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Inside the Saints locker room you'll find a quote above the player's lockers.
"Those who are skilled in combat do not become angered, those who are skilled at winning do not become afraid. Thus the wise win before they fight, while the ignorant fight to win."- Morihei Ueshiba
It doesn't get any more "Sean Payton" than that. It is a mentality that you can see being implemented along with the offensive and defensive plays and formations. These past three days have shown us many positive things to look forward to in Training Camp and the 2014 season. Today was the final day of the Saints mandatory minicamp. Here are some notes from today's practice.
1.) The Atlanta Falcons will be this year's Hard Knock participants. I, for one, am looking forward to this. While I dislike the Falcons as much as the next guy this has always been more of a distraction for the players and a bonus in the pockets of the owners. Good luck Atlanta, you're going to need it.
JUST ANNOUNCED: The Atlanta Falcons will be the featured team on HBO's Hard Knocks premiering August 5th. pic.twitter.com/oA5knKXL7M
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 12, 2014
2.) Sean Payton stated that the scheme hasn't changed with Jimmy Graham being gone. He also noted that Strozier has studied well and is very intelligent. Payton was impressed with the handle Strozier had of the playbook so far as a first year guy. He added that Brandin Cooks will be back for the final week of OTAs.
Payton said they haven't had to change anything scheme wise with Graham gone. It's almost like he's out because of injury.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) June 12, 2014
#Saints Payton said WR Brandin Cooks will be here for final week of OTAs next week
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) June 12, 2014
3.) Special teams has been receiving extra attention during minicamp. There seems to be an emphasis to improve a unit that has been average at best the past few years.
Been a lot special teams work this week. Lots of teaching
— DougTatum (@DougTatum) June 12, 2014
Punt team work, which means Morstead getting to show off backspin on kicks inside 20
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) June 12, 2014
On FG unit Morstead holds for Shayne Graham and Ryan Griffin for Dimke. Both made all 3 attempts, plenty room to spare from 39
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) June 12, 2014
4.) Both Colston and Meachem have looked solid with fresh legs during OTAs and minicamp. The old vets are picking up where they left off.
Things livening up. In 7v7, WR Robert Meachem gets loud oohs after getting behind Corey White and catching long Brees throw over middle.
— Ramon Antonio Vargas (@RVargasAdvocate) June 12, 2014
5.) Bobby Hebert threw Sean Payton a curveball during the interview asking him on his policy of players having game week sex. (In reference to recent comments by World Cup Soccer coaches). Payton laughed off/dodged the question.
Bobby Hebert breaks out a world cup question to Coach Payton asked what his game WK sex policy is
— Sean Fazende (@SeanFazende) June 12, 2014
To add to what @JeffDuncan_ said, Hebert asked if there was a policy difference based on whether it was acrobatic or not. Hebert's the best.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 12, 2014
6.) Kenny Vaccaro picked off Drew during the 11v11 drills. He made a great jump on a route by Kenny Stills to make the play.
Vaccaro picks Brees in 11-on-11, flips ball back to offense
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) June 12, 2014
7.) Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Champ Bailey saw more time with the 1s today. By my unofficial count these two have spent most of the time opposite Keenan Lewis. Patrick Robinson is in there as well.
Champ Bailey back with the first team at CB
— Sean Fazende (@SeanFazende) June 12, 2014
Stanley Jean Baptiste with a rep with first team as well
— Sean Fazende (@SeanFazende) June 12, 2014
8.) Mark Ingram made some nice runs today, including one to start off drills.
Mark Ingram with a nice inside run to start things off
— Sean Fazende (@SeanFazende) June 12, 2014
9.) As a whole, I'd say the defense "beat" the offense overall during this minicamp. Lots of nice plays by all the DBs (and we also saw many would-be sacks that would have occurred if this were a full contact practice).
#saints CB Keenan Lewis emphatically bats away line-drive pass from Brees to Robert Meachem. Nice job of getting arm around, inside Meach.
— Ramon Antonio Vargas (@RVargasAdvocate) June 12, 2014
S Ty Zimmerman gets pick off tip from Stills, defense forces turnover in 7-on-7
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) June 12, 2014
10.) Timothy Flanders, the UDFA fighting for a roster spot, made a couple of nice plays today with the backups.
Backup #saints QB Logan Kilgore bounces back from INT in 11v11, hitting RB Tim Flanders 4 very long gain as Flanders streaked out backfield.
— Ramon Antonio Vargas (@RVargasAdvocate) June 12, 2014
11.) Some people aren't cut out for/used to the heat and humidity some of us have grown up with. It made me chuckle seeing this.
People here claiming it's normally hotter than this at this time of year. I'm sweating standing still. http://t.co/lPvjXoWm4g
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 12, 2014