Eye ON THE SAINTS

August 2008
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Bradley Handwerger: July 2008 Archives


Saints Camp, Day 7: Ellis' triumphant arrival, all hail

6:58 PM Wed, Jul 30, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

OK, so it wasn't necessarily that special. But Sedrick Ellis' arrival to Saints training camp means the team's defensive line is finally full.

Think about it:
-You could have Bobby McCray, Charles Grant, Sedrick Ellis and Will Smith across the front.
-You could have Grant, Hollis Thomas, Ellis and Smith across the front.
-You could have McCray, Ellis, Thomas, Smith across the front.

It's like a Rubik's Cub...



Day, er, Night 6: Sedrick agrees with Saints, WR's have big practice

12:26 AM Wed, Jul 30, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

Well, obviously I can't start this one without saying the obvious: First-round selection Sedrick Ellis agreed to a five-year contract worth a reported $49 million. Nearly $20 million of that is guaranteed and that's a lot of money, especially for someone unproven.

After talking with and listening to New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis speak, it was obvious that he was fairly irked with the whole process. I don't know offhand the...



SI.com: Super Bowl rift led to Shockey's arrival

4:10 PM Tue, Jul 29, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

So, Peter King of SI.com came to Jackson, Miss., this week to take in Saints training camp. He spent some time watching and talking to Jeremy Shockey. And now he feels he knows why Shockey became one of the Saints' biggest offseason acquisitions.

...



Day 6: Light morning of special teams work

11:39 AM Tue, Jul 29, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

Not much to report about practice Tuesday morning. That's because not much happened.

Head coach Sean Payton decided to make it a short, light practice that focused just on special teams.

He moved this afternoon's practice to tonight at 7:30 in the big stadium across East Woodrow Wilson Ave., and that might have played a part in keeping things easy this morning.

I expect a pretty full-on practice tonight. We might even...



Day 5: List of those not practicing grows

7:29 PM Mon, Jul 28, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

Monday afternoon was more about who wasn't practicing than who was. Well, not entirely.

The big news was that Mike McKenzie participated in his first practice since having surgery fewer than eight months ago on his knee. He said it went well and that he's still expecting to be ready by Game 1.

As for who didn't practice, the list is ever growing:
Jeremy Shockey (leg)
Devery Henderson (hamstring)
Tracy Porter (...



AM Day 5: Usama Young shines

11:56 AM Mon, Jul 28, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

Morning Session:

First off, those who didn't participate in practice Monday morning were Mike McKenzie (knee), Josh Bullocks (knee), Tracy Porter (hamstring), Devery Henderson (hamstring). Bobby McCray was limited with back spasms.

Bryan Young participated fully this morning, the second time he has gone full since training camp began. Deuce McAllister and Jeremy Shockey all went full go.

McKenzie is expected to practice...



Saints Training Camp Day 4 - Special teams rule the morning

3:18 PM Sun, Jul 27, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

As Sunday arrived, so did a change in New Orleans two-a-day schedule. Beginning today, the team will go through a special teams walk-through during the morning today, Tuesday and Thursday.

The afternoon practice is the more meaningful one. it'll begin at 3:40 p.m. instead of the normal 4:20.

As for Sunday's morning session, not much to report. There was some kicking, some punting and some returning. Mostly,though, it was gett...



Saints Training Camp Day 3 - McAllister sits, Vilma has a good day

11:56 AM Sat, Jul 26, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

Day 3, Morning Thoughts:

Deuce McAllister and Bryan Young were withheld from practice Saturday morning because they had fluid drained from their knees.

McAllister, trying to come back from two knee surgeries, is being tended to with care and patience. Head coach Sean Payton said the team isn't trying to rush him and make matters worse.

He had an MRI on his knee and the coaching staff will make a decision on whether to...



Saints training camp Day 2 - Porter signs, attends first practice

3:18 PM Fri, Jul 25, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

JACKSON, Miss. ― New Orleans' second-round pick ended a mini-hold out Friday, signing a four-year contract.

Tracy Porter, the 40th-overall selection, got on the field immediately, working out during the afternoon session at Millsaps College.

That leaves Sedrick Ellis as the only Saints' 2008 draft pick not under contract at this point. That could change soon.

"I definitely expect him to join me soon," Porter said. "I've...



Several take it easy on opening day of Saints training camp

8:10 PM Thu, Jul 24, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

JACKSON, Miss. ― A day after signing a three-year contract extension, Marques Colston celebrated the only way he knows how.

Scratch that, he was nowhere near in a celebratory mood, not when he wasn't able to fully participate in the first practice of the 2008 season.

"I had my knee drained yesterday," Colston said. "I'm just taking it easy on day one."

But before your heart stops, you should know that Colston doesn't se...



Saints sign Colston to extension

6:37 PM Wed, Jul 23, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

JACKSON, Miss. ― Not even a day into training camp for the 2008 season and the Saints already can call it exceptional.

General Manager Mickey Loomis announced during an opening-day news conference that the franchise has come to terms with Marques Colston, signing the talented wide receiver to a three-year extension that keeps him with New Orleans through 2011.

Loomis didn't disclose the financial terms of the deal. He said it's...



Saints agree to terms with Mehlhaff, Arrington

3:51 PM Fri, Jul 18, 2008 |
Bradley Handwerger

Slowly, the Saints are getting their 2008 draft picks on board.

After getting on the same page with defensive end DeMario Pressley late last week, New Orleans has come to an agreement with place kicker Taylor Mehlhaff and receiver Adrian Arrington.

Mehlhaff, the Saints' sixth round draft pick, is the first kicker selected by New Orleans since the franchise took Morten Anderson in 1982. Those are some big shoes to fill, but he ...