed of yourselves.People in this country hate liars we could accept what you did if you would just admit it and say my bad and move on. The kids are emulating your bull### and you don t even care.Football is a game for warriors not cheaters. Be a man and tell the truth. By the way if Drue wasn t your quaterback u would be the laughing stock of the league. This is the NFL and any team can be any team thats why we play the games.Grow the hell up and learn to act like adults.We are all americans and need to keep that paramount.

RGB

November 13th, 2012
1:12 pm

Feigned indignation from one classless group of people to another.

As my momma would say: “They’re nuthin’ but a bunch of trash” (pronounced “trish” with a long “i”).

yep

November 13th, 2012
1:14 pm

the Saints don’t have any business calling anybody classless.

Larry J

November 13th, 2012
1:20 pm

Can’t wait till we spank that azz and send them back to that swamp they call home. Rise Up!

Justin

November 13th, 2012
1:32 pm

once again, I agree with most of you, saints fans or falcon fans….and again, it wasn’t me peeing on falcon logos. I also don’t think the term classless was meant for the fans. The classless comment was made towards the act of belittling a player who accepted a contract from another team…not meant towards the fans and wasn’t directed towards the Atlanta Fans. Does anyone else feel like they’re taking crazy pills? to identify with one or two athletes as if they are indicative of an entire city is ludacris….if i didn’t feel this way I would think everyone in Atlanta was happy Katrina happened and killed people. Anyone out there really think that’s the truth? That people are happy that people they didn’t know died? C’mon people, we all are proud of our team, not the bad parts, but of our team.. I am white….I am proud of being a white man, but that doesn’t mean I think that slavery was right just because white people did it and I am white. It happened but I wasn’t there. That doesn’t mean I should wish I was black does it?

greg

November 13th, 2012
1:36 pm

Will see you in January in the playoffs Saints! Oh wait we won’t!
ha ha. nice 4-5 record. 8-1 looks a lot nicer to me!

Justin

November 13th, 2012
1:38 pm

greg…..good job at math…8-1 is better. good job. \

Justin

November 13th, 2012
1:42 pm

Anyone else out there have anything to say about the city of New Orleans unrelated to stupid athletes causing you to form an opinion of an entire city? An entire city known for it’s politeness and helpfulness towards strangers……kindness? Maybe not to rival fans…and that just proves my point….you don’t have a falcons jersey on, things are different, just the same as me being in Atlanta without a Saints jersey on brings different outcomes…..go figure huh?

RichestoRags

November 13th, 2012
1:43 pm

That AINT can’t be serious.. Does he know the meaning of classless.. .BOYYYY STOP!

ville dog

November 13th, 2012
1:47 pm

It’s a shame with all the millions ball players are making, that they can’t keep their mouth shut and just do there job. Or maybe buy some class.

Justin

November 13th, 2012
1:50 pm

stop what? You can’t make an intelligent point to save your life. I have condeded all points of Saints fans acting classless because, sadly, it happens in every city. You think otherwise? Please, enlighten me of a city who welcomes those who come to their stadium to cheer against their team? I only bring up important points that I think supercede the game of football, i.e. katrina And by the way, should you group me in with the “classless” city of new orleans based on a few stupid athletes and fans, do you think its fare that I group you in with the people who make light of Katrina and the souls who lost their lives and family during that tragedy? That’s stupid.

BobbyJones

November 13th, 2012
1:52 pm

Hey Falcons fans, look at the scoreboard. Enough said. Sit down and shut yo mouth.

Roger Goodell

November 13th, 2012
1:53 pm

The Saints players were just taking some verbal shots at the Falcons, trying to make themselves feel a little better. After all, at the end of the day, they are still 4-5 with a terrible defense, and their head coach is still sitting in his living room in Dallas. The Falcons are 8-1 and on their way to winning the division. Who dat being envious down on the bayou??

Chadwick

November 13th, 2012
1:54 pm

We are being called classless by the team with the bounty program and coach suspended for the season. In the dictionary there is a picture of the Saints next to the word “classless sh*ts”

Justin

November 13th, 2012
1:55 pm

Roger Goodell….you have anything to add accept what is obvious?

Falcons4Life

November 13th, 2012
1:56 pm

I’ve been a Falcon fan since I was 7 years old. Now, in my 40’s I am pretty ashamed of my dirty birds running their mouth if they don’t put up a W to back it. Great win Saints, you’ve got the best of us and we all should respect it.

wap

November 13th, 2012
1:57 pm

2012 Loosers SEC Championship Georgia, NFL Playoff Falcons, MLB Braves.

Mike Franklin

November 13th, 2012
1:58 pm

The Saints are, undoubtedly, trying to soil their fiercest rival to make themselves look a little cleaner. You kinda have to expect this from them.

Roger Goodell

November 13th, 2012
1:58 pm

Justin, It’s just fun to point out the obvious sometimes. Sorry I didn’t get drawn into your discussion about hurricanes and race relations.

Saints2012Champs

November 13th, 2012
2:00 pm

Ha ha, atlanta just wishes they had a bounty system, maybe they could win a simple playoff game. What a joke – dirt birds.

Justin

November 13th, 2012
2:03 pm

My discussion…these topics were brought up by Falcon fans roger, not myself. I only seek to bring some kind of civility to the hatred that exists within this forum for no reason. you havent hurt me, nor have i hurt you, but we apparently have confused that with actually harming and offending each other by proxy….wow man….be real…what have I said that is not at least a little bit true? what have I said negative about the Falcons, fans and players alike? Does it make you mad that I am not condemning your team? Would you rather that so you have something to be mad about?

Justin

November 13th, 2012
2:06 pm

atlanta does have a bounty system….they pay defensive players. anyone who thinks a professional defensive player doesn’t aim to hurt whomever they hit has never played football before. You get pumped after a big hit…then realize theyre hurt and appologize…..after the fact. Thats different from pay for play i guess….but defenders….that’s what makes them who they are…clay mathews is scary because he can hurt you and will if you get caught slipping….so will ray lewis, jon lynch, brian urlacher, troy polamalu……..best defensive players are great tacklers….and BIG HITTERS

Roger Goodell

November 13th, 2012
2:07 pm

Justin, Frankly I have a hard time following the logic of your posts, so they don’t make me mad. I think you may be taking this all way too seriously.

Justin

November 13th, 2012
2:10 pm

I hope you don’t confuse what i’m saying with pay for play…….it’s just the nature of being a defender……whose job is, by definition, to hit the player with the ball and make sure they go down. can you imagine if a falcon defender would let up during a hit on a saint runningback who then spins out of a half ass tackle and runs for a touchdown……..but what if they save an injury???? No one would care….because as long as the hit is legal….thats what you are supposed to do…right? Maybe I am confused and need enlightenment

GotARing&ALife

November 13th, 2012
2:11 pm

All this tomfoolery on this blog while the owners of both teams had meals and drinks together while in NOLA. Same as when the game is in ATL. As for you players, shut up an run dat ball like you told to. Dont talk unless your owner tells you to. As for you fans keep buying tickets and getting emotional over something you will never own. Shut up and stay in ya lane as a spectator. Lol! You name calling fans are Such clowns.