METAIRIE, La. (AP) -Tracy Porter is trying to be realistic.
Like any pro, he'd like to start as soon as possible.
It's not all that common, however, for rookies to start at cornerback, even for relatively high draft choices like Porter, who was taken near the top of the second round, 40th overall.
"I'm definitely a young guy with a lot of experience I have to get under my belt, but I'm up to the challenge," Porter said after practice on Tuesday.
During portions of practices that have been open to reporters this week, Porter has lined up as a first-team cornerback, along with veteran Mike McKenzie.
Saints coaches are looking for defensive backs who play well together. New Orleans' preseason game against Houston last Saturday night didn't go so well for the secondary, which gave up 289 yards passing, most of it in the first half when Texans starter Matt Schaub went 14-of-16 with a pair of touchdowns.
McKenzie, making a comeback after tearing knee ligaments late last season, did not play in that game, but is hoping to see his first game action of the preseason in Cincinnati.
The starters against Houston were Jason David and Randall Gay, but Gay strained his triceps and had to leave the game. Fellow cornerback Usama Young pulled his hamstring.
As a result, Porter ended up seeing significant playing time from late in the first quarter on.
"He did OK," head coach Sean Payton said of Porter's performance. "There were some effort plays that bothered us that he needs to clean up. There was a third down shallow cross where he lost his guy across the field. He's now put a couple of weeks of practice under his belt ... and we'll give him plenty of snaps, and also as a returner."
Having run 40 yards in 4.37 seconds at the NFL combine, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Porter has the speed the Saints are looking for in a defensive back.
He also could emerge as a kick and punt returner for the Saints, having returned two of each for touchdowns in his senior year at Indiana.
Porter had six interceptions for the Hoosiers last season. His 16 career interceptions rank second at Indiana.
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