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Saints end sweltering days at Millsaps

By LARRY HOLDER

JACKSON --New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Mark Simoneau joked that he felt heartbroken thinking about the end of training camp in the blazing heat of Millsaps College.

Right tackle Jon Stinchcomb shed a tear after Wednesday morning's final practice in Jackson. Well, maybe it wasn't a tear.

"That's just sweat, but thanks, though," Stinchcomb said.

The Saints cut their stay at Millsaps a couple of days short as they traveled up to Cincinnati on Wednesday to hold two practices with the Bengals today. While the players still have to come back to Jackson on Sunday to pick up their gear, ending the sweat bath and returning to New Orleans is welcomed.

"It's a good day," Stinchcomb said. "Training camp is a bear no matter where you are. When you're in Jackson, Miss., the X-factor jumps on your back every time you're out here. We've had a good camp and it's time to move on from there."

Running back Deuce McAllister cautioned that while the team was leaving the Mississippi heat, being back home won't be too much of a change in climate.

"You just transfer to Louisiana heat," McAllister said.

As far as those making an impression, McAllister liked what the newbies have been able to catch on, whether it was veteran free agents or rookies.

"The surprises are just how well the young guys and the guys we just brought in, how well they just bought into the system," McAllister said. "Even though it may have been new to them, the guys who have played with other teams and training camps are going to be different. Everybody bought into it and we just went about our business to get our work done."

The heaviest burden for the Saints as they leave training camp, in McAllister's eyes, is the healing of the wounded.

"The concern is how quickly we can get those injured guys back," McAllister said. "Any time a guy is banged up or nicked up, his timing is going to be off and conditioning-wise he's going to be a little rusty. Those are the biggest concerns."

Left tackle Jammal Brown made his first appearance since bruising his knee last week. It wasn't on the field, though, since he rode the stationary bike with his other injured teammates.

Saints coach Sean Payton said the prognosis on Brown's knee hasn't changed, but it still might take some time for the All-Pro left tackle to make it back on the field.

"It's all on his flexibility," Payton said. "I'm hopeful in the next two weeks that we get a look at him at Kansas City. That would be the earliest. If not, I think there's a good chance we'd have him for Miami."

Center Jeff Faine (calf), linebacker Scott Fujita (heel), wide receiver Devery Henderson (hamstring), defensive end Rob Ninkovich (knee), defensive end Brian Young (foot) and guard Dave Yovanovits (knee) missed Wednesday's practice.

"I think if you went to each camp, you'd see that same list," Payton said. "The ones that you are most concerned with are the permanent ones that will prevent a player from playing during the season. We've been able to avoid that for the most part."

Payton wasn't ready to say which players will not be ready for the season. He said he expects Fujita and Faine to start working in the field next week.

"Until we're 100 percent, we will be cautious," Payton said.

Tackle Zach Strief missed his second consecutive practice Wednesday as he attended a funeral in Cincinnati. Payton said Strief will meet back up with the team today.

SunHerald.com : BYE, BYE JACKSON

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