blacksaint

By SHELDON MICKLES
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 14, 2007

JACKSON, Miss. — New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said Monday that All-Pro tackle Jammal Brown is making progress as he rehabs his injured right knee in the confines of the training room.

Brown hasn’t been seen by reporters since he suffered a bone bruise one week ago today. While injured players ride stationary bikes and do various rehab drills during practice, Brown has remained inside.

Initially, Payton said Brown would be sidelined 2-to-3 days. But the timetable has obviously been pushed back.

“The biggest thing is just getting the flexibility back and the soreness out,” Payton said. “It’s just a matter of getting the soreness out where it’s pain free when he walks and runs. He’s rehabbing inside because a lot of it is with ice. He just needs to get flexibility back in the joint.”

Bad memories

When the Saints signed center Brian Ferentz on Monday, he brought with him painful memories for LSU fans.

Ferentz, the son of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, was the right guard on the final play of the 2005 Capital One Bowl when the Hawkeyes shocked the Tigers, 30-25, on a 56-yard TD pass from Drew Tate to Warren Holloway.

“I’ll never forget that one,” said Ferentz, who was signed because the team is thin at center. “I was telling the media after the game I’d never been a part of something like that — where you go from real low to an immediate high.

“I was blocking, so I didn’t see it. The only thing I knew was our side of the stadium got real loud. Drew made a great play; they busted a coverage and our guy was running free.”

To make room for Ferentz on the roster, the Saints cut kicker Brett Bergstrom.

Injury report

Missing both practices Monday were T Jammal Brown (knee), WR Devery Henderson (hamstring), DT Brian Young (foot), C Jeff Faine (calf), SLB Scott Fujita (heel), DE Rob Ninkovich (knee), WR Jamal Jones (knee) and G/C Dave Yovanovits (knee).

Cornerback Mike McKenzie, who missed the first practice with an ankle problem, worked in the afternoon as did wide receiver David Patten, who’s been bothered by a turf toe injury. He worked on a limited basis.

Riding to nowhere

Patten managed to escape the mundane rehab work injured players go through, particularly riding the stationary bike under the watchful eye of trainers. A full complement of eight riders pedaled away for most of both practices Monday.

“You’re always mindful of how many guys are injured and not participating,” Payton said. “Fortunately for us, the injuries are ones in which we’re not talking about long term. That’s always more of a concern. The players’ ability to rehab and get back and get involved in practice snaps are important.”


Play of the day

Wide receiver Terrance Copper, who was working with the first team because of the injury to Henderson, made a sensational grab during team drills. Copper was running a shallow slant to the middle of the field when Drew Brees threw behind him. Copper reached back awkwardly and somehow made the catch with only his left hand.


‘The Deuce’ debuts

Former New York Yankees star Reggie Jackson had a candy bar. Saints running back Deuce McAllister has a sandwich, which was introduced Monday at McAlister Deli locations in Louisiana and Mississippi.

McAllister, a spokesman for the restaurant, helped create the sandwich which is a grilled chicken breast topped with provolone, lettuce and tomato, spicy creole dressing and honey mustard served on ciabatta bread.

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