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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- When Saints offensive lineman Andrus Peat talks about his NFL ambitions, hes humbled by how his first season went after New Orleans made him the 13th overall draft pick in 2015.Peat started four games at guard, three at tackle and one as an extra blocking tight end last season.It was definitely tough at first and just a lot of learning, being a rookie. But I felt like I improved throughout the season and Ive tried to carry that on through (offseason training), minicamp and this training camp, just continually getting better, Peat said after a recent practice at Saints training camp at the Greenbrier Resort. I feel more comfortable having a whole year of experience and kind of knowing what to expect.For now, signs point toward considerable improvement for Peat in Year 2. But the good reviews hes getting from coaches and teammates still have to translate during games that count. And Peats got more on his plate than the typical lineman because hes preparing to be a starter at either offensive tackle -- which is his natural position -- or offensive guard.Hes going to be fine, Saints coach Sean Payton said, noting that the 6-foot-7, 320-pound Peat is in better physical shape than he was a year ago. I like where hes at. Hes extremely talented.His versatility, athleticism, and size is really something that is a gift for him athletically, Payton added. It gives him some ability to move.When the Saints first drafted Peat, Payton said the club viewed him as a tackle, a position at which he thrived at Stanford, where he played until his junior season before turning pro. Peat also had the benefit of learning how to block from his father, Todd, who was an NFL offensive lineman for six seasons, playing mostly at guard.Payton said the Saints knew they were drafting Peat, if he was available.You rarely see that (combination of) size and athleticism. He was a junior coming out; we knew he was young. He was big, smart, played in a pro offense. His father played (in the NFL), said Payton, noting that he and Todd Peat both played high school football in Illinois and took recruiting visits at the same time to Northern Illinois, where the elder Peat wound up playing. (Payton wound up at Eastern Illinois)This vision for him when we selected him certainly was that of a tackle, yet to his credit, with his athleticism, he can play guard, Payton said. He may very well start for us at guard.Since training camp opened last week, Peat has been working in practice as a first-team left tackle because incumbent starter Terron Armstead is listed as physically-unable-to-perform with an undisclosed ailment that Payton has said is not expected to sideline Armstead more than a month. But Peat is also getting snaps at guard, often with reserve units.I dont think its difficult, Peat said. I like getting as many reps as I can and just being versatile and being able to help any way I can.Peat is aware that coaches and teammates have raved about his talent and complimented his improved fitness, but he said, I really dont think about that.His experience on the field, both in his eight starts last season and in practice now, is what he said gives any player confidence, just knowing you can go out and compete.Right tackle Zach Strief, entering his 11th NFL season, said Peats progress is evident.Its obviously a big jump for him from last year. Hes in good shape, Strief said. Theyre moving him around, but fortunately when you have a guy thats that talented, hes making those transitions pretty easily and thats a good sign.Itll certainly be fun to see how he develops as camp goes on. I think Andrus is going to be a really good player.Game notesWR Brandin Cooks missed practiced on Thursday, as did CB Damian Swann, who watched from the sideline. Meanwhile, FB Austin Johnson left practice early. Payton declined to discuss injuries. Also among those absent was CB Keenan Lewis, who practiced for the first time this training camp a day earlier. Payton said Lewis was just resting and there was no setback -- just the schedule, the way were operating right now.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLVita Vea Womens Jersey . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Vita Vea Youth Jersey . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. http://www.authenticbuccaneerspro.com/Jamel-dean-buccaneers-jersey/ . World champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia won the gold medal with 237.71 points, Moore-Towers and Moscovitch followed at 208.45 and Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia were third at 187. Ronde Barber Youth Jersey . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Warren Sapp Jersey . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm.RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Japanese arrived in Rio beaming with confidence and a very simple goal: Win the countrys first Olympic medal in womens basketball.That hasnt changed. Not even facing the daunting task of having to pull off one of the greatest Olympic upsets ever and beat the U.S. womens team to keep that dream alive.Outside of our team, nobody believes we can do that, but we still believe we can, Japan assistant coach Tom Hovasse said. If we play our basketball, were a tough out. If were shooting like we are ... were a tough team to beat.The Japanese were banned by FIBA in November 2014 for allowing two basketball leagues to operate in the country, a violation of the world governing bodys statutes. But they rebounded and played their way into their first Olympics since 2004 and fourth overall as the FIBA Asian champs in 2015. So they arent backing down from any challenge.Everybody, all the reporters and everybodys watching, theyre probably surprised at what Japan has done, 5-foot-9 forward Mika Kurihara said with Hovasse translating. Were not. ... We want to do more, and thats the feeling I think for everybody.The team, filled with speedy shooters unafraid to drive into the lane, already has matched its three victories in 1996 in Atlanta for the most wins in any games. And they even and have a win against the U.S. -- in the 1976 Olympics. It was one of the rare losses for the Americans, who are 63-3 all-time in the Olympics, have won 46 straight and looking for a sixth consecutive gold medal.ddddddddddddThe Japanese, however, nearly stunned the worlds No. 2 team during group play, jumping out to a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter over Australia on Aug. 11. But their legs gave out, and it took 37 points from Liz Cambage to help the Opals pull out the win.I hate playing Japan, Cambage said. I respect the girls. What they lack in height, they make up for in speed and quicks.Japans top player, Ramu Tokashiki, plays on WNBA Seattle Storm where she is teammate of Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart.Geno Auriemma has been impressed with how Japan has competed.I dont think theres another team in the world that plays the way they do, the U.S. coach said. Play as quickly as they do, as crisp together as they play and do as many things as Japan does, I think they are unique in the world in that respect.China coach Thomas Maher has seen more than enough of Japan not to be surprised at how the Asian nation is playing in these games. The Australian native said Japan sticks to its defensive plan and uses its speed to move the ball well offensively.Well, nobodys going to match USA, lets face it, Maher said. But you know I think Japan have been great for a couple of years now. Theyre a great team. They play great basketball.---Online:AP Summer Games website: http://summergames.ap.org/ ' ' '