2008-08-18 (Mon)

Well, I went to the Saints / Texans pre-season game on Saturday night in the Dome. Even though I left my camera at Mike & Nikki's, I was able to soak in plenty. We met up under the underpass with a healthy representation of the two ticket blocks of usual suspects: Joey, Jay, Dave, Bob, Smoker, among others. The appetizer before hand was Modelo in a can. And a white can, at that. When was the last time you had a beer out of a white can? Love it.

Any report on this game could focus on any number of offensive highlights. Reggie’s hurdle into the end zone whipped the Dome into a frenzy. But he was arguably outdone by Colston’s one-handed touchdown grab. And hell, that never would’ve happened had Deuce not converted on three third downs during that drive.

However, the only thing anybody on less than a dozen gin drinks could take away from that game in Jason David’s underwhelming performance. The Saints are in a secondary pinch. They sunk a ton of money into getting David, and now they can’t give him away. However, the organization signed a new safety that played in the Pro Bowl…nine years ago. Check it out here: Schulters

After the game, I met up with Joey, Bob, and Jay to check out Dave with Juice at Le Bon Temps. Aside from a jukin show, we got to check out the USA vs. Brazil women’s beach volleyball during setbreak. Como se diz “delicious” em português?

Check out this nugget from the second set for some tasty axe and keys.



Speaking of volleyball, the next day Mike and I competed in the more frequently held, but equally momentous, Gastrolympics. We hopped on a streetcar for my first post-Storm visit to Mandina’s. While he and I may not posses the aesthetic appeal of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, we ingested and imbibed with the gritty, medal-worthy resolve of the Bryan Bothers.

Our Opponents:
1 Order of Onion Rings
1 Veal Parmesan
1 Giant Speckled Trout Filet
~25 Oysters
4 Stoli Bloody Marys

Before

After

2008-08-14 (Thurs)

Given its talent, depth, and variety, the Saints D-Line has not been a question mark going into the season. But now Hollis Thomas is out for at least two months, and maybe the whole season. Could it be career ending? Who takes over? Read about the mole-men shake-up here: Hollis Thomas

2008-08-12 (Tues)

Here's a Claiborne Avenue Classic. You know, right down from Pierce's old place.

2008-08-11 (Mon)

Well, you might say Mother Nature put a damper on things with the dampness. Yesterday afternoon's practice was cancelled, and this afternoon's practice - the last to be held in Jackson (afka LeFleur's Bluff) - was moved up to 1:30. In other words, no more camp reports. But, as Pierre Thomas would say, "Ce'st la vie, mon frere." However, now that I think about it, it just would not have felt right. Rainy and in the low 80s? That's not the 2008 Camp I know. Any practice I can't work on my farmer / Keen tan is for the birds.

With this being the last Camp entry, I was going to try and top yesterday's "Fan in shrimp boots" with a great video. Two years ago I received this great clip of 5 or 6 crazy costumed Saints fans. They were dancing in a Superdome tunnel, around a box one of them had apparently brought into the game. Most notably, one of these gyrating gentleman was dressed head-to-toe as Darth Vader - complete with helmet painted as a Saints helmet. Unfortunately, when you click on that particular link in 2008 it reads, "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Universal Music Group." The song they were dancing to: 1999. Thanks Prince. I'm sure they were making a killing off that.

Nonetheless, I found this cool shot. And don't go too far, the season hasn't even started yet.

2008-08-10 (Sun)

Payton cancelled this afternoon's practice. There are reports that it's supposed to storm some kind of fierce. Then again, they might just be winding down. Who knows. Who dat. 

2008-08-09 (Sat) Afternoon

>>> For more pictures of today, click here: 2008-08-09 Afternoon

With this being the first day of open practices since Tuesday, I was pretty fired up about going to practice. As I’ve done the past two Saturday’s, I pre-game mealed with an oyster po-boy, dressed, with lemon and hot sauce, at Good Time Deli. Hell yes. Back at the upper fields, it was sunny but breezy. Really nice, actually. I later found out it was 94 degrees. Sounds like I’ve acclimated. The guys were in shorts and shoulder pads. Deuce, Shockey, and Devery were all in pads. Reggie was not. Hmmmm.

During the pre-practice, the QBs and Centers went through their standard snaps and dropping back mechanics. The DL was walking through drills with no helmets. The OL, LBs, & TEs were just standing around. However, on the other field, something new was amiss.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the noted sneakiness of new special teams coach Greg McMahon. A while back I described the Surf & Turf: a kick off return that combines the time-tested methods of the wall with a (mini-)wedge. Well today they added a new wrinkle. It involved the mini-wedge (three blockers, returner, and spotter) heading straight for one sideline. But at the spotters signal, one of the blockers and the returner break off and take an angle for the other sideline. So, the kicking team gets drawn to one sideline, but once they’ve committed, the ball actually goes the other way. Genius! And, oh so sneaky. The first string of S&T mk. II was Pierre and Skyler as returner/spotter and Karney, Zach Strief, and Antwan Lake as the mini-wedge. I would not want to face those guys. [*air horn*]

For this period, they revived splitting the team between the two fields, and each walking through 11-on-11 to work on the playbook. [*air horn*]

Plies, 2, 3, 4…[*air horn*]

In running to the drills of this agility period, some of the OL & TEs gave sarcastic yells of glee. “Yaaaaaaay! Alright!” Can’t blame them. Not only are two-a-days mentally and physically taxing, but the team just spent two days in the dry heat. The O snapped the ball and then ran 20 yards. On the other field the D would watch for the snap and take the angle of pursuit for 20 yards. After several reps by each of each, they broke down into positions. DL went through several dummy slalom variations. QBs & RBs worked on the exchange. WRs ran one-on-one. TEs were on the in-traffic drill: when the whistle blows, they turn a 180 and catch a ball as three guys hit them with shields. DL moved on to getting one good hit and then disengaging with the one-man sled. QBs and WRs merged for some route work. Corners and DBs separately drilled coverage. OL went 1-on-1. And the RBs worked on blocking [*record scratching*] Wait a minute! Nobody told them they were going to have to block! Oh, the humanity! [*air horn*]

First Period of 11-on-11. Drew kicked things off with a left sideline throw to one Jeremy Shockey. After a drop, an overthrow, and a stuffed Pierre run, Drew hit Deuce in the backfield for a mighty fine screen led by a pulling Jamar Nesbit. I can’t wait to see that during the season. Instant screen to the left was read like a book.

Pierre had much better luck on Brunell’s first play, a student body right. For the next three plays, they worked Brunell on bootlegs. The first was an incompletion to the Stecker in the flat – he just wasn’t open. The second was a textbook to Ghent up on the second level. The third was actually a fake with a counter give to Pierre that didn’t go anywhere. Palko, who I only realized today(?) has a full beard, threw several incompletions and overthrows while at the same time showing excellent pocket mechanics. [*air horn*]

[Ipanema 12 inch]

For the teams d’especial, they worked on S&T mk. II. First it was just the golf cart tires vs. the five specialists at full speed. But then they practiced 11-on-11. That play is going to get us some yards. It looks great. [*air horn*]

For the next period, LBs & DBs faced O skills, and OL faced DL. Or as Johnny so eloquently put it, “fat guys and skinny guys.” [*air horn*]

A little more 11-on-11. Two of the first three plays were Deuce running a perfect counter to the right and then catching an unpulled screen in the flat. Both were to daylight. Patten also caught a nice left sideline grab. From here, the period gets hazy. The pictures will show that the view was obstructed by not only the plays progressing away from the crowd but also the other players standing behind them. The only other play I really saw was Craft intercepting a Palko bomb and returning it at least ten yards. [*air horn*]

The team huddled and that was it. Post practice presented two unusual things. The first was Charles Grant running voluntary conditioning. (That’s funny, Bob never has a second cup of coffee at home.) The other was all three QBs and most of the WRs and TEs going through route drills. It appears they were trying out a mysterious #15. Interesting. Do they really need to sign another WR considering they already have to cut a few? Hmmm.

Autograph Props: Payton and Mehlhaff. Yes, you heard me right, Mehlhaff. He must believe in the power of positive thinking. I’m not saying he won’t make the team, but let’s at least wait for the eggs to hatch. I overheard several kids say, “I got Shockey, Brees, and #4.”

2008-08-05 (Tues) Afternoon

>>>>For more pictures from today, click here: 2008-08-05 Afternoon

Well I’m afraid this report is going to be light on football and heavy on (good) pictures. I’ll explain.

The team was back on the upper fields in shorts and shoulder pads. Colston was not in pads. I arrived just in time for some 11-on-11. The way the upper fields are configured is two full fields side-by-side, with the bleachers stretching the length of one side's two end zones. For this particular period, not only were the plays going away from the stands, but also the rest of the team was standing behind the action. If you think Doug Flutie had hard time seeing over lineman, try doing it from 40 yards away. Even at an angle, all anybody could really make out were long pass plays.

Lynell Hamilton caught a 30-yarder down the left sideline. I was able to determine that Brunell had thrown it, simply based on the fact that Brees and Palko were components of the jerseyed parapet at the time. I was also able to see that Palko made a similarly lengthed pass down the left side to Arrington.

After a while longer of who-knows-what, the horn blew, the team huddled, and that was it. Payton called practice at 5:30. Oh well. I figured they might be easing up with the first pre-season game a mere 48 hours away. They only have a walk-though tomorrow, anyway.

But, the short practice time made for a fan-appreciated autograph time. Yesterday was tough to top, as far as star power. But today the players were working a volume business. Roughly 25 players signed today – many LdL firsts. Among them were, Colston, (new Center) Jonathan Goodwin, Pierre, Skyler, Campbell, Mehlhaff (a little politicing, maybe?), Drew, Arrington, Stinchcomb, Shockey, Karney, and maybe every OL on the roster.

Autograph props: Deuuuuuuuce. Deuce has been keeping a low autograph profile this year. But today he pulled exactly what Reggie did yesterday. He signed until nobody was left. He finally went in at about 6:20. Well done, sir. Lena smiles. And now so do dozens of future life-long Saints fans. Who Deuce!

2008-08-04 (Mon) Afternoon

>>>> For more pictures from Randy & myself, click here: 2008-08-04 Afternoon

If you never or occasionally look the pictures, today is the day to take a gander. Randy and I hit the motherload.

Once again back on the lower field. Naturally, it was hot. For the sake of morale, I never check the weather. Hence brief accounts. The guys were in shorts and shoulder pads. Vilma and Hollis were not in pads.

For this first period I caught some goal line 11-on-11 from the 7. Drew’s turn opened with a theoretical sack. I still can’t figure out if this trend reflects the DL performing so well, or if the OL misses Jeff Fein. I guess we’ll find out against the Bucs. Drew found Deuce over the top for a score. Now, the OL does look good when it comes to misdirection. They forged a clear path for Stecker to trot a shovel pass into the end zone. But this was followed by a second coverage sack. Reggie took it up the middle for a TD. Stecker proved successful again with a curl to the right side.

Brunell found Meachem on a slant from the right. He also demonstrated his uncommon arm strength with a bullet to Ghent as he ran out of bounds. And Reggie made the OL look good on another run straight up the middle. Lynell Hamilton might not be long, but he caught a sweet pulling screen from Palko for a TD. Skyler was not so lucky in turning too late for a timed curl to the left. [*air horn*]

From there, the whole team trotted to the 50 from some open field 11-on-11. Brees nailed the ever-impressive Lance Moore on the left sideline. During this period, they showed a lot of shotgun and the no-TE / tackles in two-point formation. On one such play, Stecker had a ten-yard cushion in every direction out in the flat. Unfortunately he started looking up field just a hair too soon, and couldn’t hold on to the ball. After a Reggie overthrow downfield, Drew found Meachem on the right side. Back in pads, Randall Gay showed up by coming over Skyler for a bat down that earned a round of applause.

During Brunell’s rotation, Pierre ran a draw that was magnifique. While Mark would overthrow both Stecker and Skyler due to hurries, he connected with Meachem for a beauty up the right side. [*air horn*]

The team took a looooooooong break while Marteen and Mehlhaff practiced field goals. After the horn blew the team huddled before some 11-on-11 field goals. Both kickers are consistent. It’s definitely a race. But after a few kicks, the team huddled back up, and that was it. The golf cart tires and some cones were set up, but Payton called it about 15 minutes early.

Little did Randy and I know, but the real treat was just starting. Y’all have heard me grouse about the lower field having a setup that heavily favors the VIPs, when it comes to autographs. The players have to walk past the VIP tent to get back to the field house. So any autographs for the hoy-polloi, require players to climb embankments, crawl under ropes, and walk across the upper fields. They really have to go out of their way. Whether organized or not, the players – and we’re talking some of the most popular ones – en masse climbed over ropes and essentially ignored the VIPs. Check out this list: Fujita, Brees, Brunell, Colston, Pierre, Cedric Ellis, Shockey, Strief, Billy Miller, and Reggie. And on top of it, they were giving the crowd all they could take. These zillionaires thumbed their nose to spend some lengthy quality face time with the real-deal fans. They were in no hurry and talking with folks. Best day of camp.

Autograph props: Reggie. He was absolutely the last player to leave the field. Practice ended at 5:45. He didn’t go over to the (remaining) VIPs until 6:25? It was hilarious, there wasn’t anybody left that needed his autograph.

2008-08-04 (Mon) Morning

>>>> For more of Randy's pictures, click here: 2008-08-04 Morning

After a day off, we're back at it with a morning report from LeFleur's de Lis correspondent Randy V. So, Randolph, proceed with said bad self.

Got there about 10:15 am
Working on drills as I approach...Horn...

It's hot........

Go to 11 on 11
Bush had a good screen run.
Meach and Moore are looking good.
Benson on the phone working on a trade for Farve?
Fujita gets int intended for Patten.
Deuce is playing and running out everything to the endzone.
Roach makes a great play on a ball intended for Meach.
Billy Miller looks good on a dump off.
Palko has a good run after coverage breaks down..
Horn...

Switch ends more 11 on 11.
Harper and Fujita breakup play on pass to Meach.
Deuce runs another one out...
C. Ellis is working hard on looking good on Def.
Horn..

Players on the DL ( Hollis, Colston, Henderson, Porter, Vilma)

Brees and Shockey stay late to work on a few passes.
Kickoff returners also stay late to work on hands.
T. Porter gets some one on one instruction...

Auto props to Coach, Brees, & Waylon (Sign-em b/f your cut) Prather.

2008-08-02 (Sat)

>>>> For more pictures from both Randy V. and myself, click here: 2008-08-02 Scrimmage

Good gracious was it hot today in Memorial Stadium. Excellent crowd, maybe 5000 – 6000. And a good crowd for inane jawing during the scrimmage. Randy V., John E., even Dave C. made the drive up. Shockey had on shorts, Deuce had on pads – but didn’t see any action. I cannot reiterate enough how inconsiderate a bumbershoot in a crowd is. I mean, surely this wont bother anybody.

As all the players were trickling out of the locker room, the QBs and centers were going through snaps and dropback technique. With everybody present they started going through lining up each team d’especial – both strings. [*air horn*]

They kicked it off with some drills for warm-up. OL went one-on-one. QBs and RBs practiced the exchange and running routes. DL worked first burst. DBs back-peddled and cut two at a time. Then the QBs, RBs, and WRs ran routes off snaps. After a while, O skills lined up against LBs & DBs off snaps. And DL and OL drilled different scenarios. [*air horn*]

And a-one, and a-two, and a-one, and a-two… [*air horn*]

The O jogged to the north sideline and the D to the south sideline. They opened with each kicker taking kicks, 11-on-11 from five different distances. Both Marteen and Mehlhaff made every attempt, including the 50s. They both earned applause.

Naturally Drew and O1 started off. During every period of they day, they rotated every WR and tried countless formations. Reggie started things off getting stuffed – which was indicative of the D’s performance throughout the day. But Brees found Lance Moore for a 25-yarder to the mid-left that got things going. After dropping two passes, David Patten caught a slant for 15. After two more stuffs, Reggie hit a sweet designed cutback where the OL drove left while he veered right. The TD was to Lance Moore in stride from close distance.

In the interim, each kicker got one full-on kick-off. Skyler caught Marteen’s at the goal line and made a few yards. And interestingly enough, Arrington – who is 6’3” by the way– was lined up to catch the next one, but Mehlhaff kicked it OUT of the end zone. Not too shabby.

Brunell opened by hitting Ortega. Pierre opened by grabbing his own fumble; sacrebleu! But he made up for it with an off-tackle to the left and a 5-yard dump over the top; tres bien! Arrington made a nice sideline grab on the left. Stecker would make some nice runs throughout the day. Ghent topped off the TD-less period by receiving a hard hit over the middle – but he held on.

Again, each kicker got a kick off. Pierre took Marteen’s to the 25. Skyler took Mehlhaff’s end zone to end zone. These are both good and bad. This also might take he wind out of my theory on Skyler’s future.

Palko threw a tasty cross to Ghent, but it was called back due to holding. He next hit [*deep breath*] Olaniyi Sobomehin over the top for an out-of-the-backfield connection. Skyler again proved me wrong by bringing down a 45-yarder. Cedric Ellis stepped up with a knock down at the line. And Ortega completed my favorite football phrase when used out of context: the Tight End Dump.

[Ipanema]

They regrouped by going to the punt team. Weatherford’s first traveled from the 20 to the opposite 10, but the next only went to the 23. Still, nice punts. Lot’s of leverage with that 6’3” frame. Mr. Applegate will gladly explain the pendulum distance / force ratio as it pertains to velocity.

Back to Drew. This is when the DL started getting the better of the OL. For the rest off the day, there would be many scrambles, hurries, throwaways, and under-throws. Reggie had a nice run, though. But he would look like a MVP with the assistance of a pulling Jahri Evans on a short toss into the flat. Reggie further rocked as the fourth checkdown on a catch he ran into the end zone from the 10.

Brunell did not look terribly hot during his second turn. In addition to the DL woes, he was a little off the…mark. Just not his day. But he would make a nice 30 yard throw to Meachum while being sandwiched. He held it.

Practice wrapped up with two punt-returns; one to Reggie, one to Stecker. Neither was anything to write home about.

Oh, did I say practice was over? Not quite. I think the whole stadium cringed when the team was instructed to line up for conditioning. Oof.

As a result, no one seemed to blame the guys for withering straight to the locker room. I can’t emphasize how hot it was today. And this after a scrimmage. Thus…

Autograph Props: Brees, Colston, Meachum, and Mark Campbell (they were the only ones)

Post Practice Aperitif Props: Tanqueray

2008-08-01 (Fri) Afternoon

>>>>For more pictures from both Randy and myself, click here: 2008-08-01 Afternoon

Back at the lower field. It was pleasantly overcast and windy. The guys were in shorts and shoulder pads. Deuce was not in pads. At first I thought Shockey was not in pads, either. I would come find out that he was simply wearing tiny shoulder pads.

As you might suspect by now, walked up during a break and then they went into 11-on-11. Brees sailed a beauty of a 40-yarder to Meachum on the sideline right below the crowd - they liked it. Once again, they showed the formation with no TE and both tackles in a two-point stance. In this instance it was draw to Reggie. Brunell hit Lance Moore on a nice cross. During Palko’s turn they showed a formation I’d never seen: Staggered backfield with TE Buck Ortega lined up at half back. Interesting. Unfortunately I immediately forgot about the play because it led to a shoving match between Todd Blythe and Wale Dada. [*air horn*]

For teams d’especial they first worked on Weatherford punting out of the endzone. He consistently got it to about the 50. Returning rotation was Reggie, Lance Moore, and Skyler Green – who would end up dropping about three passes on the day. On the other hand, Lance Moore looks better and better. Anyway, back to teams d’especial. Next they moved up for several punts from the 15. But then for two turns they moved to the opponents 45. Weatherford’s made it into the end zone after one bounce. Prather’s bounced on the 4 and rolled back to the 8. During all these punts I tried to keep up with who were the assassins – the two guys whose duty it is to tackle the returner. After 10 different players, I quit trying.

Next was kick coverage with the golf cart tires. Rather than send all 11 on each play, they would only send one side and intentionally sail the ball to the opposite sideline. Smart drill. [*air horn*]

Back to 11-on-11. Meachum (who is also looking better and better) caught two in row. Both routes we straight ahead – one about 10 yards, the other about 30. “Ahhhhhhh.” During Palko’s turn, he was “sacked” two times in a row. One was coverage, one was a blitz. [*air horn*]

Ah yes, the two minute drill. Brees was on fire. Schockey, Copper, Meachum; boom, boom, boom. Once at the goal line, and keeping with the pairs trend, Usama Young batted the ball on two consecutive plays. The first was at the pylon with Meachum. The second was at the back of the end zone with Patten. Brees connected with Reggie, but his momentum took him out of bounds at the one. The touchdown went to Meechum, under the goal posts, on a cross. Brunell did not a have good turn. After three 5 yard completions to Pierre in a row, Skyler dropped one. After two more incompletions the horn blew the end of practice.

At first it looked like the VIPs were to receive the spoils again. But as post-practice wore on, the players stepped up again for the regular joes. Strief (who could double as a component of Stonehenge), Mark Campbell, Cedric Ellis, Antwan Lake, Pierre, Reggie, and Brees all went out of their way. Good job, fellas.

Autograph Props: Lance Moore

Beer Props: Randy

Tomorrow is the scrimmage!