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Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Mercifully, it's time to talk about something other than Brett Favre. The New Orleans Saints open their preseason schedule with a road game at Arizona.

Running back Deuce McAllister and a handful of other players won't make the trip as they rest or recover from injuries and the starters probably won't play much more than a quarter.

But there are enough other story lines to keep this game interesting. Start with the debut of rookie defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. He missed the start of camp as contract talks dragged on, but the Saints have huge expectations for Ellis after drafting him in the first round.

Problems on the defense might have been the biggest reason the Saints didn't make the playoffs last year and Ellis will be counted on to immediately jam the middle against the run and create an interior push against the pass.

"The defense is playing great,'' New Orleans running back Reggie Bush said. "Obviously, the credit goes to [new defensive line coach Ed] Orgeron and the job he's doing over the defensive line. He's one of the best line coaches in the business and he's doing a great job so far. We didn't have as much progress last year, so I feel like we're definitely getting a lot out of this training camp and, hopefully, we can carry it on to this first preseason game."

Ellis and the defense aren't the only things worth keeping an eye on. With McAllister out, it will be interesting to see how the Saints use Bush. New Orleans' top pick in 2006, Bush is coming off a disappointing second season and Bush and the Saints are hoping he's ready to take a big step and be a bigger part of the offense.

There's been talk of using a backfield-by-committee approach and using Bush with McAllister and Pierre Thomas. The preseason could go a long way toward sorting out how the Saints use their running backs.

"It's up to the coaches," Bush said. "I think it's a matter of how I position myself, how I work, how much progress they see I'm making at camp. I really try to focus on my progress and that's really it. I'm trying to better myself throughout this camp and see that I'm progressing every day, getting better every day. Whatever situation or scenario they put me in or however they want to use me is fine with me."

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

Atlanta Falcons

Chris Redman said he's not ready to yield Atlanta's starting quarterback job to rookie Matt Ryan without a fight. My take on this is Redman might be in better shape than people think. If he has a solid preseason, he might open the season as a starter because the Falcons might be hesitant to throw Ryan into the lineup too quickly. Unless they want Ryan to be the next David Carr, it might be best to let Redman take the lumps with a team that's probably going to struggle.

Carolina Panthers

Steve Smith apologized to his teammates Sunday night for his role in a fight with cornerback Ken Lucas. Smith should be back on the practice field right now. But he'll be suspended for the first two regular-season games and won't be able to practice during that time.

New Orleans Saints

Reggie Bush says he's ready to prove he's an elite running back. That's what Saints fans have been waiting to see since he entered the league three seasons ago. There's no question Bush has some outstanding physical skills, but lots of questions remain and this year will be critical to his career. Bush needs some help from a coaching staff that's got to get better at finding ways to maximize his skills.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Defensive tackle Ryan Sims is trying to revive his career as a backup with Tampa Bay.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas.

A quick trip around the NFC South.

FALCONS

The team gave rookie quarterback Matt Ryan some work with the first team in a scrimmage Friday night. Ryan connected with Roddy White on a 65-yard touchdown pass on his second series. Atlanta's coaches still are trying to decide if they want Ryan to be the starter to open the season or if it's better to let him sit and learn behind Chris Redman. Ryan's showing in the scrimmage made a pretty good case for getting him on the field immediately.

SAINTS

Naturally, most of the running back talk has been about Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. But don't forget about Pierre Thomas. After a strong finish last year, he's in the mix for playing time and he may be more than just a special teams player.

PANTHERS

The team has its annual Fan Fest Saturday at Bank of America Stadium, but the usually joyful day will be overshadowed by Friday's altercation between Steve Smith and Ken Lucas. A decision on discipline for Smith, which is likely to be a suspension for at least one regular-season game, will be coming soon. The Panthers may announce their decision later today or they may wait until Monday as the team has Sunday off.

BUCCANEERS

With Jeff Garcia sitting out with an injury, the Bucs have been giving quarterback Luke McCown most of the first-team snaps. He's working ahead of Brian Griese. This is significant because coach Jon Gruden usually prefers veterans. But McCown may have opened some eyes with strong play late last season and an excellent offseason.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas.

The Saints must be worried about the swelling in Deuce McAllister's knee, which caused the running back to sit out Saturday morning's practice (he returned for the afternoon session). They made a strong play for LaMont Jordan before he chose to sign with New England, according to a league source.

The Saints made a better financial offer than the Patriots, but the source said Jordan chose New England because he wanted to be with a Super Bowl contender.

New Orleans has Reggie Bush, Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas on the roster, but none of those three is a proven feature back. Even if McAllister's knee holds up, the Saints would be wise to continue to search for some insurance.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

JACKSON, Miss. -- A couple of quick updates before flying to Atlanta.

• Bucs coach Jon Gruden threw his support behind quarterback Jeff Garcia, but didn't totally rule out the possibility of pursuing Brett Favre. Keep in mind, tampering rules prevent Gruden from talking about players under contract with another team.
• Offensive tackle Sam Baker, the second of Atlanta's two first-round picks, is the Falcons' only unsigned rookie. Coach Mike Smith said negotiations with Baker are ongoing and he could be signed by the start of camp on Saturday.
• The Saints have finalized the contract for cornerback Tracy Porter, a second-round pick. First-round choice Sedrick Ellis remains unsigned.
• New Orleans' Reggie Bush did not have a good morning session returning punts. He misjudged two balls.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

Here's a look at two of the biggest position battles in New Orleans' camp:

Kaesviharn	Bullocks

Free safety: Kevin Kaesviharn vs. Josh Bullocks.

This is not a position of strength for the Saints, who upgraded their defensive line by drafting Sedrick Ellis and their linebacker corps by bringing in Jonathan Vilma. With an improved front seven, there's the chance for the starting free safety to be a playmaker.

Bullocks started most of last year, but he was beaten in coverage at times and never has played consistently well. Bullocks also is coming off knee surgery and that could open the door for Kaesviharn.

At least at the start of camp, Kaesviharn is expected to get the work with the first team. Unless he really struggles or Bullocks has an outstanding camp, Kaesviharn probably will open the season as the starter.

Intensity index: Mild

Running back: Deuce McAllister vs. Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas

	Jim O'Connor/US PRESSWIRE
	If his knee can't hold up, Saints RB Deuce McAllister will be in a battle for the starting job.

McAllister is coming back from his second major knee injury and he's not getting any younger. But he showed the ability to make it back from serious injury before and he's been the most dependable back in the NFC South this decade. The Saints may bring him along slowly in camp, but, if he's healthy, he'll probably be the opening-day starter.

Bush has yet to show signs he can be an every-down back, although he'll play a big role as a situational player. Thomas showed some promise, averaging 4.8 yards a carry last season, but he's not a real threat to a healthy McAllister.

Intensity index: Hot

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

Shockey

The New Orleans Saints went from having a pretty good offense to having a great one this afternoon. The trade for New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey makes New Orleans' offense complete.

The Saints already had a very good No. 1 wide receiver in Marques Colston and the potential for a strong running game with Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. They also have one of the smartest quarterbacks in the league in Drew Brees.

With Shockey, they've tied everything together. New Orleans needed someone to take some of the attention away from Colston. Defenses won't be able to roll the Cover Two on him all day because Shockey will take coverage away and cause matchup problems for safeties and linebackers.

He's a natural fit in the New Orleans offense because he can make things happen over the middle and down the field. That will open things up for Colston along the sidelines and it should help whoever is playing the No. 2 receiver spot (Robert Meachem and David Patten are among the candidates). Shockey also is going to make Brees much more effective because he gives him a tight end who is as dangerous as most wide receivers.

Shockey isn't noted for his blocking, but his presence still will help the running game. Defenses are going to have to account for Shockey with linebackers and safeties and that's going to open things up for Bush and McAllister. Opposing defenses won't be able to use eight men in the box and they won't be able to devote all their coverage to Colston.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas.

Our preseason power rankings are out today and the Saints are the top-rated team in the NFC South. They're No. 12 overall and I easily can see New Orleans cracking the top 10. I put them No. 10 on my ballot and think they can go even higher.

The Saints have one of the best offenses in football, mainly because Drew Brees is one of the league's smartest and most efficient quarterbacks. Sure, it would help if running back Reggie Bush can step up in his third year, but the Saints are in good shape at all the other skill positions.

If the additions of linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis can bring the defense to the middle of the pack, the Saints won't be just the best team in the NFC South. They could be a Super Bowl contender.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

• With the start of training camp only days away, Atlanta owner Arthur Blank took one last look at the nightmare that was last season for the Falcons. Blank talked candidly about the fiascos surrounding Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino. It may not be what people in Atlanta want to hear about right now, but Blank's reflection might put some closure on last year.
• This week, Reggie Bush is hitting red-carpet parties in Hollywood. Better enjoy it while he can because next week he'll be in a different world -- at training camp at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss.
• Like the rest of the NFC South -- except the Falcons -- the Bucs are moving very slowly in signing their draft picks. But general manager Bruce Allen remains optimistic he'll have them all under contract for the start of training camp.