SmashMouth

For the first time in training camp the New Orleans Saints practiced outdoors without being under the blazing sun. The Saints hit the practice field this morning under overcast skies and less intense heat.

The Black and Gold got back to work at 8:50am this morning and worked for about two hours. "Whenever you can get a break from the high heat and the sun it gives you a little more pep in your step," said Saints Color Analyst Hokie Gajan.

At Monday's outdoor practice the Saints worked under a temperature of ninety-eight degrees, but Tuesday the temp was a nice eighty-eight degrees with a heat index at above one-hundred.

"It was a nice break from the sun. It was still hot out there but the sun was not beating us down," said Saints Linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar.

Saints coach Sean Payton switched things up this morning and went into a live drive in short yardage situations with the focus on the run game. On the very first play running back Pierre Thomas took a hit on his arm in the backfield and fumbled the ball.

Safety Usama Young recovered the fumble, but the bad news at the time was that Pierre Thomas was on the ground for a few seconds. Thomas got up holding his left wrist and walked off the field and into the locker room.

"Early on Pierre Thomas left and were going to get a look at his left wrist. I think it's fine but we are going to get an X-Ray," said Payton.

The Saints worked for a little over two hours this morning and will have a closed activity this afternoon that will include a walk through and weight lifting.

Wide receiver Marques Colston was back working in full pads this morning, while LB's Scott Shanle and Clint Ingram along with TE Jermey Shockey, safety Darren Sharper and WR Robert Meachem were all still nursing injuries.

The defense had the upper hand in the drill, winning the battle on eight of the twelve plays. Reggie Bush did reel off a nice five yard run while RB Chris Ivory had a six yard gain and RB PJ Hill looked good on a carry also.

Saints linebackers coach Joe Vitt challenged his players as he was heard yelling, "We're soft, we're soft and it's a game of will!"

The defense responded with solid play. After a short break, the linemen went on the far end of the field to work on one on one pass rushing / protection.
DE Junior Galette blew past his would be blocker and would have earned a sack (if they could hit the QB), while OG's Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks looked solid. DE Bobby McCray blew by OT Zach Strief highlighting the session.

Later the Saints went back to work on team drills with the offense battling the defense. Saints DE Alex Brown got into the backfield and stopped RB Reggie Bush behind the line of scrimmage. QB Drew Brees tried to hook up with WR Devery Henderson for a score, but DB Roman Harper made a play on the ball and dropped what looked to be a sure interception.

The best offensive play occurred when RB Chris Ivory took a handoff and cut outside on his way to a score. Reggie Bush would later haul in a short pass from Drew Brees and made a nice cut that would have scored.

For a full breakdown of this morning's practice and live updates from the Saints afternoon activities, be sure to tune in to SportsTalk with Bobby Hebert, Hokie Gajan and Deke Bellavia today at 4pm on the home of the Saints WWL 870AM/FM 105.3 and online at WWL.com.


linkback to WWL



Ivory ripping another long run...