blacksaint

Former Bengals Kaesviharn, Simmons not looking back, eager to spur Saints

Thursday, August 16, 2007
By Mike Triplett

JACKSON, MISS. -- Today will be an unusual homecoming for Saints safety Kevin Kaesviharn and linebacker Brian Simmons.

The two veterans both spent their entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals before signing with New Orleans in free agency this year. Now, they're heading back to their old digs for two head-to-head practices against the Bengals today, followed by a solo practice at Paul Brown Stadium on Friday and a preseason game Saturday night.

"I'm excited to see some of the old buddies, old friends, teammates and just kind of see how they're doing," said Kaesviharn, who spent almost two weeks trying to decide between the Saints and Bengals in free agency. "It's not going to be emotional for me . . . but there's no hard feelings for me toward them, and I don't think there is the other way. I think everyone kind of understands how things work, and that's just the way it is.

"We all kind of know that and have moved on, and we're all just preparing to go out and try to win a championship."

Simmons probably is less enthusiastic about his return. He was released by the Bengals in a cost-cutting move after nine seasons in Cincinnati.

"I don't know. I think that's one of those things, once you get out there, you see how you feel," Simmons said. "Other than those guys over there that I played with, this is my team now, the New Orleans Saints. My thoughts are with this team and this organization. The days with the Bengals are over with."

Kaesviharn said he should have a little edge against the Bengals offense after seeing them in practice for so many years. But he said that won't make it any easier to rattle quarterback Carson Palmer or their talented receiving corps.

When asked if receiver Chad Johnson might do a little trash-talking today, Kaesviharn laughed.

"Might? No. . . . That's a given," he said.

WARY OF WORKOUTS: Running back Reggie Bush is wondering what the intensity of today's practices with the Bengals might be.

"You're afraid of people getting injured, and maybe fights breaking out," Bush said. "Anytime I've ever see a fight breaking out, it's always been situations like this where you have scrimmages (against another team)."

BROWN SIGHTING: Offensive tackle Jammal Brown made his first appearance at Saints practice since injuring his right knee last week.

He rode the stationary bike on the sideline, along with all the other banged-up bodies.

Brown declined interview requests after practice, but Saints Coach Sean Payton said he hopes Brown can return in time for at least one preseason game -- maybe as soon as the Kansas City game on Aug. 23.

"It all depends on his flexibility," said Payton, who said the original diagnosis of a bone bruise has not changed.

OTHER INJURIES: Payton is optimistic that all of the injured Saints can return by the end of the preseason.

Linebacker Scott Fujita (heel) and center Jeff Faine (calf) are targeting next week to return to practice. Receiver Devery Henderson (hamstring) and guard Dave Yovanovits (knee) shouldn't be far behind. Even defensive tackle Brian Young is hoping to be back within a week or so after breaking his foot in early July.

Young 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.

STRIEF UPDATE: Left tackle Zach Strief, the starter now that Brown is out with a knee injury, missed his second straight practice Wednesday morning because of a death in the family.

The plan was for Strief, who is a native of Cincinnati, to meet the team at the hotel when they arrived.

EASIER ON THOMAS: Hollis Thomas had a much easier go of it in training camp this year, but it wasn't all because he'd found the right medicinal combination to control his asthma in the Mississippi heat.

"Last year, I had blisters on my feet, some of the most god-awful blisters," Thomas said. "They were real bad blisters on my feet. This year it hasn't been super-duper demanding. It took me a little bit of time to get my niche back. It took me a little more time to knock the rust off. I feel I've gotten it all off now."

Thomas said he's not yet to his target reporting weight of 335, but headed in the right direction. He feels he'll be at that weight by opening day.

NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans

saint4life
(504)