Another story from Gus –
Just a light practice for the Black and Gold on Wednesday as the team prepares to open up their preseason schedule. The big question of the day was how did the workouts of linebackers Derrick Brooks and Derek Smith go and would the team sign either?
Both players had good workouts according to coaches, yet left town without a contract.
“Those guys are both in good shape, they’re in great shape. We’re not going to do anything right yet,” said Saints head coach Sean Payton following practice. “I’ve talked to both players. We’re going to get through this game Friday and into the weekend and then make a decision in regards of what direction we want to head.”
Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams said both players were put through physical drills to assess their conditioning, and the results impressed Williams. “We worked them very hard by decision. Anytime you come in the middle of a training camp there’s catch up physically, more so than mentally. Both of those guys are pros,” commented Williams of the workout. “Both of those guys have plaid in a lot of different systems, but we needed to do a conditioning check along with that. I was very impressed with both of them.”
Payton said a decision to go with either player would be made when the staff meets on Saturday. “Neither player we’d expect to play in the game (Friday) so there’s no urgency in signing a player right now prior to two days before a game,” Payton said of the decision to not offer contracts out Wednesday. “We’ll see after Friday’s game were we’re at.”
Payton also believes contract negotiations in regards to money and length of the deal wouldn’t be the reason the team would or would not sign them. “I think that both players are hungry and looking forward to an opportunity. I don’t think that would be a big sticking point.”
NO GOZ FOR FRIDAY
Payton will hold out a few players from the preseason opener against the Bengals on Friday.
WR/KR Courtney Roby will not play as he recovers from a hamstring pull.
CB Tracy Porter and WR Lance Moore will be held out as a precaution as well.
CB Malcolm Jenkins may or may not play. The decision will be dependent on if the coaching staff determines he’s far enough along physically to be able to play.
JENKINS IMPRESSING WILLIAMS
First round draft pick Malcolm Jenkins, a ten-day hold out, has four practices under his belt. Is that enough for him to play on Friday against Cincinnati. If the decision to sit him comes, it won’t be due to not knowing the playbook.
“Mentally he did a lot of studying. He really did and I said that early on that he’s a sharp kid. I went through of different testing procedures and maneuvers before we kind of lined up and said he was who we wanted. He’s done a great job on staying on top of things,” complimented Williams. “ He’s meeting us at 6:30 in the morning. When I have staff meeting with the coaches, one of the DB coaches is in the staff meeting with me, the other one is with him. They’re grinding him and the thing about it is, they’re coming back to me talking about smiles on their faces about how he’s on it. He’s got it. He does a good job.”
BUMPS AND BRUISES
CB Reggie Jones went down late in practice with a serious injury. “They think it’s an Achilles, his left Achilles. We won’t know until the doctors take a peek at it but that’s the early prognosis,” Payton said after practice.”
WR Adrian Arrington took limited reps. TE Billy Miller did not practice resting a sore knee. CB Tracy Porter was held out again as he recovers from a hamstring injury. RB Reggie Bush also did not go.
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