Payton praises Saints

• By LES EAST
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Sep 9, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:35 a.m.

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METAIRIE — Virtually every player making his Saints debut or taking on an expanded role contributed in New Orleans’ season-opening 24-20 victory against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

That left coach Sean Payton with a laundry list of such players to praise during his weekly news conference Monday.

The revamped defensive line pressured Jeff Garcia; new middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma was active all over the field; the newcomers in the secondary — Tracy Porter, Randall Gay, and Aaron Glenn — got their hands on several passes and prevented big plays; new tight end Jeremy Shockey caught six passes; and the halfback tandem of Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas made it unnecessary to rush Deuce McAllister back.

“I think there are a lot of things to be pleased with,” Payton said. “It was a hard-fought game that went back-and-forth and it was good to see us pull it out. I thought our guys played with poise and overcame some mistakes and ended up winning the game.”

Charles Grant sacked Garcia once and officially hurried him twice, and free agent signee Bobby McCray had a sack.

“I thought Charles Grant was exceptional; he played with a lot of effort and energy,” Payton said. “Will Smith did a good job; Bobby McCray came up with a sack and Kendrick Clancy inside and Sedrick Ellis who was getting his first start. I think the key is keeping those guys fresh as best we can.”

New Orleans lost some depth when reserve tackle Antawn Lake was sidelined by a groin injury in the first quarter. Payton said Lake, who has been excused because of a death in his family, will miss this week’s game and Washington and perhaps more.

With Hollis Thomas expected to miss at least another month because of triceps surgery and Brian Young slowed by foot and knee soreness, the Saints might bring in another tackle.

Payton said the Saints “clearly” won the battle of “explosive plays,” thanks in large part to the secondary eliminating big plays in the passing game.

“We got our hands on a lot of balls,” Payton said. “The pass break-ups were encouraging. Eliminating the deep throws was encouraging.”

Payton praised Porter, a rookie second-round draft out of Indiana who’s from Port Allen.

“When you see some young guys get out there for the first time, it’s a growing experience for them,” Payton said. “I felt like he was into the game and it wasn’t too big for him. I thought he did a real good job.”

Payton said he was pleased with the way Gay, a native of Brusly who played at LSU, performed as a starting cornerback and playing inside in the nickel scheme.