METAIRIE, La. -- Roland "Champ" Bailey, who turns 36 next month, figures theres no use trying to fool anyone -- least of all himself -- about his age. As of now, hes the oldest every-down player on New Orleans roster; place kicker Shayne Graham is his only elder teammate. "If you put me on any team, Im always going to be the old guy," Bailey said. "Its just something Ive got to get used to." Preferring to avoid comparisons to the player he was several years ago, Baily is focusing on what he can do in 2014. Thats when the Saints relatively young and partly overhauled secondary will need his leadership, veteran savvy, and still formidable play-making skills. "One thing I dont want to do is look back or look too far ahead. Im taking care of whats in front of me. Thats getting in shape and getting to know my guys," Bailey said. "My first thing is to lead by example, show how hard I can work and try to lead that way. And all these guys -- I know I have a lot of experience and Im not going to shy away from telling them things I think they need to hear and making sure Im there for them when they have questions." Now entering his 16th NFL season, Bailey has been named to 12 Pro Bowls. His 52 career interceptions are the most among active players. He was among the more high-profile free-agent additions New Orleans made this off-season, along with safety Jairus Byrd. Unlike Bailey, Byrd is in the prime of his career, entering his sixth season with three Pro Bowls and 22 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles already to his name. Also unlike Bailey, Byrd was not available to participate in voluntary off-season practices this week because of back surgery. Coach Sean Payton said Byrds procedure to address a nagging problem with a disc should not sideline the safety beyond the start of training camp. "Its something that didnt need to be done, but both he and ourselves felt like it would be something that would prevent any issues in the fall," Payton said. "Our guess would be that well be real cautious ... and then hell start up training camp with no problem." Bailey, who last season missed 11 games with a left foot injury, said he feels good now, and backed it up with his performance on the field. During 11-on-11 drills, Bailey made a leaping breakup of Luke McCowns pass intended for Andy Tanner along the sideline. Later, Bailey tipped McCowns slant pass intended for Kenny Stills, resulting in an interception by linebacker Kyle Knox. "He looks fantastic," defensive co-ordinator Rob Ryan said. "You look out there and you think hes one of those young guys running around. But hes bringing excitement to our defence and knowledge and its awesome to add a great player like him." Quarterback Drew Brees recalled throwing an interception that Bailey returned for a 25-yard touchdown in 2005, when Brees was with San Diego and Bailey with Denver. The Broncos came back to win that game in large part because of Baileys play, and Brees said Baileys play-making was why game plans included "no-throw zones," whenever Denver was the opponent. "Certain routes, certain areas of the field, you just knew: Dont even think about it. Its not worth it," Brees recalled. The Saints hope Bailey will still come up with such plays while mentoring younger cornerbacks including 2010 first-round pick Patrick Robinson, who missed most of last season with a knee injury; rookie Stanley Jean-Baptiste, a second round pick; and third-year cornerback Corey White. Even Keenan Lewis, the Saints top cornerback, could benefit from Baileys presence. "Theres so much value in having a guy like that," Brees said. "Not only what he can teach our young guys, but just hes still and extremely productive player. ... He wouldnt have chosen the New Orleans Saints if he didnt think we had a legitimate shot here -- and that he could help us." Notes: In addition to Byrd, those missing practice included DT John Jenkins, DE Tyrunn Walker, WR Joseph Morgan and WR Brandin Cooks. Cooks was excused to finish the school year at Oregon State. Payton declined to address the conditions of Jenkins, Walker or Morgan, though Morgan wore a sleeve his left knee, which he injured last training camp, putting him out for the season. Ed Olczyk Jersey .com) - The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics both entered Wednesday nights game riding lengthy losing streaks. Bob Errey Jersey . - Jordan Addesis shootout goal helped the Plymouth Whalers to a 3-2 win over the Sault Ste. https://www.cheappenguinsjersey.com/1771...y-penguins.html. -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Orest Kindrachuk Jersey . "I never commented to anyone that I wanted out," he explained. "My heart is with this group and making the playoffs." Kesler added that the rumours are "completely false" that he asked to be traded - recently or ever. Mark Recchi Jersey . Ted Ligety, Mikaela Shiffrin, Bode Miller and Tim Jitloff underlined the squads enormous potential on the Rettenbach glacier in Austria.Each week, The Three-Man Weave will fill the lanes and Weave To Achieve on the News, Views and Truths of the NBA and beyond. The unit will be led by Will Strickland and Duane Watson, hosts of TSN 1050s basketball radio show, 1 On 1 with Will & Duane. This week, the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Toronto native and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anthony Bennett joins the discussion, where The #3MW discusses the Raptors looking to win their first playoff series in over a decade, Commissioner Adam Silvers ruling on Donald Sterling and of course the NBA Playoffs. What Do The Raptors Have To Do To Win Game 6 in Brooklyn? Bennett: Its good to see the Raptors back in the playoffs and have the whole city of Toronto behind them. Brooklyn is a tough and experienced team. I think the Raptors will have to limit turnovers, rebound efficiently and contain Deron Williams and Joe Johnson. Watson: Defense, defense, defense. If the Raptors can muster up that defense presence they used at the end of Game 4, the game is theirs. The quick double-teams on scorers like Joe Johnson and more importantly the second man rotations, have proven to limit the Nets opportunities. problems. Offensively, they have to continue to move the ball and use their size to their advantage with the solid play of their big men of Jonas Valanciunas, Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson. Strickland: Protect The Pumpkin. Value Every Possession On Both Ends. Win Every Quarter By One Point. Be Not Afraid Of The Moment. Then And Only Then Will The World Unfold As It Should... #WeTheNorthNBA Commissioner Adam Silvers Lifetime Ban Of Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Was...? Bennett: The Commissioners lifetime ban of Donald Sterling was very fitting. The NBA is a very diverse league with players from all over the world. The league continues to grow and it is my belief that this ban will help to grow the NBA. Watson: Swift and fair. Knowing the past pandering of former Commissioner David Stern, the league office has been known to favour its owners. Commissioner Silver unequivocally established himself as his own man in the most important decision of his young tenure. He did exactly what he was supposed to do, but truth be told, I was a little surprised that he did it, based on the history of the league. Strickland: Adroit and Resolute. It was far more than Id initially expected, but Silvers playing the long game. Any equivocation outside of Sterlings expulsion from the league as an owner would have possibly done irreparable damage to the NBA... and he and the other 29 owners knew it. Silver officially became the Commissioner of the NBA once he planted this flag. It will be a defining moment in his legacy. Adam Silvers decision didnt end racism in sports, ownership or the world. But it did set a very important precedent and protocol in dealing with issues like this in sport. Most Surprising Player In The Eastern Conference Playoffs Thus Far? Bennett: The most surprising player in the East hasnt been a surprise to me because I have played against him in Las Vegas, but it would have to be Kyle Lowry. He is just incredible for what he brings to the game for his size. Watson: Washington Wizards big man Nene missed 22 games down the stretch of the season with a sprained MCL and only played in four regular season matches before the post-season. He not only came back averaging 17.8 points per game in the playoffs on .548 % from the field, spacing the floor, but outplayed Defensive Plaayer of the Year Joakim Noah.dddddddddddd In his 11th season, hes showing he still has it and is a perfect compliment to the the speed and shooting of the Wizards wings in John Wall, Bradley Beal and Trevor Ariza. Strickland: Nene, easily. The talents always been there. Sounds a little oxymoronic to say "Wizards fans", but... They should revel in the fact that Nenes finally put it all together when it counted most, destroying the 2013-2014 Defensive Player of The Year, Joakim Noah. He must also not become a #BrainCrampChamp during the playoffs by getting ejected/suspended for working on his MMA skills during NBA games! Most Surprising Player In The Western Conference Playoffs Thus Far? Bennett: In the West, it would have to be Damian Lillard. Scary that this is the first go around in the NBA Playoffs and he looks like hes been there for years. Watson: LaMarcus Aldridge of the Trail Blazers has been in discussion as one of the best power forwards in the NBA, but he is ending those talks with his post season play right now. The power forward is averaging 29.8 points per game with 10.8 rebounds, carrying his team on his back. His ability to consistently knock down the mid-range jumper at a clip of .500% has forced the Houston big men to come out and contest him or get beat off the dribble. He has shown another level to his game, particularly when it matters. Strickland: La Marcus Aldridge. He felt like he should have started in the All-Star this past season and hes proving why he should be considered without question one of the best players in the NBA, if not the best power forward in the game. 30 ppg and 11 rpg are monster numbers that can only aid this young Portland Trail Blazers team in securing a first round defeat of the highly touted Houston Rockets of James Harden and Dwight Howard. Aldridge can have those guys reaching for the tackleboxes early to start their summers of lament and woe with a legendary Game 7 performance. The 2014-2015 Anthony Bennett Will Be...? Bennett: Next season, I will finally be a healthy me again who gets to play in summer league and contribute to my teams success in the regular season and we will hopefully be in the playoffs next year.Watson: Whatever he wants himself to be. The Toronto, ON native faced intense criticism last year after recovering from shoulder surgery, which forced him to miss summer league and parts of training camp. He wont have those obstacles this year, which should all help his growth, he showed flashes of the talent that earned him the #1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft and has tons of motivation to prove all of his critics wrong. Look for Bennett to bounce back. Strickland: A Year Better. A Year Stronger. A Year Wiser. Bennett, who I chose as Rookie Of The Year in our Pre-Season #UNO Awards on #1On1, fell far short of that lofty goal. It was a difficult year of ridicule, doubt, injury, second-guessing and hand wringing for Cavs fans and media pundits. Bramptons very own Anthony Bennett should shed the weight of expectation and go into training camp next season armed with knowledge of the effort it takes to be a top flight NBA player and work to achieve all of his goals and not ours. The Three-Man Weave contributors are co-hosts of TSN Radio 1050s 1-on-1 with Will and Duane, Will Strickland (@WallStrizzle1) and Duane Watson (@byDuaneWatson) and special guest 68", 250 lb Weave Achiever, Cleveland Cavaliers SF Anthony Bennett (@AnthonyBennett) ' ' '