TallySaint

Payton mum on preparations
Saints waive McAfee; Delhomme may return for Sunday's game

Thursday, December 28, 2006

By Mike Triplett, Times-Picayune




Saints Coach Sean Payton has decided on his playing rotation for Sunday. But he's keeping those plans to himself.

With the Saints (10-5) already having clinched the No. 2 playoff seed in the NFC, they likely will rest several key players. How much or how little remains a mystery.

Players kept mum on the game plan Wednesday, though they all said they are preparing as if they will play the entire game, and they will leave the rest up to Payton.
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"However much I play is what I'll play," said quarterback Drew Brees, who was running the offense as usual during Wednesday morning's walkthrough. "I think obviously from a preparation standpoint, (Payton) wants everybody to approach this week like it's a normal game that we need to win. I think from our standpoint, we have an opportunity to win 11 games. How many times do we get that opportunity?

"I think that everybody here wants to win. In order to win, we need to make sure that we have a great week of practice, a great week of preparation. Everybody needs to prepare as if they're playing. Some guys are going to play more than others. We'll just see how the whole thing plays out."

Payton did reveal his plans for next week's practice schedule. Since the Saints have earned a first-round bye, he plans to give the team Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off before practicing the next three days. This is a change from the schedule he used during the regular-season bye week.



MCAFEE WAIVED: The Saints waived veteran special teamer Fred McAfee for the second time this season, replacing him with defensive end Trevor Johnson. Payton said it's possible that the Saints could bring McAfee back next week.

They may have needed his roster spot this week so they can have more depth at defensive end if, for example, Payton wants to rest starters Will Smith and Charles Grant. Payton didn't get into specifics.

McAfee appeared in the playoffs with New Orleans in 1991 (his rookie season) and 2000. But he missed out the playoffs in 1992 when he was placed on injured reserve in December.

The Saints also added tight end Robert Johnson to their practice squad Wednesday.



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