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Saints Football News, Schedule, Pictures and Players

AP Photo / Morry Gash, FileBrett Favre is headed to New York, not Tampa.

Today's look around the NFC South reveals Tampa Bay missing out on a Hall of Fame quarterback, while the Panthers continue to muddle through the Steve Smith mess.

Courtesy: Chris Jenkins
The Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Brett Favre's journey from retirement and back has finally ended - in New York.

GLENDALE, ARIZ. -- Tonight, Robert Meachem will get a second chance to make a first impression.

Meachem, the New Orleans Saints' second-year receiver, said he can't wait to take the field in the preseason opener at Arizona, where he finally can put his lost rookie season behind him.

FIRST QUARTER �
Two years ago, Reggie Bush cranked the hype even higher when he broke off a 44-yard run in the preseason opener at Tennessee. He needs another highlight like that to get people believing again. Tonight will be the first real opportunity to see how fast and fluid Bush looks heading into Year 3, because the Saints don't do much full-speed, full-contact work in practice.

Staff / Times-PicayuneSean Payton is ready to get started.

JACKSON, MISS. -- For the first time since the New Orleans Saints concluded the 2007 season with a 33-25 loss at Chicago, they will get to butt heads with someone who isn't wearing the same uniform or sharing the same locker room.

And for one, Coach Sean Payton is interested to see how his team -- rookies and veterans alike -- responds when it opens the preseason tonight against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

JACKSON, MISS. - The New Orleans Saints went through a brief 45-minute walkthrough session, which was geared to ensure the players knew the substitution packages heading into Thursday's preseason opener at Arizona. After the practice, the team prepared to fly to Arizona for the game against the Cardinals.

AP Photo / Rick HavnerCadillac Williams wants to excel again in Tampa.

Today's look around the NFC South focuses on the Caddie trying to get his tires right, a loss of a promising youngster in Atlanta and more fallout from the Steve Smith fight in Carolina.

Courtesy: Fred Goodall
The Associated Press

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- There were days when Carnell "Cadillac" Williams wondered if he'd ever walk normally again, let alone resume his football career.

AP Photo / FileIs Favre Batman? I say no, but it's close.

We've talked and talked about this whole Brett Favre thing until we're blue in the face. The funny thing is, just when we think we're done, we get pulled right back in.

Thank Favre himself for that. Or if you like, blame USA Today, which today reported Favre is exploring a trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

I could go on and on about how selfish he is, or how clueless the Packers are, but instead, I'm going to go ahead and link Favre to America's other obsession this summer: 'The Dark Knight.' And if that makes no sense on the surface, well forgive me ... this Favre drama has weakened my powers of discourse to the levels of "Favre bad, me want cookie."

Saints quarterback Drew Brees and the rest of the first-team offense and defensive players likely will play a quarter in the team's preseason opener at Arizona on Thursday night, according to Coach Sean Payton.

Payton said after Brees gets in a set number of plays, backup quarterback Mark Brunell will take over, followed by Tyler Palko, who is expected to play most or all of the second half.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Defensive ends: For years, this has been the strength of the Saints' defense, and they should be even better with the addition of free-agent pass rushing specialist Bobby McCray. McCray will rotate with starters Will Smith and Charles Grant, primarily during obvious passing downs, when Grant will shift inside to tackle. Smith and Grant are hoping to return to a Pro Bowl level of play after both had down seasons last year. Backups Josh Savage, Marcus Pittman and Jeremy Geathers are roster long shots, but they have an opportunity at a shallow position.

The Saints scaled things back today, practicing just once in the afternoon for less than two hours. They began preparing for Thursday night's preseason opener at Arizona by lining up the scout-team offenses and defenses during team drills.

Today, they will have an abbreviated walk-through from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. before flying west early in the afternoon.

JACKSON, MISS. - Jonathan Goodwin kept waiting for the disappointing news to come.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
MIDDLE LINEBACKERS: Jonathan Vilma is expected to inject a new level of speed and athleticism into the Saints' defense. But first he needs to beat out stubborn veteran Mark Simoneau for the job. Vilma hasn't fully recovered yet from last year's knee surgery, though he has flashed some impressive playmaking ability when he's on the field. Second-year backup Marvin Mitchell has had some highlights in camp and is practically a lock to make the roster -- primarily as a special teamer.

JACKSON, MISS. - Let's set aside, if we can for a few minutes, the issues we may have with Rickey Jackson.

JACKSON, MISS. - Deuce McAllister practiced again this afternoon - his first day of double-duty so far in camp this year. That's another good sign for the veteran tailback, who has been progressing smoothly for the last week.

AP Photo / Chuck BurtonSteve Smith is offering an apology for his fight with teammate Ken Lucas.

Today's look around the NFC South sees a sorrowful Steve Smith trying to make amends in Carolina, a happy veteran in Atlanta and an ousted quarterback not willing to give his spot up without a fight.

Courtesy: Mike Cranston
The Associated Press

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- A subdued Steve Smith apologized to his Carolina Panthers' teammates, coaches and fans Monday, three days after he punched teammate Ken Lucas at practice, leaving the starting cornerback with a broken nose that will require surgery.

JACKSON, MISS. - The Saints' front seven stood out on Monday morning, especially during a full-speed goal-line drill which featured some rare live tackling.

JACKSON, MISS. -- Psychologically, there are many things that can motivate a professional athlete.

Money. Fame. Adulation.

For Saints outside linebacker Scott Fujita, there are two distinct emotions.

Fear. Insecurity.

JACKSON, MISS. -- It's a given the Saints have a decent shot to win the NFC South this season for an obvious reason.

JACKSON, MISS. -- First-round draft choice Sedrick Ellis was alternating into Saturday's scrimmage at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium with the New Orleans Saints starting lineup, less than a week after signing his first contract.

JACKSON, MISS. -- It wasn't the kind of day, with the thermometer reading 97 degrees and the heat index at 105, when a player might be able to make the 53-man roster based on his performance in a controlled scrimmage.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Outside linebackers: It looks like Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle probably will keep their starting spots.

I don't think a lot of the fans really understand how time consuming camp is. They come out and see us for two practices a day, which we really enjoy, because it makes practice go by faster having them out there. But when they're not seeing us, we're in meetings or lifting weights or eating lunch or going to meetings again. We're basically going from about 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. straight through.

JACKSON, MISS. -- Some observations from Saturday's team scrimmage at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium:

JACKSON, MISS. -- In the past two years during training camp at Millsaps College, Coach Sean Payton has often joked he controls the weather -- primarily keeping the rain away -- by remote control from his dorm room.

JACKSON, MISS. -- Now a week into training camp, the Saints will get the opportunity in today's scheduled scrimmage to see what they've learned on both sides of the ball, and whether the defense has taken the steps necessary to improve.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Safeties.

JACKSON, MISS. -- Put the question to Mark Brunell, and the words pour out

CHUCK COOK / THE TIMES-PICAYUNERunning back Reggie Bush makes a leaping catch while being guarded by cornerback Usama Young at Friday's practice.

JACKSON, MISS. -- The weather cleared up, Friday afternoon's practice went on as scheduled and receiver Robert Meachem showed off in team drills.

Staff / Times-PicayuneRobert Meachem is looking for a big second year.

With so much going on in the New Orleans sports community, it's easy to lose sight of things.

That's where NOLA.com comes in. David Gladow offers a weekend preview of sorts every Friday at noon in the form of a live chat with the New Orleans community.

Want to talk about the Hornets' latest moves or the upcoming Saints season? Want to vent your frustrations over the Zephyrs' losing? This is your time to sound off. Send in your questions and comments, and Dave will touch on your hot topics every week.