Saints Sideline Blog

A “COOL” PLACE

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011      Email Print

DATELINE: OXNARD, CA ( Fewer water breaks? No sweat!)

Under Sean Payton, the Saints have endured some beauties in Training Camp. They couldn't beat the heat for three years in Jackson where it was a Mississippi law that when the Saints were within state borders---no rain was permitted. The last three camps in Metairie have been hotter than Tim Tebow's twitter account.

In the midst of Camp Payton Part 6--- the heat is finally "off" in California where for a change there is more than one "Brees" on the practice field. The high after the team's first workout in Cali was a sweltering 68 degrees---that's AT LEAST a 30 degree drop from the Saints' usual camp climate. Sure training camp has been extended for a week but this team has been rewarded by spending it in an all out football friendly nirvanna.

I asked Payton after his first practice on Monday--"Is this the coolest practice of the Sean Payton era?" He looked at me, smiled and said "I don't ever remember Mr Benson in a jacket at practice so today was a first. That was good." Yes the Saints Owner was cool at the coolest place this franchise has ever trained.

Payton was giddy as were his players. They didn't let us see them sweat because they weren't sweating. Saints Tight End Jimmy Graham told me "it was the coolest practice of his football career." Scott Shanle knows the feeling better than most---the Saints veteran linebacker is the only player on the current roster who has practiced in Oxnard---he and Payton were here with the Cowboys back in 2005. Darren Sproles was candid earlier this month about how the Bayou heat made this camp tougher than anything he'd ever experienced in his NFL career. This week he admits "goin back to Cali"--has given him more energy and as a result is getting a lot more reps.

The weather in sunny California helps the tempo and the timing of practice as well. The cooler temps decrease the amount of water breaks and thus increase the amount of practice time. Its the biggest reason why Payton called an audible and extended camp for a week here," We just practiced  for a little bit over two and half hours and got almost 25 percent more done because of the weather. You just find yourself taking less water breaks." In a camp which the academic equivalent of cramming for a midterm---Camp Oxnard and its weather are giving the Saints coaching staff some extra credit.

Not only are practices cooler and longer---the whole camp experience has benefited from this road trip to the west coast. You see moving to California for a week has made everything easier for the Saints according to Payton. "It allows us to still be in a teaching environment and we are still in a place where they can walk 50 yards to meetings, meals, practice, weight room and we can best manage our time."

Time management and heat management translates to the west coast being the best coast---at least in mid August. The Saints have found Oxnard, California to be exactly what they expected---a "cooler" place in more ways than one!

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

"NICKED" UP----The apparent negative from Monday's practice was the sight of starting G Carl Nicks walking off the practice field on his own power with a knee injury. The extent of the damage on his left knee isn't known as Nicks had it scoped. Rookie WR Jarred Fayson also left the field with an injury to his right knee.

REVOLVING LINEBACKERS----After a tough game at Houston, Jonathan Casillas ran with the 2's on Monday and watched Scott Shanle leap back into the huddle with the 1st teamers. Will Herring sat out practice with a right calf injury---Payton said he injured it versus the Texans and could miss a few days. Clint Ingram also left practice with a strained hamstring---leaving Jo Lonn Dunbar to run with the 1's.

AUBREYO UPDATE: Payton says its Franklin's left knee not his right that suffered an MCL sprain. He says " we are a little guarded but we are still optimistic it will be 2-3 weeks for him depending on the rehab." It that's the case---he could be ready for the opener in Green Bay.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW--After all the horror in Houston on Saturday night, Payton had said he wasn't happy with anything but after watching the tape, he seems to have changed his tune. "When you put the tape on it always kind of brings you back to the middle. Certainly there are some things we are disappointed in that we are going to address and work to correct this week. There were some things that were good." Standing out for Payton were the kicking and running game.

FULLBACK BATTLE: One of the tighter battles in camp is for starting fullback between Korey Hall and Jed Collins. Payton says they are both having a good camp. He singled both of them out for having a solid night blocking vs Houston but added that Hall was really good in the kicking game.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT: Lots of Who Dat fans have migrated to Oxnard to show the black and gold some love. I heard one family say they made the trip from Las Vegas to be here while you have your share of local Who Dat fans along with several football starved LA fans who are just glad to have pro football in the area---even if its just for a week.

UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

Post Comment | Read Comments (0)