Roman Harper hopes he can improve the air quality in the New Orleans Saints locker room this season -- metaphorically speaking, that is.The younger guys, they need to feel success, they need to know what it smells like, Harper said, alluding to the mantra, Smell greatness, from New Orleans 2009 championship season.The Saints -- who open training camp in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, on July 27 -- havent entirely stunk up the Superdome in recent seasons; theyve been competitive in many games.But in going 7-9 in both 2014 and 15, theyve fallen far short of the standard they set when they made the playoffs four times in five seasons from 2009 to 2013. Harper, entering his 11th NFL season, was part of all of those playoff teams before leaving in free agency for Carolina, which made the playoffs in 2014 and advanced to the Super Bowl last season.Some of New Orleans roster moves this offseason, such bringing back Harper and acquiring eighth-year middle linebacker James Laurinaitis from the Rams in free agency, were made with an eye toward finding a better balance of young talent and veteran leadership -- particularly on a defense that has ranked second-to-last in the NFL the past two seasons.When New Orleans concluded offseason workouts this summer, its most accomplished players sounded confident that the Saints were developing the kind of cohesion that can make the difference between climbing into the playoff picture and languishing in mediocrity.Everybody is talented, so what separates you? quarterback Drew Brees asked rhetorically. Its discipline. It is work ethic. It is togetherness. It is competitiveness. It is toughness. I feel like we have all that with the guys, both veteran and young.Here are some things to watch as the Saints assemble for camp at the Greenbrier Resort:DETERMINED DREW: Brees is in the last year of a five-year, $100 million contract and wants an extension, but has asserted that his contract status wont affect his performance. History backs him up. The previous time Brees went into the final year of a contract was 2011, when he passed for what was then an NFL-record 5,476 yards, as well as 46 touchdowns. And while Brees is getting older, he led the NFL in yards passing last season with 4,870 -- down from his career high, certainly, but still elite.Drews been in this situation before, Saints coach Sean Payton said. I dont envision it to be a distraction.ALLENS TIME: If defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can ensure the right number of players are on the field every play and are lined up properly, hell have fixed two problems Payton cited with the unit a year ago. Allen, who took over New Orleans defense after coordinator Rob Ryans firing in the second half of last season, is coming off his first full offseason in charge and has sought to adjust New Orleans scheme to promote better organization and suit the strengths of his players.Youre able to instill your scheme and youre able to instill your culture, Allen said. You are not quite as able to do that when you take over in the middle of a season. Like anything else, were starting from ground zero. Were going to be judged on what we do from this point forward.PEATS PERFORMANCE: Payton has said he envisions 2015 top draft pick Andrus Peat as a starter on the offensive line this season. The question is whether its at tackle, where he played at Stanford, or at guard, where the Saints need someone to step in for Jahri Evans, who was released during the offseason. The Saints have starting left tackle Terron Armstead and starting right tackle Zach Strief back this season. So Payton aims to determine whether starting Peat over Strief at right tackle makes more sense than starting Peat ahead of one of the young, relatively unproven linemen competing to step in at guard.YOUNG DEFENDERS: The Saints are eager to see if players from the past two draft classes can make regular contributions on a defense that needs help. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is competing for snaps after being drafted 12th overall this spring. Meanwhile, two draft choices from last year -- cornerback P.J. Williams and pass-rushing outside linebacker Davis Tull -- are both on track to make their NFL debuts after spending last season on injured reserve.CATCHING ON: Rookie receiver Michael Thomas showed promise in offseason workouts and could compete for a starting job that opened up with the release of franchise career receiving leader Marques Colston last winter.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Kyrie 3 Shoes White .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. Kyrie 3 Samurai For Sale . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. http://www.kyrieirvingshoescheap.com/ . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. Kyrie 2 For Sale Mens . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Kyrie Irving Shoes Clearance . PETERSBURG, Fla. Excerpted from The Middle School Rules of Skylar Diggins as told to Sean Jensen. Copyright ? 2016. Published by BroadStreet Publishing. Used by permission.Chapter 19Watch and LearnWhen Skylar is 11, the Lady Soldiers cruise to their region and state AAU titles. They qualify for the national tournament!After another successful fundraiser, the girls want to enjoy one of the most fun cities in the world for kids: Orlando, Florida. Thats even more special for Skylar because Orlando is only 90 minutes from Tampa, where Daddy and her brothers live!The day before the Lady Soldiers first game, some of the girls and their families go to a beach about an hour away. Some head to Disney World. Others shop at a big mall. Skylar has dinner and watches a movie with Daddy and her brothers who are excited about attending her games.An hour before tip-off of the first game, Daddymoe does not sense the usual excitement from his players. Several Lady Soldiers yawn and lay around the locker room.All right, Family, Shalana says. Win on 3.1 ... 2 ... 3 ... Win.The cheer lacks its usual gusto.When they walk on the court, though, the Lady Soldiers marvel at the stands. They see a sea of fans wearing red shirts featuring the same logo as the jerseys of their opponent. They are from Louisville, and their fans stomp and sing loudly.Who rocks this house? one father yells.The Cardinals rock this house! dozens of others scream.They do this over and over.The Lady Soldiers do not start well, and they do not rally. The Cardinals steamroll them, 62-40.In the locker room, Daddymoe is usually positive and upbeat, even when they lose. But today he is upset -- and he sends them a strong message.I know Orlando has beaches, theme parks, and malls, he says quietly, and those things are a lot of fun. But we came here to play basketball! If we lose tomorrow, were going home.The girls all lock their eyes on Daddymoe. The way the national tournament is set up means a team could lose a few games and still advance to the championship. But Daddymoe makes clear another poor performance will mean a quick trip home.Daddymoes RuleWe are not going to waste your familys hard-earned money, Daddymoe says. Tune out the distractions and focus on the number one goal of this trip.The girls accept the message. Instead of going to a team dinner at a theme park, they decide to eat next to their hotel and rest in their rooms.When he does bed checks, Daddymoe notices Skylar intently watching the television.When he steps into the room, Daddymoe also sees her scribbling down notes.What are you doing, Skylar? he asks.Skylar peeks up.Oh, Im watching the tape of our game, she says.Skylar continues her film study.dddddddddddd She replays the moves of her opponent, a taller but faster guard, over and over and over again.She looks for clues in the tape to see why her opponent scored on her with nifty post moves near the basket. Skylar searches for tips on why she misses three layups. She discovers that the Cardinal guard would stick her hands in Skylars face when she leaps toward the rim.Since she is bigger, what can I do to create more space between us? Skylar asks herself.Daddymoe smiles, stands, and heads for the door.How long have you been watching tape? he asks Skylar before leaving.About an hour, Skylar says, but I only have 20 more minutes, then Ill go to bed.Skylar learns some things she can do better the next time she plays against a taller and faster opponent. But she wishes she were home, so she could head to her backyard court to practice before bed. Their hotel, unfortunately, does not have a basket.At the next game, the Lady Soldiers regain their confidence and their energy. They blow out a team from Dallas, and they convincingly defeat each opponent until they reach the championship game.Though Skylar scores 29 points, the Lady Soldiers lose by eight points to a team from Atlanta.At the medal ceremony, each of the Lady Soldiers graciously accepts their hammer-sized, second-place trophies. They are proud of how much they have improved in a year.But they are not satisfied.They want the three-tiered championship trophy, which must be handled with both hands.That would look really sweet at the King Center, Skylar whispers to Emily.Next year, Emily answers.Daddy, Shay, Dezz, and Tayta walk from the stands to the court, where they hug Skylar.Great job, Skylar, Daddy says. You were amazing!The Lady Soldiers return to the King Center and keep practicing and playing against boys their age and even men. Ashley grows stronger and stronger, both physically and mentally. Em develops a reliable jump shot, and Skylar finishes better around the hoop.The Lady Soldiers lose a lot of practice games to the boys and men. But they keep growing individually and collectively and push for the next win.Then something clicks.The Lady Soldiers put everything together, and they start to dominate opponents on the court. At the next AAU National Championship, Skylar leads the way, as the Soldiers win the title, defeating every team, including the one from Atlanta that beat them the previous year.The Lady Soldiers family-first approach and their years of hard work pay off.They are champions! ' ' '