Having invoked the 24 hour rule in regards to Sunday's 37-34 season-opening overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the New Orleans Saints will return to the practice field tomorrow as they kickstart preparations for the Cleveland Browns in advance of this weekend's week 2 matchup in Ohio.
As the coaching staff and players pick themselves up of the floor, a return to preparation and game-planning mode will be just what the doctor ordered for New Orleans, as a team with Super Bowl aspirations looks to dust itself off and move on to the next one.
As the world continues to turn, here is some news from around the Saints:
5 Players work out
It was business as usual at the team's facility on Airline Drive, as the Saints hosted five players for workouts on Monday.
Running Backs Michael Ford, Edwin Baker and Tauren Poole participated, as did tight ends David Paulson and Michael Egnew.
Ford, who hails from Leesville, La and played his college ball at LSU, spent all of last season and most of this preseason and camp with the Chicago Bears. The 5-10 216 24-year-old was cut last month after failing to climb a Bears depth chart which included Matt Forte, Shaun Draughn and rookie Ka'Deem Carey. Known for his athletic traits and physique, the former Bayou Bengal appeared in 12 games for Chicago last season, mostly on special teams duty.
Baker, a 5-8 210 Michigan State alum, spent last season with the Cleveland Browns, but was cut after falling down the depth chart in camp this summer. He recorded 43 carries for 171 yards and a pair of touchdowns at the back-end of last season, operating as an emergency back after a spate of injuries hit the Browns' backfield. He also caught 8 balls for 57 yards.
Poole, a Tennessee alum, was part of the Pittsburgh Steelers' cuts near the end of August. Poole has spent time on the practice squad of the Saints' division rival Carolina Panthers, and has also been a part of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Tennessee alum Tauren Poole worked out for the Saints on Monday.
Paulson, an Oregon product, was also waived by the Steelers last month, finding himself a part of the team's final cuts as they shaped their 53-man roster. The 25-year-old is the owner of 13 career receptions across two years, all with the Steelers.
Egnew, meanwhile, found work quickly as he was snapped up by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday just a day after auditioning for the Saints. The former third-round pick of the Miami Dolphins had been a free agent following offseason releases by both the Dolphins and Detroit Lions. Having appeared in 17 games across two seasons, Egnew has caught 7 balls for 69 yards.
It is unclear if the positions of the players involved in the workouts indicates an impending roster move or existing injury in relation to current members of the team's 53-man roster. It is likely that the Saints are simply taking notes and keeping their "in case of emergency" list fresh and up to date.
NFL High on Cooks
Rookie Brandin Cooks turned in a sensational debut on Sunday, catching 7 passes for 77 yards and his first career touchdown, while also rushing for 18 yards and handling punt return duties.
The Oregon State alum was used in a variety of ways and alignments, and looks set to live up to the hype he created on the strength of incredible moment after incredible moment throughout the offseason. Brandin Cooks had a successful debut in a losing effort Sunday.
Saints fans weren't the only people who took notice, as NFL.com writer Marc Sessler named Cooks as the top rookie after week 1. Sessler is doing a "Rookie Watch" piece on NFL.com in which he will chart the production of the 2014 rookie class in an effort to predict which first-year pro will have the most fruitful career in the league.
Cooks was honored, but remains focused on greater goals, tweeting "Thanks @NFL but we didn't get that W. Back at it on Sunday."
Other Notes
-The Saints waived OL Ty Nsekhe from its reserve/injured list, likely with an injury settlement. Nsekhe was hurt in training camp and was placed on IR last month.
- LB Parys Haralson spent time in an unusual role last Sunday, operating as a goal line fullback on RB Khiry Robinson's touchdown run. Coach Sean payton said the team liked Haralson's strength in that situation, and inserted the package into the game plan.
Haralson was happy to help his team in any way, shape, or form, in addition to his usual role as a viable linebacking option and special teams ace.
“They wanted a bigger guy in there,” Haralson said. “That’s how it goes. I just take my role whenever I can get it. I’m fighting every day.”