Colston, turnovers highlight Black & Gold scrimmage

Written by Ken Trahan, President--NewOrleans.Com/Sports | Saturday, 08 August 2009 17:14 | Saints News

A year ago, Marques Colston was hampered by injuries. Thus far in 2009, he appears injury-free and sharp as ever. That skill was on display today in a nearly one hour and 40 minute workout in the indoor facility at the Saints training facility. The workout was moved indoors after morning rain.

The Black and Gold scrimmage turned into a glorified workout, without full contact. While no official statistics were kept, Colston was simply outstanding, catching seven passes for 71 yards and a one-yard touchdown pass from Mark Brunell.

"You just want to make as many big plays as you can. That's what the receiver group is out here to do," said Colston. "There was a lot of effort on the field. That's first and foremost. We've got to clean up some technique things. That's why we are out here practicing every day. I think we got better today," said Colston.

Having a chance to line up in a game-type situation was a plus. "It's definitely good to line up and change things up, to have an opportunity to get competitive reps. It was a good scrimmage," said Colston.

Brunell was sharp in the workout, completing 13 of 19 passes for 130 yards and the touchdown pass to Colston. He suffered one interception. During the opening possessions of the scrimmage, Brunell was eight of nine for 78 yards and a touchdown, working against the second-team defense. Joey Harrington was 16 of 26 for 126 yards and a touchdown pass to Devery Henderson and a score. He threw one interception as well.

Jeremy Shockey caught four passes for 33 yards, including a 26-yarder. Rod Harper had two catches for 53 yards , including a 44-yarder. Paris Warren had two catches for 25 yards.

The leading rusher was rookie Herb Donaldson, who carried 10 times for 54 yards, including an outstanding 26-yard run. P.J. Hill had nine carries for 27 yards and a one-yard touchdown run. Pierre Thomas rushed for 20 yards on seven carries. Mike Bell had three carries for 20 yards but lost a fumble. Lynell Hamilton carried five times for 19 yards. Payton says the Saints have some potential at the position. "I've said this before but there's about three guys at running back that we kind of like. Certainly Herb and P.J. are guys we signed. Lynell's a guy we've had. I kind of like what I've seen from the running back group as a whole this whole camp. I'm pleased with that position group," Payton said.

The defense of Gregg Williams came through by forcing four turnovers. Mark Simoneau and Jeff Charleston recovered fumbles while Roman Harper and Jason David had interceptions. Harper returned his interception 34 yards. David came up with his interception off of a tipped pass by Charleston.

• PHOTOS: Black & Gold Scrimmage

Simoneau left practice with a right elbow injury which will require an MRI. Second-year cornerback Tracy Porter had his right knee wrapped with ice as he left the practice facility.

Among the others missing the workout due to injuries were Reggie Bush, Adrian Arrington, Darren Sharper, Lance Moore, Stanley Arnoux, Dan Campbell, Randall Gay and Chip Vaughn. Coach Sean Payton said that Bush could have worked but that the Saints held him out as a precautionary measure and to take a look at the other running backs. "I feel pretty good about his health right now and I feel real good about the camp he's having. I like where he's at now. I'm encouraged. He's fine," said Payton.

Payton added that Moore is close to returning, that Arrington's hamstring is improving daily and that Gay and Sharper should return to practice Monday. Vaughn has a "little meniscus tear in his left knee," according to Payton, who added that it is not very serious though it has caused some swelling and some knee pain. It will require further examination.

• Sean Payton, Post-Black & Gold Scrimmage press conference

Most notable in his absence at the scrimmage was Drew Brees. He was excused after the death of his mother, Mina Brees, at the age of 59 in Colorado. Payton said he was not sure when Brees would return to the team.

The defense was credited with four sacks, including one each by Charles Grant, Anthony Hargrove, Roman Harper and Chris Reis. Leigh Torrence, Pierson Prioleau and Tracy Porter each had a pass break-up. Porter tweaked his right hamstring but Payton said he should be fine. Usama Young was charged with pass interference in the end zone on Paris Warren, setting up a touchdown. Reggie Jones was charged with defensive holding. Remi Ayodele batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage.

Impressive in the workout was kicker Garrett Hartley. He nailed all eight field goal attempts in the field goal drills, including three from 33 yards, three from 36 yards and a pair from 41 yards. His four kickoffs reached the five, four, two and one-yard line. "He had a good day today. The key is the timing of the snap/hold aspect of it. He's handling that pretty well. Jason (Kyle) is doing a good job of getting acclimated quickly to the cadence of Mark (Brunell) holding or Joey," Payton said. Skyler Green had a nice 39-yard kickoff return.

Payton was pleased with the overall effort but called the turnovers a mixed blessing. "You put it on the ground, you're disappointed offensively but when you take it away defensively, it's a positive. The fumble by Mike Bell was discouraging because it looked like he just didn't have it put away cleanly. I did think we made some plays on the ball defensively which was encouraging."

Payton is happy with where his team is after ten days of training camp. "I'm pleased with the progress but we have a long way to go considering we haven't really started the preseason schedule yet. I think we're making improvement defensively. That's the beauty of playing these games. We're going to get a chance to see this week at Cincinnati and each week but I do think we're improving. I think we've got a little more depth at the key spots," said Payton.

In other notes, starting guard Carl Nicks got five snaps at tackle near the end of the workout. Payton said that it was a chance to see if Nicks is capable of swinging from guard to tackle, if needed. Payton also stated that Chris Reis has had his best training camp at safety as a Saint and that he remains a key special teams player. Prior to the workout, Saints President/General Manager Mickey Loomis said that there was no further progress to report on negotiations with first-round draft choice Malcolm Jenkins, who remains a holdout.

The Saints have meetings Sunday but are off from practice before returning to the field for two practices on Monday.

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