Holding their practice at the Greenbrier meant training in a more comfortable setting than what the Saints are used to, he said.
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Spiller, who received a four-year, $16 million contract from the Saints this offseason, did not play against the Ravens and didn’t participate in the final practice open to media on Tuesday – two days before the contest. And congratulations to Benjamin on a great day at practice.
Both of the team’s future Hall of Fame QB’s had some good and bad moments, with one highlight play coming on former Saints and current Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich’s sack of Saints QB Drew Brees; which also was in the Red Zone portion.
“It’s always fun to go out and compete against different guys”, defensive end Chandler Jones began.
Theres going to be great competition down there, offensive lineman Nate Solder said.
Safety Devin McCourty also spoke about the upcoming opportunity. You get to see a different look. “That’s the objective for all 32 teams”. You’re trying to evaluate your roster and get the best 53 players you can.
The kinship between Bill Belichick and Sean Payton is apparent in the way they compliment each other, as well as the subjects they’d rather not discuss. “That’s something I can remember Coach Belichick specifically preaching”. Payton didn’t specifically call out any networks.
“I don’t really think that’s that significant right now”.
“We had a lot of reps (Wednesday), and we’re going to have a lot of reps (Thursday), too”, Saints center Max Unger said.
According to Belichick, the practices will be mostly about evaluating individual talent, rather than out-scheming the opponent. “I’m not a big fan of those”. “We’re here for one reason and that’s to improve our football team individually and collectively”. I know they’re looking at it as the same approach. “First class all the way, from where we’re staying to the fields out here”.
Bobby said that today’s practice was very professional. “I thought both of the Morgans came up with good receptions and they came while each were going against some of the league’s better secondary players”. “It’ll be good. It’ll prep us well”.
Under a punishing sun that would occasionally duck behind clouds to bring welcome relief, the Patriots and Saints practiced for 2½ hours, many miles from their respective homes, and in front of a small crowd that included West Virginia legend Jerry West and two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, who has a home at the Greenbrier.
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Jackson Haskins is fifteen years old and is a rising sophomore at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, NY. Kick off on Saturday is set for 7:30 pm ET. He is the New England Patriots analyst and an NFL writer for Page 2 Sports.
