NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Saints have completed their first day of voluntary workouts without quarterback Drew Brees.
Brees was in New York on Monday to join players' union officials at NFL offices to discuss the Saints' bounty program, which
has resulted in the suspension of head coach Sean Payton for the entire 2012 season. While Brees has not been connected to
the bounty system, he's helping the union represent players who may be punished in the scandal.
Payton's suspension started the same day his players began showing up at the team's suburban New Orleans headquarters for
conditioning and weight-lifting. Assistant head coach Joe Vitt is in charge until his six-game suspension starts.
It's not clear when Brees might join Saints teammates for workouts. He's seeking a long-term contract extension.
The New Orleans Saints have re-signed wide receiver Courtney Roby to a one-year contract.
Saints' General Manager Mickey Loomis announced the move Monday.
Roby first signed with the Saints as a free agent in 2008 and has served as one of the club's most valuable players on their special teams' coverage and return units. A former third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2005, the six-year NFL veteran
has played in 49 regular season games with the Saints, averaging 25.6 yards on 94 kickoff returns with one touchdown.
Last season, Roby led special teams with 13 tackles and tied for the club lead with three stops in the postseason.
The club also announced that it had waived linebacker Jerimiha Hunter.
Former Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Terry Bradshaw and Doug Williams are expressing support for beleaguered
head coach Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints organization.
During his annual fundraising golf
tournament for Louisiana Tech University, his alma mater, Bradshaw said
Monday that he
feels bad for Payton and the team and thought the suspension
handed down because of a bounty scandal uncovered this year "was
pretty strong."
Payton has been suspended for the entire 2012 season as punishment for a bounty system under former defensive coordinator
Gregg Williams.
The Ruston Daily Leader reports Williams said he believes the team will have to adjust without Payton's guidance, but getting
quarterback Drew Brees' signed must be a priority. He says having Brees on the field is like "having a coach out there."