Brooks back and injury report...
 

Brooks back at full throttle
Grant, Whitehead can't shake injuries
Monday, August 16, 2004
By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer
Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks went through his first full workout in 10 days and is expected to play against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday at Lambeau Field.

Brooks missed the team's exhibition opener against the New York Jets with a strained right quadriceps but he participated in the team's two-hour workout Sunday.

The Saints (1-0) play the Packers (0-0) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

"Aaron should play," Saints coach Jim Haslett said.

There is less optimism, however, about the playing status of middle linebacker Cie Grant and defensive lineman Willie Whitehead, who continue to be sidelined with injuries.

Grant has missed most of camp with a hyper-extended left knee. Whitehead remains on the league's physically-unable-to-perform list with a bruised right knee.

"We're going to work them hard running this week and we'll see where we go from there," Haslett said.

Starting center LeCharles Bentley injured his left knee against the Jets and did not practice Sunday. He is expected to practice today, Haslett said.


AFTER FURTHER REVIEW: Haslett critiqued the play of rookie middle linebacker Courtney Watson and rookie wide receiver Devery Henderson, who missed the team's first 10 practices because of a contract dispute.

On Watson: "On a scale of one to 10, he played probably about a six. He could have played better. He missed one tackle but for the most part he's pretty good for a young kid. He did a nice job."

On Henderson: "Devery's got a way to go conditioning wise. He wasn't in the best football shape to begin with. He made a couple nice catches (against the Jets) but everything else wasn't up to par."


FROM THE BOOTH: Saints offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy gave a thumbs up to his first time calling plays from the coaches' booth Friday night against the Jets. McCarthy gave the plays to quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard on the sideline and he relayed the plays to the quarterback. "I felt very comfortable and Shep was pretty smooth," McCarthy said. "There were a few bumps and bruises. But we'll talk about it and re-evaluate it and do it again next week. We're going to do what's best as a whole. For me individually, it makes my job a lot easier, but we're going to do what's best for the whole."


WORTH REPEATING: "Haz is absolutely right. I had a terrible practice. I dropped two balls in the end zone that I normally should catch." -- Saints wide receiver Joe Horn on Haslett's post-practice observations.

Brooks back and injury report...
 

Ok, McCarthy is in the booth just like I wanted. So I should have no complaints, right? Wrong.

Why can\'t McCarthy get the plays directly to Brooks through his helmet rather than going through the QB coach? Seems to me this will just add another opportunity for a miscommunication and delay getting the play to Brooks.

Brooks back and injury report...
 

Brooks is going to be back. Good news.

I can\'t wait to come on this board after the game and hear everyone break down all the mistakes Brooks makes.

How long will it be before we have some folks saying J.T. O\'Sullivan is a franchise QB?

Seriously, though, I\'m looking foward to seeing the offense with Brooks. Zing that ball, Aaron!!

Brooks back and injury report...
 

JT O\'Sullivan is a franchise QB.

Couldn\'t resist. :cool:

Brooks back and injury report...
 

I never said he would be a Saints franchise QB. :P

He\'s now gotten good enough for Haz to cut him and let JT take Tampa to the Superbowl.

Brooks back and injury report...
 

Won\'t let JT get away and he\'s not a franchise QB yet, but may get a chance if Brooks doesn\'t zing the ball. get rid of the dropsies and take the team to the playoffs this season.