JOESAM2002

Saints News


CAMP CONFIDENTIAL



Friday August 08, 2003





Temperature: 89 degrees

Heat index: 103 degrees

Attendance: 250

In the spotlight: Left cornerback.

Depth chart

No. Player Ht. Wt. Exp.

21 Dale Carter 6-1 194 11

29 Keyuo Craver 5-10 195 2

35 Fakhir Brown 5-11 192 4

Carter is the returning starter and looked terrific before being sidelined with tendinitis. Craver has also been a standout and gives the staff confidence in its top four corners. Brown is trying to hold off youngsters Lynaris Elpheage and Deveron Harper for the fifth cornerback spot.

GET TO KNOW:

DEVERON HARPER

Position: CB

Height/weight: 5-11, 187

Experience: Second year

Age: 25

College: Notre Dame

Hometown: Orangeburg, S.C.

Did you know: Younger brother of former San Diego Chargers cornerback Dwayne Harper. . . . Originally signed with the Carolina Panthers as a rookie free agent in 2000. . . . As a rookie, played in all 16 games, primarily on special teams. . . . In 2001, played in eight games and made one start at cornerback, totaling four tackles. . . . Played with the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe. . . Was a three-year starter at Notre Dame, totaling 174 career tackles, four interceptions and four forced fumbles. . . . Graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in marketing.

He said it: "Scotland was great. They really play bagpipes on the street corner over there, and men go to work wearing kilts. Everything is so green because it rains so much. It was a great experience."

WHO'S HOT: WR Michael Lewis made two sterling touchdown catches during 7-on-7 passing drills in the red zone. Since returning from a neck injury, Lewis has been outstanding and has seized the No. 4 receiving spot behind Joe Horn, Jerome Pathon and Donté Stallworth.

WHO'S NOT: WR Talman Gardner has shown flashes of ability but needs to be more consistent catching the ball. He has dropped several balls during camp, including a couple Thursday, and appears to have fallen behind Derrick Lewis and fellow rookie Kareem Kelly in the race for a reserve receiver spot.

PLAY OF THE DAY: Dropping into zone coverage during team drills, LB Sedrick Hodge read QB Aaron Brooks' eyes and stepped in front of a pass for an interception in the left flat.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "He never ceases to amaze me. When he first got here, he couldn't catch a cold. You wouldn't be afraid to put him in a game right now." -- Saints coach Jim Haslett on Michael Lewis.

INJURY REPORT Out

RB Tavian Banks (hamstring)

DT Jovon Bush (hamstring)

CB Dale Carter (tendinitis)

DT Henry Ford (ankle)

G Peter Heyer (shoulder)

DE Darren Howard (hamstring)

G Melvin Paige (hamstring)

OT Scott Sanderson (hernia)

DT John Schlecht (back)

TE David Sloan (shoulder)

LB Darrin Smith (groin)

Worked on a limited basis

G LeCharles Bentley (pectoral)

TODAY'S SCHEDULE: Morning practice, 9 a.m.; evening practice, 7:30 p.m. at West Jefferson High School.