Roman

Harper

Corkran admits it’s purely “speculation,” presumably based on new coach Dennis Allen’s history with Colston and Harper. Opining that Darrius Heyward-Bey is still ideally a No. 3 receiver despite his furious finish to the 2011 season, Corkran also believes Vincent Jackson is a “very viable option” in free agency. We see the Raiders as having higher priorities than wide receiver.

We didn’t expect Omar Stoutmire to last long. Harper is someone to watch in deep IDP leagues. Jay Bellamy started at strong safety.

He started opposite Jay Bellamy. Many coaches use young players early in games to test them against top competition, especially in preseason Week 2. See if Harper is there next week before considering him in deep IDP leagues. Jay Foreman also started at middle linebacker.

Per Schefter, the NFL’s investigation began in 2010, when Williams’ defense began targeting Brett Favre and Kurt Warner. Between 22 and 27 Saints defenders were allegedly involved, as well as at least one defensive assistant. The league has reportedly reviewed 18,000 documents totaling more than 50,000 pages. New Orleans’ discipline may lead to fines, suspensions, and draft-pick forfeiture. Williams is now defensive coordinator for the Rams.

The Saints would often target a particular player, which reminds of Williams’ comments to inflict “remember-me shots” on Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in 2009 and 2010. Players “regularly” put money into a cash pool and received payments when they successfully injured opponents. New Orleans is already without a 2012 first-round pick, so the NFL could begin taking away additional draft choices this year and a first-rounder in 2013. Expect discipline to be harsh. It will be discussed further at the league’s meetings in March.

What the hold up is remains unclear, but Goodell did not guarantee justice would be meted out before the draft. He did say he would reject the “just following orders” defense, and that “evidence was clear that the players embraced it.” That’s bad news for players like MLB Jonathan Vilma, SS Roman Harper and DE Will Smith, who are likely planning to make disgraced former DC Gregg Williams the scapegoat in their inevitable appeals.

According to La Canfora, Harper and Smith were “probed in depth,” and could face more severe punishment than the “majority” of the 22-27 players the league believes were involved. If that’s the case, they’ll be joining MLB Jonathan Vilma, who is reportedly bracing for a 2-8 game suspension. The punishments for all involved could be announced within the week.

Harper won the same honor for his performance against the Bears in Week 2. After coaches film review, Harper was credited with 16 tackles, two altered passes, one sack, one pass defensed, and two tackles for losses in the Saints’ 26-23 victory at Atlanta. Harper leads the Saints with 69 tackles and all NFL defensive backs with 6.5 sacks.

Harper didn’t practice Wednesday, but did do individual drills. “I’m resting up, getting a little bit better, getting healthier every day,” he said. “So I feel good about this weekend. ... I’m moving around well.” Harper essentially guaranteed he’ll play against San Francisco, so look for him to start.

It sounds like a possible high ankle sprain. Harper must have suffered the injury late in last Saturday’s win over the Lions. It’s “a new one,” reports beat writer Jeff Duncan, “and it’s significant.” Harper is one of the league’s better in-the-box, run-support safeties, so his absence would be major against San Francisco’s run-first offense in the Divisional round.