Camp Confidential 3
 

Tuesday, July 31, 2007


Temperature: 94 degrees at 8:50 a.m., attendance: 404.

Temperature: 92 at 4:20 p.m., attendance: 664

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

TIGHT ENDS: There are four tight ends in camp, and it's likely the Saints will keep no more than three on the final roster. The position is integral in the Saints' offense. Of the three returning players from last year, Mark Campbell and Billy Miller would be the first two in the pecking order, but the Saints added a free agent, Eric Johnson. That would seem to indicate that John Owens, who saw action in five games last season, could be the player on the bubble. Campbell and Miller have the upper hand over Johnson at this point because of their familiarity with the offense and Drew Brees. Johnson needs to develop that rapport over the next few weeks.

DEPTH CHART

No. | /Player | Ht. | /Wt. | /Exp.

80 | /Mark Campbell | /6-6 | 260 | /9

82 | /Eric Johnson | /6-3 | 252 | /7

83 | /Billy Miller | /6-4 | /252 | /8

86 | /John Owens | /6-3 | /255 | /5

GET TO KNOW

Name: Dave Yovanovits

Position: G

Experience: 4

Age: 26

College: Temple

Hometown: Stanhope, N.J.

Did you know? As is the case with many of the Saints players, Yovanovits has a previous connection with one of the team's assistant coaches. Yovanovits was a member of the New York Jets for two seasons in 2003-04 and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Doug Marrone was his position coach. In addition to the Jets, Yovanovits also has seen playing time with the Cleveland Browns. He was on the Detroit Lions' practice squad last season after being cut by the Browns at the end of their training camp, shortly before they faced the Saints in the regular-season opener. Yovanovits has the most unique haircut in training camp this year: a Mohawk. He also was an environmental engineering major at Temple.

WHO'S HOT

Anwar Phillips

The second-year cornerback who's fighting for a roster spot had quite an afternoon practice. He downed a punt in a special teams drill on the 1-yard line, he intercepted a pass in a red-zone passing drill, then blew up a reverse to Reggie Bush in the team portion of practice. Bush ended the play by fumbling, well away from Phillips.

WHO'S NOT

Jason Fife

Fife was the victim of Phillips' interception in the aforementioned drill and also was picked off by Mike McKenzie in the same period. It hasn't been a camp worth remembering so far for Fife, who spent much of last season on the practice squad.

PLAY OF THE DAY

In a goal-line rushing drill, Bush took a short pass from Brees and managed to sidestep converging linebackers Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle, diving into the end zone from the 1-yard line to score.

INJURY REPORT

Pos. | /Player | /Injury

WR | /Jamal Jones | /knee (out)

DT | /Brian Young | /foot (out)

DE | /Jon Hamm | /quad (out)

SS | /Roman Harper | /knee (out P.M.)

DE | /Anton Palepoi | /ankle (out)

DE | /Rob Ninkovich | /knee (left P.M.)

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Hey, this heat has got to be some kind of NFL violation." -- Bush, complaining about the 106-degree heat index at Monday's morning practice.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

8:50-11 a.m. Field TBA

4:20-6 p.m. Field TBA

Re: Camp Confidential 3
 

It's been two straight Camp Confidential that Anwar's been the hot player. It's looking good for him and I hope he continues to open some eyes.