blacksaint

Thursday, August 09, 2007
Morning practice canceled

95 degrees at 3:55 p.m., attendance 894

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Outside linebackers: Despite his apparent trouble with water slides, strongside linebacker Scott Fujita is one of the most valuable players on the roster. He is a big, long-armed, physical player who racks up more than 100 tackles almost every season. Neither Fujita nor weakside starter Scott Shanle is a dynamic athlete, but both are smart, reliable and efficient who gave the Saints more production at outside linebacker last season than they've had in years. The Saints added experienced depth when they signed Dhani Jones and Troy Evans in free agency. Jones and Evans can fill in effectively appear to be great assets on special teams. Third-stringers Alfred Fincher and Desmond Sims also need to excel on special teams during the preseason to make the team

Depth chart

No. | player | Ht | Wt | Exp.

55 | Scott Fujita | 6-5 | 250 | 6

58 | Scott Shanle | 6-2 | 245 | 5

98 | Dhani Jones | 6-1 | 240 | 8

54 | Troy Evans | 6-3 | 238 | 6

56 | Alfred Fincher | 6-1 | 238 | 3

46 | Desmond Sims | 6-3 | 230 | R

GET TO KNOW:

Aaron Hosack

Position: WR

Height/weight: 6-5, 229

Experience: 1

Age: 25

College: Minnesota

Hometown: Chino, Cal.

Did you know: The Saints signed Hosack in June after two seasons with the NFL Europa's Frankfurt Galaxy. He caught nine passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns this year (a 32.1-yard average). In 2006, he caught 36 passes for 473 yards and four touchdowns, earning All-League honors for the World Bowl champs. . . . He was originally allocated to NFL Europa by the Minnesota Vikings, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2004. . . . He also played at Mount San Antonio Junior College before transferring to Minnesota.

WHO'S HOT:

KEVIN KAESVIHARN

The free-agent safety, who is locked in a tight battle for a starting job with incumbents Roman Harper and Josh Bullocks, looked good with the Saints' first-string nickel defense Wednesday. He also intercepted a Jamie Martin pass during red-zone drills.

WHO'S NOT:

DAVID PATTEN

The veteran receiver has missed the past two days with a bruised heel. Patten has had a great offseason and seemed to be leading the No. 3 receiver battle. But he can't afford to fall behind with young backups Lance Moore and Terrance Copper each playing at a high level. Moore and Copper are much more valuable on special teams, too.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"Good job, Michael Pittman! Good job, Michael!"

-- special teams coordinator John Bonamego, cheering in support of Saints rookie Antonio Pittman during practice. Bonamego was not the first person to make that mistake during this camp, and he likely won't be the last.

INJURY REPORT:

Pos. | Player | Injury

OT | Jammal Brown | knee

C | Jeff Faine | calf

WR | David Patten | toe

WR | Jamal Jones | knee

G | Dave Yovanovits | knee

DT | Brian Young | foot

DE | Rob Ninkovich | knee

TODAY'S SCHEDULE:

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

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