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Saints enter first training camp without Tom Benson; 'Hopefully we can make him proud'

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By Josh Katzenstein jkatzenstein@nola.com
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis already realize that this year's New Orleans Saints training camp will be different.

For the first time since those two joined the Saints, Payton in 2006 and Loomis in 2000, longtime owner Tom Benson was around, either roaming the sidelines during practice or waiting to discuss the roster in meetings with the coach or general manager.

Benson died in March at age 90, and although Payton and Loomis lauded Gayle Benson on Wednesday (July 25) for her leadership the past few months, they recognize that this year's training camp won't be the same as previous years.

"He loved training camp," Loomis said of Benson. "He loved being around the team and loved seeing the progress and talking about it -- for hours sometimes. I'm going to miss that interaction."

Benson owned the team from 1985 until his death earlier this year. With his widow taking over as sole owner, Loomis said the organization hasn't missed a beat, but the start of training camp already has a different feel without him.

When camp begins Thursday, the practice fields will have "TB" painted on them as a way to honor the former owner, but Saints officials know the best way to pay tribute to the longtime owner is with a successful 2018 season.

"Hopefully we can make him proud," Payton said.