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July 2006 Archives


Payton: Tomorrow will be like any other day

6:42 PM Mon, Jul 31, 2006 |

Coach Sean Payton said Reggie Bush's first day at training camp would be "no different than...Friday was for these guys."

Payton said he's seen other players come into the league (more specifically, teams he was coaching for) with a lot of hype, mentioning Jeremy Shockey, Terrance Newman and Ron Dayne.

Bush, who played in three national championship games and was exposed to such a large media market, should be relaxed when he's...



Bush's flight delayed...

2:52 PM Mon, Jul 31, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Due to inclement weather in Atlanta, Reggie Bush is now expected to arrive in Jackson, Mississippi sometime around 6:30 p.m.

...



Hollis Thomas potentially sidelined

2:07 PM Mon, Jul 31, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Recently acquired defensive tackle Hollis Thomas (traded to the Saints from the Eagles in April) was spotted on the sideline during morning practice. Thomas was having his left foot tapped up while his leg was kept elevated. He appeared to be grimacing.

--Kevin Held, WWLTV.com News Producer

...



Deuce limping noticeably

12:39 PM Mon, Jul 31, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

While Deuce has shown signs of improvement and recovery from injury, the Saints running back could be seen limping noticeably during and after morning practice on Monday, according to Juan Kincaid; more so than any other day.

--Kevin Held, WWLTV.com News Producer

...



Horn not worried about his role

8:22 AM Mon, Jul 31, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Despite having to share the ball with Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, Joe Horn isn't worried about his role being diminished, according to the Associated Press' Brett Martel.

...



Bush trying to secure flight

8:19 AM Mon, Jul 31, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Reggie Bush is having some trouble getting a flight to Jackson but there's no question that all the talk in training camp over the past two days has focused solely on number 25.

...



Waiting For Bush

6:40 PM Sun, Jul 30, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Reggie Bush's arrival seems in limbo. According to Coach Sean Payton, Bush most likely will arrive Monday afternoon at 3 pm. He and 2nd round pick Roman Harper will do their agility drills Tuesday morning before practice. But Payton said there is a chance he could arrive late tonight. Stay tuned.

One noteable exception today was offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb. Both knees are sore and he will be held out for precautionary measures. ...



Jim Henderson's Thoughts On Bush Signing

1:50 PM Sun, Jul 30, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Sports Director Jim Henderson thought the longer Reggie Bush held out, the more of a distraction it would be to everyone involved. The concentration would be on who isn't here, and not who is here, which is more important.
If Bush didn't sign soon he would start alienating the fans, and some goodwill he had shown so far could've been put on the side burner. The top seven picks were all signed except for Bush, and fans would use that ...



Bush Is The Word

1:31 PM Sun, Jul 30, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

This morning's practice was abuzz with talk of Reggie Bush. The latest word has him arriving at 8:30 tonight in Jackson. No private jet for the Heisman Trophy winner, it's a commercial plane this time.

Coach Sean Payton obviously was very pleased with the news, "As camp goes longer, we install more plays, and Reggie needs to be here, plus it's one less question to answer."

Now the Saints have four quality running backs in the...



Bush ready to rumble

8:00 AM Sun, Jul 30, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Reggie Bush will soon sign a rich six-year deal with the Saints . You can expect the fan attendance at practices in Jackson, Mississippi to soar.

...



Saints ready to get back to Dome

7:58 AM Sun, Jul 30, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed it, and some Saints players had their doubts that the team would ever return to it, but now, as the Biloxi Sun-Herad's Larry Holder points out the team can't wait to return.

...



Payton trying to get McPherson the ball

7:49 AM Sun, Jul 30, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Saints backup quarterback Adrian McPherson was seen fielding some punts at practice Saturday.

At best a shot for third-string quarterback, Payton told the media that he wanted in any way he could to get McPherson on the field. Juan Kincaid said Payton called McPherson the best athlete on the team.

...



Bush agrees to deal

12:29 AM Sun, Jul 30, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

First round pick Reggie Bush agreed on a six-year deal with the Saints late Saturday night. It is unlikely the deal would be signed in time for him to be at practice Sunday, but he is anticipated to be on the field soon.

The logjam was apparently broken after Tennessee signed Vince Young to a rich deal earlier this week.

...



Pasquarelli: Saints, Bush make "significant progress" on contract talks

8:42 PM Sat, Jul 29, 2006 |

ESPN'S Len Pasquarelli says the two sides could have a deal as early as Saturday night or Sunday morning.

...



Saints Training Camp Heats Up

6:51 PM Sat, Jul 29, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

The Saints second practice was in coach Sean Peyton's estimation the hottest practice, temperature wise. On the field it was business as usual. Notable exceptions were Deuce McAllister, limiting wear-and-tear, Drew Brees, same as Deuce, and Mike Mckenzie with a bruised heel.
Today started a brutal stretch of seven two-a-days in a row. This will no doubt seperate the pretenders and contenders at Training Camp 2006.
It was als...



Saturday notes from Coach Payton

11:53 AM Sat, Jul 29, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Payton commented on Mike McKenzie, Michael Bennett, Devery Henderson and Jammal Brown's need for IVs after the morning workout.

...



The Heat is on

11:28 AM Sat, Jul 29, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Saturday's early morning workout had the heat bearing down on the players and several admitted they did not like it.

Defensive lineman Brian Young said it was worse than New Orleans. Offensive tackle Jammal Brown had cramping problems and needed IVs to rehydrate.

...



Brees had a calling for N.O.

9:41 AM Sat, Jul 29, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

The San Diego Union's Jim Trotter filed a piece on Drew Brees where the player said he believe he was in New Orleans for a reason following Katrina. Trotter said that unlike most Saints players, Brees actually lives in New Orleans and is committed to helping the city and team regain their luster.

...



Pictures from Day One at Camp

11:13 PM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

See pictures from the first day of camp, including som...



Payton, Brees not fazed by Bush absence

9:47 PM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

While head coach Sean Payton said he would like to have Reggie Bush in camp and that he thought it was important for him to be here, he isn't sweating the no-show just yet.

Payton pointed out that he had been with teams where the top pick held out for several days - citing Jeremy Shockey.

Drew Brees also pointed out that it's all part of business and that it is not unusual for a top pick to miss some time to get their deal done...



Brees looks good in first practice

6:19 PM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Bush not only absence, Brees limited in throwing

5:23 PM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Submitted by Jim Henderson:

Reggie Bush was not the only absence from the first practice, though he was the most notable. Quarterback Jamie Martin was excused with a family issue.

Linebacker Anthony Simmons was also out due to a family issue, but head coach Sean Payton said his absence was not excused.

Deuce McAllister was pronounced to be 100 percent b...



Sign of the times

4:57 PM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

This sign summed up the concerns of some in the crowd at the Saints first practice. It was muggy, but not unbearably hot as a nice crowd of close to 400 filled in the stadium.

Drew Brees drew the biggest cheers, especially in one instance where he acknowledged the crowd. Early in practice, he was still limited to throwing the ball no more than 15 yards.

...



Roaf to retire?

2:01 PM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Published reports have Willie Roaf, arguably the best player in Saints history, retiring before camp.

...



Is a full season sell-out a possibility?

11:50 AM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |

A team official has said that the Saints expect to run out of tickets in the Superdome, according to a report from WWL-AM.

...



Sound Bites from Camp

11:15 AM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |

Training camp brings with it eternal optimism. Every team in the league is putting the pieces together, building the right chemisry, and implementing the right schemes to reach the Super Bowl.

We have yet to hear from the Saints' players or coaches, but really, will the talk from Saints' camp be much different from the other camps in the league?

The Saints have a new coach and a 2005 record they'd like to erase...sounds si...



L.A. Times: Bush looking to drive hard bargain

9:52 AM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times examines the the high finance of Reggie Bush.

...



Henderson: Katrina among reasons for Saints brisk ticket sales

9:41 AM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Jim Henderson says there are at least three major reasons for the team's surge in ticket sales this year that are not related to Reggie Bush.

...



Saints reach deal with number two, mum's the word on Bush

6:50 AM Fri, Jul 28, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

The Saints have reached a four-year deal with second-round pick Roman Harper so that means all the draftees will be present and accounted for today, with one notable exception.

...



Saints get deal with two more picks, close on Harper

8:26 PM Thu, Jul 27, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

The Saints have reached deals with two more picks and all but Bush could be in by Friday's first practice. Meanwhile, talks with Bush are still ongoing and his signing could be pushed by third choice Vince Young's big deal.

...



Henderson mystified by Saints news blackout

6:23 PM Thu, Jul 27, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

WWL-TV Sports Director Jim Henderson was not a happy camper after finding out that the Saints were blacking out media coverage of the team’s arrival.

No interviews were allowed, nor any footage of players unpacking. Jim opined that maybe new head coach Sean Payton didn’t want any questions about Reggie Bush’s absence, or maybe he was just setting the tone.

As Henderson aptly put in on Eyewitness News at 6, if Sean Payton wins, ...



Will Vince Young's signing help or hurt Saints and Bush

6:16 PM Thu, Jul 27, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

The Houston Chronicle reports Vince Young's deal with the Titans has over $25 million in guaranteed money and up to close to $58 million overall. That makes it near the price of top overall pick Mario Williams. Will that help or hurt the Saints and Reggie Bush's deal.

...



Media blackout

11:28 AM Thu, Jul 27, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Media outlets were surprised to learn that there would be absolutely no access granted to Saints players arriving for training camp Thursday.

Saints public relations members informed media that no video or photos could be shot of any players unpacking and arriving and that no interviews would be granted until after Friday's first practice.

Requests to interview head coach Sean Payton were also denied.

While rarely resu...



Ex-Saints center Bentley injures knee

11:26 AM Thu, Jul 27, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Former Saints center LeCharles Bentley, perhaps the biggest free agent loss for the team in the offseason, was carted off the practice field of the Cleveland Browns after injuring his knee during a workout earlier today.

...



Haslett trying to rehab reputation

10:28 AM Thu, Jul 27, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Saints, Bush to start negotiating yet again?

8:39 AM Thu, Jul 27, 2006 |

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli says the Saints could begin negotiations by phone with Reggie Bush's agent. The two sides have different financial expectations, obviously, and it would take a near miracle to see Bush in training camp on time. Read more.

...



NFL News: Brees' recovery on schedule

6:55 AM Thu, Jul 27, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

Saints camp among the 10 most intriguing

1:01 PM Wed, Jul 26, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

NFL News' Vic Carucci says the Saints will have one of the 10 most intriguing training camps in the league this year.

...



CBS Sportsline: Bush won't sit out season, nor will anyone else

12:58 PM Wed, Jul 26, 2006 |
Tom Planchet

CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco says a Reggie Bush season-long holdout just won't happen.

...