saintz08

SAINTS BEAT: The Saints recently reworked the contract of veteran linebacker Darrin Smith, who accepted a $1.35 million cut in his base salary. Smith was scheduled to earn a base salary of $2.25 million in the final year of the four-year deal he signed in 2001. The reduction in pay corresponds with a reduced role for the classy 11-year veteran, who is slated for reserve duty after starting 51 games in the previous four seasons. . . .

Johnathan Sullivan enjoyed a strong turnout at his first annual youth rally last weekend in his hometown of Griffin, Ga. The second-year defensive tackle, who was criticized for his poor condition this offseason, guaranteed he would report to training camp at 315 pounds. "I can lose that weight in no time," Sullivan told local reporters. "It shouldn't be a problem. Coach Haslett and I get along pretty good. He tells me certain things I need to be doing, and he's really helped me out -- especially as a rookie." . . .