Saints Training Camp Schedule

All of the practices are at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. All Practices at Millsaps College are Open to the Public and pactice times can be changed at anytime. For the latest updates go to www.neworleanssaints.com.

***ALL MILLSAPS PRACTICES; FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC***

Thursday, July 24: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Friday, July 25: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Saturday, July 26: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Sunday, July 27: 8:50-10:30 a.m. (walk-thru); 3:40-6 p.m.

Monday, July 28: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Tuesday, July 29: 8:50-10:30 a.m.; 3:40-6 p.m.

Wednesday July 30: 8:50-10:30 a.m. (walk-thru); 3:40-6:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 31: 8:50-10:30 a.m.; 3:40-6 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 1: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 2: PRACTICE TIME TBA — FAMILY DAY (Jackson Memorial Stadium)

Sunday, Aug. 3: No Practice: Players Off

Monday, Aug. 4: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 5: 3:40-6 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 6: 8:50-11 a.m.; No afternoon practice — team travel day.

Thursday, Aug. 7: New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 8: No Practice: Players Off

Saturday, Aug. 9: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 10: 8:50-10:30 a.m. 3:40-6 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 11: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 12: Break camp, team returns to New Orleans.

*Practice times and field locations are subject to change with little or no advance warning due to weather considerations or at the discretion of the head coach.

*All Practices at Millsaps College are Open to the Public.

Saints Dragging Feet On Colston Extension?

ProFootballTalk.com had an interesting take on the contract negotiations between the team and WR Marques Colston.  Talks are in the preliminary stages in Colston’s situation, as well as the negotiations for OG Jahri Evans. PFT took a look at the future if a deal doesn’t get done this season with Colston.

A holdout by Colston is unlikely, but he clearly deserves a raise.  When and if he’ll get one remains to be seen.

They’d better move soon, or another team might be willing to give up a first-round pick and a third-round pick in order to pilfer him from the Saints next March.  Given that drafting a wideout in round one is even more of a crapshoot than taking a quarterback, a proven commodity is well worth a one and a three.

I’d be utterly shocked if it came down to this. Colston is only 25 years old and has produced at a very high level in his first two seasons in the league. It’s hard to imagine the team would let him even sniff free agency and I fully expect a deal to get done before the start of the season. There isn’t an immediate rush as Colston is not expected to hold out nor will his personality allow him to be a distraction.

Should Saints Pursue Lamont Jordan?

Mike Detillier, well respected in the Saints community, wrote an article on how the Saints should seek a trade for Raiders RB Lamont Jordan.

I don’t really understand how sending a draft pick for Lamont Jordan makes any sense. There are a ton of quality running backs available including a league MVP from a few seasons ago (Shaun Alexander). Also available are: Cedric Benson, Travis Henry, Kevin Jones and Najeh Davenport. Jordan hasn’t accomplished as much as some of the players available and would also require a draft pick, which the others wouldn’t. If the Saints were to consider adding another running back, which I think isn’t too likely with Deuce McAllister appearing healthy, a proven 1,000 yard rusher like Henry or Alexander should be the ones added if the team has Super Bowl hopes.

Reasons for Failure and Hope

The Saints were hampered with poor play at numerous positions last season, which caused the fall from NFC Championship Game participants to missing the playoffs entirely. Here is a look at the positions that most affected the team in a negative manner and reasons to hope for improvement: #2 Corner: No matter who the Saints threw out there, the person played poorly. Jason David looked like he moved from quarterback to corner for the majority of the season. Usama Young looked like a rookie. Jason Craft is serviceable as a reserve but when thrown out as a starter, he is just not very good. Fred Thomas never got to play, which is far from a complaint. Reasons for hope: The team added three corners that could earn playing time at the position: Randall Gay, Tracy Porter, and Aaron Glenn. Jason David also has a year under his belt now under the new system. Usama Young is no longer a rookie as well. Pass Rush: The Saints had a league-low 16 sacks as a team last season. That is just unacceptable. The value of the pass rush was shown by the way the Giants won the Super Bowl last season. Charles Grant was slowed by injury and Will Smith had a relatively sub-par season by his standards. Reasons for hope: The team added pass-rush specialist, Bobby McCray, from Jacksonville and early reports are positive. Also, with the seventh pick overall Sedrick Ellis was added to help cause disruption up the middle. The team also hired defensive line coach, Ed Orgeron, who is known to get the most out of his players. Running game: When the team went to the NFC Championship Game in ‘06 season, the tandem of Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush were regarded as one of the best in the league. Last season, knee injuries costed Deuce the majority of his season and shortened Reggie’s season. Aaron Stecker played well when he filled in and Pierre Thomas shined in his only start. However, the team never had a consistent run game which put even more pressure on Drew Brees and the passing attack. Reasons for hope: Reggie and Deuce will both be a full-go by training camp, which may get the tandem back on track. Pierre Thomas and Stecker are both on the team still which means the depth is still there. Also, Reggie Bush “bust talk” has heated up, which may get him to play with an enormous chip on his shoulder. Linebackers: Mark Simoneau is definitely very capable of playing in the league, but maybe not as a starter at middle linebacker on a team hoping to contend. The play of Scott Shanle also seemed to drop off from ‘06 which didn’t help matters. Reasons for hope: Two words: Jonathan Vilma.

Seven Players Under Pressure

Mike Florio, of ProFootballTalk.com, wrote an article for sportingnews.com about seven players around the NFL who are feeling the most pressure in 2008. Reggie Bush came in at #2 on his list and here is what he said about him:

2. Reggie Bush, running back, Saints. Bush deserves credit for taking football more seriously as he prepares for his third season. But will showing up for most of the offseason workouts and generally caring more about the game allow him to suddenly run circles around NFL defensive backs, just like he made Fresno State defenders look like blindfolded schoolchildren with their shoes tied together?

This isn’t about desire; it’s about ability. In two full years, Bush simply hasn’t been the guy that everyone thought he’d be. Thus, the pressure in this case comes primarily from Bush himself; the rest of us already know that he’s not the next Gale Sayers. Heck, Reggie isn’t even the current Maurice Jones-Drew.

Harsh. Anyways, I thought it’d be a good idea to look at seven different players on the Saints roster who are feeling the most pressure to contribute.

1. Deuce McAllister: Deuce is coming off two more knee surgeries and is around that age where running backs begin their decline. The team has already flirted with free agent RB Shaun Alexander and with young running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas already on the roster, it Deuce will have to produce at a high level to remain with the team.

2. Robert Meachem/ Devery Henderson: This tandem has had their fair share of troubles in their young careers. Meachem was the only first round pick in 2007 to not play in a single game and struggled with a knee injury. Henderson, a great talent, has yet to establish himself as an every down receiver despite having numerous chances to do so. Wide receiver will be a highly competitive position during training camp and these two have to play their butts off. Henderson faces the possibility of being cut with a sub par camp and Meachem might find himself in a difficult position as well. Neither players are considered special teams players which makes the need for them to play great at the wide receiver position to hang around.

3. Jason David: When David signed a four-year $15.6 million contract with the team last offseason, many wondered how he adjust to the team’s man-to-man system. Nobody would have guessed that it would have gone as poorly as it did in his first season with the team. David was just plain old awful. This year, he now faces much more competition with the additions of free agent signings Randall Gay and Aaron Glenn, as well as second round pick Tracy Porter. David will have to make the necessary adjustments if he wants to find playing time or maybe even to make the roster period.

4. Josh Bullocks: Bullocks is now entering his fourth season in the league and has yet to prove himself as a capable starting safety. He was regarded as a ball hawk coming out of Nebraska and has only picked off 5 passes in his three seasons with the team. He has looked lost at times in coverage and has blown numerous opportunities to make plays. The weak corner blame has covered up some of his issues but with the improvement there it is on him to develop.

5. Jonathan Goodwin: Goodwin has been a backup for the team for the past few seasons. This year, with the departure of Jeff Faine, Goodwin will be looked at to be the team’s starting center. With the other four starters remaining, Goodwin will be looked at to blame if the play slips from last season.

6. Jonathan Vilma: The team desperately needs a healthy, tackling-machine Jonathan Vilma. Anything less will be a disappointment. The team hasn’t had a linebacker with the capabilities of Vilma since the Dome Patrol days. Vilma has the capability to change the face and attitude of the defense and that would be huge for the team.

7. Charles Grant: After signing a monster contract extension last season, Grant turned in a poor season. After the poor season, Grant turned in a poor offseason. He was indited on involuntary manslaughter charges (to which he has plead not guilty). The team has added young pass rusher, Bobby McCray who has looked good thus far during the minicamps and OTA’s. Grant faces a lot of heat this year needing to turn in a good season and getting through the legal troubles.

Interview With Adam

Adam is attempting to live every football fans dream. He hails from London and this NFL season he will attend 35 games in 17 weeks. He will visit every NFL stadium during his trip. He will also attend Giants Stadium one more time (one for the Giants and another for the Jets), the games in Toronto and London game, and an extra trip to Soldier Field to see his favorite team, the Bears, one more time. He is also leaving behind his girlfriend and job, as well as selling his apartment to go on this trip. I posted a story about him a few days ago and came out very intrigued. I reached out to him and came out very impressed and jealous. Here is our conversation:

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am 28 year Londoner who loves the NFL. I have been a Bears fan since I was 5 back in 1985 when as a impressionable kid saw them win the Super Bowl. I am drama facilitator, which basically means I work with teenagers and young people across London, using drama as a tool for positive social change. I will be leaving the 200 or so young people I work with to go on this trip. I am also leaving my beautiful girlfreind, Steph behind here in London, though she says she is going to come out to a few games!

What is the knowledge of football in London?

Well back in the late 80s, NFL was on terrestial T.V on channel 4 and many people began to access it. Though in the last ten years or so the coverage has moved to Sports dedicated networks only on cable and although not everyone is exposed to the NFL those that are have a far greater knowledge of the game than before. We have two London football teams that play in the British american Football League. We also have quite a few Universities in the country that play, I played myself for 1 year in Wales for University. i played Corner back and at 140 pounds I got knocked all over the place.

I play flag football every week in Hyde Park in London, and that are a lot of American in London who go to the bars on Sunday night to watch the games. So in all there is a community here and a passionate one and it is certainly growing. At the London game last year not only was there all 32 NFL jerseys on show, but many U.K American Football teams on show as well NFL Europe.

What atmosphere should Saints fans expect at the stadium for those that attend the game in London?

To start with there is no “tailgate” 90% of fans will be getting public transport, though that can be fun, because riding on the train together does builkd up the atmosphere. NFLUK last year put on a ticket only tailgate that was excellent with bands and all sorts of great stuff. But it was ticket only, but at least they tried to make it as American as possible.

The game itself wasn’t the best, but there was plenty of passion in the fans. It may not feel like a home game, because neither fan base dominated, but the stadium is great and there was a great atmosphere. Just don’t expect too much from the stadium food! Haha

There’s been talk about the NFL possibly going international. Do you think London could support a NFL franchise in the terms of interest?

Well we do have two London American football teams: The London Blitz and the London Olympians, so I’m not sure if they would merge and form an NFL team, that could be good. With the NFL Europe finishing I do feel Europeans are calling out for more football. I recently played a kitted game in Copenhagen. http://www.adamsfootballtrip.com/blogs/25/we-won-the-copenhagen-bowl.htm
And there was a massive NFL following there. I do think we could have a franchise here, there would be a few problems to start with as it settles, but if there was a team in here in London then I’d be sigining up for a season ticket right now!

Do you think football will ever become a major sport in Europe, not necessarily as big as soccer (or whatever you guys call it) but somewhere near the level of other sports?

I would love football to be as big as our other sports here, but I can not see it hapening soon. Domestic soccer saturates the sports pages as well as international soccer, but domestic Rugby, Cricket and other sports do not get the same coverage, it is only at international level that audiences pick up. Maybe we could push the sport towards international games to be played? There could be an internatioanl tournament between nations, there are quite a few European teams that would play!  Soccer is big because of it’s ease to just pick up and play. Football needs a lot of start up kit. I would love to see the flag version of Football (what I play and teach in my youth work job),become bigger here because that is fun, quick and needs no real costs and that could be a way for the younger kids to get more involved with this great sport.

How will you be getting around through the various cities you go to?

I’m starting the trip in NYC and I will be buying a car, or hopefully getting a sponsored car. I will be driving to each game, apart from the Seattle game, as I will be in Chicago the day before to run for the Walter Payton Cancer Trust. I’m also flying to the Toronto game as well as the London game. It will be nice to go home for the week and see my family and friends. I will be crossing the states 8 times I think, and I’ll be clocking up nearly 35,000 miles! I hope to get a car that is “green”. Any suggestions?

There are fans in America that are just casual fans and “root” for teams like the Cowboys and the Yankees in baseball, is there that one team over there that people like but don’t necessarily follow?

Well Manchester United are the most “famous” soccer club in the world, so you can imagine alot of people like them, and they just won the Prmeier League and the Champions League this year. They are so big that more people in London support Manchester Utd than any other London club, such as Arsenal, Tottenham or Chelsea. Part of that reason is because so many international people or people from other parts of the country move to London and they all seem to support Manchester. Then again for every person that likes them another peson hates them and is sick of them winning eveything [laughs].

When I have visited the States in the past, many Americans assume I support Manchester Utd, which I do not. I support Tottenam Hotspur, they are my local Premier team based in North East London and my Dad has supported them his whole life along with his Dad.

I have also noticed in the States sometimes I tell people I am a Bears fan and they say : “Why? they suck”, as if I should not support my team, just because they are not so good. Hopefully I won’t [see] too many of these people as I am looking for fans that are really proud of their team whether they “suck” or not. I’m proud to be a Bears fan as I am proud to be a Tottenham fan.

What’s the one game on your trip you really look forward to attending?

Well as a Bears fan it has to be Monday Night Football at Soldier Field against the Packers. That for me is our Super Bowl if we don’t make it to the playoffs. There are many other games for several reasons that are looking unique or special, but this is the big one! The game in London will be great as I saw my first NFL game there 1990, when the Saints played the Raiders. If I have any money left after the 35 games I hope to go to the playoffs and the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl, that would be amazing.

What was the process did you go through to select the games you will be going to?

It was a mix of the matchups and the schedule. I [wanted] to be able to see each team once at home I would need to see the games on Monday and Thursday. The Sunday games I picked from because of matchup and location from the last team and the team following. There are few games I really do want to see like the Bengals and Browns but I can not make it fit.Though I am very happy with the schedule and I have got a lot of good rivalry games!

Maybe I’m just jealous that you get to go around the country and watch football everywhere but there has to be something wrong with you. Are you insane?

Hahaha! I hope I’m not, I hope I’m just a passionate fan. I came back from an Arizona/Bears game wanting to check out every stadium and I realized it could be done in one year. I might actually go insane with all that driving and NFL overload, but I’m sure I will be ok! [laughs]

Smith Figures Inflated?

Initial reports on the contract extension for Will Smith valued the contract at 6 years and $70 million. ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that the true value of the deal is 7 years at $61.4 million. That deal seems pretty comparable to the 7-year $63 million contract given to Charles Grant last offseason.

The contract given to Grant had $20 million worth in guarantees. PFT claims that Will Smith’s contract has $25 million worth in guarantees. Thats a ton of money invested into the defensive end position which makes you wonder how close Charles Grant is from having his job in jeopardy. Keep in mind there have been positive reports out of the minicamps and OTA’s about DE Bobby McCray which might mean the Saints have a quality possible replacement on the roster for the future. There is also that looming involuntary manslaughter fiasco as well.

New Texans Blog

There is a new addition to the Fan-sided network, a Houston Texans blog- Toro Times.

The blogger over there is John R. Harden, a seventeen year-old season ticket holder. Lets just hope Fan-sided didn’t pull a Mario Williams over Reggie Bush on this one (I miss the times when that joke was good).

Anyways, good luck to John.

NFC South Odds

The NFC South has been the most unpredictable division in the NFL unless you predicted the last place team from the year before to win it. Last season, the Saints were the favorites to win the division and failed. This year they have the chance to redeem themselves and win it as favorites. Here are the odds to win the NFC South, according to Bodog:

Saints: 5/4

Buccaneers: 15/8

Panthers (1 spot too high): 9/4

Falcons: 14/1

Smith Signs Extension

DE Will Smith agreed to a monster contract extension with the team today, a six-year $70 million contract with $26 million worth in guarantees. The deal puts him only behind Vikings DE Jared Allen and Colts DE Dwight Freeney for the highest paid at the position.

Great move by the Saints front office by identifying future pieces of the team and trying to lock them up. The Saints have managed the cap well with Mickey Loomis in charge and have yet to lose key players for cap purposes. The team is still in good shape cap-wise and WR Marques Colston and OG Jahri Evans should be next in line for new deals.

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