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CAMP CONFIDENTIAL
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Temperature: 88 degrees (morning practice)

Heat index: 101 degrees (morning practice)

Attendance: 400.

In the spotlight: Right guard.

Montrae Holland has taken over for LeCharles Bentley, who has moved inside to center. Holland started seven games last season and worked hard to redistribute his weight in the offseason. Holland is one of the strongest players on the team and is a powerful drive blocker in the running game. He's the clear favorite to win the starting job, but is being pushed by Jamar Nesbit. Nesbit, a former Jaguars and Panthers veteran, has been a pleasant surprise since signing in free agency. Nesbit's strength is his versatility. He can play both guard positions and center. Rookie free agent Augie Hoffmann has a chance to earn a spot on the practice squad.

Depth chart

No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Exp. |

61 | Montrae Holland | 6-2 | 322 | 2

67 | Jamar Nesbit | 6-4 | 328 | 6

74 | Augie Hoffmann | 6-2 | 315 | R

GET TO KNOW:

DAN CURLEY

Position: Tight end

Height/weight: 6-4, 260

Experience: One year

Age: 25

College: Eastern Washington

Hometown: Tacoma, Wash.

Did you know: Curley was a fifth-round draft choice of the St. Louis Rams in 2003, the 148th overall selection. He was Eastern Washington's highest draft pick since center Tom Ackerman was the 145th selection as a fifth-round choice of the Saints in 1996. . . . Curley played one game for the Rams last season (Sept. 14 vs. San Francisco) before being released Oct. 9, 2003. . . . Missed most of the 2001 season because of a broken left wrist that required multiple surgeries and was complicated by an infection.

WHO'S HOT: Backup quarterback Todd Bouman has been one of the most impressive performers in camp so far. After a full season in Mike McCarthy's West Coast system, he's more confident in his play. Bouman has taken charge of the offense, and the players respond to him positively in the huddle. Bouman's progress gives the team confidence it could overcome an injury to starter Aaron Brooks and still win.

WHO'S NOT: After a strong start, cornerback Monty Montgomery's play has fallen in recent workouts. The former New Orleans VooDoo defensive specialist has blown several assignments, drawing the verbal wrath of coaches. In his defense, Montgomery is at a disadvantage because he only joined the team last week and is behind in the playbook.

PLAY OF THE DAY: Cornerback Ashley Ambrose made a nice one-handed deflection of a fourth-down pass from Bouman to DontÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â© Stallworth to kill a drive in two-minute drills. Ambrose's play capped a strong overall performance by the secondary.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I had to get rid of the hair. It was just too hot." - DT Brian Young on his freshly shorn locks.

INJURY REPORT

QB Aaron Brooks right thigh

WR Germane Crowell left knee

SS Steve Gleason broken left thumb

LB Cie Grant left knee

DE Darren Howard right knee

WR Derrick Lewis left hamstring

KR Michael Lewis right hamstring

DT Willie Whitehead right knee

TODAY'S SCHEDULE:

One practice: Full pads, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (open to public)