Saints Sideline Blog

SAINTS IN STYLE

Saturday, August 6th, 2011      Email Print

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DATELINE: METAIRIE, LA 8/6/11 (Free Agents loving New Orleans)

There was a time in the not so distant past that many free agents didn't want to come to New Orleans. Draft picks weren't sure about the stability post Katrina either, where they walked into team headquarters wondering what was in store. It was the culture that Sean Payton inherited and makes what he has done in his six years that much more amazing. The past week of frantic free agent signing have proven its a new era of acceptance for this franchise where this team has attracted some of the most respected veterans and done so by coming in late and snatching them from other quality teams.

Center Olin Kreutz is the perfect example. Here is a six time pro bowler who turned down more money with the Bears, had several options elsewhere but the 13 year veteran decided the Saints were his best destination because of the direction of this franchise. There is no doubt Drew Brees is a draw with his leadership and the Super Bowl ring on his finger hardly hurts. Veterans like Kreutz see the unity this team has displayed by its offseason team workouts at Tulane which were without peer. How bad did Kreutz wanna be with New Orleans??----he cancelled a flight on Friday so he could jump in with both feet and practice with the team that afternoon.

Aubrayo Franklin is Exhibit B. The veteran from the Niners was a popular catch and saw the Saints come out of the bullpen to be the ultimate closer in his deal. Sure the Tennessee native likes playing closer to home but the key to signing up with the Saints was winning. " Real attractive. These guys are fresh off a Super Bowl win a couple of years ago. Drew Brees is a great quarterback, great offense and the defense is good. I just felt like I could come here and contribute this year." High praise, something this organization didn't hear six years ago but are hearing often these days.

Shaun Rogers also falls in line with Franklin and Kreutz but takes it a step further. Rogers sought out the Saints pre-lockout and obviously Mickey Loomis and company liked what he had to say.The biggest Saint on the roster told me this week he would have signed with New Orleans pre or post lockout. The 11th year veteran has never played with a winner in his dog days with Cleveland and Detroit---its obvious the Saints appeal for a championship drove him to the Big Easy.

Rogers, Franklin and Kreutz have something else in common. All three vets signed a ONE year deal with the Saints. Its something Payton has no problem with. " Well if a guy has something to prove, and wants to prove it here this year and hit free agency the next, we completely understand that. We have been successful with guys like that." The Head Saint sure has --winning with a formula of plugging in the "right" veterans with a youthful nucleus. Payton bottled it into a Super season two years ago, a formula which has promise to come up big again---something that seemed highly unlikely just a few short years ago.

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

IVORY ON THE MEND---Last year's leading rusher Chris Ivory hasn't practiced with the team this camp and the Saints are taking steps to get him back on the field. Friday he was in Philadelphia where he underwent surgery for a sports hernia. Ivory also is dealing with a foot injury. Payton told us he can rehab "both" in the coming weeks where optimistically they would like to see Ivory back in action in three weeks.

TENNANT IS PATIENT: I had a chance to talk to Saints center Matt Tennant after practice and he said Olin Kreutz is a player he has looked up to and studied for years. While he didn't express disappointment in the signing, Matt is ready to work and still fight for playing time. Sean Payton echoed that and says he feels Tennant has a bright future with the team.

JENKINS VS INGRAM: It happens in camp ---the monotony of the drills leads to some frustration. The first signs are Safety Malcolm Jenkins taking exception with the hard running of the rookie Mark Ingram. While the two had to be separated at times the first week, Jenkins told me he respects the rookie's moxie saying "He's got a little dog in him, I like that."

QB GAMES: Brees and Chase Daniel are always finding new way to compete. Friday's practice saw the two using the football as a bowling ball---judging by Brees's reaction I think he had the most strikes??

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT: I get the feeling these Saints are flying under the radar nationally. Only two national reporters have been in camp thus far (Albert Breer/NFL Network & Ed Werder /ESPN). With the talk of the dream team in Philly, the defending champion Packers and the always hyped up Cowboys---the Who Dats are in the background.  Many preseason magazines have the Falcons winning the division and some have the youthful Bucs in second place in front of the black and gold. Sean Payton wouldn't have it any other way.

UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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