blacksaint

Monday, August 13, 2007


Temperature: 100 degrees at 3 p.m., attendance 1,213.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

INSIDE LINEBACKERS: Free agent Brian Simmons, a 10-year veteran, was the Saints' marquee acquisition during the signing period this offseason, but he has yet to displace incumbent starter Mark Simoneau at the middle linebacker position. Simoneau arrived with the Saints just before the start of last regular season and formed, with outside linebackers Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle, a solid group of starters. Simmons was brought in to push for the starting job, and if anything, his presence has helped Simoneau elevate his performance during training camp. It's unlikely at this point that Simoneau will lose his starting job. Mitchell has been a surprise for a seventh-round draft choice, and his play might have earned him a roster spot instead of a practice squad job.

DEPTH CHART

No | /Player | /Ht | /Wg | /Exp.

53 | /Mark Simoneau | /6-0 | /245 | /8

51 | /Brian Simmons | /6-3 | /244 | /10

50 | /Marvin Mitchell | /6-3 | /249 | /R

GET TO KNOW

Name: Troy Evans

Position: LB

Experience: 6

Age: 29

College: Cincinnati

Hometown: Bay City, Mich.

Did you know? Evans joined the Saints in April as an unrestricted free agent from the Houston Texans. . . . Evans played five years for the Texans, after joining the team when he was granted free agency by St. Louis following a season on the practice squad. Evans, who plays on the outside, signed with St. Louis as an undrafted free agent. . . . Was a two-sport performer in high school in Cincinnati, earning All-State honors in football and basketball. . . . His daughter's name is Payton.

WHO'S HOT

Mike Karney

Whenever Karney gets his hands on the football, one gets the feeling that a big play could be imminent. Karney executes the fullback swing pass extremely well, and did so in Sunday's practice, taking a flare pass from Drew Brees, and turning the corner against the defense for an easy long gain.

WHO'S NOT

Roman Harper

It wasn't a good start to the day for the second-year strong safety. In a pass interception drill just after the team stretched, Harper dropped one of the lobs tossed his way by defensive backs coach Tom Hayes. Hayes' arm isn't to be confused with one of the stronger in the league, and the ball went through Harper's hands. Harper punished himself by doing pushups.

PLAY OF THE DAY

In one of the team portions of the practice, free-agent wide receive Aaron Hosack got behind cornerback Fred Thomas on a deep route, got Thomas turned slightly, then gave the veteran a slight shove to free himself to gather in the pass from quarterback Jamie Martin.

INJURIES

DT | /Brian Young | /foot

WR | /Jamal Jones | /knee

DE | /Rob Ninkovich | /knee

WR | /David Patten | /toe

WR | /Devery Henderson | /hamstring

C | /Jeff Faine | /calf

LB | /Scott Fujita | /heel

G | /Dave Yovanovits | /knee

T | /Jammal Brown | /knee

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"You won 31! That's the way to pry yourself through." -- special teams coordinator John Bonamago to cornerback Joe Porter during a punt coverage drill.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

8:50 to 11 a.m. TBA

3:40 to 6 p.m. TBA

saint4life
(504)

Cassady37

Wow, Hosack's a beast, he got behind Fred Thomas! ROFL!!!!!!!

mikesaintfan

LOL................