Rating: (0 votes - average)

In an effort to ramp up the intensity this week and keep guys sharp heading into Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Sean Payton changed up one of his practice periods by letting the offense face off against the defense.

“The schedule was very similar, and yet, look, obviously there’s that sense of urgency that needs to be present,” Payton said. “We get prepared now and work our way through this. This will be a tough challenge playing against Tampa.”

The change drew rave reviews from all parties involved. The players said the intensity level was higher than usual and it gave them a more competitive period than they would typically receive working against the scout teams.

“I think anytime a coach switches it up, throws something different in there, it makes you more alert, like, ‘OK, it’s changed up,’” safety Jairus Byrd said. “A lot of times if you do the same thing, it becomes monotonous. Everyone is like, ‘OK, we know what’s coming next.’

Read the rest at THE ADVOCATE.com

NOLA54

So what! we can beat ourselves to a tie?

hagan714

i point to the pampering of millionaires for a lot of the issues. camp is a country club.

blackangold

So let me get this straight...

If you practice against a tougher opponent then you become better?

Who would have thought, huh?

I guess before Payton had the team practice against the local JV football team.

Seriously though, WTF... This seems like practice 101 stuff to me... wow. This, right here is why we look like we have no heart and intensity on game day, because practice is "monotonous".

What the hell happen to Payton... you have the highest paid defensive player saying practice is monotonous. I didn't know what the team's problem was before because everyone looked flat, WELL FOLKS THIS IS IT!

Danno

Scout teams simulate what our opponents do, and we install packages based on their tendencies. There is an advantage to practicing against scout teams.
Doesn't hurt to mix it up a bit though. Desperate times call for desperate measures

Audiotom

Perhaps going back to play calling on both sides of the ball from a year ago

blackangold

I understand the need for scout teams, and that is a portion of practicing, but you need to have some level of competition every day. We all see it on game day, these guys come out flat and play flat until they get their ass kicked but then it's too late... well this is why they have no urgency, because we practice with no urgency.

AlaskaSaints

Is this even allowed under NFLPA rules? There are only so many full-pad practices allowed.

The NFL is GAY

jnormand

At this point I don't care if they play ping pong at practice. Just fix it before its too late! The window is closing and this team needs to play intense and inspired.

foreverfan

Yea... But did we win?