The Saints return to work today to get ready for Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bears. Since Sunday’s embarrassing loss to Carolina, wide receiver Joe Morgan has been released, safety Kenny Vaccaro has been benched and Coach Sean Payton has held several one-on-one meetings with team leaders. NFL analyst Mike Detillier on the situation

cut 16 (18) “roller coaster ride”

The Saints can still win the NFC South, even though they have a five and eight record.

The Saints reportedly worked out kicker Garrett Hartley yesterday. Hartley was released by the Black and Gold towards the end of last season and replaced by Shayne Graham, who has been the team’s field goal kicker since. Graham is 18-of-20 field goals this year, but he did miss a 42-yarder last Sunday.

Monta Ellis scored 13 of his 26 points in the final four and a-half minutes of the game as the Dallas Mavericks upended the Pelicans 112-107. Jrue Holiday scored 31 and Anthony Davis threw in 30 as the Pels fall to 10-11 on the season. The Pelicans host Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow night.

In college basketball, it was UL-Lafayette over Louisiana Tech 94-86 and Southern fell to Minnesota 85-57.

LSU senior left tackle La’el Collins has received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which goes to the Southeastern Conference’s most outstanding blocker. Collins has registered 84.5 knockdown blocks in 12 games this season.

Louisiana Tech quarterback Cody Sokol is the Conference USA newcomer of the year. Sokol is ninth in the nation in passing touchdowns and 22nd in yards.

And Ragin Cajuns sophomore Elijah McGuire has been named the Sun Belt’s player of the year. The all-purpose back rushed for over 1,000 yards this season and led the league with all-purpose yards per game.