Greetings Football Fans... over the next few weeks I'll be posting on the happenings of Saints Camp and trying to give you a "behind the scenes" view of what transpires at Millsaps College.

For starters, the Saints are loaded. With Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister and wide-outs like Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Terrance Copper (who looked GREAT on day one) David Patten and top-pick Robert Meachem out of Tennessee this team has fantastic skill players. The offensive line is solid. Add to that a healthy Eric Johnson, whom the Saints signed in free agency from San Francisco at Tight End, and you're a complete unit.

If the Saints take any heat at all - it's on defense. But some serious up-grades in personnel will help them elevate in 2007. Players like Dhani Jones and Brian Simmons add depth at linebacker... and Jason David, Usama Young and Kevin Kaesviharm will bolster a secondary that is headlined by Mike McKenzie (who can take away half the field) but still allows the BIG PLAY down the field too often. Gary Gibbs is an experienced coach at both the college and professional level, with an even-keel and level-headed approach to running his side of the ball. He takes risks when they present themselves, but doesn't put his corners or young players in positions they can't handle. He doesn't get enough credit as a coordinator in the league.

Olindo Mare is a great pick-up from the Dolphins at Kicker. Moving inside the dome will help his numbers go-up, and the fact that he produced as much as he did in Miami with the horrible offense and rainy south Florida climate during the fall PROVES he is a legitimate threat to have a career year in '07.

So the first day of two-a-days has come and gone, and the players hydrated and did all they could to slowly work into "shape" in the heat and humidity that was thick. The crowds were big, and the fans had ample opportunity to see all the action as Sean Payton moves his team all around the two upper-fields during the session. Brees looked sharp, Reggie made some great cut-backs and moves that made the crowd go crazy, and Deuce got his affectionate chant every time he would break into the open field carrying the ball.

It was a great first day, the rain stayed away, and the NFL is now back in Jackson! And don't forget, every practice is free and OPEN to the public!

Christian