What are some differences between Tom Brady and Drew Brees?
“The biggest difference would be the size and height. Obviously, they’re both great quarterbacks. They’ve both had great success in the NFL. Today was a great opportunity to watch them both go out here and compete and get better.”

Is it as simple as our team going against their team to see how we match up offensively and defensively?
“We’re two days coming off the game, so for us today was just how was the tempo going to be and get out here and hit again. The nice thing is it’s seeing different defenses than what we’ve been seeing in training camp. We’re still practicing our base stuff. There’s not game planning going on. I think both clubs made it a priority to come out here and get better.”

Why has this relationship between the Patriots and the Saints worked so well?
“I would say the relationship between Sean (Payton) and Bill (Belichick) back to a couple of years ago was great when they set this thing up. We had a meeting with the coaches last night from the Patriots staff and just kind of talked about what we want to get out of this week. We’re not looking to come out here and fight and do all that. We’re out here to compete.”

How much are we going to see out of the first team offense on Thursday?
“We won’t meet about that as a staff until tomorrow afternoon. That’ll be led by Joe Vitt as far as how we’re going to play the guys.”

The offense looked a little shot-handed without Devery Henderson and Mark Ingram out there. Was that by design?
“I think just getting those guys some rest. We’re just two days off the game. We felt good. It wasn’t a ton of reps coming out here, so it was smooth.”

So it was just giving them the day off?
“Yes. If there’s anything to talk about, Joe Vitt would talk about that.”

Can you talk about the Saints having an us against the world mentality?
“I think it was a tough offseason for the team, but we stuck together. We know what we have in our locker room and who we are. The teamness of our group is second to none.”

Does it feel good to get on the field and get reps against another team?
“Yeah, I think we’re treating this training camp just like any other training camp. We’re coming out here to get some reps against another opponent and see what we have with some of the younger guys in some of these preseason games and see where we stand.”

With all the fans out here and the types of players and celebrities coming out, it doesn’t feel like an ordinary week of training camp.
“It’s exciting. It’s fun to be out here. For me, it’s a little personal because I come out here and there’s family up here for me so I enjoy that aspect. I think this atmosphere is perfect for football. You wouldn’t want it any other way. This is perfect.”