Close

• Email To A Friend

(Brought to you by Louisiana Machinery and Capital One Bank)

 

DATELINE: Metairie, LA/ August 6th,2010 (Coach Williams, I think Shockey would make a great power forward!)

 

He's a busy bee that Monty Williams. Between welcoming in a new GM, moving his family across the country and making sure his superstar is a happy camper, the Hornets new coach of just about six weeks is also trying to introduce himself around town. Today's stop, Saints Central where the Two Dat nation opened its arms to the Hornets new head hoops hancho. Williams is new to New Orleans but every newbie knows the power of the Saints these days and you can't blame the rookie coach for trying to catch some of that post Super Bowl fever. Monty told us what he saw at today's practice can hopefully carry over to the Hornets in the next few seasons---an championship caliber team with an energized fan base.

 

Williams is a football fan and for the first time got to meet Sean Payton where both share a common friend in Avery Johnson. The Hornets coach also shared a few moments with Drew Brees after practice where he extended an open invitation to Hornet Land in the coming weeks and months. Its clear this coach appreciates and respects what the Saints have done under a regime that also hired a rookie coach five years ago. "I like to be around excellence and they've done it right here. And we plan on doing the same thing." When you think about it, WIlliams has a lot more going for him now than Payton did back in 2006--he has the best point guard in the NBA with some nice complementary stars. Its also clear this young head coach knows what's in front of him saying the team "can't skip steps." Williams said that a few times today where he may have just met Payton on this Friday morning but it seems the two may have something in common--it takes a detailed gameplan to turn around a pro franchise, the Saints did it, now the Hornets want to play copy cat.

 

This 6'8 former power forward shined at Notre Dame in college and then was a key contributor in the NBA for 9 seasons for five different teams Once upon a time though, Monty Williams was a football player. I asked him what position? He tells me wide receiver but added that he was too skinny and that "they hit too hard." It was great seeing the coach on the practice field carrying his young son's lunch box during 11 on 11 drills but when asked if his son would one day be a football player, Williams without hesitation said, "He will be a center." So basketball is a fixture in the Monty Williams household, today though he picked up some pointers from his Big Easy football brothers. Hornets fans can only hope he picked up some Who Dat karma as well.

 

AROUND THE CAMPIRE

 

A "TRACE" OF PORTER: After missing back to back practices, Tracy Porter was back on the practice field this morning. He had been out due to back spasms but quickly showed he was 'back" by intercepting Drew Brees in 11 on 11 drills. Another big practice for the defense as Reggie Jones also had an interception against backup Patrick Ramsey.

 

BRADLEY SIGNS: The Saints cut WR Matt Simon today to make room for journeyman receiver Mark Bradley who has spent the past five seasons with the likes of the Bears, Bucs and Chiefs. GM Mickey Loomis says they liked the veteran's workout but it was not an insurance policy for Robert Meachem who continues to nurse a toe injury. Bradley tells me he picked the Saints because he likes the way Drew Brees spreads the ball around to his receivers and it didn't hurt that he could suit up with the defending Super Bowl champs.

 

ALL BETTS OFF? Mickey Loomis also acknowledged that the team worked out RB Ladell Betts and was impressed with his workout as well. The Saints did not sign the former Redskin as of yet.

 

SHANLE/ROBINSON  STILL OUT: Linebacker Scott Shanle (knee) and rookie corner Patrick Robinson (hamstring) missed the morning workout.

 

BLACK AND GOLD: The Saints have moved Saturday's Black and Gold game up to 11:00am. Payton says in part due to the stormy weather projected later in the day. He added that Brees will only see one series while the other QB's will take over in a game where he wants to see how his guys can build of the first week and a half of camp.

 

UNTIL NEXT BLOG,

Mike Nabors

CST

 

Comments

There are no comments for this entry yet.
Why don't you start the discussion.

Post Comment

Commenting is not available in this section entry.