While most of the pre-snap attention goes to Peyton Manning when the Colts have the ball, it is the clever adjustment orchestrated by the Saints’ Jonathan Vilma that is keying New Orleans’ improved defensive play in this game.

The Colts and Saints issued their final injury reports Friday before Super Bowl XLIV. For New Orleans, DE Will Smith (groin), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) and S Pierson Prioleau (quad) participated fully in practice after being limited earlier in the week. They are all listed as probable.

Saints TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), FS Darren Sharper (knee) and LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) seemingly worked in every practice drill Wednesday in Coral Gables, Fla., and looked good despite their injuries, according to Super Bowl pool reporter John Czarnecki.

The Saints and coach Sean Payton will be the first news conference of Super Bowl Week on Monday.

The Saints received good news on the injury front Friday, when CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), FS Darren Sharper (knee) and LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) all returned to practice, albeit in limited fashion.

The official count lists 33 first-timers for the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl squads. None have waited longer than London Fletcher.

The Colts and Saints submitted their first practice reports Wednesday with some important players missing from action as both teams begin preparations for Super Bowl XLIV.

The NFL and broadcast partners CBS, FOX and ESPN are urging football fans to help with Haitian earthquake relief.

New Orleans has some concerns in its secondary, specifically on the outside, heading into the big Monday night showdown against the Patritos.

Saints safety Darren Sharper continues to amaze. During a season in which he already has returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown, Sharper picked off a Mark Sanchez pass intended for Dustin Keller at the Jets’ 1-yard line Sunday and took it 99 yards to the house for his 10th career interception return for a score.

In calling my first preseason game of the summer I noticed that it takes a little time reacclimating to the booth, the crew and all the elements required to help the broadcast go smoothly. It reminded me of how the coaches and players were using the preseason to iron out wrinkles in their game.

The Saints reached agreement with free-agent linebacker Jonathan Vilma on a five-year, $34 million contract that includes $17 million guaranteed and $23 million in the first three years.

Had New Orleans resigned linebacker Jonathan Vilma to a long-term contract extension this season, or even shortly thereafter, two New York teams would have benefited.