The Saints and Texans have completed their first of three scheduled practices against one another over the Saints training facility in Metairie. Light rain fell as both teams went through warm ups but dissipated as the practice wore on.
"It was good to see that we had a good tempo, both teams did, and got through everything fairly rapidly" said Saints head coach Sean Payton.
"You kind of get that excited feeling the night before almost like it's a game type atmosphere," said quarterback Drew Brees. "There's some unexpectedness. We're back in our home facility so that's nice to be able to step out on these fields, these fields look as good as they've ever looked. It's just nice to be back in New Orleans and come and be able to compete against another team."
The teams ran through a number of one on one drills where receivers were pitted against cornerbacks. There were line battles, where the offensive line and defensive line players took each other on one at a time. Then there were the team drills that featured all 11 players at the same time and other drill where it was just running players, so the receivers were held out.
HIGHLIGHTS
Last season in the week 11 match up between the Saints and Texans, Houston receiver Andre Johnson burned cornerback Jason David for a deep touchdown. Early in practice during one on one drills today he did it again. Johnson also faked safety Roman Harper out so bad that when he caught the ball, the Saint defender was at least 30 yards away.
Defensive end Charles Grant drew "oohs" and "ahs" from both teams as he tipped a screen pass and picked it off.
The Saints first team offensive line protected Brees well. Brees was able to deliver the football cleanly and Saints receivers were getting enough separation to provide a good target. Left tackle Jammal Brown had moments of ugliness with Texans right end Mario Williams blowing past him, but Brees simply would step up in the pocket and deliver the ball.
Receiver Devery Henderson made a pair of tough catches in traffic.
Receiver Skyler Green showed strong hands as he held on to the ball coming out of a cut on an out-route. A Texan defensive back had gnat-like coverage but was unable to keep the completion from happening.
NO GO
Tight end Jeremy Shockey was again held out of practice as he continues to recover from a broken leg last season. Receiver David Patton will go in the afternoon practice but didn't go in the morning. Defensive Tackle Hollis Thomas injured his right triceps muscle early the morning practice. Receiver Adrian Arrington rode a stationary bike and watched the practice with teammate while wearing a walking boot.
Arrington suffered a turf toe injury in the Saints preseason opening win in Arizona and it appears that the rookie 7th round draft pick will not be back on the field anytime soon. "It's real tough to say right now. We're just trying to right now to get the swelling down," said Arrington adding that until the swelling goes away recovery time and rehab work can't begin.
The University of Michigan product has been turning heads on the field with his play ever since he joined the team and that makes it tougher says Arrington, "Real frustrating especially with a preseason game coming and you want to get out there and show the coaches and the team what you can do out there. It's real frustrating having to be sidelined."
ON TAP
The Saints will have another afternoon practice with the Texans and work with them tomorrow morning. Tomorrow afternoon both teams will practice among themselves. Saturday night in the Superdome the Saints and Texans will play in a preseason game.
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