EOSB
Practice 2/4, Day 2, Training Camp Observations
Injury Report:
FB Heath Evans (right knee) got the veteran rest Saturday afternoon, taking the day’s second practice off to rest his surgically repaired knee. DE DeMario Pressley (back) missed his third practice in a row as he had back spasms following Friday’s first practice.
The PUP crew –WR Robert Meachem (toe), WR Marques Colston (left knee), LB Clint Ingram (left knee) and S Darren Sharper (left knee) – all missed team drills.
Head Coach Sean Payton said Colston and Ingram will be back before Meachem and Sharper.
Additionally, WR Devery Henderson walked off the field this morning a little gimpy, but by the afternoon, he was running full speed and was good to go. No issues with him, Payton said.
Heat Index (calculated from NWS numbers at MSY):
Uncalculated as the team worked indoors.
Position Notices:
With FB Heath Evans sitting out the afternoon, it became apparent who is working as the No. 2 fullback. Zak Keasey, No. 45 on your rosters, is the backup to Evans and he looked pretty solid this afternoon. He caught every swing pass that came his way and was solid on blocking.
Leigh Torrence and Randall Gay were working with the second-team defense at cornerback and Chris Reis and Malcolm Jenkins were the safeties with that unit.
Jo-Lonn Dunbar continued to work with the first team at SLB in the 4-3.
And QB Chase Daniel took the snaps with the second team in the afternoon.
Team 1:
Several times QB Drew Brees had to check down throughout the day, including on the first play of team. Brees checked down to FB Zak Keasey as the play was well covered down field.
On the next play, DE Will Smith blew up RB Pierre Thomas’ run in the backfield as the end bulled through OG Jahri Evans.
RB Reggie Bush had a gorgeous cutback, taking advantage of a great block by OT Jon Stinchcomb on MLB Jonathan Vilma.
FG and the holder:
K Garrett Hartley went 5 of 6 in practice, missing wide left from 40 yards on the left hash. He was pure on the rest of the kicks, following up the 40-yard miss with a clutch 45-yarder that cut the goalposts down the middle.
The miss came with Thomas Morstead as the holder, but Hartley said that’s not a big issue.
“I think the comfort level is definitely there, especially having a veteran snapper in Jason Kyle,” Hartley said. “His accuracy and just consistency of where he puts the laces is something I’ve never had before. I’m excited about it. I think Thomas and Chase are doing a great job getting the ball down and I’m feeling confident in both of them.”
Team 2:
Brees finished the period going 8-for-8 passing, including a 50-plus yard touchdown. He dumped off to Keasey left, then on the next play, stepped up in the pocket to elude a rush and dumped down to RB Reggie Bush.
The nicest pass, though, came on the third play when he looked for WR Lance Moore underneath and, despite being in tight coverage between LB Jonathan Vilma and LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, hit Moore for a nice gain.
His screen pass to Bush on the ensuing play was set up well by the running back and was aided by superb downfield blocking by C Jonathan Goodwin on FS Usama Young.
Then, after the backups went, the first-team ended the period. And it began with WR Devery Henderson getting behind coverage for the long touchdown. The period finished with two straight safe passes to WR Courtney Roby and TE Jimmy Graham.
Of note, the day’s second interception came by S Chris Reis, who picked off QB Chase Daniel. The first interception came in the morning when CB Danny Gorrer intercepted QB Patrick Ramsey.
What’s next?
The Saints have the morning off before practicing from 3:20-5:45 p.m. It’s scheduled for the outdoor fields and will be open to the public barring weather.
