2008-07-31 (Thur) Afternoon

>>>>In case you didn’t notice, Randy V. did make it to yesterday’s practice. His entry is directly below this one<<<<

>>>>For more pictures of today, click here: 2008-07-31 Afternoon

Not too terribly much to report because Payton let them go about 20 minutes early. It was about half sunny and half cloudy and really not that hot. Of course, at this point, 90 degrees might feel wonderful. The guys were in full pads.

Showed up during a long break, so without further ado…[*air horn*]

For this period they went 11-on-11 progressing down the field. While the rest of the team stood behind the offense from the starting point, they did not follow them down the field. However, the coaches along with a no-pads Shockey did progress with the line of scrimmage. But the biggest new wrinkle was a squad of referees. Interestingly enough, one was female. You’ve come a long way, zebra. I’m not sure if they were from the MHSAA, NFL, Arena League, or what.

Brees started off with an left out-route to Reggie that looked effortless from both standpoints. I joke about plies when they’re stretching, but a few plays later, Colston spun a mid-air 360 for a sublime sideline catch. The “ahhhhh” preceded the cheers. But Colston would later be denied by Jason Craft, who swatted a pass out of his hands with audible authority at the goal line. Regardless of last season, Craft has looked good during camp.

I guess I forgot another wrinkle, during this period, the QB went straight from Brees to Palko. I have no idea whether Brunell had been out all day or if they were just beefing up Palko’s reps. He hit a beautiful diving toe-dragger to Arrington on the left sideline, but the side judge did not hesitate in calling it out. Still, it was sweet. A few plays later Palko immediately rolled right, only to have to roll back around to the left. But Lance Moore was with him the whole time and caught the ball going into a barrel roll. A textbook example of throwing it at the receiver’s knees, so only he can catch it. A few plays later, Palko hit Meachum in the flat as soon as the ball was snapped; he took it straight down the sidelines for about 30 yards. Too bad Marvin Mitchell had a full head of steam and the perfect angle of pursuit. [*POW*] Both players flew to the ground. Meachum stood up much later than Mitchell. After two or three more plays, the team huddled. That was it.

During autographs, I got some nice shots of the DL for the first time. You will notice in the pictures, Cedric Ellis in a long-sleeve t-shirt next to Orien Harris (#92). You will also notice in the next shot he is carrying 4 sets of shoulder pads off the field. Welcome to camp, Cedric.

Autograph Honorable Mentions: Fujita for consistency of appearances, and Bobby McCray for being hi-larious.

Autograph Props: Randall Gay. While he may not have been in pads, he was absolutely the last person to leave the field. He probably signed for 25-30 minutes.

2008-07-30 (Wed) Afternoon (after all)

>>>>For more of Randy's pictures, click here: 2008-07-30 Afternoon

It ends up fellow LeFleur's De Lis correspondent Randy V. was able to slide away to yesterday's early afternoon practice and Cedric's Ellis' debut. Hey Randy, preach on.

Started late and ended late b/c of rain
Got there about halfway through..

Drills, running plays with offense and WR on other end.
Punt coverage and returns
Kick coverage and returns

11 on 11 to end practice

The defense is looking a lot better as compared to last year, especially our DBs.

Ellis was there #98

Benson and wife in shade..

Got there late this morning, players walking off field, Harper and Ghent signing autos.

2008-07-30 (Wed)

The Saints have announced that today's one practice has been moved to the window of 3 - 5. Given the reality of this situation, I'm afraid there will be no report today. That is all.

P.S. Attention. Captain McIntyre will give a lecture on blood and fluid replacement in the mess hall at 0800... Uh, correction... at 021... At 9:00 this evening. That is all.

2008-07-29 (Tues) Night

>>> For more pictures, click here: 2008-07-29 Night

Today’s practice was moved to tonight, starting at 7:30 in Memorial Stadium. The assumption has been to avoid the 100 degree heat. Funny thing, if they had practiced during the regularly scheduled time, the sky would’ve been overcast and threatening. Nonetheless it was very nice when practice did start. It was in the low 80s, maybe even high 70s and windy. So that front did everybody well, after all. I never even broke a sweat. The late time also made for an eventually large crowd – with everybody in the south stands.

Benson was on the sidelines with his pop-up tent at first. It was eventually taken down because he was standing on the actual sideline the whole time. Players were back in full pads including Deuce, Shockey, McKenzie, and even Patten. Tracy Porter, Vilma, and Hollis Thomas wore shorts and jerseys.

Practice opened with a walking 11-on-11 that proceeded down the field with the whole team behind them. When they got down to the goal line, they all went back and did it again with Brunell & Co. [*air horn*]

Pliés, 2, 3, 4… [*air horn*]

For this short period, the team split in two with the defense on the east end, and the offense on the west end. DL & LB started off with each platoon playing the snap and then taking the angle of pursuit in the instructed direction for about 20 yards. The O essentially did the same thing but just ran straight ahead for 20 yards. [*air horn*]

And now, the chaotic (from a fans perspective) period of drills. OL worked on form 1-on-1 with shields. LBs drilled various scenarios of pass coverage. DL practiced firing off, before moving on to a few variations of the dummy slalom – distances between dummies, spinning, etc. 1 QB and 2 Backs at a time worked on running around end. WR and DBs went 1-on-1 before splitting up on their own. WR practiced turning by catching passes at each of four cones as a box. They were eventually joined by the QBs for routes of incremental length. TE worked on various routes with shields to simulate traffic. But my favorite was each DL doing a figure eight around two 10-ft orange hula-hoops. [*air horn*]

Checkdown drill with 6 skills in a formation catching passes from all three QBs. OL worked 3-on-2 – doubles, second level, etc. So did DL, but at the other end. LBs & DBs reacted to play direction in a 6-on-4. [*air horn*]

More new stuff I hadn’t seen. A QB, an RB, and 2 TEs faced LBs & Corners in a 4-on-4. But Palko was with the OL against reserve DL & LBs – and they were hittin hard. WR & Safeties drilled 3-on-2. [*air horn*]

Here’s a little number we call 11-on-11. Now while they weren’t fully tackling the ball carriers, they would receive a single forearm pop or pronounced hand plant. But both side of the line were going at it full-pads style. On the second play, Deuce took a well blocked off-tackle to daylight, earning a roar. That might have been the only time he touched the ball all night. Drew got one across the middle to Miller, but he was immediately knocked to the ground by Simoneau. Reggie darted up the middle on what would be one of a few text book traps. Brunell connected with Lance on a clever delayed out route. But the following counter to Stecker was read like a book. Arrington caught a beautiful 25-yarder that hung just enough for him to be caught on the business end of a sandwich. Stecker proved more successful on a student body left. Palko proved his excellence in technique again, with a reverse rollout to Skyler Green. The period was capped off with Lynell Hamilton catching an under with no one within 10 feet. [*air horn*]

[Ipanema LP cut] By this time, I’d been joined by Will & Betsy W. Beer Props: Will & Betsy. I usually don’t drink on the job, but this was Saints After Dark.

The following teams d’especial was the longest I’d seen. Marteen got it kickin. PK 1 got so many reps, they even pulled off a sweet fake from Weatherford (as holder) to Jamar Nesbit. That McMahon. He is so sneaky. Then Weatherford returned to his day job for some P1. On one of the last attempts he nailed the pylon from the far 40. Sand wedge, I believe. They only practiced punt return, so no surf & turf today. There was sneakiness, nonetheless. [*air horn*]

Then the whole team huddled. Surely this is not the end of practice? In actuality, they were likely getting instructions. For this short period, the ball would be placed on the far 40 (it was a popular spot), the offense would throw a bomb to the 20, run up for the spike, and then the FG team would run into position. It was pretty cool. They did this four of five times. That’s hardcore specializing. [*air horn*]

Back to 11-on-11. Poor Lance Moore got hung out to dry on one pass and got high-and-lowed to the ground. Ouch. Brees found Mark Campbell downfield in stride for a nice one. Arrington caught a fly. Skyler snagged a cross. The highlight of the period was a Palko to Shockey on a 15-yard out.

[Ipanema single edit]

They moved 11-on-11 to the 50. I didn’t even catch it, so maybe it happened away from the play, but Chris Barclay was carted off the field with something leg-related. The D was on fire at this point, with many theoretical sacks. Lance Moore continued his performance with a bomb from Brunell. He also hit Arrington on a well-executed bootleg. But Palko won the air show by hitting Skyler on the 5 and Todd “Man, it’s hot” Blythe in the end zone. Run game continued to get stuffed, though.

[Ipanema iTunes sample]

With the ball starting at the far 30, this version of 11-on-11 simulated progressing down the field. With no actual tackling, Payton would yell which yard line for the new spot. During Drew’s turn, he hit Colston for 10, Copper for 20, and Patton at the back pylon. Returning to the far 30, Brunell’s first play was an impressive 8-yarder to Stecker. But I got a laugh on another play involving #27. For a screen, Jermon Bushrod pulled into the open, knocked Marvin Mitchell to the ground, and pinned him – literally laying on top of him as Stecker raced by. The play went for about 20 yards. Victory Formation is referred to as the most beautiful play in football. Well, The Pin is the most beautiful block for an Offensive Lineman. [*air horn*]

Autograph Props: The whole team! They all came over to the rail and signed. Nice.

2008-07-29 (Tues) Afternoon

PSA, FYI, TG&Y, CSNY: Presumably because of the heat, this afternoon's practice has been moved to tonight at 7:30 in Memorial Stadium. So today's post will be up a little later than usual. That is all.

P.S. Attention. Due to a possible camp infection, Arlene Chu's Hollywood Grill is off limits. That is all.

2008-07-28 (Mon) Afternoon

>>>> For more pics of today, click here: 2008-07-28 Afternoon

After yesterday's biggie-sized practice, and me cutting back to the weekday regimen of just the backend of practice, today flew by. Which is good, because it was hot as hell and that breeze to which I’d grown accustomed was nowhere to be found.

Back to the lower field, and back to shorts and shoulder pads. Shockey, Devery, and Deuce were only wearing shorts and jerseys. I couldn’t really tell, but it looked like Deuce may have been wearing a skin-tight, full-length legging on his left leg.

I walked right up just as a period ended. So…wait for it…[*air horn*] Ok, there we go.

The 11-on-11 started from the 40 going in. They had the lawnmower playclock and actually had the down and yard markers. But since they weren’t in full pads, the yard markers movement proved ambiguous at best. Billy Miller caught a TD in the middle of the endzone on maybe the second play. He’s got some mitts. Drew rolled out and hit a sprinting Lane Moore at the pylon on a super-quick play. And, out of nowhere, Billy Miller again for a TD. It seems the Shockey offense might be forming before our eyes.

Here comes Brunell on the swap to continue TE-mania. Ghent scores a TD on a play that was all YAC. I wouldn’t want to have to tackle him in the open. Have you ever tried kiss an oncoming train? Lance Moore got a second TD by grabing one on the two and simply making an exaggerated step. Palko only got three snaps before… [*air horn*]

[Ipanema LP version]

Back to 11-on-11 with clock & sticks, but this time starting from the 25. The opening play Reggie successfully ran off-tackle. A very interesting play stuck out during this period. Stecker taking a draw up the middle in not odd, but the formation was. No TE and both tackles in a two-point stance. I guess to show pass to the defense. After all, it was a draw. Colston showed his versatility by nabbing a slant in stride for a score, as well as, a double-pumped arch at the pylon that took rebounding skills. I think Brees was using a sand wedge on that one.

Brunell looked great by simply handing off to Chris Barclay #24 – who scored twice. Speaking of which, who is #38? Anyone? Palko made for a dramatic moment by pegging Tree Arrington on a cross at the goal line. At the same time, he took a helmet to the chest knocking him straight to the ground. But he sprung right up, not even flaunting the fact that he held on. Well played. [*air horn*]

[Ipanema single edit]

And now, teams d’especial. No Gramatica, though. Of course, one is the loneliest number. Anyway, one group drilled 2-on-1 by running 20 yards and then turning around to block. Looked like a return wall if I’ve ever seen one. On the other side they worked on the three-man wedge with spotter that I assumed was for punts. You can’t blame me. They’d practiced a traditional full-on wedge at another practice. Little did I know that new special teams coach Greg McMahon is sneaky. The three-man wedge *is* for kickoffs. The “spotter” is the other returner. Ah-ha! This became apparent when the two different drills combined forces for one super drill – or kickoff return practice, if you will. It was KR1 vs. orange mesh helmet covers / lateral golf-cart tires that punt. So this guy took the two most storied return methods (wedge & wall) and combined them for the special team version of surf and turf. McMahon, you’re an evil genius! And sneaky. [*air horn*]

And that was it. They finished up with an extra long team huddle. No conditioning.

Ok, I had my little soapbox moment last night. I don’t know if that was the consensus reaction or what, but today was much different. Now, I was not happy to find out they would be back on the lower field. But after practice, the QBs and a few receivers went through some extra reps. While this was happening, Mark Campbell climbs the embankment and starts signing! Man, what a guy. Then you hear people start shouting that Tim Duckworth, Jahri Evans, and Coach Payton have all jogged across the two upper fields to sign for other folks. Hell, yeah! Meanwhile, the extra reps are done, and here comes Meachum, Brees, and Colston up the embankment. And boy, they should be thankful they did that. As I walking to the parking lot, I saw two buses: Simpson Co. School District, and Jasper Co. School district.

Autograph Props: Campbell, Duckworth, Evans, Payton, Meachum, Brees, and Colston

Oh, I almost forgot! New favorite headwear: Football Pennant (see pics)

2008-07-27 (Sun) Afternoon

>>>For more pics, click here: 2008-07-27

Variety is the spice of life, and this was my first practice at the remodeled lower field. Over the past month or two, I’d noticed coming to and from work that a crew had moved tons of dirt in turning a downward slope into two reinforced tiers. On top of that they re-sodded the field itself, and put up a second fence on the Woodrow Wilson side. It looks nice and works well.

Man, I thought it was hot yesterday. It started out really rough, but about half way through the practice it became quite windy and overcast. That helped, especially considering the length of practice. Most afternoon practices are an hour and forty minutes. This was one of a few that are two hours and twenty minutes. It felt long – and all I had to do was stand there.

This was the first I’d seen them in full pads. They still weren’t full contact, but this means they’re getting there. McKenzie was not in pads, but Shockey was – even though he didn’t fully participate in stuff against a defense. Deuce still has a brace on his left knee.

The first pre-stretch period was similar to the day before. QBs and centers snapped, dropped back, and shotgunned. The punt team worked on strategy. OL walked through technique. DL drilled on pass technique. The WRs & RBs mingled. [*air horn*]

Also mirroring Saturday they split into two groups of walking 11-on-11 to get the playbook routine. [*air horn*]

Pliés, 2, 3, 4….[*air horn*]

Super short, we’re talking 5 minute period of D on agility drills, and OL on the sled. This was my first time seeing the sled this year. I got all misty. [*air horn*]

This next period was out-of-control sensory overload. Imagine a cartoon representation of an anthill as a construction site. Here we go. [*Deep breath*] RBs on the gauntlet – the cage of springy orange theoretical forearms. DBs dropped on live balls. LBs ran the dummy slalom. DL worked on playing the snap and getting that first burst of speed. QBs & RBs drilled the exchange. Separately TEs & OL went 2-on-2 for shedding the double team and getting the backer up top using shields [misty, once again]. LBs then switched to dropping into pass coverage as DTs took over the slalom. WRs formed two lines as QBs through longer passes. TE proceeded to stop routes vs. shields. And RBs ran with the ball as their partner punched at it. [*air horn*]

More drills, y’all. OL worked more on double teaming. Centers broke off to work on the first post-snap step with shields. QBs & Skills went back to the checkdown drill with 6 guys running routes out of a formation and all three QBs making a throw. LBs practiced shifting based on formations with snapcount. DLs stuck with the slalom. [*air horn*]

QBs & RBs worked on their particular routes. WR & DBs went 2-on-2 for run plays with a live runner. TE simultaneously drilled run blocking. Cs & Gs went 3-on-3 for misdirection blocking vs. different stunts. OTs & LBs sharpened off-tackle play methods. And Shockey worked 1-on-1 with Payton, i.e. low impact, and routes and changing direction. [*air horn*]

Now we’re doing some 11-on-11. An early under-thrown shovel pass to Deuce fell to the ground. Colston’s 30-yard out route fired up everybody. The defense was having it’s way against the run, but then again it still wasn’t full contact (i.e. no full-on tackling yet). With the DL in his face, Brunell released early and was intercepted by 15-year vet (!) Aaron Glenn. Tree Arrington continues to impress. He was able to snag one down in traffic, because he could jum a foot higher than anyone around him. Palko hit a WIDE open Ghent downfield. And in keeping with the TEs, while roling left he hit a diving eric Campbell to end the period. [*air horn*]

During this period each platoon would take a few from the 15, a few from the 10, and a few from the %. This is also the first I remember them incorporating shotgun plays. O1 really didn’t do so hot on making it to the endzone. On the other hand, Brunells turns were nice. He threw a toe-dragger to Arrinton at the pylon which got a roar. He also hit Copper under the goalposts. Palko had one knocked down by William Kershaw. But also had one drop into Lance Moore waiting hands. [*air horn*]

Back to the 50 for some long-range 11-on-11. Rookie corner Tracy Porter went down on the first play and was eventually carted off for something leg related. So he could be tended to, the whole team turned around for plays to go in the other direction. Deuce looked smooth on a swing pass. Meachum caught a tough 20 yard hook from Brunell. But the perios goes to Lance Moore, who caught passes from all three QBs.

[Ipanema] The players have access to water the whole time. But this was their first break…an hour and half into practice. Oof.

Marteen’s Minute. This was followed by the punt team, and my first look at Weatherford this season. He may have shanked the first punt, but he proved again that he has hangtime to burn. The trifecta was capped off with the punt return team. Alternating as return man were Lance, Skyler, and Reggie.

[Ipanema] But brief. The single edit, I guess?

And now…the play-clock version of 11-on-11. I love the mobile play-clocks. They cranck up with the pull of a lawn mower rip cord. On the first play, the confoundingly unseen Mike Karney takes a swing to daylight. Hopefully he’ll get more attention in the post-training camp playbook. Brees found Colston – and that never gets old. Meachum pulled in one from Brunell on a cross. Craft made a sweet swat while diving out of bounds.

I’d joked before about the privilege of the VIP tent, but the following is serious horseshit. And keep in mind, I’m not in it for the autographs, I’m just taking pics. The way the fields and areas of access are layed out, the only fans that can get autographs after lower field practices are those in the VIP tent. One by one, we watched the players go through the receiving line and then trickle right into the field house. After about 30 minutes, there was one player left. Drew Brees ducked under a rope and jogged across the two upper practice fields to sign for those that had waited it out. Too bad hundreds had given up. Someone in logistics needs to get their head out of their ass on that one. It was a weekend practice, so tons of little kids were there. Who knows how many of them were there for the only practice they could attend. I’m not grandstanding for autographs-as-a-right, but if logistics has boxes of Sharpies ready after every practice, they don’t need to deny the non-VIPs for certain practices. For goodness sake, having to watch one father tell his seven year old that there won’t be any autographs after all, is wrenching. Imagine watching dozens. It was torture. The one silver lining was an individual proving once again his exceptional level of integrity.

Autograph Props: Drew Brees

2008-07-26 (Sat) Afternoon

>>>For CL’s latest on Deuce’s knee, click here: Deuce
>>>For more pictures, click here: 2008-07-26 Afternoon

Saturday afternoon, and my first full practice, we’re at the upper fields. As my father would say, it was hot as blue blazes. Not many people know this, but topographically and geologically speaking, the Millsaps soccer field is the highest point in Jackson. So I understand why training camp is always so hot; it’s held in the city closest spot to the sun.

I arrive 20 minutes before practice, and the stands are packed. I walk the entire soccer-field length of bleachers to discover no spaces on the top row. Top row is the best because I prefer to stand the whole time. Better view, better pics, you get the idea. So I manage to find a one-top on the fourth row. By the time practice was over, there we’re at least a hundred standers flanking the seats.

Memo to the people who think crowded bleachers are an appropriate place for a golf umbrella – by a damn hat and some sunscreen. If you’re not blocking somebody’s view, you’re poking somebody in the head. Not a great way to make friends.

Deuce is in shorts/pads (like everybody else) with a neoprene brace on his knee. Shockey, McKenzie, and (Never Mind the) Bullocks are in shorts and jerseys – but only 88 has a helmet. Warm-ups start right in front of me with all three quarterbacks and three centers. They work on the exchange, drop-back mechanics, and shotgun snaps. By the way, I’ve failed to mention the new center is Jonathan Goodwin; also from the Jets (i.e. Vilma), also from the Maize & Blah (i.e. Arrignton). Backers and Lineman watch as special teams are working on making the kick return wedge. This is good. Saints were near the bottom of the league in both punt and kick returns last year. Have I mentioned there’s a new special teams coach? [*air horn*]

The roster splits into two squads, each on one of the two upper fields, to jog through 11vs.11 for playbook retention. Deuce doesn’t participate in this, but he does later in practice. Shockey, McKenzie, and (NMT) Bullocks take part in this. By the way, Meachum has been lining up as WR2 with Colston as WR1.

[*air horn*] My very first calisthenics of 2008! And a-one, and a-two, and a-one, and a-two… Now pliés-two-three-four, pliés-two-three-four… [*air horn*]

Lot’s of action during this drill period. The QBs and OL start off with about 10 plays of snapping the ball and then running 20 yards for downfield blocking. The OL then breaks off for 1-on-1 drills. The QBs are now joined by the RBs for swing pass and out-of-the backfield routes. The DL is slaloming through dummies (not to be confused with an LSU alumni event). TEs are working on stop routes and shedding with shields. DBs and WRs go through 1-on-1 reps, before the WRs come join the QBs for long routes. LBs work on pass coverage and hopping those foam railroad ties to tackle a runner. RBs chatted for the remainder. [*air horn*]

For this short period they broke it into D on South Upper and O on North Upper. O ran the drill where each of the skills line up in formation w/o the OL, and on a snap they all run routes, and both Brees and Brunell throw passes. I guess this a check-down drill. Over on S.Upper, the secondary talked about technique, while the LBs actually walked through technique. [*air horn*]

Now the whole team converged on S.Upper for 11-on-11. The first play was an excellent parallel-to-the-ground dive and roll by Lance Moore 30 yards up the left sideline. Devery caught an impressive cross in traffic. Stecker broke away on an off-tackle. Deuce was able to take a swing pass on the left to daylight – which was encouraging. Pierre broke free up the middle. Copper caught a nice out from Brunell. Mechanically speaking, I’ve come to realize that Palko has a nice draw. He sells it well. Vilma, Fujita, Simoneau, and Shanlee were all rotating in the three-backer set.

[Ipanema] Something I still ahven’t figured out is this huge white tent. It’s located at the extreme north end of the field, and 3/4 of the team enters it when they have a long break. Judging from the generator and the big yellow hoses, I’m thinking it’s AC. That, or a miniature horse and the bearded lady.

The team resumed with a split special teams period. First a few PKs from Gramatica and Mehlhaff. Next was work on a three-man wedge for punt returns using a fourth man as spotter – to let the wedge know when the runner has the ball. Rotating as both returners and spotters were Pierre, Lance Moore, and Meachum. [*air horn*]

Back to 11-on-11 on the S.Upper. Jason David got applause when he batted down a nice pass – I’m not sure all of it was genuine. Colston caught a nice waist-high dump. Stecker hit a perfect trap play up the middle. Brunell to Reggie in the flat went off without a hitch. Arrington has proven that he owns the slant route with his height and hands. Simoneau got stuck covering Reggie on a sideline streak that would’ve scored. Copper also got a breakaway on a bullet in traffic. Palko made up for an under-throw in the flat to Blythe by nailing Carlos Robinson on a cross. During this period, Brunell and Palko took considerably more reps than Drew. [*air horn*]

The squad merely switched side for more 11-on-11. I didn’t have the best vantage point for this period because the view was blocked by the players not in on the snaps. I did see Colston snatch a 30-yard out, though.

Autograph Props: Shockey. Since players essentially line the whole length of the stands, they usually stay in one place. Shockey signed in one spot for 5 minutes, then moved 20 yards for a few more minutes, etc. I did catch a hilarious exchange when he was right in front of me. A guy hands him a Budweiser hat, without missing a beat, ”No way man. Not signing that. Not an American beer anymore. Drink Coors Light.” Everybody laughed.

2008-07-25 (Fri) Afternoon

>>>>For more pics, go here: 2008-07-25 Afternoon

As Randy suggested, likely because of an hour-long rain this afternoon, they were on the game field – which is artificial turf. They were in shorts and shoulder pads. Shockey was in no pads. He sure seemed fine when talking to the press yesterday. Then again Payton has suggested he was going to be eased back in gradually. Benson was on the west sideline under a pop-up tent. Free from hecklers? He has gotten earfuls from some fans here before.

After finding out the hard way that today’s roster hand-out guy thought nothing of abandoning his post for a few minutes (!@#$%&*), I walked into the east stands. Lo and behold, there’s Randy. This proves that we are not the same person – we have witnesses. The team was in an 11-on-11. During this session they were mainly working on run plays. In the two 11/11 periods I saw yesterday, it was all pass. [*air horn*] Yeah, really just caught the tail end.

[Girl from Ipanema]

The next period was actually two short periods for special teams. It started with some 11/11 PKs. Martin [Marteeeeeeeen] Gramatica is not an imposing presence. The resounding boom his kicks make, really is. Believe me, I’ve never had the sound of any PK catch my attention before. After a few from ~20 and a few from ~40, a whole new 22 rotated. This included R Taylor Mehlhaff. His kicks were more sotto voce.

After about 5 minutes of kicking, the team broke into two squads on either side of the field for kick coverage drills. One side was is threes, the other in pairs. But they both did the same thing: Forearmed a dummy and then ran thirty yards to catch a live ball carrier. It looked like one side was backer-types and the other was DB-types. [*air horn*]

More 3 rotations of 11/11, but this time it was all pass. Just as Randy was commenting that Brees has yet to throw any long passes this camp, he throws a 30-yarder that Devery, even though double covered, should’ve had. It bounced off his hands, really. However, when Brunell came in, Tree Arrington caught seemingly the same route with ease. It got a big cheer. “He even waited on it,” quoth the Randy. Arrington looks good so far – tall and quick. Too bad he comes from the Maize & Blah.

[Girl from Ipanema]

Right back to more of the same. Colston fired up the crowd with a text book under route that should be credited to all 11 guys. It was undeniably poetic in every aspect: Receivers race down field, here comes Colston across the abandoned middle, Brees releases the timing arch to the right sideline [*POP*]. Beautiful. Brees also got a nice one to Ghent on a downfield stop. Bress looked sharp. Reggie got ambushed on a poorly executed backfield screen. But Brunell came in for nice swing to Reggie that he was able to dart up the left side. Palko to Hamilton also made for an efficient dump/swing in stride. But the rest of 3’s turn was soured by an OL procedure and a figurative sack. What’s up 2 OL? Drew received another applause break for a 40-yarder that made Lance Moore look smooth. He capped off the practice with a jaw-dropping needle-threader to Ghent in traffic, 12 yards up the middle.

Curve ball? Payton let them off with no conditioning today. Hmm.

Each of the three practice sites has their understood autograph areas. With about 20 minutes left in the practice, people started making their way to the south end zone fence. They became a little restless when the Sharpie’s mounted a three-front attack - the real curve ball. On the east side, I was thrilled to get some good snaps of Deuce and Brunell. I really lucked out when straggling, a few of us got a good look at Shockey (see pics) as he ran up into the Athletic Complex – the new(er) field house is on the west side now.

Autograph Props: Drew (who had been throwing reps post practice), Reggie, and Payton giving the west side all they wanted.

2008-07-25 (Fri) Morning

Once again Randy V. with the morning scoop. Give it to us, Randy.

>>>>For more of Randy's pics click here: 2008-07-25 Morning

Caught a good hour this morning.

On lower fields.. [Woodrow Wilson & West]

Burnell has a gun for an arm, Meachem made a few good catches.
Reggie stayed late and worked on punt returns, could be good news for the Saints.
Duece looks like he is ready to play.
Our defensive backs are looking a lot better than last year.
I overhead someone else talking about how DeMario Pressley was quick off the ball.
No way Hollis is 335 lbs...

2008-07-24 (Thurs) Afternoon

For more pictures of this practice session go to: 2008-07-24 Afternoon

Nice to be back at camp. It’s just like putting on an old pair of shoes; or a gray 50/50 cut-off. It was hot, but hazy and breezy. Two noticeable differences: More signs around campus letting you know you’re at Saints training camp, and a Corporate Fans Tent over by the observatory. Oy, the caste system.

What I did today (and will have to do everyday) is change into a pair of shorts in the bathroom at work, and race out the door. If my weekday reports seem brief, it’s because I’m only catching about 50 minutes. But hey, you’ll see the pen is never recapped and the camera never goes into the pocket.

We’re at the two upper fields (the soccer field) and the guys are in shorts and shoulder pads. When I walk up they’re in an 11-on-11, and Brunell (#11) is at QB. And I’ll notice throughout the practice the he has a riffle and not a soft touch. He chunks a nice one at Meechum in stride that goes for ~40 up the right sideline. Tyler Palko (#3 in jersey and pecking order) eventually rotates in. He gets a nice dump to Lynell Hamilton (#30) who beats everybody to turn the right corner for a sweet breakaway. Skyler Green (#10) gets a crisp bullet ten yards down as he runs out of bounds on the left – also from Palko. Hamilton also nabs a delayed under route, in the middle, with no one around him.

Water Break [Que elevator version of “Girl from Ipanema”]

For the next period they break into position drills over the two upper fields – everything is very fundamental. LBs are working on running straight over blocks with a six-foot dummy – and I don’t mean me. Backs are working on blocking with each other. DBs are working on changing direction with cones. OL and squad guys are working on 11-on-11 PKs. DL is working on lowering their shoulder to avoid blocks. And the QBs are pretty much taking the period off and chat. [*air horn*]

Everybody makes their way to the north upper field. On the west side, the O skills vs. D skills at full speed. But right in front of us is OL vs. DL in full speed pass rush and blitz schemes. This is fun for me. Kendrick Clancy (#71) and Orien Harris (#92) both looked quick. Zach Streif (#64) had a solid period. Tim Duckworth (#75) looked tired. At one point Demario Pressley (#90) impressively schooled Jermon Bushrod (#74). Coach O was leading this by the way. He was intense, but not going crazy – more focused. [*air horn*]

They stayed on the north upper for some more 11-on-11. Three squads of both O & D rotated through twice. Brees opened with a nice pulling screen to Bush. By the way Ronnie Ghent (#85) was TE for O1. I don’t think Deuce got any plays this period, either. Drew also got two out routes to Reggie and Pierre that would’ve been TDs. On Brunell’s second play in, a blast bounced off of Adrian Arrington’s (#87 – one of the new Trees at 6’3”) numbers and into the hands of fellow rookie Jo-Lonn Dunbar’s (#56) for the pick-6. Unfazed, he next found a wide-open downfield Mark Campbell (#80) that was a presumptive score. Palko scrambling for a score on his first play got a cheer from the crowd. [*air horn*]

They finished practice in a way I’d never seen. The entire squad lined-up, one-deep on the sideline. At least four times they ran across-and-backs. I don’t ever recall them finishing with conditioning. They looked tie-yerd.

Autograph Props for time spent: McKenzie (who didn’t practice, but still) and Fujita.

2008-07-24 (Thurs) Morning

The following report comes from LeFleur's de Lis correspondent Randy V. Talk to us, Randy.

Coach O was screaming at the DL, prancing around, it was classic coach O. Charles Grant look really good, so did Rookie DL DeMario Pressley from NC State.

Reggie, Drew, Shockey & Duece all looked good and in game shape.
Colston was on the bike all morning. Rookie WR Adrian Arrington from Michigan was impressive, Meachem failed to impress once again.

Spoke to rookie WR Todd Blythe from ISU. I asked him how he was doing and he said "He was hot", I told him it will get a lot worse in August.