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2003 Camp is in the books
By Chris Pika, August 21, 2003; 10:30 pm
NewOrleansSaints.com

The Saints concluded their 2003 training camp with a spirited practice inside the one place that has made a huge difference in how the Saints prepare for the season - the brand-new indoor facility.

Coach Jim Haslett was not pleased with the effort outside in the shortened morning practice and the team responded with a solid session indoors to finish up the camp schedule.

The Saints brand-new indoor facility made a big difference in how training camp was conducted in 2003
Michael C. Hebert
"We just didn't practice well this morning," Haslett said. "It wasn't good enough and I think they understood it. I think I got my point across because they did a good job tonight."

Overall, Haslett thought that camp went well for his team. "I thought we had a good camp," he said. "We had a good ending tonight. It was fast-paced. Guys were working hard. We did some extra work on one of our opponents tonight. It was a good camp all around. We had almost 30 practices and we came out relatively healthy. I thought it was a good camp."

Haslett went on to say that the goals for camp that he and his staff set were met by the players. "I think it was one of the harder camps," he said. "We went live on a lot of things and we were going at it. The guys understood that we wanted a certain tempo and they did a good job responding to that."

The coaching staff will determine playing time after a short walkthrough prior to the late afternoon flight to San Francisco. Haslett said that the starters will work more than last week's first half vs. the Jets.

Haslett also said that next Tuesday's first roster cutdown and the final cut to 53 next weekend will be tough for several reasons. "A lot of guys have done really well," he said. "We were going through some of the cuts today. It is going to be hard to figure out and try to get to 53. A lot of these young guys are going to be good players like Zachary Hilton, Cie Grant and a lot of the guys that we drafted. I am excited about seeing the progress of them."

For the players, the end of camp means getting out of the hotel and back into a regular schedule that they will follow for the remainder of the season. "Now you are into your normal schedule," said RB Deuce McAllister. "Training camp is basically mental work and getting your body ready to prepare for the season."

"It's big to break camp," said CB Ashley Ambrose. "We're excited that it's finally ending and that we are ready for the regular season."

The indoor facility was a big plus for the players and the coaches as disruptions due to rain and extreme heat were kept to a minimum. With the daily afternoon pattern of showers came through the Metairie area, the Saints just jogged into the indoor facility and picked up where they left off.

"When it rained and stormed like Wednesday, the facility makes a big difference," Ambrose said. "Instead of being outside and trying to fight through it, we can go indoors and get a lot done."

"Coach Haslett has done a great job in taking advantage of every situation possible to come indoors," said QB Aaron Brooks. "It has helped us out a lot and kept us focused on the tasks ahead."

EVENING NOTES: RB Curtis Keaton did not work in the evening session due to a hip flexor...DE Charles Grant strained a calf muscle, but Haslett said he would be alright...DT Kenderick Allen missed the evening session due to a death in his family.

MORNING NOTES: The final morning session was one of the cooler ones, temperature-wise as it was 81 degrees with a heat index of 88 at the start of practice at 9 am...the workout was shortened to just over an hour from the usual two-hour workout.

When you read the highlighted part, it sounds like Zach Hilton has a good chance of making this squad. It sure is good to come out of training camp with no major injuries. I'm like the rest of you though, I wish we had found a solid backup for Deuce. Perhaps someone will get cut in the first round od cuts that can do the job. I'm not sure if Carter is the answer. Perhaps a trade is in order to get a good backup.