Scott Fujita came back to the Saints, then promptly retired from football Monday morning. Just so there was no shortage of drama to the scene, the transaction was all carried off from 11,000 ft. above sea level in Macchu Picchu.

Having a target around his face apparently doesn't bother Roger Goodell. In fact, the NFL Commissioner seems to like it. After taking his turn on Reddit earlier this week, the man responsible for Bountygate gave his pre-Super Bowl presser on Friday morning, where he praised the people of New Orleans for putting his face in every restaurant (as a man not to serve) and depict him on Mardi Gras floats (in a Krewe du Vieux float. There was a vagina eating him).

by Sarah Esenwein

He hasn't been seen around town yet, but Roger Goodell already braved the masses this week. The NFL Commissioner opened himself up to a Q & A session on Reddit’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) board.  He faced inquiries about possible rule changes, his stance on celebrations in the end zone, expanding the NFL to across the pond with a London franchise, even questions on sock-height made it into the thread. Oh ya, and there were also a few about the Saints.

by Sarah Esenwein

For the 2012 season, he was only a likeness admonishing the Saints players to "Do Your Job." But, much like a father returning to children or a teacher to the classroom, Black and Gold Head Coach Sean Payton is back with his team after a year-long suspension. During a press conference Wednesday, Payton recalled sentiments of sadness over being deprived of the personal contact and connections with the Saints players and staff on a daily basis. 

After a year of bongos and motivational speaking, Sean Payton can finally get back to the sidelines where he belongs: the Saints'. The Black and Gold head coach was freed (aka reinstated) this morning by Roger Goodell after the two sat down face-to-face for a meeting on Monday, according to a statement from the league. That means Payton's unprecedented yearlong suspension in the wake of Bountygate is now but a bad memory for Who Dats.

In New Orleans, news of the weird and the important news of the day often blend together, and 2012 was no different. From new mugshots to bizarre bamboozles to sordid sagas, there was no shortage of Crescent City drama this year. NoDef revisits this year's news of the weird:

Once again, Breesus has emerged from the mountain with new wisdom, and it didn't include kind words for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. At a press conference Wednesday, Brees weighed in on the decision by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to reverse the Bounty suspensions of Jon Vilma, Will Smith and two former Saints. "Basically what got overturned was 31 games of suspension, millions of dollars of salary, but most importantly their reputations," Brees said.

Updated 1:45 p.m.

Saints players have found salvation from their Bounty burden. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue vacated the suspension of Linebacker Jonathan Vilma and Defensive End Will Smith, as well as two former Saints defenders, for their roles in the Bounty scandal. That means the players are free to play without the cloud of a suspension hanging over them.

by Jillian Firnhaber

Many New Orleanians have spent their showers dreaming up what they’d say to Roger Goodell if they ran into him on the street. One Saints fan got a chance to go face-to-face with the Commish, and he has the picture to prove it. Known only as 2009ring on SaintsReport.com, a local man got a picture with Goodell, wearing none other than one of the immensely popular “Free Sean Payton” T-shirts. (Dirty Coast edition, for those keeping score at home.)

It just may be Jonathan Vilma's lucky day. NFL Commissioner Goodell has recused himself from any bounty proceedings, handing the decision-making over to former commissioner Paul Tagliabue. This comes only days after all four Bounty-gate players implored Goodell to remove himself from the proceedings. Although not officially backed by the NFL Players' Association, Goodell says he consulted with the executive director before formally announcing his dis-involvement with the matter.