P-Rez25

For the first time in several years, the Saints may have a real kicking duel in training camp this summer.



The Saints re-signed kicker Martin Gramatica to a one-year, $730,000 contract last week and will likely pit him against incumbent Olindo Mare when the team reports for training camp in late July.


Gramatica kicked in the final three games in 2007 after Mare, 34, partially dislocated his right hip while making a tackle on a kickoff in the final moments of a game with the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 10.


Mare, who struggled most of last season after being acquired from the Miami Dolphins in an off-season trade, was placed on injured reserve and eventually had surgery. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said Mare is progressing well and should be ready for the team's first minicamp.


Gramatica, 32, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent later this month, but coach Sean Payton said in his final news conference of the season that he wanted both veteran kickers back in 2008.


While Mare connected on just 10 of 17 field-goal attempts, Payton said the 12-year veteran had been kicking much better just before he was injured. He also pulled a groin muscle early in the season, but eventually fought through that and improved while showing a strong leg on kickoffs.


"I thought Mare was playing his better football in the last couple of weeks prior to his injury," Payton said.


Meanwhile, Gramatica wowed the Saints after being brought in for a workout in October and again in December. He nailed all five of his field-goal attempts in the team's final three games -- including a 55-yarder against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. That kick tied his career long.


"My initial thought would be to have a chance to look at both of them compete," Payton said when the season ended. "I was very pleased with some of the kicks that Martin made for us in just a short period of time. We'll see where Olindo is at with the injury, and we expect him to be fully recovered. But they will be given every opportunity to compete."


Notes, Quotes
• Saints coach Sean Payton hired two assistant coaches last week, which appears to complete his staff for the 2008 season.


Payton added running backs coach Aaron Kromer and assistant defensive line coach Travis Jones to take the places of George Henshaw and Dennis Allen, respectively. Henshaw wasn't retained and Allen was promoted to defensive backs coach.


Kromer has been an offensive line coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders for seven years, serving as senior assistant/offensive line coach for the Bucs the last two seasons. While in the college ranks, Kromer coached with Payton at Miami (Ohio) in 1994 and '95.


Jones comes to the Saints from the Miami Dolphins, where he was a defensive assistant from 2005-07. He has coached defensive ends and linebackers in the pros. Before that, he was the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at LSU from 2003-04, helping the Tigers win the BCS national championship in his first year there.


Payton has replaced four assistants from last season -- Henshaw, special teams coordinator John Bonamego, defensive backs coach Tom Hayes and defensive line coach Marion Hobby. He hired Ed Orgeron to take Hobby's place, promoted Greg McMahon to Bonamego's spot and moved Allen into Hayes' spot.


• Saints vice president of football administration Russ Ball has left the team to take a job with the Green Bay Packers, general manager Mickey Loomis announced Wednesday.


Ball, who has been with the Saints since 2002, will become the Packers' vice president of football administration/player finance with an opportunity to become the franchise's primary contract negotiator.


With the Saints, Ball's main duties included managing and monitoring the salary cap, contract negotiations and roster management. He also made sure the team was in compliance with NFL and Management Council regulations.


Before joining the Saints, Ball worked for the Minnesota Vikings (1999-2000) and Washington Redskins (2001) in a similar capacity.


"This is a promotion for Russ, and we've always taken the approach that we are supportive when our people have an opportunity to better themselves," Loomis said in a statement.


• Saints running back Reggie Bush and NBA star Shaquille O'Neal are teaming up this week in the ongoing efforts to rebuild New Orleans more than 2 1/2 years after Hurricane Katrina.


Bush and O'Neal are hosting "Welcome to New Orleans," an event from which proceeds will benefit several charities in the city, including A Child's Wish, the Father T Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity during NBA All-Star Weekend.


Bush and O'Neal, who played his college basketball about 70 miles from New Orleans at LSU, will co-host the Big Easy Billiards Bash & After Party on Friday night in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Grand Ballroom.


"This is a great city with great people," said Bush. "With the corporate and media attention that New Orleans will get during the NBA All-Star game, we wanted to make sure that there was a focus on helping the people that will be here when the parties and games are over."


"This whole weekend is about people being in New Orleans for New Orleans," added O'Neal. "We wanted to show people coming together, celebrating what has been done and remembering that there's still a lot to do."


• While the regular season is still seven months away, the Saints currently have the seventh-lowest odds among NFC teams to win Super Bowl XLIII, according to BodogLife.com.


The Saints are listed at 35-to-1, with the Dallas Cowboys ranking as the conference favorites at 7-1. They are followed by the New York Giants (12-1) and Green Bay Packers (14-1). The Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears are all lumped together at 30-1.


The New England Patriots are the overall favorites at 3-1, with the San Diego Chargers at 7-1 and Indianapolis Colts at 8-1 being the second and third choices.


Quote To Note: "Russ (Ball) has been a valuable part of our organization, but it speaks well for our club and our philosophy when other NFL teams are interested in our employees. We wish Russ well in his future endeavors." -- Saints GM Mickey Loomis, on vice president of football administration Russ Ball leaving to join the Green Bay Packers.


Strategy And Personnel
The Saints may have filled out their coaching staff with the hiring of Aaron Kromer as their running backs coach and assistant defensive line coach Travis Jones last week.


The only other spot the Saints may have an opening at is assistant special teams coach. Greg McMahon served in that capacity under special teams coordinator John Bonamego, but was promoted to the top spot when Bonamego took a similar position with the Miami Dolphins.


TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY


The Saints aren't expected to use the franchise tag this season with only six starters and 10 other players scheduled to become free agents on Feb. 29.


The biggest names on their list of potential free agents are center Jeff Faine, who has anchored an offensive line that has allowed just 39 sacks in the last two seasons, and defensive tackle Brian Young.


Saints coach Sean Payton indicated in his postseason news conference he would like to bring back his three free agent wide receivers -- David Patten, Devery Henderson and Terrance Copper -- but otherwise hasn't talked much about free agency.


He said he would like to add some young impact players to the defense, but that was a given considering the Saints ranked 26th in total yards allowed and 30th against the pass last season.


1. Cornerback: The Saints struggled all season against the pass, especially with the deep ball, and a top-flight corner would certainly help.


2. Linebacker: Strong-side linebacker Scott Fujita is solid, but the Saints will look to bring in some new blood for the middle or weak-side through free agency or the draft.


3. Defensive tackle: While they improved against the run this season, the Saints need to get stronger in the middle -- especially if potential unrestricted free agent Brian Young doesn't return.


MEDICAL WATCH


• LCB Mike McKenzie had surgery to repair a torn right ACL in late December, but is progressing nicely with his rehab in Birmingham, Ala., according to agent Drew Rosenhaus.


• RB Deuce McAllister, who went down with a torn left ACL in Week 3, could be ready for training camp after having surgery in late September.


• TE Mark Campbell had back surgery early in the 2007 season and likely will be ready for off-season strength and conditioning work this spring.


• PK Olindo Mare had surgery on his right hip late in the 2007 season, but should be ready for the first minicamp, agent Drew Rosenhaus said.


FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• S Jay Bellamy was a 14-year veteran last season and as such probably doesn't figure into the team's plans for 2008.


• WR Terrance Copper caught just 15 passes in 2007 after a big year in 2006, but coach Sean Payton has said he would like to have him back.


• C Jeff Faine has been the anchor of the offensive line the past two seasons and will likely receive an offer to return.


• S Steve Gleason is a special teams headhunter who missed last season after having knee surgery in June and it's unknown if he'll be re-signed.


• C/G Jonathan Goodwin is a valuable backup who performed well when called on to play and will likely be offered a contract by the Saints.


• WR Devery Henderson has had his ups and downs since joining the Saints in 2004, but his numbers were down last season mainly because of drops. Yet, Payton has said he'd like to have him back.


• TE Eric Johnson gave the Saints a nice receiving threat with 48 catches, but was injured late in the season although they likely want him back.


• QB Jamie Martin hasn't seen a lot of playing time behind Drew Brees and likely will be offered a chance to remain with the team.


• TE Billy Miller has shown toughness as a willing blocker and also caught 27 passes last season. As a result, he could be part of the team's plans in '08.


• G Jamar Nesbit has started 32 straight games at left guard since Payton took over, but it's a tossup as to whether they bring him back.


• WR David Patten was a major contributor at the age of 33 with 54 catches for 792 yards and three TDs last season and will likely be back in 2008.


• MLB Mark Simoneau is a two-year starter who ranked second on the team last season with 97 tackles, but the Saints could look to upgrade this spot.


• RB Aaron Stecker has been invaluable as a third-down back and special teams player. But he'll turn 33 midway through next season and the Saints may have his successor in Pierre Thomas.


• CB Fred Thomas was a healthy inactive for nine games last season and it would be a real shock if he were offered a contract.


• DL Renaldo Wynn played well after being signed off the street early in the season and will likely be asked back after finishing with 3 1/2 sacks.


• DT Brian Young finished the season on injured reserve with a rare form of pneumonia and may or may not be offered a contract.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• LB Matt McCoy is a player who performed mostly on special teams after being signed at midseason, but it's not known if he'll receiver a tender.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS


• DE Josh Cooper is a capable backup who's played a lot in the rotation the last two seasons.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED


• K Martin Gramatica: Potential UFA; $730,000/1 yr.



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