Darnell Dinkins News

Welcome to this week's first installment of the New Orleans Saints Mailbag . A variety of interesting subjects are discussed today, including the team's recent struggles, leaky pass protection, Coach Sean Payton's philosophy on injuries and the always popular topic of play-calling. It's not too late to submit questions if you have them.

Almost lost in the New Orleans Saints ' stirring comeback win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday was the fact the Saints turned the Dolphins ' ballyhooed Wildcat into a Mildcat.

Said Will Smith, right, celebrating with fellow defensive end Charles Grant, 'Coach Payton pointed out that statistically all teams coming off a bye week miss a lot of tackles and commit a lot of turnovers.

The Saints ' primary focus during the offseason was turning their defense into a championship-caliber unit.

Saints tight end Darnell Dinkins and defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy were inactive once again Sunday for New Orleans' home game against the New York Giants.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas NEW ORLEANS Just got the inactives and we've got a couple of points of interest for the Saints.

The Giants defeated Oakland last week, 44-7, while the Saints had a bye. New Orleans defeated the Jets, 24-10, in its most recent game.

Returning to the Saints from a four-game suspension after testing positive for a banned stimulant, kicker Garrett Hartley is trying to work his way back into what has been a very successful special teams mix.

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy returned to practice fulltime Wednesday, suggesting he could be available for Sunday's showdown against the New York Giants at the Superdome.

A fast start hasn't always guaranteed success for the New Orleans Saints. But it sure can't hurt.

The New Orleans Saints played fewer defensive linemen and got more productivity from them in their 27-7 victory at Buffalo on Sunday.

The New Orleans Saints, 4-0 for just the third time in the team's history, earned a well-deserved day off from Head Coach Sean Payton today at the beginning of their bye week before returning to practice tomorrow at the team's Metairie headquarters.

Scott was playing for the Baltimore Ravens in 2006 when he wrapped up Bush by the ankles and tossed them aside.

No one has to tell veteran kicker John Carney that these could be his last days wearing a New Orleans Saints uniform.

Bushrod said Wednesday that he doesn't expect to play Sunday against the New York Jets , and the plan is for him to try to return after the Saints ' bye in Week 5. Strief is no stranger in the role.

Once players are put on injured reserve in the NFL and whatever corrective measure is taken to repair the injury is completed and rehabilitation schedules have been put in place, they have the option to either stay with the team, or as most elect to do, return to their hometowns and complete their rehab there.

The New Orleans Saints have rushed for more than 100 yards in each of their first two games, achieving an offensive balance that eluded them at times last season.

The New Orleans Saints will not have running back Mike Bell or wide receiver Lance Moore for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

Just like last Wednesday, the Saints had a lengthy injury report coming out of their Week 2 game at Philly.

Speaking Thursday for the first time since a 45-27 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, New Orleans Saints new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, said he was pleased with what he saw in his unit's first real outing.