Fleur-re-port from Saints/Texans - 08/18/10 afternoon; interview with Steve Slaton (slideshow)
 

While the Wednesday morning practice with the Houston Texans was a bit intense and physical, the afternoon session indoors was a bit more laid back.

Coach Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints had another joint practice this afternoon and while it was played at a slower level than earlier, the Texans still managed to get the overall win. It appeared as if the defense was just a little behind no matter who was in at quarterback for the Texans, and that's not a good sign.

Texans' coach Gary Kubiak did not have his players in pads at all for this afternoon's session, but they were still bringing their game in preparation for Saturday's contest. Lots of big time passing plays from all the quarterbacks on the roster so it seems as if the Texans will be about airing it out this season.

Few more names sat out today, so let's run through them real quick.

Darren Sharper and Clint Ingram were out of course. Marcus Mailei, Jimmy Graham, Stanley Arnoux, and Usama Young still sat out. Heath Evans, Jimmy Wilkerson, and Ladell Betts were also on the sidelines this afternoon probably to not overdo it for either player after this morning.

For the Texans, tight ends Owen Daniels and Anthony Hill are both on the PUP list so they were out. Also sitting out was DeMeco Ryans, Mario Williams, and Andre Johnson. It was said that Kubiak likes to sit some veterans during two-a-days.

Random observations and notes from practice:

~ Another bad practice for Chase Daniel as he was picked off during 11-on-11 drills. Needless to say, but Daniel didn't remain in at quarterback much longer. This week just keeps getting worse and worse for the young quarterback.

~ After a few false start penalties, offensive guard Carl Nicks has been demoted to the second team while Terrence Metcalf has replaced him as the starter. No word on just how long this switch will last, but it shows that Payton and the Saints' coaching staff is not putting up with mental errors in training camp.


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Im hoping the D gets it together...we might have to score 40 pts a game to 2dat..

Dude...they looked like GARBAGE today!

Really. the houston radio was saying the Texans were looking like the superbowl team... not us..what stood out as being the worst?

Secondary...could not stop a pass to save their lives. I mean seriously, it looked like every pass was a gain of ten yards or more OR a touchdown. And you could see the frustration.

Greer complained to the ref. Tracy Porter punched the goal post pad.

i hope its just the dog days of summer

I hope so ST T...we destroyed them last year in the preseason

i don't like that fleur d less report man. we have to get it together. i hope the nicks demotion is'nt scaring the %$#@ out everyone.

I can't wait to see Dan Orlovsky play against the Saints. UConn Huskies. Dans a friend.

For us to score 40+ points a game the O line is going to have to get it together.