blacksaint

Wednesday, August 15, 2007


Temperature at 9 a.m. 102, attendance 271.

Temperature at 3 p.n., 105, attendance 674.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

DEFENSIVE TACKLES: This is one of the most unsettled, yet solid, positions on the team. Starter Brian Young is still recovering from a broken foot and may not practice for another couple weeks. Kendrick Clancy, obtained in June off waivers from Arizona, is pushing incumbent starter Hollis Thomas, who's still well heavier than his reporting weight of 335 pounds, for the other starting spot. Antwan Lake, filling in for Young, has been impressive in practice and in last week's exhibition against Buffalo. Brandon Villareal has also been a bright spot in training camp. Rodney Leisle, who had offseason shoulder surgery in March, seems to be lagging a step behind. McKinley Boykin could push for a practice squad spot if he keeps performing at his current level. When Young comes back, he'll re-assume his starting spot, but the Saints will be solid with a rotation of Young, Clancy, Thomas and Lake.

DEPTH CHART

No | /Name | /Ht | /Wt | /Exp.

66 | /Brian Young | /6-2 | /298 | /7

92 | /Kendrick Clancy | /6-1 | /305 | /8

99 | /Hollis Thomas | /6-0 | /350 | /12

96 | /Antwan Lake | /6-4 | /308 | /5

90 | /Brandon Villareal | /6-1 | /289 | /1

77 | /Rodney Leisle | /6-3 | /315 | /4

69 | /McKinley Boykin | /6-1 | /289 | /1

GET TO KNOW

Name: Chris Reis

Position: S

Experience: 1

Age: 23

College: Georgia Tech

Hometown: Canton, Ohio

Did you know?: Reis was born in a hospital across the street from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and lived in Canton, Ohio, for the first three years of his life before moving to Georgia. . . . Was a three-time member of the ACC All-Academic team at Georgia Tech. . . . Signed last season by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent, and was released by the Falcons at the end of training camp. . . . Saints signed Reis in January and assigned him to the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europa. . . . Reis was on the All-NFL Europa team this season. . . . Was credited with four defensive tackles and one special teams stop in Friday night's game against Buffalo.

WHO'S HOT

Eric Johnson

The free-agent tight end acquisition, who struggled in minicamp and organized team activities while trying to become acclimated to the Saints offense and a new quarterback, seems to be meshing with quarterback Drew Brees. In the afternoon practice, on the first play of the red-zone drill, Brees connected with Johnson on a nice play-action pass for a score.

WHO'S NOT

Robert Meachem

Meachem appeared to be tentative in both practices. In the morning special teams workout, Meachem was doing some kick returning but didn't look physically comfortable. He was also catching some balls with his body instead of his hands. In the P.M. session, he drew the ire of Coach Sean Payton when he didn't finish a route properly.

PLAY OF THE DAY

During one of the water breaks in the afternoon practice, just before a punt-team drill, punter Steve Weatherford was warming up his leg when one of his kicks sailed toward a group of players who were busy re-hydrating. Running back Deuce McAllister popped up from a crouched position and made a one-handed grab of Weatherford's punt.

INJURIES

DT | /Brian Young | /foot

DE | /Rob Ninkovich | /knee

WR | /Devery Henderson | /hamstring

C | /Jeff Faine | /calf

LB | /Scott Fujita | /heel

G | /Dave Yovanovits | /knee

T | /Jammal Brown | /knee

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Hey, give me some of that popcorn." -- Cornerback Jason Craft to team owner Tom Benson, who was riding out to practice on the back of a golf cart with wife, Gayle, munching the snack.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

8:50 to 11 a.m. TBA

Travel to Cincinnati in the evening

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