METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- The New Orleans Saints' on-field preparations for the 2008 season begin in earnest this weekend as six draft choices and 16 undrafted free agents arrive for rookie camp.

The players were slated to arrive Thursday night and practice five times between Friday and Sunday at the team's suburban New Orleans headquarters. The practices are closed to the public and the media.

Drafted players and free agents signed in the days following the late April NFL draft will be joined by several dozen other players participating on a tryout basis.

"It's a chance for them to see how we practice, learn our terminology and get them ready to compete for a position on this team," Saints coach Sean Payton said.

Payton said the practices will be conducted at a slower pace than training camp to allow the rookies an opportunity to learn and be prepared when they are joined by veterans in the full mini-camp at the end of May. Payton said the pace will pick up in the full squad minicamp and training camp, which begins in late July.

Players will speak with the media Saturday, their first in-person interviews locally since being acquired. That includes the Saints No. 1 draft choice, Southern Cal defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, who was picked seventh overall, as well as defensive back Tracy Porter, who played at Indiana but grew up in a family of Saints fans in Port Allen, La.

Payton will also speak with reporters on Saturday.

Payton has often said that where a player was drafted, or whether they were drafted at all, has no bearing on their ability to make the team. He said everyone is judged on how they perform after arriving.

He cited examples such as running back Pierre Thomas, punter Steve Weatherford, and quarterback Tyler Palko - all veteran Saints who were undrafted free agents. He also mentioned Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Tony Romo, who was an undrafted free agent when Payton was an assistant with the Cowboys.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://www.2theadvocate.com

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