JOESAM2002

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Temperature: 72 (indoors).

Heat index: 72 (indoors).


Attendance: 125.


In the spotlight: Nose tackle

Depth chart

No. player | Ht. | Wt. | Exp.

95 Howard Green | 6-2 | 320 | 2

97 Johnathan Sullivan | 6-3 | 330 | 2

75 Rodney Leisle | 6-3 | 315 | R

Johnathan Sullivan was demoted to second team when he reported to camp in poor condition, and he has been unable to make up ground on Howard Green. Sullivan is clearly the most talented player at the position and could regain the starting job by the opener. However, he's been unable to lose much of the 15 extra pounds he carried into camp. Rookie Rodney Leisle has impressed coaches with his work ethic and ability to stop the run. Coach Jim Haslett might have to keep three players at this position.


GET TO KNOW:

MIKE KARNEY

Position: Fullback

Height/weight: 5-11, 258

Experience: Rookie

Age: 23

College: Arizona State

Hometown: Kent, Wash.

Did you know: Nickname at school was "The Karnivore." . . . Attended the same high school (Kentwood in Kent, Wash.) as Saints tight end Ernie Conwell. . . . Gained notice in college for pushing his wrecked Nissan Stanza around campus as part of his training regimen. . . .

He said it: "I don't care what kind of shape you're in, it's hot out there (at practice). We had dry heat in Arizona, and it was hot. Here you sweat more because of the humidity. I think some of the best-conditioned guys on our team were starting to suffer (Tuesday). When you start to see guys run the wrong routes or get sloppy with their technique, you know it's having an effect."

WHO'S HOT: Rookie wide receiver Devery Henderson seems to make a big play every practice. Coaches have praised the former LSU speedster for his retention of the playbook despite an eight-day holdout. Coach Jim Haslett called Henderson on Wednesday "a pleasant surprise."

WHO'S NOT: Middle linebacker Cie Grant continues to be hobbled by knee problems and has lost significant ground to rookie Courtney Watson in the competition for the starting middle linebacker job. Grant's knees have become a major concern for team officials.

PLAY OF THE DAY: Middle linebacker Courtney Watson made a leaping two-handed interception of a Todd Bouman pass and returned the ball 15 yards for a touchdown during team drills in the morning practice. Watson looks more comfortable in the starting role each day.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "From what I saw in the offseason, he's caught it a hundred times better (in training camp)." -- Saints coach Jim Haslett on rookie wide receiver Devery Henderson.

INJURY REPORT

QB Aaron Brooks | quadriceps

CB Keyuo Craver | sprained left ankle

WR Germane Crowell | left knee

LB Cie Grant | left knee

S Steve Gleason | broken left thumb

TE Lamont Hall | knee

S Tebucky Jones | groin

LB Roger Knight | knee

WR Derrick Lewis | hamstring

FB Nate Schurman | sprained left toe

DL Willie Whitehead | right knee

TODAY'S SCHEDULE: Practice, full pads, 3 p.m.

CheramieIII

Go Watson, maybe trying for the sixth wr spot. I still hate all the injuries listed even if they might be over inflated.