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For nearly a year, there’s been a sense that the Saints and quarterback Drew Brees will work out a long-term deal soon. And for nearly a year “soon” hasn’t happened.

Now, Brees’ teammates are echoing the “soon” mantra.

“It’s definitely different,” Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans said Thursday regarding the absence of Brees from Organized Teams Activities, via comments distributed by the team. “I think this is the first time we’ve actually had practices without Drew here, but we all understand the nature of this business and believe it’s going to get done soon.”

Evans clearly prefers sooner to later. “I think everybody wants him back here, but we also know nothing happens overnight,” Evans said. “It’s just the nature of the business. Negotiations are like a tennis match, back and forth, back and forth. Drew’s a pro at what he does, he can study even if he’s not here, and he knows what he needs to do to be ready to go, and will be ready to go.”

Even though Evans thinks it will be soon, he has no specific idea as to when soon may be. “We just don’t know,” Evans said. “It’s uncharted territory. We know that when’s he’s here, we all are going to be ready to go.”

The key words are “ready to go.” The Saints need to be “ready to go” from Week One, because they need to have the kind of regular season that will allow them not only to make it to the playoffs but also to host postseason games. Otherwise, they’ll have a much harder time qualifying for the ultimate home game, which this year will be played in their home stadium.