blacksaint

Posted by Mike Triplett, Staff writer
August 15, 2007


The Saints wrapped up their final practice at Millsaps College for the summer - a light, 90-minute session without pads - before getting on a plane to Cincinnati on Wednesday afternoon.

The Saints will hold two full practices against the Bengals on Thursday, including one in full pads, so they didn't need to overdo it on Wednesday. The team went through several situational drills. They did some goal-line work, they started drives from inside their own 5-yard line, they did short-yardage work and third-down work.

They were especially thorough on special teams, practicing everything from onside kicks to fake field goals to free kicks after a safety.

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We had a Jammal Brown sighting at practice for the first time since he injured his knee last week. Brown pedaled the stationary bike on the sideline during practice with the rest of the banged-up bodies.

Afterward, Brown declined interview requests. But Saints Coach Sean Payton said he hopes Brown can be back on the field in time for at least one preseason game, maybe as early as the Kansas City game on Aug. 23.

"It all depends on his flexibility," Payton said.

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It's possible that all of the injured Saints could be back in time for the final preseason game against Miami on Aug. 30 - or at least the start of the regular season.

Center Jeff Faine (calf) and linebacker Scott Fujita (heel) are targeting next week for their return to practice. Receiver Devery Henderson (hamstring) and guard Dave Yovanovits (knee) shouldn't be far behind. Defensive tackle Brian Young (foot) said he hopes to be back on the practice field within the next week or so. Defensive end Rob Ninkovich (knee) is probably the furthest away.

Young, who broke his foot a couple weeks before training camp opened, said he feels great when he runs straightforward. His only problem is planting and cutting back to the left.

The seventh-year veteran said it drove him crazy to watch the Saints' preseason game against Buffalo from the stands last Friday night.

"I told my wife, I enjoy spending time with you, but I don't want to spend time with you up in the stands," Young said.

Young guessed that he must have ridden 20 miles per day on the stationary bike, and he must be up to about five million abdominal exercises.

"When I get done, I'll be an underwear model. I've got in enough abs for it now," he said.

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Cornerback Jason Craft made some nice plays in practice Wednesday. Don't forget about the ninth-year veteran in the crowded mix at this position. He has been a mainstay in the first-team nickel package, and when Mike McKenzie was slowed with an ankle injury Monday, Craft was his replacement with the starting defense.

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Quarterback Drew Brees made some nice throws to tight ends Mark Campbell and Eric Johnson, among others, and he has been spreading it around all camp to the likes of Devery Henderson, Terrance Copper, Lance Moore, David Patten and all the guys out of the backfield.

But if there is such thing as a go-to guy in this offense, it's Marques Colston. The second-year receiver has shown absolutely no signs of a sophomore slump, and he and Brees clearly have a terrific chemistry with each other.

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