Defending champion Saints focus on task of repeating
 

This region has spent recent years living under the credo of rebirth. Now, the message is repeat. While the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints are the basis for this new way of thinking, the team is very much part of the region's soul, so this is a big picture way of life now. And as much as the Saints used their run to inspire a city, the inspired city is now hoping the Saints don't dim the lights.

Shockey hospitalized after seizure
Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey said Thursday that he's OK after he suffered what later was diagnosed as a seizure during a weightlifting session and went to a hospital. More ...

» Video: Saints OTA report
This is why it's so hard to win back-to-back Lombardi Trophies. There are expectations and hopes, not only of the city but in-house, too. It happens with every champion in every sport. The distractions are constant and one slight misstep, injury or flaw resorts in a panic that typically -- especially with an organization like the Saints -- wouldn't register.

Coach Sean Payton and his players began their first wave of OTA workouts this week with the message being everyone has had enough time to celebrate. It's time to get back to business. It's pretty much the same mantra every Super Bowl champ tries to live by. We'll see.

The Saints got after things during OTAs with the same intensity they did this time last year, when then-new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams arrived to provide a much-needed shot of bad-boy attitude. But the Saints are going to have to take it up a notch because every opponent wants what they have.

Reasons for optimism
QB Drew Brees: There's not a more respected leader in the NFL -- and with good reason. Brees doesn't put himself above the team. He's at every workout. He works harder than anyone and he pushes his teammates the right way, not by big-footing them. In addition, the guy is as good as it gets. Check the numbers.

The secondary: CB Tracy Porter became the latest Super Bowl hero with his pick-six of Peyton Manning -- a game after intercepting Brett Favre to force overtime in the NFC title game. Injuries were the only things that side-tracked his development before then. If he can stay healthy, Porter and the incredibly underrated Jabari Greer could form one of the most skilled cornerback tandems in the NFL.

The coaching staff is waiting to see how first-round pick Patrick Robinson performs in pads, but the cornerback is fast and a skilled cover player who will work behind Porter and probably be groomed to play in nickel sets. There is solid depth in the defensive backfield.

There's some trepidation that free safety Darren Sharper might have some issues with his surgically repaired knee, although he should be fine to start the season. Plus, he's 34, a deterrent, along with his knee that limited his free-agent appeal. Moving Malcolm Jenkins to play behind Sharper was a great decision because Jenkins seems like more of a natural fit there, provides insurance and can be groomed to take over the starter's role. Roman Harper is a very solid strong safety.

Party's over: Defending champion Saints focus on task of repeating

Re: Defending champion Saints focus on task of repeating
 

Stay focused my friends........stay focused. :)