Camp Confidential 8

blacksaint · 08-08-2007, 06:35 AM

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

86 degrees at 8:50 a.m., attendance 418.

91 degrees at 4:20 p.m., attendance 978.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Cornerback: The Saints probably need to upgrade more at this position than any other on the roster. Last season, the cornerbacks combined for four interceptions, and they allowed far too many deep passing plays -- a problem which carried over into Sunday night's preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Veterans Mike McKenzie, Fred Thomas and Jason Craft all are back in the fold, but the Saints brought in competition, hoping the depth will lift everyone's performance. They signed restricted free agent Jason David, a three-year starter with the Indianapolis Colts. And they drafted Kent State's Usama Young, who has been impressive in early workouts.

Depth chart

Left cornerback

No. | /player | /Ht | /Wt | /Exp.

34 | /Mike McKenzie | /6-0 | /194 | /9

21 | /Jason Craft | /5-10 | /187 | /9

36 | /Anwar Phillips | /6-0 | /187 | /1

30 | /David Jones | /6-0 | /196 | /R

Right cornerback

No. | /player | /Ht | /Wt | /Exp.

22 | /Fred Thomas | /5-9 | /185 | /12

42 | /Jason David | /5-8 | /180 | /4

38 | /Usama Young | /6-0 | /194 | /R

31 | /Joe Porter | /6-0 | /200 | /R

GET TO KNOW:

JERMON BUSHROD

Position: LT

Height/weight: 6-5, 315

Experience: Rookie

Age: 22

College: Towson

Hometown: King George, Va.

Did you know? Saints Coach Sean Payton has spoken highly of Bushrod, one of the fastest-rising rookies in camp. Bushrod was a draft-day "diamond in the rough" out of Towson. He was not invited to the NFL combine, but a few teams were impressed by his size and athleticism during his campus workouts. The Saints learned about him through linebackers coach Joe Vitt, who played at Towson (then known as Towson State) in the 1970s. Bushrod, who was selected 125th overall in the fourth round, was the highest draft pick in school history. He was a three-sport standout in high school, playing football, basketball and baseball. He also has worked as a substitute teacher.

WHO'S HOT:

JOE PORTER

The rookie cornerback is buried deep on the depth chart, but he continues to open eyes with his speed. Porter, a former Rutgers sprinter, is a long shot to make the active roster but could be a prime candidate for the practice squad if he continues to make a mark on special teams, where the staff is looking for replacements for Steve Gleason and Fred McAfee.

WHO'S NOT:

HOLLIS THOMAS

The defensive tackle was demoted to second team as he continues to struggle with his weight. Kendrick Clancy was promoted to the first-team defense and received praise from Payton for his play in Sunday's 20-7 exhibition loss to Pittsburgh.

PLAY OF THE DAY: Linebacker Alfred Fincher made a leaping interception to prevent a touchdown during goal-line drills during the morning practice.

INJURY REPORT:

Pos. | /Player | /Injury

LT | /Jammal Brown | /knee

C | /Jeff Faine | /calf

WR | /Jamal Jones | /knee

DE | /Rob Ninkovich | /knee

WR | /David Patten | /toe

DT | /Brian Young | /foot

G | /Dave Yovanovits | /knee

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"When I first got to San Diego, they had been 1-15 the year before, and they had been 4-0 in the preseason. So, that should tell you right there." -- quarterback Drew Brees, putting the preseason in perspective following the Saints' setback in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday in Canton, Ohio.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE:

Afternoon, 4:20 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Millsaps' upper field, open to the public.

08-08-2007, 06:35 AM	#1
blacksaint DARE TO ENTER Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Home Sweet Home, NEW ORLEANS, La. Posts: 1,154	Camp Confidential 8 Wednesday, August 08, 2007 86 degrees at 8:50 a.m., attendance 418. 91 degrees at 4:20 p.m., attendance 978. IN THE SPOTLIGHT Cornerback: The Saints probably need to upgrade more at this position than any other on the roster. Last season, the cornerbacks combined for four interceptions, and they allowed far too many deep passing plays -- a problem which carried over into Sunday night's preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Veterans Mike McKenzie, Fred Thomas and Jason Craft all are back in the fold, but the Saints brought in competition, hoping the depth will lift everyone's performance. They signed restricted free agent Jason David, a three-year starter with the Indianapolis Colts. And they drafted Kent State's Usama Young, who has been impressive in early workouts. Depth chart Left cornerback No. \| /player \| /Ht \| /Wt \| /Exp. 34 \| /Mike McKenzie \| /6-0 \| /194 \| /9 21 \| /Jason Craft \| /5-10 \| /187 \| /9 36 \| /Anwar Phillips \| /6-0 \| /187 \| /1 30 \| /David Jones \| /6-0 \| /196 \| /R Right cornerback No. \| /player \| /Ht \| /Wt \| /Exp. 22 \| /Fred Thomas \| /5-9 \| /185 \| /12 42 \| /Jason David \| /5-8 \| /180 \| /4 38 \| /Usama Young \| /6-0 \| /194 \| /R 31 \| /Joe Porter \| /6-0 \| /200 \| /R GET TO KNOW: JERMON BUSHROD Position: LT Height/weight: 6-5, 315 Experience: Rookie Age: 22 College: Towson Hometown: King George, Va. Did you know? Saints Coach Sean Payton has spoken highly of Bushrod, one of the fastest-rising rookies in camp. Bushrod was a draft-day "diamond in the rough" out of Towson. He was not invited to the NFL combine, but a few teams were impressed by his size and athleticism during his campus workouts. The Saints learned about him through linebackers coach Joe Vitt, who played at Towson (then known as Towson State) in the 1970s. Bushrod, who was selected 125th overall in the fourth round, was the highest draft pick in school history. He was a three-sport standout in high school, playing football, basketball and baseball. He also has worked as a substitute teacher. WHO'S HOT: JOE PORTER The rookie cornerback is buried deep on the depth chart, but he continues to open eyes with his speed. Porter, a former Rutgers sprinter, is a long shot to make the active roster but could be a prime candidate for the practice squad if he continues to make a mark on special teams, where the staff is looking for replacements for Steve Gleason and Fred McAfee. WHO'S NOT: HOLLIS THOMAS The defensive tackle was demoted to second team as he continues to struggle with his weight. Kendrick Clancy was promoted to the first-team defense and received praise from Payton for his play in Sunday's 20-7 exhibition loss to Pittsburgh. PLAY OF THE DAY: Linebacker Alfred Fincher made a leaping interception to prevent a touchdown during goal-line drills during the morning practice. INJURY REPORT: Pos. \| /Player \| /Injury LT \| /Jammal Brown \| /knee C \| /Jeff Faine \| /calf WR \| /Jamal Jones \| /knee DE \| /Rob Ninkovich \| /knee WR \| /David Patten \| /toe DT \| /Brian Young \| /foot G \| /Dave Yovanovits \| /knee QUOTE OF THE DAY "When I first got to San Diego, they had been 1-15 the year before, and they had been 4-0 in the preseason. So, that should tell you right there." -- quarterback Drew Brees, putting the preseason in perspective following the Saints' setback in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday in Canton, Ohio. TODAY'S SCHEDULE: Afternoon, 4:20 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Millsaps' upper field, open to the public.
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