2008-07-27 (Sun) Afternoon

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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