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2009 Saints Training Camp: Best and Worst of Week One

Week one of 2009 Saints training camp is in the books which means we are that much closer to actually playing some real football that counts. I figured what better way to recap the week that was than by offering my own "Best and Worst" list of what we've seen and heard so far. Of course this is open to comments, criticism and further discussion. If you're interested in reviewing any of this weeks events, be sure to check out Da Chronic's archives to find any training camp update or Fleur-di-Links posts.

Star-divide

Player of the Week

Robert Meachem has been having a lights out camp and living up to the expectation. It's only taken him three years to finally prove his worth as a first round draft pick but hey, better late than never. I enjoy thinking about the power house that will be the Saints receiving corp this upcoming season with Meachem firing on all cylinders and the usual talent around him.

Runner-up - Reggie Bush

 

Play of the Week

Mike Bell putting his head down, knocking down Mark Simoneau and running him over during a carry up the middle. 

Runner-up - Jabari Greer's interception of Brees, the first of training camp. 

 

Most Pleasant Surprise

We were all hoping to see a running back step up and grab a hold of that third spot on the depth chart and it appears Mike Bell is making the most of his opportunity. Bell has consistently been mentioned this week with his impressive practice performances. The battle at running back is still tight with Hamilton, Hill and Donaldson but if Mike continues to shine, he should be a lock to make the final roster. Just hope his bruised hip isn't really a big deal.

Runner-up - The lack of injuries so far. 

 

Most Underrated Player

Jabari Greer has garnered  a smidgen of attention from fans and media this week but still not enough in my estimation. I truly believe Greer will prove to be this years biggest off-season defensive addition by season's end. We will praise his name. 

Runner-up - Carl Nicks

 


Haven't Heard Much About...

DeMario Pressley was impressing everyone and garnering heaps of praise last year until he was injured early in camp. This year, we haven't heard much, if anything, about the fifth round draft pick. He might still have what it takes to make the team but I was certainly expecting a little more from him this training camp. 

Runner-up - Usama Young's transition to safety. 

 

Hearing Too Much About...

The Malcolm Jenkins contract holdout. Please just let it end. 

Runner-up - Gregg Williams and the new defensive culture. 

 

Biggest Disappointment Thus Far

Adrian Arrington builds us up, buttercup, just to let us down. His hamstring injury seems to be improving but if you feel the same as me, you're a little worried he's never going to live up to the hype because nagging injuries will always hamper him. He needs to get healthy this week and return to the field quickly, otherwise his chances of cracking the lineup in an already crowded and talented wide receiver battle will drop significantly. 

Runner-up - Practices being closed due to weather, including the Black & Gold scrimmage. 

 

Whose Job is in Trouble

My early pick to get a visit from The Turk is tight end Mark Campbell. I don't think he has a snoball's chance in New Orleans to make this team behind Shockey, Miller and Darnell Dinkins. Dinkins, an off-season veteran acquisition has been impressing coaches this week, particularly with his blocking. 

Runner-up - Glenn Pakulak

 

Most Depressing Article or Blog Post

Ed Daniels' piece on NewOrleans.com. Daniels tells it like it is and puts everything in perspective, making sure we all know that it's only August. While I applaud his cautious optimism, it sucks when it's not coming from me. I invented cautious optimism, Daniels. Let's leave it to the pros. 

 

Weirdest Article or Blog Post

This one's gotta go to Hakim Drops the Ball for their faux scene set in a Russian bath house, co-starring Jeremy Shockey and Thomas Morstead. It includes male nudity. 'Nuff said. 

 

Tweet of the Week

MalcolmJenkins yooo twitter was trippin earlier... i had no way to share my boredom with the world lol    


Quote of the Week

"Hey, great punt new guy!" - a fan, at Thomas Morstead following a 70-yard punt. - Times-Pic    


Fun Fact of the Week

The Saints seem to have already had more interceptions in training camp this year than they had all of last years training camp. 

Runner-up - Kenny Chesney will not be attending camp this year. 

 

What to Look Forward to Next Week

Returning receivers. Coach Payton said in a press conference that Lance Moore should be taking off the red jersey as early as this weekend. Moore is a great training camp player who makes the most of his opportunities. Hopefully, Arrington will also be healthy enough next week to remind us why we were all excited about him at this time last year.  

0 recs  |  Comment 17 comments |

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Great Job as usual, Dave

Runner-up quote of the week:

that one when the fan yelled out “Throw it away!!! Rip it up!! Don’t run that play anymore!!!” When they ran the Superdome Special reverse in practice.

I agree wholeheartedly with your take on wanting to hear more about Nicks and Usama.

Nice point about Mark Campbell not making the team – that could be right on.

Does anyone think the NFL will ever fine players for stupid tweets that, while not actually critical of or derogatory towards the league, only make individual players (and the NFL by association) look bad because the tweets are so inane or stupid (see realJshock or Malcolm Jenkinses tweets for evidence)?

Anyway, keep up the good work – I am glad you’re collecting and summarizing and humorizing what’s going on in regard to Training Camp 09. And thanks to all of the rest of our loyal members, whose contributions also make this a good place to visit multiple times daily.

Maybe we should do a “Getting to Know You” piece this week, asking folks to detail how they’re reading/researching the Saints during Training Camp. Might be good to share routines and fave sites.

Such as: get up, fix coffee, fire up CSC

shower, get dressed, eat b’fast, brush teeth,go to work, turn on computer, fire up CSC before actually starting work

check espn, nfl.com, cbs.com just after 12:00 est, then go back to CSC to see if I can link to anything or comment on anything

12:05 pm EST give up any hope that Jenkins will sign today or that we’ll at least get any “real” news on the contract progress

something like that…

"Look, I'm not a -- -- -- -- savior." - Gregg Williams

by HansDat on Aug 7, 2009 11:00 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

haha

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Saintsational on Aug 7, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

dont forget...

the fan qoute when Skyler Green muffed a few punt returns… to Micheal Lewis on the sideline, “Hey Beerman! Suit up!”

"For us, there is no spring... only the smell of fresh wind before the storm."
-Conan of Cimeria

by tlsk1066 on Aug 7, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is a phenomenal summary of week 1.

The post says it all.

Is there really that much of a dropoff from PT to Bell? Bell runs HARD. I like that. It’s hard to ask for more. If he can hit a hole while running hard then he’s going to be good.

The backup QBs confuse me. I would rather pickup mike vick than keep either backup. No matter what, if Brees is out, we are not doing well. But Vick would probably give us some different spark and screw up the other team’s defensive gameplan enough to get a win. And he has an upside. Him plus Bush would be a nightmare for opposing teams. And finally, I would like to keep Vick away from Tampa Bay.

by xen-cuts on Aug 7, 2009 11:40 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

There is a far greater chance of Vick ending up in Orlando than Tampa Bay.

by FriarBob on Aug 7, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

is that non-NFL?

I really haven’t been keeping up.

by xen-cuts on Aug 7, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah it’s the new “minor leagues” (more or less).

by FriarBob on Aug 7, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Except there is no affiliation between the two.

by FriarBob on Aug 7, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

but i'm sure it will go out of business...

as usual.

I never saw the voodoo play but i kind of miss them.

by xen-cuts on Aug 8, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I saw them a few times

when they played the Austin Wranglers. I really got to like that game, but it bears little resemblance to pro football. They have a few guys who have to play both sides of the ball(the RB would also be the MLB, for example), which I thought was awesome. The scores would be like a college basketball game, too.

by FuSoYa on Aug 8, 2009 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"but it bears little resemblance to pro football."

I’ll assume you mean pro football of the 100 yard field variety. They DO get paid. They ARE pro football.

by coldpizza on Aug 9, 2009 1:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

“Bell runs HARD. I like that. It’s hard to ask for more.”

True, but there’s exactly one thing more that’s pretty easy to ask for, actually.

Stop fumbling.

by Grandmaster Wang on Aug 7, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

well said, Wang

If he can’t hang onto the ball, he won’t be any good to us.

"Look, I'm not a -- -- -- -- savior." - Gregg Williams

by HansDat on Aug 7, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree on Dinkins > Campbell. Dinkins has been one of the better blocking TEs in the league over his career, which is pretty much all Campbell is good for himself. I personally think Dinkins is more dominant in the trenches, but even if they’re locked in a dead heat for a roster spot, Campbell is a year older and has a bigger contract. Seems like he’d have to completely outplay Dinkins in the preseason to hang on and I just don’t see that happening. I do think it’ll be one of the last moves made to get down to 53, though.

by coldpizza on Aug 7, 2009 12:59 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Agree

Very good summary of the week. The excitment is building!!!!!!!!!!

by Ponysaints on Aug 7, 2009 1:32 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Welcome to CSC!!!

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Saintsational on Aug 7, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's not hard to imagine I'm wrong,

but I still feel like Bell is a good PT part 2, but our RB3 needs to be an up-the-gut bowling ball. I really don’t think Bell will be that guy. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Hamilton shines in preseason, or that PT’s extra 5 pounds makes the difference on 3rd and 2.

by FuSoYa on Aug 7, 2009 2:43 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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