blacksaint

Friday, August 03, 2007

86 degrees at 8:50 a.m., attendance 750

95 degrees at 4 p.m., attendance 762

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Guards: Last season, rookie guard Jahri Evans moved into the starting lineup during training camp because of injury. A sturdy and physical blocker, he should only get better after having a full offseason to develop. Veteran teammate Jamar Nesbit also had a terrific season in 2006 after moving over from right tackle to left guard. It wouldn't be a surprise if either guy wound up in the Pro Bowl. Veteran Jonathan Goodwin is a solid backup at both guard and center. The Saints are hoping third-round draft pick Andy Alleman can develop into a reliable backup as well. Ben Archibald, who spent the past two seasons on the practice squad at tackle, has moved to guard, which gives him a better chance to crack the roster.

Depth chart

No. | player | Ht | Wt | Exp.

67 | Jamar Nesbit | 6-4 | 328 | 9

73 | Jahri Evans | 6-4 | 318 | 2

76 | Jonathan Goodwin | 6-3 | 318 | 6

65 | Andy Alleman | 6-4 | 302 | R

60 | Ben Archibald | 6-3 | 320 | 2

68 | Dave Yovanovits | 6-3 | 300 | 4

75 | Tim Duckworth | 6-3 | 306 | R

GET TO KNOW:

BRETT BERGSTROM

Position: K

Height/weight: 6-2/220

Experience: Undrafted rookie

Age: 24

College: Eastern Washington

Hometown: Snoqualmie, Wash.

Did you know: Bergstrom is a long shot to make the Saints' roster, but the undrafted rookie was one of the top college kickers last season. He tied a school record at Eastern Washington with 15 field goals, making 15 of 18 attempts, including a 56-yarder. Last season was Bergstrom's first as the Eagles' kicker. He also was a punter and wide receiver earlier in his college career, which began at Shasta (Cal.) Junior College. In high school, he was an all-conference receiver and defensive back, as well as his league's Special Teams Player of the Year.

WHO'S HOT:

ANTWAN LAKE

The fifth-year veteran has started every practice at defensive tackle while Brian Young is out with a foot injury. Young has been working feverishly on the sideline to get himself ready, but Lake is establishing himself as a reliable backup at a position where the Saints like to alternate players.

WHO'S NOT

RODNEY LEISLE

The fourth-year defensive tackle is listed as Young's backup on the team's depth chart. However, he clearly is behind both Lake and veteran backup Kendrick Clancy in the practice rotation. The Saints also seem to like Brandon Villarreal, who auditioned as a backup long snapper during Thursday's practice.

PLAY OF THE DAY:The Saints' defense took care of its own Thursday morning, teaching a lesson to rookie receiver Robert Meachem. After a pass intended for Meachem was intercepted by safety Jay Bellamy, Meachem instinctively went for the tackle and clotheslined Bellamy. On the next play, Meachem caught a pass and got tackled by cornerback Jason Craft. As he was getting up, linebacker Brian Simmons shoved him back down. Neither hit was especially hard, but the message was sent.

INJURY REPORT:

Pos. | Player | Injury

DT | Brian Young | foot

DE | Rob Ninkovich | knee

WR | Jamal Jones | knee

DE | Anton Palepoi | ankle

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"We go back to my days in Green Bay. He's definitely one of my favorites. From the south side of Dakota. I think he may be the only guy in the world that I know from South Dakota."

-- Cornerback Mike McKenzie, discussing new Saints safety Kevin Kaesviharn.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE:

One practice, 3:40 -- 6 p.m., field TBA, open to the public.

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