QBREES9

By SHELDON MICKLES
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Nov 8, 2007

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METAIRIE — The New Orleans Saints returned to practice Wednesday without running back Reggie Bush, who sat out with a bruised left knee.

Bush rode a stationary bike during the portion of practice open to the media. Coach Sean Payton said Bush participated in the pre-practice walkthrough and received ice treatment. Payton said Bush will be re-evaluated today before they continue preparing for Sunday’s game with St. Louis.

Bush said he got a “little banged up” in Sunday’s 41-24 victory over Jacksonville and expects to play this week. Bush said a defender twisted his leg while making a tackle and it didn’t start hurting until later that night. He said there was no swelling in the knee.

“There’s nothing broken, nothing torn or anything like that,” Bush said. “It’s just a normal every day football injury you go through. It was precautionary to get ready for the game this weekend. It’s nothing that kept me out of the game or anything like that.”

Faine returns
Center Jeff Faine, who missed the last 2 1/2 games with a strained left pectoral muscle, returned to practice Wednesday and took all the repetitions with the first team, Payton said.

Sitting out the workout along with Bush were defensive end Charles Grant (ankle), defensive tackle Brian Young (knee) and cornerback Usama Young (hamstring). Weakside linebacker Scott Shanle (hamstring) was limited.

Payton said Grant, who sprained his right ankle at San Francisco on Oct. 28 but returned to practice last Friday, experienced soreness against the Jaguars.

“He’s made some progress with it, but it was sore during the game and he struggled,” Payton said. “But he’s further along than he was a week ago.”

Rams update
Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson, who missed four games earlier this season with a groin injury and then hurt his back in their last game on Oct. 28, practiced on a limited basis Wednesday.

Jackson, who played one quarter against Cleveland before he left with what was diagnosed as a bulging disc in his back, said he expects to play against the Saints. That’s not good news for Payton, who coached Jackson at the Pro Bowl last February.

“He’s certainly one of the guys that stood out and we said, ‘This guy’s something else,’ ” Payton said. “He’s big, he’s physical. He has great balance and speed. So he’s a challenge.”

Brees backs Mare
Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw his arms in the air in support of kicker Olindo Mare on Sunday as fans booed when Mare trotted onto the field to try a 52-yard field goal just before halftime against the Jaguars.

The fans were upset because Mare, who is 6 of 12 this season, had missed a 43-yard attempt seconds earlier. Brees said he simply wanted the fans to be supportive of Mare when he went out there.

“I was saying, ‘Support him,’” Brees said. “We all have rough times, and the guy’s had some rough times. So support him. You know, cheer for him.


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QBREES9

here page 2 Published: Nov 8, 2007
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“If you want him to make the kick, then make him feel good about it. Don’t make him feel like everybody’s booing him and, ‘If I miss, they’re going to boo even louder.’ Support the guy, that’s what I was saying.”

Brees, Payton nominated

Brees and Payton have been nominated for the FedEx Air Player of the Week award and Motorola Coach of the Week award, respectively. Fans can vote through this afternoon at Official Site of the National Football League.