I know. It seems like it has been forever that we've spoken about Saints stuff, right?

Today is our lone day of open practice this week. We have two more opportunities next week before the Saints go silent prior to July 30, when training camp begins at the Metairie facility.

Injury report

1. WR Adrian Arrington (hamstring)


2. DE Will Smith (abdominal pain; lingering effect from hernia surgery)


3. DE Paul Spicer (groin tweak)


4. WR Lance Moore (shoulder rehab)


5. CB Randall Gay (knee)

Replacing Dan Morgan?
Head Coach Sean Payton said the team isn't looking to replace LB Dan Morgan, who suddenly retired on Monday after injuring his calf during Friday's second practice.

With rookie Stanley Arnoux out after tearing his Achilles' tendon during rookie minicamp, the Saints are at nine linebackers, a number Payton said he'd go to training camp with in July.

So no veterans or rookies will be brought in.

Standout player
S Roman Harper looked good, intercepting two passes throughout the day, though one of them came in 7-on-7 drills. He was active for much of the day, feigning blitzes, blitzing and dropping back in coverage.

He also appears to have a little INT celebration ready thanks to fellow S Darren Sharper. They both looked at each other after one of Harper's picks, leaned far to the right and dragged their hands across the grass.

Observations

• From what a few of us gathered, it appears when the defense goes to nickel, Scott Fujita comes out and Pierson Prioleau comes in Leigh Torrence also got a good bit of work at the nickel back position.


• The defensive line, while playing the no-contact variety of football, appears a step ahead of the line. But like I said, there are no pads on and because of that, the offensive line is basically playing with one hand tied behind their backs. Still, I was impressed with the defensive line today, particularly DE Bobby McCray. QB Drew Brees would have been sacked several times if plays were live.


• Mike Bell and Courtney Roby worked as the first-team kickoff return men while Pierre Thomas and Skyler Green were with the second team.

Observations: Plays that stood out

• Early during the first team period, S Pierson Prioleau and CB Tracy Porter blew up an end around by WR Robert Meachem. Both fought through blocks and made their way into the backfield.


• DE Jeff Charleston is playing like an angry man right now. On one particular play, he fought through a hold by LT Jermon Bushrod and tackled RB Lynell Hamilton for a loss.


• During a third-down 7-on-7 drill, LT Jammal Brown false started, WR Meachem had the pass from QB Drew Brees bounce off him and S Roman Harper came up with the interception.


• WR Courtney Roby beat S Chris Reis and CB Danny Gorrer, both of whom bit on a pump fake by QB Mark Brunell.


• On the last play of practice, QB Brees had a free play after DE McCray jumped offsides. He pump faked and threw to WR Meachem deep and open in the end zone. Meachem, who beat CB Jabari Greer and S Harper, dropped the pass.

They did what?
Head Coach Sean Payton said the team took yesterday off from practice, instead working through a treasure hunt through much of downtown and the French Quarter.

Up Next
The team goes through two more OTAs this week before getting Friday-Sunday off.

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