With the glee of kids being let out for school, the New Orleans Saints closed training camp in this sweltering city Wednesday and fled town by early afternoon.

“It’s a good day,” tight end Eric Johnson said. “Training camp’s a bear no matter where you are, but when you’re in Jackson, Miss., you’ve got that X-factor that jumps on you every time you come out here.”

The Saints will spend the next three days in Cincinnati where they have scheduled two practices with the Bengals on Thursday, then play them Saturday in their third preseason game.

Right tackle Jon Stinchcomb said the trip north will be a morale boost.

“We’re tired of hanging out around the same guys,” he said. “Not only do they learn you, but you learn them. You’re looking for a little something different.”

Moving north also will take the Saints out of the brutal heat wave hunkered down over the South that brought record temperatures.

Coach Sean Payton cut practice short Wednesday after allowing the team to wear jerseys and helmets, rather than shoulder pads.

“I think the change is good at this time,” Payton said. “The opportunity to go up to Cincinnati early and to get a chance to work with their team and their staff really benefits us both. And I think all parties involved are looking forward to it.”

Those that the final practice at Millsaps included center Jeff Faine (calf), linebacker Scott Fujita (heel), receiver Devery Henderson (hamstring), defensive end Rob Ninkovich (knee) and left tackle Jammal Brown (knee) and Bryant Young (foot).