2008-07-29 (Tues) Night

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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.