METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- Former Michigan receiver Adrian Arrington hopes he'll soon be labeled a draft-day steal. The same holds true for former Nebraska offensive lineman Carl Nicks.

Coming into last month's NFL draft, few questioned their talent as much as their ability to behave off the field.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton sees himself as one who puts a premium on good character.

But since Nicks was available in the fifth round of the draft, and Arrington in the seventh, the Saints decided it was worth risking of a couple late-round picks on them.

On Saturday, after the third practice of the Saints' three-day rookie camp, both players expressed gratitude for the chance they've been given by New Orleans and their desire to make the best of it.

"I'm hoping to be a big steal," Arrington said. "I'm just trying to work hard every day in practice and do exactly what the coaches are telling me to do. When they see that, that's something they can work with."

Arrington was a junior at Michigan last season, his first as a starter. A broken ankle sidelined him for most of 2005. During 2006, he was arrested after a fight with his girlfriend, though misdemeanor domestic violence charges were later dropped. He also was suspended from the team by then-coach Lloyd Carr during 2007 spring drills. However, he won reinstatement to the squad and had 67 catches last season for 882 yards and eight TDs.

Through the first few practices, which were closed to the public and media, Arrington said he dropped only one of numerous passes thrown his way.

Arrington "has done a good job of just handling the assignments. He's a pretty sharp kid," Payton said.

With both Arrington and Nicks, Payton had the benefit of knowing their former coaches.

Saints tight ends coach Terry Malone was once an assistant at Michigan and recruited Arrington. Payton also is friends with former Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan, who offered Payton insight on Nicks.

Nicks was arrested at a party and also was suspended for part of a game for missing a class, which Nicks said he slept through.

Payton spoke to Nicks by phone before the Saints drafted him, curious to see whether Nicks would blame others for his past problems or hold himself accountable. The coach liked the answers he got.

"He's a guy that has some maturing to do and is going to need to take on some responsibilities," Payton said. "Whether he missed class or showed up at a party - he had some of those incidents in college that concern you and you pay attention to them, but I don't think we're drafting a bad guy. I think we're drafting a guy that needs work and we have to provide him an environment to give him a chance to be successful, and I think he has some of the tools that you look for when you look at his size and athleticism."

The Saints have placed the 6-foot-5, 341-pound Nicks at left guard during rookie camp.

Nicks said his off-the-field problems undoubtedly caused him to fall to the late rounds of the draft, which means it likely cost him a chance to make a lot more money as a higher-round pick.

"At the same time, I got the opportunity to play for a good organization, so I feel it's a blessing in disguise," Nicks said. "I'm happy to be here."

Nicks said he "accepted full responsibility for my actions" and doesn't blame anyone but himself.

"I always feel in my heart I was a good guy regardless of what people say," Nicks said. "So it's good to have a coach who says, 'Forget what happened, you're here now. I'm going to judge you on how you treat me and your teammates and how you are as a football player.'"

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LOUISIANA CONNECTIONS:@ When the NFL draft ended late last month, the Saints moved fast to sign former LSU linebacker Luke Sanders as an undrafted free agent.

Later, they secured several more players with Louisiana ties to participate in this weekend's rookie camp on a tryout basis.

Those players included former LSU cornerback Jonathan Zenon, former Southeastern Louisiana wide receiver Byron Ross, former LSU receiver Josh McManus, former Grambling State cornerback Greg Fassitt and quarterback Richard Irvin, who played for Tulane before transferring to Harvard.

Zenon did not sign with a team after the draft and got a tryout with the Cleveland first. The Browns chose not to sign him, freeing him up for his tryout this weekend with New Orleans.

"It's right at home so everything feels comfortable," said Zenon, who played for Breaux Bridge High School before joining the Tigers. "It's in my backyard so I feel like this is the best opportunity for me. ... All I can do is showcase my skills and hope for the best."

Irvin, meanwhile, had all but given up on an NFL career after getting his degree in government at Harvard, but couldn't resist the chance to join the Saints for rookie camp after Payton offered him a chance.

"I really wasn't planning on doing football," Irvin said. "This opportunity arose and I'm just enjoying the moment.

Irvin said transferring out of Tulane was a bad move as far as football was concerned, but the chance to get a degree from Harvard meant a lot to him, so he had no regrets.

Irvin knew Andrew Hatch, now the leading candidate to start next season at LSU following his transfer out of Harvard.

"He's a smart kid. He's talented. He's a big kid. He's fairly fast," Irvin said. "If he gets his shot, he can make the most of it."

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