Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune is troubled by the number of off-field distractions that the New Orleans Saints are dealing with this off-season:

"In the past six weeks alone, the club has dealt with this Shockey thing, his "seizure-like" fainting in the weight room, a protracted contract negotiation with running back Pierre Thomas, Vicodin-gate and now Reggie Bush's embarrassing involvement as the central scofflaw in the NCAA investigation of Southern Cal football.And let's not forget the club's visit to oil-wracked Plaquemines Parish on Tuesday."

"This Shockey thing" is in reference to a recent autograph signing by tight end Jeremy Shockey at a Mandeville sporting goods store, where Shockey's $40 per autograph price tag wasn't even close to being the issue for the store's owners, who regret booking Shockey, or the parents in attendance. One mother posted the following review of the appearance on Facebook:

"(Shockey) had kids in tears (because) he wouldn't acknowledge them. A total waste of money for anyone who went...He showed up late and left early. Got out of limo and went straight upstairs to eat and drink with his friends. When he left, mom's (sic) were taking off their kids' Shockey jerseys and threw them at the limo or stomped on them."

Shockey's reps, of course, have a different recollection of the event, and Duncan notes that there are more off-field distractions on the horizon.