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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — From the moment a freight train rumbling down a nearby railroad track interrupted Saints coach Sean Payton’s opening news conference on July 24, one could tell the team’s portion of training camp at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia would be a colorful one. Here are some of the memorable moments — for good and bad — of the first week the Saints spent preparing for their 2014 campaign in the Allegheny Mountains.

Highlights

GRAHAM SLAM: After missing the Saints’ offseason practices and minicamp while hammering out the four-year, $40 million contract extension he signed July 15, tight end Jimmy Graham arrived at camp ready to blow off steam over the drawn-out negotiations. That was never more evident than when Graham hauled in a long catch-and-run touchdown on Saturday, which he then punctuated by dunking the football over the field goal’s crossbar, eliciting a raucous cheer from fans in attendance delighted to see the All-Pro’s trademark celebration.

However, unless Graham’s willing to make the Saints eat penalty yardage, that scene shouldn’t be replaying itself much when the meaningful games begin. Officials in 2014 plan to strictly enforce an existing regulation prohibiting the use of the ball as a prop for celebrations. So, get it out of your system, folks.

COOKS LIVING UP TO BILLING: So far, rookie receiver and first-round draft choice Brandin Cooks has caught a pass by leaping and turning around in mid-air; one thrown to his back-shoulder along the sideline; and another in which he held onto the ball in traffic after being decked. All of them were appetizers to the main course he offered up Tuesday: a bubble screen to the left he turned up field at blazing speed to break free for a score of about 50 yards — no one laid a finger on him.

Cooks is displaying all the tools he was supposed to have leaving Oregon State: toughness, hops and — most importantly — quickness that calls to mind the best days in black and gold of Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles.

Read more: Highlights and lowlights of the Saints’ first week of practice | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Marlboro Man

For a minute there I was stressing about those I juries, but really our injury situation is pretty much a non issue.

Rugby Saint II

Yeah, the injury bug doesn't have an antibiotic.