Louisiana lawmakers have approved a final step to keep the Saints in New Orleans. It was the last legislative approval needed to finalize the deal between Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration and the NFL team to keep the Saints in Louisiana through 2025.

The Raiders and Saints will meet in Oakland this Saturday in the preseason and head coach Sean Payton believes it will be a big test for his club. "They run the ball real well," said Payton. "I think it?s a big challenge. When you're talking about Oakland, there are a handful of teams that draw real well in the preseason and are a place that?s tough to play in. I think it?s a good experience to bring young players into a place like this an experience like Oakland. They?ve run the ball real well in the reason and done a good job." Payton also spoke of how the Raiders are an improved team from last season. "They?re much improved from a year ago and played well at the end of last season. It will be a good challenge for us.

Mike Bell was so impressive in Saturday's preseason game that the Saints now appear eager to use a three running back rotation. Bell had 10 carries for 100 yards and will likely join Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush in receiving carries. "I think so," Saints Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday when asked if the club might employ a three-back rotation this season. The Raiders run Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush with equal confidence. "A lot of people do (it)," Payton said. "You play a long season, and I've just been taught that that's a position you need to stack it up and have depth, because you know you're going to have some nicks along the way. The exception to the rule is the team that can feature one back the whole season."

Reggie Bush appears committed to ending his days as an east-west runner. "It's like an alcoholic when they go into an (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting or something," he said. "That's the first step, just recognizing it and getting better from there. ... I'm really just working on being explosive and, yes, hitting the holes. I think over these last two years I haven't done that." Injuries undoubtedly have contributed to Bush's disappointing career. But so have bad habits, most notably his penchant for trying to bounce every run outside for a touchdown. Too often Bush tiptoed to the hole or beelined outside at the first sign of a foreign jersey. "He's so fast, he was used to just running around everybody in college," Saints offensive line coach and running game coordinator Aaron Kromer said. "Reggie has such talent on the perimeter and catching the ball and running with it and doing a great job on the perimeter. ... He's a very talented player. And the really good players work on their weaknesses, and they're comfortable working on it and talking about it. And that's what he's doing."

Deuce McAllister is healthy and remains optimistic about his chances of catching on with an NFL team. McAllister, 30, told the Times-Picayune that he is healthy enough to pass a physical. He faces a sizeable hurdle though, as he was suspended for the first four games of the season in the high-profile "StarCaps" case. "It's kind of tough to get with a team knowing you won't be there for the first four games. That's kind of tough to deal with on my end," McAllister said.

The Saints have waived veteran cornerback Jason David. David, who has played two seasons in New Orleans, had a team-leading five interceptions last season. However, David was targeted and victimized often by opposing teams. He was set to earn about $2.4 million this season.

Saints kicker Garrett Hartley tested positive for the banned stimulant Adderall, which has led to a four-game suspension. Hartley said he took the drug to stay awake on a drive from Dallas to New Orleans earlier this year. The kicker told the Times-Picayune that he didn't know the prescription drug was banned by the NFL

Saints kicker Garrett Hartley faces a four-game suspension for unspecified reasons, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Hartley, 23, has been struggling during training camp. It was unclear what rules or policies Hartley may have violated, but he remains on the team's 80-man roster.

The Saints aren't the only team that has shown interest in free-agent linebacker Derrick Brooks. A league source told the National Football Post that the Raiders have had conversations with the former Defensive Player of the Year as well.

The Saints are showing interest in veteran linebacker Derrick Brooks. New Orleans invited Brooks in for a workout on Tuesday after learning that reserve linebacker Mark Simoneau would need surgery to repair a torn triceps. Brooks, released by Tampa Bay after last season, will work out with the Saints on Wednesday.