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METAIRIE, La. - The Saints defence has made takeaways its top priority after forcing an NFC-low 19 turnovers in 2013. Near the start of a workout in late May, New Orleans rookie cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste stripped wide receiver Andy Tanner after he made a short reception. That play set the tone. Defenders have continued to punch and slap at the ball in the first two practices of minicamp. Although New Orleans finished fourth in the NFL in yards allowed under new co-ordinator Rob Ryan last season — a dramatic improvement after yielding the most yards in NFL history a year earlier — Ryan wont be happy until he sees more turnovers. Seven fumble recoveries and 12 interceptions were not enough. "That was a glaring weakness last year," he says. "We did pretty decent as a unit, but we want to be great, and to be great, you have to take the ball away." They did more than just talk about it. They signed free agent Jairus Byrd, whose 22 interceptions since his rookie season in 2009 are the most for any NFL safety, and also picked up veteran Champ Bailey, whose 52 career interceptions are the most for any active cornerback. In film sessions, Ryan has repeatedly shown cutups of Chicago safety Charles Tillman punching out the ball. In 2012, Tillman forced 10 fumbles, which is three more than the Saints managed as a whole in 2013. "Great players can be imitated, and were trying to do that here," Ryan said. "Imitation is the biggest form of flattery. We know we have to improve on that." Linebacker Curtis Loftons statistics were a perfect illustration of the Saints strengths and weaknesses last year. He made a team-high 125 tackles for the resurgent defence but had a hand in only turnover, forcing a fumble against Miami. He did not recover a fumble or pick off a pass all season. "We didnt create enough turnovers, so thats definitely an emphasis for us," he said. "Weve been working on it, and its showing up in practice. Then we are going to take what we do in practice and do it in games." After winning the Super Bowl in 2009, New Orleans has returned to the playoffs in three of the last four years but has come up short of the NFC Championship Game each time. Seattle was the roadblock last year, hammering the Saints 34-7 in the regular season and beating them again 23-15 in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Saints werent that far behind the Seahawks in yards allowed per game (273.6 to 305.7) and registered 49 sacks to the Seahawks 44, but Seattle had more than twice as many takeaways with 39. "If you look at all the past great defences, they forced a lot of turnovers," Bailey said. "Theres a reason Seattle won the Super Bowl. They forced a lot of turnovers. If we dont get them, we wont go very far." Ryan expects the presence of Byrd and Bailey to help close that gap. Bailey deflected a pass that turned into an interception in the Saints first open practice of the summer. Byrd is out for the summer after undergoing back surgery, but coach Sean Payton said he was on schedule to return for the beginning of training camp. In addition to his interceptions, he forced 11 fumbles in his five years with Buffalo. Thats not Tillman territory, but it beats what the Saints did last year. "You can see guys attempting to punch through the ball, almost over-exaggerating it," said linebacker Junior Galette, who had 12 sacks last year but forced only one fumble. "Charles Tillman is a beast at it, and we are motivated to make the extra effort to knock it out." NOTES: During one 11-on-11 session in Wednesdays practice, a machine on the side of the field cranked up crowd noise as the offence approached the line of scrimmage on each play. Coach Sean Payton said it was the first time he has piped in noise during minicamp. The Saints went 3-5 on the road in the regular season last year — their first losing record away from home under Payton since 2008. .Minicamp ends with another practice on Thursday. ___ AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Air Max 720 NZ Online . Although Olivetti, a qualifier, had 13 aces, he failed to force a single break-point chance on Gasquets serve and lost his own three times. Gasquet next plays third-seeded Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, who won had 18 aces in a 6-2, 6-4 win against seventh-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France. Air Max 720 Clearance .com) - The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics both entered Wednesday nights game riding lengthy losing streaks. http://www.cheapairmax720nz.com/ . 15-23, the Ottawa Senators will by hoping to avoid going five straight games without a victory for the first time since a 0-3-2 drought from Oct. Wholesale Air Max 720 NZ .C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes used a strong third period to extend their winning streak to three games. Cheap Air Max 720 NZ . - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to meet with Richie Incognito to determine if one of the central figures in the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal can help their struggling offensive line.SAN FRANCISCO - From his three-homer game in the 2012 World Series to that lasting image of his arms in the air celebrating another championship last month, Pablo Sandoval made quite a mark in San Francisco.Now fans are stunned he is really leaving. Right after he said he would love to retire in a Giants uniform, no less.Kung Fu Panda is moving about as far away as he could go, to the American League and an East Coast team hoping to duplicate San Franciscos recent run of success. Sandoval and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a multiyear contract, and the switch-hitting third baseman informed the Giants on Monday he will be taking his services elsewhere.To the greatest fans in San Francisco! Leaving the (hashtag)SFGiants & this city I love is the most difficult decision I have ever made, Sandoval posted on Twitter and Instagram. I have grown up w/you, laughed & cried w/you & you have blessed me (with) your support, friendship & love. It has been an unforgettable @SFGiants career, a great run & 3 World Series championships in 5 yrs w/great teammates, coaches, front office & fans. I will always remember you w love & my heart will always be in (hashtag)SF.Sandoval, the 2012 World Series MVP, had pondered an offer from the Giants worth about $95 million over five years, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. San Francisco might have taken it up closer to $100 million. Thats comparable to what Sandoval is expected to receive from the Red Sox.The slugger is expected to be formally introduced Tuesday in Boston.Whats next for Evans and Giants general manager Brian Sabean is unclear, given theres hardly a panda-sized pool of available third basemen.The Giants are likely to show interest in free-agent third baseman Chase Headley. They also are expected to enter the race for Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas.Sabean said when the season ended that Sandoval was the No. 1 priority before anything else got done to build the 2015 roster.Losing Sandoval stings, and will for a while — even if he was ready for a change and new challenge after seven major league seasons with the Giants.The burly switch hitter was beloved in the Bay Area, where fans sported panda hats in his honour — including a quartet of oversized heads on a few fans during the ffranchises latest championship run.dddddddddddd. His lasting memory likely will be the moment he leaned back on bent knees and raised his arms in triumph after winning another World Series last month.He has been with us through some of the greatest moments in San Francisco Giants history — including all three World Series championships, the Giants said in a statement. We will never forget his World Series MVP performance in 2012 and his numerous contributions to the 2014 championship. His connection with Giants fans — young and old — is truly special, and he will be greatly missed. We wish him nothing but the best in Boston.The 28-year-old Sandoval met with the Red Sox last week. After winning his third World Series title in five years with San Francisco, he indicated he wanted to retire with the Giants. He is coming off a three-year deal that guaranteed him $17.15 million.Sandoval joins a big-spending Boston team that finished last in the AL East, one year after winning the World Series.Sandoval hit .279 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs in 157 games this season. He also batted .366 in the post-season with seven doubles and five RBIs, four during the World Series against Kansas City.I want to wear that jersey for the rest of my career, Sandoval said after the Oct. 31 victory parade. Im going to go from what my heart tells me.Having the chance to eventually become a designated hitter could have factored into his choice.After the season, Sandoval declined to answer when asked whether he might accept a hometown discount. He has faced constant criticism about his ever-changing waistline, and the fact he performs in the post-season but has been inconsistent through the first 162 games.Id love to be back here. I love the fans. I love my teammates, Sandoval said. They taught me a lot of things, to respect the game and play the game right.Sandoval and the Giants traded offers in the spring but failed to reach a deal.Sabean said earlier this month much of his off-season business would be dictated by what happened with Sandoval. Other free agents from the team are starting pitchers Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong, reliever Sergio Romo and left fielder Michael Morse.The GM can now begin work on the next names on his checklist. ' ' '