blacksaint

Thursday, August 16, 2007


90 degrees at 8:50 a.m., attendance 260.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Specialists: The Saints made more changes here than anywhere on their roster in the offseason. They signed veteran kicker Olindo Mare to replace John Carney, mostly because Mare has a much stronger leg and routinely leads the NFL in touchbacks on kickoffs. They also brought in veteran punter Chris Hanson to push second-year incumbent Steve Weatherford. So far, Saints Coach Sean Payton has labeled that competition as "wide open." Long snapper Kevin Houser he has been with the team longer than anyone else on the roster.

Depth chart

Kicker

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

2 | /Olindo Mare | /5-11 | /190 | /11

Punter

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

7 | /Steve Weatherford | /6-3 | /215 | /2

6 | /Chris Hanson | /6-2 | /202 | /7

Long snapper

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

47 | /Kevin Houser | /6-2 | /252 | /8

GET TO KNOW:

DAVID JONES

Position: CB

Height/weight: 6-0, 196

Experience: Rookie (fifth-round pick)

Age: 21

College: Wingate

Hometown: Greenville, S.C.

Did you know? Jones intercepted 15 passes in his career at Division II Wingate, returning three of them for touchdowns. After he pushed for some playing time on offense, he also caught two passes for 125 yards as a senior, both for touchdowns. . . . The Saints chose several small-college prospects in this year's draft. They worked out Jones and third-round draft pick Usama Young from Kent State during the same pre-draft scouting trip. . . . Jones currently is no higher than seventh on the depth chart at cornerback. Depending on how he performs in the next three weeks, he's probably battling undrafted rookie Joe Porter for a spot on the practice squad.

WHO'S HOT:

JASON CRAFT

The veteran cornerback had a good practice Wednesday, highlighted by a pass deflection against receiver Jamal Jones. Don't count out Craft in the crowded mix at this position. He has been a mainstay with the first-string nickel defense. And when starter Mike McKenzie missed time with an ankle injury Monday, Craft replaced him with the starting defense.

WHO'S NOT:

DAVE YOVANOVITS

The backup guard has missed more than a week with a knee injury, jeopardizing his chances of making the roster. Before he got hurt, Yovanovits was heavily in the mix at guard and center.

PLAY OF THE DAY:

During a goal-line period, quarterback Drew Brees faked a handoff, pump-faked once, then hit tight end Mark Campbell with a bullet in the back of the end zone.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"When I get done, I'll be an underwear model. I've got enough abs for it now." -- Defensive tackle Brian Young, who estimated that he has done about "five million" abdominal exercises while rehabbing from a broken foot during training camp. He also guessed that he has ridden about 20 miles per day on the stationary bike.

INJURY REPORT:

Pos. | /Player | /Injury

OT | /Jammal Brown | /knee

C | /Jeff Faine | /calf

G | /Dave Yovanovits | /knee

WR | /Devery Henderson | /hamstring

LB | /Scott Fujita | /heel

DT | /Brian Young | /foot

DE | /Rob Ninkovich | /knee

TODAY'S SCHEDULE:

Two practices (9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.) at Cincinnati.

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