blacksaint

Posted: August 21, 2007

Mike Triplett
For Sporting News


WR Devery Henderson was having the best camp of his four-year career before he suffered a hamstring strain in the second preseason game. The good news is the injury wasn't severe, and he shouldn't miss more than a couple of weeks. Henderson (5-11, 200) has always had good size and excellent speed for the receiver position, but in the past he struggled with his confidence and consistency. He had a mini-breakout season last year, being used mainly as a deep threat. But coach Sean Payton showed a lot of trust in him by installing him as the No. 2 receiver this year in place of departed veteran Joe Horn. Henderson has responded well, catching everything in sight during offseason practices and preseason games. His starting job will almost certainly be waiting for him when he gets back. ...

The Saints, like most teams, are pretty banged up after three weeks of camp. But few of the injuries are serious and the team should have everyone back by the start of the regular season--with the possible exception of backup DE Rob Ninkovich. Henderson, OT Jammal Brown (knee), C Jeff Faine (calf), LB Scott Fujita (heel) and DT Brian Young (foot) are all hoping to play again before the preseason ends.

NEWCOMER REPORT: TE Eric Johnson won't immediately become the next Antonio Gates now that he's working with Drew Brees. But he will put up some nice numbers and give the Saints an added dimension. So far, it looks like Johnson is splitting time with Mark Campbell in the starting lineup, with backup Billy Miller mixing in as well. But there is room for all three in the Saints offense, which has some two-tight end formations. Johnson is most likely to be used as a receiver, especially in red zone situations, and you can already see him developing a rapport with Brees in practice. The Saints specifically targeted Johnson in free agency because he can get downfield and catch the ball more than the tight ends they had last year.

PROBLEM SPOT: The Saints have had some good news and bad news at the defensive tackle position during camp. One starter, Brian Young, has been out for a month with a broken foot, though he is a workout fiend in rehab and should be back in time for the start of the season. The other starter, Hollis Thomas, came into camp overweight and has been sluggish out of the gate. But in the meantime, both of their backups--Antwan Lake and Kendrick Clancy--have seen a lot of extra snaps and both have looked good. This is a position where the Saints like to do a lot of rotating to stay fresh, so the depth will really come in handy once all four guys are hitting their stride.

Mike Triplett covers the Saints for the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

SportingNews.com - NFL - Saints Team Report

saint4life
(504)

saintsfan1203

If that rotation of Young, Thomas, Lake, and Clancy can jell boy look out. We should be able to push the pocket and bash in your mouth with the ends. I can't wait for the season to start.

papz

Just imagine if Henderson shows up for every game this year rather than every other game last year... the numbers our offense could put up would be ridiculous. With Colston on one side and Henderson's speed on the other, teams will find it hard to put 8 men in the box to help stop our running game. More holes for Deuce and Reggie and if they do decide to bring an extra guy in, we'll burn them over the top.