Drew Brees has addressed the punishments handed down in the NFL's "bounty" investigation for the first time. The quarterback expressed support for coach Sean Payton and admitted that it hurt him to see the team's reputation damaged. "The entire team loves our coach. We'd do anything for him and certainly are with him during this time," Brees said. "Just understanding how difficult it is and we're all trying to get through it. We're hoping for the best." "It's really tough, because we're all a family," he added. "To have some of the things said about us as a team and our coach and our accomplishment, those things hurt. It's been tough for all of us.

Saints coach Sean Payton will file an appeal of his one-year suspension Friday, according to a league source. He will also ask for the commissioner's guidance on the ban's parameters. Roger Goodell has said Payton has until Monday to appeal and, if he does, he could stay on as coach pending an expedited hearing.

The Saints aren't rushing to replace Sean Payton, who has been suspended for the 2012 season. Bill Parcells hasn't been officially offered the position, but New Orleans has been flirting with him. However, that didn't stop former NFL coach Herm Edwards from lambasting the Saints in light of the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head-coaching positions. "It makes it a little bit of a scam now," Edwards said. "That's the shame of it all. Sean Payton opening his mouth like he did, he really reflects that this thing is going to become a sham if Bill Parcells takes this job. Because if you do decide to interview a minority, you're going to go with Bill Parcells. You've already said, 'This is our coach.' That's the shame of it all. It puts (NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell) in another bind."

If the Saints asked Bill Parcells to be interim head coach during Sean Payton's suspension, the 2011 Hall of Fame finalist says he would be a "hypocrite" if he didn't at least consider the possibility. "If the opportunity presents itself, I'll think it over and clearly I'm in some phase of the process without knowing whether it's going to become a reality," Parcells told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen by phone on Wednesday.

Saints coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis are scheduled to meet with Bill Parcells on Tuesday. The team wants to gauge Parcells' interest in coaching the team while Payton serves a one-year suspension in the wake of the team's bounty controversy. An NFL source said Monday night that he would be "shocked" if Parcells took the Saints job, largely because he likely would have to wait five more years to be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame if he returned to coaching.

Sean Payton has broached the idea of having Bill Parcells become interim head coach of the Saints during his suspension for the 2012 season, according to multiple sources. Sources say Payton and Parcells have spoken multiple times since his suspension was announced. Sources familiar with Parcells offer mixed opinions as to whether he would be tempted to fill Payton's shoes during the suspension if presented with a formal offer. "As a friend of Sean's and a football guy, I'm sure he'd consider it but they're talking about a lot of things," said one source about Parcells. "In the end, I don't think it would happen. It makes sense but it's complicated."

Saints coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis are planning to attend this week's NFL owners meetings in Palm Beach, according to a source. The two men were not expected to attend with their suspensions as a result of the NFL's bounty investigation looming. Payton is suspended for a year, beginning April 1, while Loomis is banned from the team's first eight regular-season games.

FOX Sports is open to the possibility of hiring Sean Payton as an analyst for NFC games this season. The Saints coach has been suspended for the 2012 season following the bounty controversy in New Orleans. "Our feeling about Sean is that he's bright, articulate and obviously contemporary," said Lou D'Ermilio, FOX's senior vice president for communications. "Any network with NFL rights would have to consider it."

The Saints have reached agreement on a five-year deal with linebacker Curtis Lofton. He led the Falcons in tackles last season with 147. He also had a career-best two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. "Curtis is a versatile, hard-working player that has displayed a knack for being around the football, and more importantly, making plays on the ball," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement. "He has the ability to play all three linebacker positions and we feel that he's just entering the prime of his career. We think he can come to New Orleans and fit in well and provide us with a significant contribution to our defense."

Sean Payton released the following statement about his suspension for his role in the Saints' bounty program. "I share and fully support the League’s concerns and goals on player safety. It is, and should be paramount. Respecting our great game and the NFL shield is extremely important to me. "Our organization will implement all necessary protections and protocols, and I will be more vigilant going forward. "I am sorry for what has happened and as head coach take full responsibility. Finally, I want to thank Mr. Benson, our players and all Saints fans for their overwhelming support."