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METAIRIE, LA.
At this time last year, New Orleans Saints players were peppered with media questions about whether they could avoid the “Super Bowl hangover” that tends to sicken some defending champions.

As it turned out, the Saints avoided many of the headaches caused by overconfidence and living in the past. But that still didn’t keep New Orleans from finishing the 2010 campaign with a feeling of nausea.

A stunning first-round playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks ended their hopes of repeating, but the Saints had started to unravel well before that. Injuries had taken their toll, as did some of the trappings that came with being the NFL’s reigning king.

"There was added pressure that we had to deal with,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said outside team headquarters Saturday after training camp practice. “It was our first time going through it. But I feel like we’re a better team now for going through it.”

Saints get a head start on 2011 season - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN