Saints Minicamp - Friday afternoon practice notes

Written by Jude Young | Friday, 05 June 2009 17:28 | Saints News

• Friday's morning practice notes
• VIDEO - A view from the field
• VIDEO - Brief practice glimpse


METAIRIE - The New Orleans Saints completed the first day of their weekend mini-camp with a one-hour and 50 minute practice in front of over 2000 fans at their Airline Drive practice facility Friday afternoon. 

In a less-than-spirited workout, the team missed out on the usual afternoon heat thanks to overcast skies, a steady breeze and cool temperatures.



The team will practice at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday in the only other session open and free to the public. The camp will conclude with closed practices at 3 p.m. Saturday and 10:15 a.m. Sunday.

Check back with NewOrleans.com throughout the weekend for mini-camp updates.

Here are the highlights from practice number two:

--Just like the morning practice, three 2009 draft picks did not workout: Fourth-round draft choice Stanley Arnoux, who's out for the season because of Achilles surgery, first-round draft choice Malcolm Jenkins, who's finishing his school obligations at Ohio State, and fifth-round draft choice Thomas Morstead, who was excused to attend a funeral.

---An injury already for Dan Morgan: The veteran LB strained a calf muscle early in the afternoon session and did not return.

--TE Dan Campbell missed the afternoon due to what head coach Sean Payton termed MCL and cartilage damed. Campbell will be scoped on Monday and miss the next 3-4 weeks. He is expected to be available for the start of training camp. Another TE, Darnell Dinkins, did not participate after suffering an ankle sprain in the morning. Payton noted that the injury was not the dreaded high ankle sprain, but Dinkins is likely out of the rest of minicamp.

---An injury to Devery Henderson was averted after a back stepped on the back of his leg on a run around the end. The veteran from LSU stepped off the field and limped for about a minute before rejoining the 11-on-11 drill.

---Most of the activities saw players running at half-speed, but Jeremy Shockey made a nice diving catch over the middle drawing scattered applause from fans in the stands around the Airline Drive side of the field. The enigmatic TE says he will stick around for the rest of OTAs this month after missing the first four. After his highly-publicized weekend in Las Vegas, it seems Shockey has chosen the risk of being taken from the field - and not a pool party - on a stretcher this summer.

---Reggie Bush again looked healthy and smooth. He participated in all the afternoon drills. Number 25 stood out from his teammates while sporting the high socks look. Lance Moore also worked through the practice showing no effects from the weight-lifting related injury from earlier in the offeseason.

---Darren Sharper has said his production was limited during his time with the Minnesota Vikins due to his not being used as a traditional centerfielder-type free safery. In 11-on-11's, Sharper often times was back in the familiar role roaming the deep middle of the field while SS Roman Harper was frequently in the box and quickly into the backfield.

---Much has been made about the added bulk and strength for Pierre Thomas. But Mike Bell really stands out as the best big back option on the roster. The former Denver Bronco passes the eye test as a guy who may be able to fill the vacant short yardage role in the backfield.

---The only dead ball error of note came when Carl Nicks appeared to be guilty of a false start. Otherwise, practice was crisp.

---The defense of Gregg Williams continues to hustle. From loose ball chases to up-down drills, the unit is focused on constant energy throughout both OTAs and minicamp so far.

---There may be a real battle brewing at the specialty job of deep snapper. Kevin Houser may be challenged in training camp by DE Rob Ninkovich for the spot. Ninkovich's versatility may end up as a tie-breaker for the roster spot. And the fact that DEs Charles Grant and Will Smith will likely be suspended for the 1st 4 games of the regular season has to help Ninkovich's cause.

---Jonathan Vilma made a nice interception on the first play of 7-on-7 drills.

---The biggest roar from the crowd came from a brief skirmish involving DE Anthony Hargrove. The fiesty free agent addition was quickly surrounded by teammates. No harm, no foul.

---Tom Benson and his wife rode around in a golf cart throughout practice. The Saints owner was all smiles while waving to onlookers. And his Puma pimp hat (for lack of a better term) was rather stylish. Not my style though.

---Special teams drills included a flawless kicking day for Garrett Hartley. Punter Glenn Pakulak did not get much work with his legs and spent considerable time making throws to assist wide receiver drills. The Saints did work on punt coverage with the gunners receiving detailed instruction.

---The best play of the workout belongs to FA wideout Paris Warren. The 6-footer won a battle in the air for a throw over 5-9 (listed) corner Jason David. Some cheers and grumbles followed from the crowd. The song remains the same...