Saints prepare for preseason opener|[8/9/06]
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 9, 2006
JACKSON – The doldrums of training camp have set in for many of the New Orleans Saints veterans here at Millsaps College.
After nearly 10 days of running the same drills against the same people, the Saints will get some relief Saturday night with a road trip to Nashville to play the Tennessee Titans in their preseason opener.
Fullback Mike Karney is one Saint who can’t wait.
“Definitely looking forward to it,” Karney said after Tuesday’s round of practices. “We’ve been looking at the same defense when we run through our plays. It’ll be good to go up against a defense that doesn’t know us at all.”
Much of the Saints’ work under new head coach Sean Payton is learning his version of the West Coast offense.
“We’ve basically been installing plays, but from what I’ve seen it’s a good offense,” Karney said.
One glaring weakness from last year’s 3-13 disaster was the Saints’ inability to score inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. The “red zone” was a no-go zone for New Orleans, which ranked 31st out of 32 teams when it came to scoring touchdowns from the 20.
“We had a lack of attitude last year when it came down to the red zone. We had one of the lowest conversion rates in the league, but this year we’re not settling for just three points. We want seven,” Karney said.
Saturday’s game will be the first time many fans from the Gulf South will get to see the new Saints under Payton, featuring new quarterback Drew Brees and top draft pick Reggie Bush.
Yet it’s players like rookie linebacker E.J. Kuale out of LSU and second-year quarterback Adrian McPherson who must shine against the Titans.
Kuale is one of eight linebackers in camp. The figure was at nine, but free agent signee Anthony Simmons decided to retire.
“This is a make or break game for me,” Kuale said. “This may be my only time to show (Payton and his staff) how I can contribute to the team. I know as a rookie, my best chance to win a spot on the team is with special teams.”
McPherson, the former Florida State quarterback, is battling for the No. 3 quarterback slot – or any other position he can fill.
“I’m prepared to return punts or kicks if I need to,” McPherson said.
McPherson was the team’s No. 3 quarterback all last season behind the departed Aaron Brooks and back-up Todd Bouman. With the arrival of Brees and free agent pick up Jamie Martin from the St. Louis Rams, McPherson is in a battle with Bouman and Oregon’s Jason Fife just to make the team.
“You have to go out and make plays when your time comes,” McPherson added.
For four-year veteran safety Bryan Scott, the exhibition games are just that, a chance to exhibit your abilities – and not just to the Saints.
“This begins the audition period,” said Scott who played strong safety with Atlanta the past three seasons and was the starter for all 16 regular season and two playoff games for the Falcons when they reached the NFC title game in 2004. “It’s all about finding a fit. You may not fit in here, but there are 31 other teams that may be looking for that fit.”