WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) As New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis spoke about the opening of training camp, steep, tree-covered mountains were in full view behind them.
The newly completed training site the Saints are using at the luxurious Greenbrier Resort represents a significant change of scenery - and climate - from the club's permanent headquarters, where camp has been held the past five years.
For Payton and Loomis, change is good - even necessary - regardless of the fact that the Saints have been a playoff team in four of the past five seasons.
"We wanted to go do something different. I think that energizes your players and your staff," Loomis said. "We wanted to get to place with a cooler climate and see if that impacted our team in terms of the soft-tissue injuries."
Payton: New training camp site 'pretty amazing' - NBC Sports | NBC Sports