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Training camp is a little over a week old for the New Orleans Saints, and we are starting to get some good looks at some of the key players who will contribute greatly for the Black and Gold this season.

It’s just practice, but here is my take.

Drew Brees — No one benefits from the return of coach Sean Payton more than the best player to ever put on a Saints uniform. He has been crisp in practice, but it is in his demeanor and his reunited confidence, almost a swagger, that convinces me he will lead the Saints to the 2013 NFC South title if he can stay healthy. (Knock on wood).

Cameron Jordan — Other than Brees and tight end Jimmy Graham, Jordan has looked like the third best player on the team. He is in great shape. He is more focused, and it is his ability to use his hands better to come off of a block quicker that really has impressed me. He is playing inside this season, heads up against the left guard, and I think he will make a major impact coming off the blind side and going most of the time against guards that won’t be able to match up against his athleticism and upgraded technical skills.

I always thought he was a sort of a slightly less talented version of New York Giants all-pro defensive end/tackle Justin Tuck. This season he looks an awful lot like Tuck coming from the inside.

His former defensive coordinator in college, Clancy Pendergast, told me that he had never coached anyone with Jordan’s talents in college or in pro football, and that if Jordan plays in a defense that will play him inside in a 3-4 alignment, that he could register 12-13 quarterback sacks a season. Let’s see what happens now.

Read more: Some early looks from Saints camp | HoumaToday.com

TheOak

Cam will be the key to our defenses success more than anyone or anything else, his pressure on the QB is vital.

Mr.Riaton

Good article.

Utah_Saint

I've read a lot of positive articles about camp, which is great, but have y'all heard about anyone that's underperforming? Any disappointments?

papz

On offense, LT doesn't look so hot. Other than that, besides so guys nursing injuries, I haven't read many negatives.

Rugby Saint II

This cant' be right...........everyone knows that our first round draft picks don't pan out.

Danno

Why does it seem I keep reading the same articles over and over again?

papz

You kind of are. The majority of the local media outlets take the interviews from the daily press conferences and put their own spin on it. While a site like neworleanssaints.com may post the full transcript and leave it as that, nola.com(among others) will take that press conference from one person and spin it into 2 or 3 different more detailed and opinionated articles. The same with all the other sites. So you are kind of reading the same thing... just from different outlets with a few different wrinkles.

It's like watching WDSU, FOX8, etc. talking about the event, with the same information, just from a different set of eyes.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

homerj07

Would love to see some of these young defensive players take of.

triman

Jordan and Hicks are going to open some eyes. I see big things. Vaccaro is the wildcard that RR is going to use to trump opponens, Gallette is showing signs of being the pass rusher we need. If Jenkins and Bunkley can anchor the middle our D should be much improved. Barring injury we should be Improved . Better at Safety and cornerback. Better running game play action with two TE sets. Young WRs stepping up to fill roles of departed vets.Yes hope springs eternal for the ever suffering Saints fan.