EOSB
Practice 1/3, Day 2, Training Camp Observations
Injury Report:
Those who missed practice or were limited on Saturday morning should sound familiar. It’s largely the same crew who were held back Friday afternoon. WR Robert Meachem (toe), WR Marques Colston (left knee), LB Clint Ingram (left knee) and S Darren Sharper (left knee) all missed team drills on the active PUP list while DT DeMario Pressley (back) sat out with back spasms.
Both Meachem and Colston participated in individual drills and some passing aspects of practice, though neither had on pads or helmets. Head Coach Sean Payton said Colston is further along in his rehabilitation than Meachem. Payton expects Colston back possibly by Tuesday or Wednesday while Meachem should return in a week-and-a-half to two weeks.
As for Ingram, Payton said probably in the next week. There was no word on Sharper’s return.
Nothing else new on this front, though Devery Henderson did leave the field gimpy. Payton said the receiver is close to 100 percent and is good to go.
Heat Index (calculated from NWS numbers at MSY):
8:53 a.m. -- 99 degrees at the beginning of practice
10:53 a.m. – 106.4 degrees by the end.
Position battles:
Who starts at outside/strong linebacker will largely depend on what defense the Saints go with. For much of practice, Gregg Williams used the first play to work on a 3-4 scheme, then immediately shifted to 4-3. In the 3-4, Scott Shanle, Jonathan Vilma, Marvin Mitchell and Troy Evans were with the first team. In the 4-3, Mitchell and Evans left the field and Jo-Lonn Dunbar entered.
When the team switched back to the 4-3, Bobby McCray was in with the first team, but it also appeared that he wasn’t playing the traditional end. Alex Brown and Jeff Charleston were working with the second-team.
Usama Young got his chance to work the first team at free safety
Hey Shockey Way:
Jeremy Shockey has always been a fan favorite wherever he is. It’s likely because he’s so volatile, prone to outbursts of frustration and excitement.
Saturday was no different. In fact, it was more shocking that it took late into the team’s third practice for such an occurrence to happen.
It all unraveled for the tight end during team drills. Shockey released down the middle and got behind the secondary. QB Drew Brees released a pass that honestly should have been intercepted, but it went right through the hands of FS Usama Young. Shockey, set up behind Young, had the ball come into his hands and then watched as it popped out. Instead of no less than a 40-yard gain, it was an incomplete pass that the fans groaned at.
Several plays later, Shockey took revenge on the blasted football that caused him so much pain. With QB Patrick Ramsey at the helm, Shockey went low for a catch and was able to corral the ball into his grasp. When the play was over, he wasn’t finished. Shockey punted the ball about 25 yards down the field.
Quote of the Day:
"You know, I said to Drew that it’s funny that fans are cheering for what would be a 15-yard penalty or a possible ejection in a game." -- Running back Reggie Bush when asked his thoughts on Jeremy Shockey's punting skills.
1-on-1 passing:
QB Drew Brees was 5 of 6 on his initial go-through here, hitting Devery Henderson, Lance Moore, Courtney Roby, Jeremy Shockey and Adrian Arrington.
The standouts from this session were Moore’s stutter-step blow by of Randall Gay followed by Shockey’s catch and subsequent strip by Reggie Jones. Shockey, it should be noted, immediately called for a penalty right after the ball was stripped.
7-on-7:
Brees’ comfort level with Lance Moore is already at an incredible level. On the first play of pass skele, Brees hit Moore on a crossing route underneath with CB Jabari Greer desperately lunging to break up the pass, but to no avail. Greer did eventually win a battle, however. Several plays later, Brees went for Moore on the sideline and Greer was able to bat the ball away.
QB Patrick Ramsey took second-team snaps and looked fairly comfortable. But his one big incompletion wasn’t his fault – rookie TE Jimmy Graham let a pass go straight through his hands.
What’s next?:
The Saints will practice one more time today from 4:20-5:45 p.m. It’s scheduled for indoors and is not open to the public.
New Orleans will practice one time on Sunday from 3:20-5:45 p.m. It is open to the public.
