White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. - New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis opened the team's training camp with back-to-back press conferences  Wednesday evening. Practice begins Thursday at The Greenbrier Resort. Here are some quick takeaways from the event:

1. Loomis and Payton commented on Saints quarterback Drew Brees' contract situation. Loomis stated that no progress has been made. "My phone is on the hook and ready to be rung," Loomis said. Payton said that Brees' contract will take care of itself. 

2. Payton is already preaching a sense of urgency. He is looking for very competitive periods in practice and high quality play during the preseason games. He said he believes winning early and a successful first four games in the regular season are key for this group.

3.  Payton and Loomis said they believe the answers to the team's pass rush are on the current roster. Loomis stated that finding those answers is a key piece of  training camp. Loomis also said that linebacker James Laurinaitis as a key addition to the  defense. He said he views Laurinaitis as being in the mold of former Saints star linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

Other notes. ... Payton said he doesn't believe that veterans Terron Armstead and Keenan Lewis will be on the PUP list for long. He also touched on the uniqueness of practicing with two other NFL teams during camp.  Those opportunities present a small change in what we've known as the traditional schedule; the "Black and Gold Scrimmage" normally taking place on the second weekend will not be held this season.