Saints Sideline Blog

Testy Texans

Thursday, August 20th, 2009      Email Print

DATELINE: Houston, TX / Thursday August,20th 2009 (Where was Roy Jones Jr when you needed him??)
 
Michael Buffer wasn't there but he should have been. Don King could have promoted it. If the NFL kept records on preseason intersquad scrimmage fights, this one may have set a new record. Yes, things got Texas Testy between the Saints and Texans in Houston on Thursday where media and fans were getting whiplash from turning from one practice field to another. All told 4 fights between the two teams, two on each practice field in a two hour span.
 
Houston claimed New Orleans were "cheap shot artists" and a pack of ball hawkers. Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams would take the last label as a complement as he has been preaching pouncing on each and every loose ball during camp. Veteran Darren Sharper has seen a lot in his 13 seasons but told me afterwards he has never seen anything like this. Sean Payton didn't seem concerned and Drew Brees admitted after you are battling the heat and each other for two days, things can get testy in a hurry.
 
After three undercard bouts, two involving the Saints Defense and another involving the Saints offense, it was time for the Main Event. Here's your play by play: Brees to Shockey, Shockey catches the ball, Shockey gets agitated by Texans linebacker Demeco Ryans, Down goes Demeco, Down goes Demeco, Down Goes Demeco! Ok, maybe it wasn't a Howard Cosell moment but it was the highlight of this morning's practice!
 
When the scrum settled, Shockey didn't want to talk afterwards but linebacker Troy Evans who was involved in the previous battles was basically pleading the fifth. I asked him what happened, he replied "If the glove don't fit, you must acquitt, I was just trying to protect my teammates." OK Troy we will take you at your word, the good news nobody was hurt and time will tell if this NFL version of Fight Night will carry over to Saturday's game?
 
AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
 
BREES IS BACK: Drew Brees returned after an emotional three days of attending to the passing of his mother. Brees says it took a few snaps to get the rhythm back and was thankful to be back with his Saints family.The Saints quarterback was touched by the support he received from the organization where Sean Payton,Mickey Loomis and Tom Benson attended his mother's service along with teammates, Billy Miller, Charles Grant, Scott Fujita,Reggie Bush and Will Smith.
 
BROWN MAY BE OUT: Left Tackle Jammal Brown missed today's workouts as he was flown to Philadelphia to have doctor's look at a nagging groin injury. Payton says its doubtful he will suit up against the Texans on Saturday.
 
GRANT STILL OUT: Charles Grant continues to nurse his hamstring injury as he missed today's scrimmage.
 
CST COVERAGE: The Saints game versus the Texans will be on CST. Catch the coverage beginning with our pre-game show which airs at 6:30 followed by the game and a full wrap on our post game show.
 
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.

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