New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Practice Observations: Offense makes amends for rough Wednesday

Practice 1/24, Day 21, Training Camp Observations

Injury Report:
RT Jon Stinchcomb sat out Thursday morning’s practice with a dinged up shoulder. Head Coach Sean Payton said it wasn’t serious. If it were the regular season, Stinchcomb likely would be listed as probably.

FS Usama Young (groin), FB Marcus Mailei (ankle), TE Jimmy Graham (sprained right ankle) and LB Stanley Arnoux (sprained right ankle) remained out.

The other two PUP players – S Darren Sharper (left knee) and LB Clint Ingram (left knee) – both continued to sit out practice.

Observations:
LG Carl Nicks was once again with the first-team offense. His banishment to the second-team offense is likely over.

RB Reggie Bush had a legitimate 75-yard punt return up the middle during punt return drills. He picked up nice blocks from WR Adrian Arrington and S Pierson Prioleau to spring him.

Though the practice seemed shorter, it was more physical than we’ve seen lately and it resulted in several skirmishes. Rookies Matt Tennant and Brandon Carter were involved with Pannel Egboh and Kevin Bentley, respectively on one field. On the other field, the defense got into a scrum, too.

Team 1:
First-and-10: RB Pierre Thomas for 4 yards at left tackle
First-and-10: RB Reggie Bush at right guard for 6 yards
First-and-10: Thomas at left tackle, cuts back right for 6 yards
First-and-10: Bush waits for blocks, gains 4 yards

Team 2:
Second-and-10: QB Drew Brees finds WR Marques Colston for 10 yards over the middle
Third-and-seven: Brees stands in the pocket, hits Colston over FS Eugene Wilson for 22 yards
Second-and-nine: Brees to WR Robert Meachem out route right for 6 yards
Third-and-nine: Brees to P Thomas screen right for 11 yards; nice block from Colston

Team 3:
First-and-10: P Thomas mid draw for 3-4 yards
First-and-10: Bush right end for 5 yards
First-and-10: Brees to Colston in hole in zone for 22 yards
First-and-10: Brees throws right to Houston LB Danny Clark for an interception

Red Zone:
First-and-10 @ 28: Brees screen right to P Thomas for 15 yards, nice block by RG Jahri Evans
Second-and-11 @ 21: Brees to WR Lance Moore over middle for 5 yards
Third-and-eight @ 16: Brees hits TE David Thomas on seam route for 16-yard TD over Houston LB Brian Cushing
First-and-10 @ 13: P Thomas draw for loss of 2
Second-and-nine @ 11: Brees quick screen left to Meachem, can’t catch the pass
Third-and-goal @ 4: Brees to Colston for 2 yards

What’s next?
Payton gave the team the afternoon off, meaning they’ll only lift weights and go to positional meetings. They’ll have a walk-through on Friday and the game is at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Superdome.