SB Nation - Billy Miller

Billy Miller to Play this Sunday Against Bills?

Saintsational — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:02:13 -0000

I just checked into my Twitter account and noticed Billy Miller had recently updated fans on his status.

Just landed in Houston to see the Doc. I know I am still in a boot but I am going to see if he can clear me for Sundays game

Ha! Wishful thinking, Billy. We miss you and look forward to watching you on Sunday's again but I'm afraid it probably won't be this year. Keep up the optimism.

Canal Street Chronicles: Fleur-de-Links 9.08.09

Saintsational — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:30:15 -0000

Twitter

jeffduncantp Practive observation: If Drew Brees is 6-feet tall (and he is), then Chase Daniel is 5-10 -- tops.

wwltvsports First pass of regular season camp: A drop from Drew Brees to Jeremy Shockey. And the fun begins.

jeffduncantp On the bright side, Reggie Bush did practice and looked 100 percent. Ran the ball with impressive speed and acceleration.

wwltvsports No.'s of Interest: Those still on the roster after preseas caught 56 passes for 778 yards and 5 TDs. Hamilton had 10 catches, Shockey had 8

wwltvsports Of the 6 TD passes caught this preseason, only 1 was caught by someone who isn't left on the roster? Yep, Skyler Green caught that pass.

FletcherMackel Payton says if grant and smith are not suspended by nfl today or tomorrow then he assumes nfl will not suspend them

jeffduncantp Payton was very cryptic about Pierre Thomas. Played the old "we'll wait until Wednesday" injury-update card. My gut says he's out for Sunday

jeffduncantp Best quote of open locker room. I asked DE Jeff Charleston his thoughts on playing rookie QB in 1st career start. Charleston: "Fresh meat."

jeffduncantp For all of you Saints' jersey numbers freaks, John Carney still had No. 1 today but said he plans to wear No. 3 for the season starting Wed

JeremyShockey Just got home from work... Cant wait till sun going to be a blast....

JeremyShockey "sinner to SAINT" ill alwaqys be a CANE...... enjoy your night going to eat with all SAINTS...... cant wait till sun @@@@@@

JeremyShockey @saints83 bill how did it go?? canes play tonight

saints83 @JeremyShockey good bro but I really miss you guys already you are going to have a great season and when u go to probowl I am going with u

Pierre_Thomas Sunday is around the corner! Is the Who Dat Nation ready to rock the Dome or what? @DrewBrees lets make it happen captain!

ChaseDaniel Been on the Saints for less then 24 hrs & I'm amazed at the type of player/leader #9 is...such a great opportunity to learn from him!

saints83 Congrats to our 2009 captains @drewbrees John V and Troy E

MalcolmJenkins just got done eating dinner with the team... had some great seafood! now im gonna relax and enjoy my day off tomorrow

Linkage

New Orleans Saints salivate about getting after rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford in opener - Times-Pic

"It's fresh meat," Saints defensive end Jeff Charleston said of Stafford. "It's his first real game. He's our opponent, and you still have to respect him, but we're going to come after him."

-Jeff Charleston

"He's from Georgia, and I'm from Georgia Tech," Saints defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove said, smiling. "Any time I get a chance to go against a Bulldog, I'm definitely going to try to bring my 'A' game."

-Anthony Hargrove

"This isn't an internship," Schwartz said at a news conference. "This isn't a trial basis, you know. He's our starting quarterback.

"His command of the offense is very good. His command of what defenses are doing is very good. And what he needs to do is play. I think he had a very good preseason."

-Jim Schwartz

"Last year Matt Ryan kind of got on my nerves, and he was a rookie and he was kind of intelligent," Saints defensive end Bobby McCray said. "So therefore I'm going in with the same perception of Stafford. He's the No. 1 overall pick and probably highly intelligent.

"I'm sure they're not going to give him too much to handle in his first game, but it's our job to get after him no matter what. It's very important that we break his spirit early."

-Bobby McCray

"It's still football 101," Ellis said. "We have to keep the pressure on him and keep the ball in his hand as much as possible. Everybody knows that's the rule when you play against young players.

"Gregg is an up-tempo guy, so I'm sure we're going to be running around a lot and coming after him."

-Sedrick Ellis

"With a rookie you can do some different things to try to get him rattled and get him looking at the rush, instead of looking down field," Hargrove said. "Daunte is a guy who's been in the league a while, and he knows how to stay in the pocket. Plus, he's also a great escape artist, so you like playing against a rookie quarterback."

-Anthony Hargrove

"I don't think the Lions' coaching staff is going to try to put too much on (Stafford) at first," Harper said. "At least I wouldn't want that as a rookie quarterback in the NFL. I don't think that would be the smartest thing to do. They'll try to run the ball a little bit and establish that and give him a nice little package that he has confidence in and understands."

-Roman Harper

"This team has changed," Hargrove said. "It has made a 180. It's not the 0-16 team from last year. They were the No. 1-rated offense in the preseason, and you got to take that into account."

-Anthony Hargrove

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush says he's ready for opener, but Pierre Thomas looks iffy - Times-Pic

"I feel like (my timing and rhythm) is good, " Bush said. "And if it's not good, it'll be good by Sunday."

-Reggie Bush

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant-Will Smith saga deserves fast conclusion - Times-Pic

Saints Practice Mon Pre-Detroit, other thoughts/news (including Smith, Grant news) - WWL

Payton plans to play Smith, Grant, for now - WWL

Kristian: Are the Saints overlooking the Lions? Not a chance! - WWL

Mickles: Saints not looking past Lions - The Advocate

Stafford to start at QB in Lions season opener - Detroit Free Press

Dozens of new faces in Detroit - ESPN

Video

New Orleans Saints talk about taking on a rookie quarterback

Audio

Here are three clips from WWL's Sports Talk yesterday.

Billy Miller's Surgery Experience

Saints tight end Billy Miller traveled to Vail, Colorado yesterday to have surgery to repair his torn achilles. He documented his experience using Twitter and pictures, all found below. Click each picture for a larger version and to read what Billy wrote to go along with it.

saints83 Ok, Billy is out, it was successfull! He is very groggy and just wants to sleep. Great job Dr. Clanton! Great prayers from everyone! xoxo

Sean Payton Press Conference Transcript

From NewOrleans.com

Opening Statement:

"Today - much like we have done in the past - was an additional day of preparation with the focal point just on Detroit. The players will be off tomorrow and we'll come back Wednesday and then resume preparation."

How do you prepare for a team that has a new coaching staff?

"I think you have to go back and pay close attention to the preseason first off, and then go back to Jim (Schwartz) and his staff and try to research in regards to their history. It's fairly common when there is a change in a coordinator or in a coaching staff. Until you start seeing regular season games on tape, you're going off the preseason and past places where the coaches have worked."

What is the situation right now with Charles Grant and Will Smith?

"Right now our focus is playing them in this game until we're told otherwise. They practiced today and both of them moved around well; that's our approach until the league tells us otherwise."

Do you have a contingency plan in case they are suspended?

"Yes. The two scenarios were that of the suspension taking place on the weekend and how that would affect the roster and then the second scenario is no suspension and how that affects the roster. To answer your question, yes, and we have to take the approach that here we are on Monday and those two are playing in this weekend's game until we hear differently."

To clarify, you're waiting on a federal appeals court to rule in their case?

"I think it's a state, and really we're waiting to hear from the league. That's really the proper channel. The league will keep us up to date and advise us as to how to proceed. Right now we're proceeding with the idea that those two players are playing."

Has the league given you any assurances that they won't suspend them on Thursday or Friday?

"That wouldn't be the case. Generally, they're mindful of the preparation time it takes to bring in players to replace them. I don't anticipate that being an issue. The key is just staying in touch and moving forward with the idea that both of them are playing and then waiting to hear."

Is it likely that any suspension that would come this week would happen tomorrow then?

"I think that would be a good assumption. Past tomorrow, it would get difficult."

Did their status weigh at all on your roster moves this weekend?

"It did because hypothetically had the two of them been suspended, then the roster would look different with two more players. That's the challenge of a suspension - or two suspensions in this case."

Would Paul Spicer be likely to return if the suspensions do go through?

"Potentially. He's someone who has gotten a lot of work. I visited with him two days ago on the day that we made the releases and we'll stay in touch with him and make sure he's staying in shape. The key is really just trying to monitor and wait for word."

If they are going to be suspended, would you prefer it happening at the start of the season and not delaying it?

"It's all out of our control. There is really no other way to put it - we wait and proceed forward with them planning to play and stay in close contact with the league and follow their lead as it pertains to this."

Do you feel that the league is taking a sympathetic approach on this?

"I think they're just trying to gather the information as best they can and that's a big reason why nothing has been done to date, officially."

How did Rod Harper stand out over the other receivers in making the team?

"He had the two punt returns - which is one thing - but when you spend time watching him in practice and in the games, you see that he's someone that can run, someone that catches the ball pretty well. He still has a lot of room for development. There are a number of things that he has to improve upon but we did like what we saw from his speed and we liked what we saw in the returns and his consistency in catching the football."

Would you be looking at him to possibly return kickoffs?

"We'll see as we get closer to the game who we'll feature back there. He's certainly a guy that's comfortable and has good ball security and can handle that part of it."

Who are other options for that role of kickoff returner?

"Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, Rod Harper - we'll look at a bunch of these guys. Potentially one of the running backs - certainly Pierre Thomas has had a lot of experience doing it so he would be another lead candidate."

Is there an update on Pierre Thomas' health situation?

"Nothing right now. We'll wait until Wednesday and then go ahead and give you the injury status on these guys. We're hoping that he's making the progress necessary so we can play him in this game, but we'll see."

Did you hold him out today since it was a bonus day?

"We held him out today, tomorrow will be a day off and then Wednesday we'll have a chance to practice him and see."

Is it the same injury he had on his knee?

"He has a laceration that took place in the last three days that's not real significant, but nonetheless something that he had to get some stitches on and he's battling through that. I'm optimistic; we'll see Wednesday where he's at and go from there."

Is that in the same area?

"No, a different area. Just a cut from a fence."

Going into training camp, did you always plan on just carrying two quarterbacks on the active roster?

"We didn't go into it with the idea that we were going to keep two. You go in developing and training and evaluating, and those are always tough decisions. We felt like when it came down to it, looking at the 53 and the decisions that we had to make in a number of areas that that was one area that allowed us to protect another player and we went that direction. We then went and signed Chase Daniel to the practice squad. He arrived last night; David Thomas arrived last night and they practiced today."

What is Randall Gay's situation?

"He has the flu. We sat him out today with the fever and we'll see where he's at Wednesday."

What do you like about Chase Daniel?

"He had a good training camp. I was familiar with him in high school where he played in Texas. We thought when we evaluated him on Missouri film that he was a big part of that program's turnaround. But equally as important was the film that we had on him at Washington in the preseason. He's a guy that is smart and competitive and can make some plays with his feet. We'll have a chance to look at him now."

Did you make a run at him after the draft?

"He would've been one of those guys; I can't recall exactly where we were at as far as signing him after the draft, but certainly we had evaluated him as a guy that you'd like to have in camp."

He has drawn comparisons to Drew Brees. Do you see any of that?

"For us it's a chance to look at a young prospect and see if we can develop him. The important aspect was really how he played in the preseason. He separated himself from some of the other practice squad quarterbacks that we were looking at."

Does David Thomas immediately vault to the second tight end spot?

"Sooner than later. The key is getting him up to speed with everything we're doing."

Detroit named Matthew Stafford their starting quarterback today. How overwhelming can it be for a rookie to start from day one?

"There is so much transition anymore. When you look at last year, there were a couple good examples of guys in Baltimore and in Atlanta, there were two guys that were selected fairly high that led their teams to not only good seasons, but postseasons. Having spent a lot of time on evaluating that position in the draft each year, (Stafford) is someone that has real good arm strength. I'm sure that as Detroit looks at it, they're looking to really make a decision based on who gives them the best chance to win - whether that's a first-year player or a veteran player, we have to prepare accordingly. He's a tremendous talent and someone from whom on Georgia film you saw a lot of good things."

Does having Grant and Smith available at this point almost feel like a luxury?

"It is what it is in regards that we're planning on them playing. The good news would be a reduced or no suspension down the road, but again it's really in the league's hands and it's something that if there is a suspension, there are going to be four games, so you could argue it either way."

How is Charles' hamstring?

"He practiced pretty well today and it looked pretty good. We'll see how it feels tomorrow when he's in for treatment but today he went and took a lot of snaps."

Was he held out of the game for injury reasons?

"Mainly because of that."

Do you have an update on Jammal Brown?

"Nothing new right now. He's back out east having another exam - we're having his hip looked at. The sports hernia surgery went well, but before they can examine the hip area, the sports hernia needed to heal. There's really nothing new to report. We'll find out if there is any additional work that needs to be done. He's rehabbing and we're planning to play Jermon Bushrod."

What is Reggie Bush's status for this weekend?

"He looks good."

Have you ever been around a quarterback that has the physical and mental command the way Drew Brees does?

"He is exceptional in those areas, so to answer your question, no. It would be hard to make a comparison to other players that I've worked with. He's unique and there are so many things that go into his preparation. He's accurate and he's a quick decision-maker. Those are the things that you can see when you watch him play. It would be hard for me to draw a comparison to another player."

Where could he get better, if he can?

"I think he can. Certainly you look to reduce the turnovers, that's one area that he has worked on and I think ultimately we tend to measure quarterbacks by championships so that's an area that he certainly has as a challenge ahead of him, and all of us. There are parts of his game that he has worked hard - especially this offseason and training camp - to improve on."

Is there a potential for your team to possibly overlook the Lions since they didn't win a game last season? How would you guard against that?

"I think the focus is really on ourselves and our preparation. This league is too good - it's not like college where you can look past someone. Every week you prepare and you focus on playing your best game regardless of who the opponent is. This is an entirely different team than a year ago when you look at their roster and their coaching staff, the make-up of everything is really completely different. The focus is really on us and playing our best football and eliminating the mistakes and the things that keep you from winning."

Do you have to remind your players that this is a new team?

"I think we have players that are pretty intelligent and they understand that they need to play well to have a chance to be successful. I think that's really the key objective as we head into this game or really any game that we play."

Does it put your mind at ease that you seem to have so much depth at running back?

"Mike Bell certainly is a guy that has had a good camp and played well for us. We kept Lynell Hamilton because we thought he had a good preseason. He came back after the fumbles early in the preseason and he has worked hard. It gives you some depth at a position that where often times it's necessary."

Are you anxious to see your new defense in its full regular season form?

"There have been some encouraging things already in regards to the takeaways and you've seen it each week. The key is being sound and having the proper plan in place week by week for the opponent you're playing and that can vary. I think all of us collectively and everyone in the league is excited now. This is the first week of regular season games and there's always a level of excitement. The key is still doing the things well - blocking, tackling, protecting the football - that end up really winning games for you."

Are you leery at all about playing against a young quarterback?

"You try to spend as much time on the tape that you've seen and find what are his strengths and weaknesses. Our players - with the additional day of this Monday's practice - will have plenty of opportunity to study the film and do all the homework necessary."

Miami Dolphins 10 @ New Orleans Saints 7: Who Dat Say!?

Saintsational — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:00:40 -0000

Twitter

DougTatum Outstanding performers: Thomas Morstead, Jo-Lon Dunbar, Rod Harper, Anthony Hargrove

DougTatum Disappointing efforts: Joey Harrington, Malcolm Jenkins and the third-string offensive line. Joey never had much time

wwltvsports Miller's injury is of the Achilles variety. Will get checked tomorrow. But it doesn't look promising.

JeremyShockey home thinking about my teammate BILLY MILLER! Hes more than a teammate hes a true friend.GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEPS. he will bounce bk

jeffduncantp Nothing official but I'm hearing Billy Miller tore his Achilles tendon. Players I talked to afterward sounded like they'd lost him for good.

SupaFreak69 I like to give a big thank u to the saints organization for trusting and believing in me...a sober and troublefree camp. Thank u lord.

Linkage

Photos: Saints and Dolphins battle it out at the Dome Thursday night - Times-Pic

Handwerger: Miller's injury not good, but it doesn't doom Saints' season - WWLTV

Saints fall to Miami 10-7 in Dome - WWLTV

"We just have to wait and see where he’s at tomorrow," Head Coach Sean Payton said. "… But it is a position of some concern. We’ll see. We have to pay attention to it."

-Sean Payton, on Billy Miller

"I thought defensively we did some real good things tonight," Payton said. "We weren’t able to sustain any drives offensively. I thought we were sloppy with penalties and struggled to protect."

-Sean Payton

"It was nice to see Rod Harper make a play later in the second half for us to get back in it," Payton said. "But obviously, we have to play better offensively."

-Sean Payton

New Orleans Saints tight end Billy Miller exits with injured Achilles tendon - Times-Pic

"I've got good strength now, so hopefully it's not as bad as it could be,"

-Billy Miller

"I felt like I made some plays (in the preseason). Obviously the two returns were pretty good, but really at the end of camp you never feel like you made enough plays," said Harper, who lamented the fact that he struggled on offense early in Thursday's game. "Hopefully in their eyes, I made enough of them."

-Rod Harper

"That was one of the biggest adrenaline rushes I've ever had, because I've never done that,"

-Thomas Morstead, on kicking off

Anthony Hargrove has found home as New Orleans Saints tackle - Times-Pic

"He's pretty good," Saints linebacker Scott Fujita said. "He's a high-motor guy and he's such a good athlete. When you combine those things, you're going to see him make big plays. He's disruptive."

-Scott Fujita, on Anthony Hargrove

"It was good to get all the work in," Hargrove said. "I was thankful the coaches kept me in there so long. After having the year off, I need the work, and it helps my conditioning."

-Anthony Hargrove

"I'm feeling good inside, and the coaches say I'm moving good there, so I'm happy," Hargrove said. "I'm all for doing anything I can to help the team. I get more comfortable every day."

-Anthony Hargrove

"I thank God every day for this opportunity," Hargrove said. "I was lying in my bed in my hotel room (Wednesday) night, looking out the window at all the buildings downtown and thinking about where I was a year ago at this time looking out the barred windows (of a detention/treatment center). I know I can't get too cocky or too arrogant.

"I love this team and the coaches. I just hope they have plans on keeping me around."

-Anthony Hargrove

Lynell Hamilton's closing argument to snag roster spot with New Orleans Saints impressive - Times-Pic

"I hope so," Hamilton said after accounting for 122 of the Saints' 234 yards of offense. "I'm the kind of person who puts it all in God's hands. I'm just going to continue to try to get better and let the chips fall where they may, and keep my trust in God."

-Lynell Hamilton

"I wish I could've helped my team more, maybe put some points on the board and helped my team win," he said. "We did some things right, but we did some things wrong. It's still a learning process."

-Lynell Hamilton

New Orleans Saints lose final preseason game 10-7 against Miami Dolphins - Times-Pic

"Defensively we did some real good things tonight," Payton said. "Offensively we struggled. We weren't able to sustain anything offensively. We were sloppy. Obviously we'll have to play better offensively."

-Sean Payton

"We'll know more tomorrow," Payton said. "Right now it's too early. We're already a little dinged up at that position with Darnell Dinkins out (ankle/foot). So that's a concern."

-Sean Payton

"Credit him," Payton said. "He's taken advantage of the opportunity. I was encouraged with the play he made tonight."

-Sean Payton, on Rod Harper

"It was a middle return, and I tried to hit it as quick as possible,"

-Rod Harper

"Let the chips fall where they may,"

-Lynell Hamilton

"That's part of football," Harrington said. "You've got to make the plays when they're presented to you. Sometimes they come within the offense and sometimes you have to create them on your own. It was just one of those games. I don't even worry about (making the team). That's what I've said all along. I'm not thinking at all about down the road."

-Joey Harrington

Saints Close Out Preseason Against Dolphins - New Orleans Saints official website

"We were sloppy in a few phases and that bothered me,"

-Sean Payton

"I thought Morstead was outstanding tonight," Payton said. "It was good to see him continue to develop. He did a lot of good things tonight."

-Sean Payton

Miami Dolphins finish pre-season play perfect for first time in 11 years - Palm Beach Post

"We did what we didn't do last week, which is sustain drives," guard Justin Smiley said. "We played football the way we're supposed to. Was it always pretty? No. There's things we can take from this and learn from. This next week is a really big week for us."

-Justin Smiley

"We had some plays for Teddy (Ginn) early in the game, but the coverage didn't dictate that and we checked out of them,"

-Tony Sparano

Miami Dolphins ready for prime time after perfect preseason - Miami Herald

``You saw a little more continuity, and that's what you should see,'' quarterback Chad Pennington said. ``I'm glad we had this test.''

-Chad Pennington

``The preseason is all about building chemistry and building timing,'' Camarillo said. ``We're getting there. We made some good plays, but there's also some plays that we can still get better on.''

-Greg Camarillo

NEWS: GameDay Live - MiamiDolphins.com

"I thought Henne did a good job. He had a better week of practice this week," said Sparano, who kept the first team offensive line and skill players on the field with Henne in the second quarter. "I just talked to him before the game a little bit and told him to relax and have some fun. I thought he did a good job with that and made some good throws early, got into a little bit of a rhythm early and I thought moved the team pretty well."

-Tony Sparano

"The biggest thing was making smart decisions and we got that drive down there, which helps your confidence and builds it up," Henne said. "I think it's a big key to get that first completion underneath your belt. That really gets everything going, gets the rhythm going and you feel good about yourself."

-Chad Henne

"To hold a team offensively to no points and that few yards, regardless of who's playing was big for us," middle linebacker Channing Crowder said. "We just showed that we're a good team and that we're going to be a team to be reckoned with this season. ... We're clicking as a defense, clicking as an offense and making plays. Everybody knows the games don't count but it just shows you where you're team and it shows you that we're playing together well."

-Channing Crowder

"It was a really good play that he made out there," Sparano said. "It was good to see us force a turnover and get off the field. I remember (General Manager) Jeff Ireland showing me a play there and our scouts showing me a play with Sean making a very similar interception like that. I believe it might have been against Wyoming or somebody like that and he made an almost similar to play to that and you could see his ball skills show up right there."

-Tony Sparano

"I think (the extra weight) will help in the long run, once I find that perfect number I want to play at," said Taylor, who is the NFL's active career sack leader with 120.5. "Before it was always a little different when I was going 243 or 242, but now that number will change a little bit based on the position and the role I have to play. It's good that I can maneuver my body around a little bit right now and I think I'm closer to where I want to be right now. Playing this position is a lot different. You have to be able to move around and play in space."

-Jason Taylor

"It was a great pass from Chad. There wasn't much space to put it in there and he put it right on the money," Camarillo said. "I just tried to come up with a play for him. It felt good, especially because we got to sit back and watch the replay a couple of times before they actually called it in. It's always good to make a play early. It gets you going for the rest of the game."

-Greg Camarillo

"For me, I put one out there was a little risky really," Pennington said. "I felt good with the ball placement of it and I felt like he would make the play and he did. I think that shows the type of trust that I have in him and the chemistry that we're gaining and trying to regain because it has been a revolving door. We've been rotating a lot of guys and working with a lot of guys in camp and now we're starting to hone in on the core guys that are going to be making plays for us on Sunday so it's important."

-Chad Pennington

Video

Jeff Duncan's video log from the New Orleans Saints-Miami Dolphins exhibition game (Sept. 3, 2009)

Canal Street Chronicles: Fleur-di-Links 8.12.09

Saintsational — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:00:29 -0000

Twitter

reggie_bush Ok I bowled terrible today I'm embarrassed to even put my scores up. 100 and 175...first game was a warm up! Lol! I think?

Harp41 Bowling was fun!

CPT23 Hard day of hitting today - I'm ready to hit another team! Who's with me? Who Dat!

NFLprguy We r going 2 announce tmrw plans 2 kick off NFL season 9/10 in Pittsburgh w/ huge free concert b4 game and other events

jeffduncantp An addendum to earlier posts about D. Brooks. He's in town tonight, will work out tomorrow. I predict he signs & is at practice tomorrow.

SupaFreak69 Gettin ready for the Bengals to come in town...why must people shout loudly bout wat they know not....I tell ya what I Love training camp.

jeffduncantp FYI: Saints are $4.9 million under the salary cap so signing Brooks won't be a money issue.

jeffduncantp My guess: He'll take Simoneau's spot. Reserve WLB/MLB in 4-3, w/1st unit inside in 3-4. @BigandEasy Jeff, will Brooks start?

GregBensel afternoon practice, originally scheduled for outside and open to fans has been moved indoors and is closed; roy jones jr will visit camp

Linkage

Derrick Brooks would be a good fit for the New Orleans Saints - Times-Pic

New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush has time to turn career around - Sports Illustrated

Notes from New Orleans Saints practice Tuesday - Times-Pic

PLAY OF THE DAY

After dropping a beautifully thrown pass from Harrington, who laid it over tight coverage from a cornerback, veteran tight end Billy Miller made a circus catch on a pass thrown by Mark Brunell. Miller made a diving grab against linebacker Anthony Waters for a 22-yard completion.

New Orleans Saints left tackle Jammal Brown wants to improve on run blocking - Times-Pic

"Face it: he has the toughest job on the offensive line," Saints line coach Aaron Kromer said. "We just threw for 5,000 yards and he plays left tackle. We drop back and throw the football a lot, and sometimes we were down by a couple touchdowns and everybody knew it, and they took off pass-rushing.

"And to be honest, Jammal Brown did a really nice job of pass protecting, and that's what you're asking your left tackle to do."

-Aaron Kromer

"Of course if you make the Pro Bowl one time, then anything less than that is not as good as you had," Brown said. "So I think my situation, once you reach that high bar, you've got to get back to that, but personally you've got goals, and my goals are for sure playoffs first, and then get to a Super Bowl. Then personal things fall after that."

-Jammal Brown

"Look at what we did that year," Brown said. "We came in after the hurricane year, and were one game away (from the Super Bowl). That playoff game against the Eagles was what, the first win or the second win ever? So that's special to the fans here and the city and to us, so I'd say that's been the proudest of my years."

-Jammal Brown

"He's absolutely one of the top guys in the league, athletic-wise, and strength-wise, he's getting there," Smith said. "And he's a well-conditioned guy. You know, I love going up against him because I know not too many guys I'm going to play against on Sunday are actually going to have that much energy and that much quickness like him."

-Will Smith

"You can get on him and tell him exactly what you want, and he can take it right to the field," Payton said. "He's more of a quiet leader. I think he's got the respect of his teammates because of how he plays, but he's not necessarily going to be the guy up in front of the group talking all the time."

-Sean Payton

Video

Audio

Sports Talk...Unplugged with Kenny Wilkerson

Saints Training Camp Update: Day Eight

Saintsational — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:08:25 -0000

Twitter

therealJShock some serious heat outside today!! wear your sunblock and drink up...

reggie_bush Have you ever been so hungry that your stomach feels like it's touching your back? Man I would destroy a In-N-Out Burger right now! LMAO!!!

therealJShock everyone try to make it to our scrimmage tomm!! think it starts at 230 should be fun.. We all are putting in hard work and long hours..

CSCtweet @therealJShock The Black and Gold Scrimmage has been closed to the public. Wish we could!

JeremyShockey sorry peps its closed!!! guess you will have to wait for the cincy

jeffduncantp Injury update from morning: Brown/Goodwin, heat-related. Not serious. Sharper lower leg, knee or hammy. No official report on Sharper yet.

jeffduncantp Just finished with annual rules session with NFL officials. Not a lot of major changes this year. Most conspicuous: No more wedges on KOR.

jeffduncantpInjury updates per Payton: Sharper has a busted bursa sac in his right knee. Not serious. Gay expected to return to practice on Monday.

jeffduncantpSix Saints will be held out of Black & Gold scrimmage on Saturday: D. Campbell, A. Arrington, R. Bush, L. Moore, D. Sharper, & R. Gay

Linkage

Saints: Friday Morning Practice Report - NewOrleans.com

"We've been practicing pretty hard," said Saints running back Reggie Bush. "(The scrimmage) will be a good chance to see where we're at and to gauge ourselves."

-Reggie Bush

Training Camp, Day 8: Release of the Wildcat! Bush rests...and more - WWL

Kristian: Hargrove says he has "to get it right" with the Saints - WWL

"I had about 17 months to get my act together, I had to admit a lot of things, and I did."

-Anthony Hargrove

Deke: TE Billy Miller wants that ring - WWL

"This game is all about opportunities. When you get an opportunity to make plays, you have to make them. Whether you're a ten year veteran or a rookie, if you're called on you have to make the play."

-Billy Miller

"I don't pay attention to numbers. While the season is going on, I don't look at how many catches I have, I just worry about getting better. I just want to win a Super Bowl ring. I don't care if I catch two passes or two hundred. I just want to win a ring!"

-Billy Miller

"I think it's amazing how he spreads the ball around. That's what makes him such a great quarterback. He does not look for one guy. He doesn't telegraph his passes. Drew looks for the open guy and we all go out and try and make the play."

-Billy Miller

"I want to work on pass protection. Defensive Ends in the league are so much bigger and faster now days. I have to be ready to take on some of the best in the game every Sunday."

-Billy Miller

"No offense to what we had here last year, but it's night and day. It's very competitive out there every day. I can remember a time when it was a little easier for us to go out there on offense and move the ball against our defense. It has become a challenge for us to do that now."

-Billy Miller

Video: Henderson: Could Harrington be challenging for the No. 2 QB spot? - WWL

Day Eight Practice Notebook - New Orleans Saints official website

Greer Challenging All Comers - New Orleans Saints official website

"I am just used to cooling down with some stretches that I think help the muscles," Greer remarked, "It helps keep the legs fresh for the afternoon workouts."

-Jabari Greer

"I want more," Greer said of the interceptions. "I go out every single practice with the goal of getting interceptions, breaking up passes and making plays. That’s what I expect of myself and what I want my teammates to expect of me."

-Jabari Greer

"There are not too many, if any, quarterbacks that are as good as Drew Brees. There is a reason he is so good and that’s because he works so hard and studies so hard. So if I want to be one of the best at my position, doesn’t it just make sense that to get to that level that I need to work against the best every single day?"

-Jabari Greer

"I will gladly walk up to them in the locker room after practice and congratulate them if they make a play on me in practice," Greer said. "But not on the field. That’s competition and I’m out there to prevent them for doing what they are trying to do. I take it seriously and will battle."

-Jabari Greer

"He is a guy that makes a competition out of everything. I think he even tries to stretch better than the next guy."

-Jabari Greer, on Robert Meachem

"When you line up and play together, things start to become second nature and you know exactly where your teammates are going to be," he said. "That’s why we are out here in 100 degree heat and busting our butts. I can assure you that there are a lot easier training camps in the NFL to be a part of compared to this. But, we know we are doing this for a reason. This is hard, hard work. Tedious, tiring and grueling. But, at the same time, are we getting better? Yes, no doubt in my mind."

-Jabari Greer

New Orleans Saints break out "Wildcat" formation at morning practice - Times-Pic

Practice and heat take toll on three New Orleans Saints players - Times-Pic

New Orleans Saints quarterback Joey Harrington shines in morning practice - Times-Pic

"I feel like I'm starting to get to the point, prior to the snap, where I'm understanding the intricate details of the installations,'' Harrington said. "I'm starting to feel real comfortable, you know, where things are slowing down for me.''

-Joey Harrington

New Orleans Saints training camp Friday photo gallery - Times-Pic

Deke: STC Day 8/Practice 1 - WWL

Tavern talk: Worst game managers - National Football Post

5. Sean Payton: Sean doesn’t mismanage games as much as he lacks an ability to close them out. Last year, the Saints lost five games by a combined total of 13 points. Losing too many close games will cause you to re-evaluate how you approach game management. If the Saints excel in this area this year, they might be hosting a NFC Championship game. If they improve in this area, they will be tough to beat with that offense.

Jim Henderson: Saints going to the Super Bowl - WWL

"I think the Saints are going to win the Super Bowl, put it right there, Deke,"

Video

Jeff Duncan New Orleans Saints training camp video log, Day 9 (Aug. 7, 2009)

Bobby Hebert talks about Joey Harrington

Canal Street Chronicles: Fleur-di-Links 8.7.09

Saintsational — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:00:24 -0000

There is a lot here this morning. Feel free to read every word as you waste time at work, counting down until this weekend.

Twitter

saints83 Great to see the military out at practice today. Thank you for all you do!!!!

reggie_bush Shout out to all the Army Troops who came to practice today! Thank you for all you guys do for our country! You guys are the real heroes!!!

drewbrees Thanks to Jon Gruden for coming in town to speak to the team tonight and spend some time with us. He is a heck of a guy and football coach

saints83 Make your haters your motivators< I like this one

Linkage

New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson ideal hire - Times-Pic

"To me, it's an opportunity for somebody else to show that they can play," Johnson said between practices Wednesday. "Then, when they come back, it's an opportunity for us to be stronger in the fifth week of the season. It's an opportunity for us to be stronger in the 16th, 17th, 18th week, because we have somebody else better."

-Bill Johnson

"He has got a good ol' boy sense of humor, but he has also got a good ol' boy sense of kick you in the ass, too," Williams said. "The players love him, and they love being around him. He coaches them hard, but they have a good time because they laugh and joke, too."

-Gregg Williams

"I've tracked Bill for a long time," Williams said. "I was tracking him when he was in college football. I'm really pleased that we finally have a chance to get our contracts matched up, and we get to work together."

-Gregg Williams

"It was harder to hire a staff in '06 than it is in '09," Payton said. "Obviously, I'm biased, but we changed the culture, and how we're perceived in this league nationally is much different. We were able in '09 to hire a Gregg Williams and a Bill Johnson, when I don't know in '06 those same opportunities would have presented themselves."

-Sean Payton

"There was a four-year stretch when he was in Atlanta when they led the league in sacks with a four-man rush," Williams said. "If we're going to be any good here, we've got to do a better job rushing the passer out of a four-man rush."

-Gregg Williams

"Bill is intense," Coleman said. "He makes you dig deeper than you thought you could. It has helped me that I was with him in Atlanta, so I know his mentality and his methods of madness. He's basically going to grind you, grind you and push you to your limits.

"He's still tweaking his vision, but as long as you're working hard for him, he's going to take care of you. He'll go to bat for you as long as he knows you're out there busting your butt for him out there between those white lines."

-Rod Coleman

"People say I'm here because I had to come back to Louisiana," Johnson said. "I promise you, if the things I was looking for as a coach would have been in Canada, I would have gone to Canada to coach. I was looking for an element of what I am as a coach and an opportunity to do that with a group that I could rally together and bond with.

"My passion is coaching defense the way I know how to coach defense. I wanted a four-man front, and this is where it was."

-Bill Johnson

Jon Gruden likes what he sees in New Orleans Saints: With video - Times-Pic

"I really wanted to see Drew Brees up close and watch the Saints carefully because I've got a lot of respect for them, with good reason," Gruden said. "I really think that with the additions that they've made that they have a real chance (to make the Super Bowl)."

-Jon Gruden

"What you see (with Brees) isn't always the whole picture," Gruden said. "What people don't see is Drew Brees behind the scenes. He is as on top of things as you can imagine. This is very important to him -- every snap, the outcome of every play. You couple that with his talent and instinctiveness and the fact that he's a better athlete than people think, and you have what you have -- a superstar quarterback that probably hasn't gotten the national or global recognition that he deserves, especially after last season."

-Jon Gruden

"He's one of the more creative innovators in pro football in the last 10 to 15 years," Gruden said. "He's got results wherever he's been."

-Jon Gruden, on Sean Payton

New Orleans Saints top pick Malcolm Jenkins' holdout reaches ninth day - NOLA.com

"I feel pretty good, " said Simoneau, who estimated he's about 5 pounds lighter this year, between 230-235 pounds. "It's been a long process getting back to this point. Right now it's just a matter of me getting back to playing football."

-Mark Simoneau

"This game, you don't take anything for granted, " said Simoneau, who began his career in 2000 with Atlanta. "You want to have fun, because it's a game you're playing. But it's a job, and you want to go out every day and earn your position and earn your spot in the team."

-Mark Simoneau

New Orleans Saints have plenty in reserve on the defensive line - Times-Pic

PLAY OF THE DAY:

Meachem broke wide open behind the Saints' defense after Brees faked a handoff, then made a brief hitching motion to the left. Brees turned and hit Meachem for a gain of about 70 yards, depending on whether or not nickel cornerback Leigh Torrence would have stopped him short of the end zone in a live drill.

Saints finish 1st week of training camp - The Advocate

Duckworth, Coleman negotiate jersey swap - The Advocate

Duckworth’s compensation will be a Philly cheesesteak when the team travels to Philadelphia to play the Eagles in September.

Saints still looking at power backs - Sun Herald

"I’m a bottom feeder just trying to make this team," Bell said. "That’s how I’m going to play no matter what I’m always going to play like a bottom feeder. Right now I don’t have a role yet because I haven’t proven myself.

"I think I became too content in Denver. They named me the starter and I ran for all those yards and led the team in touchdowns. I felt like almost that I was owed something, but in all actuality, it’s a privilege to play in the NFL so you should do whatever they ask you to do."

-Mike Bell

"It helps me feel more confident in filling a role here and more comfortable within the offense," Hamilton said. "When you’re a rookie, your eyes are so far wide open because you really don’t know what to expect. That’s different for me now. It helps with confidence because the staff on its own already felt we had the guys already here in the building."

-Lynell Hamilton

Camp Blog, Day 7: Offense, Drew Brees owns defense; Bush practices -WWLTV

Saints: Thursday afternoon practice report - NewOrleans.com

SIRIUS XM's Solomon Wilcots and Adam Schein at Saints Camp Friday - NewOrleans.com

Day Seven Practice Notebook - New Orleans Saints official website

Kristian: STC Day 7 / Practice 1 - WWL

Audio

More "extreme" training camp coverage from WWL's Sports Talk including Billy Miller and Mickey Loomis in the first clip.

Video

John Gruden Visits at Saints Training Camp

Sean Payton Press Conference Transcript

From the New Orleans Saints official website

Opening Statement:

"Mike Bell had a little bruised hip but we think he's going to be fine. He had a pretty good practice. Overall, I thought it was a pretty physical practice. I was pleased - both sides of the ball did a good job responding. I thought we handled the heat pretty well. We got our two-minute offense and defense in today; it was the first time that we got to install it in this camp. It's a pretty important installation since so many of the games we play in are close in the fourth quarter and also in the second quarter. We'll work on it again tomorrow as well."

It looked like Devery Henderson got up limping a little bit in the two-minute drill. Is he alright?

"I think he was more tired. Those guys get gassed in a drill like that, especially coming off of a team period. I think he's fine."

Is Mark Simoneau fighting for a job on the 53-man roster or do you have him slated in there?

"We don't have a lot of guys slated in. Mark is a guy that we understand exactly what we have in him and I like that. He has experience playing the Mike and the Will. He's a guy that can play in the kicking game. Certainly he's competing - like all these guys are - for a job and right now he's our number two Mike. He's our fourth linebacker in the game if we were playing this weekend. He has recovered well from the injury, he's close to being healthy - he's not 100% healthy, but he's close - and that's encouraging."

Are you throwing him in there when you go to that 3-4 look?

"He's in that package. We have a handful of packages that we're trying to move guys around in."

What's it like to have Jon Gruden here to watch practice?

"It's good. He's here for a couple of days. My first job in this league in 1997 was with him in Philadelphia as he was the offensive coordinator. For me it was like going to law school. It was my first exposure to the NFL and an NFL offense. He's one of the few coaches that wherever he's at, we study his tape very closely; we have that much respect for him. We met today for awhile offensively, he'll speak to the team tonight, and he has been a huge influence on my career."

How long do you think he'll be out of the coaching game?

"I think he's going to have a lot of opportunities. I do think he's going to do a great job for Monday Night Football. He's one of those guys - and I'm not comparing him to John Madden - but after awhile we viewed John Madden as a sports announcer and we forgot how good of a coach he was. One of the reasons was that he was very charismatic as an announcer and a guy that was really easy on the ear and I think that Jon has those same traits. He certainly has a coach's perspective, but more importantly he has a personality that I think will appeal to everybody - not just the avid football fan. He's going to have a lot of choices in his life and he's very talented. So if he does come back, hopefully it's in a different division. We really respect him. He has been a big help to me and he has been a big help these last couple of days just looking at some things offensively and looking at our team."

And now he has inside scoop on you guys?

"He has inside scoop but there's a tradeoff. Drew Brees had a chance to sit in our meeting today. We met for about three hours at lunchtime, just going over football and talking football. He's someone that would be up at 3:15 in the morning, in the office by 4:00, and before most guys are drinking their first cup of coffee he has three hours of work in. It's real important to him. I've learned a lot over the years from him, especially those early years. Even after that, he has given me a lot of sound advice. He's one of the few guys that I call on any decision and I respect his opinion a lot. I'm glad he's here."

Did it seem like the pass offense really got going today?

"It was kind of back and forth. I thought Drew did some good things. We caught the ball and we blocked up front pretty well in the pass drills. I thought the defense played real well in the run drill. In the full contact period that we had, I thought we did a real good job defensively. It was a physical practice and fortunately guys stayed up. It's good to have the officials here now. They'll be here for tomorrow and Saturday and they'll help us along the way. They'll have a chance to meet with you guys as well."

As a former quarterback, can you appreciate when Drew gets into one of those rhythms like he was today?

"For him, that's kind of the bar. He works at it extremely hard. I thought we did a good job today of giving him a good pocket, but he was in rhythm and he made some big throws. We rely on those. We keep trying to find different formations and plays to get guys open. He has a great way of handling it all and digesting it and bringing it all to the field. He's real special that way. It was good to see."

Is it easy to get spoiled when you have a quarterback like that?

"If you coach long enough, you're going to be on both sides of the spectrum and it makes you appreciate what you do have. It was good to see. We'll keep battling; tomorrow we have two practices. The morning will be outside and then in the afternoon we'll go inside."

Are you happy with the way you've managed this camp, with going inside and everything?

"I think it has helped us some. It's still tough. We're still treating it like a camp. That hotel is set up much like it would be at a true training camp. I think we've done a good job with the balance of inside and outside. Today was a hot practice and you need to get conditioned to this heat because we're going to play in it. And you need to have a little bit of balance and that's what the indoor facility gives us."

Is there urgency on your behalf to get Malcolm Jenkins in here?

"Anytime you get into training camp and you're at the end of your first week, that sense of urgency applies. That being said, it's like I tell our team - there are some things that we can and can't control. As the head coach, I have to focus on what I can control. I know that both parties are doing a great job of trying to get this thing done and both parties are extremely talented at doing this; they've done it for a long time, Mickey (Loomis) and Khai (Harley) and Ben Dogra and Tom Condon from CAA. The good news is that we have experienced guys in the positions of importance as it comes to negotiations. I think both sides will do a good job."

What were those days like in Philadelphia?

"Tough. I learned a lot. There wasn't a lot of sleep, but it was good."

Were you married then?

"We were married. I had just taken a job at Maryland - I was there for two months and then got hired by the Eagles in March. My daughter was born two weeks after we moved to Philadelphia. That was our first child. Jon was married with two children and we were just young coaches. I think he was 32 or 33, I was 32 and for me it was coming in and learning a system from square one. It's something that I still use to this day, in regards to the base terminology and how we operate."

Who else was on that staff?

"Bill Callahan, Joe Vitt, Mike Trgovac, Emmitt Thomas. There were a lot of good coaches. Juan Castillo is still the offensive line coach on that staff. Like I said, it was my first exposure to this league and it was a big learning curve."

Did you share an office, you had the couch and he had the desk?

"I didn't have a couch. I had a corner of the couch and little cell phone. I left Maryland where I had an office overlooking the stadium, mahogany desk, everything. We were in the basement of Veterans Stadium and I had the corner of his sofa, but it was worth it."

How is Chip Vaughn progressing?

"He's doing well. There's a lot to learn as a rookie at safety. He's doing some things. He's flashing for us. I'm anxious to see when the bullets are live, in the scrimmage and in these preseason games we're going to be able to get a feel. He's doing well."

Why did you think Mark Brunell would be a good backup for Drew Brees?

"The first thing you want to hear is the interest level of the player in still wanting to play. When you deal with someone with his experience, you want to make sure their heart, mind and body are still in it. There's a lot of stress that goes on even when you're not taking the snaps in the games. But you have to make the preparation each week as if you're going to take the snaps. Second, you want to make sure he's still in shape and has the juice he once had. He brings a calm demeanor and confidence to the huddle and that's something I think is important."

Does it help that Mark knows his role?

"The trick and this is no secret that in the weekly preparation and grind as you prepare to get ready each week, knowing that you might not play, but that you might play in week eight or 14. It's not like a relief pitcher. There's a big difference, because there's a good chance his name's going to get called in two or three games. So at that position, it's the mental focus and the work ethic to be prepared."

You also want a team guy in that position?

"There's no question about that. He's a great sounding board for Drew (Brees)."

Have you seen him be a real asset to this team?

"That role you don't know until the guy gets on campus, but I think the players have a lot of respect for him and would say he's an outstanding teammate. I know that Drew has a lot of confidence in him and trusts him a lot in his conversations."

You guys made some tough decision with some veterans that were injured to move on this offseason. Why did you decide to keep Mark Simoneau?

"I don't think his injury was as significant and I think from an age standpoint, I think he's got some more years left. He's a guy that takes great care of his body and a lot has to do with the recovery time when he was able to come back. Doctors felt good about his prognosis and we did as well. Those are all things we felt were a plus. He has a lot of versatility, which is a good thing to have at linebacker."

How do you think Rod Coleman is doing?

"I think he's doing well. He's getting in shape. He's a guy that played at a high level in Atlanta.Bill Johnson had some experience in coaching him at Atlanta and we felt like he was worth the opportunity to look at and see if he can get his body back and get in the shape we think we can. We think he still has some miles left. So far, he's been able to battle through it. I think he's handling things well. We'll get a chance to see in the preseason how he's doing."

Have you nailed down a scrimmage schedule?

"It will be much like the last three years. The ones will go against the two defense. The two offense will go against the one defense and threes against threes. The next time it will be the one offense against the one defense, two versus two and three versus three. We'll put the special teams in between."

How many scripted plays are there?

"I think we have scripts of eight and ten and keep the drive alive. If all of a sudden you have a drive going, we'll let it finish out."

How has Garrett Hartley done the last few days?

"The big thing is dealing with the timing, the snap-hold-kick. His leg looks strong. I'm excited about him as a kicker. I think we found someone last year. I think he did a good job in some tough circumstances and handled the game snaps well. Once we get going here, it's an important evaluation making sure he stays on top of things."

Is it tough for him to adjust to a new snapper?

"There's a rhythm in there. We'll be able to work through it."

Gregg Williams Press Conference Transcript

From NewOrleans.com

Where do you feel you stand at this point of camp?

"Every day we're getting a little bit better. I'm starting to learn a little bit more about the guys by seeing them compete and push through being tired and soreness and all that stuff. We're still not playing with live bullets. We've had one drill since we've been here where we've had live tackling down there on the inside run period, which was good. But a defense is measured by how well you tackle. We haven't had much time with live tackling, but I do like their effort, I do like their want-to and for the most part, I do like their smarts."

Is a lot of what you bring to the team instilling a mentality?

"It's attitude. It's so much about attitude. It starts with attitude. Tackling starts with attitude; toughness starts with attitude; technique starts with attitude. I come from a family of coaches with attitude in Buddy Ryan and Dick LeBeau and all those guys that I've been around, Dom Capers and obviously Jeff Fisher being my best friend in coaching. We've all coached defensively with that kind of a mindset. These guys have a great attitude; there's a very good locker room here. I'm pleased to date, but we're still a long ways off."

Is that attitude part of the reason that we've seen some of that chippiness lately?

"That is, and I don't see that being negative. We have to protect our teammates. We obviously don't want to hurt our own teammates in practice, but we do want to play with a chip on your shoulder. You have to play like you're living on the edge. I'll pull them back if they get too close to the edge."

Is Bobby McCray one of the more versatile guys you have on the defense?

"He is. He reminds me a lot of Jevon (Kearse), when I had Jevon early on a long time ago. We've kind of migrated and moved on and added a lot of new things for a guy like that. I didn't get a chance to do as many things with Jevon - he was a very rare player and still a really good player, but I see a lot of similarities there and I'm really excited about the opportunity to coach him. He's had a very good spring and he has had a very good training camp to date."

Does he have a particular strength? Is it coming off the edge as a pass rusher?

"Here's the deal - he's not bad against the run. I've had guys that are slender - not 300-pound guys - that have been great run players. Why would a safety that weighs 215 be a great run player but yet a guy that weighs 260 or 270 like him not be? He'll be a good run player. He's a really good, instinctive athlete. He can do a lot of things I can't coach. Mom and dad blessed him with a lot of skills and movement and change of directions. I'm looking forward to try to find some things to try to get him isolated on some people."

You said the other day that you weren't overly concerned with Malcolm Jenkins not being here because he had picked up a lot in OTAs. Are you getting concerned now that he's still not here?

"That's just a part of the business. He's a great kid, he really is. He's a sharp kid and I feel sorry for him going through that. Am I concerned? It depends on how long it takes. I happened to be on a team last year that had a first-round draft choice that didn't sign until the day of the last preseason game - Derrick Harvey, a bright young player and I think he's going to be a good player in the league. He never caught up the whole year. He never caught up and it was unfortunate for him on that. We'll see how it goes, but Malcolm is a good kid and when he gets here we'll get ready to coach him."

How do you see these guys grasping your aggressive philosophy?

"Excellent. 99% of athletes want coaches to let them be aggressive. There's always the excuse, ‘I wish Coach would let me attack more; I wish Coach would let me run more; I wish Coach would let me be nastier,' and all that. That won't be an excuse here. You can think about it like basketball and all those teams that like to run and gun up and down the floor. That's kind of the thing we do defensively here. We have to be able to run; we have to be able to attack; we have to be able to apply pressure all the time. And it's not only in blitzing and that kind of stuff; it's being able to apply pressure when you're not blitzing. We have to do a better job of winning one-on-one blocks and attacking one-on-one blocks and running real fast. We're going to play a lot of people and they have picked it up pretty good right now but we have a long ways to go."

Canal Street Chronicles: Fleur-di-Links 8.5.09

Saintsational — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:00:20 -0000

Twitter

CPT23 Another day on the grind - the best one yet! @therealJShock making playes all over the field today! WHO DAT!

MalcolmJenkins sitting here Skype'n

therealJShock getting ready for some much needed rest!! If you can come see us practice in the am!!!! night

ltorrence24 Attitude is Everything! Pick a good one!

saints83 Man had a tough practice today just never felt in a groove but the great thing is, God willing, I get another chance tomorrow. God bless

MalcolmJenkins good night world... wake up motivated to make something... anything better!

drewbrees Another good practice today. I can't wait to scrimmage our defense on Saturday. You won't want to miss it! Work to be done until then

Linkage

Coleman working into form - Times-Pic

"Well, I'm just really getting my feet back under me, and the coaches understand that," said Coleman, who had 58 1/2 sacks with the Raiders and Falcons between 2001 and 2007, including 22 from 2004 to 2005. "So each day I'm getting better and getting my timing down. I feel like I'm on pace to really be the old me."

-Rod Coleman

"At first it was (frustrating to start over from scratch), but I started out from the bottom," Coleman said. "So I just took it as a challenge to myself. I'm just trying to approach it and get the mindset like everything is stacked against me and just work hard and take it day by day and then go out there the first preseason games and make plays and make some highlight films and just show other teams, 'I'm back.' "

-Rod Coleman

"I think Rod's heading in the right direction," said Johnson, who is optimistic about Coleman's potential. "All I can tell you is this: I think his arrow's pointed in the right direction. Who knows where those arrows stop? When you come in this time as far as evaluations are concerned, all you want to see is them headed in the right direction and let time take care of itself."

-Bill Johnson

"The thing he told me when we went through this process is that, the thing he missed most, is that they used to call him a football player," Johnson said. "The year he wasn't playing, he wasn't a football player anymore, so that tells you about his commitment. It isn't about the money or the contract. It's about the fact that he loves playing the game."

-Bill Johnson

News and notes from Tuesday's New Orleans Saints practice - Times-Pic

PLAY OF THE DAY

The best example of the back-and-forth competition came when the second-team units were on the field. Tailback Mike Bell was shoved out of bounds by a group of defenders, leading to some jawing back and forth. Then on Bell's next carry a few plays later, he lowered his head and drove into linebacker Mark Simoneau, knocking him to the ground.

Jeff Duncan: Malcolm Jenkins on losing end of negotiations standoff with New Orleans Saints - Times-Pic

Special teams must improve - The Courier

One step forward, two steps back for Arrington - New Orleans Pro Football

Training Camp, Day 5: Shockey rules the day, big hits color wet practice and more! - WWL

Video: Offense, Shockey have big practice - WWL

Saints offense looks like its regaining form - WWL

Saints return outdoors for Tuesday workout - NewOrleans.com

"I'll be first one to tell you the defense had our number yesterday," Brees said following a practice held at times in a light rain "They stuck it to us. We wanted to respond today with a good practice and I feel like we did."

-Drew Brees

"He made a couple big catches kind of right there at the goal line, and then kind of busted through a couple arms to get in the end zone," Brees said. "That's where he absolutely comes in handy."

-Drew Brees

Audio

A couple of clips from WWL's Sports Talk. Training camp coverage and a bit with Jeff Charleston.

Video

Drew Brees Transcript

From the New Orleans Saints official website

What are your thoughts of Pete Carmichael as an offensive coach?

"He's a great coach, a great offensive coach. He's the guy that really paid his dues, going back to when he was a tight ends coach in Cleveland, a quality control coach in Washington and San Diego and then becoming the quarterbacks coach here in 2006 prior to me coming a month or two later. That meant so much to me to have familiar face around - a guy that I knew and he knew me - and we just worked so well together. Obviously now three years later he's our offensive coordinator and he's a guy who has absolutely earned it. He has gained a lot of respect from everybody on the team, especially us quarterbacks. It's a great dynamic in our quarterback room and it's very conducive to learning. He's constantly challenging us and helping us to prepare to play well on Sundays."

Did Sean Payton solicit any opinion from you when he was looking to fill the offensive coordinator position?

"Sean and I had talked about it before because Pete had had the opportunity after the 2006 season and then after the '07 season to take the offensive coordinator position in Miami on two occasions - the first with Cam Cameron and then with Tony Sparano. That just shows you what other coaches around the league think about Pete; he's highly regarded. He chose to turn down those positions to stay here and I think that was another big reason why Sean knew that we needed to lock him up because other coaches were coming to grab him away."

How did the first day of red zone go today?

"It was good. It's a lot of information in a short amount of time. Granted, we did go over it in OTAs and minicamp and a lot of it is our base stuff that we've been running for three years, but there are some new wrinkles and new coaching points and then obviously we're going against a new defensive scheme. It's just constantly repping it against our guys and then the more our defense understands how to play that scheme, the tougher it becomes for us to get the ball in the end zone. It makes for some really competitive periods because unlike any first down, second down, third down where you're just in the middle of the field, down in the red zone their backs are against the wall trying to keep us out of the end zone and we're trying to get it in the end zone so you find that even periods where there's no tackling, it ends up being when you get close to that goal line that the runners are trying to get in and the safeties and linebackers are trying to keep them out. It becomes really physical."

Would you agree that the offense looked really fluid out there?

"It was. Like I said, they're working on their defensive schemes. Every team has a few things that they do in the red zone and they just try to do it really, really well. Typically it requires you as an offense to be patient but you have to be really accurate with your throws, timing is everything. You're trying to get into good plays and it becomes a big challenge. It's very much a chess match when you're down there. That's what makes it a lot of fun. These red zone practices are a lot of fun."

Was it nice to see Jeremy Shockey use his size on some of those plays down there?

"Yeah. He made a couple of catches right there at the goal line and then busted through a couple of arms to get into the end zone. That's really where he comes in handy."

What have you seen from Robert Meachem so far in camp?

"He's coming around. He just continues to get better every day. He's one of those guys that the more reps that he gets, the more opportunities he gets, he's only going to continue to thrive. I'm really happy for him. I think he has worked extremely hard and we just have to keep finding the right opportunities for him."

How does his knowledge of the offense and maturity help him?

"There are certain things that look good on paper or you might teach it the way that it's written on paper and it's not necessarily always the way that it's drawn up once you get on the field. So much of once you get on the field is feel and not everything is really the same - that can be dependent on the coverage, that can be dependent on the defensive back that you're going up against. That's what studying film is all about and that's why the more repetitions that you get, the more you're able to really hone in on those things. The more time you can spend with your quarterback - I know a lot of times the way I would like to see a route run or where I'm expecting them to be - and that's why we rep this so much and that's why we stay after practice and get those extra reps. The more that we can get on the same page and the less thinking it is and the more just reacting it is, that's when the plays really start to happen and it becomes automatic."

Has there been a change in the amount of time that he's been spending with you in the last couple of years?

"I'd say that starting last year, yeah. In '07, he was really just running reps on practice squad a majority of the time and didn't dress out for many games. He was kind of banged up a majority of that time. Last year, the more he started playing and the more opportunities that he started getting, the more that we were spending time together and getting on the same page. He had a package of plays to start with so we just repped that package of plays. It was, ‘If you have five plays this week, we're going to be as good as we can be at those five routes. Gradually that has expanded to really being the whole offense for him."

Do you have a bigger target area with Marques Colston than with any other receiver?

"Definitely. You can just have him stand here and show you his wingspan."

But he also seems to catch a lot of low balls and throws behind him too. Why is that?

"It's because he has great body control. Most guys like that you can look at and guarantee that he's a good basketball player, which he is. A lot of it you can also see on the hoop court - the way that they position their bodies where they're used to shielding guys off, giving you a place to get them the ball. Then there just comes a confidence level with that. I know that if he's one-on-one, there aren't many times where I'm not going to throw him the ball and know that he's going to make a play and he knows that I'm going to be putting the ball where it's going to be him or nobody, and that's just repetitions."

So you guys have that rhythm to where you could throw behind him and he'll expect that?

"I feel like I could throw it just about anywhere with him and he has a chance to catch it."

You've played basketball with him before. Is it the same in that situation?

"It's the same. We haven't played a whole lot. Nobody wants to hear that we're playing a lot of basketball in the offseason."

Is the play called sometimes so that the throw is to his back shoulder?

"Yes, according to the look. Again, that's a feel thing. That's something that you can draw up on paper but it's not until you get out there. If you rep it enough times, you don't think about the back shoulder you just know that according to the look or the feel, you know that it's going to happen. We call it the ‘clock in your head' - that clock goes off to where they understand that I've probably hit my back-step and I'm ready to throw the ball - in fact I probably have to get it off because the pass rush is going to get to me eventually and here it comes."

Do you feel like that timing and feel is back between you two after his thumb injury?

"It's coming back. We're only a couple of days into camp here. It really takes camp and preseason and just getting those live reps to kind of get back on the same page. Any time you're injured and are out for an extended period of time - and especially when it's a thumb deal like Marques had - it kind of affected the way that he would catch the ball and where I could throw the ball - and so it made a difference. He wasn't catching the ball the same because the thumb wasn't able to move like it used to with the brace that he had on it. Now that he's out here and he's 100% and we're able to get this time together, we'll get that chemistry back."

He said you guys had some time in the summer in California. How was that?

"We were able to see each other in California and then obviously work together quite a bit here in the offseason."

So there's room for improvement this season?

"Are you kidding me? Yeah. There's not much he can't do."

Can you think of particular plays where he has bailed you out?

"You can look at the Carolina game last year. The first touchdown that we threw right before halftime, there was a safety basically standing right there and Marques was running and I threw the ball high because I was trying to throw it to where he could get it and the other guy couldn't and it ended up being one of those balls that was going to be a collision - and I don't like to do that to guys - but Marques jumped up there and snatched the ball and the guy just kind of fell off him. It was one of those throws where I don't know if there's anyone else on the team that I could've made it to, just because of its location. You see him being such a big body that he was able to take that shot while elevated and grabbing the ball and then he falls on his feet, keeps his balance and then runs five yards into the end zone. If any other guy was to catch that, he probably would have fallen down and been hurt. Marques kept his feet and got in the end zone."

Was Antonio Gates like that?

"Yeah. Gates was like that."

Was he more plodding than Marques or almost as fast?

"Gates is a tight end so he isn't as fast, but when I talk about former basketball players and body control and he has that. The thing that Gates has - and Marques does too - is that even though they're big guys, Marques is a receiver at 220 pounds and Gates is a tight end at 250 so different positions, but they both have great suddenness to them. For being big guys that you wouldn't think would be really quick, they have a suddenness to them to where it doesn't seem that they're really running, they're just really fluid and all of a sudden they just give you a little shake and it freezes a defender and just stuns them enough to where then they can gain separation and get by the guy really quickly without the guy really knowing it. I call that suddenness. He's a big guy, he's pretty quick, not extremely fast but he's sudden which allows him to really get separation and put himself in a position to catch a lot of balls."

Did the defensive backs making a lot of plays in practice the last few days get the offense on focus more today?

"Oh yeah. I'll be the first one to tell you that the defense had our number yesterday. They stuck it to us. We wanted to respond today with a good practice and I feel like we did. But you certainly can't sit back on your laurels at any point during training camp because the installation continues so you're always in that learning mode while at the same time having to stay up on the same stuff that we've already installed. When we scrimmage this weekend, it's going to be a little bit of everything so guys are going to have to know what to do. That's when it gets really fun because you really start playing in situations. We'll be moving the chains and third downs will be mixed in there. We'll get in the red zone and get red zone snaps. You're just put in a lot of situations which is good. It's like a real gameand that's what we're trying to simulate."

Canal Street Chronicles: Fleur-di-Links 8.3.09

Saintsational — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:00:39 -0000

Twitter

jeffduncantp Sunday practice in the books. Good day for Reggie Bush, Jabari Greer & Robert Meachem. Bush looks terrific, no hesitation on knees at all.

jeffduncantp Day 3 highlight: M. Mitchell throws R. Bush on blocking dummy like rag doll @ end of pass pro drills. Mitchell admits Bush won battle, tho.

drewbrees Sorry about the rain everybody. Our fans haven't been able to see many practices. Tomorrow morning should be a really good one though

jeffduncantp New Orleanian Mark Bloom visited prax from LA to check on client, CB Jabari Greer. Must be good luck. Greer scored 1st INT on Brees of camp

CPT23 Putting in work - it feels great! Time for some r&r then back at it again in the morning. See you bright and early.

therealJShock hope the weather clears up for our fans... time for some rest then putting in work in the am.... night everyone

saints83 Sorry to all the saints fans that have missed practice because of the weather. The rain should be fine in the am so bring on the Who Dats

Linkage

News and notes from New Orleans Saints' Sunday practice - Times-Pic

PLAY OF THE DAY

Greer won the honor of being the first player in camp to intercept Brees. During a seven-on-seven drill, Greer, who signed this offseason, stepped in front of receiver Devery Henderson, who was running a hook route, and picked off the pass.

While most New Orleans Saints would be glad for training camp to be over, Adrian Arrington just wishes that for him it would start - Times-Pic

"The hamstring injury was worse than we first thought," he said. "So the coaches are having me come back slow, not come back too fast and make it worse."

-Adrian Arrington

"It's big that they put me on IR; being a rookie and for them to keep me for another year ...," he said, acknowledging he's fortunate to still be around.

"I just hope to get back next week and get out there and show them what I can do."

-Adrian Arrington

New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Rod Coleman likes the fact he's playing for a 'real' coach - Times-Pic

"It was good, I needed a mental break," Coleman said. "I didn't even start watching football until November. About then, I said, 'It's time to get back out there and show them I've still got it.'"

-Rod Coleman

"When you have a coach who doesn't care if you win or lose, it's tough," Coleman said. "It was too much for him. Some guys are just not made to coach men."

-Rod Coleman

"You just can't go out there and yell and cuss the players out like they're kids,"

-Rod Coleman

THE LIGHTER SIDE - Times-Pic

"It's no different than a horse carrying 1 more pound on his back in the Kentucky Derby," Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson said after Sunday's lone workout at the team's indoor facility in Metairie. That can make a difference.

"To play defensive line in this league, you have to have efficient movement. If that weight bothers you for your efficiency and movement, then it has to go. If not, then big's good."

-Bill Johnson

"Last year I played about 290, 292," Grant said. "If I get to 283, I can roll all day."

-Charles Grant

"I feel a lot lighter; I feel real good," Grant said. "As long as I'm making plays, my D-line coach ain't got a problem with my weight. Now, if you ain't making plays. . . . Look, I'm a realist. I know if I don't do my thing this year, they're probably going to get rid of my ass. I'm a grown man.

"But one thing I will do, I will do my thing. I had so much adversity last year, that's in God's hands. I don't sweat that. I can control what's in front of me. I can't worry about what's going to happen in the future. For me, that's having the best season I've had in the Saints' history. I'm one of the last of the Mohicans around here (players remaining from the Jim Haslett era)."

-Charles Grant

"They thought I was a lot heavier than I was last year," Smith said. "My body fat went up when I had that sports hernia, but my weight was still low. Now my body fat is about 11 percent. I've lost about 10, 11 pounds. I feel great, better than I have in a couple of years. I can go longer.

"They want us to be a lot faster. The way the defense was before they wanted us to be pluggers, to hold up the run and be sturdy on the run. Now they want us to be able to move a lot since we're going to be pass-rushing a lot more. Gregg (Williams) just wants us to be flying around a lot more."

-Will Smith

"I had the opportunity to be in Atlanta for seven years, and it took three to four years before we were a very productive unit. There is no finish line to building what we're trying to build. I keep seeing the summit. Every day there is going to be something to do to reach it."

-Bill Johnson

Bush back at practice - Sun Herald

“I feel like this year’s going to be a test for me to see where I’m at health-wise and I think I’ll be fine,” Bush said. “It’s just about doing the little things to keep myself healthy. Everything adds up, really, flexibility to the vitamins you take, to the food you eat. I’m really focusing on that this year and just trying to maintain everything I can to stay on the field.”

-Reggie Bush

“It’s just one of those drills where it’s kind of a tough man competition and you don’t want to lose, you don’t want to be shown up, so that’s really what it is,” Bush said. “I’ll watch the film and see what happens. All in all, it’s a great learning experience for all of us and it’s only going to help us.”

-Reggie Bush

Video: Camp Thoughts Day 3: Juan likes intensity -WWLTV

Day Three Notebook - New Orleans Saints official website

Saints Enter Difficult Week - New Orleans Saints official website

"Once the games start to be played, your mindset starts to change a little bit because you are looking forward to playing in a game," Vilma said. "The practices become a little easier to get through and the number of two-a-days drops off quite a bit, then you factor in the occasional day off and in some cases a travel day, and the routine starts to get broken up a bit."

-Jonathan Vilma

"It’s the routine and what we do at this time of year," said Vilma. "Most players make it sound like its grueling, and to an extent, it is tough, but in the grand scheme of things, there are plenty of things worse off than this, and we know that. I know that if you asked every guy out here, they know deep down how much they love playing the game and how lucky we are to be doing this. And when you are all going through a tough time together, it builds a strong team."

-Jonathan Vilma

Training camp battles to watch in Metairie - New Orleans Pro Football

Training Camp, Day 3: Reggie Bush gets feisty, Drew Brees has not so good day - WWL

New Saints defensive coach under the spotlight - NewOrleans.com

Saints: Sunday afternoon practice notes - NewOrleans.com

Saints have third straight indoor afternoon workout - NewOrleans.com

Top 10 Ways to Get Malcolm Jenkins to Sign - Chicks In The Huddle

Audio

From WWL's Sports Talk

Video

New Orleans Saints training camp video log (Aug. 2, 2009)

Sean Payton Press Conference

From the New Orleans Saints official website.

Opening Statement:

"On practice, Adrian Arrington, we're working with the hamstring; Lance Moore practiced on a limited basis; Kendrick Clancy is having some back spasms - we should have him back tomorrow but we held him this afternoon. There were two other players this afternoon - Jo-Lonn Dunbar with a mild hamstring and Dan Campbell with a finger."

How do you feel about your defensive tackle position?

"We have some depth there and some flexibility with a couple of ends that can move inside. (Paul) Spicer is a guy that can go inside; (Anthony) Hargrove is a guy that can go inside. Certainly we have (Sedrick) Ellis and Kendrick (Clancy) and we have depth a little bit behind those players in (Rod) Coleman and (DeMario) Pressley. Remi Ayodele has had some experience there at the nose too. When it's all said and done, typically we want to have a rotation inside with that front and I think we'll have a chance throughout this training camp to evaluate those players."

Gregg Williams has said that every job is open coming into this camp. Do you feel that way on defense?

"The point is that we don't take anything for granted. Each year in our league you see positions won or lost that maybe the media had penciled in a certain player and another player won the position. We take that approach. Certainly there are some players that are more established in their positions than others, but that being said, I think there is a lot of competition. We talked about that in the very first team meeting, that regardless of your years in the league or your experience, it's something that we have to see right now and we're really going to go by what we see."

Is there a particular battle at some of the linebacker spots?

"We have some young guys and those guys are taking snaps. Scott Shanle had one of his better years last year, but there is competition. We're deeper at that position group than we have been in my first three years. Overall, we're pleased with some of the depth and some of the younger guys. It's early now, but I'm anxious to see how they do when we get into the games and get into the scrimmage looks."

How will you handle Reggie Bush throughout camp with his knee?

"On the two-a-day schedule we'll back off the second practice and on the one-a-day schedule go full with him. He'll have at least one full practice a day right now and when we're on an ‘A' schedule, we'll back off him in the afternoon practice. There are going to be about four or five other guys that we'll do that with as well."

With his injury history do you plan on doing that as well in the season?

"We'll see. I think a lot of it during the season is the mental aspect of the game. The key is keeping him on the field and that's something that we'll pay close attention to. He's very competitive and he wants to be out here. There's a balance there that we just have to be smart with."

After one weekend, do you feel that you've been able to create the training camp environment you were looking for?

"I think the routine has worked out well so far, knock on wood. From a logistics standpoint, the schedule has gone smoothly. Any time you're having your first camp somewhere new, we're all creatures of habit and those habits are broken a little bit and you have to get into a new routine. It seems like the time to and from the hotel has worked out pretty smoothly and the players have grasped the schedule pretty quickly."

With having moved the practices indoors the last few days because of rain, do you think some of the previously scheduled indoor practices might be moved outside?

"We'll see. Tomorrow we'll be outside in the morning and inside in the afternoon. Tuesday, the plan is to be inside with the walkthrough and then outside in the afternoon. Really the weather has kicked us in here a little more than we had hoped because of the fields, but with the way it sorts out, we'll be out there plenty."

Are you pleased with the backup quarterback situation right now? Do you have them in a particular order at this point?

"Right now it's either. Both Mark Brunell and Joey Harrington are getting a lot of work. It's going to be easier to see them once you get into the game setting. We're working both of those players with the second and third groups. We have a lot of time here to evaluate them."

Are you confident in how they're performing?

"Yes. I think we have experience there and I think we have some youth there as well with Joey. I like our depth at the position."

Is Joey picking things up well?

"I think so. The challenge he has is that any time you're working with the third group is that the picture that you're getting isn't always going to be clean. He's working with some younger guys and whether it's protection oriented or on the perimeter, sometimes there are some adjustments he has to make because of that. Overall I like where he's going."

Is there anything about practicing inside that you can't do outside?

"With this facility we can do most everything. We can't really punt; we can set up our punt drills and work off the JUGS gun, but that's really the one aspect that you're limited with here with the ceiling height. Other than that, we can pretty much do whatever we want. It's a full field. I think it's a great set-up."

What are your thoughts on Adrian Arrington's potential?

"We just have to get the hamstring healthy. He's a guy that picks things up quick. We just have to get him back on the field."

Do you remember how many times practice was affected by rain when you were in Jackson?

"I think overall it was three times in three years. Last year was the first time that we really had to cancel a practice and go into that gymnasium. There were two other practices that we cut a little short, but that was pretty good, considering the rain they're getting now."

Was this the biggest concern you had about having camp here?

"There were a number of things. You're a little shorthanded when you don't have a rain plan, and that's the case with any team that goes away to training camp. Other than that, this gave us a chance - forget the rain - it gave us a chance to get in here a little bit and get out of the sun for ‘x' number of practices. We still get our work in the humidity and the heat and there's still a change-up by coming into this building."

Is there a point where you worry that the intensity in practice is getting a little too high and are you getting close to that point?

"I like to see what we're doing right now. I think the intensity has been good and that's part of training camp. We'll be smart and judicious about the tempo in each drill that we have and make sure that we define it with our players so there's no gray area, but I think it has been good."

Is Carl Nicks going to be the starter at left guard or is there an open competition there with he and Jamar Nesbit?

"He's taking the reps with the ones right now and that's a position where we thought he played pretty well last year. I expect him to be competing with that first group and involved in that first group. Certainly Jamar Nesbit has experience - not only at guard but at the center position - but right now, Carl is taking all of those reps."

How do you know the weather conditions in Jackson? Have you been following to see what it would've been like up there?

"I have been. From what I hear, the groundskeeper there said that we wouldn't have been able to practice yet outside because of the amount of rain that they've had."

Canal Street Chronicles: Fleur-di-Links 8.2.09

Saintsational — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:00:27 -0000

Not as much info here as in previous mornings. I think everyone took it easy on their Saturday night and went to check out White Linen night. Remember, weather permitting, I will be out at Saints training camp later today. You will want to follow our Twitter account for live updates while I am there.

Twitter

saints83 New defence looks real good. Tomorrow is another day for us to get better. And media I didn't know you cared but thanks for following.

Linkage

News and notes from New Orleans Saints' Saturday practices - Times-Pic

PLAY OF THE DAY

Leading off team drills in the morning workout, defensive end Charles Grant and middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma both greeted running back Reggie Bush deep in the backfield for a sizeable loss. That set the tone for another win by the defense. "Sean Payton asked one thing from me when he hired me: He wanted the guys on the defensive side of the ball to play with a swagger," Williams said. "That's what we're doing."

FUTURE IS NOW - Times-Pic

"I've always been close to my teammates," said Bush, 24. "I've always been a team guy."

-Reggie Bush

"He comes in here and we laugh, and he gets made fun of like everybody else, and he makes fun of other people," defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis said as Bush walked by still laughing and joking inside the locker room. "I don't think he is outside of that circle at all. I don't think he tries to put himself outside of that circle. As long as I have known him he has been an open team player and a good guy."

-Sedrick Ellis

"He's hesitant," Miller said. "When you get a guy like that -- I'm sure he's in a situation where everybody wants something from him -- he's got to be a little careful who he opens up to and who he allows into his small circle."

-Billy Miller

"It was overwhelming for him," said Mike Ornstein, Bush's former marketing agent. "If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have done that again. I think I put too much on his plate. "We had 28 national commercials. We were on 31 covers of magazines. At the end of the day, we created such a phenomenon that he could do nothing unless he had a 2,000-yard season and had 100 catches. He wasn't going to live up to it.

"He had a hell of a first year, and still people look at it like he had a bad year. But because we built him into this plateau of being such a great player, we may have overdone it.

"He made a ton of money off the field. I don't think it went to his head, though. But listen, when you have 28 national commercials, you're right up there with Michael Jordan."

-Mike Ornstein, Bush's former marketing agent

"Those expectations were no higher than I expected out of myself," he said. "I don't think they were set too high for me. With the unfortunate couple of injuries, I haven't been able to perform to my best ability. But the good thing is I'm young, so I still have time."

-Reggie Bush

"I wouldn't say I'm 100 percent," Bush said. "I would say strength-wise 100 percent, health-wise at about 90-95 percent. Which is expected on the first real day back. I'm still staying on top of it like it was the first day being injured."

-Reggie Bush

"I can run the ball between the tackles," he said. "Anybody can run the ball between the tackles. I don't feel like that is going to make me or break me. I don't feel like running the ball between the tackles is going to win us the Super Bowl or help me win the MVP.

"It's being versatile, being able to run the ball between the tackles, outside the tackles, returning punts, catching the ball out of the backfield and catching the ball down the field. That's what I do. That's who I am."

-Reggie Bush

"The direction the NFL is headed toward you don't see those types of backs anymore," Bush said. "You see guys who are splitting time. You see guys who are able to play running back and multiple positions. The days of the one-running-back system are over. Teams can find guys who can play running back and be split out wide and play the receiver position, and do punt return and kick return. It gives them more versatility. That's where the NFL is headed."

-Reggie Bush

"I had to recommit myself and to really focus down to staying healthy and having a great offseason and get myself to 100 percent," Bush said.

-Reggie Bush

"He wants this to be his breakout year," Ornstein said. "And he's doing everything he can. He's not a party guy. He doesn't go out. He takes care of his body. He gets a massage twice a week. He goes to a chiropractor once a week. He has a chef that cooks him healthy food.

"It's not like he's going out having a great time. He's really focused on football. And now instead of wanting to be in L.A., he wants to be in New Orleans. He wants to be around his teammates."

-Mike Ornstein

"There are goals that you set, and I want to be in the Pro Bowl," Bush said in June. "But injuries have kept me back from being able to perform to my best ability. When I'm healthy it's kind of apparent what I am able to do. But if you don't stay healthy the whole season, your chance of making the Pro Bowl is slim to none.

"I know that it is in my future. I'll get there; it's just a matter of staying healthy."

-Reggie Bush

Running backs don't lack for bravado - Times-Pic

"I didn't care (who the Saints brought in)," Thomas said. "I'm not worried about that. If they want to bring in another guy, let them bring him in. I said earlier, I'm going to beat out whoever they bring in. That's my whole goal, my whole mindset. If they want to bring somebody in, I'm going to beat them out."

-Pierre Thomas

"That shows a lot of confidence from upstairs in knowing that they feel like they have what they need here," said Hamilton, who spent all but the season finale on the practice squad. "That makes us work harder to prove that. It's fierce. All the guys are good. All the guys bring a lot to the table. We are only going to make each other better."

-Lynell Hamilton

"Reggie, myself, Lynell, Mike, we feel we have to get it started," Thomas said. "We feel we are good backs that can help lead this team. We just have to play our role. "I believe I've gotten myself prepared. My mind is set for it. I'm learning the offense very well. I'm picking up blitzes and pass protections well, and I think I can handle it.

"Last year it was all about showing them that I can, showing them that I can take that load, take the 15 carries if they wanted to give them out, I could take the pounding. And I could do it for weeks. I tried to show them last year that I could do it. And hopefully coming into this year I can show them that I can be the guy they need."

-Pierre Thomas

"I don't want to put a lid on the container," Bell said "I'm excited. If I can stay under 220 the whole year, I feel like I'm going to be a force to be reckoned with."

-Mike Bell

Saints attempting to channel their inner intimidator - NFL.com

The Saints -- considered more fun and finesse than mean and intimidating -- are adding some rough stuff in training camp workouts hoping to change the team's mental approach.

New Orleans Saints training camp Saturday notebook - Times-Pic

Payton gets encouraging news on holdout - The Advocate

Cody's Camp Thoughts: Lance Moore showing his stuff - WWLTV

Jeremy Shockey Q&A

From the New Orleans Saints official website

Q: Do you like training camp fracases like what happened out there today?

A: That makes practice a lot quicker, anytime there's both sides of the ball competing as this side does, those will break out. This is day two, so I probably expect a lot more confrontations like today and the next couple days.

Q: Have you seen it happen this quickly in a camp?

A: Anytime both sides are really excited to give each other a good look, a push turns into a shove and then they gang up on each other.

Q: How do you coming into this camp mindset wise after struggling with injuries last year?

A: I don't even think about last year to be honest with you. I know what it takes to be prepared. I'm excited to be healthy and to be able to show my skills. So far so good, it's a long camp and even a longer season.

Q: How excited are you to be healthy?

A: It's something that a player can't control and you just have to embrace it and take it as you can and run with it. The toughest part of this game is staying healthy and probably at the position than anything else, I play a pretty hard position, a rough position with a lot of contact. It's good to be healthy and to be able to help this team. I don't want to harp on last this. This is this year. I'm just excited to be here and to give the defense a good look and they do the same in the drills.

Q: What does Drew Brees mean to you as opposed to other quarterbacks you played with?

A: He's got all the physical tools. You can tell he's grateful for what he has. He's in a linebacker's body and he has a linebacker's mentality in how he plays the game. It's great having him. I'd always heard a lot about him and how he prepared. It's amazing. When he's around it just makes you prepare more and play at a higher level.

Q: Can you talk about playing against a Gregg Williams defense?

A: Gregg is one of the coordinators I played against in the NFC East, so I'm used to it. It's exciting. I know the defensive guys are excited. I know if I played defense, I'd want to play for him.

Q: What led you to want to spend more time with Drew Brees and do you see progress in the chemistry between the two of you?

A: Yes, it's good to obviously compete and start chemistry early. It does nothing but help the relationship between us and the whole offense. Getting started here and being in the offseason program definitely helped. You have to be prepared because he'll tell you straight to your face if you're not and your wasting people's time. You don't want to get called out by Drew. He's definitely a guy that will say something.

Q: Do you see a lot of precision in this offense?

A: I see that everybody that's got two hands, Drew's going to find them. He's a good quarterback. I don't think it's around one person. I think it's collective. I think it's the receivers, the backs and anyone really going out in a pattern. Its fun and you saw last year how he throws the ball around. I don't think he keys on one person, tight end, receiver or running back. It's not just one position.

Q: Do you see less and less negative feedback from Drew?

A: Don't take too much on that one. He makes you work a whole lot harder than other people I've been around. He puts a lot on himself and the people around him. He expects a high level. I think a lot of people can build off that.

Q: Do you think teams might underestimate you because of the injuries?

A: I don't think about it like that. I want to help this team out. I could care less about the accolades I get. I want to have a chance to be healthy and help this team. Last year's last year. The year before that is the year before that. I'm just trying to forget about the past and prove to myself and everybody else I can play at a high level. Being injured is the hardest thing mentally. The game is hard enough healthy. Being healthy is an upside for me.

Q: Are you limited at all?

A: I'm not limited at all. It's preseason right now.

Q: Whenever you were at your healthiest last year, what percentage would you put it at?

A: It's hard to put. It's really hard to gauge. Even if you're just 85 percent, it's hard enough a game as it is. Not being healthy is not impossible, but it hurts a lot. I'm blessed being healthy.

Canal Street Chronicles: Fleur-di-Links

Saintsational — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:00:23 -0000

More photos » by Bill Haber - AP

4 months ago: New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton listens to a question at a news conference prior to the start of the club's NFL football training camp in Metairie, La., Thursday, July 30, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Browse more photos »

Depth Chart Released

Here's a link we all know and love but probably haven't check out in a while. It's the Saints depth chart and it's been updated for training camp. Well...sort of. Keep in mind this is the Saints official website we're talking about here so you know there's got to be something wrong with it. If you pay attention you'll notice it's missing a few notable names including Adrian Arrington and Bobby McCray. Check it out for yourself and talk about your initial observations.

Twitter - In their own words

drewbrees Left my room at 6:30 this morning. Just walked back in the door of my room at 10:30 PM. A typical training camp day - Drew Brees

therealJShock just got out of meetings then snack.. already time for bed what a sudden change from a week ago hahhaha - Jeremy Shockey

therealJShock just got off field!!! day 1 went well as expected. Its good to see everyone going to be a fun season... - Jeremy Shockey

saints83 Today was a great 1st day. Run test went well for all the guys then a light practice. Man I missed football. Tomorrow we put on the pads ... Problem is I already miss my wife and kids - Billy Miller

Reggie - That Cheating Bastard?

Originally the couple had claimed that cheating did not play a part in their split. But is that really the case? And who was cheating on who? Do you care?

EXCLUSIVE: Model Claims Affair With Reggie Bush While He Dated Kim Kardashian - RadarOnline.com

Foxnews.com broke the story that Reggie saw text messages from Kanye West on Kim'sphone and "flipped out." Fox reported the messages were more than just friendly and talked about Kanye hanging out with Kim and how much fun he had.

Now RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively that a sexy Latino model in Miami is claiming she had an affair with Reggie and has been threatening to take her story public to the highest bidding magazine.

The model claimed a months-long affair that included hookups in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami and included X-rated texts and phone messages.

So who is this mystery woman, this sexy Latino model of which they speak? Kissing Suzy Kolber thinks they've cracked the case. Fair warning though: This link may not be safe for those of you at work. If you're married, it may not be safe at home either. Whatever, just click it. You won't regret it. Unless you get fired. Or divorced.

Reggie Bush loves the Ortega Taco??? - Kissing Suzy Kolber

Extra Fluff

Here are a bunch of articles that are all based on the two press conferences with Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton yesterday. Feel free to read the articles but I suggest going straight to the source and simply reading or listening to the actual press conferences yourself. I have included both press conferences in transcript and audio form for your reading and/or listening pleasure, after the jump.

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton eager to get training camp started - Times-Pic

Jason Kyle's long snaps a step up for New Orleans Saints, Coach Sean Payton says - Times-Pic

New Orleans Saints' negotiations with Malcolm Jenkins stall - Times-Pic

Payton, Loomis optimistic before Saints season of urgency - NewOrleans.com

Saints not expecting Jenkins anytime soon - Sun Herald

Notes from Thurs news conference at Saints camp - WWL

Saints 1st rounder Jenkins not expected in camp anytime soon - WWLTV

Press conference audio courtesy of WWL

Sean Payton

Mickey Loomis

Sean Payton

From the New Orleans Saints official website.

Opening Statement:

"As we get started, I think it would easier for me to talk about the two or three guys that we have to pay attention to at the start of this camp that are injury concerns. Really there are three, and I'm not including Stanley Arnoux, we understand the significance of his injury. Right now, we're going to monitor Adrian Arrington. His hamstring has gotten better, but it's not yet 100%, so we'll take him day by day and won't put him out there in full team drills until we feel like we're confident that it's ready to go without the threat of another injury. Lance Moore has done a great job and he's way ahead of schedule. He'll get some individual work, but again, we'll be judicious in bringing him into any team type of drills, any type of contact work. He's a guy that we'll have to be mindful of with his shoulder. The last player is Jonathan Vilma. He had a scope procedure done in his abdomen area. It wasn't a full sports hernia, but nonetheless, he'll get a fair amount of reps to begin with and we'll just monitor that in the first week or so before we turn him loose. He'll get a lot of the team work, where the other two players will be guys that we'll have to hold back off on because right now we have them on the PUP list. We'll take it day by day with those players. Those are the three guys that you'll see tomorrow in practice; Vilma you won't notice as much because he'll be getting some reps, but you'll see Lance mainly working with the individual stuff and the same thing with Adrian."

Was Vilma's surgery done in the offseason?

"This was a procedure that we decided to have done shortly after our last minicamp. It was one in which we had time. It was a small repair and the procedure went well. Dr. Myers from Philadelphia performed it and we went ahead and had it done so it wasn't something that became an issue or aggravated him throughout the course of the season. I know Jonathan and our doctors and myself and Mickey spent a lot of time discussing the options and we felt like with the time we had and the gap we had between when we finished minicamp and when we started tomorrow that we were able to do that. Fortunately for Jon, he has rehabbed it well and feels close to 100%, but not quite there yet."

Did you say that Arrington and Moore are on the PUP list?

"Both of them are guys that we wouldn't pass on the physical, which isn't uncommon. We'll wait and we'll monitor their progress and then as soon as we feel like they're ready to put them into team drills, then we'll do that."

What did the team do today? Did everyone else pass their physicals?

"Everyone did except the two players that I mentioned. Basically the morning meeting was an operations meeting that we do every year where we try to hit on all the topics as it pertains to the training room, as it pertains to the equipment room, media - all the operations aspects of training camp. When you do switch training camp sites, there's a little bit of unsettledness in regards to really for all of us this is our first go-round of having training camp here. We talked a little bit this morning about some of the nuances that we'll have to adjust to in our travel schedule back and forth from the hotel. But that morning meeting was about 45-50 minutes long; they had meetings then in the afternoon and then this evening we had a brief walkthrough inside in shorts and helmets. We had a conditioning test prior to lunch and all the players participated in that. The results were real good. Now they're heading back to the hotel where tonight we'll have our team meeting, which is a little bit more football related and then special teams and offense and defensive meetings before they have bed check."

Is everyone here except for Malcolm Jenkins?

"Everyone is here but Jenkins, correct."

Did everyone make their weight?

"Everyone made their weight; all but one and I don't want to get into specifics. I was real pleased with the weigh-ins. Normally you have a handful of players that struggle to make it, but we did a pretty good job and that was reflected in the conditioning test as well."

How concerned are you about Jenkins missing time?

"Being that we haven't practiced yet and really it starts tomorrow, this is a little bit unique this year in that there are a fair amount of first-round picks that haven't signed and typically they kind of go in clumps. Hopefully that process speeds up, not only for our first-round pick but for everyone else because it typically brings the remaining players with them."

Is there a battle for the long snapper position?

"I'm glad you asked that. A week ago we had to waive Darian Barnes and that created a spot for us. This morning, we had to waive Rob Ninkovich. Those two spots freed up the two signings of our punter (Thomas Morstead) and our safety (Chip Vaughn). Right now we're at our correct number. When Malcolm Jenkins signs, we'll have to create another spot and we'll deal with that when that happens. That's the hardest thing about the calendar in regards to have to make a decision like that with a guy like Ninkovich or Barnes who have been with you throughout the whole offseason and now here it is a day before training camp starts and you have to make a decision like that; that's never easy. Both of those players have been released which cleared the room for the two players that I talked about."

How will the looming suspensions for Will Smith and Charles Grant affect how you use them in training camp and the preseason?

"That's a good question. I think that there's a portion of the camp where you have to make sure that they're working with them, but the reps behind them become equally important to Bobby McCray, Paul Spicer, Anthony Hargrove, Jeff Charleston, all those other players that potentially are going to be playing and filling in. We have to be paying close attention to the reps and how much we give and how little we give. That is a little different, knowing that we're going to start the season with those suspensions. The preseason games give you the opportunity to give a little more work to the players behind Charles and Will."

Will Charles and Will be with the first-string unit to start?

"Yes. They'll start off and the position, by nature, is one that has a lot of rotation to begin with. That makes a little easier, unlike a position like quarterback or cornerback. We try to rotate those guys quite a bit. But to answer your question, those guys will start off the first practice tomorrow with the first group. But you'll see a lot of rotation and really a lot of us playing around with the guys behind them to see where we're at as we get ready to start four or five weeks from now."

Can you explain why you made the switch at long snapper from Kevin Houser to Jason Kyle?

"The first thing we try to do - we being Mickey, myself and the organization - is that we look at each decision and make sure that it's football related. I feel comfortable and confident in the acquisition of Jason Kyle coming in as a guy with experience. We worked him out in the spring prior to us breaking the minicamp, particularly with his field goal and extra point snaps, the shorter of the two. We felt that he was consistent, he had a lot of the same attributes that Kevin had and we felt that he had better velocity and we made the decision.

"In regards to the other situation off the field, that was not something that played into this decision. Obviously, that's something that was unfortunate. I've read a lot about it and the one thing that I kept reading that didn't seem too accurate is that I don't think speaking on behalf of the 24, 25, 26, 27 people, I don't think anyone was looking at that as an investment opportunity as much as they were looking at it as purchasing tax credits. It's one thing to make investments and a lot of us have people that are in charge of that, but it's another thing to just purchase Louisiana tax credits. I think the goal for everyone involved and the reason that there were so many involved was that after you're here and you've lived here for a little while you understand the economy of Louisiana and how they're able to attract the film industry to this region. The idea was fairly simple and that was to purchase tax credits. I'm fairly certain that nobody in that group was interested in investing at all in the studio per se; certainly I wasn't."

Did people heap blame on Houser for that?

"I think that would be an easier answer for our players to give you. It's harder for me. Kevin have communicated from shortly after the team when that purchase went a little south and he and I stayed in touch in regards to that matter, but I don't think that those involved felt like it was any type of investment other than the opportunity to purchase tax credits, which I think is fairly common."

From a football standpoint, where was Houser falling short?

"In Jason's case, we felt like we were getting someone a little quicker with his times on the field goals and the PATs and a little quicker in regards to the punts. Certainly we had consistency with Kevin, but the player we signed we had felt like he wasn't going to be available. We felt like Carolina was going to have to create room and when he was still available after the workout, we went ahead with that opportunity. We're excited about it. Today was the first chance we had to see him some and he did a good job. Again, we're always looking at how things affect our team and if we're doing the right thing for the team in regards to a player that we feel like upgrades us. We try to be right as much as we can and in his case, we feel like we've been able to do that."

Was the conditioning test a pass/fail test?

"It's a pass/fail. There are three sets of gassers that they run for time. I think 95% of the team made all of their times and then typically it comes down to the third group - the linemen - that struggle. We probably had four players - they all finished - but four players that didn't make all their times in the conditioning test, and all of them linemen."

What kind of condition is Sedrick Ellis in?

"Real good. He made all of his times and his weight is good."

Was there a concern on your part that Houser would have become a distraction in the locker room?

"There are always lessons to be learned and this isn't something that's new to any locker room. Again, I think the feeling of the group was that it was a fairly simple matter in regard to the decision to make a purchase of tax credits. In regards to a distraction or all those other issues, I don't know that that was the case. I guess you could poll each player or coach that was involved and you might get a different answer. Certainly there was a fair amount of concern as guys were preparing to do their taxes for the '08 season, but the decision we made was not predicated on that issue. That's the thing we tried to emphasize and I talked with Kevin about that when I contacted him on the night we released him."

What have you learned as a head coach?

"I've learned a lot. I've learned the importance of personnel, the importance of the offseason each year, certainly I have appreciated the importance of having good quarterback play. I think when you look at the three prior years and you get past '06, certainly it's not easy to stay on top or to win each year. It's hard to do and it's something that we're committed to doing. For a question like that, I could go on here for 20 minutes or half an hour, but there are a lot of organizational things. I've learned to be patient and all-in-all, still the importance of having the right staff in place and the right players in place in the locker room and the importance of player evaluation and getting the right guys. The thing that all of us think about at this time of the year is that you're preparing to get ready to play your first game, but equally if not more important is that you're preparing to find the right 53 guys that will make up this team. That weighs on your mind a lot because those decisions that are forthcoming are very important."

Was patience something you really had to learn?

"I think as a young coach there are certain things that you can't come in ready to know. You're going to learn some things on the job and I think you keep track of things that take place throughout the course of games, throughout the course of the offseason in dealing with players, and no differently than a player would, you try to eliminate repeating a mistake. I think it's important and all of us as coaches evaluate constantly how we gameplan, how we practice. Our itinerary is a little different in this training camp than it has been in prior camps. It's easy to just turn the page to what you did a year ago and put the stamp on it, but that's not necessarily the right thing. As we move training camp here, there are going to be some nuances that come up that maybe wouldn't have come up in Jackson and you have to be able to handle those things smoothly."

What do you see as some of the things you'll have to deal with in having training camp here at home?

"I think the first issue is going to be the transportation to and from the hotel. Are we going to have transportation issues? Are players going to be able to have ample time to get from the facility to where they're eating? One of the things we did when we set up camp here is that we moved all the meetings, all the video, all the computers, everything out to the Hilton. The reason we did that was that if you keep it all here, then you have the issue of practice being over, lunch being served and then the players meeting here and you're cutting away from their time off their feet somewhere in a bed. When you're on a college campus, they're in the dorm and that's not a faraway place to go, but here I know that one option is to try to use cots or something here at the facility. Rather than doing that, with the meetings and all the meeting rooms and film and the meals all at the hotel, basically the hotel operates as our training camp with our practice facility being right where it's at. When the players get up in the morning, any breakfast is had at the hotel, they make the drive over here to the facility and it's about 12 minutes. They get taped, they get their treatment, they get their pads on, they practice and when practice is over with, they have their commitments with the media and the weight room and they shower here and then they're back on the road to the hotel where they're going to eat lunch, and after lunch is over with they're going to meet and then get on the elevator, go up to their room and sleep and it maximizes the time between practices where they're off their feet in a bed and then back down and back to the facility for the second practice. All our meetings and all our meals will be over at the hotel rather than at the facility and the main reason for that is back to that rest issue between practices. To answer your question, the concern would be if we're allocating enough time in between the hotel and the facility. We're here locally so we have to make sure that we're monitoring the hotel. It's important that we create an environment that's still like training camp, that's it's not just another day at practice on Airline Drive. By doing that with the curfew - everyone is mandated to stay in the hotel - players, coaches, the whole group - hopefully we can create that to some degree, although it's different than being on a college campus. The benefits are definitely the facilities. Today it rained when we were going to do the conditioning test. It wouldn't have rained at Millsaps, but it rained here and we went inside. We have that flexibility, even without the rain, to bring them inside out of the sun. I think our guys do as good a job as anyone in the league with the fields. Our two grass fields are outstanding. From a facilities standpoint, we've really helped ourselves with regards to the fields, the indoor facility and that's the main reason."

Will there be any significant changes football-wise in this camp?

"The only that's a little different is that we have three types of schedules. We have an ‘A' schedule, which we'll be on tomorrow which is two practices. Saturday we'll be on an ‘A' schedule of two practices and then periodically you'll see on the calendar a ‘B' schedule. At one point in time, the ‘B' schedule meant a light practice in the morning and then a full practice in the afternoon. The ‘B' schedule this year will be nothing more than a walkthrough in the morning, so it's not even listed as a practice and it doesn't even show up on any of the media times because there isn't a practice taking place. We've kind of backed off that ‘B' schedule in the AM and increased the time of the practice in the PM. That's different and that would be the same case for the ‘C' schedule. Logistically, we're familiar with flying in and out of here so the airport would be very similar to the closeness to the airport in Jackson. We're 10 minutes away from the airport so we should be fine for the preseason games when we're leaving here. There are just a few things, but by and large, I think James Nagaoka and Jay Romig have done a great job of overseeing and getting this camp set up. There's always a lot more to it than meets the eye. If you toured the Hilton, you'd see that basically the whole lower level has been taken over. I would describe it much like the hotel in Indianapolis when we relocated there last year. You have all your meeting rooms; you have your position rooms, the coaches have their offices in each meeting room, there's a staff meeting room, there are offense and defense breakout rooms, there are team meeting areas and then the dining area. They can even get treatment there in the evenings. Curfew will be at 11:00 at night. We have set that up as our headquarters."

Looking at the age of the roster, will there be players that get rested during two-a-days?

"There will be a handful of players that will be in that mode that we'll look at and really just back off of in one of the practices or slow back on some of the reps. Not talking about the injured players, but talking about some of the guys that are a little older. A guy like Dan Campbell orRod Coleman. We have six or seven guys that will be on that list, depending on what we're doing."

Will the players be able to have family time at the hotel or get home at all during camp?

"I'm not opposed to them going to get something that they need to get. There are times, but any type of visit would be down in the lobby of the hotel. Again, we're trying to create the environment where it's training camp. Sometimes those closest to you can become your biggest distraction and I think the players understand that. We're cutting back a little bit in regards to the reps. By being here we have the ability to come inside a little more because of heat and we have to make sure that we still have the focus. I think in the end the training camp will be what we make it to be and that's on us as coaches to start with and the veteran players on this team to do a good job with it. I think if you ask the players, a lot of them are excited to be back here. They appreciate the facility and there's a lot less stress in regards to the movement of the locker room and the weight room and all of those things. From a facilities standpoint, there are less hiccups."

From what you've seen, is this the best group you've had since you've been here?

"I think so. But you get to training camp here and you start working and regardless of what you think prior to the year, it really comes down to what you do once the season gets going. We're anxious for the challenge. We think we have gotten better. We've had a real good offseason. This time of the year, there are a lot of teams that are excited about where they're at and there are a lot of teams that are looking forward to the start of the regular season and we're certainly one of those teams. I think overall, the offseason was clearly the best that we've had. It was competitive and I expect training camp to be competitive. We've made some changes and guys have adjusted pretty well and pretty quickly to that and our players are ready to get going. We have a long way to go and a long way before we even get close to playing our first regular season game, but the process continues now as we get everyone back."

After missing the playoffs the last two seasons, do you consider this to be a critical year?

"Every year is critical. Certainly there is a sense of urgency that we all have as coaches and players. We don't take any season for granted ever. We're looking forward to getting out there and practicing. We're looking forward to getting better and giving ourselves an opportunity as we start the season this year with some new people and we're looking forward to that. I would say that there is a sense of excitement in the organization and not just on the football end of the building. There's a pretty good feeling about this team. Now this team hasn't been made up yet and that's why there's that sense of pressure to get the right 53 to find out about this team. The team itself is 80-some players and the key is finding the right 53 that are going to represent the 2009 team. That's one of the big reasons for training camp - to evaluate your personnel and find the right group for the season."

Is there a position group that could prove to be the toughest cuts?

"We're deep in a few areas. I think we're deep at cornerback right now. We're going to have good competition in that area. I think we have pretty good depth at the defensive end position for a number of reasons. You could go through some of the different position groups - at receiver there are some guys that will be competing for not necessarily the first spot or the second spot but for reps past that. I want to get a good look at this running back position group after we get pastReggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. We'll find out where Mike Bell is at, find out where some of these other young players are at - Lynell Hamilton and then the two college free agents. There is a lot to be evaluated; you can go into each position group. You can look at tight end and there's a mixed bag of players there young and old that we have to gauge where they're at. The good news is that we have a good period of time in front of us to do that."

How are Reggie Bush and Marques Colston going into camp?

"Reggie is 100%. Marques is 100% with no limitations."

Given that you feel that you're deep at the corner position, if you had to say something to Malcolm Jenkins about missing time, what would you say to him?

"This is the first day that we've been here and two-thirds of the first-round picks haven't signed a contract yet. The good news is that we're talking about a player that is very intelligent and one of his strengths is his ability to grasp the system. He pays close attention to detail and I think that he's a player that when the time comes and he has to transition back into training camp, he'll handle that transition aspect of it fairly quickly. Outside of that, I think everything else is understood."

Have you talked to him?

"I haven't. Mickey is working with his agent and we'll go from there."

You've commented on a window of opportunity with Drew Brees as the quarterback. Could you elaborate on that?

"If you just look at it - and I don't want to throw out years because he has done a number of things that have surprised us already. We certainly have a quarterback that's good enough to win with and you never take that for granted. We feel like he's playing at a high level and we feel like he's leading at a high level, which is another positive trait. How can we evaluate the offseason areas that were of concern and how can we improve in those areas and get the production around him to get the play of the people around him up to speed is the question. I've read where people have looked at it as a window and I think that's fair, but what I don't want to do is give you the time of the window because we just finished spending a whole offseason talking about a 39-year-old quarterback. He takes very good care of his body; he's someone that is very diligent with his training habits and when you have someone like that and you have the right guy leading you, I think you look at each season with a sense of urgency and our approach is that. That's a good thing to talk about. There's nothing wrong with talking about high expectations and talking about championship seasons but it first starts though with tomorrow's two practices and it's a process and it takes a while. I think our players are ready for the process and we're looking forward to it."

Is there anything new as far as Michael Vick being available his status from your point of view?

"A lot of people have talked about it and I think everyone is excited to see what comes of where he signs. Having had a chance to coach against him when he was in Atlanta, all of us certainly have respect for his skill set. I don't see the Saints as being in a position where we're going to go in that direction, but I would imagine within the next couple of days we'll find out who he's going to sign with. I think there will be an interest from a handful of teams."

When will the veterans "escape" from camp?

"If you're asking the question of when does camp end or when do we leave the hotel, the Tuesday we travel to Houston, which is two-and-a-half weeks from now, we check out of the Hilton and we come back from Houston that Saturday night late and we're now at Airline Drive in regards to meetings. We're still on a two-a-day schedule, but now players are sleeping at their homes."

Mickey Loomis

From the New Orleans Saints official website.

Opening Statement: We had two draft picks signed today. We're pleased about having agreements with both of them last night. Khai Harley did a great job for us in our office and both of the agents did a good job in making sure those guys were signed and here for the meeting this morning. I would say there's no progress at all on Malcolm (Jenkins). I'm pessimistic in terms of having anything done with him in the near future.

Q: Besides money is the fact that his agency is representing nine first round draft picks a factor at all?

A: I think that's some of it, but it's a slow process. It's been a slow process for a number of years now. I think it seems like it's slower than it has been. I think some of it has to do with a couple of agencies having a large number of players.

Q: Does the economy have anything to do with it?

A: I think every year, part of the issue is the dollars. I think the economy definitely affects that. It's affected all of our teams and we all have to be conscious of our costs and our expenses and yet, it seems like the agents and representatives to these guys are oblivious to that.

Q: Is it a situation where the signing of the 13^th pick could slot things a little?

A: Not if the deals are of the magnitude of increase of the few deals that I've seen done. That's going to create a real issue for us. We're not in that market. What you say is true. These draft picks are slotted, but I'm pessimistic about this year and the magnitude of some of the increases we've seen given where we're at economically. I'm pessimistic about that.

Q: Where are you and Ben Dogra in terms of talking?

A: We've given them a proposal and they haven't gotten back to us. They have a lot of guys to do.

Q: Are you surprised not only at the lack of communication, but at the asking prices?

A: We haven't gotten a proposal from them, so it's hard for me to be surprised at what they're asking for, because I don't know what they're asking for, but there's only a few deals done. Yes, I'm surprised by the magnitude of increase on some of the deals, but it is what it is.

Q: What is the increase in some of the deals? Is it ten percent?

A: You hear a bunch of things in the way you calculate it. Ten percent wouldn't scare me as much. Some of the numbers you are hearing are closer to 20 percent.

Q: Is this fuel for a rookie wage scale?

A: I don't know the answer to that. I envy that circumstance when it comes around to negotiating these deals. I envy the system that the NBA has in terms of just draft picks, but we have to do what's right for the New Orleans Saints and we have to work within the parameters of our salary structure as well as be conscious of the system we have and the way draft picks get paid. I think it's going to be difficult.

Q: Did you see this coming?

A: I think this isn't atypical. A year ago we were six days into camp before Sedrick (Ellis) signed. There's nothing unusual about it.

Q: Give us your take about Sean Payton and the job he's done?

A: I love Sean Payton as our head coach. I'm more sold on Sean Payton as our coach than the day we hired him. I don't know if I can be any clearer than that.

Q: Are you aware of any avenues for appeal left for Charles Grant and Will Smith in fighting or delaying their suspensions?

A: I'm not aware of anything other than that they are suspended for the first four games. What I don't know is in terms of the two Williams' in Minnesota and their court case. I don't know if the result of that will have any effect on our guys or not. We're anticipating that they're going to be out for the first four games and we've prepared for that event.

Q: Would you call the proposal you made to Malcolm Jenkins' agent preliminary?

A: I'd call it a first proposal. There are give and take in negotiations and lots of issues.

Q: Do you anticipate Malcolm's holdout being longer than Sedrick's?

A: I don't know that. I can't answer that. There are a lot of things that can happen overnight.

Q: What makes you optimistic about this season?

A: I think the type of people that we have on our team in terms of players and coaches. HavingDrew Brees as our quarterback and Sean Payton as our head coach, Marques Colston at the receiver position and the offensive line that we have. I'm just optimistic because of the type of people we have in our building because I know winning is important to them. I think that our team collectively is disappointed in the results we've had the last two years. I think they all believe we're a good team and I think they have a chip in their shoulder to prove that.

Q: Is there any design to having the second-oldest roster in the league?

A: We pay attention to that. We pay attention to the age and experience on our team. One of the things that we've got in our minds is we do want to get a little younger going forward. I think we do have a core group of guys that are younger players. Reggie's (Bush) a younger player still, Tracy Porter, Marques Colston. We got a core group of guys that are young players that are contributors to our team. I'm not overly concerned about it.

Q: In terms of some of your free agency moves, was there a thinking you wanted more of a veteran presence?

A: I think the guys you're talking about are all defensive players. I think one of the things we thought about defensively was that we wanted to bring some additional leadership on that side of the ball.

Q: Did you guys consider extensions with Lance Moore, Jahri Evans and Jammal Brown?

A: We did. We talked to the agents of a couple of those guys and we weren't able to make any progress. I'm hopeful that all those players will be here for the long term.

Q: Has it changed because of the possibility that they could be restricted free agents next year because of the uncapped year rules?

A: There are a lot of variables. There's the uncertainty that exists with the CBA. Where we are in terms of our resources. This year and I mentioned it a couple times is the first year in quite some time that we've been pressed up against the salary cap, so we have to conscious of that.

Q: Do you think this team is really close to doing something really special?

A: Who knows until we play these games, but we felt like we had some needs we needed to address and we did that for the most part and so we'll just see what the results are. I think getting healthy is an important factor for us and I feel good about the health of our team coming into this training camp.

Q: Can you address the change in long snappers?

A: I think a lot of times when you're talking about positions like the snapper, it's not your first priority as you get into the offseason and so there wasn't an expectation that Jason Kyle was going to be available. I have a history with Jason Kyle. In Seattle we drafted him. I'm very familiar with him, had an expectation that he was going to be back in Carolina. That position's one where guys that do a great job are going to stay with the same franchise for a long period of time. It got to the point where he was not going to be back with Carolina, so let's bring him in, let's talk to him, let's work him out, let's see what the differences are and when he came we did that and made the change.

Q: Would you have stayed with Kevin Houser had Jason not been available?

A: I think we probably would have.

Q: Is he the only other snapper that came in for a workout?

A: He's the only snapper we brought in for a workout.

Q: Have you finalized your black and gold event plans?

A: We're going to have the scrimmage here. It's going to be the seventh.

Q: Will you have it at the facility?

A: We're going to do it here, like a regular practice in terms of having it on the fields.

Q: Will you open it up to the public?

A: We're still discussing that because obviously we have limited space here. I think this weekend and how we handle the crowds will help us determine that.

Q: Was there any talk of having it at somewhere like Tad Gormley Stadium?

A: We did. In fact we talked a lot about that. We decided we have the two preseason games and our fans will have an opportunity to see us out there. We have open practices. At the end of the day, we felt this first year back at training camp, it makes more sense for us logistically to have it here and reduce the number of logistics we have at least for this first year. But we're open to discussing that in the future, maybe taking it on the road a few times and that was really successful for us. We want it to be accessible to all of our fans in the region, not just New Orleans. We're going to talk about it in the future, but I think this first year, because of the changes coming back from Jackson and Millsaps, we wanted to reduce the number of logistics.

Q: Does Malcolm Jenkins' intelligence help the situation where a holdout might not hurt him as much?

A: There's no less urgency at all. I'm urgent to get the deal done. I'm just pessimistic. It's not that we're less urgent and it's as important for him to be here as any player, regardless of where he's at. Let's not forget he missed part of that offseason program because of the graduation date he had at Ohio State. He's behind already to some degree.

Q: Are there any newcomers in veterans or rookies that you brought in you are impressed with?

A: I think it's too early to say that. There's no one that's been disappointing. It's easier to say that. There's been no surprise. I think sometimes we get too excited seeing these guys in shorts at the minicamps and the OTA days. We end up being disappointed when we get to training camp. There's no one off the top of my head I can single out.

Q: What are some elements that you are looking to see with your team?

A: I think we saw one today in the conditioning of our team, which is as good as it's ever been, seeing them back and ready to go. That's a good start. How we practice and how we prepare over the next two or three weeks will be a big indicator for us.

Q: Was there anyone in condition that caught your eye?

A: I don't think anybody exceeded what I thought they could do. I think Marques Colston in conditioning his body, Will Smith I'm excited about. Those two guys off the top of my head jumped out. Skyler Green I think looks really fit. There were a number of guys like that. We had guys finishing that conditioning test real early. It wasn't like they were finishing it on the last count. They were finishing it with plenty of room to spare. That was exciting.

Q: Is it a good sign Malcolm Jenkins is in New Orleans already?

A: That's a real good sign. I don't have any doubt about his desire to be here his dedication and wanting to do the right thing. He's a bit of a hostage to the negotiations. It's just the way the system works. He wants to be here more than anyone. I understand that.

Q: You mentioned the players being disappointed the last couple years. How disappointed have you been?

A: Very disappointed. It's always disappointing when you haven't achieved your goals with your first goal being making the playoffs, especially when you feel like you have the capability of doing that. It's a disappointment for everybody in our building. We're all competitive and how that comes out sometimes is different. We all feel that way.

Q: Has Mr. Benson mentioned it?

A: He's been as disappointed as anyone. He also recognizes where we're at as a team and how far we've come in three short years. The response that our fans have had and the new deal with the state and the Superdome and keeping the team here, all the things that have happened, there's a lot of really, really good things that have happened. We just want a few more good things to happen. Let's win the division, let's make the playoffs, let's make a real strong run and get in the Super Bowl. That's what we're aiming for.

Q: Do you agree with the assessment that the time is now for this team with Drew Brees at quarterback?

A: Absolutely, that's a key element that's hard to obtain. When you have that you want to take advantage of it, no question about it. It's our responsibility to make sure we have the players at the other positions and around him that can help him. It's up to those guys to perform at that level. That's what our expectations are.

Q: Do you feel like you have that?

A: I think we can always get better. We're always looking to do that. I think we've shown we're capable of competing with anyone. That's the basis. I think we'll be fine.

Q: What kind of players is one your short list?

A: I'd rather not say the names, but typically what we'll have at any given time at any position, the top four or five guys we'll have a ready list that you describe as our pro scouting department has put together. We'll have a ready list of younger guys that our coaching staff has had input on. If we have an injury or a need, we'll go right to that list and get those guys in here. We've already been in contact with those agents and a lot of those players have had workouts over the past three months with us. We're ready to go. That's no different than any other team.

Q: Is there a big name out of the 11 guys that worked out yesterday?

A: The group we had in the other day was all younger players?

Q: How do you weigh bringing a veteran in and getting him into camp as opposed to evaluating your younger players?

A: It's not a science. The deeper you go into camp, the more inclined you're to go with a veteran player that knows what it takes to play in that first game, that knows the speed of the game changes from preseason to regular season, that understands the terminology if it's a new team. Oftentimes we'll bring back a veteran that was on our team previously in the prior years. There are a lot of factors there. The farther we get into camp, the more likely it's going to be a veteran player or an older player.

Q: Are Deuce McAllister and Mike McKenzie healthy enough to play right now?

A: I don't know, because we haven't given either one of them a physical recently. I don't know the answer to that.

Q: Is there a question that you want to see answered on your team in camp?

A: There's a lot. I'd rather not say the things I'm concerned about right now. We all have concerns and a new one comes up everyday.