TallySaint

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL

Monday, August 15, 2005

Temperature: Indoors
Heat index: Indoors

Attendance: 150.


In the spotlight: Tight end

Depth chart

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

85 Ernie Conwell | 6-2 | 255 | 10

86 Zachary Hilton | 6-8 | 268 | 3

80 Shad Meier | 6-4 | 255 | 5

89 Lamont Hall | 6-4 | 260 | 6

82 Boo Williams | 6-4 | 265 | 5

48 Mike Banks | 6-4 | 261 | 3

Ernie Conwell is the main man. He has become a dependable blocker in recent years but has struggled to stay healthy. . . . Zachary Hilton's height makes him a solid red-zone threat but also exposes him as a blocker. . . . Shad Meier has been sidelined with a knee injury and is expected to return next week. . . . Boo Williams is a terrific athlete with excellent skills. . . . Lamont Hall is a blocking specialist who is working a lot at fullback. . . . Mike Banks appears to be caught in a numbers game because only four tight ends are expected to make the final roster.


GET TO KNOW:

Anders Ackerstrom

Position: DE

Height/weight: 6-6, 290

Experience: 1. Age: 23

College: Arkansas

Hometown: Ostfold, Norway

Did you know? A native of Oslo, Norway, Ackerstrom has a reserved spot on the practice squad for the duration of the season as an NFL International Development Practice Squad player, one of eight international players from five countries participating in the program. . . . He joined the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe in Week 5 of the season. . . . Was a walk-on kicker at Arkansas but outgrew the position and eventually moved to defensive end. . . . Started playing career at 200 pounds but gradually has increased weight to 290. Credits the protein and nutrition of "American food" and weight training for the gains.

He said it: "I made the mistake of wearing a Saints shirt on my day off at the mall on Saturday. I won't do that again. I love signing autographs, and I signed them for everyone, but after about 20 minutes or so it gets kind of old."


WHO'S HOT: Cornerback Jimmy Williams went a long way toward securing a roster spot with a solid performance against the Seattle Seahawks in an exhibition game Friday night at the Superdome. He helped his cause by making several nice returns on punts and kickoffs.


WHO'S NOT: Linebacker Cie Grant is back on the shelf again because of knee problems. The hard-luck third-year veteran needs a healthy camp to make the roster.


PLAY OF THE DAY: Quarterback Aaron Brooks hit receiver Joe Horn with a perfectly placed bomb over the tight coverage of cornerback Mike McKenzie during the first series of team drills.


INJURY REPORT

Pos. | Player | Injury

LB | Cie Grant | patellar tendonitis (out)

WR | Az-Zahir Hakim | right hamstring (out)

TE | Shad Meier | torn knee meniscus (out)

OL | Jon Stinchcomb | ruptured patella tendon (out)

OL | Spencer Folau | sore shoulder (out)

LB | Roger Knight | sore right knee (out)

LB | James Allen | sprained left knee (out)


QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Damn, that (. . .) is fast!" -- Cornerback Mike McKenzie while trying to keep pace with wide receiver Donté Stallworth after a long pass in practice.


TODAY'S SCHEDULE: Morning, practice (outdoors; open to public), 9 a.m.; evening, practice, 7:30 p.m., (indoors).


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