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          NFL Nation

          Saints have fun on Twitter after Steelers 'steal' their celebration

          • Mike Triplett, ESPN Staff WriterNov 17, 2017, 05:00 PM
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            • Covered Saints for eight years at New Orleans Times-Picayune
            • Previously covered LSU football, San Francisco 49ers
            • Iowa native and University of Iowa graduate
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          METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints' remarkable defensive resurgence has come with a signature celebration.

          The defensive players all rush together after big plays and pose for a simulated group photo -- a tradition started a few weeks ago by veteran linebacker Craig Robertson, who said they did something similar when he was with the Cleveland Browns.

          So, naturally, Saints players took to Twitter on Thursday night when they felt like their celebration was being robbed by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, which also began doing the group photo celebration in the past week or so.

          When told of the Saints’ Twitter reaction, Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree said kiddingly, "Saints are doing it too? Saints must want some smoke. They want to be like us. ... Nah, Saints are a good team. It’s just fun to do when you see something happen, you can get a picture for Instagram, picture for your fam. It’s a great time."

          The Saints can’t be too upset about the thievery. Another part of the Saints’ group celebration is that their defensive backs have started referring to themselves as the “Boonk gang” after a notorious internet personality who performs stunts and steals items on YouTube videos. The idea? That they’re “thieves in the night” who like to steal the ball away from offenses.

          The Saints’ 13 takeaways during their seven-game win streak are tied for the fourth-most in the NFL from Weeks 3-10.

          ESPN Steelers reporter Jeremy Fowler contributed to this story.