All that Bounty bluster might've done some good, after all. Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith and the two former New Orleans Saints players who were suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their alleged Bounty hunting tactics might see the field as early as this weekend. Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter broke the story that an appeals panel overturned the four players' suspensions today. The ruling potentially frees up the players to get out of purgatory and take the field against the Redskins this weekend, but their fate will still lie in Goodell's hands.

The New Orleans Saints are set to open the season against the Washington Redskins Sunday at Da Dome. For the Who Dat Nation, it'll be an emotional return to football after a long and litigious offseason that was full of Bounty controversy and, at the end, the upending of life caused by Hurricane Isaac. Since it never is around here, not everything will be back to normal.

After a few days of hunkering down and watching Isaac knock our city around, New Orleans could use a lift. Luckily, our favorite source of said lifts will be on tonight. The New Orleans Saints finish out their preseason schedule against they Tennessee Titans tonight at LP Field in Nashville.

Banished Saints Head Coach and occasional conga man Sean Payton is apparently on the motivational circuit, and he has been speaking to the enemy. But, at least he was funny. North Texas is gearing up for next weekend's season opening showdown next weekend in Death Valley with the LSU Tigers, so they invited the Saints' suspended coach to give them a little advice. Turns out, Payton is still coaching.

The more Nixonian of the offseason allegations against the Saints have been batted down - at least by one investigative branch. Louisiana State Police - with help from the FBI -  found no evidence that GM Mickey Loomis had his Superdome office hard-wired to listen in on opposing teams' coaches, Col. Mike Edmonson said today. The four-month investigation turned up no sign of the accusations that first surfaced in an ESPN report in April. But the Saints aren't done being probed yet. Former FBi director Louis Freeh has yet to release the findings of his Tom Benson-commissioned investigation.

The Saints took the field trying to deal with the Bounty Breaks, and put all the Bluster behind them last night. But linebacker Jonathan Vilma is still trying to get back on the gridiron, so he's left navigating negotiations and rumors instead of blockers. Vilma's Monday started with rumors from ESPN's way that he was in talks to settle for an 8-game suspension - instead of a full year - if he dropped his lawsuit against Roger Goodell. By lunchtime, the NFL denied that rumor vehemently, as nfl.com countered with their own source saying that there was no settlement offer.

The Voice of the Saints won't be off TV completely in retirement, and he won't be with his old broadcast team, either. Jim Henderson, the Black and Gold's play-by-play announcer on WWL Radio and WWL-TV's longtime sports director, will be doing Saints analysis on Fox 8 this season. According to Fox8, Henderson will appear on the Tom Benson-owned station's news broadcasts on the morning after each Saints game, and his famous commentaries will return every week.

For Willie Roaf, it was Hall of Fame and bust on Saturday night. The former Saints offensive lineman was officially enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, as a statue of his likeness was unveiled to go along with the honorary gold coat he received Friday night. In becoming the second Saints player to stand alongside football greats in the Hall, the 42-year-old was humble in his acceptance speech, acknowledging that offensive lineman aren't usually the ones in the spotlight.

Who Dats are heading to the Buckeye State this weekend, and it's not just to sample the Skyline Chili. Former Saint Willie Roaf is set to be immortalized in Canton, Ohio's Pro Football Hall of Fame, meaning he gets both a statue and an addition to his wardrobe. Tonight, the former offensive lineman will receive the vaunted gold jacket - which is sort of like the Masters' green jacket, only much more appealing to a Saints fan's eyes, and, of course, bigger. Tomorrow, The Louisiana Tech alum, is officially enshrined in the Hall of Fame at a ceremony on the football field. Does it get any better for Saints fans? Why, yes.

Steve Gleason's blocked punt is officially monumental. In a private ceremony today, the Saints unveiled a statue that depicts the play that will live in infamy: Steve Gleason's 2006 blocked punt against the Falcons, which gave the Black and Gold their first home touchdown after the Flood. Gleason continues to be an inspiration as he battles ALS, and said he wants the statute to be "about commitment and a rebirth for all.” Saints wanted The Mayor's office released video of the ceremony this afternoon. Click through to view.