Saints show enthusiasm during first training camp practice

METAIRIE – The grind of training camp got under way Thursday, but the New Orleans Saints players seemed to embrace it.

“Everyone is excited to be back,” All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan said after the two-hour workout in shells and shorts. “Who wouldn’t want to be out here?”

Coach Sean Payton called the practice “more like an OTA,” meaning the focus was on mental preparation and getting the players ready for full-speed practices in pads, which begin Saturday.

“The start of training camp is the fun part,” linebacker Craig Robertson said. “The hard part is doing the same thing every day. That’s when you lean on your teammates to make it fun.”

Quarterback Drew Brees started his 18^th training camp and 13^th with New Orleans.

“I’m still having a lot of fun,” Brees said. “Every year is a new year, it’s a new challenge, it’s a new team. A lot of the same challenges and same goals and aspirations that you start every training camp with, but there’s always new dynamics and new circumstances and new guys that you’re trying to get used to.

“And (there’s) just that same level of excitement, though, and anticipation for what we can be. This is where we build it, this is where we establish our identity, and (I’m) just excited to get started.”

Ingram ready to go

RB Mark Ingram won’t be able to play in a regular-season game until Oct. 8 because of a four-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing drugs.

But the suspension doesn’t affect his participation in training camp or the upcoming preseason games.

“I’m here every day and I’m busting my butt preparing myself to have the best season of my career,” said Ingram, who is coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. “I won’t be there for the first four games, but I’m striving to get better every day.”

Brees has new look

Brees is well known for his exceptional preparation and that was demonstrated by a new helmet he’s wearing this season.

The NFL is outlawing the type of helmet Brees has been wearing and will require a switch to a new one next season in an attempt to reduce concussions. But Bees isn’t one to wait until the last minute.

“I’m trying to move into the 21st century here,” Brees said. “Turns out my helmet’s on the banned list as of next year, so I tried to pre-emptively get out ahead of that.”

Brees said he tried to change helmets a few years ago, but changed his mind.

“I remember (wide receiver) Lance Moore, he was looking at me, and right when I stepped in the huddle, and he kind of stood up and gave me this look like ‘Bro, I can’t take you serious wearing that helmet,'” Brees said. “I was like, ‘All right, forget it, get this out of here.'”

Brees said Moore, who is retired and will be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in September, has seen the new helmet.

“This one’s Lance Moore approved,” Brees said.

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Payton remembers Tony Sparano

Payton was scheduled to leave Thursday evening to attend a memorial service for Vikings offensive line coach and former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano, who died surprisingly on Sunday.

The two coaches were assistants together in Dallas for three seasons. Payton said they were hired on the same day and had adjoining offices.

“He was probably one of the two or three closest friends I had in the game,” Payton said. “He was a tremendous coach, a great person. He was great with his players. It’s sad and it’s something that still seems a little bit surreal. A group of us will go up there tonight and be at his funeral tomorrow.

“He spoke to our team the day before the Super Bowl. We practiced in Miami on that Saturday on the field (at Dolphin Stadium). It was more of a light practice but afterwards he shared a few words with our players and he and his wife have always been close friends of my family. He’ll be missed.”

Payton said he tried to hire Sparano with the Saints “several times.”

Aranda watches closely

LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda was a spectator at practice, observing how the Saints do things and reviewing tape to see if he can pick up any tips that will be helpful to the Tigers. He said he reached out to linebackers coach Mike Nolan, under whom he served a coaching internship when Nolan was an assistant with Denver, and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

“Prior to the start of the season, we always look at what people are doing, what are the reasons why they’re doing it, how they’re doing it, is that better than what we’re doing?” Aranda said. “And if it is, let’s do that. We have to look at it that way because otherwise I just feel like things pass you by.”

Medical update

OL Andrus Peat (fibula/ankle) participated on a limited basis after being sidelined during the offseason program. … DE Alex Okafor (Achilles) and WR Cameron Meredith (knee) practiced, though they will be monitored as they return from major surgeries. … Jordan (foot) and fellow end and rookie No. 1 draft choice Marcus Davenport (thumb) weren’t restricted. … Backup QB Tom Savage left practice early and walked to the training room with two members of the medical staff. Savage didn’t show any signs of distress, but he didn’t return.