When the New Orleans Saints took the field this week for the first time since winning the Super Bowl, coach Sean Payton had a message: There’s no guarantee of getting back.

Never before has the team faced the expectations that come with being defending champions, and Payton knows it.

“I think it’s important that we can’t get misguided to think that everyone returns and you just continue where you’re at,” he said after the team’s third offseason practice on Thursday.

Payton brought a chart showing the past five title winners in the NFL and what they did the following season. None returned to the Super Bowl. He showed charts from other sports indicating the same trend, all in an effort to motivate his team for the upcoming season.

It’s a different mindset from the franchise’s past history. At this point last year, the Saints were hoping to just make a trip to the playoffs. Now, as the team finished its organized activities, players and coaches made a point to say that defending their title in 2010 will not come easy

“Yes, we accomplished the pinnacle of success in our business, but it’s just one year,” said quarterback Drew Brees.

Sure, there are positive signs to suggest the Saints will be contenders to win back-to-back Super Bowls. After the first wave of free agency, the Saints lost just three of the 22 players who started in last year’s Super Bowl. And Payton also said he is thankful to have the core of his coaching staff back.

But Brees knows things aren’t going to be the same after the Super Bowl win against the Indianapolis Colts in February.

That’s because the Saints were celebrated not just in Louisiana, but also across the country. Just days after being named Super Bowl MVP, Brees appeared on “The Late Show With David Letterman,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and at Walt Disney World. He even took a few lessons from golf legend Jack Nicklaus.

Brees also said he knows his teammates received similar treatment.

“I think just about every player on our team had his high school jersey retired and a street named after them in their hometown,” Brees said. “All those things are great things, but certainly there’s a time when you have to come back to work.”

One problem the Saints should not have to worry about is their chemistry. With much of last year’s roster back, players such as running back Reggie Bush are hoping the team will continue to build on its success, even if the odds of a return to the Super Bowl are slim.

“What we did last year was special, and everybody understands that,” Bush said. “It doesn’t feel any different to me. This feels like what we’re supposed to do. I think everybody is done partying.”

The Saints have also picked up a few players in the free agency, mostly to strengthen the defense. Both defensive end Alex Brown and linebacker Clint Ingram are expected to compete for starting spots.

Brees thinks this year’s team could even be better than last year’s.

“I think the philosophy still is, we have not arrived by any means,” he said.

The only two players absent from the 80-man roster this week were tackle Jammal Brown and running back Pierre Thomas, who are in contract negotiations.

The team had a brief scare as tight end Jeremy Shockey, who participated in Thursday’s practice, was sent to a hospital after practice for seizure-like symptoms from lifting in the weight room. The Saints confirmed that Shockey was in the hospital and in stable condition. Shockey even twitted, “I am ok” early Thursday night. No other information was immediately available.

The Saints will hold minicamp next Friday through Sunday, and will have their final two offseason practices later in June.

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