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Area fans can check out all Saints' practices at Millsaps

New practice field enables New Orleans to accommodate spectators at training camp

The Clarion-Ledger

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS TRAINING CAMP '07


When: July 27-Aug. 16


Where: Millsaps College




Construction of a new football practice field at Millsaps College will allow the New Orleans Saints to open every training camp practice to fans this year, a team spokesman said Tuesday.

Last year, a dozen practices were closed to the public and another dozen were open only for "limited viewing," because the auxiliary practice field would not accommodate fans.

A new field will have bleachers and a grassy hillside where fans can sit and watch quarterback Drew Brees and running backs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush prepare for the 2007 season.

"I'm glad we're going to be back in Jackson for training camp," McAllister said. "The changes made to Millsaps are just minor from what I understand. There wasn't much that was needed to be done because it was a great experience. The players and coaches figured all along that we'd be back."

Training camp for the National Football League team opens July 27 at 8:50 a.m. There will be another practice that afternoon, at 2:20. Seven consecutive days of two-a-day workouts are scheduled leading up to the Saints' first exhibition game, Aug. 5 against Pittsburgh in the Hall of Fame game at Canton, Ohio.

All practices are free. Millsaps will charge $5 per car to park on campus, and concessions will be sold during the practices.

The last of 28 practices is scheduled for Aug. 16.

The Saints trained at Millsaps last year for the first time and then came within one victory of reaching the Super Bowl, losing to Chicago in the NFC championship game.

In addition to the Hall of Fame game, the Saints have four other exhibition games: Aug. 10 against Buffalo in the Louisiana Superdome; Aug. 18 at Cincinnati; Aug. 23 at Kansas City; and Aug. 30 at home against Miami.

New Orleans opens the regular season on Sept. 6 at Indianapolis against the reigning Super Bowl champion Colts.

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pb...44/1063/SPORTS

Now this is good news. Now you can take a full weeks vacation with the saints.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins