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Hey New Orleans Saints fans, we’re looking for some mailbag questions.

We’ll be taping our Black and Gold report today and after we’re done, we’ll be working on mailbag. So send in your questions and we’ll pull out a couple for the video and we’ll answer the others here on the site.

We’ll probably get to the answers later this morning, but go ahead and send in a bunch.

Not much else going on in the NFL world today.

New Orleans Saints biggest blowout wins

In the early years of the New Orleans Saints, the Black and Gold suffered a number of blowout losses. In week one of 1973, the hated Atlanta Falcons posted a 62-7 win on the Saints. However, since Tom Benson became owner, New Orleans has recorded a number of impressive blowout wins. Take a look back at the top five biggest blowout wins in New Orleans Saints history.

5. (tie) 12/24/1989: New Orleans Saints def. Indianapolis Colts 41-6

The historic 62-7 dismembering of the Colts that took place on Sunday night in 2011 was not the first time that New Orleans notched a blowout win versus the Colts. On the season finale in 1989, New Orleans was already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. However, the Saints blowout win did secure their third consecutive winning season. They also set a franchise record with 24 points in the fourth quarter of their blowout win.

5. (tie) 12/21/2008: New Orleans Saints def. Detroit Lions 42-7

New Orleans fans know all about bad seasons. In 1980, the Saints were a woeful 1-15. However, their futility was bested by the 2008 Lions who recorded the only 0-16 season in NFL history. When the Saints and Lions met in week 16, New Orleans ran up a blowout win on the Lions to ensure Detroit would do no worse than match the 1980 Saints. Drew Brees(notes) threw for 351 yards in the blowout win.

3. (tie) 11/1/1987: New Orleans Saints def. Atlanta Falcons 38-0

Somehow, it seems apropos that one of the biggest blowout wins in New Orleans history took place on All Saints’ Day. It is also nice that the Saints third biggest blowout win came against the Falcons. 1987 was a magical year in New Orleans as the Saints secured both their first winning season and playoff berth. Their blowout win over Atlanta came exactly one week after Jim Mora’s famous “woulda, coulda, shoulda” speech.

3. (tie) 12/14/2003: New Orleans Saints def. New York Giants 45-7

The Black and Gold’s inconsistency was maddening in the early 2000s. New Orleans fans like me never knew which side of potential blowouts we’d be on. In 2003, the Saints had the number one offense in the NFL, but rarely got help from their defense. Fortunately, the defense did their part in New Orleans’ 38-point blowout win over the Giants. This blowout win is also famous as the legendary Joe Horn “cell phone” game.

2. 11/20/1988: New Orleans Saints def. Denver Broncos 42-0

Under Jim Mora, the Saints owned the AFC like they had a deed to the conference. In fact, they won 13 straight games against the AFC starting in 1987. Their most decisive win over the AFC stood as the biggest blowout win in New Orleans history for over 20 years. In their blowout win over the Broncos, Bobby Hebert was 20-23 with three TDs and Rueben Mayes rushed for 115 yards on 25 carries.

1. 10/23/2011: New Orleans Saints def. Indianapolis Colts 62-7

It should come as no surprise that New Orleans’ biggest blowout win ever occurred under Sean Payton and Drew Brees. Prior to the 2011 season, Peyton Manning(notes) suffered a season-ending neck injury. The impact of this injury on the Colts was devastating. When the Saints and Colts met on Sunday night, New Orleans earned its biggest blowout win ever. I also love the fact that the Saints biggest blowout loss (62-7) is now also our biggest blowout win (62-7).

Patrick Michael was born and raised in New Orleans and currently resides in the Big Easy. As such, he is a lifelong, diehard New Orleans Saints fan. His highlight as a Saints fan was experiencing the magical Super Bowl season of 2009.

Sources

“New Orleans Saints Franchise Encyclopedia,” pro-football-reference.com

More from this contributor

Saints destroy Colts 62-7

Top 5 New Orleans Saints head coaches in history

Top 10 contenders to win Super Bowl 46

Game summary of Super Bowl 48

Aaron Brooks: Saint or sinner?

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Gotta run!.

That’s all for today.

Despite opening the season with a 42-34 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the New Orleans Saints were in it until time ran out (plus one play). Looking at the bigger picture (that it was a loss to the defending Super Bowl champions on the road and it still only counts as one game), we’d like to know who you think shined brightest for the Black and Gold. We’ll run this poll after every game, win or lose.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

Times-Picayune staff predictions for tonight’s season-opening game between the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The nationally televised game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on WDSU Channel 6 in New Orleans.

John DeShazier: Packers 28, Saints 23

If the Packers have a hangover from the Super Bowl, it won’t show tonight. Green Bay has emotion on its side but, better, it has a ton of talent to go along with it.

Jeff Duncan: Packers 35, Saints 27

In the rare role of underdog, the Saints will play well but the Packers are too deep, talented and motivated. This could be a preview of the NFC championship game.

Nakia Hogan: Saints 38, Packers 34

I know the defending Super Bowl champion always wins this game, but something tells me the offseason drills that Drew Brees organized will pay off early for the Black and Gold.

Doug Tatum: Packers 27, Saints 24

A defending Super Bowl champion hasn’t lost its first game since 1999. The Saints will be without Will Smith, Lance Moore and Garrett Hartley. Too many signs pointing to a Green Bay victory.

Mike Triplett: Saints 30, Packers 27

I’d feel even better about this pick if Will Smith and Lance Moore were playing. But I’m still swayed by the way the Saints have risen to the challenge in high-profile games like these over the last two years.

James Varney: Packers 31, Saints 24

The Saints’ defense is not in peak form and missing its best lineman, while Lance Moore, one of Drew Brees’ favorite targets, is out.

Leave your comments on the news below.

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Oakland, Calif. – Timing is everything.

A week ago, dynamic rookie wide receiver Joe Morgan had practically forced his way onto the Saints’ 53-man roster with his breakout performance in practices and preseason games. Now his status is more in doubt because of a knee injury that could sideline him for a month.

Earlier this month, the defensive tackle spot was one of the deepest on the Saints’ roster. Now the Saints might have to carry a fifth tackle into the opener just to have enough healthy players ready for the Green Bay Packers.

With 11 days remaining before the Saints kick off their 2011 season, their final roster decisions will be based as much on health as performance.

That’s why I’m projecting defensive tackle Mitch King to make the roster ahead of a guy like Morgan, whom the Saints should feel confident they can get back on their practice squad.

But performance still counts, and a few spots are probably up for grabs as the Saints head into tonight’s third preseason game at Oakland.

The Saints have to cut down their roster from 90 players to 80 Tuesday, then they will likely pare it down to 53 by the end of next week.

Here’s my projection of what the final 53-man roster will look like, with an eye on some of the battles that are worth watching tonight while the Saints do battle with the Raiders on NBC.

QUARTERBACKS

In: Drew Brees, Chase Daniel

Out: Sean Canfield

Breakdown: Canfield spent some time on the Saints’ active roster last season, but that’s because he was eligible to be designated as an “emergency third quarterback” on game days without taking up an active roster spot. The NFL changed that rule this season, which will hurt Canfield’s chances.

RUNNING BACKS

In: Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Darren Sproles, Joique Bell

PUP List: Chris Ivory

Out: Patrick Cobbs, Chris Taylor.

Breakdown: The fourth running back spot is one of the hardest to project. Bell, Cobbs and Taylor all have looked good throughout camp. Cobbs has the advantage of being a special teams asset, but Bell has the biggest upside as a runner. It would have been an easier choice if Bell hadn’t suffered a knee injury during the preseason opener. He just returned to practice this week.

Ivory could potentially be healthy enough to play by Week 1 or 2, but there’s no reason to rush him with so much depth at the position. If he goes on the physically unable to perform list, he can’t return to practice until after the sixth game.

RECEIVERS:

In: Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, Courtney Roby.

Out: Joseph Morgan, Adrian Arrington, Montez Billings, Jarred Fayson, Andy Tanner, John Chiles.

Breakdown: The decision on Morgan hasn’t been made yet. He has definitely earned a place in New Orleans, but chances are the Saints will feel comfortable that they can get him back on their practice squad if they release him.

Roby is a question mark, too. He is no longer needed as a kickoff returner with the arrival of Darren Sproles, but he is still a valued coverage specialist on special teams. Also missing the cut is Adrian Arrington. He has been terrific in past preseasons, but he hasn’t shined as much this summer and he’s battled injuries again.

TIGHT ENDS:

In: Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, Tory Humphrey.

Out: Tyler Lorenzen, Michael Higgins.

Breakdown: The Saints like Lorenzen, and they’ve kept four tight ends in the past, but we think he’ll lose out to fullback Jed Collins. Typically the Saints will keep a total of five tight ends and fullbacks because the positions are sometimes interchangeable in their offense.

FULLBACKS:

In: Korey Hall, Jed Collins.

Out: Kolby Hurt.

Breakdown: The Saints don’t use the fullback very often, but they’ve been very pleased with the performance of both Hall and Collins this season. They can keep both of them, because Hall is a great asset on special teams and both players could fill in at tight end in a pinch.

OFFENSIVE TACKLES:

In: Jermon Bushrod, Zach Strief, Charles Brown, Jordan Black.

Out: George Foster, Dan Gay.

Breakdown: Tough call here, too, for the fourth spot. Foster and Black are running neck and neck based on practice snaps. The Saints could also choose to keep an extra backup guard instead of a fourth tackle.

CENTER/GUARDS:

In: Olin Kreutz, Jahri Evans, Carl Nicks, Matt Tennant.

Out: Brian de la Puente, Roger Allen, Cecil Newton, Ryan Taylor.

Breakdown: Easy choice with the top four, and they’ve been comfortable going with just four interior linemen in years past.

DEFENSIVE ENDS:

In: Will Smith, Alex Brown, Cameron Jordan, Turk McBride, Junior Galette.

PUP list: Greg Romeus.

Out: Jeff Charleston.

Breakdown: It’s tough to cut Charleston, but his lingering ankle injury hasn’t helped him in this crowded battle. McBride and Galette have more upside as pass rushers. If Smith ever has to serve a suspension, Charleston would be an obvious replacement.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES:

In: Sedrick Ellis, Shaun Rogers, Aubrayo Franklin, Tom Johnson, Mitch King.

Out: Swanson Miller, Dexter Larimore.

Breakdown: This could depend on injuries. If Franklin (knee) and Johnson (calf) aren’t ready to play in Green Bay, the Saints will definitely need another tackle. King’s performance as a replacement starter tonight at Oakland could help or hurt his cause, too.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS:

In: Will Herring, Scott Shanle, Jonathan Casillas, Martez Wilson.

Out: Nate Bussey, Clint Ingram, Dwight Roberson, Ramon Humber.

Breakdown: Bussey was the 54th guy on my 53-man roster. They like his potential as a special teamer and linebacker, but they can also probably get him back on the practice squad.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS:

In: Jonathan Vilma, Jo-Lonn Dunbar.

Out: Ezra Butler.

Breakdown: Pretty easy choice here.

CORNERBACKS:

In: Jabari Greer, Tracy Porter, Patrick Robinson, Leigh Torrence, Johnny Patrick.

Out: Fabian Washington, Terrail Lambert, Trumaine McBride, Quincy Butler, Mark Parson.

Breakdown: Patrick is safe despite missing the majority of camp with a knee injury. The rest of the choices are pretty easy to make.

SAFETIES:

In: Roman Harper, Malcolm Jenkins, Jonathon Amaya, Pierson Prioleau, Chris Reis.

Out: Paul Oliver, DeAndre McDaniel, Isa Abdul-Quddus.

Breakdown: Oliver is a solid veteran, despite his struggles in the last preseason game. But I still give the edge to Prioleau and Reis, who are clearly valued on special teams. Both undrafted rookies have looked good, but there’s no room for them.

SPECIALISTS:

In: Garrett Hartley, Thomas Morstead, Justin Drescher.

Out: Kyle Nelson.

Breakdown: The only battle here is at long snapper, where Drescher seems to have the edge.

Mike Triplett can be reached at mtriplett@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.

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Here is the John DeShazier column from this week’s Black and Gold video report:

As ragged as the New Orleans Saints looked in their exhibition season opener – and despite what Coach Sean Payton said about the effort, execution was rough around the edges, in the middle and everywhere else – there was a noticeable delight of Saints fans in attendance.

It was like old times, wasn’t it?

In fact, if talk of a lockout hadn’t been so incessant, would you even have known there was a lockout, based on the Saints’ exhibition season opener?

Think about it.

Ragged execution? Check.

Cameo appearance by starters? Check.

Surprising performance by unknown backup who won’t make 53-man roster? Check.

Fans delirious to be watching players tackle, rather than watching them play the NFL version of flag football in training camp? Check.

In other words, everything seemed pretty normal because everything was normal. Because the lockout didn’t affect anything in terms of missed regular-season games and had so little impact on the preseason, it isn’t even worth mentioning.

And, obviously, that’s a good thing.

So on to Exhibition No. 2 the Saints go, off to Houston, to play the Texans on Saturday night. There, backups again will jockey for time in the spotlight while starters – at least the offensive starters – will look to produce a few scoring drives or, hopefully, move the football enough that it can be called a “rhythm.”

It’s all the things we’ve become accustomed to this time of year, all the things we consider normal.

Just like old times, and nobody can complain about that.

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Football — real, professional, New Orleans Saints-style football — returns to the Superdome tonight in a game that could hardly matter less: New Orleans plays host to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011 preseason opener for both teams.

Will the fact the game is irrelevant to the Saints’ professed goal of getting to Super Bowl XLVI make any difference to the crowd? Quarterback Drew Brees, newly acquired running back Darren Sproles or other players say they don’t think so. They anticipate and desire a full-throated, packed house of Who Dats, a crowd welcoming not only the return of football from its lockout doldrums, but also a revamped New Orleans team that appears poised to make a run deep into the postseason.

So if Brees and Sproles get their wish, what should the black-and-gold faithful pay close attention to? The defense, and there this game is relevant, indeed.

Some attention must be paid to the offense, too. Most notably, first-round draft pick Mark Ingram, a running back in his NFL debut. Ingram has had a strong camp, and if that translates into game situations, the Saints will be hard-pressed, choosing between him and incumbent Pierre Thomas for the starting nod.

But Chase Daniel is ensconced as the backup quarterback, and while the Saints might keep five wide receivers, four of them are set, so there will be less intrigue there than there was in the 2010 preseason. Similarly, the offensive line is shaping up to be very similar to last year’s, but with Olin Kreutz the starting center replacing Jonathan Goodwin.

So it is on the defense where the significant roster battles will be waged in 2011. The Saints devoted their last draft almost exclusively to defense, and, with the exception of Sproles, have done their busiest and best free-agent work there, too. New Orleans did not have a shabby defense in 2010 — the unit ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed — but the 2011 version is expected to be better.

“If you look at the down linemen, they’re at full strength, so they’ll all play,” Coach Sean Payton said. “The linebacker position is a little different, with a couple of guys nicked up. We’ll be three-deep there, and Martez (Wilson) will play more than just one role because we’re two-deep at the (strong side) right now.”

The starters on the defensive line will be playing together as a unit in a game for the first time. Defensive end Will Smith and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, the only two starting defensive linemen remaining from the Super Bowl XLIV champions, will be joined by Alex Brown on one end and newcomer Shaun Rogers at the other tackle.

Rogers, who was with Cleveland last year and whom the Saints signed before the labor lockout, is a mammoth lineman who arrived in New Orleans with a reputation as an occasional shirker. He has not looked that part in camp. While he does not challenge the leaders in sprints, and looks awkward at times during stretches, Rogers has proved surprisingly agile in the interior and he has not slacked in the sometimes searing heat that blankets the team’s outdoor practices.

But Rogers isn’t the only new defensive face that bears scrutiny. And the Saints’ defensive line is not simply a four-man unit. There will be extensive rotation there tonight and throughout the season.

Payton made it clear there will be a defensive tackle and defensive end “ready-ready,” and those six will comprise the unit.

“So whether they get 14 to 16 snaps, they might be light of that,” he said. “But I think it’s a good problem to have, and I think we have experience there. So there will be good competition beginning tomorrow night, and we’ll evaluate not only the preseason games but also the practice snaps they’re getting.”

Still, with so much depth, it can be difficult for a player to stand out in practice. A game situation provides a whole new stage.

“We just want to start letting everybody build a resume and see what they’ve learned and how they’ve progressed,” defensive line coach Bill Johnson said. “We’ve got a lot of depth, and there’s going to be a lot of competition, and that’s what these games are made for.”

For example, defensive end Cameron Jordan, the Saints’ first No. 1 draft pick last April, will play in his first professional game tonight. The Saints expect big things of Jordan, who has labored to master the playbook after a brief holdout in signing his contract. Jordan said this week he feels reasonably comfortable with the Saints’ schemes, and Johnson said the rookie’s comfort level will be closely watched.

“I want to see him get lined up and understand the schemes,” he said. “And then from that point, I want to see him get physical and play like we saw him on tape and learn to play as fast as he can. He’s a guy who’s progressing, but there’s a lot swimming in his head, and I want to get him to settle his heart down and get into a groove.”

Nor is Jordan alone among New Orleans’ newcomers along the defensive line. Aubrayo Franklin, considered an elite run-stuffer with the 49ers last season, gets a chance to show his former team what it has lost.

“I guess it’s kind of unusual, switching teams so fast, but it will be a good challenge,” Franklin said. “They joke with me and Sedrick because we’re about the same height and they call us twins. But Sedrick is a speed guy; he can rush the three technique and get upfield. I see myself a contributor as a run-stuffer and try to press the pocket, and Shaun can play the run or the nose, and I think with that rotation, we’ll be dominant. I’m just trying to penetrate the line and force the ball back toward the linebackers and (Jonathan) Vilma.”

As the game progresses, the Saints also will be evaluating Turk McBride, a six-year veteran who had his best season last year in Detroit, and Jeff Charleston, a returning defensive end whom the Saints re-signed after training camp began. Second-year man Junior Galette, a fan favorite, will play defensive end in the second half, although the Saints are taking a serious look at him on special teams, too, so he has more than one way to impress tonight.

The crowded field at defensive end could gain additional significance if Smith, as Payton expects, finally serves a four-game suspension at the beginning of the season.

The Saints’ linebacker corps is also in flux, and the 49ers will be the first team to test it. Vilma anchors the middle and leaves no questions marks. At the start, he’ll be flanked by returning veteran Scott Shanle. But Shanle is fighting for that starting job, and, on the other side, things are wide open. There, fans will see Will Herring in his Saints debut. A free agent who played with Seattle, he has impressed the coaches in camp , has been on the field in various situations, and likely will get a long look tonight.

So, too, will the likes of Jonathan Casillas, whom black-and-gold fanatics would have seen in a starting role last year were it not for a season-ending injury during training camp. Clint Ingram, another player returning who spent 2010 on injured reserve, missed practice Thursday with a hamstring injury.

Ingram’s absence provides an even bigger window for third-round pick Martez Wilson and seventh-round pick Nate Bussey, Illinois teammates now with the Saints. Both were both excellent special teams players in college, and they are sure to be involved in that action against San Francisco as New Orleans seeks to improve its mediocre kick coverage.

WHO DAT CHANT RENEWED: Brees came by a cluster of reporters waiting for Payton after practice Thursday and announced, “The Who Dat chant is on – you guys have to spread the word.”

The chant, which follows the coin flip and was begun last year, sends the Superdome into roars.

“Get it out on Twitter,” Brees said.

Brees declined to say which player would lead the chant from midfield following the coin flip.

SAINTS AND COX RE-UP: Saints owner/executive vice president Rita Benson and Cox Louisiana senior vice president and general manager Jacqui Vines announced a long-term agreement by which the information technology company will continue to be the Saints “Exclusive Telecommunications Partner” through 2015.

••••••••

Staff writers Nakia Hogan and Mike Triplett contributed to this report

That’s all the news for today.

For the fifth practice in the past six days, the New Orleans Saints gave wide receiver Marques Colston the day off Wednesday, but the veteran said he would be ready to go if New Orleans’ exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers on Friday night in the Superdome were a regular-season contest.

“If this were September and we were getting ready for week one, I’d be out here practicing,” Colston said.

Colston had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee just after the 2010 season, but he appeared fine during the practices the Saints players held at Tulane during the summer lockout, and Colston looked to be ready to go when training camp opened.

But his knee developed some irritation and swelling, and the decision was made to rest him and to “make sure everything is 110 percent,” Colston said.

The swelling has not recurred, but the time he has missed from practice has been considerably longer than he or Coach Sean Payton predicted.

“It’s getting better,” Colston said. “We’re just trying to be patient, knowing that this is week one of the preseason, and we’ve got a long season ahead.

“I think it was just the first couple of days getting out here and really getting after it just irritated it. It’s nothing major. It’s just a matter of trying to be smart and making sure the cause of the irritation is gone before I get back out here.”

No decision has been made on whether Colston will dress and play against San Francisco, although he made it clear he prefers to play.

“That’s going to be up to the coaching staff,” he said. “Obviously, I’d love to be out there, but it’s up to them. You know, it’s still August, and hopefully we’ll be playing until February.”

Colston is the only top-shelf receiver missing practice, but some of the roster hopefuls at the position, particularly Adrian Arrington and undrafted free agent Jarred Fayson, whose camp got off to a strong start, have been out for some time now nursing ankle nicks. That has forced the rest of the unit to run more routes than normal the past two days in sometimes searing heat, and the fatigue has shown.

Colston said it wasn’t a long-term cause for concern.

“Nah, I think that’s just a matter of guys’ legs getting tired from camp,” he said. “It’s just a rough spot in camp, about a week in, that the heavy legs and getting out of that feeling should give them a nice lift.”

CLARK OUT; BLACK IN: The Saints’ newest member, offensive tackle Jordan Black, said he was excited to have perhaps the first realistic shot in his professional career at playing in a Super Bowl.

Black was drafted by a respectable Kansas City team coming out of Notre Dame in 2003, but his subsequent journeys with the Chiefs, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars have left him with little taste of the postseason.

“This is the first legitimate contender that I’ve been a part of probably since my first year in Kansas City, so I’m super excited to be here and to be a part of this organization,” he said.

Black, 6 feet 5 inches, 305 pounds, was signed after the Saints waived linebacker Danny Clark. Although he started nine games last year in Jacksonville, Black has to be considered a longshot to make the Saints’ final roster.

With starter Jon Stinchcomb resting the past two practices, the position on the right side has been filled by Zach Strief, and the second unit right tackle has been George Foster. In his fist day, Black ran with the third unit.

Still, as Strief acknowledged, every player at camp is taking a cutthroat competitive attitude. He hopes to take advantage of Stinchcomb’s absence as a shot at the starting job, just as the players behind Strief hope to knock him out of his longtime job as a versatile backup in New Orleans.

For the moment, Black, whom the Jaguars released in February, is trying to quickly get acclimated.

“I’m just kind of treading water right now,” he said. “This is a pretty extensive offense, so I’m just doing what I can to pick it up, watching these other guys and just learn as much as I can at meetings and try to figure out this offense.”

SPROLES KEEPS IMPRESSING: Among the new faces at Saints’ training camp, that of free agent running back Darren Sproles continues to impress.

Sproles has repeatedly gotten into space in the flat and rocketed around the end for long gains, a feat he achieved more than once Wednesday.

In addition, he has been solid fielding punts and has shown a penchant for heading quickly upfield. In a very short time he has appeared to be something of an upgrade over the departed Reggie Bush.

Neither Sproles nor the other Saints make such a comparison publicly, but it’s clear the club is brimming with excitement over the Sproles’ explosive capability.

For his part, Sproles, who played a preseason game at the Superdome last season while with the San Diego Chargers, said he’s just excited about getting onto the home team’s sideline.

“They say that place gets crazy,” he said. “I want to see it in the real season, the regular season.”

And in the playoffs?

“Oh, yeah,” Sproles said as he smiled.

••••••••

James Varney can be reached at jvarney@timespicayune.com or 504.717.1156.

Thanks for reading! .

The Saints newest member, offensive tackle Jordan Black, said Wednesday he was excited to have perhaps the first realistic shot in his professional career at playing in a Super Bowl.

Black was drafted by a respectable Kansas City team coming out of Notre Dame in 2003, but his subsequent journeys through rosters of the Chiefs, Texans and Jaguars have left him with little taste of the postseason.

“This is the first legitimate contender that I’ve been a part of probably since my first year in Kansas City,” he said. “So I’m super excited to be here and to be a part of this organization.”

Black, 6-feet-5, 305, was signed after the Saints waived linebacker Danny Clark.Although he started nine games last year in Jacksonville, Black has to be considered something of a longshot to make the Saints final roster. With starter Jon Stinchcomb resting the past two practices, the starting job on the right side has been filled by Zach Strief, and the second unit right tackle has been George Foster. In his fist day, Black ran with the third unit.

Still, as Strief acknowledged, every player at camp is taking a cutthroat competitive attitude. He is hoping Stinchcomb’s absence gives him a shot at the starting job, just as the guys behind him are hoping to knock him out of his longtime job as a versatile backup in New Orleans.

For the moment, Black, whom the Jaguars released last February, is trying to get acclimated quickly.

“I’m just kind of treading water right now,” he said. “This is a pretty extensive offense so I’m just doing what I can to pick it up. Watching these other guys, and just learn as much as I can at meetings and try to figure out this offense.”

That’s all the news for today.