Again, sorry for the technical issues. But for your pleasure, here are some Saints notes from the afternoon practice.

The Practice Observations:

• PK Garrett Hartley was 4-for-6, making a 33-yarder, two 38-yarders and one from 42 yards.


• WR Devery Henderson had a rough afternoon. He missed a few passes that could have been in his grasp and bobbled one ball along the sideline, catching out of bounds. But he made up for it at the end, catching a well-placed ball from QB Drew Brees with FS Darren Sharper in coverage.


• The defense again was in Brees' face. DT Kendrick Clancy knocked ball down once, another time he had nowhere to throw.


• WR Rod Harper had a tough day, no play more gut-wrenching than when he had the ball absolutely thieved from his grasp.


• Late in the practice, Brees tried the old-timey jump pass, jumping above the line to get the ball to RB Reggie Bush, who couldn't corral the pass.


• At the end of practice, SS Roman Harper broke up a play-action pass from Brees to TE Billy Miller.

Who won today's practices?
DC Gregg Williams was polled after practice about who won the morning session - the defense or the offense.

That's easy, he said. The defense rolled.

It's an honest assessment that even HC Sean Payton would likely agree with.

But don't read too much into it, at least just yet. Williams said the defense usually leads the way early on while the offense gets used to timing of routes and blocking schemes.

The Savior Speaks
Williams spoke to the media as a whole for the first time since being hired this past spring.

The good news, if you're a Saints fan - he doesn't think there needs to be a total overhaul of the defense. All it needs, he said, is for the players to play harder and for the full game.

And though Saints fans likely don't want to hear this, Williams said former DC Gary Gibbs laid a good foundation for the future of the franchise's defense.

We'll have more on Williams in a lengthy, or somewhat lengthy, story later on in camp.

The Strip Drill
One of the traits of a Williams-led practice is that the defense is always required to attempt to strip the ball from the offensive player. And if the ball is on the ground, they must "scoop and score" with it.

The other thing that stands out is the way Williams' defense pressures the offense constantly.

HC and offensive guru Sean Payton likes it, a fact you wouldn't necessarily think considering the opportunity it gives his offensive players to needlessly get injured.

"We get challenged," Payton said. "It's helpful for us. We're challenged to hold onto the ball correctly. We're challenged to pick up blitz's."

Saturday Practice Times
Tomorrow's practices are set once more for a two-a-day. Payton said barring weather, both practices will be outside, meaning both are open to the public.

The morning practice begins at 8:50 a.m.
The afternoon session begins at 4:20 p.m.

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