Professor

Coach Sean Payton says the Saints are well aware that they won't win this season just because they did last year.

excerpt:

JACKSON, MISS. -- Appearing tanned and relaxed after a beach vacation on the Florida Gulf Coast, Saints Coach Sean Payton sat down for his first training camp press conference Thursday night, a smiling billboard offering 2007's mantra.

Earn It.

Payton's T-shirt bearing the succinct slogan that, he said, was the brainchild of the team's marketing department, merely reiterates what Payton has told his football team since it convened in early spring for the offseason training activities.

"When you come off of last season," Payton said, "I think the thing you try to guard against, and I've mentioned this before, is the idea that we're going to pick up where we left off. I think the players understand this. Our message as coaches is 'There's nothing promised this year as a result of last season.' "

Coming off the most successful year in franchise history and a first-ever appearance in the NFC Championship game, the 2007 Saints take the practice field in full pads for the first time this morning, the 2006 season, in Payton's mind, a distant albeit treasured memory.

"I think we're mature enough, and we've got the right guys in the locker room, to understand how difficult it is to win in this league," Payton said. "And to understand the challenges we have this year, starting with the first game of the season (against the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts). That's a credit to the type of players we have.

"I think they understand that. They understand there's a fine line in getting to the postseason, getting to the Super Bowl and coming up short. As coaches, we point those things out, but I feel comfortable they're ready to start with a new challenge. I feel comfortable this team understands it's a new season. The goal we set out for, we fell short of. Those are lofty expectations. Yet those are the right type of goals you set. I think our players understand that, and we'll be able to handle that. But you start from scratch."

The Saints actually took the first steps of that new beginning Thursday.

In the morning, players participated in the conditioning drills, a series of shuttle runs they must complete in a specified time, depending upon their position.

Everyone who took part in the drills, Payton said, finished, although not everyone met their required times.


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