METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees recalled an expression describing "experience" as "something you gain when you don't get what you want."

The Saints haven't been to the playoffs in two seasons. And Brees saw a connection between those disappointments and higher attendance for voluntary workouts this offseason than either he or head coach Sean Payton could recall since their arrival in New Orleans in 2006.

"You can say the last two years we've not gotten exactly what we set out to get," Brees said. "I feel like we've learned a lot along the way. I feel we've assembled a great group of veteran free-agent guys who have been a part of good teams and know what it takes to win and be professional and fight through adversity. ... We're much better prepared for the journey this year than we ever have been."

Ideally, Payton said, each player should take part in 40 offseason workouts. The coach said about 90 percent of the roster hit that mark, which is "clearly the highest that we've had since we've been here."

The Saints held their final offseason practice Thursday and left this weekend for a nearly six-week break until reporting day for training camp at the Saints' suburban headquarters.

When they return to practice July 31, all but three players on the roster are expected to be healthy. Receiver Lance Moore, who had left shoulder surgery in April, may not be ready, Payton said. The same goes for reserve center Nick Leckey, who had right ankle surgery to remove bone spurs.

Rookie linebacker Stanley Arnoux, a fourth-round draft pick who ruptured his left Achilles tendon in rookie camp, won't be ready for any of training camp and may miss all of 2009. However, if his rehabilitation moves quickly, he could be a candidate for the physically unable to perform list, Payton said, meaning he could return after the sixth week of the regular season.

Payton said his sense of the team's progress will improve when practices in full pads begin later this summer, but added that the Saints will enter training camp with two-thirds of the play book installed.

"We could play a game today," Payton said.

BILLS

WHITNER'S CASE ON HOLD UNTIL JULY 31

The disorderly conduct case against Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte (DAWN'-tay) Whitner has been pushed back to July 31, but won't interfere with his preseason workouts.

Whitner appeared in Cleveland Municipal Court yesterday on allegations of trying to force his way past officers dealing with a crowd outside a nightclub in April. He's charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Whitner's attorney, Larry Zukerman, told Judge Angela Stokes that both sides were involved in talks about a plea deal. With the agreement of the defense and prosecution, the judge said Whitner could skip next month's hearing because of preseason workouts.

Zukerman and the prosecutor, Bryan Fritz, declined to elaborate on the negotiations.

IN THE COURTS

LEAF SURRENDERS, POSTS $15,000 BAIL

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has surrendered to Texas authorities to face burglary and drug-related charges.

Leaf's attorney, Bill Kelly, says Leaf turned himself in yesterday at the Randall County Jail in Canyon, where the former No. 2 pick was indicted in May after coaching quarterbacks at West Texas A&M for three seasons. Kelly says Leaf posted $15,000 bail and headed back to Washington state.

Leaf faces one count of burglary and eight drug-related counts associated with the painkiller hydrocodone.

SHORT SNAPS

Chargers: San Diego signed fifth-round draft pick Brandon Hughes to a four-year deal. Hughes, a cornerback from Oregon State, is the first member of the 2009 draft class to sign.

Chiefs: Kansas City released long snapper Thomas Gafford, wide receiver C.J. Jones, defensive tackle T.J. Jackson and linebacker Darrell Robertson. Gafford played in nine games last season.

Vikings: Minnesota waived quarterback Sean Glennon (Virginia Tech), offensive lineman Bobby Lepori (Fresno State) and tight end Nick Walker (Alabama). All three signed as rookie free agents after not being drafted.