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Fans attending the New Orleans Saints’ open minicamp practices in the next three days may notice a difference in the intensity level of the workouts from previous years.

Because of changes in the new collective bargaining agreement that went into effect in August, NFL teams and players are limited in what they can and can’t do during veteran minicamps.

So when the Saints take the field for five practices between Tuesday and Thursday at their Metairie training facility, there will be no contact work (defined in Article 22, Section 5 of the CBA as “live” blocking, tackling, pass rushing, bump-and-run) or use of pads. Helmets are permitted.

Each of the Saints’ five workouts will be open free of charge to the public, although practices that have to be moved to the team’s indoor facility because of inclement weather will be closed to fans.

The Saints have practices scheduled for 10:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and wrap things up with a single workout at 10:15 a.m. Thursday. Gates open 45 minutes before the start of each workout.

“We want as little contact as possible, and I’m all for that,” Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt said of the rules limitations. “The season is grueling, it’s long.

“I think for our offensive and defensive linemen, what we’ve tried to teach is, ‘Bring your hands first, your feet second, shut it down, and try to have as little helmet-to-helmet contact as we can.’”

Vitt admitted it will be a change for the Saints, who in the past had some spirited minicamp work with the competitive juices flowing in the heat and humidity of early June.

Read more.
New rules will give Saints

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