Zach Strief News

Former first-round pick Jason Smith is battling Charles Brown for the right to protect Drew Brees' blind side.

With the Saints about to start their last vacation until training camp opens in late July, they're relishing the sense of normalcy that has defined this offseason.

Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints leaves the field for interviews during OTA's, organized team activities, at the Saints training facility on May 23, 2013 in Metairie, Louisiana.

Jun 4, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan talks to the media after the team It may be the weekend in the world of the New Orleans Saints, but unlike a wealth of other sites, we're not taking a break from talking about your favorite team.

Rufus Johnson looks at the Saints' defensive playbook and understands its difficulties and intricacies and knows he has a ways to go before he has it all covered.

Offensive guard Ben Grubbs had no idea what he was getting into when he left the Baltimore Ravens for the Saints last year, but he remains confident his story will have a happy ending.

Playing against a 3-4 defense in practice will help the Saints' offense, led by quarterback Drew Brees, when it's time to play rugged units like San Francisco's, players said.

New Orleans Saints players Jason Smith and Charles Brown are competing for left tackle position.

Initially, Armstead's standardized test scores were too low, halting his opportunity to play college football at a Bowl Championship Series program.

Right tackle Zach Strief offered the best way to explain the importance of Sean Payton's return this season to the Saints.

Roman Harper knows very well what it meant when the New Orleans Saints took Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft.

News Orleans Saints offensive tackle Charles Brown is starting the 2013 season much like he finished 2012.

Sean Payton 's return to the New Orleans Saints ' sidelines will be one of the biggest storylines throughout the 2013 regular season.