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Saints coach Sean Payton took time from his work at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis to chat with football fans. Following are the questions the fans asked and his answers:

Q: What was the first thing that went through your mind when Tracy Porter returned that interception for a touchdown?
A: All of us at that point of the game understood what a 14-point lead meant when you face a quarterback like Peyton Manning. The lead can't be big enough. The first thing was the excitement of that touchdown and that we'd be up 14 points and that was significant.

Q: What are you plans concerning safety Darren Sharper?
A: He was a big part of our success this season and as we start the free agents signing period this week, he'll be one of the guys we look to have back. He is very talented and brings a lot of play-making ability to our defense. We'd love to have him back and that process starts in three days.

Q: From Reggie Bush in '06 to Thomas Morsted in '09, how has your drafting process evolved?
A: Each of our scouts and personnel people have done a great job of looking at our need as well as best player. Picking 32nd this year, it's important to have a good grasp. We've been able to grab players such as Jahri Evans, Thomas Morstead and Marques Colston in the later rounds, and the significance of the later rounds is just important as the first, and we want to be well-rounded on our scouting.

Q: We saw you speaking to the officials on NFL Network before the Super Bowl. You were talking about an onside kicks. Did you tell them you were going to do an onside kick prior to the second half or was it the start of the game?
A: It was before the start of the game. It's common to go through any unusual plays with officials. So we had the prior conversation prior to the game. We knew we wanted to attempt it. When we did, we were supposed to go left to right, but that would have meant the kick went toward the Colts sideline, which we didn't want. I told the officials that the captains were wrong and we wanted to go right to left so the onside kick was toward our sideline.

Q: How do you continue the success and keep the guys motivated for another run? How do you keep them humble and hungry?
A: It starts with the people in the building. The competitive nature that all of us have. We all recognize the challenge of following up the season we just had, and all the hard work that really goes into one of those moments we had in the past Super Bowl.

Q: What place were you coaching at that contributed the most to your making decisions and play-calling?
A: The years at Dallas with Bill Parcells really helped me as an assistant to understand and appreciate the various strategies required to win. And also how those strategies change game to game.

Q: Who is catching your eye in this year's draft?
A: There have been a few groups that have stood out here. Defensive linemen, running backs and tight ends have stood out.

Q: How have things changed in New Orleans since the Saints won the Super Bowl?
A: There is a spirit and it starts with the pride in the region. The team just had a chance to enhance the spirit. The city and region are special.



NO SALARY CAP: Even without a salary cap the NFL will be able to offer minimum wage salaries to free agents.

In 2010 it means that a player with no credited seasons will receive at least $320,000. For players with one credited season, the minimum salary is $395,000. For players with two credited seasons, the minimum is $470,000. For players with three credited seasons, the minimum is $545,000.

For players four to six credited seasons, the minimum pay is $630,000. Seven to nine? $755,000. And for players with 10 or more seasons, the minimum salary is $855,000.

Teams will be more inclined to go younger and thus cheaper.

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