Saints begin life without Sean Payton

METAIRIE, La. (AP) -  Saints coaches say they are going to have to get use to the huge void left by Sean Payton's suspension for his role in the team's bounty system. They also might have to get use to life without Drew Brees.      

Interim coach Joe Vitt and the rest of the coaching staff met with reporters Monday following the team's rookie minicamp, during which 64 newcomers practiced five times from Friday to Sunday.        

Vitt says he and Payton would do a "lot communicating on the practice field" and not having the head coach around "was a huge void right from the get-go."     

Brees remains unsigned after the Saints put the franchise tag on him in March.        

Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael sounds confident, saying, "They will get this worked out."