New reputation has helped Saints fill key spots

Defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin, along with six-time Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz, are a testament to what the once laughable Saints have become in the Sean Payton era. All three players are established veterans who signed one-year deals to play in New Orleans because they thought it gave them their best shot to win their first Super Bowl. Rogers, who spent 10 seasons in Detroit and Cleveland, says he was willing to join the Saints on their terms because it was important to him to play for a winning team. As Saints head coach, Payton has used the draft and long-term free-agent deals to build the club's nucleus, but says signing short-term deals with veterans who want a chance to win fits into his master plan.