blacksaint

Linebacker again practices sparingly, says ankle is better

Friday, October 05, 2007
By Mike Triplett

Saints linebacker Scott Fujita has never missed a game in six NFL seasons, and he doesn't want to start now.

But he remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers because of a sprained right ankle that kept him out of the team portion of practice again Thursday.

"Today was actually pretty encouraging," said Fujita, who tested the ankle during individual drills and exercises. "Tomorrow morning, I'll gauge my soreness."

Fujita injured his ankle late in the Saints' Sept. 24 game against Tennessee. He was hoping the bye week would give him enough time to heal, but he said high ankle sprains tend to linger.

"We'll see (today)," Saints Coach Sean Payton said. "At some point, we've got to see him go, but he felt better. He made progress."

Veteran backups Troy Evans and Brian Simmons have practiced in Fujita's place at strongside linebacker this week. But Fujita would be a tough loss for the Saints, who need his productivity and attitude on the field.

Carolina ranks 11th in the NFL with an average of 131.5 rushing yards per game. Tailbacks DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams share the load for the Panthers, but Foster has been more productive so far this season. He's rushed 61 times for 302 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and one touchdown.

MARE RESTS: Saints kicker Olindo Mare missed Thursday's practice with a groin strain. But he and Payton said it was a precautionary measure, and he expects to play Sunday. Mare said after 11 years in the league, he knows his body well and thought it would be a good idea to back off Thursday when he felt tightness.

Receiver David Patten (calf), defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy (toe) and safety Jay Bellamy (ankle) participated in a portion of team drills Thursday and might play Sunday. Cornerback Jason David is out with a forearm injury.

MEACHEM IMPROVING: Payton said rookie receiver Robert Meachem has looked better and healthier after the bye week than at any point since he underwent minor knee surgery in the summer.

"With him, the flexibility in that (knee) joint has been an issue where it's been somewhat stiff," Payton said. "It's looked in the last two practices as if he's been able to extend it, and you don't see that gait that you saw in training camp, and that's encouraging."

Still, Payton said he doesn't expect Meachem to be on the active roster anytime soon, mostly because the five guys ahead of him are all productive.

TOPS IN RATINGS: The Saints are leading the NFL in local TV ratings this year with an average of 43.6 percent of homes tuning into Saints games, according to the league. Rounding out the top five are Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Green Bay.

The Saints have traditionally been among the strongest teams in local TV ratings, but their numbers are up from previous years. In 2002, they ranked fourth in the NFL with 38.3 percent. In 2004, they ranked seventh with 31.7 percent. The New Orleans market went unmeasured in 2005 and 2006, following Hurricane Katrina.

MAKEOVER: The Saints received a locker-room makeover, courtesy of Microsoft. Using the Saints as a test run, Microsoft loaded the locker room with computers, televisions and Xbox 360 game systems, plus chairs, couches and desks.

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QBREES9

very good read