JOESAM2002

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL
Saturday, August 07, 2004
Temperature: 72 degrees (indoors)

Attendance: Both sessions were closed to the public


IN THE SPOTLIGHT

QUARTERBACK: Aaron Brooks enters his fourth full season as a starter. He needs to build off a Pro Bowl-type season in 2003 when he posted a 24-to-8 touchdown to interception ratio. . . . Backup Todd Bouman seems right at home in offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy's system and is pushing Brooks in camp. . . . J.T. O'Sullivan is coming off a good showing with the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe.

DEPTH CHART

No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Exp.

2 | Aaron Brooks | 6-4 | 220 | 6

4 | Todd Bouman | 6-2 | 226 | 7

14 | J.T. O'Sullivan | 6-2 | 220 | 3


Get to know:

Rob Hart

Position: Kicker

Height/weight: 5-8, 172

Experience: One

Age: 24

College: Murray State

Hometown: Totton, England

Did you know? Has played the past seven years with the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe. . . . Is NFL Europe's all-time leading scorer with 361 points. . . . Converted 11 of 12 extra-point attempts and 11 of 14 field-goal attempts last spring, with a long of 43 yards. . . . Kicks with right foot; believed to be the first bare-footed kicker to go to camp with the Saints. . . . Went to camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins the past two seasons.


Who's hot:

WR Nathan Black

The second-year pro from Baton Rouge has drawn attention from the coaching staff and could be a prime candidate for the eight-man practice squad. Although the chances of him making the 53-man roster are remote, he has ability. He has decent speed, good hands and practices hard.


Who's not:

WR/RS Michael Lewis

Lewis has missed the past five practices with a strained right hamstring. The longer he stays on the sideline, the more reps for players who are battling for a roster spot. In addition, the coaching staff is getting a look at other potential kick and punt returners, Lewis' specialty.


Play of the day

Quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan took advantage of a blown assignment by the defense in 11-on-11, connecting with wide-open running back Ki-Jana Carter in the left flat for a 5-yard touchdown. There wasn't a defender within 5 yards.


Quote of the day

"I had heard Charles Grant was an underachiever. Charles Grant has been to every practice. He goes hard in every drill. To me he's as responsive and motivated as Clyde Simmons, Jeff Lageman, Jimmy Wilks, as any of the good great players I've coached. Charles hasn't missed a beat." -- Saints defensive line coach John Pease


Injury report

Pos. | Player | Injury

QB | Aaron Brooks | right quad

DL | Willie Whitehead | right knee

WR | Derrick Lewis | left hamstring

WR | Michael Lewis | right hamstring

S | Steve Gleason | broken left thumb

WR | Germane Crowell | left knee

CB | Keyuo Craver | left ankle

DE | Darren Howard | right knee


Today's schedule

Black and Gold Scrimmage, 7 p.m. to 9:05 p.m. at Strawberry Stadium on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University. Tickets are $28 and $20.

CheramieIII

More and more everyday we are seeing Black\'s name. I will not be surprised when he make\'s the top six. Crowell and M. Lewis are fading due to injuries.

Grant is a beast and we need to come up with an appropriate nickname for him, any suggestions?