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There have been rave reviews coming from New Orleans about Saints first-round pick Jammal Brown, a right tackle who is already penciled in as the starter. Brown will upgrade the running game, something coach Jim Haslett wants to do this season. While Brown has been getting all the attention, second-round pick Josh Bullucks has also impressed the Saints staff. There is a chance he could be the opening-day starter at strong safety. The Saints re-signed Jay Bellamy to play there, but while Bellamy is a smart, heady player, he doesn't have great range. Bullucks has already displayed his ability to get to the football. He also can tackle. With free agent Dwight Smith already added to the roster, Saints coaches believe their safety play will be a major upgrade over last season. Cornerbacks Fakhir Brown and Mike McKenzie give New Orleans two quality man cover players, something the Saints plan to do more of in 2006.

Brown wants a new contract and has missed offseason workouts because of that, but the Saints have told him they have other contract priorities. Among them are getting running back Deuce McAllister and center LeCharles Bentley signed to long-term extensions. Brown was told by the team to be patient, and if he plays well early this season he could be in line for a new deal come November or December -- provided the Saints have addressed their other contract concerns. The Saints also brought in veteran receiver Az-Zahir Hakim this week for a visit as they continue to try and upgrade their receiving group. Joe Horn and Donte' Stallworth are the starters and the team likes what it has seen so far from 2004 second-round pick Devery Henderson, but the staff is concerned about potential injury problems to those three. Henderson has the speed to become a big-play threat, but he didn't play at all last season as he spent the season watching and learning.