“We’ve had good weather out here, and our surface is real similar to Tampa’s surface,” Saints head coach Sean Payton said Thursday after practice. “With some of these injuries it’s a little bit easier on the joints to be on the grass than on the indoor with some of our players. It’s been a while since we’ve gone two days in a row outside.”
The 9-0 Saints battle the 1-8 Buccaneers at noon on Sunday in Tampa Bay.
BUMPS AND BRUISES
WR Lance Moore, RB Reggie Bush, CB Jabari Greer, and CD Tracy Porter all did not practice.
S Darren Sharper, C Jonathan Goodwin, and DT Sedrick Ellis practiced on a limited basis.
TE David Thomas who did not practice on Wednesday was full go on Thursday.
Bush, who scored a pair of touchdowns last week at St. Louis, missed his second straight practice this week. ”There’s some swelling still. We again backed off it today, and we just got to see where he is at tomorrow,” Payton commented after practice. “Just kind of monitor his progress, his rehab.”
Bush’s left knee has given him issues since the start of training camp. Payton often would choose to sit Bush out for one of the practices during two-a-days, and occasionally has rested Bush early in the week of practice. “He has a couple of plays in the game, he had some swelling afterwards, some soreness in it. Got his treatment early in the week and we’re just trying to see if we can get it close to a hundred percent right now. We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow (Friday), at the same time I don’t want to set it back,” added Payton.
WILLIAMS COMFORTABLE WITH STATE OF SECONDARY
Starting cornerback Tracy Porter will be out for a few weeks as he recovers from a sprained MCL in his knee. In the meantime it’s up to other players to fill in, including veteran Chris McAllister who was signed by the team this week as added insurance to a banged up secondary that’s also missing corner Jabari Greer. Greer is suffering from a hurt groin muscle.
McAlister feels that he’ll be able to contribute and is excited about getting back on the field. As for when he’ll see his first action? Coaches are still hesitant to say. “He’s another guy for us to train to get ready to go. When’s he’s ready? I can’t tell you that. A lot of it will be dependent upon the health of the guys in front of him,” said Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams who added he felt thankful the Saints went after an 11 year veteran corner to help his wounded secondary. “I’ve been places where you just did without, you know all of a sudden you get one of those d-tackles to start playing corner or something like that.”
McAlister was signed by the team on Wednesday morning and could see some action Sunday, helping him get on the field is his experience and natural ability that led to be in three Pro Bowls. “I selfishly like veterans at this point and time of the year because I don’t have to catch them up as much. There’s certain things that he already knows about the National Football League. We’ll just have to wait and see. He fits in well. He fits in well.”
While the newest member of the Saints secondary may only see a handfull of plays, the team’s first round draft pick is expected to see a significant amount of time. Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins has already made some noise on special teams, but is with increased playing time at cornerback, Jenkins is showing he can be counted on to make plays.
“He did well. He really did well,” says Williams of Jenkins play against the Rams. “I teased him a little bit this week as he steps up again in this role, is that rookie quarterback against rookie corner. We’ll see who steps up the most and how they do.”
Jenkins has steadily impressed coaches at practice, and Williams believes its only a matter or time until the former Buckeye shines on game day. “What I hope that you all, and the fans will get to see is that he’s one of those rare corners that’s physical like a safety. Not only can he play the corner position, but he plays it like a safety or smaller linebacker. He plays it in his style. His framework, but he’s got an aggressive style about it and that’s what attracted me to him when I started watching the college film anyway.”
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