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AUSTIN, TEXAS -- The Saints will hold press conferences today in Shreveport and Jackson, Miss., to announce that their preseason games will be held in those towns.

The Saints will play the Dallas Cowboys in Shreveport on Aug. 21 in a nationally televised Monday Night Football game on ESPN. They will then play the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 26 in Jackson.

Saints owner Tom Benson, general manager Mickey Loomis, coach Sean Payton and owner/executive vice president Rita Benson LeBlanc will join Shreveport mayor Keith Hightower at a 10 a.m. press conference, then join Mississippi Gov Haley Barbour at 3:30 p.m.

The Saints and Cowboys played a scrimmage in 1998 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, which is less than 200 miles from Dallas. The Saints also played preseason games in Shreveport during the franchise's first two years in 1967 and 1968.

Last summer, the Saints held an intrasquad scrimmage in Jackson's Veterans Memorial Stadium. Jackson previously has hosted NFL exhibition games in 1970 and 1995, but neither involved the Saints.


SAINTS, CAMPBELL REACH DEAL: The Saints reportedly agreed to terms with free-agent tight end Mark Campbell on a three-year deal Wednesday.

The seven-year veteran was a starter for the Buffalo Bills the past three seasons, and before that he started for the Cleveland Browns.

It is unclear if this move means the Saints will consider parting ways with veteran tight end Ernie Conwell or if they just wanted to increase their depth. They also have emerging young tight end Zach Hilton, who is a restricted free agent, and veteran Shad Meier on the roster.

The Saints have made a one-year qualifying offer to Hilton, which means if he signs an offer sheet with another team, the Saints can match the offer.

Campbell, 30, is not a major offensive weapon, but he is solid and reliable as both a blocker and pass catcher. Over his past four years as a starter, the 6-foot-6, 255-pounder has caught 95 passes for 860 yards and nine touchdowns. He caught a career-high five touchdowns in 2004, but he caught none last season as the Bills did not use the tight end much in their offense.

Meanwhile Wednesday, longtime Saints return specialist Michael Lewis was on a free-agent visit in St. Louis. He also is scheduled to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week and remains in talks with the Saints about remaining in his hometown of New Orleans.

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