Some Saints news

[Randall]

Source: AP

 

The Saints' gold helmets were conspicuously devoid of the traditional fleur-de-lis, which is a symbol of the club, as well as the city of New Orleans and many parts of Louisiana. Instead, players all had tape across the front of their helmets with their last names written on it. It was similar to what goes on in Dallas under coach Bill Parcells, who has run rookie camps there without the classic Cowboys stars on the helmets. Payton coached under Parcells in Dallas before getting the head coaching job in New Orleans. Both coaches want the logos to be earned by players on the practice field as they fight to make the team.

 

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I love this move. Said coach Payton: "We'd just assume put a nice piece of tape on their helmet and their name on their back so we know who they are," Payton said. "We'll figure out the fleur-de-lis when they get closer to making the team, maybe not just on the team. I think we've got to use them in the preseason though, so, we'll see -- plus it's easier on the equipment guys."

 

Source: Larry Holder, The Sun Herald

 

Saints coach Sean Payton wants to treat No. 1 draft pick Reggie Bush just like every other player attending the team's three-day rookie minicamp. But Bush couldn't help being singled out Saturday. He did very little in his first day on the field at the Saints practice facility. Bush tweaked his hamstring while stretching during the morning session and spent most of the day on the sidelines.

 

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Don't hit the panic button. As coach Payton joked, this was from Bush spending too much time in a limo. Bush downplayed it, "It will be fine. Just give it a couple of days for rehab and ice. It will be fine. It's nothing major." If nothing else, it ought to add a little spice to the contract negotiations. The knock on Bush of course was the question about how he'd handle a full workload at this level and if he could hold up. This tweak has nothing to do with holding up to a higher workload, but it's still something you'd think the Saints will use at the table. Bush is saying all the right things still: "I told my agent that I want be here in camp on time. Whatever it takes. I don't want to get caught up in holdouts or anything. It's important to start off on a good footing, not only with the team, but with the city." Let's see if his agent, Joel Segal, does as Bush instructs and does "whatever it takes" to get him in on time.NO - Saints Have To Earn Fleur-De-Lis