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A 7-9 season after the New Orleans Saints' first training camp at The Greenbrier sparked a popular narrative that the resort or country-club atmosphere led to an ill-prepared squad for 2014.

As we've learned since then, the Saints plainly misevaluated their team more than anything else. That process started before the Saints ventured to West Virginia a year ago and later became exposed on and off the field as the season progressed.

The Saints hopped on a plane Thursday to wrap up their second training camp at the plush, picturesque setting. Many players expressed how ready they were to return home after the team's final practice against the Patriots.

What stood out most was how wide receiver Brandin Cooks described the vibe surrounding the team heading into its second preseason game Saturday night against New England in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.




"I see a team that's actually playing for each other, that's sticking together; you don't have those egos," Cooks said Thursday after the final practice in West Virginia against New England. "You see guys that want each other to do good, so I think that's a special thing."

Sticking together. No egos.

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hagan714

well just playing for 60 minutes would be a good place to start

K Major

I agree with Cooks. It's what you do before the season that makes you a champion.

The Dude

With no pass rush our D will be every bit as aweful as last year no matter what DBs we have back there. Only upside is that the O-line by all accounts has improved signifigantly. Looks like it will be another year of just trying to outscore people. You dont usually get 10 plus wins like that.

On Greenbrier: Everyone says the resort atmosphere may be making them soft. Just because it is nice doesnt mean the Saints are taking advantage of all the amenities. I highly doubt they are getting manicures, pedicures, and facials or ordering fancy umbrella drinks by the pool. The weather is no doubt a lot nicer, but I dont see them out there dining on foie gras every night.

What Cooks said is very true. I have lived places where nobody cared or wanted other people to succeed for whatever reason. Usually it was a dull, dark, and negative place to be. People dont want you to succeed because if you do then they believe it makes them look worse. On the other hand I have lived places where the community wanted everyone to succeed. They supported and helped along the way. It became a way of life. If everyone encourages just one person to be the best they can be then you have true cohesiveness.

homerj07

No internal problems in the lockerroom is good thing. The team may not be as good on paper but with no cancer in the lockerroom things should be better

Rugby Saint II

Cohesion counts for a large part of success.

Mr.Riaton

I think a big difference could be Sean's attitude this year. Did anyone else notice the a$$ chewing he was doing on the sideline? Seems like a while since Ive seen that.

dizzle88

Agreed, that's one thing I definitely noticed.

When Andrus Peat whiffed on a block and Ryan Griffin got destroyed, SP was straight in Peats face when he came off the field.

Another thing I saw is Rob Ryan ecstatic when the the first string D got off the field 3 straight times, he flat out man hugged Damian Swann after his pass breakup.