Camp Report, Who's Hot, Who's Not, etc...

TallySaint · 08-04-2005, 07:31 AM

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL

Thursday, August 04, 2005- Times Picayune

Temperature: 86
Heat index: 98.

Attendance: 472.

In the spotlight: Middle linebacker

Depth chart

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

55 Courtney Watson | 6-1 | 246 | 1

56 Alfred Fincher | 6-1 | 238 | R

59 Ronald McKinnon | 6-4 | 257 | 10

Watson is the clear starter, although a recent strain to his left quadriceps is a concern. He appears much more confident in his second season. Fincher has the demeanor and attitude the coaches are looking for, but is suffering typical rookie growing pains. He'll likely make his mark on special teams. McKinnon provides veteran insurance. He's trying to play catch-up after signing with the club late last week.

GET TO KNOW:

KEITH JOSEPH

Position: RB

Height/weight: 6-2, 223

Experience: Rookie.

Age: 23.

College: Texas A&M.

Hometown: Houston

Did you know: Joseph has lost 33 pounds since the draft. He reported to camp after the draft at 256 pounds. . . . Was a star at Lamar High School, where he was recruited by Texas, LSU, Michigan State and Arizona. . . . Earned All-District 17-5A honors as a senior. LSU running back Joseph Addai was the quarterback on that team. . . . Started his career at tailback, then gained 20-25 pounds to convert to fullback.

He said it: "Coming out of college I played running back and fullback. When Jim Haslett called me he wanted me to try out at both tailback and fullback, then he told me he wanted me to stay at running back, so I thought I would lose a little weight. I feel a lot faster, quicker, more agile. My body's in good condition. I think I'm having a pretty good camp. I'm catching the ball and running well."

WHO'S HOT: Defensive tackle Jason Jefferson is enjoying a strong camp and has moved ahead of backup Rodney Leisle in some packages. Jefferson is showing excellent strength and burst inside. At one time he was thought to be headed for the practice squad, but he's making a push for a spot on the active roster.

WHO'S NOT: Wide receiver Joe Horn is not having a good camp by his high standards. He's dropped several balls in recent workouts and has struggled to beat man-to-man coverage by top corners Mike McKenzie and Fakhir Brown. Moreover, the normally loquacious Horn declined interviews with reporters until Friday.

PLAY OF THE DAY: Aaron Brooks rebounded from a subpar day Tuesday with a strong workout Wednesday morning. The highlight of his day was a beautifully placed 15-yard touchdown pass to Devery Henderson in the back of the end zone during seven-on-seven drills. Brooks put the ball just high enough to avoid a pack of defenders yet still make it catchable for Henderson.

INJURY REPORT

Pos. | Player | Injury

TE | Shad Meier | torn knee meniscus (out)

DT | Willie Whitehead | turf toe (out)

OL | Spencer Folau | sore shoulder (out)

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Coach, do you think practices are too long?" -- Cornerback Mike McKenzie, posing as a reporter, to Coach Jim Haslett during his post-practice interview session.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE: Morning, weightlifting, 9 a.m.; evening, practice, 3 p.m. (open to public).

8)

08-04-2005, 07:31 AM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Camp Report, Who's Hot, Who's Not, etc... CAMP CONFIDENTIAL Thursday, August 04, 2005- Times Picayune Temperature: 86 Heat index: 98. Attendance: 472. In the spotlight: Middle linebacker Depth chart No. player \| Ht. \| Wt. \| Exp. \| 55 Courtney Watson \| 6-1 \| 246 \| 1 56 Alfred Fincher \| 6-1 \| 238 \| R 59 Ronald McKinnon \| 6-4 \| 257 \| 10 Watson is the clear starter, although a recent strain to his left quadriceps is a concern. He appears much more confident in his second season. Fincher has the demeanor and attitude the coaches are looking for, but is suffering typical rookie growing pains. He'll likely make his mark on special teams. McKinnon provides veteran insurance. He's trying to play catch-up after signing with the club late last week. GET TO KNOW: KEITH JOSEPH Position: RB Height/weight: 6-2, 223 Experience: Rookie. Age: 23. College: Texas A&M. Hometown: Houston Did you know: Joseph has lost 33 pounds since the draft. He reported to camp after the draft at 256 pounds. . . . Was a star at Lamar High School, where he was recruited by Texas, LSU, Michigan State and Arizona. . . . Earned All-District 17-5A honors as a senior. LSU running back Joseph Addai was the quarterback on that team. . . . Started his career at tailback, then gained 20-25 pounds to convert to fullback. He said it: "Coming out of college I played running back and fullback. When Jim Haslett called me he wanted me to try out at both tailback and fullback, then he told me he wanted me to stay at running back, so I thought I would lose a little weight. I feel a lot faster, quicker, more agile. My body's in good condition. I think I'm having a pretty good camp. I'm catching the ball and running well." WHO'S HOT: Defensive tackle Jason Jefferson is enjoying a strong camp and has moved ahead of backup Rodney Leisle in some packages. Jefferson is showing excellent strength and burst inside. At one time he was thought to be headed for the practice squad, but he's making a push for a spot on the active roster. WHO'S NOT: Wide receiver Joe Horn is not having a good camp by his high standards. He's dropped several balls in recent workouts and has struggled to beat man-to-man coverage by top corners Mike McKenzie and Fakhir Brown. Moreover, the normally loquacious Horn declined interviews with reporters until Friday. PLAY OF THE DAY: Aaron Brooks rebounded from a subpar day Tuesday with a strong workout Wednesday morning. The highlight of his day was a beautifully placed 15-yard touchdown pass to Devery Henderson in the back of the end zone during seven-on-seven drills. Brooks put the ball just high enough to avoid a pack of defenders yet still make it catchable for Henderson. INJURY REPORT Pos. \| Player \| Injury TE \| Shad Meier \| torn knee meniscus (out) DT \| Willie Whitehead \| turf toe (out) OL \| Spencer Folau \| sore shoulder (out) QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Coach, do you think practices are too long?" -- Cornerback Mike McKenzie, posing as a reporter, to Coach Jim Haslett during his post-practice interview session. TODAY'S SCHEDULE: Morning, weightlifting, 9 a.m.; evening, practice, 3 p.m. (open to public). 8)