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METAIRIE, La. --?New Orleans Saints veterans Drew Brees and Zach Strief expressed concerns Monday that the growing mistrust in the NFL league office has spilled over from the players to the fans and is hurting the leagues popularity.We feel like [the decline in TV ratings] is a direct result, said Brees, who has been an outspoken critic of the way NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has handled controversial issues such as the Bountygate investigation of the Saints, the Deflategate investigation of the Patriots, and the Ray Rice and Josh Brown domestic violence investigations.I know the players dont have any faith in the way that things are conducted within the front office in the NFL -- certainly when it comes to any type of investigation, when it comes to any type of commissioner discipline, Brees said. Its really kind of a joke at this point, unfortunately. And it shouldnt be like that.Brees and Strief spoke to ESPN after the Saints players had their annual in-season meeting with NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith. They agreed that the NFLs declining TV ratings could be a result of probably a buildup over the last few years.Its hard to separate em. It all works together, said Strief, who is in his final year as the Saints player representative. The NFL front office has seemed to have found a way to make everything somewhat contentious. It feels like theres this constant assault on the players, like were two entities. Its like they dont think they need us to do this.?And I think over time, as its constantly in the media and its constantly a public issue, I think the fans start to feel a similar way. Its just a constant contentious issue. When you take Brady and say it affected Tom Brady and it affected the New England Patriots, well the fans feel like theyre a part of that. It does affect them and it does affect their team and it does affect how you feel about the league, and it does turn you off.?At the end of the day, the relationship between the front office and the people who are not in the front office has probably never been worse.The Saints comments echoed those of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, who last week blamed Goodell and the NFL for making the NFL no fun anymore, including imposing strict rules against player celebrations.Brees mentioned the crackdown on player celebrations as another factor that may have turned fans off in recent years.Brees, who was an outspoken critic of Colin Kaepernicks decision to protest during the national anthem, also acknowledged that such protests could be a turn-off to fans.I think its just been a culmination of a lot of things over the last three years that unfortunately might have just turned people off or caused them to be less engaged, said Brees, a former player rep and a former member of the NFLPAs executive committee, who said his hope when he first joined the NFLPA was that there would be a partnership between the players and the league office to move the game forward.And unfortunately weve never felt that feeling reciprocated from their end, Brees said. In fact its very much been a, Were gonna do things behind closed doors. And you just kind of believe what we tell you. And unfortunately thats jumped up and bit us, and I named all those cases ... where you certainly cant trust anything thats coming out of the league office at this point.Listen, we as players want the best for this league. This league has so many great things to offer ... and for a long time the fans were really enjoying it. And now it seems like thats taken a hit. And it really feels like its been the culmination of the last few years and the way the business of football is being run in the front office. Thats the concerning part at this point for us. Air Max 720 Edizione Limitata . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Nike Tn Offerte . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. http://www.airmaxshoponlineitalia.it/scontate-lebron-james-outlet.html .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Nike Air Max 95 Offerte Uomo . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Air Max 270 Outlet . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference.Southampton captain Jose Fonte has been passed fit to make the trip to face Aston Villa on Saturday. The Portuguese defender was forced off with a head injury before half-time during their 1-1 draw at Everton last weekend, but has been cleared to play for Ronald Koemans side at Villa Park.Aston Villa will play at home for the first time since having their relegation confirmed, with caretaker boss Eric Black hoping to arrest a run of nine straight league defeats. Southampton, meanwhile, will be hoping for a victory to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League next season alive. They currently sit eighth in the table, three points behind Liverpool in seventh. Although Jurgen Klopps side have a game in hand. Eric Black will be hoping to arrest a run of nine straight defeats Team newsBlack has revealed Kieran Richardson and Ciaran Clark are both doubts for clash with Southampton. Both players are struggling with niggling injuries and will be assessed ahead of the game.As well as Fonte, midfielder Victor Wanyama is also fit to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.Fonte (head) and Wanyama (ribs) were both taken to hospital following the draw with Everton but have passed fitness tests.Charlie Austin and Florin Gardos (both knee) remain on the sidelines. Southampton were held to a 1-1 draw vy Villa in the reverse fixture in December Opta statsAston Villa have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches against Southampton (D3 L3).Last season, Sadio Mane scored the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history when they played against Aston Villa at St. Marys (2m 56s).Mane has scored three goals in his last four Premier League games for Southampton; this after a run of 19 league appearances without scoring.There have been just seven goals scored in the last six Premier League meetings between Villa and Saints at Villa Park. Mane scored a the fastest Premier League hat-trick against Aston Villa last season Shane Long has scored five goals in his last six Premier League appearances against Aston Villa.In fact, Long has netted more goals (five) against Aston Villa than he has mustered against any other Premier League opponent.Aston Villa have won just two of their last 18 Premier League home games (D4 L12) annd lost the last five in a row.dddddddddddd They have never lost six consecutively at home in their history.In those last five matches at Villa Park, the already relegated club have scored just two goals and conceded 17.Graziano Pelle has had a hand in seven goals in his last five Premier League appearances for Saints (four goals, three assists).Aston Villa have spent a league-low 184 minutes in the lead in Premier League matches this season.Mersons predictionsWhat score do you want? I cant see anything other than a Southampton win. I felt sorry for Joleon Lescott in the week because his comments about relegation being a relief were not meant like that. He meant the club could concentrate on bouncing back next season, so a lot of the criticism he received was unwarranted. Villa should give the kids a chance and see what theyre like ahead of next season - see who can be kept and who cant.Paul predicts: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 5/1) Aston Villas relegation was confirmed last weekend BettingUnderdogs Aston Villa are 11/2 with Sky Bet to give the Villa Park faithful something to shout about by recording a win against 8/15 shots Southampton. While Villa are down the Saints still have plenty to play for with a top six place up for grabs and are 16/1 shots to do so.The last two meetings at Villa Park have ended in draws and another stalemate is available at 29/10. Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas doesnt think it will be close this time and is tipping Southampton to win 3-0 at 17/2 and Saido Mane and Graziano Pelle both to score at 5/1.Get the latest odds and tips from our Sky Sports pundits here. Jamie Redknapp joins Ed Chamberlain to preview all Saturdays action in the Premier League. ' ' '