New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com

82 degrees at 8:50 a.m., attendance 510

78 degrees at 4:20 p.m., attendance 772

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Offensive tackle: Starters Jammal Brown and Jon Stinchcomb are set. Brown emerged as a Pro Bowl player in his first season at left tackle last season and might be the best young tackle in the league. Stinchcomb blossomed into a solid starter and drew interest from other teams in free agency before re-signing with the Saints. Barring injury, they'll be the bookends there for at least the next two seasons. Massive Strief is a solid backup. Petitti has experience, having started as a rookie for the Cowboys in 2005. Bushrod, a fourth-round pick, is a raw developmental prospect. Archibald's ability to play guard might win him a roster spot.

Depth chart

Left tackle

No. | player | Ht | Wt | Exp.

70 | Jammal Brown | 6-6 | 313 | 3

64 | Zach Strief | 6-7 | 349 | 2

74 | Jermon Bushrod | 6-5 | 315 | R

Right tackle

No. | player | Ht | Wt | Exp.

78 | Jon Stinchcomb | 6-5 | 315 | 5

79 | Rob Petitti | 6-6 | 327 | 3

60 | Ben Archibald | 6-3 | 320 | 2

GET TO KNOW:

JOE PORTER

Position: CB

Height/weight: 6-0, 200

Experience: Rookie

Age: 21

College: Rutgers

Hometown: Franklin, N.J.

Did you know? One of three 21-year-olds on the roster, he's the second-youngest player on the team. Antonio Pittman has him by 22 days. . . . Porter is the school record-holder in the 200-meter sprint and the 2006 Big East Conference indoor and outdoor champion in the event. . . . Twin brother Jeff was also a champion sprinter at Franklin (N.J.) High School.

WHO'S HOT:

Middle linebacker Mark Simoneau is "having an excellent camp," according to Coach Sean Payton, and has a clear lead on Brian Simmons for the starting spot inside. When the Saints signed Simmons from Cincinnati during free agency, it was assumed he would be the starter. But Simoneau continues to defy the skeptics who say he is undersized.

WHO'S NOT:

Reserve quarterback Jason Fife continued his struggles Wednesday. After he threw an interception to Chris Reis in the morning session, Fife compounded the mistake by tackling the safety on the return, a no-no. Both decisions drew a rebuke from Payton, although he used perfect form on his tackle.

PLAYS OF THE DAY:

Drew Brees was involved in both big plays, one good, one bad. On the first, his underthrown long pass to David Patten was intercepted by Josh Bullocks, who made a weaving return before being knocked from the ball by Terrance Copper. On the second, Brees corralled a high shotgun snap, then still had the presence to lob a perfect strike to Billy Miller, who beat Kevin Kaesviharn on a post pattern for a long touchdown.

INJURY REPORT:

Pos. | Player | Injury

DT | Brian Young | foot

WR | Jamal Jones | knee

DE | Anton Palepoi | ankle

SS | Roman Harper | knee

DE | Rob Ninkovich | knee

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"To borrow a phrase from (Colts kicker Adam) Vinatieri, 'The grass is greener indoors." -- kicker Olindo Mare on kicking 11 games inside this season after spending the first 10 years of his career kicking outside in Miami.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE:

Morning practice, 8:50 a.m. -- 11 a.m., at Millsaps' upper field, open to the public. Afternoon, 4:20 p.m. -- 6 p.m. at Millsaps' upper field, open to the public.