JACKSON – Reigning NFL Coach of the Year Sean Payton began his second training camp with the New Orleans Saints Thursday glad to be back at the serene surroundings of Millsaps College.

&#8220There hasn’t been a lot of distractions here,” Payton said in reference to the turmoil that is going on with the Saints’ archrivals in the Atlanta Falcons training camp which has been engulfed by animal rights protesters. Quarterback Michael Vick pleaded not guilty in federal court Thursday afternoon in Virginia on charges of operating a dogfighting ring.

&#8220I know it’s a challenge for (coach) Bobby (Petrino), especially when its your quarterback,” Payton said. &#8220The only thing I can compare it to personally was when I was in Dallas and we released our projected starting quarterback Quincy Carter a couple of days into training camp. You really want to be settled at that position before you start a camp.”

The Saints have no such problems. Quarterback Drew Brees is back to lead the NFL’s most potent offense from last season, one that saw the Saints go 10-6 in the regular season and reach the NFC Championship game for the first time in club history.

Payton, though, was quick to point out that this is a new team and a new season.

&#8220This is a different team that has to start from scratch. Nothing is promised to us as a result of what we did last year,” Payton said.

&#8220That said, it’s good to be back here in Jackson and at Millsaps. It’s been a little smoother this time around. Our experience here last year was fantastic. There were some things we wanted to see improved and they have been. I really like being in a small campus setting because I think it was really conducive to what we wanted to do.”

While Payton’s first camp with the Saints was filled with question marks, that’s not the case this time. Twenty-one of the team’s 22 starters return. The biggest personnel decisions will come on special teams.

The Saints have a new place-kicker in Olindo Mare, who comes over from the Miami Dolphins. The one noticeable departure was the release of kickoff return specialist Michael Lewis.

&#8220Who’s going to replace Michael Lewis?” Payton asked. &#8220Reggie (Bush) was a factor with our punt returns but I don’t if we’ll use him back there. We’ve acquired some new guys at linebacker and in the secondary and we’re anxious to see how they look.”

The Saints will get right to work. They have two practices every day for the next six days, leading up to the Aug. 5 preseason opener in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

&#8220That’s probably the biggest difference from last year. We’re going to have a preseason game rather than have a team scrimmage. That’s why we’ll be going in full pads right with the first two practices,” Payton said. &#8220I like the fact we’ll be taking the team to the Hall of Fame. It’ll be good for our players to see the great history of our league.”

One other change for fans coming to see the Saints practice is because of heavy rains on Millsaps’ lower fields, the team may conduct a few more practices at the 62,000-seat Veterans Memorial Stadium, which is located near Millsaps’ campus.

Practices will be open and free to the public, but there will be a $5 parking fee.