Talman, O line, Media, McAfee, etc...

TallySaint · 08-04-2005, 06:39 AM

Updated: Aug. 3, 2005, 8:06 PM ET

Gardner emerging from Saints

National Football League News Wire-AP

NEW ORLEANS -- There's been much talk around training camp about the competition for third receiver behind Joe Horn and Donte' Stallworth, with much of the focus on former LSU standout Devery Henderson and free-agent acquisition Az-Zahir Hakim.

But in the past few practices, Talmon Gardner, a third-year pro out of Florida State, has injected his name into the mix. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound receiver has shown good speed and steady hands, hauling in nearly every ball within his reach.

"He has been outstanding in this camp," Haslett said Wednesday afternoon. "He might be our best receiver out there right now as far as catching the ball. He hasn't dropped one ball yet in eight practices. He's running great routes, and he's tough as nails. There are going to be some tough decisions there, because right now he is probably our best receiver."

Although the always popular Michael Lewis will be relied upon primarily for punt and kick returns, he also has excelled in practices with the receivers, demonstrating improving sure-handedness and even stretching to grab throws in traffic or along the sidelines.

It all means Henderson, now in his second pro season, won't have anything given to him easily.

Henderson "has all the talent in the world, but we just have to keep getting on him," Haslett said. "He's got great speed. He just has to keep working on the ball skills, but he has picked it up here the last couple of days."

LINE WORK: With the additions of veteran Jermane Mayberry and top draft pick Jammal Brown, the New Orleans Saints expect to have their best offensive line in years.

Running back Deuce McAllister was not yet ready to apply that label six days into training camp, however.

"It's going to take time. There's going to be an adjustment period, but I think it'll be fine," McAllister said.

The Saints' defensive line, anchored by Darren Howard and Charles Grant, has not made it easy on their offensive counterparts, regularly stuffing running plays and forcing rushed throws from the quarterbacks. And although coaches continue to be highly complimentary of Brown, he has yet to start blasting open the kind of holes that would allow McAllister to hit the defensive backfield at full speed.

"He's kind of making mistakes," McAllister said. "He doesn't know the ins and outs of everything yet -- about the offense and about the NFL -- so you just take it all in stride.

"He's going to continue to learn," McAllister said. "He's been willing to learn and listen, so that's the first step and you hope he'll continue to do that."

COACH SPEAK: While some coaches such as New England's Bill Belichick and Miami's Nick Saban keep assistant coaches off limits to the media, Saints coach Jim Haslett has never enforced such a rule. By contrast, he often allows his offensive and defensive coordinators to be spokesmen for their respective units.

"If you hire somebody and you trust them enough, and they're loyal enough to you, then you don't have to worry about what they say to the media," Haslett said.

COMFORT ZONE: Veteran Fred McAfee, 36, says the only players in NFL training camp who don't monitor the roster are people in the starting lineup.

McAfee is one of five running backs on the training camp roster, along with Deuce McAllister, Aaron Stecker, Antowain Smith and Keith Joseph.

"Let me tell you what, if you're not one of the first 22, you're looking at that stuff," McAfee said. "I don't care what you say. I don't care if you're in the league two years or you've been in the league 12 years. ... I'm not saying I'm down there looking at the roster or anything like that. But it runs through your mind every once in a while."

HELPING HAND: After winning a pair of Super Bowl rings with New England and nine years experience as an NFL running back, there's one thing Antowain Smith still does not have -- a sense of entitlement.

After practice earlier this week, Smith lugged a cluster of teammates' pads from the field back to the locker room -- a job generally given to rookies.

"I'm just helping my boys out," Smith said. "We're not superstars. I'm not too big to carry my teammates' pads in. I was the first one through, so I picked them up. That's what it's all about."

OUT: Defensive end Willie Whitehead (turf toe) and linebacker James Allen (sore left knee) were out of pads but did some running. Colby Bockwoldt missed practice for an entirely different reason. His first baby, Rees Cecelia, was born Wednesday, so Bockwoldt was excused to be with his wife, Ashley.

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08-04-2005, 06:39 AM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Talman, O line, Media, McAfee, etc... Updated: Aug. 3, 2005, 8:06 PM ET Gardner emerging from Saints National Football League News Wire-AP NEW ORLEANS -- There's been much talk around training camp about the competition for third receiver behind Joe Horn and Donte' Stallworth, with much of the focus on former LSU standout Devery Henderson and free-agent acquisition Az-Zahir Hakim. But in the past few practices, Talmon Gardner, a third-year pro out of Florida State, has injected his name into the mix. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound receiver has shown good speed and steady hands, hauling in nearly every ball within his reach. "He has been outstanding in this camp," Haslett said Wednesday afternoon. "He might be our best receiver out there right now as far as catching the ball. He hasn't dropped one ball yet in eight practices. He's running great routes, and he's tough as nails. There are going to be some tough decisions there, because right now he is probably our best receiver." Although the always popular Michael Lewis will be relied upon primarily for punt and kick returns, he also has excelled in practices with the receivers, demonstrating improving sure-handedness and even stretching to grab throws in traffic or along the sidelines. It all means Henderson, now in his second pro season, won't have anything given to him easily. Henderson "has all the talent in the world, but we just have to keep getting on him," Haslett said. "He's got great speed. He just has to keep working on the ball skills, but he has picked it up here the last couple of days." LINE WORK: With the additions of veteran Jermane Mayberry and top draft pick Jammal Brown, the New Orleans Saints expect to have their best offensive line in years. Running back Deuce McAllister was not yet ready to apply that label six days into training camp, however. "It's going to take time. There's going to be an adjustment period, but I think it'll be fine," McAllister said. The Saints' defensive line, anchored by Darren Howard and Charles Grant, has not made it easy on their offensive counterparts, regularly stuffing running plays and forcing rushed throws from the quarterbacks. And although coaches continue to be highly complimentary of Brown, he has yet to start blasting open the kind of holes that would allow McAllister to hit the defensive backfield at full speed. "He's kind of making mistakes," McAllister said. "He doesn't know the ins and outs of everything yet -- about the offense and about the NFL -- so you just take it all in stride. "He's going to continue to learn," McAllister said. "He's been willing to learn and listen, so that's the first step and you hope he'll continue to do that." COACH SPEAK: While some coaches such as New England's Bill Belichick and Miami's Nick Saban keep assistant coaches off limits to the media, Saints coach Jim Haslett has never enforced such a rule. By contrast, he often allows his offensive and defensive coordinators to be spokesmen for their respective units. "If you hire somebody and you trust them enough, and they're loyal enough to you, then you don't have to worry about what they say to the media," Haslett said. COMFORT ZONE: Veteran Fred McAfee, 36, says the only players in NFL training camp who don't monitor the roster are people in the starting lineup. McAfee is one of five running backs on the training camp roster, along with Deuce McAllister, Aaron Stecker, Antowain Smith and Keith Joseph. "Let me tell you what, if you're not one of the first 22, you're looking at that stuff," McAfee said. "I don't care what you say. I don't care if you're in the league two years or you've been in the league 12 years. ... I'm not saying I'm down there looking at the roster or anything like that. But it runs through your mind every once in a while." HELPING HAND: After winning a pair of Super Bowl rings with New England and nine years experience as an NFL running back, there's one thing Antowain Smith still does not have -- a sense of entitlement. After practice earlier this week, Smith lugged a cluster of teammates' pads from the field back to the locker room -- a job generally given to rookies. "I'm just helping my boys out," Smith said. "We're not superstars. I'm not too big to carry my teammates' pads in. I was the first one through, so I picked them up. That's what it's all about." OUT: Defensive end Willie Whitehead (turf toe) and linebacker James Allen (sore left knee) were out of pads but did some running. Colby Bockwoldt missed practice for an entirely different reason. His first baby, Rees Cecelia, was born Wednesday, so Bockwoldt was excused to be with his wife, Ashley. 8)