SmashMouth

Benjamin Watson lined up just to the outside of the left tackle on one play. Josh Hill was split wide on another. Both followed their assignments during a recent New Orleans Saints offseason practice.

Saints coaches insist they have asked the tight ends to do everything Jimmy Graham would have if he and the team were not in the middle of a contract dispute that has caused him to stay away from practices.

"Some other guys are getting reps, but as far as what we are installing and what we are doing, it's not changing," Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael said.

The Saints completed their second round of OTAs Thursday, and the team will hold three minicamp practices open to the public next week starting Tuesday in Metairie.

Graham will likely miss those practices unless he and the Saints reach an unexpected resolution before a grievance hearing scheduled for June 17. His continued absence will give the four other tight ends on the 90-man roster more chances in practice.



"It's just one more rep a piece while we're going through our team period," Saints tight end coach Terry Malone said.

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