TallySaint

Too many running backs at the table
Wednesday, 1:45 p.m.

By Benjamin Hochman
Staff writer


JACKSON, MISS. – Veteran backup Fred McAfee joked that the Saints traded fellow running back Michael Bennett because “He was eating into my rep time at practice.� But the real reason for the trade was, obviously, because of the stacked backfield since the drafting of Reggie Bush. While McAfee can joke because he’s also solid special teams player, Bennett was brought into camp to serve as Deuce McAllister’s backup.

Now, Bennett is a Kansas City Chief (the Saints received an undisclosed 2007 draft pick), and McAllister and Bush will share the backfield, while Aaron Stecker fills the role as No. 3.

“He’s been a consummate pro throughout this whole thing, he’s handled it well,� McAfee said of Bennett. “He was practicing hard everyday. It’s business and he’s going to have a great opportunity.�

“It was obvious that we weren’t going to keep all of those running backs,� Saints veteran receiver Joe Horn said. “Michael Bennett is a hell of a running back, and I’m sure the Kansas City Chiefs wanted to have an extra running back.�

The Saints originally signed Bennett, a 2002 Pro-Bowler, in March, a month before Bush fell into their laps of draft day.



Jamar Nesbit has been filling in at first-string right tackle in the past seven practices because of Jon Stinchcomb’s ailing right knee. Coach Sean Payton has been pleased with Nesbit’s progress. Last season, Nesbit played in all 16 games, including three starts at right tackle.



Payton hasn’t been pleased with his receivers’ consistency of late, but pointed out that Horn continues to truck along nicely.



After the morning practice, a reporter was curious what Horn thought about rookie receiver Mike Haas, asking: “What do you think about Haas?�

Horn responded: “I love Jim Haslett, I always have. I came in with Has, and I was sad to see him leave. But he’s with the Rams right now, doing his thing as a defensive coordinator, and hopefully he’ll have a good year and may have an opportunity to be a head coach somewhere next year.�


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My Guardian Angel wears a hard hat.