I guess when you win Mother Nature throws you a little bone. The Saints enjoyed the best weather of training camp by far on Saturday as they returned to work two days after a preseason-opening 24-10 win over Arizona. The temperatures were in the 90’s lower humidity and plenty of sunshine.
BUSH NICKED UP
Running back Reggie Bush participated in the morning workout but watched in the afternoon, at one point with a walking boot on his left leg and bag of ice wrapped around his left knee.
“It was kind of an after practice type thing,” said Bush following the afternoon workout. “It just swelled up between practices and you know I just felt it was best it and ice it down.”
Bush missed the final four games of the season last due to partial tear of a ligament in his left knee. During the morning workout, Bush did not appear hobbled, slowed down or injured. Fellow running back Deuce McAllister, who had knee surgery last season, has been held out of some practices this training camp to avoid and contain swelling in his knee. McAllister did practice twice today.
“You know injuries happen. It’s a physical sport and you know injuries happen everyday,” Bush added in assuring that his icing of the knee and missing practice is more precautionary than concern. “It could be related to a past injury. It could be a new injury or you know it could just be from being out here everyday. You never know what it is but you always want to be cautious you know to not allow it to hurt you down the road.”
Bush says he plans on practicing tomorrow.
PAYTON LIKES WHAT HE SEES
The Saints picked up that 24-10 win in Arizona “I was pleased with our effort. I thought guys played hard and there was a lot of hustle, “ said head coach Sean Payton of his team’s performance after viewing the game film.
The Saints special teams also pleased coach but as always, there were some things on the tape that caught his eye in a negative way. “I think that there are some things from an alignment and assignments that we got to clean up. You know mistakes that will hurt you in a regular season game.”
WELCOME BACK
Receiver Devery Henderson and cornerback Tracey Porter returned to action this morning. Both players have been recovering from pulled hamstrings suffered almost two weeks ago on the same play.
“Feels good you know, a little rusty coming in and out the breaks and stuff,” Henderson said after the afternoon practice. “I didn’t want to push it too much you know. I dug into it a little bit and it held up for me.”
Porter had a similar experience in that the Hamstring injury didn’t bother him and says he’s just glad to be back on the field, “You know you had the guys, a couple of veteran players, you know you’d be the butt of their jokes,” said Porter. “I was real anxious to get back out and compete for a job so I definitely am glad to be back out here.”
Henderson is competing to keep his spot as the team’s second receiver and many believe maybe even for a roster spot. Porter was the Saints second round draft pick this past draft and could be in the running for a starting spot.
HIGHLIGHTS
Receiver Devery Henderson didn’t’ take long in showing that he was healthy and back in action. In a team drill, quarterback Drew Brees hit Henderson over the middle for a big catch.
Receiver Lance Moore continues to do what Lance Moore does, make great catches. Moore made a tremendous adjustment, climbing high into the air, fully extended, to catch a Mark Brunell bullit.
Cornerback Randall Gay continues to play well. Gay had two great pass break ups in team drills. Gay’s batted balls came on Brees tosses.
Linebacker Scott Fujita also made a big pass block on a third down play in team drills. The defense congratulated Fujita with high fives and slaps as he came off the field.
ON TAP
The Saints will have another practice this afternoon and have a pair of practices scheduled for Sunday and Monday. The team breaks camp Monday night, have off on Tuesday and return to action Wednesday where they’ll practice against the Houston Texans.
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