Fox 40 again with the live reporting on the offense and defense.

Update #1

3:44 p.m. Deuce McAllister is out in full pads, something we haven't seen in a couple of days. This could be an important practice to see how the knee is holding up. Right now he's off to the side being stretched by one of the trainers.

Update #2

4:00 PM All the defensive players are out on the practice field in full pads, except for CB Mike McKenzie and DT Brian Young (both of them are in shorts and no pads)

4;23 p.m. Good looking action from the QB's and receivers going on in passing drills. Drew Brees, as always, is sharp and I think the receivers have caught every ball thrown their way. These type of drills really allow you to see how many weapons the Saints are going to have on offense and the potential is through the roof.

By the way, you may want to check out the Arena Bowl airing right now on ABC. Crazy things are happening and it might be a close one! It is being played here in the New Orleans Arena.

Update #3

4:32 p.m. The team is separated into multiple different drills but off to the side Coach Payton is working one-on-one with Jeremy Shockey. They look to be going over different formations, where Shockey will be lined up and how the route is supposed to look.

4:35 p.m. As good as Adrian Arrington has looked catching passes, with rookie receivers you worry about some of the other small things, like blocking. Arrington is having some trouble getting the blocking fundamentals down in the drills taking place.

4:20 Brian Young is getting his knee iced, while the rest of the D-line runs is going up against the offense.

Update #4

4:44 p.m. In full offense vs. defense, Drew Brees and Adrian Arrington had a miscommunication leading to a interception by Aaron Glenn.

Also, the New Orleans Saints official website reports that DT DeMario Pressley has been placed on injured reserve. The Saints have signed defensive end Marquies Gunn, most recently of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

WWL also has the story with more details.

Defensive tackle DeMario Pressley was placed on injured reserve by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, forcing the fifth-round draft pick to miss his rookie season.

He fractured his right foot in practice Saturday.

Update #5

4:43  Full offense vs. defense drills now. Mark Brunell just under-threw a pass, that got picked off by Aaron Glenn.

4:52 p.m. In red-zone offense work the offensive line is struggling to keep the d-line from getting to Brees, but he did get a pass off to Reggie Bush who made a nice shoe-string grab. Next Brees hit Colston across the middle for a TD.

4:56 p.m. That guy Arrington just made another nice catch right at the pilon for a touchdown, beating Jason David on the play.

Update #6

4:55 The third-string 'D' has actually looked better than the second team did this afternoon. Tyler Palko has only completed a few passes and was nearly sacked had these been full contact drills.

5:03 Man Down. Drew Brees threw a deep pass that Devery Henderson dropped in the end zone. Rookie CB Tracy Porter was out in coverage on a pass pattern, but when the play was dead Porter was still lying down on the field. The trainers looked at him for a few minutes.Then, Porter got up and walked to the sideline but was promptly taken off the field ina golf cart... I'll know more about this after practice when Coach Payton addresses the media,  but Porter did not appear to be limping.

5:01 p.m. The most exciting play of the day may have been the worst play as well. Drew Brees went play action and had Devery Henderson streaking down the seam. The ball went off the tips of Henderson's hands in the endzone, so not only did he drop the pass but pulled up lame and is now off to the side. On the same play rookie Tracy Porter went down and is now being carted off the field.

5:05 p.m. Devery  Henderson just got in a golf cart and is headed off the field.

Not good. Cross your fingers.

Update #7

5:16 p.m. In the daily afternoon kicking competition both Martin Gramatica and Taylor Mehlhaff both looked good on their four kicks, from my angle it looked like all split the uprights.

5:05 After some special teams, the first-team offensive and defensive units are back on the field.

5:25 p.m. Reggie Bush in the open field can be poetry in motion. He just had one of those punt returns that only Bush can pull off with his athleticism.

5:29 p.m. The timing is still a little off between Brees and Shockey. The QB just threw to his new tight end but Shockey wasn't looking and the ball went off his shoulder pad. On the opposite side of that Brees and Colston are in such unison, Colston just caught a soft, loft pass in the endzone.

Shockey needs to always being expecting the ball with Brees on the other end.

Update #8

5:35 Vilma looks to be running fine after spending most of the morning on the bike and work out indivdually.

5:42 p.m. Looks like practice may be winding down, most of the guys have the pads off as they are running sprints as a team.

Update #9

Larry Holder sums up the afternoons events on his blog.

The Times-Pic had their recap of the afternoons events as well.

That ought to end it for today. More excitement tomorrow.

Here is your roundup of the latest news and goings on from Saints training camp.

Continue reading this post »

Larry Holder's blog has a good summation of the action early this morning.

- The Saints touched on special teams for a chunk of the Friday morning practice. Reggie Bush, Lance Moore and Skyler Green fielded punts and Bush had the most trouble fielding kicks. Bush dropped two punts - one where he badly misjudged the ball causing him to drop the ball and the other he simply muffed the catch.

- If Tracy Porter would have been in camp, he likely would have been back there as well.

- Devery Henderson and Adrian Arrington both lined up as gunners on special teams. A receiver spot on this team could come down between those two players and special teams ability will play a part in deciding who takes the roster spot.

- Rookie Carl Nicks took snaps with the second team at left tackle as Jermon Bushrod filled in for Jammal Brown with the first team. Brown missed the A.M. and will miss the P.M. as he's attending a funeral.

- TE Jeremy Shockey, DT Brian Young and RB Deuce McAllister fully participated this morning. All three were at least limited in yesterday's P.M. practice.

- Those who didn't practice at all were CB Mike McKenzie (knee), S Josh Bullocks (knee), TE Eric Johnson (ankle), DT Sedrick Ellis (contract) and Porter (contract).

- CB Jason Craft and S Tuff Harris made a couple of nice interceptions. Craft picked off Mark Brunell for a pass intended for Shockey. Harris undercut a Shockey route to snatch away a Tyler Palko offering.

- The linemen conducted some pretty physical one-on-one drills. DT Orien Harris and G Jahri Evans had to of the better overall efforts in the drills. Rookie DT DeMario Pressley seemed like he couldn't get by anyone, while T Jon Stinchcomb struggled for much the portion.

- G Andy Alleman didn't have his best practice of his career. The second-year guard got beat on nearly every snap during the one-on-ones and he jump offsides during the team portion of practice.

The Times-Pic had a quick run down of some of the mornings events.

"Like I said, I'm just trying to work like I'm trying to make the team," said Shockey, who is also trying to shake off the rust physically after missing the entire offseason program in New York while recovering from a broken leg. "I'm getting there. I'll keep getting better."

The Times-Pic also had a short piece on the status of Deuce.

"I'm probably about four or five pounds away from where I want to be as far as the season is concerned," McAllister said. "It's just trying to get myself as light as possible, to take off as much pressure as possible on the knees and then just try to get some of that quickness back."

McAllister gave his first day of training camp a 'B.'

"I have to prove that at age 29, coming off two knee surgeries, that I'm still a viable option for this team," McAllister said.

Sports Illustrated thinks the Saints offense, with the new addition of Shockey, is so good its scary!

"This is a great move by them," said an NFC personnel director. "Adding a top notch tight end to a lineup that features Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Drew Brees and Deuce McAllister makes an already potent offense very scary."

"He may be a bit of headache in the locker room," said a NFC personnel director. "But there is no doubt he still one of the most talented tight ends in the league."

"They didn't have a threat down the middle of the field, so defenses were able to limit their big-play opportunities by using more two-deep coverage," said a NFC personnel director. "With Shockey running down the middle, Brees should have more chances to attack down the field."

"They may have the most complete offense in the NFC," said an NFC personnel director. "They have the ability to beat you a number of ways and Drew Brees is a patient enough to take what the defense gives him. If Deuce can give them something in the running game, they will be very difficult defend with all of the offensive firepower that they possess. "

This is the part where I get goosebumps!

ESPN is continuing the positive talk about Adrian Arrington and wonders, like the rest of us, if he is the next Colston.

It was only one catch, but it was enough to make you wonder if the Saints have tapped the secret to drafting wide receivers in the seventh round.

I am keeping my fingers crossed.

The guys over at Football Outsiders have put together a couple of lists. The first one is a top 10 list of the greatest games by a quarterback from 1995-2007. You better believe Drew mad the list at #7 with the game last year against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Another player getting a boost from opponent adjustments is Drew Brees. Nobody really noticed when Brees went nuts on the Jaguars last year, because he did it at the same time Adrian Peterson was setting the all-time rushing record against San Diego, and then both performances were overshadowed later that afternoon by the Game of the Century. Brees would not be anywhere near the top ten without opponent adjustments, but the quality of the Jaguars’ defense pushes this game up from 244 YAR to 295 DYAR.

They also put together a list of the top 20 running back games and our very own Pierre Thomas happened to make his way on that list in the 14th spot.

The always underrated Brian Westbrook shows up twice in the top ten with games from last year; that appearance is no surprise, but Pierre Thomas’s appearance certainly is. His Week 17 game against Chicago was a testament to efficiency. Ten of his 20 carries gained six or more yards. Eleven of his 12 receptions gained eight or more yards. Between rushing and receiving, Thomas had 15 first downs and a touchdown, and he would rank even higher if he had not been stuffed twice at the goal line.

Check out the guns. (Photo Source)

I think we are going to start switching gears here and change up the format a little bit. Every morning I will recap the previous days events, then try and give you guys updates  and linkage throughout the day as camp goes on, so check back regularly! Sound good?

Here is what you need to know about training camp yesterday.

• Colston rode a bike in the morning, but participated in the afternoon. He had his knee drained yesterday but nothing we need to worry about.
• Arrington stole the show in the morning and looked very solid. His afternoon was a little more rough when he dropped a ball. Still probably the player of the day. Could he be the next Colston?
• Still no word about which single player showed up to camp overweight.
• Shockey was limited, but no worries. He worked a little extra with Drew after practice. And he has a new short haircut.
  
• Deuce is slim and almost ready.
• Vilma was full speed.
• McKenzie, Bullocks, and Johnson missed practice. Young missed the afternoon.
  
• Bush looked good and definitely in shape. So far, so good.
  
• Jo-Lonn Dunbar seems to be impressing a lot of people. Sleeper.
  
• Tracy Porter is rumored to be close to signing. Look out for that news.
• Early first round draft picks like Jerod Mayo are starting to sign, so getting Sedrick Ellis into camp may be coming soon.
• Meachem also looked good, beating Usama Young and making a great catch in the afternoon.
• The Saints signed CB Wade Dada.
• Jammal Brown was out of town for a funeral
• Hollis Thomas, Antwan Lake and Kendrick Clancy were all in on the first unit.
• Great catches by Meachem and Arrington seem to have tied for play of the day.

One thing I think is important to note is the fact that all but one person showed up to camp under the weight limit. That is fairly unusual and I think that shows how serious all of these guys are this season and how committed they are to redeem themselves after what could/should be considered a disappointing 2007 season. Very good sign.

The other thing I have noticed is that the media is all over Shockey. They are loving him and can't get enough of him. Seems he has quickly become the new poster boy of this team. I really hope this isn't the beginning of him just sucking the life out of this team and screwing up everyone's concentration. While I do think he could be great for this team, we should all remember that there are other people on the field and it takes each and every one of them to be successful.

It's still too early to make any predictions yet but things seem to be looking pretty good. The wide receiver battle is going to be very interesting. It's looking like David Patten might need to start worrying a little before he gets pushed down the depth chart.

One interesting thing I noticed...where the heck is my boy Pierre!?!? No mention of him at all yesterday. I guess as long as Deuce is still in the mix Pierre will continue to be looked upon as a backup.

The prodigal son. (Photo Source)

Here are the must reads from day one. Most of the days articles are based on these interviews and observations. There is too much to post here, so you'll have to click over.

Transcript of interview with Coach Payton from the New Orleans Saints official website.

Transcript of interview with Drew Brees from the Times-Pic.

Transcript of interview with Jonathan Vilma from the New Orleans Saints official website.

Transcript of interview with Jeremy Shockey from the New Orleans Saints official website.

Transcript of interview with Deuce McAllister from the New Orleans Saints official website.

Mike Triplett's afternoon observations for the Times-Pic

Larry Holder's afternoon observations from his blog.

• Check out a video of part of Shockey's press conference from NFL.com.
  
• The Times-Pic summed up some of the things Shockey said.
• ESPN also had an article based on that press conference.
• This article from ESPN has a video interview with Shockey worth checking out.
• The Advocate also weighed in on, umm, ahh...what was his name?
• Oh, and so does the Sun Herald.

Pressley takes a break. (Photo Source)

The New Orleans Saints official website also had an article about rookies Robert Meachem and DeMario Pressley.

Meachem explained that he good felt about the first practice and that he played by the encouraging words his family advised him with of taking one day at a time, and make everything count. He mentioned that a lot of his teammates have served as mentors for him as he progresses into his second year in the league, including veteran receiver David Patten. Meachem explained that Patten was a big brother figure to him, and Meachem has leaned on him and picked at his brain for his knowledge concerning matters both on and off the gridiron.

"He’s like a bigger brother to me, a brother from a different mother," said Meachem. "He gets on me when he feels like I’m not doing my best, and he encourages me when I’m doing well. It works both ways, I give the same support to him."

Pressley began by stating that he felt good about the practice, and that he was gradually adjusting to the speed of the NFL. He said that many veterans have been helping along the way, including defensive linemen Antwan Lake and Brian Young. Pressley explained that it was a tremendous help that the three of them all use the three-technique.

He went on to say that it was crucial to sign with the team early, in order to show the organization that he had a lot of dedication and determination for making the roster. Early on in the full-team mini-camp in late May, Pressley suffered a foot injury and felt that the injury has slowed him down to the point to where he has to catch-up with the other rookies and younger players.

Pressley, sporting number 90, explained that when choosing his number, he decided to go with his high school number. At Dudley High School, in Greensboro, N.C., he wore number 90 all the way up to his senior year when he was asked to play both offense and defense, while wearing number 72.

For pictures from day one, check out the Clarion Ledgers website. They have a gallery of 45 pictures.  Half of them are of Shockey. It would be awesome if any of you guys could put some of them up in FanShots. Maybe you could split it up. That would be a huge help!

The New Orleans Saints official website has some videos up, but I have no way of linking directly to them or embedding them, so just head over to the main page and hit "multimedia".

Check out this video featuring Mike Triplett and Teddy Kider with a wrap up of the day from Jackson.

Thanks guys!

Jim Henderson is interviewed and discusses the first day of training camp in this video from WWL.

Here is the second post in Mark Campbell's new training camp blog "Soup of the Day" from the New Orleans Saints official website. These posts are great and are a must read. They are great for getting to know the players a little better on a personal level. It's also cool because we get inside Mark's mind and learn just what his thought process is throughout this whole experience. Here is Mark talking about the addition of Shockey.

Throughout my entire career, one thing is that I’ve never taken my job for granted. When I take that step on the field I realize two things: 1. Someone is trying to take my job and 2. Someone could embarrass me at anytime. In that mind frame during camp I have to go out and win a job, especially with the addition of Jeremy Shockey, who’s obviously a great tight end. I’m excited to have him as a teammate and watch him play. He’s one of the guys I enjoy watching play. There are always a couple of guys from the tight end position that you watch, just like any position. You want to see how they handle things, and he’s one of the guys that I watch.

I’m excited to have him as a teammate, and I think that we will work well together. We have over 30 years of experience between the tight ends in our room. There are a lot of guys that can play, and there are a lot of things that they can do. We each have our strengths and our weaknesses. We work hard to get the best things out of each guy to put together on the field. So this is obviously a spot that is going to make us better as an offense.

Some info about Colston's injury is to be had over at The Advocate.

“It’s pretty much precautionary stuff,” Colston said. “It’s a long season, so the training staff felt like it was best for me to ease in and get started on the right foot instead of setting myself back from Day One.”

“I was hoping it wouldn’t be an issue (during camp),” he said. “The Saints were gracious enough to look at my situation and reward me for the things I’ve done. I’m very appreciative and ready to get this season started.”

The Sun Herald also had a similar article.

KFFL did an impact analysis of Jeremy Shockey. This is what it they had to say in regards to the Saints.

Teaming up with Payton and quarterback Drew Brees may well equal big success in the Big Easy for Shockey. Brees is coming off back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons and enters the 2008 campaign with a star tight end for the first time as a member of the Saints. Brees, a former teammate of San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, is no stranger to taking advantage of the type of big target Shockey offers.

Indeed, Gates' most successful seasons, 2004 and 2005, were both while Brees was still on the West Coast. As the top receiving option in San Diego, Gates averaged 85 catches, 1,033 yards and 11.5 touchdowns per year during those two seasons. Although it's unrealistic to assume Shockey, likely the second or third option in the passing game behind receiver Marques Colston and halfback Reggie Bush, would be able to match those totals, it does offer a lot of promise. While Brees can reward a talented tight end, there has been a lack of talent at the position during Brees' tenure in New Orleans, which has been responsible for a lack of production.

In 2006, tight end Mark Campbell paced the position with a meager 18 receptions for 164 yards. As a group, New Orleans tight ends accounted for just 45 catches, 411 yards and one touchdown. By contrast, Shockey totaled 66 receptions for 623 yards with seven scores in '06.

Things improved significantly in 2007 following the arrival of tight end Eric Johnson, who hauled in 48 passes for 378 yards and a pair of touchdowns as part of a 76-catch, 710-yard effort from the position overall. In a down year, Shockey still managed 57 catches, 619 yards and three touchdowns during his 14 games played.

The Times-Pic and the Sun Herald both have articles discussing the hold outs of Sedrick Ellis and Tracy Porter and GM Mickey Loomis' disappointment with said hold outs. Check here for the Sun Herald and here for the Times-Pic.

I thought they would send a reporter to Jackson, but still no information about training camp from NewOrleansSaints365.com.

Here is another update from Fox 40. This time they let us know what's going on with the defense.

9:07 AM CB Mike McKenzie (currently on the physically unable to perform list) arrived on the practice field with a knee brace. Coach Payton said in Tuesday's presser that McKenzie is day-to-day.  

9:33 AM The coaches have the DBs working out right directly in front of the fan bleachers. McKenzie'sworking out with no pads, but looking mobile, not too slowed down by the knee.

9:53 AM Johnathan Vilma looks to be at full speed working with the second team defense. He didn't run in yesterday's workouts, but looks okay today.

9:55 AM In his Tuesday presser Payton said they'll be competition at almost every position, including the secondary. WR Lamar Moore just reached over fourth string corner Greg Fassit to grab a pass that got the fans pretty excited. Good for Moore, not good for Fassit, who's one of the guys battling for some playing time.  

10:25 AM Looks like Vilma has remained on the second team 'D' for th entire morning practice.

10:37 AM Former Ole Miss Coach Ed Orgeron looks to be fitting into his new role as Saints defensive line coach pretty well, even without rookie holdout Sedrick Ellis in camp. Right now he's working Charles Grant one-on-one.

10:43 AM  SACKS!!!! Don't need to remind anybody that the "D' had some trouble getting to the QB last season. Well, Rookie DeMario Pressley (NC State) was showing off some speed in practice, splitting two tackles enroute to the QB. Just drills, but hopefully that's a sign of good things to come from the rookie. The crowd seemed to think so.

10:56 AM CB Jason Craft just let an easy pick slip through his fingers. Next play, S Charles Reis let one get away as well. I'm not suprising anyone by stating this: secondary needs work.

11:00 AM Kickers and Punters on the practice field working out alone.

Sedrick Ellis and Tracy Porter will be the last two draft picks to be signed. So says Paul Lawrence, agent for Saints CB Tracy Porter, in an article from the Sun Herald. He also said that his client and the team were "not close" in terms of getting a deal done.

"Tracy and Sed will be the last two to sign," Lawrence said.

"The tougher of the two (Porter and Ellis) to sign will be Sed," Lawrence said.

Not worried about it.

I'm starting to get sick of the Manning's. (Photo Source)

The Monroe News Star had a pretty funny and insightful piece about, who else, the Manning's. They are seriously in danger of becoming over-exposed. If you didn't the Manning's were just the greatest, funniest, most talented family ever, than this article will set you straight. They are just good at everything they do yet they remain down to earth. Here are some of the funny parts.

Archie's tone included a chuckle, but you can tell winning and losing was a big deal. The former New Orleans Saint's 11 handicap was second-best in the group to 2007 Super Bowl champ Peyton's 6. Cooper, who Peyton jokingly described as a "social legend" at Ole Miss, and reigning Super Bowl champion quarterback, Eli, play to a 12.

Social legend? That's a nice way of saying party animal huh?

"Everybody wants to give me a hard time for kicking Eli in the backside and 'picking on little Eli,'" Peyton said. "Look, this guy is 230 pounds. He's solid rock. I said, 'before that, he's giving me a wet willie.'

"I tell the director 'don't we have that on film?' He said it's more authentic if he gets it in there every single time. Eli is just loving it. I got an ear infection doing the commercial."

"We mess with my dad," Eli said. "My dad is very neat and likes all the clothes to be picked up; your dirty clothes here and don't leave any Gatorade or water out. He doesn't get it, but we'll throw stuff on the ground and he'll come and pick it up and put it away. We'll get it back out and throw it back on the ground. He'll just keep coming and pick it up; just talking and not noticing."

If I get the Manning's to adopt me, can I be a good football player too?

Here is a random one from LancasterOnline.com. Two women from Lancaster, PA,  Glenn Cook and Heather Spire, created a special vest that is designed to keep the wearer cool.

Cook and Spire last year formed Pervormance LLC, a company that distributes European-made cooling vests in the United States.

The vests, which cool by evaporation, not with ice packs, are being marketed to anyone who toils in the heat.

The short, quilted vests, which retail for $295 apiece, are guaranteed to stay cool for 48 hours after being submerged in cool water for just 6 seconds, says Cook.

These vests contain a high-tech fleece that absorbs the water and then releases it by evaporation, cooling the people wearing them longer than any other evaporative vest, she says.

Weighing 2½ pounds when activated with water, the vests' exterior fabric stays dry, allowing them to be worn comfortably over a T-shirt.

What does this have to do with the Saints?

The Philadelphia Eagles football team also tried them at a pre-season camp and will do further testing with eight vests at their training camp later this month and next, according to Cook and Spire.

Two other NFL teams, the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens, also are trying them.

If you want to know what Vegas thinks about the Saints chances this season, look no further. The over/under for total wins has been set and its not very optimistic. Here is a team breakdown from a guy whose job really depends on getting it right.

Vegas baby!! (Photo Source)

New Orleans Saints over/under 8½ wins: Sean Payton did a sensational job in his first season, getting the Saints to the NFC Championship game, then everything went wrong last season. In an age of offense, the Saints are still loaded, No. 1 in total offense in 2006 and No. 4 last season, led by Drew Brees (4,423 yards, 28 TDs, 18 INTs), and the backfield tandem of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister. This offense is tailor-made for the indoor surface in New Orleans.

The defense has been a problem, but they moved up in the draft to take USC nose tackle Sedrick Ellis with the 7th pick, along with DT DeMario Pressley (5th round, NC State). After having to duel with the AFC South last season (losses to the Texans, Colts and Titans), the Saints get the AFC West, which includes a pair of cupcakes in the Chiefs and Raiders. And remember they played in a division in 2007 where only one team (Bucs) had a winning record. Over 8½ wins is more likely.

Nice! I think this is a no-brainer. Might make a little wager myself.

armchairGM.com had a bit to say about the Saints in their regular Walkers Rants section.

Three teams that will surprise you this upcoming season; New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets…

Surprise everyone except Saints fans.

You guys ought to like this. Kim Kardashian's sister is going to the clink. Per Kim K.'s official blog.

I have been getting asked all day if Khloe is going to jail. I know my fans rely on coming to my blog for the truth...

Khloe wants you to know she was sentenced to go to jail in regards to her one DUI case last year.

Glad I added her site to my daily blogroll.

For those of you with NFL Network, here is the full preseason game lineup.

The Saints have finally started the process of signing their 2008 draft choices and the first was yesterday when the Saints and DE DeMario Pressley agreed to a deal. The Times-Pic broke the story. No details on the contract other than the fact that its for 3 years.

And so it begins.

Can Arrington make the cut? (Photo Source)

The Times-Pic also had this article, which gives us their attempt at predicting the final 53 man roster. As expected, the most interesting decisions came at the cornerback and receiver positions.

Just missed:

CB Jason Craft was the hardest guy to project because he could wind up as a starter or a casualty. If McKenzie is healthy, though, I don't see six cornerbacks making the roster. Veteran Aaron Glenn is in that crowded mix as well.

WR Adrian Arrington has been very impressive so far, but I think he'll start out on the practice squad because of the numbers crunch. I think QB Tyler Palko goes back to the practice squad as well.

DT Kendrick Clancy didn't make my list, but he could easily beat out Thomas, Lake or Pressley.

Not sure I agree with Arrington, but someone has to go. I think its a little too early to really be picking who will make it, but this was all done in fun. What do you guys think about it? Is Arrington in or out? Is Craft in or out?

Right here you can find a position by position breakdown and analysis from CBS Sports in preparation for training camp. Not really too much new here.

Another article on former Saints center Jeff Faine and his new team, this time from the Orlando Sentinel. They are really excited about him down there in FLA aren't they? This was a funny part about Jeff Faine and Chris Hovan talking smack to each other on the line in seasons past.

"There definitely were some words passed between the two of us during those games -- and a lot of it from my end," Faine said recently. "But it was good. I enjoyed it. And I bet he enjoyed it, too."

"We looked at each other, kind of smiled, and basically both said, 'OK, what the [expletive],' and shook hands," Hovan said. "The guy is a warrior, and I'm glad he's my teammate now."

You can find two photo galleries here and here from the Manning Passing Academy courtesy of the Lafayette Advertiser. Many of them are actual students. I have posted some of them in the FanShots. There you can also check out a photo of Kim and Reggie from their day at Six Flags.

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there!

I am surprised nobody thought to put this up in a FanPost.

The big story in NY yesterday was Jeremy Shockey's shouting match with Giants GM Jerry Reese on the final day of minicamp. The original report was from The Bergen Record. This may very well be the last straw for Mr. Shockey. Every NY media source covering the story seemed to suggest a trade now was very likely and very much wanted by Shockey, sportswriters and fans alike.

After the shouting match, it may well have reached the point where Reese will entertain offers.

The Saints tried to make a deal around draft time, while the Buccaneers also may have an interest.

The Giants won the Super Bowl as a team. They don't need Shockey tearing that down. - Big Blue View

Here's our solution: Trade Shockey. Pay Plaxico. - NY Daily News

This sure looks like Shockey is trying to stir up as much trouble as possible in an effort to get traded. And I’m starting to think that a trade might not be such a bad idea. - NY Daily News

The Giants will have to decide whether to keep Shockey or move him, perhaps at less than market value. - Fox Sports

Right around the draft, the Saints wanted Shockey and offered the Giants their second-round pick this year and their fifth-round pick next year. Considering Shockey's behavior, the Giants blew it by not taking those two draft picks and saying goodbye. That is probably going to be the best offer they get.

They should get back on the phone with Saints coach Sean Payton and hope he still wants the player he coached as a rookie to provide firepower for Drew Brees. The Giants have lost their leverage with teams knowing they have no choice but to trade him. They must get rid of him before training camp or risk his bad attitude poisoning the locker room. - NY Daily News

So does this mean Roman Harper should start packing his bags? Should Eric Johnson, Billy Miller or Mark Campbell be worried? Seems the Giants may not be so picky regarding trade offers a second time around. Heck, at this point lets see if we can give away someone else not nearly as good as Harper. I actually like him.

The Times-Pic also had coverage of the whole Shockey scandal. Not much else new to be learned, its just a review of the entire drama from its beginning earlier this spring.

I did like this part of the article though.

Here's a shocker: Shockey and Burress are represented by Drew Rosenhaus.

Ain't that the truth.

The rest of the article had had a league roundup of news including the latest on Chad Johnson, Cedric Benson and LeCharles Bentley.

The Sun Herald did a review of minicamp and a look toward training camp. You can read it for yourself but I will sum it all up.

• Meachem was looking good.
• Henderson and Moore are in danger.
• Colston is serious about his contract.
• They believe Tracy Porter is ahead of Usama Young on the depth chart.
• Jason David doesn't look to start.
• Vilma will be the starting MLB by the end of training camp.
• Keep an eye on Chris Barclay.
• DeMario Pressley needs to get healthy. Quickly.
• Reggie looks skinny.

Next up is a clip from Pro Football Weekly about Jonathan Vilma. Its from a couple of days ago, but still relevant.

The major piece of the Saints’ rebuilt defense, MLB Jonathan Vilma, told PFW this week that he’s in the final stage of his rehab from surgery last fall to repair a dead piece of bone that became dislodged in his knee, and that the knee held up well through the team’s OTAs and minicamp.

They had some quotes from Vilma, but I am pretty sure they were old and we have already seen them.

Here is the obligatory article about the first family of football, the Mannings, from Fox Sports. I swear they have one of these write-ups about once a month. This time its in a Fathers Day wrapping. Of note in the article, apparently Eli and Peyton weren't very close until Eli became QB for Ole Miss and they shared the common experience of being an SEC quarterback.

"It was something all of a sudden in common we could talk about," Eli said.

Peyton closes out the article.

"It's great when we come to New York now, too," Peyton said, "because he picks up dinner."

I seriously smell a reality show. Maybe after they both retire. Peyton does have that natural on camera presence that makes him very funny. If they came out with a reality show, what would they call it? Leave your submissions in the comment box.