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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saints coach Sean Payton bristled on Monday when pressed about whether he intended to protect certain starters from potential injury by sitting them out of New Orleans’ anti-climactic regular season finale.“We’re going to prepare to play Carolina and continue to work on getting better in the areas we need to Cheap Kaden Elliss Youth Jersey ,” Payton asserted. “I can’t be any more clear; we’ll approach it just like we would any regular season game.”But this isn’t any regular season game. It holds no playoff implications for the Saints (13-2), who wrapped up the top overall seed in the NFC with a 31-28 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday.Sure, a victory would give the Saints the first 14-win regular season in the history of a franchise that was founded in 1967.But that may not be worth the risk of exposing a central player such as quarterback Drew Brees — who turns 40 next month — to a full-force hit that might affect his health in the all-important postseason.And Carolina defenders — eager to improve their own career prospects by putting more great hits on video — will surely be taking aim at top offensive producers like receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara.And there are probably benefits to getting more snaps for reserves this week in the event they are pressed into service in the playoffs.“We’re going to treat this like a regular work week,” starting safety Vonn Bell said, sidestepping a question about the merits of resting key players this week. “We’re going to do what the coaches tell us.”The rest vs. rust dilemma is one that coaches are generally thankful to encounter.The last time the Saints were a No. 1 seed was in 2009, when Payton sat Brees for the regular season finale in Carolina. New Orleans lost that game before becoming the first team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl after ending the regular season on a three-game skid.But Payton downplayed his past decision-making on that front.“I don’t have a general philosophy,” Payton said. “Each team’s different.”Saints players who are banged up could now have two weekends off if they don’t play against Carolina. New Orleans gets a bye after that before opening their playoff run at home in the divisional round against an opponent yet to be determined.Recent results suggest the Saints could use the rest.After a string of dominant victories during the heart of the season, New Orleans’ past four games have included one close loss and three straight fourth-quarter comebacks.Whether the tighter games were indicative of the Saints coming back to the pack is a matter for debate. Payton and the Saints sound generally gratified by the way they’ve handled their recent string of late-game stress.“The thing I’m encouraged about — each of those times we’re challenged New Orleans Saints Kaden Elliss Jersey , we found a way to come up on the right end for the most part,” Payton said, noting that in the NFL, close games are “more the norm” than the multi-touchdown victories the Saints enjoyed against the New York Giants, Washington, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and in their home date with Atlanta.“We’re a resilient team,” Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk said. “Not every NFL game is a blowout. Even if you have a dominant offense Womens Kaden Elliss 2019 Jersey , it doesn’t happen a lot. We know that’s not a common occurrence and later in the year we got to battle through some games and I think that shows you what kind of team we have.”Ramczyk looked to be among the players who could use a break when he briefly left the game against Pittsburgh with an ankle injury. But he returned to play through it and said he felt relatively good on Monday. It remains to be seen how left tackle Terron Armstead fares. His action against Pittsburgh was his first since his chest injury on Nov. 11 at Cincinnati. He did not make it through the whole game and the Saints have not provided updates on his condition.Beyond that, the Saints appear relatively healthy, particularly after receiver Ted Ginn Jr.’s impactful return (five catches, 74 yards) against Pittsburgh from a knee injury that kept him on injured reserve more than half the season.“He played well,” Payton said. “It was good to have him back out there.”If Payton wants Ginn back out there again in the postseason, he could always limit his snap count against the Panthers.As far as the most successful coach in Saints history is concerned, such decisions will become evident in due time. This free agency period is already at maximum hype!" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesCanal Street Chronicles homepageHorizontal - WhiteCanal Street Chroniclesa New Orleans Saints communityFollow Canal Street Chronicles online:Follow Canal Street Chronicles on TwitterFollow Canal Street Chronicles on FacebookLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchCanal Street Chronicles main menuFanpostsFanshotsSectionsLibrarySaintsOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections InterviewsNew Orleans Saints SatireWho Dat HistoryCanal Street Chronicles TutorialFleur-de-Links, March 8: Antonio Brown in the headlines New Orleans Saints Wil Lutz Jersey , but were Saints even interested?New,5commentsThis free agency period is already at maximum hype!CSTSaints News:Can the New Orleans Saints re-sign Mark Ingram? - al.comTime is dwindling for the New Orleans Saints to retain Mark Ingram with a contract extension.Report: Saints back out of Steelers’ Antonio Brown sweepstakesThe New Orleans Saints reportedly backed out of trade discussions involving Pittsburgh Steelers superstar wide receiver Antonio Brown.2019 free agency: Philadelphia Eagles options for New Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints could do well to sign former Philadelphia Eagles like Golden Tate, Jay Ajayi, or Timmy Jernigan in free agency.Edge rusher still a Saints priority despite bold trade last year - New Orleans Saints Blog- ESPNThe Saints have invested heavily at defensive end, but they could still use more help. Here's who the team could target in a loaded free-agent class.NFL experts project Teddy Bridgewater leaves Saints.Breaking down the Saints salary cap, possible adds and cuts with free agency approaching – The AthleticHere's a deep dive into the cap situation, position-by-position, including how much potential targets might cost.NFL News:NFL rumors: Antonio Brown proposed trade to Bills won't happen | SI.comGet the latest scoops New Orleans Saints Michael Hoomanawanui Jersey , news and rumors as NFL teams prepare for the draft and free agency.NFL rumors: Antonio Brown's demands could be 'huge factor' for Raiders | NBCS Bay AreaAntonio Brown could be on the move soon, but is there a big hurdle in getting him on the Raiders?Dallas Cowboys: David Irving smokes weed and quits the NFL | Fort Worth Star-TelegramDE David Irving, who played the last four years with the Dallas Cowboys and currently suspended indefinitely by the NFL, smoked marijuana during a rant on Instagram Thursday night and said he is done with the NFL.Kyler Murray to run 40, throw at March 13 pro day - NFL.comAs expected, Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray will run the 40 at his pro day on March 13th, along with a regular passing workout, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.NFL Network analyst crushes Kyler Murray - Chicago TribuneCharley Casserly reported that Kyler Murray fared poorly in interviews with team officials Cheap Michael Hoomanawanui Youth Jersey , prompting a defense from Lincoln Riley, Murray's coach at Oklahoma.Steelers lock up Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster - NFL.comPittsburgh signed Maurkice Pouncey to an extension through 2021 making him the highest-paid center in the NFL while also signing guard Ramon Foster to a two-year, $8.25 million deal.2019 NFL Scouting Combine winners/losers: Justice Hill excites - NFL.comThe first prospects hit the field Thursday at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, with the offensive linemen and running backs going through workouts. Who stood out? Bucky Brooks spotlights winners and losers.2019 NFL free-agency guide - Players to know, team needs and value signingsHere comes free agency. We have everything you need to know about the top players on the open market and the teams that will be signing them.2019 NFL Free Agency: Here are the five most likely landing spots for Ndamukong Suh - CBSSports.comThe Rams defensive tackle is set to hit the open market after one season in Los AngelesSocial Media: