New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced Tuesday that the club has signed wide receiver Robert Meachem, the Saints? first-round draft choice, to a five-year contract. The deal completes the signings of the club?s 2007 draft class as the Saints prepare to open training camp later this week. ?It has been a priority for us to get all of our picks signed and have them available from day one,? said Loomis. ?Robert has worked hard since he joined our team and we expect more of that to come in training camp and beyond.?

Saints defensive tackle Brian Young fractured a foot while doing some offseason training on his own in Florida and will likely miss the opening practices of training camp. General manager Mickey Loomis said Young, 30, had surgery on the foot last week but could not say when the lineman would be able to return to practice. Loomis did not specify which foot was involved. The Saints' backups at Young's spot include Kendrick Clancy, Antwan Lake and Rodney Leisle. Leisle started during Hollis Thomas' suspension late last season.

Saints defensive tackle Brian Young fractured a foot while doing some offseason training on his own in Florida and will likely miss the opening practices of training camp. GM Mickey Loomis said Young had surgery on the foot last week but could not say when the lineman would be able to return to practice. Loomis did not specify which foot was involved.

New Orleans is hoping it gets picked for the NFL draft. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation has sent a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell seeking to host the annual draft and turn it into a week-long celebration -- complete with events including a Mardi Gras-style parade and civic events involving retired players. The draft either would be held at the convention center or the New Orleans Arena, said Jay Cicero, the foundation president leading the effort. The NFL has not responded to the plan, he said.

The Saints linebacker corps received another boost Thursday when veteran free agent Dhani Jones said he has signed a one-year contract with the team. Jones made the announcement during a scheduled guest appearance on the NFL Network. "It was a difficult (decision), but at the same time we're excited about going to New Orleans," Jones said. "What Reggie Bush and Coach Sean Payton bring to the table, it's going to be an exceptional year." The Philadelphia Eagles released Jones, a seven-year veteran, on April 20. He became expendable in Philadelphia after the Eagles acquired Takeo Spikes in a trade, drafted Stewart Bradley and welcomed Chris Gocong back from injured reserve